Alright well, first off the final seminar went ok. It was like a communal learning experience. It wasn’t hard to tell that everyone didn’t read all the papers. But what people did read from your paper they got the general idea and was able to ask something or comment about your paper. I don’t think that our papers can be considered real theses but we certainly learned about what they should be. Jack and I barley passed the thesis course. The grading scale was ABCDEF which is a little odd, but none the less we got a E. In the grand scheme of things I failed. I am missing two credits from France. I believe that the administration didn’t get the grades back from one of my retake exams in time for graduation and the Swedes are pretty firm on not giving out the degree with out conformation of completed course work. Worst case is that I failed the class and will have to retake the final in Chicago. The good news is that all of the hard stuff is out the way like the thesis, Finance and Project Management. So I guess I will eventually get my degree but I do not want to pay DePaul until I am absolutely certain of this.

On another note we have this final journal assignment due the end of the month. I’ve been going back through initial part of this blog and trying to bring up memories from last year. Since doing this I’ve noticed a lot of changes. I feel like I’m more aware of whats going on around me. I feel like I’m always on edge over here on the ball so to speak, constantly trying to figure things out, conscience of what I’m doing, how I look etc, what people are talking about, just trying to get the sense of flow and normality. I think overall I’ve learned that the notion of normal is irrelevant. I keep striving to be normal … to fit in, to not be out of place. In a major sense I think that this kind of constant re-checking myself is pointless but I think it’s what keeps me in check.

My views on society and culture has also changed dramatically. Culture as I see it is this social set of rules that are considered normal by a society, like France’s double kiss greeting and Sweden’s obsessive desire for orderliness through the facet of numbered lines. Anyone can fit in to a point of coalescence by accepting and following these rules in a fluid manner. This point of acceptance can be seen as normal. Before I left for Europe, I was concerned with fitting in, making easy transition to a different lifestyle. I think it’s important to be aware of these things, but in any case there will be that weirdness when you get that cheek to cheek contact or the lady at the deli looks at you like your crazy because you forgot to take a number. I think it’s going to be interesting to see how these experiences carry with me later on when I’ve be re-integrated with the American culture.

On a more practical note, I sent some packages off today via Air Cargo. They are going to be waiting for me at the airport which is really neat. Not only was it 2000sek cheaper and its much faster too. Anyways the France vs Romania game is on and then the Netherlands vs Italy, I’ve got money on both games CentSports be sure to mention my name if you sign up, I get 5% on top of whatever you win!