As I was sitting in my corner trying to make sense of what happened; my neighbor played the song, Time of Your life for the first time...Salome wrote to me for the first time too...How ironic I must say.
Even at this point, I want to be happy for you...think happy thoughts about the time we had together...your bear hugs, your mom's 50th birthday, making silly jokes and having stupid arguments....but the tears won't stop. I wish I had let you know more often that your friendship meant a lot to me.
You have inspired me to live every day to the fullest...... and to be compassionate.
I want to thank you and your family on behalf of Chamun and Tenzin Jamphel for supporting them with their education. They send you prayers from Nepal.
I will miss you.
-The little Nepali
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Daniel: You are in the heart...
I was sitting in my room reading a sociology article, when really heart-breaking news arrived to me from the other side of the world. Did you know that your co-year has just passed away? Daniel died last Tuesday! I replied: O Allah and kept silent for the rest of the afternoon.
I remember the tall, blond, kind and smiley person. The person I lived with for two years. I saw him magically fixing the projector in the auditorium at the college meeting. I saw him walking from the student village to class or I simply set next to him at dinner in the cantina.
Daniel was one of my friends, whom I did not get hang out with or know much, and I regret that. Nevertheless, living together in the small community of Flekke for 2 years has taught me that Daniel is a responsible and intellectual person, whom I wish I could talk to again and get to know more.
The news about his death was like rock that hit my heart and I could not enjoy a second of the rest of the day. Although he has left us, he will be remembered by those who love him. By people who are witness of his great and hard work. By people who took a class or just played with him. By people who simply saw him a round, like myself.
I would like to express my deepest condolences to his family and the rest of the world. Let’s remember every second we spent with our dear Daniel Ahlsén.
You may rest in peace,
With love,
Senia
From Daniel's Roommates
A FEW PICTURES FROM OUR ROOM LAST YEAR... I JUST REMEMBER HOW DANIEL USED TO CHEER US UP AT EVERY MOMENT...
JOSE
JOSE
Dear Daniel
These are the memories of you that will always stay with me..
We met, planning the first year show during the first week of being at RCN. You, Liv, Anna, Manuel, Marie and I preparing "I hope you had the time of your life". I really hope you did, Daniel, I really hope you did...I had the time of my life in Norway, and you were part of it, and I can't come to terms with the fact that you aren't anymore. Two weeks ago we were happily chatting on msn. I even remember how the conversation ended, you said "I'll send you a long email boss", and I said "I'll be waiting for it", and it never came. Funnily enough I thought about you the day before yesterday, just randomly as I was walking to class, and I thought where is that email? And then I found out, and now I know that it will never come...
You were the best deputy in the world, and I have no idea how I would have made it through those stressful board meetings without you. You were a great support, and your ideas were amazing... we made a great team! And I admit, I loved being called "boss", and how you always smiled when you said it, and straightened your back, and bowed a little.
Oh, and those times you and me and Akin complained about economics, and how hard it was. But we made it through, didn't we? I'll always remember the economics party, and you and Akin coming in, you as Kip, and him as Xiaohang. It still makes me laugh. And the slide show you guys made for her which teared me up so badly...
And that last day, and another sad song. It started quietly with just you and your guitar, and then you looked at me, and nodded as if saying 'it's time' and quietly I sang
"And I'd give up forever to touch you
Cause I know that you feel me somehow
You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
And I don't want to go home right now "
and then Sara came in on the piano, and Pablo on the base, and Anna on the drums and it became so powerful, so dramatic, and Karina sang
"And all I can taste is this moment
And all I can breathe is your life
Cause sooner or later it's over
I just don't want to miss you tonight"
I guess sooner or later it really is over, isn't it? And if there is a heaven I hope you are there...
I can't believe you're gone. My thoughts are with you..
Rest in Peace.
Love,
Daina
See you later, Daniel!
I must say that I was not close to Daniel. To tell you the truth, I believe that I can count with my hands the times we interchanged some words. However, I do remember him walking around campus, spending time with his friends, and being involved in many activities at RCN.
Although we did not know each other, I do know how it is to say a "see you later!" to someone we loved.
Today, while I was speaking with my family by phone, I told my mom about Daniel, and she told me: "Please Cristina, write what I am just going to tell you to Daniel's parents...", and here it is :
"There are ships that are made to travel long distances. There are other ships that are made to travel medium distances; and there are others that only travel short distances. But, there is not importance in the lenght of these travels. What is important is the the mission and pourpose of the journey and the impact they had in the future of their destinations."
The people that we love are never gone. They will live through our memories and our hearts. The final thing that I can say is that I KNOW that now Angels are dancing at these very moment, because another Angel joined them in Heaven!
My family and I will have Daniel, his family and friends in our prayers.
Cristina Tedman L. RCNUWC 04-06
Although we did not know each other, I do know how it is to say a "see you later!" to someone we loved.
Today, while I was speaking with my family by phone, I told my mom about Daniel, and she told me: "Please Cristina, write what I am just going to tell you to Daniel's parents...", and here it is :
"There are ships that are made to travel long distances. There are other ships that are made to travel medium distances; and there are others that only travel short distances. But, there is not importance in the lenght of these travels. What is important is the the mission and pourpose of the journey and the impact they had in the future of their destinations."
The people that we love are never gone. They will live through our memories and our hearts. The final thing that I can say is that I KNOW that now Angels are dancing at these very moment, because another Angel joined them in Heaven!
My family and I will have Daniel, his family and friends in our prayers.
Cristina Tedman L. RCNUWC 04-06
The fun we had together
This is a photo from the dress-up Economics Party last year, where Daniel-and-Akin-the-Duo dressed up as Kip and me. What an idea and what a duo.
This is a photo from the last day of class in April 2006, when Daniel had to miss classes to go to the Board Meeting in Oslo. Akin and I made sure Daniel would be with us on this day by making a photo of him and holding him for the group pictures.
Whenever I look at these pictures, I remember the fun we had together in the Economics classes. I am posting these for everybody who shares these memories ...
Daniel, you have not left us. You are staying in our hearts and minds.
Love,
Xiaohang
Sweet Daniel
I met Daniel as an RCNUWC student. We were housemates as he lived in Iceland house on the 2nd floor, I on the 1st floor, the year I graduated. He was always a joy to sit and talk with. He worked on the 2004-2005 RCNUWC yearbook with me and other yearbook members; he was a person dedicated to his work, and a great asset to the team.
Every time I saw him, walking to class or to the kantine..., he would always respond to my hello with a big smile and a hug - two things that always make my day. It was a pleasure to have known Daniel and I will keep his family in my prayers.
Ruth Anne Whitfield,
RCNUWC Class of 2005
Every time I saw him, walking to class or to the kantine..., he would always respond to my hello with a big smile and a hug - two things that always make my day. It was a pleasure to have known Daniel and I will keep his family in my prayers.
Ruth Anne Whitfield,
RCNUWC Class of 2005
Daniel. -memories from his time in Ethiopia
"Daniel you're a star in the face of the sky. Daniel is travelling tonight on a plane. Oh and I can see Daniel waving goodbye. God it looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes."
-Elton John
Here are some pictures from the time Daniel was a volonteer in Lafto, Ethiopia.
-Elton John
Here are some pictures from the time Daniel was a volonteer in Lafto, Ethiopia.
Daniel preparing a Swedish dinner. "Ärtsoppa" with meatballs. The picture is taken in their kitchen in Lafto.
A sunny afternoon at a café in Addis Ababa. Daniel enjoying his juice. (One of the best things with Ethiopia according to himself)
Daniel and Yiftu at Divine. That evening was a lot of fun!
Contemplating in the house. Drinking coffee the Daniel way. (-Extra strong!)
Daniel and a street boy enjoying a conversation during the Great Ethiopian Run..JPG)
Daniel and us trying to be Ethiopian.
GoodBye Daniel.
You will be missed.
Posted by Lisa RCNUWC 03-05 & Yiftu UWCSEA 04-06
I began to get to know Daniel best during his preparation for life after RCNUWC.
With his close friends Nareg and Airiin, he had come up with the idea of AIME, a project to raise awareness about HIV / AIDS which would have involved them travelling by road across a number of countries in the near and Middle East and on into Asia. It was an ambitious plan, and one that did not reach full fruition.
It was during the planning stages that Daniel approached me for advice. His ideas were entirely altruistic, compassionate, selfless. This, of course, made them all the more challenging to bring to completion in this reward-driven world we live in.
When it became more evident that AIME was going to struggle to get off the ground, and when Airiin had accepted a post as a volunteer in India, Daniel and Nareg spoke to me about doing something to help Gutteye School (since renamed Raselas Diversity School) in Addis Ababa, a school with whom RCNUWC has forged a developing partnership.
Thus it was that the two of them left for Addis Ababa, where they witnessed the callous destruction of Gutteye School by private enterprise aided almost certainly by bureacratic corruption.
Undaunted, they put together a film about Gutteye and its plight, its transfer and rebirth as Raselas in temporary former office accommodation. Daniel worked hard to construct a website for the school, which you can view by following the link to the right. He had to battle against unstable connections, had to find an organistaion willing to donate space on its server to host the site, find ways to make the site more reliable and fully functional. All this against the background of the devastation to the original school that had so recently occured. But he did it.
To me, Daniel exemplified so many of the good aspects of today's committed young people: passionate, inquisitive, determined, intelligent, thoughtful, selfless.
His early death is a tragic loss both to his family and his friends and to the unfulfilled possibilities his life contained.
"Between us and heaven or hell there is only life, which is the frailest thing in the world." - Pascal, Pensees (1670)
With his close friends Nareg and Airiin, he had come up with the idea of AIME, a project to raise awareness about HIV / AIDS which would have involved them travelling by road across a number of countries in the near and Middle East and on into Asia. It was an ambitious plan, and one that did not reach full fruition.
It was during the planning stages that Daniel approached me for advice. His ideas were entirely altruistic, compassionate, selfless. This, of course, made them all the more challenging to bring to completion in this reward-driven world we live in.
When it became more evident that AIME was going to struggle to get off the ground, and when Airiin had accepted a post as a volunteer in India, Daniel and Nareg spoke to me about doing something to help Gutteye School (since renamed Raselas Diversity School) in Addis Ababa, a school with whom RCNUWC has forged a developing partnership.
Thus it was that the two of them left for Addis Ababa, where they witnessed the callous destruction of Gutteye School by private enterprise aided almost certainly by bureacratic corruption.
Undaunted, they put together a film about Gutteye and its plight, its transfer and rebirth as Raselas in temporary former office accommodation. Daniel worked hard to construct a website for the school, which you can view by following the link to the right. He had to battle against unstable connections, had to find an organistaion willing to donate space on its server to host the site, find ways to make the site more reliable and fully functional. All this against the background of the devastation to the original school that had so recently occured. But he did it.
To me, Daniel exemplified so many of the good aspects of today's committed young people: passionate, inquisitive, determined, intelligent, thoughtful, selfless.
His early death is a tragic loss both to his family and his friends and to the unfulfilled possibilities his life contained.
"Between us and heaven or hell there is only life, which is the frailest thing in the world." - Pascal, Pensees (1670)
From Revalyn, Hayley & Robbie
I would like to extend to you our deepest sympathy on the tragic passing of Daniel.
I have attached a poem that may help you at this very sad time deal with this harsh reality. We shall plant a tree as a living memorial
to him and always remember his shy smile, kind ways and empathy will all he came into contact with.
Thinking of you,
Love from Revalyn, Hayley and Robbie
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I do not die.
Daniel
I have just received the devastating news that Daniel Ahlsen died last Tuesday in his sleep. Daniel graduated last year and spent last term in Ethiopia with his close friend Nareg from Jordan. He had returned to Sweden and apparently fell into a diabetic coma from which he did not wake.
I have telephoned his family and offered our all too inadequate condolences and told them of our shock and sadness.
We will use the college meeting on Tuesday to remember and celebrate Daniel's life. This will give us time to gather our personal thoughts and express private grief before the college meets together as a community.
Daniel was one of Nicky's advisees so I was the lucky guy who shared their advisor meals and got to know him well. He had many admirable qualities and was greatly respected by his fellow students and all the staff. He was an outstanding representative of student views on the Student Council and as deputy rep at board meetings. He was tactful, considerate, thoughtful and very supportive of individuals and the college in all he did. He spoke effectively and lucidly.
I remember his role in establishing "John's Burgers" with great affection. I was honoured to be a minor part of that fund raising initiative and will not forget the sensitivity he and the others displayed while consulting me at all stages of their planning. The logo for John's Burger now has a special poignancy for me. I have a badge and copies of the original artwork which I will treasure as a personal memory of Daniel.
It must be particularly hard for his closest friends to come to terms with their loss. I think particularly of Akin, with whom he argued incessantly in our house over virtually any topic you could mention, and Nareg, with whom he seemed to me to share so much, including a zany sense of humour. I know there are many more of you who were also very close to Daniel and will have a much wider range and depth of stories and feelings than I. Please share them with us - the funny as well as the serious.
Those of us who know you at the college are thinking of you as well as Daniel and his family. We are left with memories of a fantastic guy - one who would have made a telling difference to so many lives had he not succumbed to this cruel illness.
May he rest in peace.
John
I have telephoned his family and offered our all too inadequate condolences and told them of our shock and sadness.
We will use the college meeting on Tuesday to remember and celebrate Daniel's life. This will give us time to gather our personal thoughts and express private grief before the college meets together as a community.
Daniel was one of Nicky's advisees so I was the lucky guy who shared their advisor meals and got to know him well. He had many admirable qualities and was greatly respected by his fellow students and all the staff. He was an outstanding representative of student views on the Student Council and as deputy rep at board meetings. He was tactful, considerate, thoughtful and very supportive of individuals and the college in all he did. He spoke effectively and lucidly.
I remember his role in establishing "John's Burgers" with great affection. I was honoured to be a minor part of that fund raising initiative and will not forget the sensitivity he and the others displayed while consulting me at all stages of their planning. The logo for John's Burger now has a special poignancy for me. I have a badge and copies of the original artwork which I will treasure as a personal memory of Daniel.
It must be particularly hard for his closest friends to come to terms with their loss. I think particularly of Akin, with whom he argued incessantly in our house over virtually any topic you could mention, and Nareg, with whom he seemed to me to share so much, including a zany sense of humour. I know there are many more of you who were also very close to Daniel and will have a much wider range and depth of stories and feelings than I. Please share them with us - the funny as well as the serious.
Those of us who know you at the college are thinking of you as well as Daniel and his family. We are left with memories of a fantastic guy - one who would have made a telling difference to so many lives had he not succumbed to this cruel illness.
May he rest in peace.
John
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