My second year here - school, the dark nights and many books.

September

First of all, a lot has happened. I am now a university student. You choose if I am a "real" uni student or not because I am only doing a year long little course. I have my own friend group here, which is exactly what I needed to make my life here better and they are all such great people.

So, I am now a student of the University of Iceland or Háskóli Íslands. I am studying Icelandic as a second language. This is a beginners course to get people from knowing nothing to being able to do everyday conversations. Being able to speak and understand Icelandic is gonna make it easier for me to get jobs as well. After finishing this, it is gonna be easy to build up my language level without having to take courses because I have so many Icelandic people around me. That is the boring stuff, but I am actually really enjoying studying. I have missed being in school and I like learning languages, even thought it is a little frustrating at times but I am still very determined. I have great friends to study with and get drinks if we've all become frustrated at school. Friends make going to school so much better. I always have a million books open and am doing grammar in one book, language structure in another and trying to speak more and more Icelandic with Björgvin and in public. My pronunciation is pretty good and I am starting to understand all the systems this language has. I am looking forward to the next months of school.

Due to all the problems with covid my school started a week later then planned. When school finally started we had in person classes, we were able to make friends and got used to our school schedule and curriculum. That didn´t last for very long, because there were many new cases of covid in my school and our classes were moved online. Now I have had classes online for about 3 weeks and it has been a big struggle but I have gotten used to this new way. I just really need to keep myself motivated and make sure I am handing in my assignments on time and not getting lazy during zoom calls. If I don´t keep myself 100% focused during class, then I become like a 5th grader again that would rather be doing everything else except the class work. Having friends to keep you in check is a life saver.

Also, if you know about my plans to read at least a book a month then you would know that in August I killed it by reading 6 books and, drum roll please, in September I read 2 books and some extra short stories as well. I read Minu Ahvenamaa, which is story about a woman moving to Åland and about all her experiences there. The second books was for my Icelandic culture class. The book is called Moonstone: The boy who never was by Sjón. I usually do not like books that you need to read for school but I must say my teacher really knows what books to pick. The other short stories about sagas were also for her class. I am really happy that I have gotten into the habit of reading more books and it is no longer a challenge to finish two books in one month. Also I am now reading books in the Kindle app. It is a good way to access books for a way cheaper price. Like books that might be one high demand in the library, I can just get as an ebook and read. This way I have the book forever without it taking up space on my shelves.

October

October has sneaked up on me. I feel like I barely got back.

I am fully doing online studies now and finding a job seems to be impossible. There are quite a few options for a girl struggling with Icelandic and no university degree. I am still actively looking but it is taking so much energy out of me. Same with school. I am not a internet loving person and having to stare at a computer screen for up to 6 hours is so hard for me. I can't imagine how people who have classes for longer than that feel.

Reading wise I am really trying to read, I started with Brida by Paulo Coelho, but that books while being interesting was going really really slowly. Then instead I picked up Heida: A Shepard at the Edge of the World and it was a mandatory books for my Icelandic culture class. I actually really like the book and was slowly reading it. But 5 days before the class discussion I found out that I am actually supposed to be reading another book instead and then Heiða. So to summarize it I will finish Brida, Heiða, Independent People by Halldór Laxness and my new pick Minu Alaska in the next month and I will tell you guys what I think of them in November's post.

On that same topic, you might have seen on my instagram that I went a little crazy in Petrone Print's store and bought 9 books, so I wouldn't run out of books from Minu series in Estonia nor here. I bought both physical and ebook. Ebooks are my new love.

With the darkness coming, I am getting really tired, unmotivated and hungry. Last year I didn't have any problems with the darkness, but this time around I am struggling. I need to find a way to take care of myself. Giving myself some good food, taking my vitamins and making some sort of a routine for myself. Also getting back on track with school work and my reading. Any tips for surviving the dark months are very welcomed.

All the best to all of you!

If anybody has any question about my studies, my life here or anything then don´t hesitate to contact me.