can you believe this crap?! from the papers of diana freeburg

worlds most fascinating college graduate

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Dear Diary,
I'm in Sweden. Malmö, Sweden. You know I'm not lying because where else would I be able to make such a cool ö? only on a swedish keyboard. ööööäääää. Some things I like about sweden:
everyone speaks english. Not even broken english. Better english than I speak. yesterday I went to buy an ice cream cone to eat by this canal in the city. Initially, the girl selling ice cream spoke to me in Swedish, but when i replied in English, she just automatically switched to English that sounded so American she could have been from California or something. It was just like, 'okay, cool. do you want a cup or a cone? Thatll be 16 crowns.' I am impressed, but i have to remember that every kid here learns english in school and they listen to tons of American music and watch a lot of American movies.
It's fun to be somewhere foreign where I really don't stand out at all. I mean, I buy everything at H&M just like everyone else here and I would say that I am pretty Swedish looking. They are not ALL blonde. I feel like I have been traveling so much that if I woke up tomorrow in Greenland or Russia or Algeria I would just be like, 'okay, cool. now what?' Everytime someone talks to me I have to consciously think of what language to tell them I don't speak. I don't speak French? no, that was last week. German? no. It will be nice to be in London again, even if it is only for a few days, just because I can say everything I want to whoever I want. "i want a milky tea and a digestive biscuit, stat!!"
I spent the morning at the Swedish design center. I am learning that there is more to Swedish design than just Ikea. The best part was getting a tea in the little cafeteria. darling dishes of course, and tiny vases of flowers on every perfect little table. I sat for a long time looking at the pictures in the design magazines laying around. Because that's what i could do. look at the pictures.
Love,
Diana