The Biggest Party I've Ever Been To!!

On Friday the 10th of September there was a Novo work party.  Around 8,000 people showed up for this company wide event.  First we walked in to Bella Center to listen to a speech, the whole room was buzzing.  I truly felt like I was in a bee hive because of how many people there were having their own conversations!  

The speech

The speech was given in Danish so I can't tell you what was said.  After we went to go have dinner!

We all entered through three doors and into a very large seating area.  You knew where to sit by color and table number.  Our table was in the purple section.  

The dinner table

First Course

The Menu

First Course

Warrior Shrimp with Pesto and Citrus Salad

Salmon terrine with slices of Smoked Salmon

Bulls Blood and Fillice salt with Pine Nuts,

Soltorrede Tomatoes and Parmesan Flakes

Humma and Envelope Sting

Main course

Halal Slaughtered Honey Fried Poulardbryst

Grontsagssouffle

Halal Saughtered Svory Oksekofta

Warm Potato Ratatouille with Courgettes

Pepper and Eggplant

Tomatasalat with Feta and Olives, Served Tazatiziki

Dessert

Fynk Apple Pie with River Foam

Jordbaertrifli with Italian Macaroons

Our Group at Dinner

I would have to say that my favorite from the first couse was the shrimp and citrus.  I don't think I have ever considered putting garlic with oranges and grapefruit, but I must say that it is something that I want to try in the future.  

Every bit of the main couse was delicious.  I was so excited to try the Ratatouille, seeing as I am a huge fan of Pixar films :)  It had more of a spicy kick to it than I expected, but it was very delectable.  

The dessert.  Oh the dessert.  I tried to savor every bite, and perhaps my next goal will be to try and recreate it.  I have no idea how to recreate the Jordbaertrifli (which I believe really means strawberries) dish, but the Apple Pie might be attemptable.  The dessert of course was served with tea and coffee.  

After dinner the party was moved into another large room with lights decorating the place.  Then there was a main stage where a bunch of Danish bands played.  

 

Our Bar

The main stage where all the bands play.

 All of the colors had their own bars where you could get wine, beer, and cola.  It was really cool how they were all lit up.  

Danish artists such as Erik Gadd, Alphabeat, Bryan Rise, Rasmus Seebach, Burhan G, Medina and NEPHEW played at the event.

The party was very fun there was lots of dancing and good conversation.  After the party started to dwindle Rachel and I made our way home on the Metro.  As we exited the site there was a Polser stand where many Novo employees grabbed a quick bite to eat before heading home.  :)

The next Monday I learned a new Danish saying, Tak For Sidst.  Roughly translated it means thank you for the lovely time we had together last.  

Until my next post, Kind Regards!!

Jumping In

It is simply amazing how the time seems to run away from you.  So much so that it just seems natural for me to be here in Copenhagen.  

Well to catch up from where I last left off.  Sunday the 29th of August my dad and I made the journey out to Drejervej to go to the Copenhagen Christian Center.  Since it was the last Sunday of the month it was a Super Sunday, meaning that all of the five international churches come together to worship together.  

After the service I met a girl named Jessie.  She has been living in Copenhagen for almost seven years now and she is originally from the US.  It was such a blessing to connect with someone my age who knows the city and other youngsters!  

Siv's Home for Tea and Coffee

That afternoon my dad, Rachel, and I were invited to Siv's house.  Siv is a woman who will be doing a Novo Nordisk work exchange in Seattle.  We had a lovely chat about bicycle purchase, the different working hours of the chemists and the technicians, and other Copenhagen/Seattle fun facts.

                   

On Monday August 30th I was picked up by Anja and we went to my bank appointment.  It was a quick and easy stop getting my bank account all set up.  I spent the later part of that day relaxing and reorganizing things at my apartment.  

Then that evening my dad's friend Esper invited us out for dinner, and it was so delicious.  Especially the dessert :)

I am constantly amazed at all of the kindness I have received here in Copenhagen.  It is nice to know so many helpful people.  I hope that I can one day return this kindness to them or perhaps pass it on to someone else.  

My Bicycle!

Tuesday was the last day off before work began.  Time to purchase a bicycle!  

To be my own person (meaning I went against what my father would have done) I decided to get a sit up style bicycle.  The basket and back carrier were included!  

We actually had to go back to the Kvickly (the store where I purchased the bike) to get the ring lock.  The ring lock is a smart little lock that is attached to the bike and then locks through the rear wheel.  You also take down the numbers incase you happen to have your ride stolen.  

But I also brought my U-lock.  Which with the ring lock should provide more than enough protection for my new mode of transportation.  

      

After getting my bike it was time for a little lunch!  So I made the sandwich you see above.  It was delicious :)

September first finally arrived!  Shown below is my desk!

This is where I work!

I was introduced to all of the people in my department, and it was nice to already know a friendly face when I saw Rachel.  We had a lovely chat over some bread with coffee and tea (I will be drinking a lot of tea this year as I still refuse to start the bad habit of coffee consumption).  

One of the adjustments that I have to make is getting used to using a Danish key board.  The shift key on the left side is slightly smaller, which make for a stretch for my pinky finger!  Also there are three extra letters in the Danish alphabet and are included on the key board.  I have to remind myself that I need to reorient my hands when I am typing  at work.  But I am starting to get the hang of it!
 

 

Rachel was able to show me the backroads to walk from the train station to work.  Shown above and below are some pictures that I took during on of the walks.  I have started taking my bike to work which has saved me a lot of time.  I bike from my apartment to Vanlose (where one of the train stations is located), hop on the train with my bike and ride it out to Malov (the closet train station to Novo).  Then I take my bike off and have a short 10 minute bike ride to the Novo site.  

I love how the windows open here!

 

The Danish Flag

And that's my little walk to and from the train station.  I hope you've enjoyed.

Kind Regards!

The Start to Danish Life

Anja and I in my apartment

I have currently been in the country of Denmark for just about 4 days.  It's hard to believe how much one can accomplish in a day.  

Upon arriving we (my dad and I) were greeted by the woman seen on the left.  Her name is Anja and she has been so helpful over these past few days.  She has explained the contract of my apartment, helped get me signed up for my CPR number (like a SS # in the states).  During out various outings she has pointed out many locations of where to purchase food, where concerts are held among other things.  

Everyone I've met so far has been extremely helpful.  My apartment was missing a few items to make it feel more like home.  Maria, a friend who lives part time in Copenhagen and part time in Seattle, took me to Ikea.  I was able to make some small purchases-one of the most important being candles.  Candles are important here for hyggelig (HEW-glee).  Hyggelig is a word used to create a comfort/nice setting at a table.  Which I have seen at almost every restaurant.  

A staple Danish item is a bicycle.  I would say everyone has one.  They use them to get around the city and some the country side.  The ones used for basic transportation are referred to as City Bikes.  These are nothing like the bike I have at home.  They have the basic three gears, are extremely heavy, and these special ring locks for the back tire.  Not to mention the baskets that they all have attached either at the front or the back of the bike for carrying your bags.  If all goes well I should have a bike by this Tuesday meaning that I will get a chance to explore the city via bicycle!

To become a Danish resident for a year, I have to get a CPR number.  This picture was taken at the building where I received this number, and when you get your CPR number you also choose a doctor!   Now that I have my CPR number I can sign up for almost anything.  Cellular phone, library cards, and a bank account.  

The wait here was much shorter than when I had to get the papers put into my passport stating that I had a work and residence permit.  It was also humorous because at first they were confused because it stated that someone else was already living at my residence.  I then learned that not only do you have to register, but you also have to DE-register when living here in Denmark.  I find it every aspect of my adjustment here to be very interesting, I like learning the ways of a new country.  It's still all very exciting and charming (though some of that may fade later).

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On Thursday the 26th of August we met Rachel at the airport and helped her to her apartment as she will also be doing a work exchange here in Denmark with Novo Nordisk.  Shown here is a photo of us in her apartment.

That evening we had a quick walk around the Nyhavn area and ended up having dinner.  As we walked we would see so many people sitting along the edge of the canal enjoying one of the last few days of warmth.  Having a picnic dinner as the sun slowly set.  Not to mention one of the canal boats went by almost as if it were a party barge filled with a younger crowed clearly out to enjoy the evening.  

Here is just a glimpse of what we had for dinner.  This was a chocolate mousse cake with some pistachio ice cream.  It also included a line of raspberry sauce which I also found to be delectable.

Chocolate Mousse Cake

   

Dinner at my apartment

Friday I spent most of the day sleeping as I am still not fully adjusted to the Danish timezone.  Once I finally did decide to greet the day, my dad and I went looking around at various bike shops in the city.  We spent a little time at one shop that had bikes that were used and for sale.  We also learned information about the two main styles of bikes here.  One of the two options is to have a bike with a handle bar that is straight across which provides you with a hunched over stance as you ride the bike.  The second of the two options has a handle bar the curves upward (which you can sort of see in the picture of the bike above) which allows the rider to sit up as they ride their bike.  I am hoping to acquire one of the bikes that has more of the retro feel.  In the evening we had Rachel over for dinner and just made a simple pasta meal and salad.  It was nice to chat and hear about how Rachels first day at Novo went and to hear about how a typical day might look for us.  

Amalienborg Palace

Opera House

Saturday we met up with Rachel and followed a Rick Steves map of Copenhagen.  Just walking around some of the touristy sights and enjoying the sun when it peaked out from behind the clouds.

As we were walking I saw this family enjoying their Saturday afternoon.  The ballons looked so picture perfect I had to grab a shot.  Then as we walked down the walking street, I pointed out that there was a baresso.  Which is important because it is a take away coffee place.  My dad and Rachel quickly ducked in to grab a drink.  I stayed outside (because I noticed that it was very crowed inside!) and had to grab a quick shot of these little Asians and their coffees.

Basketball Competition 

There was a basketball tournament happening at the end of the walking street.  It was pretty cool to see all the hoops set up for the occasion.  There was also a DJ-actually I think there were two.  One spoke English and the other Danish.   

Carlsberg:  Probably the Best Beer in Town

Also in the square is a building that contains many advertisements that are lit up at night.  The funniest one being Carlsberg.

After the walking tour we took a short rest around the lakes.  The lakes are used mostly as a reference point for direction, as they divide up the City Central from the other areas of Copenhagen.  

Dinner in the Latin Quarter

That evening we went and had dinner in the Latin Quarter.  Every restaurant that still has seating outside places blankets on the chairs so that the guests can stay warm throughout the meal.

My view at dinner

Tivoli Entrance 

Trying to be in the European mind set we had a very late dinner which wrapped up around 8:45pm.  After we walked down to Tivoli and walked around to see all it has to offer.  We walked past the dinning establishments, rides that looked slightly terrifying, and then small carnival games that one could stop and play.


The whole place is enchanting at night there are so many lights.  All different colors, shapes, and layouts.  Here are just a few pictures of all the light set ups.

                              

                               


As we were walking out we started to hear the sounds of a band playing.  There is always some sort of live entertainment at Tivoli.  It was a nice sending out as we made our way home.

Kind Regards!