Better than a Cup of Coffee

I survived the first week with students and contrary to previous beliefs, 4th graders are not terrifying. I thought my personality was better suited for teaching older students, but I must say that so far teaching the younger ones has been awesome. I have a smile plastered on my face constantly and I feel positively - dare I say it - peppy. And I think I know where I've found the energy to be like this.

I do not shy away from my addiction to coffee. I've started my mornings with the good stuff since watching Lorelai and Rory practically guzzle coffee at Luke's Diner in every episode of Gilmore Girls. I've been a faithful lover of coffee for more than 10 years. I've fed my addiction and spent God knows how much at Angelina's and Heine Brothers and Starbucks and Hillside Café and countless others. But now I can honestly say that I've found something that works even better.

Botaniska trädgården yesterday morning

Botaniska trädgården yesterday morning

When I arrived in Uppsala almost a month ago, I bought a monthly bus pass and a bike. I thought I would use the bus for commuting to work and the bike for trips around town. But after just a week, I was annoyed by the bus. I didn't like being at the whim of its timetable and the 750 SEK (about $90) wasn't a selling point either. The 7k ride to work intimidated me, but the bus annoyed me more. Late last week, I hopped on my bike at 7am and I haven't looked back. I thought I'd get to work sweaty and disheveled, but the mornings have been cool and I bring toiletries and a change of clothes. Since last Thursday, I've biked more than 60 miles and I bet that's further than I've gone in my 24 years combined. (Sorry Mom and Dad for all the bikes you bought me that I didn't fully appreciate and that I didn't notice were gone when you gave them away...)

Anyways, here's what I love about biking to work in no particular order: I pass by Carolina Rediviva, the largest library in Sweden, the Uppsala Castle, built in 16th century, and the stunning Botanical Garden. I get an hour's worth of exercise (and endorphins!) every day. I have to be alert early to navigate cars, pedestrians and other bikes, contributing to the "better than a cup of coffee" wide-awakeness that I feel. I'm getting a nice pair of thunder thighs and a butt to match. I make up for all those times I drove two blocks in Louisville. And I have the energy to keep up with 10 year olds. 

Come the dark and dreary mornings of December I'll be riding that bus without complaint, but for now I'm happy on two wheels. 

 

On Cycling and Settling In

My new bike! She needs a name...

My new bike! She needs a name...

Tomorrow, I'll have been in Uppsala for a week - how quickly the days have flown by! I've spent the time reacquainting myself with this amazing city, running errands and enjoying the last few days of this extended vacation with friends new and old. This summer in Sweden has been a rainy one, but I've lucked out with some sunny days this week. Today, as I write from my apartment's balcony, it's so hot my phone overheated - am I back in California or in Sweden??

Navigating the city has taken some getting used to and I'm slowly learning my new bus routes and neighborhood, situated just 10 minutes from the city center and Uppsala University. I bought a bike a few days ago and have completely fallen in love with cycling around this place. Uppsala is so bike-friendly and even though I'm possibly the worst biker, I feel very safe (Not sure what other cyclists or pedestrians feel with me on the road, but oh well!) I really appreciate how easy it is to rely on a bike or public transportation here. When I was planning this move, I was apprehensive about biking, especially given my inexperience, but as soon I as hopped on my bike, I was hooked. A lesson in tackling fears perhaps?

I'm heading to Stockholm soon for a Lenny Kravitz concert at Gröna Lund, an amusement park situated on Djurgården island. (If he sings "American Woman," I'm going to lose my ish.) My job starts tomorrow and I'm looking forward to meeting the team there, though I must say 6 weeks off has been pretty awesome. But on to the next thing! So here's to new beginnings and new bikes!

 

- EM