One Month in Copenhagen…
Hi all, join me in my new blog site!
First up: 1 month in CPH, an update.
I truly can’t believe that I’ve done an entire month, a whole ocean away from Black River. I’ve officially settled in but am far away from blending in with any Danes here. I walk the streets crutching my iPhone for Apple Maps still, praying I don’t get fined some absurd amount of kroner if caught jaywalking. Denmark has lifted all mask mandates and COVID restrictions as of the first of the month, and it was remarkable to see how everyone went from religiously wearing masks, to nearly none at all. Danes are known for trusting each other, and their government more than any other society in the world, hence why the masks came off so quickly. Danes trust the science, instead of politicizing it, and act out of the collective we, or in favor of the “generalized other,” which has been really refreshing.
I’ve come to adjust somewhat okay, and appreciate the culture here. I don’t appreciate the weather though, nor their high rates of positive COVID cases. In the last few days of January I tested positive for the virus (almost exactly a year after I had it last) and although boosted, still had some symptoms. Luckily I was out of quarantine in only 4 days, and didn’t need to move into a hotel since I live in a single with a small kitchenette. I had no problem staying in my little studio, staring out at the grey clouds, I knew I wasn’t missing too much. The weather is honestly my biggest complaint at this time, which I guess I should have better mentally prepared for. It’s always in the mid 40’s, partly cloudy to cloudy, with rain and high winds almost daily which brings the “feels like” into the 30’s… I guess I should count my blessings that there’s no blizzards or below freezing temperatures, but still a guy can dream.
I’ve made a decent amount of friends, feel really secure and always have a group to go out with if I want to, which is nice. My best friend Sophie and I have become close with our new friend Karly who goes to George Washington University in DC, we bonded over how we lived parallel lives last semester. See picture attached of Karly and I chatting at a coffee shop, little did we know the coronavirus was raging in her body, desperately awaiting to be spread to me and Sophie, who was behind the camera. So far out of the 1,300 of us in the DIS program over 400 of us have gotten the virus, which is pretty wild to think about. Classes are completely in person, with a zoom option if you’re quarantined.
I’ve decided to continue on with therapy here in Copenhagen as well, covered mostly by their free healthcare system. I’d be lying If I don’t admit to feeling a little homesick at times, which only amplifies the days when grief hits me like a ton of bricks. I think I underestimated how much working at Brady helped channel my grief and PTSD this past fall, I really miss the work I did there. Yesterday was particularly hard, Valentines Day, 4 years since the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland Florida. I honestly think this day should be treated more solemnly and recognized more than it is, along with Sandy hook on December 14. My heart ached for the families and survivors in Parkland. I thought about them all day. As some of you may have seen in the paper, I was happy to make Deans list last semester which was thanks to an A on a 25 page research paper/thesis on the NRA and the history of the Second Amendment. I firmly believe if not for the NRA redefining the Second Amendment to include the individual right to bear arms in the 1970’s, perhaps my father, Maxine, and the kids in Parkland and Sandy Hook would still be alive today. I’m linking my dissertation if you’d like to learn more, in fact if you don’t know the full history of the Second Amendment, I ENCOURAGE you to learn more. (It’s a long read I know, so maybe just read the “History,” “Analysis,” & “Conclusion” sections)
When I left my therapist at the River Hospital before I flew out last month, she gifted me a journal, and a book called “Untamed” by Glennon Doyle. I read half of it on the plane and have been trying to finish it since. I have 20 pages left and have thoroughly enjoyed reading it during my daily half hour train ride to school. I think when I do finally finish it I’ll have to make sure some tissues are nearby. Glennon’s been my crutch, Untamed is truly a move-a-body type of book. Some of you may have seen the excerpts from the book that I’ve posted on my stories. A quote I haven’t shared yet is “Grief is a cocoon from which we emerge new.” I think I’m still in my cocoon, just blew across an entire ocean and planted myself on a new branch.
I’m learning not just through my course work, not just about the Danish culture, but most importantly I think I’m learning about myself. It’s scary, and somedays I don’t get out of bed til 5pm, others I’m up at 6am making a healthy breakfast and going for a walk. But through it all, I know I’m being brave- daring greatly. Choosing courage over comfort. Embracing vulnerability.
Goals for the month ahead are definitely to venture out more (weekend/day trips) to make life more exciting despite crappy weather. I really want to lean into my CPT work with my new therapist, and start finding ways to make sure I don’t go broke once I run out of my $600 grocery stipend the program gave us.
From February 28- March 6th I’ll be doing 8 days in Italy with Sophie as we take on Milan to meet up with our friend Kate, followed by Florence and Rome. So when I write next with an update like this, I’ll be halfway done with abroad and will have Italy photos to share, and will be gearing up for a class trip to Iceland From March 19–26th.
One of my favorite authors Brené Brown signs off her podcast each week by saying “Stay awkward, brave, and kind.” So I want to sign off as I mark one month by saying:
Yours truly, as I stay awkward, brave, and kind from Copenhagen,
Lelan
