October has been a month of many birthdays. First it was my host father’s  birthday on October 1st, and then it was my birthday on October 5th.  Finally, it was my host mother’s birthday on October 16th and we had fun  celebrating each and every one of them!  We celebrated our birthdays in true Swedish fashion. If it is someone’s  birthday in Sweden, all the other members of the household wake up early in  the morning and prepare a fika (snack). It is then put on a breakfast tray  that is decorated with flowers. When everything is complete you wake the  person up from their sleep and sing Happy Birthday to them. Not the best  gesture for a person who was feeling cranky on their birthday!

Hasse’s (host father) birthday went well. We woke him up and gave him  presents. Hasse hates to open presents. He feels that if he receives a  present then he is obligated to buy a gift in return, however, he accepted  them graciously. On the same day, we went to Järvzoo; a zoo located in a  town called Järvsö. We as well as another host family from Gävle met to have  some fun! Gwaenelle (an exchange student from France) and I enjoyed  ourselves because we had the opportunity to view all the Swedish animals  that we wouldn’t see taking a leisurely stroll. The animals were quite  interesting. I liked the wolves, linx, and brown bears. The wolves were my  favorite! 

My birthday went great! I was also woken up and given presents. I got a  lovely blue bathrobe and some stationary for school from my host parents. I  truly appreciated them. At school the students sang happy birthday to me in  two of my classes. In one class, another student was also celebrating his  birthday so the students sang for both of us! There was a ‘get together’ at  my home later that day and I invited 10 friends. They bought me presents  too! Two of my best friends together bought me a woolen sweatshirt because  they knew that the weather would get wicked in a few months. I received many  other gifts that I thoroughly enjoyed. I was appreciative to know that I had  made so many friends that really cared for me. What is a party without  smörgåstårta? My host family got like three made for me!

Eva- Britt (host mother) also celebrated her birthday this month. She too  was woken up and given presents. Eva Britt was really appreciative of her  gifts. Later on during that day we had a gathering for her and some family  came over. We went Mexican for a change eating tacos, enchiladas and  delicious stuffing. It was a fun party!

My host parents and I were also invited to an AFS meeting and there I met  some exchange students other than two of my best friends who are too  exchange students through AFS in Hudiksvall. There I was introduced as a  Rotary exchange student. The directors there were impressed at how much  Swedish I was speaking for the short time that I had been here. Thank God  for the language course at Kopparbo because it helped me to represent our  district well.

I have also made friends with a Rotary rebound who went to New Zealand for  one year. His parents also had a dinner to which all exchange students were  invited. It was so cool even though there was no smårgastårta there. The  food was delicious. I have eaten some delicious foods here that will make  your mouth water but it seems that I am losing weight rather than gaining  any!

I don’t mean to seem innocent because I have been going to some great  parties here and manage to stay sober and nicotine free. You must have lots  of will power as a youngster in Sweden because everybody seems to drink and  smoke often to become more sociable! I could never break the four deeds  because I could hear the voices of Bob White, Roy Joseph, and Robert  Friedman saying ‘NO YOU DON’T!

Lastly, I also went to a local church to simply experience the way that  Swedes worship. It was boring and unbelievably solemn. The only thing I  really enjoyed was the fika afterwards! I was shocked when I was told that  many persons here don’t really go to church as often as before! That  figures! Some people are atheists! Some people have their own beliefs that I  won’t ever disrespect but I find it strange. The Muslim religion is also  very active here. I also had the opportunity to visit a sewing center and I  was impressed to learn of how modern sewing machines have become. They were computerized and able to make the most handsome patterns of embroidery with  just a touch of a fingertip! I never knew that Sweden made such fine sewing  equipment until I visited that place. To the tailors and seamstresses, did  you know that the brand Viking was made in Sweden? Well I think I’ve written  enough so I’ll quit here. Just wanted to let you know that it is going very  well with me in Sweden! This is my report for the month of October. Until  next time!

Truly,
Angelo Mortimer
Sverige