Hallelujah!!

It's the first Sunday of Advent. Originally (and if you want to be specific to details also today) advent was a time to prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ birthday. As with all things Christian Danes have an interesting relationship to Christmas and the month leading up to it. We are obsessed with and cherish very old and very Christian traditions like making Advent wreaths, lighting one new candle each of the four Sundays before Christmas, going to church on Christmas eve and singing Christmas hymns at public as well as private gatherings throughout December. 80.4 % of Danes are members of the National Lutheran Church (www.km.dk/folkekirken). From an outside perspective we seems pretty religious and dedicated to Christianity. But when asked if we believe there is a God, only 31 % of Danes answer yes, while 49 % answer they believe there is some kind of spirit or life force and 19 % answer they do not believe there is any kind of spirit, God or life force (Social Values, Science and Technology, Special Eurobarometer 225, 2005).

68 % Danes do not actually believe in God, which among other things indicates that our traditions surrounding Christmas are predominantly cultural traditions.

I bought an advent wreath with my mum today and I’m sure she’s lit the first candle in it by now. I’m excited it’s the first Sunday in Advent, not because I’m religious but because it’s the beginning of Christmas with all the traditions it brings, like Christmas parties, Christmas calendars, Christmas songs, family gatherings, gifts, gløgg and on the 26^th of December: Alaska.

I got accepted to University of Alaska wuhuuu!!!

In August of this year I handed in my application for graduate school in anthropology at UAF. In September I returned to Denmark to await my destiny. Was I gonna return to Alaska to study for my master in anthropology or was I returning to three months of being a tourist and no plan for my future? Last night I received a letter of acceptance from UAF. I can't believe I did it. I got in... I'm eligible for a two year visa, I get to stay in Alaska for two whole freakin' years. Don't be alarmed, I will come and visit Denmark, but I won't be forced to go back, I will go back because I want to. And I get to study anthropology for two years. I don't have to study anything else. I can focus on exactly what I find interesting. This is quite mind blowing to me... you might already be thinking I'm in a state of chock right now, and I think you're right. I am so excited and have mentally started packing! Wuhuu

It's true, I'm really moving to Alaska

I guess this is where Americans would say God help me… I’m not American and whether I believe in God is not the subject of this blog. My moving to Alaska is however.

If all goes as planned I am moving to Alaska, flying out of Copenhagen, Denmark on the 26^th of December 2011. “Why?”, you may feel inclined to ask and “I wonder how that’s gonna turn out?” also comes to mind. Well, follow my blog and we’ll find out!