Saturday, February 6, 2010

Day 36 - February 5

In the morning I made chocolate chip cookie dough for Saturday’s dinner. Denmark, being health conscious and food regulatory and crazy in general, do not seem to have shortening, so I had to substitute butter, which I’ve never done before. According to the website, it makes the cookies softer but nothing else. We’ll see when I actually cook it. I’m not too worried, but I was a little upset that my familiar chocolate chip cookies tasted like butter. Seriously, sweetened butter with chocolate chips. Ditka tried the dough and absolutely LOVED it, so they’re not bad, but when you’ve made cookies a billion times and then you have to make them a little differently…just another part of living abroad – even familiar things aren’t quite familiar.

There was a faculty (here meaning department, not as in faculty and staff) introduction in the afternoon. We got a tour of the history section of the building, including the library and the bar, but I do not think I will be able to find any of it ever again. We took weird twists and turns and I had no idea where I ended up. However, at the end of it all there was a reception and we got free food and drink (sodas in glass bottles! Even the not-as-good-tasting Danish Coke tastes better in glass bottles.), and I met a few new people (two Germans who informed me that Super Bowl, unawares to me, was this Sunday, and we planned to have a party – so far with three Germans, a Canadian, a Dane, and one American. Ha! Too bad I only watch it for the commercials and it won’t be the same commercials, but it will still be fun – international Super Bowl!).

Friday evening was interesting. I almost felt like a normal teenager who parties, drinks, and stays up wicked late – except that I did not drink and I did not stay up nearly as late as everyone else and I guess I’m not technically a teenager, but hey, at least now I can say I’ve done the teenage thing.

There was a welcome party in the kollegium and we had a pre-party in our apartment. Like parties are bound to do, people we invited invited their own people so somehow our tiny little apartment got filled with people. Nothing wild, but still not really expected. At least Bo had other guys to keep him company – originally we thought he would be the only one. I did drink one thing, because I’d always wanted to try one – a Jell-O shot. However, there is no Jell-O here, only stuff that gels things (to make jelly), so it was flavored with syrup, and it did not gel the same way as Jell-O (but it did remind me of the consistency of jelly), but I guess it was okay. It probably would have been better if it was actually Jell-O.

The kollegium party was alright, but there was not enough space. They had two tables for sitting, which was a bad idea. They took up way too much room, and while in the beginning it was crowded but doable, by midnight it was hard to even move. I guess it wasn’t too bad, though…it was fun before it got crowded.


And tonight I am cooking American Dinner. Instead of just our class, though, somehow there are around 25 people coming. This is kind of ridiculous, and I keep getting MORE requests to invite people. Wish me luck that there's enough food and that it all turns out alright!

1 comment:

  1. I've never seen a chocolate chip cookie recipe use shortening before. That's odd to me, but understandable. I'm glad they were still enjoyable!

    I don't like when they try to shove too many people into a room that's not big enough.

    I hope cooking the dinner went well!

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