Sept. 7-11

So I’ve been in school for three weeks so for and I guess my schedule is pretty much decided. I only have 2 or 3 classes per day but I’ll be put in more once I understand the language more. So my days at school are blurring together. Tuesday, in jazz class at school we practised improvising. I was given a key and told to play for 8 measures. So I did, I didn’t know what I was doing but I played something that went along with the chords and jazz beat that was being played in the background. Everyone had a turn improvising and it was fun. During my trumpet lesson that day, I got some more practice and instruction in improving. That night, I was invited for supper to Tomas’ house, my Rotary counsellor, where I met his wife and his sons Magnus and Kristofer who are 8 and 9. They are a very nice family and assured me that I am always welcome to come back and drop by for a visit. Wednesday at school, I had my first cooking class. It actually wasn’t at school, it was with a group from my school but at a special restaurant school downtown. The 9 of us get this kitchen with stainless steal appliances and wear colourful aprons (the big floppy hats are only for the full time chef students). We made mayonnaise and then used it in shrimp sandwiches. I didn’t even know you could make mayonnaise and I was quite amazed as I beat the egg yokes with oil and watched it turn white and then it actually tasted like mayo! It was a lot of fun, too bad we only have cooking once a week. Thursday, after school we had a Blaspopperna practice and they are very happy to have an other trumpet player in the band because the are bringing in older trumpet players to play with me. They are in their 20s and are very good. That night, Elin's friend, Gustav, came over for a visit. He is very nice. We had fika, watched TV and chatted. I got help with my Swedish homework. Friday, Anna and Elin's old babysitter came over with her husband, Magnus. She was here so often babysitting, that she's like part of the family and now she's expecting a kid of her own! That night, Hakan came back from Finland and we all went to a VIP book release party. It was such a unique and unusual experience that it needs it's own blog entry...