FREDRIK SCHEIKE

Well, here I go again, whining away. Sitting here at the Internet-café not far from school, where one hour on internet costs 2.50, but why in the middle of the morning you ask? One answer: today I experience the first of - probably - many "grèves" to come. Yup, it's a strike right now, why? I understand perfectly why, there is now limit to the number of pupils permitted in each class. There are classes with 38 pupils on my Lycée, and others have told me horror-stories of classes of up to 45 people at Collège. Of course the teachers can't put up with it! Anyway, I'm not permitted to quit German to take a course in French. Just because "it's not according to the rules". French is not considered to be a "foreign language" you see. I'll print the story in black and white for you. I want to quit german. Why? Because I seriously can't understand jack shit, I understand that which resembles Swedish, but that's not good enough since the...

Ah Putain! It feeels gooooood to finish at 10 now a days! But I will still go to the course, just to see if I have to be there! Now you wonder: What is HE talking about?! I've quit GERMAN! And apparently, if things go the way I want - I'm going to start a course in french with the UNIVERSITY students! Not the french-university-course, but the "french-for-foreigners-university-course"! Could it be any better? I think NOT! During my "away"-time from here I've been doing sooo much I think I've forgotten half. Last friday after classes, I together with Delphine, Marion and Anouk went on a tour around Clermont. Since Delphine had passed here license last tuesday (on wednesday we drank and toasted in "Champomy", carbonated apple-juice, to celebrate her license - IN THE SCHOOLYARD! Haha) she of course wanted to practice her driving. And I have to say I'm impressed, because seriously, I would go bollocking mad, driving around in this town! The ...

Phew! Now I haven't written here for quite a while, and much has happened since last time, first I will post some pictures and then in another inlay I'll write. So here begins the pictureshow (all the images are clickable - for a greater size): My chamber at my familys house The "to-be" summer house of my family, A LOT of work still needs doing. Georges (dad) and Quentin (brother) working hard at the house. My bed --- Mickaëls bed at the boarding house (internat). Mickaël playing narcisstic with my camera. Benjamin, from the boarding house Fabien, Benjamins older brother, from the boarding house. Adrien, from the boarding house. Skilled Poi-artist. Jonas, the french guy who listens to Totalt Jävla Mörker! Quentin(another one), from the boarding house. More pictures coming up!

Sâ blev det som jag förutspâtt och som jag hoppats att det inte skulle bli. De röda avgâr och de blâ tillträder. Men jag vill inte kalla det en vinst för de blâ utan en förlust för de röd-gröna med Socialdemokraterna i spetsen. För det är faktiskt mer Perssons fel än Reinfeldts förtjänst. Jag vill tro att detta val har varit ett missnöjesval av Sveriges befolkning, det är i alla fall det jag hoppas. I och för sig kan till och med jag, inbiten socialist som jag är, säga att det Socialdemokratiska styret den senaste valperioden varit lite väl självgoda. Visst, självsäkerhet är bra, men när den övergâr till självgodhet - utan självinsikt - sâ väcker inte det väljarnas förtroende. Vilket nu förhoppningsvis har fungerat som en väckarklocka för vâr svenska socialdemokrati. Personligen tror jag att socialismen är det enda sättet att styra ett land pâ, men de blâa fâr nu gärna överbevisa mig, jag tänker inte tacka nej. Jag har ju faktiskt bara vuxit upp med socialismen som styrande ideol...

Haha! Best title ever! Awh, I've been having two WONDERFUL days right now, this weekend really is up there at the top. Yesterday of course started with two hours of philosophy as every saturday does. As I had been sleeping awefully good I was unfortunately a bit late when I realized that I would return "home" today, as every saturday. So I collected all of my stuff rather quickly but I still wasn't finished when Fabien came knocking at my door. I tried to explain and he just laughed and remembered that he had forgotten his bag aswell. We got all our stuff and then headed down for breakfast. Same as always.. But I think my stomach is becoming quite accustomed by now. but it's taken almost 2,5 weeks, though still, I miss PORRIDGE! I never thought those words would come across my lips, but there you have it ladies and gentlemen, hands down, the truth - I miss porridge.. After breakfast, two hours of philosophy awaited me. Those two hours would have taken the must ou...

I forgot something yesterday when I had to finish my blog in like 2 minutes. I'm beginning to love philosophy! For the first time, I understood something yesterday! We're finally beginning with the kind of philosophy I love. Reality - how real is it? Gawsh, I'm only said I can't debate more, because I got so many things on my mind. Well today was just an ordinary day really. 2 hours of history, 2 hours of litterature, and I must allow myself to say, gawsh, I'm beginning to dislike the educational system here. Where is the dialogue between student/teacher? There's isn't anything that even comes close to that. And I believe that's the only way to actually accumulate the knowledge, by practicing it. Well I'm off now, going in to town to meet pupils from my class now, in this heavy rain.. Well well, loads of love! Bis Fredrik

As the same blog today decided to go bazongas on me and didn't save A THING of what I had written I have to do a shorter version. Yesterday was just one of those quite unordinary days. Had two courses - philosophy and history, and finished thereafter. And in between I got the promised surprise from one of my classmates (Delphine) - An IKEA pen and two small Swedish flags! THE JOY OF HOME!! Haha, we had a great laugh and I thanked her heartly. I went to town after school where I first met with Quentin who had promised me that he could help me unblock my phone. He pretty much ignored me during the whole day, and when we met with one of his friends Thibaud, it was ever even worse. I actually started to think that if I went in another direction, they wouldn't notice - less even care. The deblocking of the phone was unfortunately not a success so I managed to "save" 25€. After I parted from the guys I went around the Centre Jaude which is the largest shoppingmall in town t...

That's right, I'm a big boy now..! Haha! Seriously speaking, this has been one of better birthdays ever. I got two calls, 13 text-messages and 6 comments on the blog saying congrats. I was also surprised by family this sunday and by my french friends on the day. When I joined them for dinner they started singing "Jouyeux Anniversaire..!" loudly and presented me with gifts. I've now celebrated my eighteenth birthday 4 times and it feels so good! I've never gotten this much appreciation - EVER! Right now, I'm sitting here in the library again in between lessons. I finished my english course at 1000 and I'm starting again at 1500 with another german lesson... What to do in the meanwhile? I've got no idea. I think I'll go in to town for a quick shopping round, or perhaps just rest here until the "SELF" opens (self-catered restaurant at the Lycée). Whatever I do I shall go around smiling all day, because of my birthday, because of my new-f...

18 TODAY!! Nog kort, Robin..?

What a day, what a joyous day! I slept late, had a loooong breakfast and did some of my homework, I'm now finished with the English assignment, now I just have Philosophy and litterature left. All the day I've been reading my new book, mixing it with a blend of music and a hint of studies, all on top with a slice of meals. Gawsh, lazy wonderful day..! At dinner today, everyone surprised me by bringing in a huge prune-cake with lighted candles. Singing and all! I had almost forgot my birthday tomorrow because I've thought I would spend it "alone" so to speak. But no, not just the singing and the cake, they brought in enormous amounts of gifts also! Minth candy, nougat, socks, a packet of drinks, Champagne and best of all 40 E for refilling my french mobile!! That's LOADS of cash! I think I'm going to fall over, or at least, sleep rather good tonight, knowing that my 18th birthday will still be the best! Those of you in Östersund at the day, please make a co...

For those of you who don't speak french I'll translate the headline for you: At Deneuvys at the end of the week. Finally I'm here again! It's been one messy and stressing week but now that I'm back "home" the pieces are finally coming together. I'm beginning to see the picture instead of just the pieces. First week of school, what can I say? Revolting? Yes very. Disturbing and confusing? Most certainly. Fun? No doubt about it. I've during this week learnt to know multiple people and gotten many friends, not just in those that Quentin has introduced me to, but others aswell. People in my class, in my corridor and other people at the internat. Marvellous! Everything really works out if you're just a bit openminded and actually try to speak french. I've also gotten invited to a birthday party at my roommate's house around the 23d of September, of course I'm going! Marvellous way to learn to know even more people! The joy, oh the joy!...

This is NOT my day.. Litterature course went bad, really bad.. I tried to understand and I really tried to comprehend the homework but it just didn't go my way! I couldn't, I just couldn't, I don't know why but it just wasn't possible.. That's when you're thankful for all your classmates. We had a small break in the middle of the lesson when a guy from my class approaches me and asks if everything's alright, and also if I understand everything etc. I tell him No, of course, because I didn't understand. Then he says these magical words which lift the world of your shoulders - no, not I love you, but - I can help you! OF COURSE, you can help me, no doubt about it, I'm the "crazy-Swede-who-went-to-france" remember..? The lesson ended and I was still like a questionmark when I headed for the internat - tired, hungry and absolutely fed up with school. I reach the gates, get inside and up all the 83 steps for my floor and manages to reach the...

Oh my, what have I gotten myself in to? Naw, just kidding, but yesterday I was mighty tired of the french language, the french culture, the french temperature.. Everything. That was probably because I had 2 hours of philosophy and two hours of history and geography. I understood NOTHING! Nearly NOTHING! During philosophy class I've never felt such a longing for home. During class I thought about one of my last days in Sweden, and one of the best of all summer (year even?). The day I was bathing, eating and sleeping on Rödön. Gawsh that was the best day in a long time. Both are hard courses to attend in your own language, but in a foreign one, it's nearly impossible! But I won't give up that easily, oh no, the french don't know who they're messing with - haha! Yesterday was a nice day, I had my two courses and then I ate and then I'd finished the day, just as simple as pie. So after all my courses I headed in to town with Quentin and Clément - a friend of Quentin...

Since I didn' have access to a computer this sunday, this is going to be a pretty long inlay... This sunday mr, Quentin and Georges went to the Deneuvy-family cabin - or at least to be a cabin. A beautiful old house with loads of work that needs to be done, but I believe it will be all swell when it's done. We first went around it to see what was needed to be done and pretty soon discovered that the tiles were in need of quite a change. So Quentin started climbing and we all started passing the tiles, the work went all smooth with Quentin working and me and Georges surveying the security measures. We had a light lunch, which Florence had been so kind to pack. Sandwiches which Quentin had made and Cola and water, perfect. After that we started to collect some boards which Georges would turn in to a door and some other stuff. After that, we packed the car and went home, I slept most of the trip because I was tired from the heat (31°C!!!) and from not being able to do so much. Whe...

Oi! Once again, another inlay by and about me! Since of yesterday I have been doing a lot of things. Yesterday evening I participated in my first discussion which felt so damn good I went to bed with a big smile on my face. Already I'm beginning to communicate! I believe I'm a pretty fast-learner - good for me :-) I've also been talking pretty much to Sara which feels good, everything is clear now I hope and I sure hope you still want to come and visit me later! Today, I first woke up at around 10:30 after sleeping somewhere around 12 hours; I've been doing that for a while, and I LIKE IT! Well, I believe it's the change that make me this tired, the change of language, the change of habits and the change of food, but still, I like it here, alot! The worst thing is still to come though, the schoolstart on monday. I wonder how that will turn out - hopefully pretty good. Today I've also been in to town to buy my books for all my courses. We drove long and far to s...

Oh la la! I will write this in English because I miss the Swedish letters necessary. I arrived somewhat around 23:00 the day before yesterday to this beautiful house. It's huge - three floors, a large balcony and a beautiful garden with many different choices of fruits and such. I of course waited for Quentin and Georges to arrive before I got to bed, but after they came home, I greeted them and got straight into bed. Yesterday, Quentin invited me to come to one of his friends for bathing in their pool and afterwards arrange a sleep-over-party at a different place. OF COURSE I WANTED TO COME! Fair and square, we got our things together and headed off for the more "fabuolous" neighbourhoods of Clermont-Ferrand, and seriously - that was no joke the "crême-de-là-crême".. I felt a bit out of place of course, but soon got the hang of it. He had loads of nice friends who were very kind to me and showed me around and stuff. We bathed - both in sun and in water and la...