It's been a little while since I've checked in, so here's what's been going on for the last week or so.
1. Searching for a new car- Mission Accomplished! After months of searching for the perfect automatic car for our family, we have finally settled on a Renault. So last night, was my first time actually driving somewhere by myself in Sweden! I drove up to the city of Kärna's Post Office/Goodies store only a few minutes from our home. It felt great, although a bit strange with this French made car because it has a keycard and a Start/Stop button. Can't wait to get to know the city better.
2. Trying to get a phone- Hmm, this is a little harder than it may seem. Let's put it this way, we had enough money to pay cash for our new car, yet when it came to getting credit for a new phone for a whopping $15.00 a month, we were denied. I was able to get my Iphone unlocked, but when we took it to Telia this morning (equivalent of an AT&T) in the states, it was like I was standing in an AT&T store. Meaning...of course there were problems. The manager said there could be problems "Surfing" the net on my phone even though the phone had been unlocked (something to do with different programming of the phones in the States). My father in law and I ran a couple of tests and we think we have things figured out, so I should be able to go ahead and get the service now. I guess the worst thing that will happen is that it won't work, and I'll "have" to buy the new Iphone 4 instead...(I have to admit I'm secretly hoping my old Iphone won't work so I'll "have to" get the new version. Of course I'll be stuck on a 24 month agreement (just like home).
3. Apartment search- Well, I can't say that we've really done any looking for own apartment yet, however, we were lucky enough through family connections to land an amazing apartment in Gothenburg (Göteborg). This is an apartment in the center of everything in the 2nd largest city in Sweden. The view is absolutely amazing and I can tell you that I wanted the apartment at the first sight of the view, before I even looked anywhere else in the apartment. We have been waiting all week to get the news, and this afternoon, we found out that we are approved to sign the second hand lease. Our plan is to move in early January. Getting an apartment is not easy here in Sweden, especially an amazing apartment like we've landed in the heart of the city.
4. Job Hunting- Although it's been relaxing all summer just spending time with my family, working on my jewelry designs (http://www.brandiu.etsy.com/) and getting to know Sweden, now that some months have passed, I'm very eager to get back to working again in my field of digital marketing and sales. Through networking, I have been introduced to a couple of very good opportunities and I can't wait to get to work, and experience a "work life" in Sweden. A steady income of my own would allow me get even more out of my Swedish life.
What do you think is the hardest thing about moving some place new? Share your thoughts below.
Thanks for checking me out!
Brandi
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
GÖ Organic
When you walk inside the cafe', it's rather quaint with a small butik in the left-hand corner displaying organic and fair trade products such as coffee, tea, drinking cocoa, dark chocolate, honey, special oils and spices, and other wonderful products. To the right, there is a somewhat limited choice of lunch items, yet, the few items offered looked rather scrumptious! Today's special was: a yellow pea soup (called ärtsoppa) served with bread and (swedish) pancakes all for around $5.75 / 40 SEK. My father-in-law informed me that this is a traditional offering for nearly all restaurants in Sweden on Thursdays. --I've heard of restaurants in U.S. having similar beer specials, but I've never heard of a specific lunch special that is offered so consistently among restaurants. Have you?
I spotted a homemade fresh tomato and feta pie for 69 Kr (about $10.00) which included a side salad. Since I've been practicing speaking swedish lately, I decided to try and order my meal in swedish. I only got about 4 words in when the sweet woman behind the cash register started to speak English to answer my question. I didn't mind, I just thought it was funny how quickly my efforts were cut off. I went to pay with my bank card to find out they don't take cards there, only cash. Aha. (In swedish, jaså.)...so the kind woman said she'll just go ahead and warm up my pie (paj) while I go around the corner to the ATM. I came back with my cash and my lunch was all ready for me.
I decided to sit outside- even though it was only about 42 F/ 6 C. I figure if I'm going to be living here, I had better get use to the cold weather. Nah, not just get use to it, try to embrace it. So, I took my tray outside to the patio and sat down on one of the wooden chairs, and rested a soft, orange blanket over my lap. I plugged in my Itunes and listened to some of my new favorite songs. As I sat and ate my delicious meal, I was joined by the strange mix of Cee Lo Green's, "F**k You", Ingrid Michaelson's, "Parachute", Sarah Bareilles', " "Kaleidoscope Heart", and Kate Earl's "Melody". Music always seems to make my day more harmonious.
After my delicious meal, I decided to return to the "butik" area. I treated myself to some delicious dark chocolate (just a little addiction I have, no big deal). I received 100 grams for around $4.00, and it was worth it. It was absolutely divine! Actually, the brand name is DIVINE! A london based company boasting the FAIRTRADE logo. 70% dark chocolate with raspberries--doesn't get much better than this!
A little info about Divine Chocolate LTD. from their website:
At the heart of Divine’s heavenly tasting chocolate there is a unique story. Not only do the Kuapa Kokoo farmers’ receive a Fairtrade price for their cocoa, but they also own 45% of the company, and therefore have a direct influence over how the company is run and share in the profits from the chocolate. Watch farmer films.
Learn more about Divine Chocolate: http://www.divinechocolate.com/
Learn more about FairTrade: http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/what_is_fairtrade/default.aspx
My overall experience at the cafe' today was a good one, and I hope to stumble upon other cafe's like this one in Sweden. I find that organic foods are more readily accessible here in Sweden, and at lower costs than in the States. These organic items in Sweden are marked with the logo "KRAV", and are available nationally at "regular" grocery stores, not just specialty shops. I expect that with the growing popularity of organic foods, the availabilty should grow even more in coming years and prices hopefully will come down a bit more so that more people can partake in healthier food options. Read more about Organic Foods in the Swedish Market at: http://www.grolink.se/Resources/studies/swemarkets.PDF
I'd love to hear from you...yes YOU!
Do you buy organic? If yes, why? What are the best places to buy organic foods where YOU live?
If not, what keeps you from buying organic food items? Cost? Lack of availability?
Thanks for checking in!
Brandi
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Wanna Know Who's Got The Lamest Job In Sweden?
Now then....
The person with the lamest job in Sweden is...
The girl or guy who collects 5 SEK from people so they can go to the bathroom. That's right, they not only do the majority of places take 5 SEK (equivalent to about $0.71), some places even have a special little window (imagine a bank teller behind a glass door), where some poor soul will collect your change and then unlock the bathroom door. This is by far, one of the dumbest things I have ever seen....ever.
Recently, I took a train from Borås, Sweden back home to Göteborg, Sweden after a job interview. I decided to take the entire afternoon to go shopping at Nordstan (largest shopping center in Göteborg/Gothenburg). I had to go to the restroom, so I follow the bathroom signs only to find myself in a long line..not for the bathroom, oh no, that would be way to simple. I had to first wait in line to pay this girl (maybe 17 years old or so) a damn 5 SEK so I could then wait in another line to use the restroom. How ridiculous is this? More importantly, how embarassing is it for this girl to have this job?
I can just imagine the conversation she has when she meets up with her friend.
Friend: Hey, what are you up to these days?
Girl With Lame Job: Oh, things are great! I spend 8 hours a day collecting dirty coins from people so they can go to the bathroom.
Friend: That's lame.
Girl With Lame Job: Don't tell anyone from school, alright?
One possible rationale I've heard for this ridiculousness is that it helps deter the "wrong kind of crowd" and possible drug users away from the restrooms. When I studied abroad in Sydney, Australia, I noticed many bathrooms had black lights to help detur drug-users from coming in just to shoot-up. I bet the black lights work a whole lot better than charging $0.71. Another explanation is that it helps keep the bathrooms cleaner since less people are using them--Ok, I'll give you that one!
I have to say, this policy just pisses me off. I remember early on this Summer, recently after moving to Sweden, I went shopping with my four year old and my mother in law. After spending around $150.00 at the grocery store, my daughter decides to tell us she has to go the bathroom....and no she can't wait 10 minutes until we get home. In fact, she needs to go to the bathroom right then. So, I have to dig around in my purse to see if I can find this 5 SEK coin. Nope, I don't have one. So, I track down my mother in law, who luckily has this coin, so that I can take my 4 year old who's about to pee in her pants to the bathroom. I'll just go ahead and repeat, that I was a customer at this grocery store who just spent a decent amount of money. Do they really need my 5 SEK coin so badly, they are OK, with angering me so much that I don't want to shop there anymore? Hmm, let' see, should I take her 5 SEK one time, or get her $150.00 weekly? Tough one!
Whoever made up this policy surely has never had to potty-train a toddler before, because they would know, when a kid's gotta go, a kid's gotta go.
I've only witnessed a couple of smart manuevers by Swedes to get out of this stupid policy.
1. A group of 5 girls pile into the bathroom on that one 5 SEK coin.
2. At McDonald's I noticed that people, when feeling generous, will just hold the door open for the next person in the line so they don't have to pay.
That's my rant!
STORE OWNERS: Let people use your friggin' bathrooms! Keep your customers happy, and they will come back!
POOR GIRL COLLECTING COINS SO PEOPLE CAN GO POTTY: Go get a new job. Do anything but what you are doing now.
Alright people, what's the lamest job you have heard of? Dumb policy you want to rant about? Please leave your comments below.
Peace!
photo credit Suat Eman
Monday, October 11, 2010
Attempted Murder at Swedish School
Unfortunately, this blog is not devoted to the (sweet) side of Sweden. Today, my classmates and I experienced something terrible and shocking.
At 11 am this morning in Kungälav, Sweden (where I take my Swedish language course 5 days a week), my class was told we could go on a quick 10 minute break. Around 11:08, the majority of the classroom had made it's way back to the classroom. I sit down at my desk in the front, and turn around to see a young woman in my class (from Tunisia) totally broken down in tears. With her face down in her hands and tears streaming down her face, she could only mutter the name of one of our classmates. I implored her to tell us what had happened, but she just couldn't say more than the girl's name. The majority of my classmates ran out to see what had happened. I couldn't get out of my chair. Sometimes you just know in your heart what you'll find is awful and I didn't want to see what had happened.
A few minutes later we all find out that one of our young, sweet, Thai classmates has been the victim of a knife attack in the bathroom just 10 meters or so from our classroom. I will tell you right away, that my classmate has survived the attack.
We don't know ALL of the details yet, but since my brave teacher is the one that literally saved her, I do know many of the details. Apparently, earlier this morning, a young woman with golden skin, dark eyes and dark hair had asked a girl in our class if she knew this Thai girl who's name I will leave out of this story. My classmate said that yes she knew the girl and that she was in our classroom. This was just about an hour or so before the incident.
Apparently, the attacker had gotten totally liquored up before the incident. A little past 11AM this morning, while we were on break, my Thai classmate went in to the restroom, just before coming back to our class. Somehow, the attacker went into the bathroom and locked them both inside the private bathroom. As I'm told, the attacker said to our classmate something to the effect of- "Take this pill or I'll kill you". Our classmate bravely refused to down this unknown pill. The attacker tried to take the knife to our classmates neck (this knife was a full-out butcher knife, well over 1 foot long by the way). Our classmate held out her hand to stop the knife and she was struck in her hand (a true defense wound). The attacker had our classmate on the floor and just then, our classmate screamed "HELP!!! SHE'S TRYING TO KILL ME!". In perfect timing, my amazingly brave teacher and another teacher from the school, used their keycards to unlock the door. My teacher grabbed the attacker and pulled her off our helpless classmate. I'm told the attacker didn't fight back, at that point she realized that she was caught and it was over.
After the attack, my classmate asked the girl why she was doing this to her. My classmate didn't even know the attacker, but it seems apparent her attacker knew exactly who she was. Something about my classmates "man" was repeated. Possibly it was a jealous rage that led to this heinous crime?
I asked my teacher if the police had been called, and because I didn't get a definite answer, I rang the police for the first time in Sweden and informed them of the attack. I was the 2nd caller and the police came about 7 minutes after my call. I should also note here, that among all of us (immigrants) in the classroom, only a couple people even knew how to dial the police in Sweden, which I now know is (112).
The attacker was captured by the police and will hopefully be put away and/or deported. We do not yet know where the attacker is from. I was able to talk with the victim for a brief second as her boyfriend walked with her to leave to give our support to her from our classroom.
There are many witnesses to the attack, the knife is being held by the police, and they were even able to get the pill that the attacker tried to force our classmate to take and they are running tests on the pill. Luckily, there is an unsurmountable amount of evidence against the attacker.
Thankfully, the cut she received physically was not life threatening, although I suppose this experience will cut deeply emotionally forever. The entire school felt the pain of this attack and our thoughts and prayers are with our classmate.
Brandi
At 11 am this morning in Kungälav, Sweden (where I take my Swedish language course 5 days a week), my class was told we could go on a quick 10 minute break. Around 11:08, the majority of the classroom had made it's way back to the classroom. I sit down at my desk in the front, and turn around to see a young woman in my class (from Tunisia) totally broken down in tears. With her face down in her hands and tears streaming down her face, she could only mutter the name of one of our classmates. I implored her to tell us what had happened, but she just couldn't say more than the girl's name. The majority of my classmates ran out to see what had happened. I couldn't get out of my chair. Sometimes you just know in your heart what you'll find is awful and I didn't want to see what had happened.
A few minutes later we all find out that one of our young, sweet, Thai classmates has been the victim of a knife attack in the bathroom just 10 meters or so from our classroom. I will tell you right away, that my classmate has survived the attack.
We don't know ALL of the details yet, but since my brave teacher is the one that literally saved her, I do know many of the details. Apparently, earlier this morning, a young woman with golden skin, dark eyes and dark hair had asked a girl in our class if she knew this Thai girl who's name I will leave out of this story. My classmate said that yes she knew the girl and that she was in our classroom. This was just about an hour or so before the incident.
Apparently, the attacker had gotten totally liquored up before the incident. A little past 11AM this morning, while we were on break, my Thai classmate went in to the restroom, just before coming back to our class. Somehow, the attacker went into the bathroom and locked them both inside the private bathroom. As I'm told, the attacker said to our classmate something to the effect of- "Take this pill or I'll kill you". Our classmate bravely refused to down this unknown pill. The attacker tried to take the knife to our classmates neck (this knife was a full-out butcher knife, well over 1 foot long by the way). Our classmate held out her hand to stop the knife and she was struck in her hand (a true defense wound). The attacker had our classmate on the floor and just then, our classmate screamed "HELP!!! SHE'S TRYING TO KILL ME!". In perfect timing, my amazingly brave teacher and another teacher from the school, used their keycards to unlock the door. My teacher grabbed the attacker and pulled her off our helpless classmate. I'm told the attacker didn't fight back, at that point she realized that she was caught and it was over.
After the attack, my classmate asked the girl why she was doing this to her. My classmate didn't even know the attacker, but it seems apparent her attacker knew exactly who she was. Something about my classmates "man" was repeated. Possibly it was a jealous rage that led to this heinous crime?
I asked my teacher if the police had been called, and because I didn't get a definite answer, I rang the police for the first time in Sweden and informed them of the attack. I was the 2nd caller and the police came about 7 minutes after my call. I should also note here, that among all of us (immigrants) in the classroom, only a couple people even knew how to dial the police in Sweden, which I now know is (112).
The attacker was captured by the police and will hopefully be put away and/or deported. We do not yet know where the attacker is from. I was able to talk with the victim for a brief second as her boyfriend walked with her to leave to give our support to her from our classroom.
There are many witnesses to the attack, the knife is being held by the police, and they were even able to get the pill that the attacker tried to force our classmate to take and they are running tests on the pill. Luckily, there is an unsurmountable amount of evidence against the attacker.
Thankfully, the cut she received physically was not life threatening, although I suppose this experience will cut deeply emotionally forever. The entire school felt the pain of this attack and our thoughts and prayers are with our classmate.
Brandi
Weekend Shopping With My Girls
This weekend I was on a mission to get my two little girls set up for their first "Swedish" Fall and Winter.
According to my sister, back home in St. Louis they are experiencing record high's for October (in the upper 80's). This weekend my sister and my niece went to the pumpkin patch wearing sandals, jeans and tank tops! While here in the Göteborg area, I'm already wearing my new winter coat - (Didriksons -Sophie model).
Ok, so while I'm missing out on some amazing weather back home, I'll still take any opportunity I can get to buy new clothes (whether the clothes are for me or my kids). Saturday, my mother in law, me and my 4 year old Sophie headed out to Nordstan (largest shopping center in Gothenburg) to get Sophie and her little sister Maja new clothes.
It feels like out of the blue, my 4 year old has outgrown all her clothes- incredible how fast they grow!
We rounded out our trip with new winter coats for each girl, (both from a store called KappÅhl), a couple of cute Hello Kitty tunics from H&M, pink tights, a purple velour sweatsuit with little holes in the sleeves for your thumbs (which my 4 year old went GAGA over), some ridiculously expensive Gore-tex like winter boots from EuroSko (ranked Best In Test 2009), velour pants with elastic bottoms, new socks, and some pastel my little pony-esq fake hair braids for Sophie---I refused to buy this for her, but my mother in law bought it for her anyway. My poor daughter was so worn out from all our shopping she fell asleep in the stroller we brought (just in case) and I ended up having to get her feet measured while she was sleeping and even brought up shoes from another level of the store, tried on and purchased her boots all while she was fast asleep.
We got everything home, tried the coat on my almost 2 year old- Maja, and of course...the coat was too big. So, yesterday (Sunday), me, my 2 year old, my mother and father in law piled into the family's red Saab and headed out to some place called "Kläder __________" something..I don't remember the name. Basically, it's like a low-end warehouse of clothes and home goods, and to be perfectly honest, it just wasn't for me...it wasn't for any of us. I'd much rather pay more for something and have a good quality item, than to run the risk of it falling part and having to buy something new with better quality later on.
"Next store please", I begged of my in-laws, and they agreed. We headed out finally to "Backaplan". A kind of shopping center split up into different parts. Shops like H&M, Gina Tricot, Lindex, KappÅhl, MQ, and much more. I found a little children's shop in "Backaplan 2" that offered Didriksons jackets at 100 Kr (about $14.00) less than any other store I've visited in Sweden thus far. So, my youngest ended up with a nice purple Didrikson jacket, and I ended up buying a hot pink Didriksons jacket for my older daughter Sophie at a different store that carried her size.
After much research online about all the children's winter coats, and comparing their ("Best In Test" scores), I was very happy with my purchases.
According to MinBebis.se, here are the results from the 2010 BEST IN TEST/ Bäst I Test results:
*Please note- I have added in the approximate costs in dollars.
"Didriksons - Best in Test
The cheapest overall in the test costs 499 SEK(Approx $71.00), the most expensive nearly four times that. But the most expensive is not necessarily best.
Winners in this year's test is: Didriksons with 4.7 points out of a possible 5. After the follow Name It (4.5) and last year's test winner Coop (4.0). All three will cost between $70-$90 dollars.
In the mainstream, with total scores between 3.5 and 3.9, intermingled test's most expensive candidates Polar bear of Sweden (1895 SEK) (approx. $270.00), Reima (1695 SEK ($242.00) and the Dude and Pyret (1295 SEK), (approx $185.00) by far the cheapest overall HM (499 SEK) (approx $71.00)."
So now, the girls are all set, and of course, I've been shopping for myself since I arrived here basically, so I'm in pretty good shape for Fall and Winter now too....hopefully.
Shop till you drop!
Brandi
Best In Test Overalls 2010 http://www.minbebis.com/overall-test-2010?vote=2
Best In Test -Overalls and Boots 2009 http://www.viforaldrar.se/Overaller-och-vinterstovlar.pdf
According to my sister, back home in St. Louis they are experiencing record high's for October (in the upper 80's). This weekend my sister and my niece went to the pumpkin patch wearing sandals, jeans and tank tops! While here in the Göteborg area, I'm already wearing my new winter coat - (Didriksons -Sophie model).
Ok, so while I'm missing out on some amazing weather back home, I'll still take any opportunity I can get to buy new clothes (whether the clothes are for me or my kids). Saturday, my mother in law, me and my 4 year old Sophie headed out to Nordstan (largest shopping center in Gothenburg) to get Sophie and her little sister Maja new clothes.
It feels like out of the blue, my 4 year old has outgrown all her clothes- incredible how fast they grow!
We rounded out our trip with new winter coats for each girl, (both from a store called KappÅhl), a couple of cute Hello Kitty tunics from H&M, pink tights, a purple velour sweatsuit with little holes in the sleeves for your thumbs (which my 4 year old went GAGA over), some ridiculously expensive Gore-tex like winter boots from EuroSko (ranked Best In Test 2009), velour pants with elastic bottoms, new socks, and some pastel my little pony-esq fake hair braids for Sophie---I refused to buy this for her, but my mother in law bought it for her anyway. My poor daughter was so worn out from all our shopping she fell asleep in the stroller we brought (just in case) and I ended up having to get her feet measured while she was sleeping and even brought up shoes from another level of the store, tried on and purchased her boots all while she was fast asleep.
We got everything home, tried the coat on my almost 2 year old- Maja, and of course...the coat was too big. So, yesterday (Sunday), me, my 2 year old, my mother and father in law piled into the family's red Saab and headed out to some place called "Kläder __________" something..I don't remember the name. Basically, it's like a low-end warehouse of clothes and home goods, and to be perfectly honest, it just wasn't for me...it wasn't for any of us. I'd much rather pay more for something and have a good quality item, than to run the risk of it falling part and having to buy something new with better quality later on.
"Next store please", I begged of my in-laws, and they agreed. We headed out finally to "Backaplan". A kind of shopping center split up into different parts. Shops like H&M, Gina Tricot, Lindex, KappÅhl, MQ, and much more. I found a little children's shop in "Backaplan 2" that offered Didriksons jackets at 100 Kr (about $14.00) less than any other store I've visited in Sweden thus far. So, my youngest ended up with a nice purple Didrikson jacket, and I ended up buying a hot pink Didriksons jacket for my older daughter Sophie at a different store that carried her size.
After much research online about all the children's winter coats, and comparing their ("Best In Test" scores), I was very happy with my purchases.
According to MinBebis.se, here are the results from the 2010 BEST IN TEST/ Bäst I Test results:
*Please note- I have added in the approximate costs in dollars.
"Didriksons - Best in Test
The cheapest overall in the test costs 499 SEK(Approx $71.00), the most expensive nearly four times that. But the most expensive is not necessarily best.
Winners in this year's test is: Didriksons with 4.7 points out of a possible 5. After the follow Name It (4.5) and last year's test winner Coop (4.0). All three will cost between $70-$90 dollars.
In the mainstream, with total scores between 3.5 and 3.9, intermingled test's most expensive candidates Polar bear of Sweden (1895 SEK) (approx. $270.00), Reima (1695 SEK ($242.00) and the Dude and Pyret (1295 SEK), (approx $185.00) by far the cheapest overall HM (499 SEK) (approx $71.00)."
So now, the girls are all set, and of course, I've been shopping for myself since I arrived here basically, so I'm in pretty good shape for Fall and Winter now too....hopefully.
Shop till you drop!
Brandi
Best In Test Overalls 2010 http://www.minbebis.com/overall-test-2010?vote=2
Best In Test -Overalls and Boots 2009 http://www.viforaldrar.se/Overaller-och-vinterstovlar.pdf
Thursday, October 7, 2010
What's The Opposite of a Raw Deal?
my life right now!
this is not to brag, this is simply stating how my life is and feels right now. I'm feeling lucky and time is definitely on my side. What I'm experiencing in my "new life in Sweden".
Living in a Foreign Country-Experiencing a new and different perspective on life.
Learning a new Language - Challenging, but now, finally exciting.
Time to Read. This week I've been simultaneously been reading "Commited" and "Marketing 2.0", along with studying my Swedish language books
Time to Read Emails- when I was working my 40 plus work weeks, I have to admit, I didn't have time, or perhaps I just didn't make the time to read my emails (fully). Now, I can relax, sip on some hot green tea and carefully peruse my incoming emails. Heck, I even have time to read thru newsletters I've signed up for in the past.
Time to Travel- So far in the last few months I've made my way to several beautiful islands in Sweden,
Opportunity to Hang out With People From Different Countries/Cultures: Through my Swedish Language Course, I have the opportunity to befriend people from countries including: Iraq (and that's a tough one being American), Philippines, Mexico, Thailand, Kosovo, Lithuania, Ethiopia, China, Vietnam, Canada and more. I seriously doubt had I not been put in this situation, had any of us really become friendly. Our conversations are comical at times (or should I say our attempts for conversation are comical). Sometimes even the simplest questions can turn into a huge ordeal due to our language differences.
The Opportunity to Miss Home- The old saying is sooo true: "distance makes the heart grow fonder"
Living in a Foreign Country-Experiencing a new and different perspective on life.
Learning a new Language - Challenging, but now, finally exciting.
Time to Read. This week I've been simultaneously been reading "Commited" and "Marketing 2.0", along with studying my Swedish language books
Time to Read Emails- when I was working my 40 plus work weeks, I have to admit, I didn't have time, or perhaps I just didn't make the time to read my emails (fully). Now, I can relax, sip on some hot green tea and carefully peruse my incoming emails. Heck, I even have time to read thru newsletters I've signed up for in the past.
Time to Skype- catching up on Skype is one of my favorite pasttimes these days- granted the connection is good.
Time to Blog- A wonderful creative outlet, I highly recommend it!
Time to Design and Create Jewelry- Again, another wonderful creative outlet. I especially love creating name jewelry and message jewelry. Sometimes I get people emailing me their stories about how they, or someone in their life needs hope, as they order one of my "Got Hope" necklaces. Etsy is a wonderful outlet for handcrafters of all things from jewelry, to clothes, to the oddest of oddities. http://www.brandiu.etsy.com/
Time to Travel- So far in the last few months I've made my way to several beautiful islands in Sweden,
visited Stockholm, London and Paris, and now I'm heading back to my hometown St. Louis for Thanksgiving. I hope there is more traveling in my future! (blogs on my travels coming soon).
Time to Reflect- On life in general.
Time with my Children- I have to admit, I'm not the "stay-at-home" type. It just isn't me. However, after only taking 9 weeks maternity leave with my 2 girls (mostly because of guilt- an American guilt I'm told), I feel very lucky to have had so much time together with my girls over the last 4 plus months. Admittedly, often I feel overwhelmed with the chaos of having 2 young girls running the house, however, I'm lucky to have that chaos.
Time with my Swedish Family- My awesome inlaws, nephew, cousins and great grandma's on my husband's side. Such wonderful people.
Opportunity to Hang out With People From Different Countries/Cultures: Through my Swedish Language Course, I have the opportunity to befriend people from countries including: Iraq (and that's a tough one being American), Philippines, Mexico, Thailand, Kosovo, Lithuania, Ethiopia, China, Vietnam, Canada and more. I seriously doubt had I not been put in this situation, had any of us really become friendly. Our conversations are comical at times (or should I say our attempts for conversation are comical). Sometimes even the simplest questions can turn into a huge ordeal due to our language differences.
The Opportunity to Miss Home- The old saying is sooo true: "distance makes the heart grow fonder"
Having Dinner On The Table- As soon as I walk in from my day at school, there is always food on the table. I mean this literally! Table is usually set, some fresh chicken or salmon and some potatoes and vegetables have been lovingly prepared for me by my mother-in-law. My husband and I are both so spoiled...how will we manage when we move out?
TIME.TIME.TIME.
" Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." - Ferris Bueller
Thanks for reading,
Peace!
Brandi
With all the negativity we are surrounded with, I'd love to hear what's good, no not good, but what is great in your life right now? Please leave your comments below.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Mwah, a Boxer?
Remember in the movie Inception, when everyone was moving thru different levels of their consciousness and people kept trying to kill them in different states? That was cool, but it has nothing to do with my dream.
Can't remember so much of last night's dream but here's what I can remember. I see a sign-up sheet for boxing lessons- actually, it's not to take boxing lessons, but rather to BECOME A BOXER. Next thing I know, I'm joined by this dream by at least a room of 10 people. I look to my right and one of them is a childhood friend- Stacy, another is a friend Melanie, and the other is a girl from Ethiopia from my SFI class. To be clear, these 3 girls ARE real people that I do know in REAL life.
But this part was funny, to me anyway. Our coach was my ACTUAL cheerleading coach Ms. Lee from PCH, who had morphed into the character SUE from Glee! So I totally GLEEKED out in my dream, which I just find hilarious.
I'll just tell you right now, that we never got to the boxing part because of this next issue. This coach...we'll just call her Sue Lee, told us ALL that we need to lose a good 15-25 pounds each as part of our training to become boxers. I look down at myself (in my dream) and note that I only weight about a buck ten. Nah, that's nonsense lady I think! But then, I look over to the girl from Ethiopia named Meref and then I know coach Sue Lee is crazy because this girl (in real life and in my dream) is a 5"10, very lean, very fit, very tiny girl, maybe weighing about 115 lbs. Did I mention she's training to be an Olympic runner? Well, she is. Yah, I don't think she needs to lose any weight.
Then this coach tells us that we need to ONLY eat a stick of butter and meatballs everyday. Nothing else. WUH? There was a 3rd item, but I just can't remember what it is right at this moment. I thought, no chicken? She said no chicken. Shit, I don't even eat meatballs, how am I going to stick to this crazy diet? Then I argued with her. Because in my dream, and in real life, I'm not digging this Low Carb High Fat(LCHF) diet. I'm into a whole lotta fish, poultry, whole grain pasta/rice, and green tea kind of thing. I've been reading up on the Okinawan's in Japan who happen to be the longest living people in the world, so I've been adapting many of their healthy living tips.
This is where my dream cut off basically. I thought coach Sue Lee's diet plan for us was BS.
So, I guess I won't ever be a boxer, not even in my dreams.
I'd like to know what you think of the High Fat Low Carb diet phenom. Or, have a funny dream you want to share? Please leave your comments below.
Until next time..
Brandi
Inception- the movie- http://survivordean.wordpress.com/2010/07/25/movie-review-how-many-layers-of-dreams-are-there-in-inception/
Okinawa Diet- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okinawa_diet
Low Carb High Fat - http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Carb_High_Fat
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Booked My Trip To St. Louis
Alright, that's all I got for now.
What are your plans for Thanksgiving? Leave em' in the comments field below.
Peace!
Brandi
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Car Hunt
I have made a couple of attempts to learn to drive manual (once back in Highschool - an old boyfriend tried to teach me, but it was a no go). And much more recently, I've been going out with my husband to parking lots to try and learn. Each time I stall, I get more and more frustrated.
So, the hell with it. I'm buying an automatic. Maybe someday I'll learn to drive manual, but for now, I need my independence and driving my OWN car is a great way to get it.
We spent one entire day last week visiting over 10 dealerships all around Gothenburg. I think we saw a total of 3 automatic cars. It almost became a joke by the end of the day. The eager salesman asking us what we were looking for...and as soon as we said automatic, you could see the disappointment in the salesman's face, since he wouldn't be selling us a car that day. It should come as no surprise that we have had much more luck on websites advertising private listings (similar to Craigslist).
I really liked the VW Golf, but of course we cannot find an automatic one in our area. We test drove a Hyundai Accent and a cute little red VW Polo today. Although the Polo is adorable, it might just be too quaint (as real estate agents often refer to homes that are so freaking tiny, the only way to make them sound attractive is by using the word "quaint". The Hyundai is a front runner - automatic, roomy, fuel efficient with great trunk space for strollers, suitcases etc. I showed my 4 year old a picture of the car (darker red shade)we are thinking about buying but she said nope. She wants a pink car. The only pink car I've ever seen was this bubble gum pink little thing I spotted outside our hotel in Kensington on my trip to London back in August...see below. I gently informed my daughter that it just wasn't gonna happen.
Wanna weigh in on your fave cars? Leave your comments below.
Brandi
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Lost in Translation - Swedish Words with Much Different Meanings in English
Wait a minute, before you start thinking I've gone completely wild upon my move to Sweden...read on!
Just the other day in my Swedish language course, my teacher informed our class that we were in Group 7. There was a group 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7. Kind of strange that there was no Group 6 right? It might help you to know that the Swedish word for 6 is "sex", therefore, the administrators feared that all the Americans and Canadians might take it the wrong way, if on our first day of class they announced to us: "WELCOME TO GROUP SEX!" Or in Swedish: "Välkommen till grupp sex".....And so....there is no GROUP SEX in my school.
Yes Sweden is liberal, but not SOOOO liberal! Amsterdam maybe?
I've discovered some other Swedish words that probably mean different things to you English speakers!
1. SLUT- Walking past the storefronts to some of the nicest shops in Sweden in the summer you can find the word "SLUT" written across the windows in bright red, massive fonts. What the heck I remember thinking....but this word actually means something like "End of Season/End of Year Sale" in Swedish...so all is well.
2. Infart = entrance
photo credit: Alex de Sousa
3. Utfart = exit
4. Kock = Chef/Cook
Have a similar experience from a country you have visited? Leave the words and english meanings in the comments field below!
Peace!
Brandi
Just the other day in my Swedish language course, my teacher informed our class that we were in Group 7. There was a group 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7. Kind of strange that there was no Group 6 right? It might help you to know that the Swedish word for 6 is "sex", therefore, the administrators feared that all the Americans and Canadians might take it the wrong way, if on our first day of class they announced to us: "WELCOME TO GROUP SEX!" Or in Swedish: "Välkommen till grupp sex".....And so....there is no GROUP SEX in my school.
Yes Sweden is liberal, but not SOOOO liberal! Amsterdam maybe?
I've discovered some other Swedish words that probably mean different things to you English speakers!
2. Infart = entrance
photo credit: Alex de Sousa
3. Utfart = exit
4. Kock = Chef/Cook
Have a similar experience from a country you have visited? Leave the words and english meanings in the comments field below!
Peace!
Brandi
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