Before I go on break...I wanted to update you all on what Block 2 at KU has been like. I am enrolled in Structural Bioinformatics and Numerical Optimization, both of which are extremely interesting, time consuming and difficult. Both classes have given me the opportunity to be introduced to technology that I would have otherwise not been exposed to; including Pymol (a protein structure visualization software) and "3 Shape" 3-D scanning software. I have been gaining a lot of technical coding experience using python and matlab which I can now say I am proficient in.
The weather has been very good for a Danish winter with lows around 32 degrees (fahrenheit) and highs in the low 50's. I have definitely gotten used to the cold and continue to ride my bike to school and around town. I am told however that it will be colder in January. There may be snow on Christmas which I am not exactly opposed to but not ready to brace either...
Speaking of Christmas...I will not be coming home to celebrate with my family but instead am going to spend it with my abroad family! A group of about 8 of us will be having a sleepover in an Airbnb on the 24th and 25th in a suburb of Copenhagen. I look forward to preparing a dinner and opening gifts with other students who like me, are very far from home this Christmas.
This may be my last post until 2015, so here are some of the things I will always remember about 2014 and my semester abroad:
1. Walking in Commencement! That was a milestone that I have been waiting to do for so many years. I was able to celebrate 4 years of undergrad, with friends and family that supported me through my journey.
2. Jamaica! This was by far one of the best vacations I have ever had. Not only was it eye-opening but it was also inspiring because I want to be able to go back and visit as soon as possible!
3. This summer. I had an amazing summer in Merced and Santa Barbara in 2014, filled with short weekend trips and memorable times with some of my closest friends.
4. Missing my flight to Copenhagen...This was definitely one of the low points of my abroad experience, and not the way I wanted to start off the semester. I did however learn a valuable lesson... ALWAYS TRIPLE CHECK YOUR FLIGHT INFORMATION!.
5. Amsterdam, London and Berlin. Being reunited with family in each of these cities was so refreshing and reaffirmed my motivation to pass my exams in Block 1 and start Block 2 with the same momentum.
6. Thanksgiving dinner. I have never ever been relied on to produce a formal dinner before. A fellow american and myself cooked several traditional thanksgiving dishes and desserts for Danish and international students. Our food was edible (and thoroughly enjoyed) which was one of the most proud moments I have had here in Copenhagen.
There are obviously so many memories that I have from the year but these stand out as the defining moments that have had a huge impact and will therefore never be forgotten. Moving forward, I have about a month left in Copenhagen and plan to spend it studying for Block 2 exams and saying goodbye to international friends that I may not get to see for a while after I come home. For now...I will be enjoying my hibernation for 2 weeks and possibly a quick trip to Paris for New Years Eve...!!!!
Wishing you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS from dark, cold, hyggelig Copenhagen.
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