Update

Hmmm. You know, I think I'd forgotten, if I'd thought of it initially, that this blog-of-sorts is more about the journey than the destination. So I guess I'm changing that. In that spirit, here's my first update on Projekt Skanda.

Well, so far I've met a few peops from across the pond--a couple have seemingly become friends, many have evaporated. And yes, it does seem that Scandis are harder to get to know than most people I've met before. In that sense they live up to this idea that they're hard to get to know because they're, I dunno, "choosier" than other peops. I think this is a good thing. Because, I admit, I've had a history of choosing poorly among peops. I don't know if I'd choose any differently given a selection of Scandis as opposed to one of Americans--probably not--but it seems better intellectually to deal with people who are by nature more cautious. As for the other part of the Scandi equation--that while they are cautious in letting new people in but prove very reliable once they do--I haven't yet gotten to this level with anyone. I'd have to be friends with people in real life to know. So I'm reserving judgment on that note. Anyway, moving on...

So I'm reading a book on Swedish history. And if that doesn't prove my dedication to The Cause, I don't know what does! Because I'm typically bored stiff by history. Call me unsophisticated, fine (I'll call you a pretentious pig in return); but it makes my eyes heavy reading about battles and whatnot that took place hundreds of years ago. Yes, I got As in Western Civilization back in the day, but it was a CHORE! But I'm reading anyway. Partly because people are all like, "You only like Sweden for the ____!" [Insert something dippy and shallow, like "blondes" or "welfare."] So I figured I should learn a bit more about the country, to dispel accusations and my myne own edification. So I'm up to almost 1700 in the book. Did you know that Sweden was the first country in Europe to issue paper money? Or that there was a "Little Sweden" in North America (in what is moden Delaware)? Well now you do.

As far as the Swedish language, well, learning a language is always a slow, tortuous process. Especially when you don't have the structure of a class. The structure and the deadlines and the aspect of competition. So naturally I'm learning it at a glacial pace, if you can even say I'm learning it at all. I know a few phrases, and I'm getting better at hearing it through listening to a lot of Sveriges Radio. I have to say, I've found some fun stuff. There's a program called Hallongrotta which is hilarious--I wish I could remember where I found it, because I only downloaded one episode. Mammas Nya Kille is funny too. But I think my favorite right now is...

Kropp och Själ (Body and Soul), a program about health and science. I wish I spoke complete Swedish, because the program is really interesting. From the ones I've downloaded, there's one of omega-3 fatty acids, one on sperm donation and my mind is blanking on the other one. The best thing about this program for me is that they speak pretty slowly, so I can actually grasp more words than I usually would. It used to be I could listen to an hour or so of a program and maybe get two words. But I listen to this one and I can get a word every sentence or two. Yes, that's abysmal comprehension, but you can't expect to just understand everything right away. So yeah. But since we're talking about vetenskap....

I realized that there's another reason why I want to live in Sweden, and it involves, of course, the cultural climate. I was reading the other day about some study done in Sweden, and it occurred to me that almost every science article I read these days seems to begin with, "A study in Sweden...." How could I not find the idea of living in a country that produces so much scientific research irresistible? I can't believe it hadn't occurred to me consciously before. Well, perhaps in a sense it had, since the Karolinska Institut, of all things, was on my RADAR. Because I knew that there was a scientist doing a lot of neurogenesis research there. Of course, I wonder if this aspect of the cultural climate affects day-to-day life--I would guess not, but you never know. I would certainly love to experience living in that kind of climate for a while, however, just to see. Because really, assuming that science is valued as highly in Sweden as it would seem, can you see what a contrast that climate is to the anti-science, pro-mumbo jumbo one we've had here in the past 8 years at least? Why, I was just remarking to someone on the trend here of girls having anal and oral sex in their teens because they believe they can do that and remain virgins. (!!) And why is virginity so praised? Well, maybe to avoid pregnancy, but it strikes me that there's probably a huge religious component there. That's part of the point, but more of it is that the mindset behind this trend is one that eschews critical thinking. Critical thinking=one of the building blocks for good science. Am I wrong? But bringing us back to Sweden, one of the reasons I'd like to live there is because it seems to produce a lot of scientific research, and I'd like to experience living in a culture where science is valued. (And I've always held that another huge reason why I want to live there is that religion isn't quite so valued.)

And that's the Skanda beep for now.