Its been almost two weeks since my last post, its about time to update on whats been the buzz up in Norland. Things are really starting to settle down and routine's are forming. Its easy to get like that, so a good shaking up is always good for keeping things interesting.
Its finally great to have internet in the apartment, its taken ages for them to install the line, but now that its installed it really rockets, an average of 1Mb/s. (For those who, like me are not that familiar with tech speak, it means that its a pretty fast connection). This new addition really makes it easier to keep connected with family...and waste great time surfing the net and all other things associated with the internet.
University is in full swing, with normal classes happening twice a week, much much reading and preparing of work in the rest of the time. Already, we have two assessments due in this last week of September, with a written test the week after.
On top of this, Swedish language courses have also started, and I have decided to take two separate courses, both part time, to learn as much as possible, as fast as possible. :) Let see how it goes...
Autimn (Höst) has set in and temperatures are cooling quickly. Last night, the 25th of september we finally recorded the first frost (The huge lake nearby keeps things regulated to an extent, hence the late frost), with the night time average dipping to -0.7 degree's. The day time high's are also around 7 or 8. But the sun shines and when it does it makes it much much easier to handle.
This is really a great place to keep fit and be outdoors, and many many people here in Östersund take advantage of the outdoors. Once again, Östersund this year is hosting the Swedish Biathlon Championships in December, this is the kick ass sport of skiing and shooting...very very cool. And all over in the forests and off road tracks, people are practising on roller ski's till it snows...
And on that note of snow, I have finally seen the first snow's. The fjall's (mountain ranges) around here were covered in snow today on the run, its so beautiful, I will post a photo as soon as possible on this...
The 24th of September was National Braai Day in SA...it was one of the days that I really missed being back home. It was 7 degree's and raining here in Östersund, while in SA, people were in shortsleeves and having braai's...gosh I missed it tons.
So I celebrated, by making a Malay curry, drinking an SA wine and enjoying an eve with a few friends...wasnt the same, but in my heart I was with all you in SA...


So, all in all, autumn greetings from a cooling Norland...