Thursday
Was the big day of midterm week for me! Took my history test (very hard!), then turned in my research paper in Holocaust and Genocide. That evening our International Advertising group presented our campaign for Ken’s 50th anniversary (happening in 2011). I felt confident about our group, we came up with the idea of a day long festival for the kids with free games, make-overs, meet and greet Barbie and Ken and free food.  We also created invitations to be passed out at toy stores and made a video to put on youtube. But before we were able to be creative, we did research online and talking with families and visiting a local toy store to understand how Ken is perceived in the Danish market. We presented first and then watched the other six groups presentations.

Each group may have found the same information in research, but each was unique in how to increase awareness and sales for Ken. One group had the slogan “every girl has a Ken,” one group came up with an eco-fashionista concept with organic cotton clothes for the dolls, and one group even made Ken and Barbie a pop duo! I really enjoyed it and am anxious to see if any of our ideas will be used since one of our instructors works for Mattel.

Watch our viral video!

Friday
In Journalism and PR our instructor, who works for Phillip-Morris was going on tv for a debate about his company suing the country of Norway, so we heard his arguments and tried to think how his opposition would react. Then in international advertising we watched three different ads from Toyota, one from 1986 about the V4 engine, one recently about quality, and one for the Prius and compared the techniques and messages. After class I came home to unwind.

Michael fixed my bright yellow bike and I rode a bike for the first time in a good 8 years. It was weird, I was not confident or very comfortable on the bike at all. Then mom showed me the “girl” way to get on and off the bike. Girls use the pedals to boost themselves up and also to gracefully dismount the bike. I am a bit too short for my bike so that resulted in me falling over, but that’s okay. I also learned how to lock the bike and turn on/off my backlight. I am more scared than ever to bike with the rest of the Danes, but I think I will start slow by just biking to the train station and back (that way I only cross 1 street).

Saturday
I went shopping and bought a dress and ankle boots so I am all ready for the lovely spring weather! Then the family came home and we made thin pancakes (like crepes) and ate them with raspberry jam and syrup (bought specially for me!) and nutella with bananas. They were delicious.  I signed up for Race for the Cure in Raleigh in June! Later, it was the finale of X FACTOR. My favorite, Tine, did not win (Thomas did), but I enjoyed the show.

Here’s the Winner

Sunday
Turned my clock forward and continued getting ready for the Czech Trek! I leave in a little bit to rock climb/rappel/hike/cave in the Czech Republic! But before I leave, I finished packing and made reservations for several meals for when my family comes!

I will be home from the Czech Trek on Friday and then my family comes on Saturday and we’ll be in Copenhagen for a few days then off to Oslo and Stockholm!