The Rest of Core Course Week

I now know what cyber bullying is because my mom keeps hassling me about this blog.

She asks me to blog more in facebook comments, in facebook messages, on other peoples' comments, etc.

But it makes me smile.

Love you, ma.

Anyway, 

Thursday we had to talk about what to write our research papers on, where they gave us free pastries, and then listened to a lecture about the health care system.

I'm in the only group of two, the rest are groups of three. Our topic is the organization of and entry into the healthcare system (so, basically we could pick a lot of things to talk about) and we have to incorporate observations and knowledge we pick up from our study tours.

I had a croissant thing with something sweet in the middle and weird sesame type seeds on the outside. It's like the Danes need everything that's sweet to be a little less sweet so they put something nasty like licorice or grain on it.

And I also had a chocolate croissant which was perfect.

Then I went behind the museum and ate lunch.

And then I got pooped on by a pigeon.
But only on the leg of my jeans.

Then I went to DIS because I was so bored because I don't have any homework due soon and I went on the internet and was mad because how can I be bored in Europe?!?!?! So then a girl I roomed with on the study tour came over and sat next to me and we started talking and then her friend that she was going to meet up with didn't message her back so we went to Studenterhuset and I got a chai latte and she got a latte and then we talked for about 4 hours about travelling and why we want to be doctors and about all the annoying, pretentious, people who we don't know why they want to be doctors that we met on our study tour.

On Friday,

I went to Holmegaardsparken with DIS people for an immersion study into palliative care in Denmark.

First, we toured their facilities.

They have a beautiful chapel, even though only about 15/130 residents attend regularly (Denmark is not very religious).

The first building we were in was an old one, and the rest they're tearing down and rebuilding to meet new standards and regulations.

A corner space for residents to sit and knit or have coffee and chat.

The newer building have bright colors, solar panels, open spaces, etc. because the goal is to make it "home-y" and as little like a traditional nursing home institution as possible.

They are almost doubling the sized of the rooms (this is half the room, and there is a large private bathroom, too). 

There's a courtyard in the middle and they're making a lake for rain runoff, they have activity rooms in each department and kitchens, and they have Fredagbar (Friday Bar) on the first Friday of the month. There's wine and snacks and music and dancing.

About 80% of the residents have dementia in some form. The staff was amazing. Elderly care/nursing homes are free (because they're paid for by the municipality).

Holmegaardsparken is the most popular in the area, meaning that most elderly people/families want to come, but the waiting list is super long so they usually have to go somewhere else. There are always these guarantees in healthcare here, like if you can't get seen within a month, you can go to a private hospital/clinic for care, or for the elderly, if you can't get in your preferred nursing home, the municipality you live in pays for you to go to another one of your choice.

I think it would be extremely comforting knowing that the high taxes you pay all your working life come back to support you at the end of life, meaning you won't go bankrupt trying to pay for a nursing home, you'll always get in to a good nursing home, etc.

It was extremely sad seeing some of the people with dementia, but extremely adorable seeing people dancing and reading and napping there.

We had a lecture at the end about Holmegaardsparken and their goals as an "end of life home". They know this is their residents' last home, and they really want to make it enjoyable and comfortable and they want to "add life to years, not years to life" above all. It's always an ethical dilemma because they want to abide by the residents' wishes and living wills and minimize pain and unnecessary treatment, but some laws require them do go against their wishes.

At least there was coffee and cake.

I was tearing up at least a few times and then when I was talking to Taylor later, I actually cried, haha. Medical ethics and situations are emotional, but the staff looked so happy and fulfilled working with the residents. It always ends in death, but the whole thing is about creating happiness and joy. They want a public park around the facility so that people can come and enjoy the gardens and the area and so the residents will be surrounded by life.

Then I went to Tivoli again. 

Because I have an annual card, I can go in as many times as I want for free until it closes. So I might as well.

Then I went to a gelato stand and got ice cream with Taylor and her DIS roommate, Becca.

Then Becca left and Taylor and I walked to a cute park and talked about our study tours and annoying people. 

Then I went to Cafe Klaptraeet, and everyone in Medical Practice and Policy was invited (110 people) but there were not that many people there. (But there were plenty; this picture was taken before other people got there because I came like 15 minutes early).

We got tickets for two free drinks (and they provided chips and cookies and popcorn on the tables) so I got a latte and a glass of white wine.

I was talking to some people and it turns out they don't have concrete plans for the first travel break either so I might plan something with them tomorrow!

We chatted for an hour or so and then I went to meet up with Taylor because we were going to watch an open rap concert inside Tivoli.

That's right, Tivoli twice in one day. Look at me using that annual pass.

Taylor bought one too so we can go in whenever!

The line was huge to get in and the place was packed and beer was 50 kroner and everyone was drinking and smoking but the people-watching was amazing and all the beautiful Danes came, I don't remember seeing too many unattractive ones. Taylor and I ate some chicken wings and fries at a restaurant in there and then went out to the lawn to try to watch the concert but it was so packed and people are so tall that we couldn't really see or walk around.

So I went back to the restaurant and ordered a beer called Royal Classic but they ran out so I got a Royal Pilsner instead. Then Taylor wanted me to show her all the candy shops so that was SUPER and so colorful and no one was over there.

Then we went to 7-11 and Taylor got a Ben&Jerry's mini ice cream and a drunk Dane said hi to me and then something in Danish so I laughed and walked away. He was cute.

OH! And a girl I went to the nursing home with asked me if I could read Danish and I said maybe and she had gotten a text from a guy she met and it said, "Maa jeg inviterer dig ud?" which means, "May I invite you out?" which means she got asked on a date but she replied "What?" because she didn't know he'd said, so then I felt like perhaps I should go on the date because I am awesome at reading small Danish phrases and she isn't.

Today is Saturday and Sne is over, but Linda and Bjarne and her left to watch Bjarne's sister compete in a horse competition or something, and I would have liked to go but I didn't know if Chloe and I were invited so we didn't invite ourselves along and now we might go to the zoo.

Also, Taylor's dad just got here and he's staying in an apartment nearby so maybe I'll get to check it out and maybe it would be someplace my ma and grandma would like to stay! And then around 6, Taylor, her dad and I are going to dinner.

Yay!

I guess I'll be doing a lot of readings for class tomorrow. I didn't do any all week, HAHA!