I awoke and could remember quite a bit of what I basically memorized for my oral presentation in class today. That was a good sign. This is the first of four graded elements for the pass-fail class.
Anya made French toast for her friend Sarah, who considers her first language to be French! (I asked her this morning.) Of course, this was a strange name of the food for her. Sarah’s parents live on the European continent, and she stays in a student apartment close by. It is good to have Anya’s friends over.
There was a new student in class today, another Finnish young women. Swedish is an official language in Finland and they are required to take it in high school. So, those who come to Sweden for university are too advanced for the basic Swedish courses, so the undergraduate students are put in with the Swedish for Academic 3 course, which are mostly PhD students. They fit in well, because of their foundation, and the group is congenial.
The presentations were done in small groups of four. The Finn went first, then me, then the German, and finally the French woman. My presentation was fine. I was able to be a little free from what I prepared, which is a good sign that the words and concepts had sunk in a bit. There were a few hiccups trying to remember the word I wanted to use and to switch the order of the verb and subject when following a “bisats” such as an adverbial expression of time. (“When an adverbial clause comes first, switch you the order of the verb and subject.”) This is difficult to do consistently.
Basically, I was satisfied of the outcome of my presentation. I see how I learned quite a bit through the process. However, with a sigh of relief, I’m glad it is over.
We were required to ask a question after each presentation. At the end, we wrote these on a sheet. I noticed that all of my first questions were related to language and the languages spoken in their home, work, and life. Perhaps I am interested in languages, which I am, such as the question I asked Sarah at breakfast time. Perhaps I am more comfortable with this gamut of vocabulary in Swedish.
After the presentations, we put all the phrases of a Pippi Longstocking song in order.
If you’d like to here the song about a seasick pirate, here’s the link. This YouTube video has the lyrics, but we only heard it sung.
The last portion of the class was on prepositions related to time. Prepositions are difficult in language learning as they have a lot of colloquial usage that aren’t related to how we use them in English. I learned a couple rules that will help me, but these are still difficult, even for the guy who is fluent in Norwegian.
On my bike ride home, I stopped for a couple pictures.
I went to Johannelund after a quick lunch at home (which is on the way), where I met a student. There was a little time of Swedish practice, but it also was a time of connecting, listening, and sharing. I had an opportunity to speak God’s grace into the challenges of life. I’m beginning to see how God is making me a blessing here.
Then I moved out of my temporary office to the office that is now available for me. There isn’t much to put in it yet. There will be bookshelves coming. I’m bringing a backpack of books everyday from my apartment.
I loved the view of a wooded greenbelt out of my temporary place, but if I move to the left windows and look to the right past the student apartments, I can see some beautiful fall colors.
I arrived home to see that Anya and I got mail. We have pin numbers for our bank accounts. So, now we really can use the bank accounts–after I figure out how to confirm the money was deposited and how to transfer funds to Anya’s account.
One other YouTube video to share is especially for Marv. I wish I were there to watch it together and hear you laugh! Ismo Leikola is a Finnish comedian. A colleague who is a Swede who lives in Finland shared this at fika yesterday afternoon. (Yes, you heard that right, he commutes from Finland, and stays in an apartment on campus several days each week.)
Anya is off at youth group tonight and invited a friend from school along, a Canadian, who is joining her. I’m glad to be at home after a long week and all the emotional exhaustion of preparing for the presentation in Swedish class. I have a long task list of stuff to do for tomorrow, like figuring out all the online banking systems.
With blessings,
Beth
Beth, maybe you should have told me about Ismo Leikola (no silent letters) in a private e-mail. He looks like me, he dresses like me, he’s got a body like mine except mine is 30 years more used. I just hope Jean doesn’t see it, she might say to me, “Wait a minute, that’s the one I married! Who are you?”