My first Saturday here and thanks to my Jesper, I had a free ticket to LEGOLand! I hope to have more while I'm here personally. Working at the company should have that kind perk..but I guess I'll see right?
So, on a Holiday Saturday morning, there were THRONGS of people getting in line to go to the theme park. All nationalities were present, Europe of course and I over heard some Japanese, Indians and of course Filipinos.
The park is great, and I'll let my 300+ pictures do the talking when i can get all of them up. But, its nothing I haven't seen before in terms of the big picture. There are some really great build techniques here and everything is amazing in its own right. The Atlantis Exhibit is REALLY worth visiting, with a few tanks filled with sharks and super colorful fish. Its an incredibly immersive experience with tunnels and Bubble shaped windows to peer through, it feels like you're swimming with them! Miniland was full of historical european towns and cities and a few modern ones as well. Taking pictures was pretty crazy, I had my gorilla pod snapping away and the best thing I had were the gloves i thought i shouldnt pack. They were the best things ever! I cant believe i still have both of them though. I dropped them a few times in LEGOLand and backtracked to find it on the floor!
I wasnt too impressed by the LEGO Store there, touted as the largest in size in all of Europe. Nothing super fancy there, I was hoping for the new minifigs. The pick-a-brick wasn't to my liking either, but they did have the new Technic T Beams and a lot of technic bricks too. Worth getting, but be sure I see more than my share of these in the office. I had another pizza for lunch and it was better than the last one i had. I dont remember the last time I finished a 12" Pie, albeit very thin crust. The Dragon coaster is also worth noting, with some of the most intricate sculptures I've seen during the ride. Since it was a ride, I couldnt really take pictures. And the end of the ride is a small coaster. I had the funniest face during the picture! By then it started to rain, and I got me a hot chocolate and a brick shaped chocolate piece - So much for telling your kids not to eat LEGO!
I mosey'd along to town in a light drizzle. Yay for Super Brugsen! I got me some even cheaper dinner, but you get what you pay for! I wish i had somewhere to cook over here. Even a microwave would be great. I cant even buy too many drinks since I cant keep anything cold. But, i've got me some ramen and some iced tea for a lot cheaper than it is here at the hotel and I'm happy!
This four star hotel with a fancy restaurant is weird place to walk around with shorts and a sweater. I still need a fork and knife to eat though and ice to keep my drinks cold.
And thats my first saturday, I dont know what to do tomorrow at all. Maybe some more shopping for necessities. Time to figure out some bus schedules so i can get out to other towns. Next week i'm shooting for copenhagen. But I should look into the surrounding towns too. Til then..
new pix on facebook! Week one's almost over and I've got about 400 pix already. That and around 500 pushups. I'm a little behind on those.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Restless mind, tired body - Day 3
I think jetlag got the best of me last night. I really couldnt sleep at all. So what did I do? I was restless and my mind was working on my project for the next 5 weeks. I spent most of the dark hours drawing and at least trying to fall asleep. Worked out - and by the way the exercise band was an excellent idea to bring!
Early enough to snag breakfast before the Legoland crowd. I was also able to snag lunch from the breakfast buffet. This is going to work out quite nicely! The crowd was incredulous in the morning when I was picked up.
Just to show you that LEGO is truly international, my coworker who picked me up is from Argentina. At the office I was able to build in the fruits of my late night labor. I still feel like i'm all over the place there and hopefully I can get focused on one thing instead of trying to do everything at once. I was very happy with the results though, and with a little tweaking I think I might have something that'll pass through the crazy tests all lego products must go through I'm sure. At some point during the day I think lack of sleep was kicking in. Determined to stay concious, I build like a madman instead of my intense bouts of thinking followed by a short burst of creative output. Around the same point i also realized that my projects were real ones now, not just the ones i use off the top of my head. I had a moment of feeling that I'm in over my head, quickly followed by I shall knock this project on its ass to completion before I leave ! And then work was over.
I slept for an hour.
Determined not to break the bank on dinner, i took my first excursion into town alone. at 630 its still bright daylight out, but most of the stores were about ready to close. I was able to pull out some Krone so finally i have cash! The town is insanely small, but quaint and friendly. Everything is so expensive, beer is really cheaper than water or even soft drinks. I got myself some refreshments for the room, which though expensive, were cheaper than the .5L Ice Tea here in the hotel. I hope I can come back around when supermarkets are open, i need to get me some ramen for those lazy nights in!
I was able to get in front of the LEGO Idea house and Ole Kirk's old shop and look in to the history of LEGO from 1932 to 2009. REALLY cool to take pix there, and hope that i'll be able to get in and take pix inside too. I think the archive is there as well.
I found a few restaurants and I'm sure to eat at every one of them at least twice while I'm here. I decided on pizza, which I heard wasnt great here, but its pizza and you can't mess up pizza. Mama's Pizzeria was full of families, as i'm sure Billund is. Must be a nice town to raise a family ya? The walk back kinda cooled down the pizza more than I wanted. But, the pizza, with cut ham, pepperoni and pineapples was quite tasty. Along with Tuborg Pilsner, not too bad of a dinner for a fraction of the price of hotel dinner.
Well tomorrow i'm off to LEGOLand, hopefully the weather cooperates. I have heard about people going to LEGOLand in ponchos! But I do worry about clean clothes. I guess that will come too. Gotta get back to the workout 'routine' and finally kick this jetlag. Til tomorrow!
And yes, a few more pix up on facebook. LEGOLand will have its own folder, I'll be filling the card there.
Laters all
Early enough to snag breakfast before the Legoland crowd. I was also able to snag lunch from the breakfast buffet. This is going to work out quite nicely! The crowd was incredulous in the morning when I was picked up.
Just to show you that LEGO is truly international, my coworker who picked me up is from Argentina. At the office I was able to build in the fruits of my late night labor. I still feel like i'm all over the place there and hopefully I can get focused on one thing instead of trying to do everything at once. I was very happy with the results though, and with a little tweaking I think I might have something that'll pass through the crazy tests all lego products must go through I'm sure. At some point during the day I think lack of sleep was kicking in. Determined to stay concious, I build like a madman instead of my intense bouts of thinking followed by a short burst of creative output. Around the same point i also realized that my projects were real ones now, not just the ones i use off the top of my head. I had a moment of feeling that I'm in over my head, quickly followed by I shall knock this project on its ass to completion before I leave ! And then work was over.
I slept for an hour.
Determined not to break the bank on dinner, i took my first excursion into town alone. at 630 its still bright daylight out, but most of the stores were about ready to close. I was able to pull out some Krone so finally i have cash! The town is insanely small, but quaint and friendly. Everything is so expensive, beer is really cheaper than water or even soft drinks. I got myself some refreshments for the room, which though expensive, were cheaper than the .5L Ice Tea here in the hotel. I hope I can come back around when supermarkets are open, i need to get me some ramen for those lazy nights in!
I was able to get in front of the LEGO Idea house and Ole Kirk's old shop and look in to the history of LEGO from 1932 to 2009. REALLY cool to take pix there, and hope that i'll be able to get in and take pix inside too. I think the archive is there as well.
I found a few restaurants and I'm sure to eat at every one of them at least twice while I'm here. I decided on pizza, which I heard wasnt great here, but its pizza and you can't mess up pizza. Mama's Pizzeria was full of families, as i'm sure Billund is. Must be a nice town to raise a family ya? The walk back kinda cooled down the pizza more than I wanted. But, the pizza, with cut ham, pepperoni and pineapples was quite tasty. Along with Tuborg Pilsner, not too bad of a dinner for a fraction of the price of hotel dinner.
Well tomorrow i'm off to LEGOLand, hopefully the weather cooperates. I have heard about people going to LEGOLand in ponchos! But I do worry about clean clothes. I guess that will come too. Gotta get back to the workout 'routine' and finally kick this jetlag. Til tomorrow!
And yes, a few more pix up on facebook. LEGOLand will have its own folder, I'll be filling the card there.
Laters all
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Testing my metal or plastic - Day 2
My first real day at work, and just as expected the place was empty. I'm trying to wrap myself around my project, and what kind of freedom i have to do what I need to do. Its like my office at camp there, but a good chunk of the desks have an army of LEGO Robots on them amongst other things. I'm in one of the few offices where I'm not allowed to photographs. Its also this amazing office that has a black door, as opposed to the other open rooms and desks with glass partitions. As a builder, I've got more parts than I could even imagine (and I can imagine a lot). I spent a lot of time looking around and walking around for inspiration, this project is serious, at least i'm taking it very seriously and even though i know i've got the skills to pay the bills, i just hope i can impress the myriad of people who've been doing this their whole lives. Build on!
So i just realized that its about 5 Danish Krone to 1 USD, holy crap! at least the breakfast is free. And the breakfast is good, cereals, DIY waffles and eggs and deli meats and the best part is that its free. Free is good since dinner is ridiculously expensive. I'm glad its a short week, but to my luck tonights dinner was the first i've paid for since i got here. I'm hoping I can find cheaper food over the week. I still need to exchange my money, how strange, I'm a little spoiled here since they take USD. I think if i can make it through Friday then I can get my money changed and shop around. I'm excited for the weekend, hitting up legoland on saturday! Get ready for the barrage of pictures.
Speaking of which, pix are up on facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=168812&id=501384730&l=f9266a1553
I'll take better ones of the hotel and soon the walk over to the job. Time for another 100 pushups
So i just realized that its about 5 Danish Krone to 1 USD, holy crap! at least the breakfast is free. And the breakfast is good, cereals, DIY waffles and eggs and deli meats and the best part is that its free. Free is good since dinner is ridiculously expensive. I'm glad its a short week, but to my luck tonights dinner was the first i've paid for since i got here. I'm hoping I can find cheaper food over the week. I still need to exchange my money, how strange, I'm a little spoiled here since they take USD. I think if i can make it through Friday then I can get my money changed and shop around. I'm excited for the weekend, hitting up legoland on saturday! Get ready for the barrage of pictures.
Speaking of which, pix are up on facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=168812&id=501384730&l=f9266a1553
I'll take better ones of the hotel and soon the walk over to the job. Time for another 100 pushups
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Delays - Dublin - Denmark - Day 1
Phew, after waiting for nearly three hours at jfk, they stuck on another hour of delay. True the weather was bad, the flight was overbooked, and they had to cater the plane - at least it wasn't volcanic ash! And oh yea, 55$ for a second bag..i got robbed!
The airplane ride was pleasant, i had a window seat that had 2 windows! But In order to beat jetlag I tried to get as much sleep as possible, even though excitement gets the best of you. Delta airlines really upgraded with heads up, touch screen displays. Really fun to play with and had a bunch of the best picture nominees for movies to watch. It had 'cds' where you could make a playlist or the standard cheesy radio on airplanes. They also had games! Bejeweled, and some other stuff. I played but not too much. Sleep is good, pay for wifi isnt, But its nice to touch down in the land of the green.. to Ireland we came.
With the plane being late, i had just about 45 minutes in Dublin Airport to get checked in and all that stuff. Lines all over the place, but it is cool to get that fancy shmancy stamp on the passport! I had a crazy runaround trying to figure out where i needed to check in. One of the airport security guards had never heard of 'Cimber Sterling'! Whiskey Tango Foxtrot! I Eventually made it to a checkout line, and they almost charged me for bags too. Cripes, but they didnt and off i went to the gate to find me in a small airplane boarding right off the tarmac. But not before dropping 3 euros to update my status and shoot off an email to the person picking me up.
The small plane was surprisingly comfortable, I was able to sleep very well for about an hour of the two hour flight. Landing in Billund felt surreal, was I really doing this? And I saw the LEGO signs everywhere, and its true, LEGO Land is to the right once you land. Here i was.
Mr. Elling came to pick me up, he's a tall man. One could be intimidated by his size, but he's very polite and helped me with my baggage, the one with the broken wheel. We drove over to the Hotel Svanen, checked into room number 69. I dropped off my stuff and proceeded immediately to the building where I would be working. LEGO is everywhere here! Its not the building I thought I'd be working at, but just as cool - even though they are going through renovations. Its still walking distance, but I hope to get a bike from TLG. It turns out that Thursday and Friday is a Danish holiday and that I'd almost be working alone in the office for those two days. Hopefully I can catch up with people over the weekend!
While I can't talk about my work here, lets just say it'll be a fun process and it definitely plays to my strengths in terms of what I've been doing. It was incredibly comforting to meet the people i met in Atlanta and I really felt belonging and comfort while I was here learning about my job (and belonging being something very important i learned in classrooms). Its gonna be a good time, but low on the describing stuff, maybe i'll talk about the stuff i'm doing in the office thats not for work!
After that briefing, I was treated to a buffet dinner at the hotel. It was good, but I am anticipating eating here more than I really want to. Then back to the room to unpack and settle in. Skype is great here! Quite a few amenities, but food is gonna be expensive, I know it. Having a beer while writing this and that'll probably be a habit. Don't expect these long entries after today. Again, cant talk about work too much. I'm hitting up LEGOLand this weekend, probably saturday, and the town on friday. Hopefully this weather lets up. Well tomorrow's another day, gonna wake up early. I'm off to 200 pushups and bed. I'm here to work and thats exactly what i'm gonna do!
The airplane ride was pleasant, i had a window seat that had 2 windows! But In order to beat jetlag I tried to get as much sleep as possible, even though excitement gets the best of you. Delta airlines really upgraded with heads up, touch screen displays. Really fun to play with and had a bunch of the best picture nominees for movies to watch. It had 'cds' where you could make a playlist or the standard cheesy radio on airplanes. They also had games! Bejeweled, and some other stuff. I played but not too much. Sleep is good, pay for wifi isnt, But its nice to touch down in the land of the green.. to Ireland we came.
With the plane being late, i had just about 45 minutes in Dublin Airport to get checked in and all that stuff. Lines all over the place, but it is cool to get that fancy shmancy stamp on the passport! I had a crazy runaround trying to figure out where i needed to check in. One of the airport security guards had never heard of 'Cimber Sterling'! Whiskey Tango Foxtrot! I Eventually made it to a checkout line, and they almost charged me for bags too. Cripes, but they didnt and off i went to the gate to find me in a small airplane boarding right off the tarmac. But not before dropping 3 euros to update my status and shoot off an email to the person picking me up.
The small plane was surprisingly comfortable, I was able to sleep very well for about an hour of the two hour flight. Landing in Billund felt surreal, was I really doing this? And I saw the LEGO signs everywhere, and its true, LEGO Land is to the right once you land. Here i was.
Mr. Elling came to pick me up, he's a tall man. One could be intimidated by his size, but he's very polite and helped me with my baggage, the one with the broken wheel. We drove over to the Hotel Svanen, checked into room number 69. I dropped off my stuff and proceeded immediately to the building where I would be working. LEGO is everywhere here! Its not the building I thought I'd be working at, but just as cool - even though they are going through renovations. Its still walking distance, but I hope to get a bike from TLG. It turns out that Thursday and Friday is a Danish holiday and that I'd almost be working alone in the office for those two days. Hopefully I can catch up with people over the weekend!
While I can't talk about my work here, lets just say it'll be a fun process and it definitely plays to my strengths in terms of what I've been doing. It was incredibly comforting to meet the people i met in Atlanta and I really felt belonging and comfort while I was here learning about my job (and belonging being something very important i learned in classrooms). Its gonna be a good time, but low on the describing stuff, maybe i'll talk about the stuff i'm doing in the office thats not for work!
After that briefing, I was treated to a buffet dinner at the hotel. It was good, but I am anticipating eating here more than I really want to. Then back to the room to unpack and settle in. Skype is great here! Quite a few amenities, but food is gonna be expensive, I know it. Having a beer while writing this and that'll probably be a habit. Don't expect these long entries after today. Again, cant talk about work too much. I'm hitting up LEGOLand this weekend, probably saturday, and the town on friday. Hopefully this weather lets up. Well tomorrow's another day, gonna wake up early. I'm off to 200 pushups and bed. I'm here to work and thats exactly what i'm gonna do!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Twenty some odd hours - Cleaning Up
So, its hours before and I'm about 90% packed up minus all the toothbrushes and razors and stuff.
Meanwhile, I'm cleaning up my room and Yvonne is helping me move forward and get rid of a lot of junk that I can't get myself to get rid of. Its good in the long run, i know it is - the sentimental sap that I am.
Well, its a bit odd to think about being in another place the next time i go to bed. So i guess the next entry will be me being somewhere, probably the airport Hopefully with more pictures.
And I'll leave everyone with this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yW6TiZlwMBU
Se jer alle senere!
Kung gusto mong takasan ang mundo!
Ilalayo tayo ng magic spaceship ko!
Meanwhile, I'm cleaning up my room and Yvonne is helping me move forward and get rid of a lot of junk that I can't get myself to get rid of. Its good in the long run, i know it is - the sentimental sap that I am.
Well, its a bit odd to think about being in another place the next time i go to bed. So i guess the next entry will be me being somewhere, probably the airport Hopefully with more pictures.
And I'll leave everyone with this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yW6TiZlwMBU
Se jer alle senere!
Kung gusto mong takasan ang mundo!
Ilalayo tayo ng magic spaceship ko!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
2 days - Building Excitement
Two days before the big trip. I haven't even started packing yet. The suitcases are in the middle of my room, but at least all of my laundry is done. Think it might be worth it to start living out of the suitcase already?
Lots of good lucks and see you laters from the wonderful support system I have at home. I've probably had a few too many beers in the past few days too. But it's all good fun and celebrating a new journey. Its hard not to get poetic, but that's me.
Yes, I'm super excited and ready to go beyond belief. The excitement is building, the pace is getting sort of frantic and there is still a few things i need before i go. I dropped my sunglasses at the movie theater last night, so thats one. I need a set of those power converters and a fitted Yankee hat. I think its worth walking around telling everyone I'm from the NYC. I hope I have everything else though.
Any tips from anyone ?
Lots of good lucks and see you laters from the wonderful support system I have at home. I've probably had a few too many beers in the past few days too. But it's all good fun and celebrating a new journey. Its hard not to get poetic, but that's me.
Yes, I'm super excited and ready to go beyond belief. The excitement is building, the pace is getting sort of frantic and there is still a few things i need before i go. I dropped my sunglasses at the movie theater last night, so thats one. I need a set of those power converters and a fitted Yankee hat. I think its worth walking around telling everyone I'm from the NYC. I hope I have everything else though.
Any tips from anyone ?
Saturday, May 1, 2010
10 days - saying goodbye
Well, not to anyone really, but to old things.
I'm trying to remind myself that I'm only going to be gone for 5 weeks. But there is a changing of the guard in my life. I've been trying to let go of some of the 'useless' things in my life. I'm letting go and saying goodbye to some LEGO Stuff, I've even let go of some of my prized balisongs. And I'm trying to let go of more but its rather difficult. Its a changing of the guard, and to change at all, I must change myself.
Other than that, I'm trying to see lots and lots of people before I go. The other night i got to say fare thee well to my Bricktron team. They've been so good to me and so supportive. What a great team and I know it wont be the last time we're all physically in the same room.
In the meantime, there's still so much to do. I've got a paper/presentation due on Monday! and all this other work to do until then. When will i get a chance to pack? I work up until the hours before I leave for the airport, its hard to get too excited when there's so much to do. Ten long days ahead.
I'm trying to remind myself that I'm only going to be gone for 5 weeks. But there is a changing of the guard in my life. I've been trying to let go of some of the 'useless' things in my life. I'm letting go and saying goodbye to some LEGO Stuff, I've even let go of some of my prized balisongs. And I'm trying to let go of more but its rather difficult. Its a changing of the guard, and to change at all, I must change myself.
Other than that, I'm trying to see lots and lots of people before I go. The other night i got to say fare thee well to my Bricktron team. They've been so good to me and so supportive. What a great team and I know it wont be the last time we're all physically in the same room.
In the meantime, there's still so much to do. I've got a paper/presentation due on Monday! and all this other work to do until then. When will i get a chance to pack? I work up until the hours before I leave for the airport, its hard to get too excited when there's so much to do. Ten long days ahead.
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