Hey everyone,

So I started my first class today. I will now be taking ethics for the next month. Students here only have one class at a time (plus pastoral courses that don't count for academic credit) and so it feels weird to not have schlep around four or five different notebooks and what not.

God does some amazing things for us to keep things in perspective. My first class is of course ethics and there was definitely times when I was struggling to keep up with the class when the teacher, Tomas who is the Rektor, was talking philosophically. After class, I was feeling a little down about how the first class went. But then I took the bus into town to get a sim card for my phone (which I have now, yay) and met Iris. Iris is a student here in Uppsala studying at the University in sociology, I think. While I was at the bus stop, Iris came up and after standing at the stop for a few minutes asked me a question about how to get to someplace in town. But there was a slight problem in that she can't speak Swedish or English. Iris is from Spain here studying for five months, again I think. So I talked with her at the bus stop and on the bus. She said she came to Sweden to study hoping to learn English. I believe she also said is is taking a Swedish course too, I think. So I had a nice conversation with Iris and sent her on her way to her destination.

But when I had parted ways with Iris, I realized that my struggles and extra effort that I had put into my class that morning paled in comparison to what Iris was experiencing. While we were talking, she continually stopped and asked if I understood her. And most of the time I did. But I could see that after her 8 days of being in a country where she really struggles to communicate, she was overloaded and exhausted. As I walked away, I knew my worst day language wise here will not even compare to what Iris has already survived. So I said a prayer for Iris and thanked God for the reality check.

Anyway, that is the update for my first day of class. So I realized that my contact info is not here.

My skype account name is Antonio.Spargo

My email is versk84@gmail.com (or if you have another that works to. Though do not use augsburg.edu)

My address is

Heidenstamsgatan 75: 5

754 27 Uppsala, Sweden

I hope you all are enjoying the fair. Eat some cheese curds and Sweet Martha's for me!

That's all for now,

Antonio

First Post

Hej alla,

This is the blog that I will be posting updates from my year of studies in Sweden. Feel free to read as much or little as you want. Though you are here by notified that this will be the most exciting blog you have ever read and should check back often. Sort of.

So I arrived in Sweden last Saturday and was met at the airport by Tomas Nygren, the rector (President) of the school, and his wife. Tomas brought me to the school and showed me my room and a quick tour of the school. It is only one building and a dorm so it did not take very long.

I then proceeded to ride with my cousin, Ola, (som kan kallas Olala) for his girlfriend, Emma's birthday. Then after being in Transtrand for less then 20 hours I turned around to come back to Uppsala.

On Monday I began my first day at Johannelund Teoligiska Högskola. I participated in the informational activities for the first year students (Ettan). We played a lot of name games and such in order to get to know each other. It was a good time and very helpful since just about all of the people who I live with are in Ettan.

On Tuesday, I left Ettan to be with the second year students (Tvåan) who I will actually be in class with. Starting Tuesday we began Temaveckan which is actually a course for them about music in services. During this time, we had a variety of different components including a hymn (pslam in Swedish) analysis, a visit from a cantor, and a Swedish gospel singer.

Last night was Ettan´s (and mine) welcome night where Tvåan took us out for a classic dagis (daycare) or elementary class trip to grill and play games. It was fun walking through Uppsala all two by two holding a string in the middle and our "teachers" yelling at us the whole way to stay in line.

Today I had probably my most meaningful experience so far. This morning when the gospel singer (which is not quite the same as an American gospel singer) came to our class there was also a black woman who was also there. When the presenter started to talk, they asked if anyone was good in English to translate for Rhonda. Someone else volunteered to do it and started to do it for the first 15 minutes or so. I noticed that it was difficult for him since he was translating out of his native tounge. So I offered to help out to which he gladly asked me to take over. So then for the rest of the morning, I was able to be with Rhonda who is a pastor in Zimbabwe and came with a group to see how Swedish Lutheran churches work. It was a great experience for me and was a pleasure to get to know Rhonda. I hope she will be at church on Sunday.

Well, that is about all I have to say right now. Please feel free to comment and ask questions about anything I post. I am always glad to hear from you!

Med vänliga hälsningar

Antonio