Ein Schweizer in Umeå

Final post (?)

2006-01-22T17:31:00.000+01:00

I haven't posted anything for quite a long time. There isn't much new to say anymore since I'm not in Umeå anymore. Still I haven't closed this blog officially. I'm back home now for almost half a year, so the time has come for a summary.
During the last months, when I met old friends again, they usually asked me: "And? How was it?" and I usually answered: "eh, it was great." Some of them thought then that I didn't sound too enthusiastic. The question looks short and simple, but it is harder to find a short and adequate answer. Of course it was a great time, I made a lot of new experiences, I discovered a new landscape, a new climate and a new culture, I learnt much, I met a lot of new people, I partied hard and I surely also had some bad moments, but mainly I had a lot of fun. This is the shortest summary I could give and still it is too rough to cover it.

Another question often was: "do you miss it?" but that I'll answer in the next time. So then this wasn't the last post. Stay tuned!

"International Pub" in Würzburg

2005-10-01T12:27:00.000+02:00

For once some up to date news; in two weeks, on october 15th is an international pub for former Umeå exchange students in Würzburg. Unfortunately I'll miss it, because I'll be in Finland during the next two weeks. And I probably also won't have time to go the reunion in Prague in november. It would have been nice to see these people again, but ok, maybe another time. Have fun anyway!

The future of this blog is still not decided. I have some ideas how to continue, but let's see. There is still some stuff from summer left to update.

Hope to hear of you again

Down the Finnish west coast

2005-09-28T13:06:00.000+02:00

I know it goes a bit slow with the recapituation of my journey home and it would be time to close this blog soon and start something new. But ok, I'll finish first the old stuff for once.

Here is part 3 of my travel back home: After visiting Yki in Kuusamo and hiking karhunkierros, I drove farther north to Rovaniemi. There on the polar circle lies Santa Clause village, the place where christmas is 365 days a year. One of the corniest places I have ever seen. My journey contiued to the Finnish-Swedish border and then in along the Torneälven northwards. Then I went back to Sweden for two days i.a. to Luleå, which I haven't visited before, eventhough it wasn't too far from Umeå. Next stop then back in Finland was Oulu, where I visited Riikka. Oulu is surely the economic and cultural centre in the north of Finland and reminded me therefore somehow to Umeå in Sweden. But Oulu is bigger and there is surely more going on during summer. Ok, sightseeing was done quite fast, but the night life is good and we went to some interesting bars. Later on Niina joined us, who came to visit Riikka for a music festival on the next day.

On friday I continued my travel to Kokkola, where I met Antti again, who came by train from Helsinki. We went then to the summer cottage of Linda's family, where we met Linda, her brother and her brother's daughter. My last weekend in Finland I could relax again. I went fishing with Antti (but we didn't catch anything), we went to a folk music festival or just enjoyed the nature. On monday then me and Antti drove to Turku, where I planned to take the ferry to Stockholm on tuesday morning. So we stayed overnight at a friend of Antti, who was a bit chaotic but a really nice guy.
With the Viking line ferry I left Finland for this time, but probably not for good. And before I would come home to Switzerland, I still had some days in Stockholm.

Lappland and Karhunkierros

2005-08-31T18:41:00.000+02:00

Part 2 of my recapitulation; as already mentioned, from Helsinki I went to Kuusamo, where I met Yki again. I arrived there on thursday evening and a bit later we were already fishing. We didn't catch anything useful, but fortunately Yki had some traps as well where he caught some fish, which we had smoked for dinner. On friday evening we left Kuusamo to go hiking on the famous Karhunkierros, the bear's trail. We did only a part of the whole trail and Yki told me first that the distance would be approximately 35 km, but in the end we realised that is was much longer. We walked 51 km in 2 1/2 days, or to be precisely within 48 hours.
The trail is built for trips of several days' duration and therefore are cottages on the way where you could stay overnight. But since it was quite crowded on the trail these days (i.a. a travel group from Slovakia with 45 people), we decided to sleep in our tent.
It was impressive to walk through the forests of Lappland and we were lucky with the weather, sun was shining allmost all the time. At the first evening there has been a lot of mosquitos and you have to know how to protect yourself although you cannot totally avoid them. But you get also used to them somehow.

On monday I left Yki and Kuusamo again and drove farther north, to Rovaniemi. Yki, I want to thank you and your family again for the warm hospitality, have a nice time in St. Petersburg and I hope to see you again.

What happend actually in july

2005-08-25T18:00:00.000+02:00

Daily life got me again. I work at the moment to earn some money, joined again the legendary 3rd team of the FC Bülach and will give my comeback there on next sunday (10.15, Erachfeld, Bülach). Let's hope I still have the confidence of the coach.

By the way, the small FC Thun plays in the champions league, while the mighty FC Basel didn't qualify.

I promised to recapitulate my Scandinavia travel when I'm home again. I came home for three weeks ago, so it's time to start with the story of my journey in july.

At the beginning of july i flew home to Switzerland for some days for the bachelor party of my brother. He was really surprised to see me. The evening was funny, eventhough it didn't end so nice. Then I went back to Helsinki, where I left my car at Antti's place. I stayed one day with Linda and Antti, did some Helsinki-sightseeing and went with Linda to Soumenlinna, the fortress on islands in front of the harbour and had some nice summer evenings in the Finnish capital. On thursday I left Helsinki and drove up to Kuusamo. But more about that follows later.

Back Home

2005-08-04T12:11:00.000+02:00

Ok, I'm home again now.

If you were waiting for new information about my travel, I can only say that I didn't have time during the last month of travelling to update my blog, or at least I didn't have internet access when I would have had time to write something. But I made a lot of notes and will update it during the next days. So stay tuned!

Midsummer in Finland

2005-06-29T11:20:00.000+02:00

Midsummer is celebrated the weekend around the 21th of july (the longest day of the year) and it is probably the most important holiday in Scandinavian countries. Three days, from friday to sunday the time stands still. The shop in Ålidhem for example, which is open every day (even on christmas and easter) closes on midsummer. I already heard a lot about midsummer in Sweden in advance, so I planned to stay at least till this date in Umeå, but now it came even better and I went to Finland for midsummer.

I had the chance to spend these days with Leena in her mother´s summer cottage near Pori together with her sister Laura, their cousin Lauri and Laura´s boyfriend Heikki. First of all, midsummer is a lot about relaxing; eating, drinking beer, going to sauna and forgetting time. Ok, that wasn´t the only thing we did. On friday afternoon was a little celebration for Laura, who got her master degree with some of here relatives. In the night then we watched the traditional bonfires at the shores.

On saturday was a traditional charity football game, which was originated by Leena´s dad and his two brothers about 20 years ago; Niittyluoto (their family and relatives, the Furuholms) plays against Sandö (a local team). The event is quite a big thing with a lot of spectators and the money raised goes to local youth organisations. I had the great honour to play for Niittyluoto. I think we were the better team and should have won the game, but as always, if you don´t score your opponent will. At the end we lost 3-1. But it was fun anyway and I don´t think I ever played in front of a bigger crowd (ca. 800 spectators). By the way, it was the first time I played football this year, but obviously it wasn´t too bad. At least I got invited to play next year again.

On sunday we had a boat trip with Leena´s dad in the arichipelago of Pori, a really nice area with a lot of little green islands and inbetween the blue sea. But also not too warm because of the wind.

Midsummer is nice holiday and very relaxing. I think I have to celebrate this again.

Have a nice summer!

Goodbye Umeå

2005-06-29T10:58:00.000+02:00

It´s time to say goodbye to my chosen home city for the last 10 months. Actually, I already left Umeå last thursday, but I didn´t have time to write something before leaving. It was strange somehow to go to the city centre a last time. I remembered the first day I came to Umeå, it was raining, I didn´t know anybody or anything and I had to search stuff for my broken tent. Now the sun was shining, I felt like home and many places were connected with memories.

Cleaning my room and packing my things wasn´t that easy as well; a lot of stuff was collected during this year and I got a lot of things, which are still useful but which I don´t need anymore. Somehow I managed to get rid of all the stuff I didn´t want to take home and to pack the things I still need in my car. At 5 p.m. I left Pedagoggränd 9A and Ålidhem, brought back the keys to the international housing office and drove to Holmsund, where I took the ferry to Vaasa.

A blue sky with some single white clouds promised nice weather for midsummer, while the ferry headed for Finland and Umeå diminished at the horizon. Soon the sorrow of leaving was displaced by anticipation of the midsummer festivities in Finland.

Is this the end now of my blog? No, certainly not yet. I´m still on my "farewell tour" and the way back home is also part of the journey. So I try to write regular updates if possible about my travel. Back home I´ll probably write a summary about this year in Umeå. But I have to think first about this all anyway before I´ll be able to draw a conclusion.

See you

Lofoten and North cape

2005-06-19T13:45:00.000+02:00

Hej there,

just came back from a ten days trip to Norway. First I went with Andrea, Juliane and Sarah to the Lofoten. We drove by car to Bodö and then by ferry to Sörvågen. We spent 4 nights on the Lofoten, unfortunately was the weather really bad during the first two days, but somehow the rain also created a special ambiance in the rough landscape. Ok, there isn't so much to do, when it is constantly raining but luckily the rain stopped and the sun came back on the third day. Time to see the midnight sun, impressing when the sun doesn't disappear at all. After four days we left the Lofoten and traveled northwards to the Vesterålen, after a night in Sortland we drove to Andenes on the top end of the islands to go to whale safari. We stayed two days there, but unfortunately the sea was too stormy, so the tour was cancelled on both days. It's really a pity that we couldn't see the spermwhales, but now we have still a reason to go there again.
After the Vesterålen our travel group split up. While the girls went southwards to the Lofoen again and took the Hurtigruten boat (the costal post ship) from Sortland to Svolvär, I drove northwards. I also took the hurtigruten boat from Harstad to Tromsö. These ships have a long tradition as mail and person transports along the coast, but nowadays they are more like cruising ships for elderly people. But the trip on the boat was interesting anyway.
From Tromsö, I drove up north, stayed overnight in Alta and then to the North cape. Nowadays the North cape is kind of a big tourist attraction, with restaurants, souvenir shops, museums, etc. You even have to pay entrance fee to the North cape, which is, with 190 NoK regular price or 105 NoK for students respectively, really expensive. In addition you have to pay street toll for the tunnel under the sea on the way to the North cape. So, the trip to the North cape is quite expensive and once there, you have to see that the whole thing is mainly a big tourist attraction. First I thought if it was worth to come there, but still this place has a kind of magic. The nature is rough and sparse, and the rocks of the cape stand steep against the arctic sea. Ok, I had also really good weather there, but the landscape has a special beauty. The other special aspect of being there is probably a more metaphoric; you are at the end of a journey. Sure the journey continues by driving back, but arrived at this point the only way to go is the way back.
That's somehow also the point where I stand now concerning my adventure of studying a year abroad; the semester is over, most of the people went home and I'll leave Umeå soon as well. The way left to go is the way back home, but it's part of the travel and the way back can be nice as well.
The way back from the North cape was quite, I stayed one more night in Kautokeino in Norway and then picked up the girls again on the railway station in Gällivare. On Friday night we arrived back in Umeå, which is nice and green now, but also quite empty since allmost everybody left the city.

I won't stay long as well, probably on thursday I'll leave Umeå for good and will travel to Finland. But I will probalby write more about my plans during this week.

Ha det bra

Short trip to Finland

2005-06-04T21:14:00.000+02:00

I just came back from a short trip to Finland. As you might know, I planned my Finland-trip for july, but now I drove Leena back home and spent several days there. First we went to Tampere and stayed there two days. The city has an interesting night live and a lot of good bars and restaurants and I had not enough time to try all these nice places. Surely a reason to go there again. Afterwards we went to Pori and I stayed two more days there. Yesterday we were in the family's summer cottage. That's quite cool in Finland and in Sweden as well that many families have these really nice "sommarstugor", eventhough it is surely a lot of work. Today now, I came back to Umeå and on the road back I made the 10'000th km with my car since I left Switzerland last summer.

Umeå seems already to be quite empty a lot of international students have left during the last days and the Swedish students went home as well. This weekend are the last farewell parties and it is probably interesting to see what will go on next week when almost everybody went home. But ok, on tuesday I'll leave also for Norway (Lofots and North cape) but I'll be back in Umeå once again probably for midsommar.

At the end I just want to mention that to friends (Mark and Daniel) were running the Stockholm Marathon today and they both finished in quite good times, congratulations! And respect to Mark's trainings effort and respect to Daniel's result without any planned training.

Brännbollsyran

2005-05-31T06:59:00.000+02:00

Hej tillsammans,

This weekend was the legendary Brännbolls cupen here in Umeå. Brännboll is actually some kind of baseball or "Mattenlauf" and more a school game than a serious sport, but anyway here they have the biggest tournament. I also participated with "Tha International Djur Conspiracy", we all played in animal costumes (me of course again as lion). We played quite badly, I think, but because of our costumes we qualified for the finals for best show.

Traditionally, there is a big "spontaneous" party in Ålidhem, mainly in Fysikgränd, during the brännbollsyran weekend. I heard a lot of wild stories about this party before, but I couldn't really believe them. But ok, Fysikgrändfesten is crazy, there were a lot of people on the streets, some really burned furnitures and other really threw tv's out of the window.

Brännbollsyran is probably a reason to come back to Umeå next year again.

So, I'm on the way to Finnland now for several days, but I'll be back this weekend.

c u

Still alive

2005-05-23T15:20:00.000+02:00

Hej tillsammans,

Even if I didn't write anything for quite a long time again, am I still alive and still in Umeå. It happend quite a lot the last few days and I was just to busy to get time to write about it.
The weekend before was gentlemen's dinner from the HHUS, quite a funny day organised by the girls from the business school for the guys. (A similar event just the other way round is usually held during fall semester). I'll publish some pictures as soon as I get time.
On monday, I had to hand in my last exercise here at the university in Umeå and now I'm done with my studies here and can enjoy the last weeks of the semester.

On thursday was the last international pub in scharinska villan and like last semester, Carolina Miskovsky performed again live on stage. She is really great and I hope she will publish her first CD before I'll go home.

From friday to sunday then I went to Höga Kusten again. I've been there last semester in october and so it was interesting to see it now in spring. here, I made quite a lot of pictures and I'll try to publish the best of them as soon as possible.

So, this should be enough for today,

och vi ses.

Sverige - Schweiz

2005-05-12T15:36:00.000+02:00

So, Switzerland is qualifed for the quarter finals at the ice hockey world championships and the opponent there is Sweden. The first game of our national team I'll be able to watch here, probably also the last. But no! We still believe in the sensation, even if I think Sweden is much better, there is always a chance. At least it is time again to show colors. We're going tonight to E-Puben to watch the game, dressed in red and with the Swiss flag. How cool this will be to celebrate the Swiss victory there, and if not, I think we'll have fun anyway.

Hopp Schwiiz!

Extended Update

2005-05-09T20:35:00.000+02:00

I haven't written anything for quite long and I want to apologize to my readers. I was quite busy, my parents were visiting me and I'm in the last weeks of my studies here. It was really nice that my parents came here and it was good to see them now, since I won't be back in Switzerland not until august.

There is actually just one week to go at the university for me. I had to hand in a case study for the applied coaching course today and I have to write a reexam till next monday. Then I'm done. Bra! men också ledsen. I mean, I'm still some weeks here, time for travel and parties but somehow the farewell tour starts quite soon. I don't want to write a summary already now, but I was thinking quite a lot the last days and there are many questions that bother me. What will I take home from my stay here? (I mean not material things). What have I learnt here, have I learnt anything at all? Which memories will I keep? I met quite a lot people here, but which people will I remember in some years? And how? And how will they remember me? What about my friends here, will we ever meet again? Or was everything here just friendship of convenience? Hopefully not, but we'll see. So, this was once a more reflective contribution and I will probably come back to these questions in some weeks or months. And feel free to discuss this topic here.

But back to more cheerful things; I started planning the last weeks here and there is a lot to do. On saturday is a gentlemen's dinner of the business school, next week on thursday is already the last international pub in Scharinska villan. Afterwards I wanted to go to Lofoten Islands but out of practical reasons I postponed this project, so I'll go to Höga Kusten again for a weekend. It will be interesting to see the breathtaking landscape there in spring after I have already seen it in autumn. On thursday the 26th will be the sittning for international students, also an event I don't want to miss. Then on the weekend of the 27th is Brännbolls cupen, the event of this spring. Further plans then, a trip to South Sweden, a trip to the Lofoten and to North Cape, maybe hiking Kungsleden. Afterwards, the big farewell tour through Finland, Stockholm, Kopenhagen and Germany will start and I'll be back in Switzerland at the beginning of august. And hopefully I'll also get some time to update my blog regulary.

By the way, at the moment I also spend much time by following the ice hockey world championship and it looks not bad for Switzerland. After a 5-1 victory against Germany and a tie against Russia, the qualification for the quarter final should be possible, they just have not to lose against Belarus tonight. Possible opponent in the quarter final would be Sweden!

So, now it is surly enough for today, have to listen the game on radio. I promise you don't have to wait as long as the last time till I'll write my next post.

PS: it probalby would be even more motivating to write something, when I get some comments back!

Mentor group Beachvolley

2005-04-28T23:32:00.000+02:00

On monday, we did something again with our famous mentor group 9. Our mentors organized a beachvolley tournament in IKSU. Around 20 students mainly from our group but also some others joined the competition. Since we were not that many, we played 2 against 2 (like real) but still almost too hard for the level of our skills. I played with Saskia and we were quite bad, but ok, we were also in the harder group (with the two latter finalists), anyway it was a lot of fun. The tournament was won by Daniel and Yki, who beat Katie and Manuel in an close final game.

I'll publish some pictures and probably some videos soon, when I have more time again. But that should be enough for today.

Special thanks to Emma, Caroline, Rickard and Anders (our mentors) who organised the evening. (I hope we have some more events this semester).

Bärlauch - Ramslök

2005-04-25T16:10:00.000+02:00

Finally, I know the Swedish word for bear's garlic. Göran, a Swede in Munich, was also searching for a translation and found my page by searching for björnlök (a word creation which doesn't exist). But he then found also a Swedish page about plants. So, allium ursinum in Latin or Bärlauch in German or bear's garlic (or ramsons) in English is ramslök in Swedish (and karhunlaukka in Finnish). And as I thought, it grows only in the southern part of Sweden and not anymore here up north.

So, haben wir wieder mal was gelernt heute.

Tack så mycket, Göran!

Umeå IK - Karlstad QBIK

2005-04-25T16:07:00.000+02:00

As you might know, at the moment I do a coaching course at the university. For this course we have to write a paper in pairs. I have the honour to write the paper together with Anne Mäkinen, Umeå IK's most prominent new player (och en av Finlands absolut bästa spelare, according to the match program). No question, I had to watch Umeå IK's first home game this season. They had reduced ticket prices and free cake to get as many people as possible for the season start, finally, 3427 spectators came.
The game itself went pretty well for Umeå but was not very exciting. The home team scored the first goal already after one minute, the end score became 7 -0. The Umeå-girls played really good and had opportunities for several more goals, while Karlstad had not a single shoot on the goal. It would be interesting to see Umeå IK playing against a really good team like Djurgården, unfortunately the game at home is not until october. But I'll probably go again to another game anyway.

By the way, some words about my own football and coaching career; I have a season off now and I think it was really good to get a bit distance from football for once, but now, when summer comes and while doing this coaching course, I feel really motivated to begin again when coming back to Switzerland. The bottom line of this message: I haven't got a contract or an agreement for next season, neither as a player nor as a coach, so if there are any clubs, which are interested in my services, I'm open for negotiations.

Farewell, Part III

2005-04-23T15:00:00.000+02:00

And it is time again to say good-bye to another nice person who is leaving Umeå. Kirsi is already on the way home to Tampere (with a detour via Holland). On wednesday, she had a farewell party in Mariehem, which was quite funny (and where I stayed till 3 in the morning). Kirsi, it was a really funny time with you here (ok, maybe not allways), it is a pity we haven't seen us much this semester but we'll probably meet again this summer when I travel to Finland.

On thursday was International Pub no. 3 this semester, this time in Villan. The date was probably not the best, because a lot of people had exams on friday (me as well) but still, having an exam the day after is no reason to miss an international Pub. Ok, I did't stay till the end and only had two beers. On Friday morning I had the exam to Introduction to Swedish Law. It went quite well, I think. But afterwards I was tired and so I decided to stay home once on friday evening. Today it is really nice weather and we will go to Nydalasjön and grill sausages.
Tomorrow, the football season starts here in Umeå, but more will follow.

Trevlig helg!

Ålidhem Barbeque

2005-04-19T23:46:00.000+02:00

Today we opened the Ålidhem-Outdoor party season with a first barbeque at Alexs place. It was unfortunately still a bit too cold to sit outside (especially after the sun went down) but it was kind of a promising forcast for the next weeks and months.

The next two days I should study quite a lot for my exam on friday. But Tomorrow evening is already the next farewell party planned and on thursday is international pub in Villan. I hope I'll be able to write the exam on friday morning.

See you

Injured

2005-04-19T08:42:00.000+02:00

The university can be a dangerous place. All the main doors at Umeå University have an automatic opening mechanism, actually thought for disabled people, but mostly used by lazy students (i.e. by allmost everybody). This mechanism works with a manual switch and not with a sensor. Yesterday, I was going to the library, the door was open and I was looking to the other side. Suddenly the door closed and hit my hand with the edge. It was probably bad luck how the door hit me but it hurt quite a lot and the hand got swollen. I was afraid this could be the end of my beachvolleyball career. But today it is better again, also thanks to dul-x, and I hope I'll be able to play again tomorrow. If I would live in the United States, I would probably get rich now; search a lawyer, go to court, claim compensation....

but anyway,

Take care!

A Day Out

2005-04-17T23:18:00.000+02:00

I haven't seen so much of Umeå region, eventhough I've been quite a while here. So, Sarah thought I should do a trip by car into Umeå's surrounding areas once. A good idea, I thought and we decided to go on saturday. On friday I asked Simon (the international Student coordinator) what would be worth seeing, but he said there is nothing to see. Ok, that's true, as there is nothing really special, but still there are a lot of small things to see, which are really beautiful. Sometimes, the journey is the reward and so we headed northwards without a certain goal. (Actually I have never been before north of Umeå by myself the whole time I've been here). Via Tavelsjön, Vindeln and Hällnäs we traveled to Skellefteå, mostly on side roads, which were sometimes only small gravel roads. Arrived in Skellefteå, I noticed that I didn't think much when choosing my clothes in the morning, I was wearing a Björklöven Sweatshirt in the home town of their archrivals. But besides some angry looks nothing happend to me. The city of Skellefteå isn't that spectacular but still has a special charme, it is a bit like Umeå in small. The way back south along the coast was also quite impressive. Now I can really say, you don't have to travel long to find beautiful places, especially when the weather is as nice as it was on saturday.

Ha en trevlig vecka!

Night shift

2005-04-14T00:42:00.000+02:00

There are different ways to spend your nights. You could of course sleep, which seems to be not the worst idea. But sleeping is for beginners, since there are better alternatives. Like I already mentioned you could build paper airplanes from your (still needed) notes till the sun rises, but it is also possible to be productive for university. My choice of courses was probably not that lucky; I have three courses at the time and I'm very busy now. For the course interaktion och medier (which is in Swedish) we had to prepare a seminar in groups of four and because we are that smart we built a group of only three and only exchange students (Leena, Marika and me), vad bra! Marika then decided on monday to leave the course, so we were only two left. Leena will be away on the seminar too, so we had to prepare everything in written form (since I don't want to present all alone). Ok, only half group force, more work and lingual problems, studying can be funny! After a night shift yesterday and working till midnight today we finally managed to finish our work (even if we're not sure if we did it right). I hope it was worth it. Now I'm tired but don't feel like sleeping now. So I'm blogging a bit, since I know what I owe to my readers.

God natt!

Sunday night update

2005-04-10T23:50:00.000+02:00

A busy weekend is coming to an end and a busy week is going to start tomorrow. There was a music festival this weekend in the city, but I didn't go there. On friday we went to NH to the 80's party (which was quite funny), on saturday afternoon we went to bild museet (which is really interesting) to have some culture for once. Yesterday was a little birthday party at Stefan's place and afterwards we planned to go to Corona. We arrived there in a bad time and had to queue for quite long. It is always the same, but we don't learn anything. Otherwise it is also funny, because you were not allowed to drink alcohol in the line, so you have to drink in secret. Afterwards we had a little afterparty and the notes I wrote for my paper were folded to paper airplanes. Luckily I didn't throw them out of the window but I was cool anyway. Today I have been just lazy, but ok, tomorrow is a lot to read and write waiting again.

By the way, Skellefteå (Umeå's archrival) lost again today and so also missed the last chance for qualifying for the Eliteserien. They were leading the kvalserien att the beginning and lost now three games in a row. A bit like last season, when they also missed the qualification in the last games. Björklöven fans probably have their pleasure.

Some more pictures

2005-04-07T22:18:00.000+02:00

I just uploaded some more pictures from the karaoke evening (I got some more interesting pictures from Daniel, which were taken by Gemma, I think). And It seems as my blog gets more and more readers. Unfortunately it goes a bit beyond the capacity of my geocities account, so sometimes the pictures are not viewable. I think I have to look for another place to save the stuff.

Tonight is ice hockey evening, I watched before the third game of the Swedish final between Färjestads and Frölunda (Frölunda won 4-1 and is leading the series 2-1) and now I'm listening web-radio, to follow the Swiss final between Davos and Zürich. It is not over yet, the game is in the over-time, but I think Davos will win the game and hence also the title.

We'll see soon

Våren untan Björnlök

2005-04-07T12:49:00.000+02:00

Spring is comming also here in Umeå, or lets say at least winter has gone. The days get longer again, temperatures are rising and the snow is melting away. Yesterday I went to town and bought me a new spring jacket, because my winter jacket is just to warm now. But it still doesn't look like spring here, the lakes and rivers are still frozen, there is still a lot of snow, the streets are covered with gravel and nothing is already green again. There are surely nicer places at this time of the year.
I just thought in Switzerland this would be the time for bear's garlic now. I cannot explain why, but a walk through the prospering forest with a scent of bear's garlic in the air, that's what I associate with spring. And of course, bear's garlic is also something really tasty to cook with.
I have no idea if bear's garlic also grows in Sweden or not, at least I didn't find a Swedish word for it (ok, my dictionary is not so large) .

Jag har en fråga till alla svenskar som läser min blog; finns det någon växt som "björnlök" i Sverige och hur kallas den? Stämmer björnlök? Jag hoppas att jag får ett svar, tack!

St. Petersburg, finally uploaded

2005-04-04T23:58:00.000+02:00

So, I uploaded finally my St-Petersburg impressions. I hope you like it and it was worth waiting. It's surly a subjective selection but I can also recommend the pictures of Nils, the report and the gallery of Ralf, and also the pages of Mario and Fabio.

Today, I started my new courses, Applied Coaching (in English) and Interaktion och Medier (på Svenska). Both seem to be quite interesting, at least until now. In the evening I've been to cinema (for the third time since I'm in Umeå), I've seen Masjävlar, a Swedish film, it was ok, but I won't write a critic about it. But I just thought, I should have watched more Swedish movies here. But I've two months left and I bought a card today, which allows me to see three movies for half price. So, now I have to go three times more.

Vi ses

various stuff

2005-04-02T15:13:00.000+02:00

Today, I have some additions to my last posts. On thursday I brought Amy to the airport (she also left Umeå) and I became a bit melancholic when I was standing on the airport. I'm here for 7 months now and stay only 2 more before I have to leave as well. Sad, but that's how it is.

I'm still working on my St. Petersburg galleries, but I can promise that I'll finish them soon. But yesterday I found another page of an international student here. Fabio from Brazil has a foto gallery in the net.

Tonight, I'll watch the last game of Björklöven here. They play against Latvia and it is a farewell game for Sasja Beliavski, who played most his career here in Umeå. It will probably be the last game I'll see here in Sweden. Actually I wanted to fly down to Göteborg to see the play-off final between Frölunda and Färjestad, but it is allmost impossible to get tickets anymore. But I promise to publish a season end ice hockey special soon.

By the way, Switzerland played in the qualification to the football world cup against Cyprus on wednesday. I listened the game over internet radio, it seemed to be quite bad, but in the end Switzerland won 1-0 after a goal by Alex Frei in the 88th minute. There is only one thing to say about this game: ALEX FREI, FUESSBALL GOTT!

Farewell, Part II

2005-03-30T15:23:00.000+02:00

Before and just after easter, we had to say good-bye another time to some international students (and friends) who went home now. And it's sad again, most of them were here since last summer, but that's how it goes. I cannot mention all but the most important (for me).

Marc, our third Swiss, with whom I made so many "projects". How could I forget for example watching Tennis att your place (and drinking vodka for every game won by Federer). Was sölled dä Dani und ich ohni dich mache? But we'll see us in Zürich again.

Magdalena, you were (together with Sandra) the good soul of our clique last semester. I haven't seen you so often this semester, but hopefully vi ses igen i Sverige.
Furthermore went Steffi Julia home, Steffi, it wasn't all the time easy with you, but still interesting, I'll write you soon, now I have your e-mail adress.
Maybe I should also mention Mario, as a member of the blog-community.
And I won't mention Nadine, since she didn't write anything in my "Mina Vänner" book. I knew, she didn't like me.

I wish you all (also those I didn't mention here) a good start again in your home countries.

Bye

Fotboll kväll

2005-03-27T22:24:00.000+02:00

After being invited several times for dinner at Leena's or Linda's and Antti's place, it was time for me yesterday to invite them for a swiss dinner. I made "Zürcher Geschnetzeltes mit Rösti". Ok, it was not a 100% original Zürcher Geschnetzeltes, because it is hard to find veal here, but it was also good with ordinary beef. At least my guests seemed to like it.

After dinner, it was time to watch football. Eurosport showed the world cup qualification between France and Switzerland. A rare opportunity for us two remaining Swiss here, to see our national team. But also a lot of other people found the way to my corridor to watch the game.

Switzerland, Sweden, Italy, Germany, Austria, Iran and Finland; mainly united to cheer for the Swiss team (or at least against France).

By the way, the game ended 0-0, actually a good result for Switzerland away in Paris.

Afterwards, we went to Corona, which was not very crowded for once (everybody is in easter holidays), but we had fun anyway.

Glad Påsk

2005-03-25T20:33:00.000+01:00

Today was a really nice day here in Umeå, spring is also comming up north. We enjoyed the sunshine outside. Our idea was to go to Grössjön, a little lake in the east of Umeå. Stefan had been there before and we trusted in his skills as a guide. But somehow we didn't get to the lake. But it wasn't easy with all the cross-country slopes, which are not identical with the footpaths during summer. After a while we found a nice place anyway to grill our sausages.

And as you can see, I was also productive today and uploaded some picture galleries. More will follow soon.

Exams

2005-03-24T15:50:00.000+01:00

So, again I didn't write for quite a long time, sorry. I had an exam yesterday (internationell handel) and after St. Petersburg, I had some problems to concentrate again on my university courses. I started quite late to learn really for the exam and the last few days I was quite busy. I don't know yet, if it was enough but I hope I've passed. But I also started some bad habits concerning learning and writing exams. I heard, snus would help to concentrate because it pushes you up. And, of course, I had to try it out. And it really seemed to help concentrating, so I also took it during the exam. But that's somehow another step of getting addicted to it. Maybe I should stop to take snus at all for a while.

Ok, there were also some parties last week, St. Patrick's Day and International Pub on thursday and Corridorparty on saturday. Antti and me were so crazy and colored our hair green for St. Patrick's Day. It was quite funny but also a bit a mess.

I'll stay in Umeå during easter holidays and enjoy the first sunbeams of spring. I'll have to do something for university but I probably also get time to publish all the pictures promised.

St. Petersburg

2005-03-17T18:15:00.000+01:00

I know, I didn't write anything for quite a long time now. But ok, I was in St. Petersburg a few days and came back on monday evening. Then, I was busy to do the things I missed because I was away. The trip to Russia was really great and we had a lot of fun. The travel there by bus was not that confortable, but the ferry between Stockholm and Helsinki is quite funny. St. Petersburg itself is a beautyful city, unfortunately, we were only a bit more than two days there.
I'm collecting now some good pictures from others, (because I didn't take so many myself), and then I'll publish a longer St. Petersburg special.

Tonight is the second International Pub (in E-Puben), the topic is St. Patrick's Day, so everybody will be wearing green (and hopefully there is Irish beer too).

On saturday, we have a party in our corridor (Pedagoggränd 9A, third floor on the right). The doors will open at 19.00. I hope to see many of you there.

Germany - Switzerland

2005-03-07T22:43:00.000+01:00

At 20.55 it was over, a memorable beachvolleyball night came to an end. It was standing 19 - 20 in the 3rd set, and Stefan was serving for Germany. Quite a good serve, but no problem for an exellent Daniel. Team senior Marc finished a fine combination with a ball that forced the German team to the decisive error. The few fans, which found the way to IKSU hallen despite bad weather, were cheering and celebrating a great sport evening. Marc, who played probably his last game on the Umeå Nations Cup tour was standing in the sand and reflected over the game, "it's nice to finish my career here with this important victory, but it is also sad somehow, that it is over now. I'd like to play more, but my floorball career is calling and the offer of the Degersheim Allstars was to good to refuse it."

The game was played on a high level and was closer as it might seem now. A glad swiss captain, who played rather inconspicuous today, after the game, "well, Germany played better than some might have expected, but I warned my team before, that it won't be an easy game. There were some critical moments, but I'm happy that we managed it allways to gain concentration again". The first set began well for Switerland and Germany had some coordination problems, Belgian import Stein about this problem, "yeah, we had some understanding problems, I didn't feel integrated during the first set. We might have needed a training before. But it became better and better during the game". The first set was a clear thing and ended with a clever point of Rikka.

In the second set, Germany got better and German high-flyer Ralf confused the Swiss players with his unconventional way to play. Ralf himself interpreted it like this "well, I learned to play on the streets, that explains probably my unusual style". The german pressure was continuously growing, but a outstanding Daniel kept Switzerland in the game. Then the Swiss team was concentrated again and like in the first set, it was Rikka, who made the last point, "I'm glad it went that well, and that I could contribute my part to crush Germany" she stated afterwards.

The third set was very close and even till the end. Both teams played their best volleyball and fighted for every ball. German rock Stefan, who was once more a solid value tried to explain, why they lost also this set, "I think we had the momentum on our side several times, but unfortunately we could not keep it. But also congratulations to the Swiss team, which played this 3rd set like made of a piece". After 50 hard-fought minutes was the Swiss victory a fact.
A slightly disappointed German captain Jakob tried to analyse what happend, "I take the responsibility for this defeat. Maybe I haven't prepared my team enough". Furthermore, he promised a re-match. Sportive director Daniel is also already looking into the future, "I'm happy with the performance of the team today, but it will be hard to defend our title. Rikka is a promising talent, but after Marc's retirement we have to find a equivalent substitution, which won't be easy".

Germany - Switzerland, 0 - 3 (15-21, 16-21, 19-21)

IKSU Hallen, Umeå

Inför Matchen

2005-03-06T23:36:00.000+01:00

As already shown in the last post, the party on saturday was great fun. The animals were loose. And we'll play Brännbollsyran in these costumes too. I'll publish more pictures as soon as I get those of Sandra (tu t'appelles Sandra, ne c'est pas?, j'attend encore les photos que tu a pris la nuit passée).

Today it was a really nice day and I went playing ice hockey for about two hours. It was a bit hard first (maybe I had one beer too much yesterday) but it was cool again.

Tomorrow then, the day of the truth, the game between Germany and Switzerland for the Umeå Beachvolley Nations Cup at 8 o'clock in IKSU. Spectators are warmly welcome, but be there in time, otherwise you might not find a place anymore. The line-ups of both teams are made. German captain Jakob trusts in tallness and has nominated with Ralf and Stefan two tall net specialists. Furthermore will Belgian import Stein be responsible for the creative element in the german game. The swiss team will start with team captain Roffe Loi, Daniel, Marc and new Finnish hope Rikka. For team senior Marc is it probably the last big game and he is top-motivated to finish his career on the Umeå Beach Tour with a win over Germany. Questionmark in the swiss team is mastermind Daniel. Will he be able to show his normal performance after a Vasasloppet-teamcycling today? Rikka's aggressiveness could be the key to success for the swiss team, she already frightened the opponents in front of the game. At Oddset, Switzerland is bet as slight favorite, but experts expect a close game.

The Animal Party

2005-03-06T03:52:00.000+01:00

Costume party / Beachvolley Nations Cup

2005-03-04T00:40:00.000+01:00

I wanted shortly mention a few things. This Saturday is a costume party at Emmy's place (Pedagoggränd 1B /West-Ålidhem), surly the place to be this weekend. I sew a costume by my own, (with some help and advise by Emmy; tack så mycket!). So, at least my costume is worth a visit. What is it? It's a secret, you'll see it on saturday.

The Beachvolley-game between Germany and Switzerland will be played on monday 8.00 p.m. at IKSU (spectators are welcome). Since German captain Jakob was not able to find two more Germans here in Umeå, Stein from Belgium will play for Germany. We are flexible, but I don't know, me known as Bernie Ecclestone of the Umeå Beachvolley Nations Cup, will probably change the rules a bit more over the weekend.

God natt!

Skiing

2005-02-27T23:40:00.000+01:00

Yesterday evening, my new neighbour Linda invited to an "inflyttnigsfest", a house-warming party. It was quite funny eventhough Ali and me were the only ones from our corridor. After the last of her other guest went home (or to Corona or where else), Linda, Ali and me went to Baloogrillen and had a funny corridor afterparty. (Hey Linda, tack för inbjudan! Det var jätterolig igår. Vi måste göra flera fester i korridoren!).

This morning then, we went skiing to Agnäsbacken, which is about 75 km from Umeå. The Hill there is not very spectacular, it has two lifts and one for children and (officially) 12 ski runs. But it has fair prices and it is ok when you go there for a day. Today was really great weather, blue sky and the sun was shining the whole day. Temperatures were with about -5 degrees also nice.
Some pictures will follow soon.

Ha en bra vecka!

Modo Hockey - HV 71

2005-02-27T01:17:00.000+01:00

It was time again to see some Eliteserien ice hockey, so we drove down to Örnsköldsvik to Kempehallen for the game between Modo Hockey and HV 71 from Jönköping. Last seasons champion HV 71 had to fight for qualify again for the playoffs, while Modo Hockey was already 5th in every case. Unfortunately Peter Forsberg was still injured and could not play, but goalkeeper Tommy Salo was back on the ice. The Game began well and after some big opportunites for HV 71, Modo came better into the game and scored 2 goals in the first period. The second period then was quite boring. HV71 could not react and no good play was seen.
The third period became rougher, both teams had their opportunites to score and the goalkeepers were standing in the focus. But it was surly not the evening of Husquarna keeper Stefan Liv. The 3-0 didn't seem to be unsavable and with the 4-0 four minutes later he didn't look good as well (even it was not his fault). Three minutes before the end he lost his stick and wanted to get a new while the game was on the other side, but Modo-defender Mattias Timander got the puck and scored the 5-0 from the own defense zone into the empty net. On the other side, Tommy Salo played a great game (en kanonmatch, like the Swedes say), but could not hold the shut-out because the Modo defenders were sleeping during the last minute.

Modo won 5-1 and this means for HV 71 that they won't reach the playoffs and the season is over. It is the first time in 20 years that the last years champion doesn't reach the playoffs. (Mathias, ich würd s'Blue Bulls Liibli verbränne wänn ich dich wär!). The level of the game was ok (surly compared with the last games I've seen here in Umeå), but the games I've seen last year in Kempehallen were a lot better. Now I'm looking forward to go there once again during the playoffs (and hopefully Peter Forsberg will play again).

Modo Hockey- 5, HV 71 - 1

Rolf Leu, Kempehallen Domsjö / Örnsköldsvik

New Linguistic Challenge

2005-02-26T11:03:00.000+01:00

On thursday I started my new course Internationell handel (international trade), and until now it seems to be quite interesting. The lectures are in Swedish again, but all the literature is in English. I don't know yet if this is an advantage or not. Yesterday I've seen that there are also some exceptions in the literature. We are supposed to read an article in Norwegian! Ok, Norwegian is not that far away from Swedish and when I hear it, I also understand it to some extent (I downloaded a Pippi Långstrump movie and watched it for about ten minutes, allways thinking, I understand it somehow but it doesn't sound like Swedish. And it was a Norwegian translation, of course). I usually don't read all the suggested reading, but this new linguistic challenge I just have to try.

Today I'm going to watch ice hockey once again. Down in Örnsköldsvik, Modo Hockey against HV71. Unfortunately, Peter Forsberg is still injured, but I hope it will be a great game anyway.

Ein schönes Wochenende allerseits

The Last Game

2005-02-23T23:05:00.000+01:00

Today, Björklöven played its last game at home this season, already before the game it was clear that the next round could not be reached anymore. So tonight's game was only about the honour, especially because it was against Skellefteå. It began perfect for Umeå, only 10 seconds were played and it was standing 1-0. The team had a great start, dominated the first minutes and scored the 2-0. But then Skellefteå came back again and the game was quite close with light advantages for Skellefteå. After the second period it was 3-3 and the last period promised to be exciting. But after a fatal mistake of the Björklöven defenders, Skellefteå could score the 4-3. Afterwards, the game became quite boring, Skellefteå did not want to do anything anymore, and Umeå was not able. So, Björklöven lost also its last game in a rather typical matter. It's a pity it was the last time this season to watch ice hockey here in Umeå, the games were not on a really high level, but it was mostly quite entertaining. Thank you Björklöven for some interesting hockey evenings!

It is just bitter to stand a bit often on the losers side within a week. On sunday my favorite team a home, Kloten Flyers lost their last and decisive regular season game 10-1 and did not qualify for the play-offs, and now the season for my favorite team abroad ended with a defeat. But that's sport (and also life), it can only get better again.

Björklöven 3, Skellefteå 4

Rolf Leu, SkyCom Arena Umeå

First international Pub

2005-02-20T22:24:00.000+01:00

On Thursday we had this semesters first international Pub in NH - Karaoke night. The willingness to sing was this time already from the beginning quite high, eventhough a lot of "singers" were mainly dancing on the stage without singing. But, of course some were also really great. Last semester Marc and me sang "Alperose", a swiss-german song, but this time we decided to sing something especially for our female fans. So, "The Swiss Boys featuring Markus" were performing "How Deep is your Love", but unlike expected, the girls didn't throw teddybears or underwear to the stage. Maybe we were not as good as we thought.

On friday I took it easy and went only to the sauna with Stein and Alex. On Saturday afternoon we went sledding (or kind of). It was snowing the whole day with temperatures around 0 degrees. It was a lot of fun. In the evening we had dinner at Leenas place and afterwards we went to Corona. It was not that crowded as usual and the DJ played once five good sounds in a row! Incredible! At the end, Stefan had problems to get rid of a Swedish girl, who could not understand that he neither wanted to dance with her, nor to take her home.

Today, I was lazy again, a typical sunday, having brunch, reading newspapers, out for a walk, things like that. But tomorrow it gets busy again, I have to learn a bit more for the exam on tuesday and then preparing the seminar for wednesday.

Next week I will upload some pictures of the Karaoke-night and also others from the weekend.

Bye

Sports Press Review

2005-02-14T20:49:00.000+01:00

This morning I read the sports part of Dagens Nyheter (Swedens biggest newspaper) and Västerbottens Kuriren (local newspaper); and I noticed once more how strange the choice of articles acually is. I mean, it's clear that the focus lies on Swedish athletes but it is close to arrogance that they publish hardly any reports (or even results) from other events. As you might know, last weekend were the qualification tournaments for the olympic ice hockey tournament. Switzerland had Norway and Danmark (two Swedish neighbours) in the group (and beat them both). I was interested what DN would write about these tournaments, but nothing. Not even the results were in, of neither one of the groups. But two pages about the game Sweden - Finland and two pages about the sex scandal in the Swedish national team during the Sweden games. There was another game at the Sweden games, Russia against Czechia, but also no report, only the result was printed. Another funny thing was the reporting from the alpine ski world championship, as I heard, they broadcasted the second run of the womens slalom at the university, but after Anja Pärsson dropped out, they stopped the transmission, without showing who won. And today I couldn't find results of the team competition from sunday, I could only read that the Swedish team was really bad and that the Germans won, but the other places?

Facit: Swedish sport newspapers are quite strange.

Bye the way, also some positive news; today I got the recharger for my digital camera. Thanks to the superintendent! He really finds everything.

Soon I can publish more pictures here. (I also got some from last saturday from Luise, but I'm not sure if I will publish them).

I'm out now, I heard there is a Valantine's party somewhere, let's see what's going on there.

Beachvolley challenge

2005-02-13T07:14:00.000+01:00

Hey there,
I just came home from a after party at Daniels place (merci Dani!). I made an appointment with Jakob this evening that we play it out who is beachvolley-nation number 1. Germany or Switzerland. The game will be in two weeks and we play three against three (since we are three Swiss here). I'm looking forward to win this game. If any other nation wants to challenge us, feel free to write a message.

So, I think I need some sleep that I'm able to play ice hockey this afternoon.

I wish you a good night and a nice sunday

Week review

2005-02-11T17:14:00.000+01:00

Hej,
as you might have noticed, the pace of new posts in my blog slowed down a bit. It's because I'm getting busier now. The first weeks of the new semester were easy but now I noticed that the next exam will probably not that easy as I thought first. I think I have to read the book now. But it's still more than a week to go till the exam and only 250 pages.
Today I started a second course (introduction to Swedish Law) paralell to the other one. I thought it is a 25 % work load evening course over the whole semester, but now it is shortend down to 2 months and actually a 50 % work load daytime course. Some lectures will overlap and I'll have the first seminar exactly one day after the exam of the other course. So, the next weeks will be quite busy, but I need this somehow. Since a feel a bigger pressure again, I'm also more motivated to learn. Last week and at the beginning of this, I was just lazy but today I really felt like learning. Unfortunately it was really nice weather today and I got a pair of cross-country skis on wednesday. So I decided to shorten lunch break, reading till 2 o'clock and than go skiing on lake Nydala. And it was the right decision; it had fresh snow, the sun was shining and hardly anybody was on the lake. It was really nice, the only thing missing was an après ski-bar.

On Wednesday, the USBE had a information event for swedish students about studying abroad. Marc and me gave a presentation of the university of Zürich for them. It was quite funny; we knew how to advertise the city, but what should we tell them about the university? But there was also a swedish girl who has studied in Zürich last year and she knew better how it worked for exchange students in Zürich. Afterwards we could talk a bit with her and it was interesting how Zürich is seen by an exchange student.
Zürich, worth a visit!

As you might now, the world sometimes can be quite a small place. Today in this law course I met Rikka, a Finnish girl who has been a year in Switzerland for high school exchange at the same school like I have been. I would not have recognised her anymore, but I surly could remember her. Some coincidences are really funny.

Now, the forcast for the weekend: I don't know what's on tonight, I decided to take it easy, go to the sauna with the mentor group and then perhaps have a beer or two in NH.

Saturday evening offers (like allways) a lot of possibilities. There is a party in Mariehem (17B) but I won't go there, since it is too far away. The place to be tomorrow is the pre-party at Anders' corridor (Pedagoggränd 7a, 3rd floor). Afterwards it's club zoo in Villan, that's a party I really can suggest. But I'll probably go downtown tomorrow, I haven't been there for a long time and O'Learys should be nice.

Last but not least, on sunday will be ice hockey again on the ice rink in Ålidhem, it starts one o'clock, if somebody is interested.

I wish you a nice weekend

Jokkmokk Vintermarknad

2005-02-07T22:53:00.000+01:00

As promised yesterday, I will report a bit more extensive about the trip to the Jokkmokk wintermarket. The trip was organised by the international office and the request for places was high. So we had three buses and about 170 international and swedish students going to Lappland. Since Jokkmokk is more than 500km from Umeå,and it is about 6 hours to drive, we had to leave at 4 o'clock in the morning and the question was: going to bed early or staying the whole night awake? I decided to do the former, but it wasn't a good idea, I could not sleep well and was tired anyway. I really hoped to sleep in the bus, but 2 or 3 people (out of 60) wanted to watch movies. Damn, I could sleep perhaps for half an hour.
Shortly before Jokkmokk we crossed the polar circle. Time for a stop (the only one) to take some pictures of a sign that you're crossing the polar circle. Actually I didn't expect more, but some people were really disappointed that there was no line on the ground. (I'm quite sure there is one, but they probably do not paint the snow red).
Arrived in Jokkmokk, we ate breakfast and then started to explore the market. It was surprisingly big with a lot of Sami stuff like rendeer skins, fur hats, elk sausages, knives etc. But there was also a lot of daily stuff and this junk you find on every market in the world.
Furthermore, there were many activities to do, like dog-sledding, rendeer-sledding, helicopter flights, snow scooter rides and more. But the highlight of the day were the rendeer races on the frozen lake. It was a bit like the horse races in St. Moritz, a lot of people with fur coats and fur caps, but with the difference that here the ambiance is better (and funnier) .
The last hour of our stay in Jokkmokk we spent in a bar tent. It looked like a common Sami tent from the outside, but actually it was nothing else than a "Bierzelt". That's probably why the locals like this market so much. ;-).
Antti had then the great idea to buy some beer for the journey back. And it's true; beer is the panacea! The way back seemed to be much shorter than before.
We arrived in Umeå at about 10 o'clock. First, we were thinking of going out but I was really too tired, but it was worth to do this trip. I mean, I wouldn't go there every year but it was interesting to see it once. The Jokkmokk wintermarket shows the traditional Sami culture as well as the modern life.

As you see on the right, I uploaded some pictures too. I haven't shot them myself, so I want to thank Dani, Leena and Nils for providing me with their photos.

Dies und das

2005-02-06T23:59:00.000+01:00

Es ist bereits wieder spät, aber ich habe schon lange nichts mehr geschrieben und es gäbe wieder einiges zu erzählen. Am Donnerstag haben wir mit der Mentorengruppe Beachvolleyball gespielt, war wiedermal ganz lustig. Am Samstag sind wir dann nach Jokkmokk zum traditionellen Sami-wintermarkt gefahren, 5 Stunden im Bus hin und 5 Stunden wieder zurück. Na ja, der Markt war aber ganz interessant. Heute wars mal wieder richtig gutes Wetter und wir haben 2 Stunden Eishockey gespielt. Am Abend gabs dann Rentier bei Nils (ein Schnäppchen vom Markt gestern).

A more detailed report from Jokkmokk and some pictures will follow tomorrow. But I uploaded now the first part of the Ammarnäs pictures and added some links to other international students web pages. If I forgot anybody or if anyone of you have a link to provide, feel free to send it to me.

Good night

Björklöven vs. Leksand

2005-02-02T21:50:00.000+01:00

Today Björklöven Umeå played at home against Leksand stars. The situation before the game was quite clear, the last against the first of the Superallsvenskan and Björklöven lost every time they met this season. But with one more defeat, Umeå's posititon would be even more uncomfortable (they have only one win and a draw in 8 games).

So, we pilgrimaged once more to the Sky-Com arena hoping to see the turnaround. I mean, every time I've been there before, they didn't loose.

Like allways, Björklöven started quite well, but soon it was clear that Leksand was a really strong team. The stars took over the command and were apparently the better team. They led after the first period 1-0 and after the second 3-0. In the third period Umeå came back again and shortend to 1-3 and again to 2-4, but the last period was ice hockey on a low level, both team were playing without a concept and the game was hectic. In the end, Leksand scored the last goal in the empty net, but probably after a committed (and not avanged) foul.

The victory of Leksand was ok, since they were the better team, but four of their goals were not really forced, but were individual failures of the Björklöven defenders.
Umeå is now 7 points behind the 6th, but still 5 games to play. It will be hard for the birchleaves to qualify now for the eliteserien-qualification series, but it is not impossible. It would be sad, if they have to finish the season allready in february.

Björklöven 2, Leksand 5

Rolf Leu, Sky-com arena Umeå

Links online

2005-02-01T18:23:00.000+01:00

I don't feel very well today. Maybe I'm a bit sick. I stayed the whole afternoon inside, but the weather was bad anyway. These were actually allmost perfect conditions to learn a bit. So I read for the first time in my course book and solved some microeconomics exercises.

But I also got time to work a bit on my blog. And after reading some source codes of other blogs and some copy/paste, I managed to get my own link section. But actually it would be enough to link to Ralf's page, where he comment all the important Umeå links.

Hopefully, my pictures from Ammarnäs are developed by tomorrow (at least some of it). And maybe the clowns at El-giganten are also able to order the things I need for my digi-cam.

have a nice week

In Swiss-German (for once)

2005-01-31T18:16:00.000+01:00

Uf villfache Wunsch us dr Heimet, gits hüt mal än Itrag uf Schwiizerdütsch. So vill gits zwar nöd z'brichte; gestert isch eher än ruhige Tag gsi und hüt liid ich chli unter dä Mäntigsmüedigkeit. Ha am Namittag frei gha und mal es paar Sache ufgarbeitet, aber leider nur öpe halb so vill wien ich ha welle. Nachher gahn ich dänn no äs bitz go Sport mache, um s'Wuchenänd usezschwitze. Die Wuche wetti unbedingt au wiedermal go hockey spile, s'Fäld isch ja nur öpe 500 Meter vo da (Eigentlich än Fuessballplatz, aber im Winter mit Is überzoge). Muess da mal öpis organisiere.
Äs würd mich no interessiere, ob min Blog überhaupt gläse wird i dä Schwiiz und vo wem. Villicht chönder ja mal än Kommentar schribe. (für das gits die Funktion!)

tschau zäme

late night update

2005-01-30T04:06:00.000+01:00

It's four in the morning and there was just an afterparty at my place. Yesterday was the first meeting of our mentor group and I think we have quite cool people again in the group (our mentors are anyway some of the best). Ok, on the teambuilding day today, we finished on the last place, but we had still a lot of fun. Hot coffee with additions also helped to have a good time, even it was snowing.
In the evening (since it was the first saturday night of the new semester) there were quite a lot of corridor-parties. I went to two of them; first to Emmy and then to Luise. But we had to leave there at two, because a girl was complaining. Actually I don't know who she was, but damn, if she can't stand corridorparties she should move away from West-Ålidhem! But anyway, at the end we went to my place to cook some fish-sticks, the traditional late night dinner.
Tomorrow (or actually today) I want to play icehockey with Markus and some others, and I have to invite for fika. I hope I'll be recovered again.

God natt.

First week

2005-01-28T13:01:00.000+01:00

The first study week of the spring semester is over and it is time for a short review. At the moment I have microeconomics in Swedish. It's actually not that hard to understand (since it is a lot of mathematics) but the level is not that high too. I think I heard a lot of it during my second year courses. But the funny thing is that I had to discuss when applying for it, whether I've already done enough on C-level or not.
But at the moment I don't mind. It gives me more time for other things.

This weekend could be quite hard, there are a lot of semester-begin parties, where I should go. For saturday night Ålidhem party-hopping is announced.

Ach ja, habe gerade meine Agenda (endlich) mal nachgetragen und dabei festgestellt, dass ich im Januar diverse Geburtstage vergessen habe. Also, hier an dieser Stelle Happy Birthday in die Schweiz zu Liselotte, Sämi, Beeli, Berni und Joey. Sorry, ich versuche am Wochenende euch allen noch persönlich zu schreiben.

Farewell

2005-01-26T18:04:00.000+01:00

They are gone now,
There were a lot of farewells during the last weeks, and on monday was the ultimate last good-bye party. And at the end, two of my best and most important friends from last semester went home too.

Sandra, my corridor neighbour, organisator of many trips and "fikas", you were my consultant and I think sometimes also my psychiatrist. I'll miss drinking tea with you in the kitchen late at night. Thank you for the good time we had, and thank you for the espresso-brewer. I'll try to continue with the fika-tradition.
.

Mark, my brother in arms in so many hopeless battles against alcohol and latterly also snus, I hope I do not have to drink twice as much now. You were also the initiator of the men's cooking club Umeå, now Anders and me have to cast a successor. We had a great time, but I still think I paid too much for your scrap bicycle.
.

I wish you both a good time back home I hope to see you again on Brännbollsyran.

Back from Ammarnäs

2005-01-24T13:26:00.000+01:00

So, I'm back from Ammarnäs and this morning I've started again with my new course. The weekend was really nice. On thursday we started our journey to Ammarnäs at 4 p.m., it was snowing, of course already dark and it took us 6 hours to drive there. But it was really great, I saw my first elks here in Sweden. First, a whole elk-family was standing on the street and later on we saw two more. On the way back then another elk almost run into our car. And we have also seen a bunch of rendeers and two deers. I won't ever doubt again that these animals really exist in the swedish forests.
In Ammarnäs we could live in the cabin of Emmy's grandparents (tack så mycket Emmy, tack så mycket Emmy's morföräldrar!), which was really cosy, eventhough we had some problems with the electricity first. Ammarnäs itself is at this time of the year quite calm, it is lying at the end of a dead end valley and out of season there are not many guest there. So, on saturday we went skiing, and we were almost alone on the slope. The snow was great, new powder, just incredible. Since only a few people were there, Emmy could talk a lot with the guy responsible for lift and slopes. So she could manage that he drove us up to the top of the mountain with his snowscooter the next day. And it was beautiful, on sunday the sky was blue and the sun was shining and we had a great view over the mountains and hills around there.
We had so much fun this weekend and I think I could write a lot more about Ammarnäs just now but there are already other things going on as well.
As I mentioned, today started the new semester, and I'm reading now some courses in swedish, my first impressions of that, I'll probably write down on wednesday or thursday.
Furthermore is this evening the big farewell party of Mark, Sandra and some others, so I'll publish a party review tomorrow.
By the way, I promise to publish the pictures from Ammarnäs as soon I have them.

Hej då!

Ammarnäs

2005-01-19T22:34:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow morning we have the presentation for our strategy paper. This will be the last study event in the fall semester and also the end of the management master program (actually not the end, but since I do next semester different things, it is the end for me). I'm glad it is over, but the course was really interesting.

Tomorrow afternoon I'll go with Emmy, Amy, Mark and Dario to Ammarnäs for the weekend. That's a place up in the mountains near the norwegian border. Hopefully, there will be real nordic winter, not like here in Umeå.
Maybe, I'll also see an elk or at least some rendeers. But if I won't see an elk, then I really believe that there are no elks in sweden.

So, my next update will follow maybe on sunday,

I wish you all a nice weekend.

New arrivals party

2005-01-19T02:31:00.000+01:00

The last two days I was quite lazy. I slept a lot and did some sport, but nothing special.
Tonight was a "social event" for exchange students at NH, (especially for the new ones, but also for the older). So, I surly went there, but first I went with Mark and Julia to Emmi's place. It was a really cool corridor party with a "socialistic touch" (pictures to this will follow). Afterwards we went to NH. It was really crouded and there were a lot of new faces. So I already met a lot of new international students this evening. The funniest thing was that I met a finnish girl, who lives in the same building, on the same floor, just on the other side. I think she is really ok.

By the way, I just signed up today for the trip to the sami market in Jokkmokk and also for the trip to St. Petersburg. I hope it will be a lot of fun. The trip to Jokkmokk starts at 4 in the morning, so we just thought to go to Corona on friday till 2 o'clock and then go to the sauna till 4. It sounds great, since the bus take five hours, we have plenty of time to sleep till Jokkmokk.

And also: as soon as I have my digital camera ready, I will upload more pictures.

PS: I would really appreciate some comments of you.

PPS: You really get addicted to snus quite fast.

Björklöven

2005-01-16T21:53:00.000+01:00

Yes! We finished our strategy paper today. We were quite good in time and didn't have to work till late. So I had time to go to the icehockey game.

Björklöven played against Oskarhamn. It was a bit like allways, Umeå had a good start and were 1-0 in front after the first period, but then they let the opponent to get back into the game again. Only because of Björklövens goalkeeper Lundström Oskarhamn was not able to score in the second period. The third period began good again for the home team, and Olofsson scored the 2-0 with a really nice penalty shot. But one minute later, the team was already spleeping again and the guest were able to score the 2-1. After this, Umeå had problems to get into the game again and they took many unnecessary penalties. Oskarhamn, able to play a powerplay 5 against 3, highend the pressure and could equalize the game. This time Björklöven showed a reaction and started fighting, the hard work was rewarded with the 3-2, three minutes before the end. Björklöven won the first game and three important points in this seasons Superallsvenskan.

After watching most of their home games in the last time, I think, Umeå has quite a good team, which has its strenghts when its fast wings can be launched with precise passes. But unfortunately, the defenders are often not able to find the free wing, or they are doing risky things in front of their own goal. They also seem to have a sort of mental problem that they are not able to be concentrated (more or less) the whole game. But I still hope, to see Björklöven at the top at the end.

Jag har dessutom bestämmt idag, att jag ska skriva en text på svenska en gång i veckan för att träna mitt skriven svenska. Nästa vecka, jag ska börja en nationalekonomi-kurs som är bara på svenska. Jag hoppas att jag kommer att förstå föreläsningarna.

So, und noch die deutsche Übersetzung (in kurz): ich habe beschlossen zu Übungszwecken einmal die Woche einen Text auf Schwedisch zu verfassen.

And at the end, show respect to my dear friend Mark and visit his fantastic site www.dieaxt.de.md (which is a lot better and more professional than mine).

heute mal auf Deutsch

2005-01-15T20:25:00.000+01:00

Hallo,
Ich möchte mich zuerst für den letzten Eintrag entschuldigen, ist ein bisschen konfus geraten, denke ich. Nun ja, das Strategiepaper ist auf gutem Wege, und heute blieb mal wieder Zeit für etwas Sport. Bin am Vormittag im Team-cycling gewesen im IKSU, musste aber ein wenig leiden zu Beginn. Ich war wohl gestern zu lange in der Sauna, bzw. habe vielleicht zu viel Bier dazu getrunken. Jedenfalls war ich am morgen völlig matt. Am Nachmittag habe ich mir dann endlich einen Hockeyschläger gekauft und bin dann mit Markus zum ersten Mal hier aufs Eis gegangen. War noch lustig, wieder mal hockey zu spielen. Wir müssen nun nur noch einige Leute mehr organisieren. Aber nächste Woche kommen ja dann die neuen Austauschstudenten, da werden wir schon einige Interessierte finden.

einen schönen Sonntag miteinander

2005-01-14T01:14:00.000+01:00

So, the week is almost over again and I think I have to write something today, but actually I don't know where to start. On tuesday I was down-town in Blå, and the music there was like allways very bad (at least on the dancefloor), but you get the drinks for half the price till midnight, that's still a reason to go there sometimes. Yesterday I had a delicious elk dinner at Mark's place.
Today, I was allmost the whole day at the university again and also in the evening I had to write on our strategic paper. We have to be finished until sunday, which shouldn't be a problem. But right now I'm concerned about the direction we started to go for our proposals. Some people in our group seem to believe to strongly in the text book and I feel embarrassed to present it like this to the company. I don't think we have to prove again that we have read the text book and the models in it are good to understand the topic but if we present it like this to the board members, they will believe that we didn't learn anything exept book knowledge. I don't care about the grades at the end, but a positive feedback from the company would be a good reward.

I just don't know anymore what I actually wanted to state right now, but I think I'm just to tired. Perhaps I should try to sleep enough once, instead of doing this.

And by the way, the weather in Umeå just sucks this week.

Ich wünsche allne ä gueti Nacht

and a lot of work again

2005-01-10T01:10:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow (or today now) school starts again and so I just finished my paper, for which I had time to write the whole christmas holidays but I started as usually on sunday evening. But the weekend was quite busy, on saturday I started the day with some sport, than I had to go to town to drink coffee and in the evening I went to the sauna - that's something I really missed.
Today I was at the hockeygame. Björklöven played their first Superallsvenskan game (so quasi Aufstiegsrunde) against Hammarby. It was quite a good game at the beginning, faster and thougher than most of the games before, but than it seemed as they got tired. The third period was boring and the game ended 3-3.

Also, ich wünsche allne ä gueti Nacht und würd mi freue au mal öpis vo eu z'ghöre

Back in Umeå

2005-01-08T13:56:00.000+01:00

Now I'm back in Umeå, it is still quite long dark, but at least it has snow again. Yesterday evening I saw my second northern light here, cool.

Välkommen

2005-01-01T22:47:00.000+01:00

Welcome to my blog. After four months in Umeå it was time to do something like this to publish by pictures and some informations. The newsletters from last year (unfortunately all in german) you can find on my homepage.

Bis bald

Rolf