Tomorrow

Getting ready for bed - have an early flight to catch tomorrow. Am very much looking forward to almost three weeks in London. Of course most will have to be spent studying (stupid exam) and writing applications (stupid internships), but I'll have the best of company.

Merry Christmas!

The sun is shining and I've just finished (making) the Christmas candy. Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!

STHLM

Arrived in Stockholm this evening. Dad and Sven came and meet me at the station. Very nice. Expecially the drive home - first time with Sven driving me! Earlier on today I had my seminar (on the papers we've written) which went well. My paper i s another question. The trip up was good and easy except for those insisting and talking very loudly and for a long time on their mobiles. What can you do?

Party and X-mas stuff

I've been back for a couple of days now. Before leaving London I managed to go to Charlie's and Sigrid's party. Very nice, with good snacks and nice company. Spoke mostly to James and Matt (and Linus I suppose) and we had fun with Christmas Crackers. There's evidence on James' blogg. Before goig to the party we managed to fit in a walk to Greenwich in the sun. Wonderful.

Since beeing back I've mainly tried to organise myself for X-mas (I've wrapped gifts and burnt my self doing it, tried to figure oute how and where to celebrate and get my stuff together before leaving for Stockholm tomorrow). And then I've had seminars. Can't forget school - though I do try. Today I had a looong breakfast at Grand Hotel. I'm still full. All part of our weekly "breakfast meeting with the executive staff".

X-mas shopping

I spent a large part of yesterday working on a critique of a paper (due Friday and already finished) and on my applications. I managed to write myself a new cover letter which might be all right. This summer I showed my letter to a lawyer working in the city that told me to be more concrete and to stick out. So I've given that strategy a shot - the result cannot be called humble, but perhaps it'll do the trick, or show me off as the obnoxious beeing I am. An excerpt:

"...I am today: a hard-working, fast learning, multi-talented charming young woman."

Today I'm off to get the last of my gifts sorted out (almost) and It's going to be great. Happy to go to the city when others are at work and the crowds may be a tad more slight than a Saturday. Had a scary experience with a fuse switch yesterday. All of the sudden it started buzzing and I saw sparks - so I turned it off. Scary. Hoping we'll recieve a visite from the electrician soon.

Revitalised

I was terribly tired yesterday and the trip to London wasn't really my cup of tea. All I wanted was to get here and sleep. Ryanair have showed themselves, once again, by taking away the possibility for those traveling with small children and others with special needs to board the plane first. Only those who pay extra have that possibility now. Charming. I slept until noon and am feeling much more normal again. Been watching some telly and tidying. Tomorrow I'll start doing proper stuff again.

Done!

Hurray! I've finished the paper. All done. Well, later today I have to go to school, check through it, print it out and talk to my main teacher about an appendix and it's possible existance. My head is killing me and all I want is to go to bed. And I will! Tomorrow (well today actually) I'll be in London!

Can't you tell I'm working hard

on finishing my project? Otherwise I would never have found the following gem. (One must rest now and then, even with a project due too soon.) I loved Mary Poppins as a kid, I still do to be hnest. Nevertheless I did not find this clip sacriligious - but funny. And entertainment is a must. Enjoy!

When you're weary...

.... feeling down, why not be very silly and make yourself and other (perhaps) laugh, or at least snigger. Please enjoy my X-mas greating. But please be patiant, it might take a couple of secs to get started.

Major SNAFU

Here I am, having read cases a mile long, having checked out statistics on ports, having searched for material to prove my ideas, and I find out that it was all for naught (almost). I, and many more, have misunderstood our assignment. Wha we thought we had to investigate thouroughly is something we are to assume a certain way without much ado. So I've lost 1,5 days of work and am nw feeling a bit stressed out about finishing my paper and not having it SUCK. I need a drink.

School paper

Yesterday our assignments for a paper that's due Monday were handed out. Not really feeling it, mostely because I don't really want to do the work. But the good thing is that handing in the paper means I can go to London for almost a week! Jippiayey (however that's spelled). Of course there will be some studying there to but I'll get to be with Linus!

A downer is that my many perfect plans have turned out not to be so perfect. Am going to do what I can to save them, but my worst case scenario seems to be quite realistic and probable. I'll probably not be able to move to London until next X-mas, instead of this summer. It's sucks and I'm deeply disappointed. But we'll get through this as well.

December already?

There I was, feeling as if time was moving forward at normal speed and bam! it's December. And before I can enjoy X-mas I have loads to do: scholl project, career counceling, applications ad nauseam. Well, I suppose that's life for you.

I had a lovely first Advent Sunday, The Tolstoys came to visite me in my humble abode and we had a light, traditional Swedish X-mas meal (Mr Jansson's Temptation, sausages, meat balls, glögg (hot wine), and safforon buns) and swapped X-mas gifts. Very nive indeed. Afterwards we took a trip into town to see the illumination of the tree of lights in central Lund and take a peek at the crafts market with stuff from the design school in town. I really enjoyed myself. Later in the evening I went to Lovisa to celebrate advent and her coinciding birthday. I had to many sweetmeats - especially the home made italian chocolate nougat. But I'm very tired. Have been all week and the week to come I won't be able to sleep the days away bummer. On top of which some one is going to come to fix something with my ventilation in my flat. He'll come tomorrow, or Tuesday, or Wednesday. At what time? God knows, perhaps. Looking forward to it. NOT.

Merry first Advent! (As we say in Sweden.)

Anniversary weekend

It's been a very nice an d long week end. Haven't really had the chance to rest - something to do when dead perhaps? Linus fiunnaly arrived in Lund and we managde to spend the last hour and a half of our two year anniversary together, not bad.

Friday we chilled out quite a lot. We went to a nearby mall whee there's a post office and I could fetch my snuggely australian sheep skin boots I'd ordered (from down under) when I realised that I'd get paid for taking notes for someone in class (I'm not as mercenary as it sounds). We did a bit of window shopping and also bought mussels (fresh) for dinner. We made moulles frittes (delicious) and had a camanbert fondue for dessert, watched some telly (well - shows on my computer) and took it easy.

Saturday was the Last of November celebrations at the Academic Society which we attended. Before that we went to the hairdressers' - a very smart move. Having told my hair dresser that I was going to a party that evening she did my hair extra nice with some curling and arrangeing, all included. I didn't have to bother myself later on. Perfect. Tink I might reprise that arrangament. The celebrations were fine. A very good show (spex - a farsical musical theatre) and I did some proper dancing to a live band (ld fashioned). Due to circumstances beyond our controll we didn't get home until around 5, 5.30.

Sunday we went to Copenhaguen where we had a hotel room waiting for us. We went for a stroll around town and ended up eating dinner at a restaurant in Nyhavn (barbeque buffet. mmmm). The city was beautiful with Xmas lights and buskers playing romatic music in every other street corner. We rounded off by going to te Tivoli and strolling around. The X-mas light decorations there are famous and it really was a treat for the senses to walk around there. And I had churros (spanskerör: spanish pipes) hot from the fryer with chocolate suace.

Our last day we looked in MANY stores to see if anything tickled our fancy. We had lunch at famous Smörrebröd restaurant Ida Davidsen (deliscious again) and were stuffed after a couple each. We walked around a bit more but we wer so tired that we ended up on the rooftop café of the departement store Illum where we rested our feet for a couple of hours before heading to the airport. Saying bye at the security check point was bitter, but we got to spend a lot of time with eachother. A very good week end indeed.

Two Years down...

...many more to go.

Linus will be arriving soon - am expecting his phone call at any moment. Loking forward to a long weekend with a party, a night (and day) in Copenhagen and a couple of hours worth of two years anniversary celebration. Not bad at all. Am feeling very happy. Yesterday was good as well as I found flowers in my mailbox when fetching my morning paper and the results from the time warped exam I had were posted. Very satisfactory.

I went to my theatre society's 25th anniversary this Friday. It was fun and I had a nice time, but boy are some of the people pretentious. I do believe taking yourself too serously may be a sin. In any case its embarassing and painful. But our speach went well and the food was very nice. Didn't stay too long but am happy I went.

Anna's here now, she came (to me) yesterday. It's so nice to just spend time together and tak about frivolous and serious stuff. And of couse it's cool to see her tummy and feel the baby kick. It's quite amazing that there are actually three people here,. but one isn't very visible (directly at least). Am having a very relaxing time.

And back again...

A weekend goes by so quickly. Quite annoying. Sunay was good shopping, walking around prospective future home neighbourhoods, carrying loads off stuff up many many stairs (free exercise) and having a curry on Brick Lane. It was nice to see some of the "london Gang" (for want of a better expression) and just spend a relaxing day with Linus. Travelling is not in itself too painful (the check in and security controls were the quickest ever - 20 min!) but it takes such long time. From one home to the other (including all the waiting) I've spent around 15 hours this week end travelling. It's good I've got a fabulous incentive to do it. Feel good to be home though and having unpacked. But I'll be back in London sooner than one can imagine.

One funny incident did happen at the airport. When walking through the shoescannning que (yes, there is such a thing) the guard by the monitor said "Would you please sit down Madame!". I got a bit worried and answered "What me?". He looked at me in a conteptious way saying "Is your name m Adam?". I feelt very foolish but I was reasured by the man behind me in the line who confirmed that he had seemed to say Madame by saying something like "He's probably not polite enough to use the word Madame". That made me feel better. We'll I'm sure it's better to have annoyed a guard a little than having ignored one (face down in the ground sort of thing...).

Cheeese

After a nice outing to Borough Market during the day Lisa came and had dinner with us. It was very nice and we had cheese fondue with bread from the market, some veggies and drink. We finished fondue for six people so we were rather stuffed afterwards. We did manage some dessert, but only after a while. So now we've done chocolate and cheese. Next: meat.

I'm back

I arrived in London yesterday (the travelling does take have a day...) and am happy to be back. Feels like a long time ago, but at the same time very familiar. I've just been to ASDA (managed to catch rush hour nr 1) and am hoping not to have to go back during the week end. Next I'm going to try to prepare my seminary for Tuesday so that I can relax all week end long. We're going to be busy it seems. Next on our agenda is visiting a photography exhibition at The Barbican and then eat out, hopefully Maroccean. It's nice to be back.

Horrid Halloween

I worked all night at a Ball at AF-Borgen (around 100 guests and a lot of alcohol) and got home at around a quater past 7 in the morning knackered as can be. You can imagine my pleasure when I was woken up (well at 14.00 but after nt that much sleep) by a persistant ringing of my door bell. I staggered up, opened my door and was meet by the sight of two boys dressed in everyday clothes, except for ugly plastic masks, demanding "trick or treat" (or as the Swedish translation goes: "candy or mischeif"). Considering: a) we don't celebrate Halloween here traditionally or at least more than superficially, the boys had made NO effort, it was mid day, it was five days past Halloween and I'm extremely conservative when it comes to Halloween in Sweden (I simply don't aprove) my answer was a groggy "Neither or." and closed door. You might think me cruel, but if they had come at Easter, as easter whitches offering a hand made (however ugly) easter card I would have heelt differently (this is the Swedish tradition). But I will not be hightjacked by a compercial fancy that's struck this place just because the kids like the idea of getting candy and have seen it on the telly. All in all, I'äm very grumpy today.

And I would walk a couple of miles....

I didn't feel very enthusiastic waking up Saturday morning and considering my plans for the day. It was windy and raining and I was to go out to the woods with some friends. Fortunately I didn't cave in and did go along on our trip. We went to a beech tree forest about 30 min with car from Lund and walked around in the woods (more than 10km) enjoying the scenery, eachothers company and som fresh air. The excursion didn't loose its charm when we had our half way stop and picknicked. Through joint effort we munched on newly baked cinnamon rolls, pancakes, oatmeal cookies, amonds and raisins and had hot coco (mine was spiced with rum - yum). The only negative aspect was the two blisters I got, one on eac heel, from a combination of wrong socks and worn wellies. The're the size of a 50p coin and I'm still sore. That evening we played some board games (my team won! by a very small margin) and I ate gingerbread cookies with blue cheese before I had to go off to work.

Saunaliscious

Finally we did what we've planned to do since September - Linda, Jonas, Rikard and I went to the "Cold Bath House" in Bjärred for some relax time in the sauna and a couple of dips in the sea. A beatiful, clear winter day had become an evening with some stars and fantastic moon light over the bay. We went out to the bath house, that's located 500 m out in the bay, and enjoyed the view of Malmö-Copenhagen from the sauna and whilts cooling off out doors and in the sea. I feel wonderfully relaxed, as if all my troubles have melted away. The air temperature was around 1 degree celsius and the water tempreture around 8.

Telling time

Well then I've done it, today I had my exam in International Law. Love the subject, very exciting and interesting. I've pushed myselg unusally hard to study. But it isn't much use when you can't tell time properly. I had six hours to reply to six questions; ampel time one should think. And I did think so, until, when answering the fourth and I realised, I have about an hour and a half left to finish this one and the next to. F***! Where did time fly? I stressed through the second last question and somehow managed to answer the last one in 20 minutes (not my best handwriting). Few. And just when I'm about to hand my exam in I realise it's not eight o'clock, it's seven. I have a whole hour left. I did sit down again with the intent of reviewing the last to questions, of redoing them. But I had no energy and I didn't feel there was much I could rescue since I'd have to start from scratch (sort of). SO I handed it in anyways and no I'm bitter, disapointed and angry at myself. And womdering: does someone who can't tell time deserve to study at uni and perhaps graduate? Sigh.

Gourmet Saturday

My third weekend in a row with Linus. Such luxury. Especially since I didn't have to do the travelling. Well I get some cred for studying dubble credits - sort of. Naturally we spent part of the week-end indulging in one of our favorite past times: food. I had this gift certificate for a french/spanish restaurant in town which I had to make use of before December. Man, did we. I chose the best starter (foie gras on a bed of apple with honeytruffle oil) and Linus chose the best main course (beef with foie gras and creamy red wine sauce...). We both enjoyed the white chocolate mosse on a bed of mango puré, although we were stuffed afterwards. Such joy. The restaurant was very cosy down in a vaulted basement with a wine celler attached. And candle light. Soooo romantic.

Otherwise my tip of the week is to watch "Studio 60 - The Sunset Strip" when you can. It's written my Aaron Sorkin (of the west wing) with a few actors from thats ame project. Very good. Can't wait for the next episode.

Chocolate casserole

After a sumer of emailed reports and blogging I came to realise (again) and received comments about how important food is in my life. Not mainly as a ingrediantfor my everyday survival, but mostly for the pure pleasure of eating it. We invited Linda and Jonas for dinner before going to a house warming party and my main consideration a couple of days was: what to serve. There are mainly two alternatives: something deliscious which has gone through the trail of being made before and consequently eaten, or taking a risk and making something which seems interresting but might just be disgusting. We opted for the second one and prepared a mexican choclate based casserloe Mole de Oaxaca. We did good. Served with tortillas, guacamole and quinoa this dish based on a paste mad of (amongst other things) bananas, raisins, onions, garlic, chili, nuts, seeds and spices of many sorts , diluted with broth, in which, when simmering, was added chocolate to melt and when having cooked a while to athick sauce was complemented with chicken and vegetables (slightly cooked in advance) and then left to simmer was absolutely deliscious and an experience to be repeated. Or else the daiquiris and mojitos made us believe so. :) No, I'm planning on making this again. So all you have to ask yourselves is: who will be the next MOLE-VICTIME.

It could have been a really BAD weekend

This Friday Linus was coming to see me after five weeks apart. This Friday Linus missed his flight de to the Standsted Express standing still. This Friday Linus booked a new flight for Satrady morning. Thank God. It could have been a really BAD weekend.

But we had a very good time. We went to Linda's and Jonas's engagement party. Loads of people and a nice time. And Sweden beat Spain. In football. (There are some pics from the do on Flickr.)We went to nearby mall. We had pizza, mmmm... And Linus will be back on Friday. Hurrah!

Why does everything happaen in the weekend

As usual I have the most to write after a weekend - shouldn't everyday life be more exciting?

Lots to do this weekend - I didn't spend much time at home. It started very slow and comfy with an evening of telly at linda's. We talked, had snacks and I finnaly got to see Brokeback Mountain. I really liked it - but it was very sad. A lot of hopelessness and tragic fates, but weell played and it managed to avoid most hollywoodian traps. he scenery was beautiful and it really got to me. Must admi that I even got shocked at one time - and that doesn't happen that often. :)

On Saturday there was a thankyou and final party for the CArnival that I was part of this past spring. The party was at the sports sdaium Victoria and the amount of guests around 2000? We were first treated to a show - a sort of "the best of" with performances from the different shows of the carnival. AFterwards techno?star E-type played - but I left so I can't say if it was any good.

The day after I went to Malmö to visite my old au pair family. I hade a lovely day doing mostly nothing in their company. We did bounce on the trampoline they have in their garden, we made dinner (chanterelles again!) and Dag, Dora and I biked along the boardwalk in the afternoon sun. Sweeeet! I feelt very happy after many hours in their company and didn't get home until around 22.

Am I getting too old?

Having one to bed at 4 am after an evening of hard partying, and then woken up at eight the prospect of a seminar and then an evening and night of work don't feel that appealing. So I ask myself. Is this natural - or am I just getting too old?

Yesterday the film crew went to a town by the see further south called Skaör, where there's a big house you can hire as a student. We had a great time with good food (for entré: chanterelltoast gratinaded with very mature cheese), good/abundent drink, time in the sauna and generally wonderful company. It feelt like the week-end until this morning when all I wanted to do was rest and I realised it was a school day with yet another to go before the week-end. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Isn't that what they say? Let's hope so. And then there's anotehr party on Saturaday. Good grief! Happy days.

Shake it shake it

I've just had my first oriental dance lesson (i e belly-dancing). It was great fun, but difficult. We tried flicking our hips in a certain way, shaking our upper bodies in a controlled manner and looking harmonious at the same time. I did... well I didn't look to graceful that's for sure. I do believ I might have mastered isolating movements in my upper body from mu lower body - and the other way round. But it's difficult to tell if yoou're doing it right. What I want now is a shawl with attached small coins that make a distinc sound when moving. That would be good. We'll see, hopefully I'll do better by X-mas - but I don't think I'll come close to our teachers serenity and composed mien.

All work and no play

This hasn't been a week-end of relaxation. More of a money-making one. I worked both Friday and Saturaday night as entrance-quard/wardrobe attendant/technitian/problemsolver i e hostess at our party and conferance venue "AF-Borgen" here in Lund. So I'm mostly tired and my voice is tghat of a teenage boy with all its inconsistancies.

Friday night was a real pain in the derrière. We weren't enpugh staff and those who were there had to work ther butts off. I didn't get to rest my feet at all between 22-03 and we had parties all of the place of all different kinds (from alkcohol reeking youngsters to happy middle aged men and women celebrating a jubilee and more). When I got back home (at 5 am) I was knackered and my feet were swollen and cranky from the treatment they had received.

Yesterday was better. I sleept in late and the had ice cream in the park with a friend. The sun's still with us and so's the warmth. But it's due to end any time... That night and evening were dedicated, here in Lund, to culture - the so called "Kulturnatten" (Cultrural night) and there were activities all about. It all feelt really coninetal with the warm evening and everybody out on the town. I realised that I haven't actually visited this evet myself during all my time here since I've been working in some way or another. And this was my last autumn as resident (if all goes well). What can one do. We had a pleasant evening not having to do much, but making sure everything was alright at AF-borgen. I even got to test using a blue-screen and presenting a weather forecast. It was harder than it looks.

Today I'm mostly tired, thinking about the work I should do and happy that Linus's back in England - only one hours time difference away (it beats the six hours I've put up with these last weeks.

Not feeling very well

An so I am yet another victim of the autumnal cold. Bugger. I had so hoped to miss it. But noooo. Slight temperature, worse head-ache and a generally yucky feeling. And I can't even be happy about missing school. Where have those days gone were one hoped of beeing ill and missing lessons? Well, well. Maybe some hot broth will help...

Yet another weekend

I love weekend, especially those that are nice and relaxed and when tghe weather permit one to enjoy them to their fullest. I must say I have done my best to enjoy my weekend thus far.

Saturday was a time for a little change. I went to the hairdressser and cut my hair. It's shorter and I've got a sort of fringe. I like it and it's the first hairdo that's made me confortable with my sort of curls. During the afdter-noon I lounged in a ravine near by reading and studying with sheep grazing on the ridge. Pastoral to be sure. Later we had an evening of board games at Linda's and Jonas's. Very nice - despite not winning. But boy were we tired.

Today is election day here in Sweden and I went to the cast my vote around lunch time. We have to choose who we want for parliament, for regional goverment and municipality. I've voted for three different parties which feels wierd but was the best (only) solution for me. Happy to have done that I cycled to Lomma (by the sea) with Rikard. We bought some smoked fish and some shrimp and had a lovely lunch on the beach. We stayed there talking and enjoying the sun for a couple of hours. I just came home and I can still feel the sun on my face. The trip back was a bit though though since the wind had got fiercer and blew in the wrong direction, i e we had to fight it. But then it's ood exercise.

Summertime in September

Life is sweet at the moment (excepting certain aspects like not seeing Linus for over a month...) withh summer lingering this autumn month. I've been enjoying the sun and the heat as much as possible by beeing out-doors inbetween classes, wearing summer dresses and today I went to the coastal town Bjärred with Linda (by bike). We had lunch on the beach (feet bare and burried in the warm sand), ate soft ice-cream on the pier and had a quickish dipp in the sea. Fantastic. I feel much more up for studying now than if I had stayed in-doors all day. And I get exerciese. If this keeps on at leas another week I'll be much more well equipped to face the greyness and cold of November. Hip hip hurray for summertime in September.

Cruising the coast

Yesterday was glorious. Rikard and I went for another biking excursion - but this time we headed for the coast. WE manged to ride through five counties during the day and we were out from 10 am to 6.30ish pm. Not bad at all. The sun was shining and it was quite warm - perfect but for the wind whcih was a tad too insistant when biking over the plain. Here you can check out a map of the area - we cycled from Lund to Burlöv to Lomma to Bjärred and then back to Lund.

After having got a bit lost (a lot of bulilding sites) we arrived at Lomma a coastal town with a white sandy public beach. We lay down in the sun and enjoyed the sea breeze, talked, doodled in the sand and had our packed lunches. I thibk we spent a couple of hours in complete relaxation.

Then we continued to Bjärred, a even smaller town further north, also by the sea, where we were hoping to buy ice-cream. There is a kiosk there close to the beach that's renowned for its soft ice-cream. And there is a reason why. Creamy and slighly fluffy, cool and smooth it's perfect. I bought a big cone and had it dipped in melted chocolat (which gives it a chocolate cover mmmm...) and we ate them whilst walking down to the beach and out on a long wooden pier where there's a platform at the end and a bath-house and restaurant. We sat out in the sea whilst the sun started drifting downwards and enjoyed the feel of the sea yet again. We headed home a bit more purposely when we started getting cold.

The trip back was fine - and we saw our destination a while before arriving at it - the landscape is ot very hilly. Once back I was absolutely knacked but pulled myself together and went to eat crayfish at a friends. Lovely evening. Those who've read my blogg commented on the brave english I had forced to eat crayfish and were very impressed by their having whole-heartedly enjoyed the feast. I didn't stay long though - and when I went to bed I sleept like a baby.

Telly freedom

Am comeing to the end of my second week back at school and all is well. Am being very good and studying hard - more than I have these last 3.75 years acually. I should have got rid of my telly ages ago. Not being able to leisurly slouch infront of the TV without any resistance has worked wonders on my dicipline(?) and I spend time studing, reading for leisure, cooking, even exercising (have become a memer of my local gym and have already been once, moreover I'm going to be taking belly-dance lesson as of the end of September!)

These last two weeks I have been reading a series of three books by Louis de Bernières that take place in a fictional country in South America and the books are wonderful. I've laughed and cried alternately, the book being full of humour, warmth, joy at the same time as it describes horrific events and people commiting attroceties and developing into monsters. The country in question being fictional delivers one from having to think about historical accuracybut still learning about the turbulent history of a continent. And more: my dad is in it - more or lesss. READ THEM! The books are called: The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts, Señor Vivo and the Coca Lord samt The Troublesome Offspring of Cardinal Gauzman.

Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen

School's started and I'm quite looking forward to getting on wih my studies. Naturally I have some complaints about teachers (one who likes to say stuff in english quite unnecessarily) and cost of books and "hand-outs". I've had a nice long weekend with Linus though to distract me. Feeling a bit down though since we won't se eachother again for five weeks. Happy we had this weekend.

We've devoted much of it to eating naturally: indian caserole, stake, sushi, tender stake with new potatoe sallad with chanterells, sugersnaps and ligonberries. And to each other - that goes without saying. We even managed to squeeze in a trip abroad on Saturday.

We enjoyed the last summer warmth and went to Copenhaugen for the day. It was sunny and the temperature was around 20 degrees which was perfect. We had planned to eat "Smörrebröd" (tradional danish sanwiches with wonderful topping son rye bread) at a famous restaurant for them - Ida Davidsen - but it was closed. Fortunately we managed to find another place close by where we could sit outside and enjoy our lunch. It was really nice and we had "smörrebröd" with: rost beaf with horseradish, tartar sauce and roasted onions, a fishburger with capers and with taratar sauce and roasted onions, warm liver paste with cruchy bacon, new potatoes with mayo and crunchy bacon, and shrimps with egg. We were very happy with our meal. We took a stroll round Nyhavn ( a nice and trendy area by the docks with colorful houses) and looked at boats and people drinking bear by the dock's edge. Lovely! We also walked up and down Ströget (the main pedestrian street with shops and cafés) and looked at some shops - Linus was on the look out for a couple of differnt kinds of jackets/coats. We were quite tired when we finally sat down in the sun on Rådhustrget (the main square by the town hall) and had som ice cream. Once at the station we realised we had not purchased any alcohol (much cheaper in Denmark than in Sweden and available at all times) and tried to find a shop close by - but we failed miserabely. We made yet an effort by getting of at Kastrup (the airport) on our way home, but with no better luck. So we came back home without a drop of alcohol... Well it could have been worse.

The Adventures of a Bike Ride

Rikard and I went out into the countryside on our bikes today. We cycled eastwards towards the town/village of Södra Sandby passing The King's Land (Kungsmarken), The Sularp Marsh (Sularpskärre) and the Valley of the Bird's Song (Fågelsongsdalen) all being natural reserves, then passing by Billbjer for a quick retreat home through rain and thunder.Vi hade mycket trevligt och det var underbart att vara ute i naturen denna sensommardag. The King's Land ¨was a bit of a dissapointment as the footpath hardly qualified as one due to it seldom being used. We missed it as we walked past since it was so overgrown. There were mostly golfers around. We started scetching plans of how to force nature and define the fotpath - just out of principle.

We didn't stop at the Sularp Marshes this time wanting to walk along the Vally of the Bird's Song. Unfortunately our sens of direction seemed to have been off on its holiday and we took a couple of wrong turns. It started fine and it was lovely walking along the brook and looking at geological profiles. Then something happened - we both thought it was possible to walk round the area in a circular way. It was possible but only if one didn't follow te footpaths properly... at all. We walk across steep pasture areas were I'm pretty sure only sheep tend to walk. There was high grass, there were nettles (that pricked) and droppings mostly. I wasn't really dressed for the terraine and my white canvas sneakers were somewhat battered from the experience and my calves were stinging from the nettles. Finially we found a way across the brook back to civilisation (i e muddy footpaths). Just before our wild adventure in the bush we stopped on a small wooden bridge and ate small, sweet plums I'd boughth at the market earlier. Lovely.

We had brought packed lunches (small ones) and decided on eating them by the small lake in Billebjer a short distance from where we were. It was wonderfully peaceful and we ate or tasty sandwiches and sipped on our hot beverages in the grass. Then we heard thunder. We couldn't be bothered to get stressed so we didn't hurry to leave until we feelt some rain. Fortunately I had brought my rain gear and a baseball cap som I hardly suffer (except for my shoes a bit). I did notice how long it's been since I bycicled regularelly - by bottom started hurting and feeling very stiff. Rikard had brought a blue rain poncho which wasn't really meent for cycling and helooked like a blue ghost as he speed forwrd home. A very nice day indeed despite (maybe slightly because) our small misadventures. The Swedish countryside is fantasticlly beatiful.

Home sweet home

Am sitting at my desk at home drinking tea and talk9ing to LInus on ICQ. Just as I always do or did. Feels somewhat wierd after having been gone for such a long time but also very comfortable. I have all my stuff close at hand and I start a new semester on Monday. I will be doing something proper. Ofcourse I will miss London and OUR home (and Linus naturally), but this is the start of my last year in Lund (if nothing unexpected happens facultywise). Will have to make something special of it. Will spend most of the weekend doing shores and running errands. At the moment I can enjoy the company of Anna's younger sister Sara in my home. Very nice.

Family weekend

Have been rather busy this last few days. Friday I got to go to the amusement park here in Stockholm (Gröna Lund) with my sister Maria, her boys and Linus and his brother Alfred. We had a very enjoyable day with sunshine, warmth, and not too much of a crowd. I rode both stuff like the catapult (upp 65m i 5 secs and then some bouncing up and down) and more contemplative like the ferris wheel. Olle and Alfred got along very well and iut was a very enjoyable day of introducing Linus to that part of my family. Afterwards we were knackered. We had dinner with my parents (dekicious) and watched some old family movies that have recently been converted to DVD-format. Alot of mee as very young swimming around. Extremely cute ;).

Saturday we went to Marias new house in Knivsta north of here to visite and spend the night. The house was lovely with great big windows and situated amidst the greenery so that sitting indoors was almost like beeing outside. We walked around the area which is very quaint with a nice variation of houses. They live very close to a lake and we went to their local beach and I finally got my summer swim in Sweden. Very refreshing. We had creyfish and quiches for dinner and played Trivial Pursuit. I didn't win :(.

Yesterday we celebrated my niece's 13th birthday with a big family party. Nice food and nice company. Stayed on afterwards and got to spend some time with my brothers and my other niece Sara.

Stockholm

Now I'm here and it's very nice. Woke up at six (five GMT!) and have been busy since then. I meet up with Anna in town and we walked through town some (which I haven't done in ages). We've just eaten and I'm starting to get a bit tired.

The flight yesterday wnet suprisingly smoothly. Extensive controlls (very thourough) but I didn't take more time than it usually does. We had to get our shoes scanned (bare feet in sneakers mmmm...) and they frisked us thouroughly. I found the staff professional and relatively quick. Intersetingly enough there were people who thought they could bring liquids or gel/paste through the check despite the extensive info on what you could NOT bring. Sigh! Quite a few were anoyed at us being allowed to buy stuff at the airport but not bring similar stuff through the security check. They didn't get it. I was happy to be able to by some Pimm's (2 for £15!) and lip balm. The flight was a little delayed and we had some trouble with the coach but we got home safe and sound.

My last day

Yesterday was my last whole day in London for this time, and for a while. Feels a bit wierd, sad and well I'm a bit ambivalent. It's going to be great to get back to my life, my stuff, my home and my friends (and family) but at the same time I'm leaving our everyday life when we're together, not a part as a rule. I've got used to being ONE household, to planning our week-ends together, to waking up together and now that won't be the case for a long time, more then sporadically. I don't like. But hopefully next year (if my studies work out as I wish) I'll be here permanently (sort of, we're not going to live in London forever). I spent the day altrenatevely cleaning, packing and watching telly. A good sort of life. After work I meet up with Linus at Canary Wharf to do some last minute shopping and to have dinner. We ate at Chili's and I had baby back ribs (Not a morcel of meat left on those babies when I was done with them). Back home I chilled while Linus packed. At tenish we went to Hubbub with James and Sian, Matt and Gloria. I had a lovely Irish Coffee (Thanx James) and we chatted and had a nice time until we had to leave (closing time).

Today I have some cleaning and packing to do before I head to Liverpool Street and then the airport with Linus. I keep eying th ryanair website to confirm our flight hasn't been cancelled. Tonight we should be in Stockholm, knock on wood.

THE END

(Well, not quite, but of this summer's adventures. I believe I'll be back and I'll try to write regularelly, but maby not as often as I have - I will have other things to do now - maby once a week or when something interresting happens. It's my ambition at least.)

Drinks and anxiety

Meet up with my mate Anna's uni friends, Adrain (my fellow toast master at Anna's wedding) and Chris, yesterday eve for some drinks. We had a very nice time - or at least I did - and regret not making plans earlier during the summer. Such is life. But I'll be back to pester them. WE started off on the Hispaniola by Embankment and then found a quaint pub in Soho (The Lemon Tree?) that served reasonabely priced Thai food. The cook was really funny and came out to talk to us (a real thai lady) adn Chris described her as a Thai Julie Walters. Really good evening.

Right now my biggest concern is our flight tomorrow. Will it get cancelled? On top of that they're recommending passangers to only bring ONE bag to check in at the same time as hand bagage dimensions have shrunk (and they seem to mean it). I will have a hard time following those recommendations. I am going home after almost three months. I don't want to leave anything behind either. Well I will have to, but I want to restrict the amount. Keep your fingers crossed.

To eat - not to eat is out of the question!

Well. Here I go again. A entry about food and eating. Have realised this summer hhow much my life and well being centres around what I'm eating, what I will eat and what I have eaten - and digesting it all anturally. Today we were very good, at least to start of with. Had a fruit sallad brunch with cottege cheese and a nut mix. Dinner consisted of a lovely steak and grilled veggies. All in accordance to GI principles. Then we moved on to thin ice: chocolate fondue. Of course dark chocolate and fruit is very close to GI as far as puddings go. But still. I'm stuffed with chocolate and am feeling a bit queasy, but it was worth it!

Easy Saturday

Today we were in Greenwich and strolled through the market, checked out some stores and Linus bought movies at a CD/DVD slae by the church. We had a great noodle lunch before going to Canary Wharf and took advantage of the last days of the summer sale. Linus got loads of clothes and we bought dinner at Waitrose (I like Waitrose). Yet another riviting day. :) ooo yeah. Finally managed to find satisfactory item to put in our four frames bought at IKEA. So now they have finally been mounted above the bed and look very nice.

To over eat

Just woke up. Had slightly ambitious plans for yesterday. We were going to eat Lebanese at Edware Road and then catch "Walk the Line" at Prince Charle's Cinema. It almost worked out. I came in early to buy the tickets (£1 each!) and then walked from Leicester Square to Linus' office on London Wall. Good walk, enjoyed seeing streets I haven't seen before and was very proud to have found my way spot on without having used a map. Could have walked a faster route, but I didn't and I got there with plenty of time to spare.

Edgeware Road was interresting. Hadn't quite realkised it realy is a sort of arabic centre just from the corner of Marbel Arch. But nice with lots of tempting food. Nonetheless we had been recommended one restaurant in particular by Linus' lebanes collegue so that was our goal. The restaurant (Maroush) was conforting in it not trying to dress up as a middle-eastern restaurant. The interior (which felt very mid 1990's) was complemented by pictures of Hollywwood stars (some posters with chinese text eg Pulp Fiction) and by the soft Julio Inglesia-like music comeing from the loud-speakers. Those dining there were predomiatedly of Middle Eastern origin (at least that was what it looked like). These facts together seemed to promise a genuine culinary experience. We shared a set menue for two in order to sample as much as possible. ANd that we did: 7 mezes -starters, olives, bread, one main course and pudding. I enjoyed the mezes the most: hommus, aubergine paste, spicy sausages, lemony chicken wings, deadly soicy potatoes and taboulleh (which I didn't eat). The combination of the main course of braised lamb (melted in our mouths), spiced rice tasting of X-mas, pine kernels and minced lamb and the pudding of 7 pieces of baklava and a plated loaded with watermelon made sure we did not leave the place hungry. Quite the opposite. We ate, and ate, and ate and never managed to finish all the food, howevermuch we tried. I was so stuffed by the end of the meal it's a wonder I didn't reprise Monty Python's "The Meaning of Life" - you know which scene I'm referring to.

Afterwards we really did try to make the movie. We even got off at the tube station we planned. But since we were pressed for time and the only position of my body I could imagine enduring for the next two hours was standing up or lieing down (no pressure on the tummy) we decided to head home. And ther we didn't do much but digest our food.

Bah

Am a bit concerned about the consequences of the new security procedures at UK airports. I can live with not carrying hand lugage myself but I worry about how Ryan AIr will handel the new rules. I suspect the passanges will pay. Having packed for three months I really, really need the extra wieght allowed by hand lugae. 10kg is a lot of stuff. But I'm afraid they might a) not allowe us to Check in the hand lugage as such but as over-weight that is the kind you haveto pay A LOT for. b) that we'll have to pay the extra charge they've started with for checked in lugage. Maybe both. Hopefully we'll no before we're at the airport. Am also worried that you can't check in laptops. I really need my computer when school starts.

Have receiveda nasty letter from university as a respons to my query of whether they have received my speical application (to study extra credits this term so I can get my degree faster). Have responded with indignation and am awaiting their reaction.

Best laid schemes of mice and men

About my exercising frenzy... it didn't quite work out as planned. I did follow my plan quite well during the week (I couldn't possibly have exercised on Thursday - my body was ACHING). But the weekend was a bit of a problem. We were busy and I unlike Sian could not muster up the dicipline to go to the gym BEFORE going to Windsor. So my planned 10 sessions ended up being five. On the other hand that's not to bad even so.

Nortward bound

After feeling sorry for myself yesterday and meeting up Linus at work (with a hope of finally finding the kind of trousers we've been looking for all summer (for him)) we went to Tufnell park to visite a friend of mine from Secondary School. Jenny and her boyfriend live in a nice flat a couple of minutes walk from the tube station. Nice neighbourhood and walking distance to Hampstead Heath (lucky bastards). We had a lovely Maroccean inspired dinner and fruit sallad for pudding. We spent a couple of hours in pleasant conversation before our Sunday adventure, Jenny's need to pack (she's leaving for her vacation soon) and Nils' 12h working day invited us to head home. Great evening.

Having done the grocery shopping I will now spend a couple of hours in the sun on the balcony reading and lounging about. Lucky me.

Creyfish Party

Today I'm beat, and admitedly slightly hung over. And I have no one to blame but my self. And perhaps those who should be suffering from the same fate as me today: Linus, Sian and James. We had a traditionally (sort of) Swedish Creyfish party yesterday at our place and It was great fun. We consumed a couple of creyfish each and a massive amount of "snapps" and more. I'm very impressed nby the way Sian and James both tucked into the creyfish and mastered the fine art of cracking them open and eating them. Well done! I think they liked them - of cours it could have been the tast numbing "snapps"... Good thing (for our livers) that all SUndays are not like that - but I'm glad a couple are. Thanks for great company yesterday!

I'm haveing trouble with my computer today but will try to upload pics asap to Flickr. Just not today.

A day at the races

Went to Windsor and enjoyed the races and quite a lot of Pimm's as well. Great fun but am knackered. Found Windsor very quaint and picturesque with a winding Themse full of swan (sly evil creatures) and bordered by Weeping Willows. Was inspired by those vacationing on river boats but found the mooring fees (£400 a day) rather daunting. I'd like to go back some time and visite the Castle.

Coup de boule

Hysterically funny. The Zidane-sång written as a cheer-up activity and the sent to friends, that was aired on radio shows and that has been sold for 100.000 euro is great. If you want to have a listen check out the writers home page and if you fancy a visual treat there is a video on this page.

Smoothielicious

Did my second session of aquatic-aerobics today. I'm going to be dead-exhausted a the end of this week. But atleast I hade a delicious home made mango and passionfruit smoothie on the way home fron the gym.

With a lot of time on my hands

I was given a one week free membership at Holmes Place at Canary Riverside and a planning on using it to its fullest. I started yesterday, and have been twice already. Tonight I'm doing aqua-aerobics - should be fun. If my plan is not abandoned on the way I will go to the gym 10 times this week and (since my transportation there and home is walking) I will get an extra hours worth of exercise walking. It's a pity one has to keep up exercising and that one weeks intense work dosn't last for atleast three months. But I am planning on continuing once back in Lund. The problem is my local gym isn't QUITE as attractive and nice. C'est la vie.

On the way home I passed the part of the docks where the sailing school has its hunting grounds. Something was either up with the wind or the pupils because I saw three boths turn over, one of them twice. Quite entertaining. Noone got hurt, but the water isn't quite as tempting now as a few days ago. Haha!

Birthday Cake

After eating a wonderful Indian meal which was delivered home (I practically licked the inside of the containers) we relaxed for a while before SIan and James showed up. We had birthday cake and talked for a while. Very nice indeed.

Eggs Benedict

Today I've mastered yet another skill, reached yet another step on the way to chefdom. Sort of. For Linus' birthday breakfast I made Eggs Benedict (Linus has expressed a wish to try this dish earlier on). It wasn't extremely difficult but included to cooking skills I've never before attempted: poaching ggs and making hollandaise sauce from scratch. American muffins and ham were easier to handle. But I do think I did it, although I don't know what a proper chef would have thought. Eggs to scattered, sauce to viscous. But alright for a first time. FYI: 4 egg yolks and 200 butter were needed for the sauce alone. Linus was happy for his breakfast aswell as his new fondue set - our next culinary frontiere.

Market fun

I've been wanting to check out the markets around Brick Lane and Spittafields for som time now. Today was that day. Petticoat Lane wasn't the one for me, but the one in Spittafield and by Brick Lane. Loads of great clothes and accessories. I'm going back in the future with money. It was also kind of inspirational and my finger are itching to get creative myself. Am missing my newly aquired sowing machine and painting gear back home. For dinner we hade beef fillet marinated i coca-cola and spices. Perhaps as tender as Gaucho meat, but not quite as tasty though close enough.

We also passed a crowd on or way from Brick Lane thar seemed quite aggitated and were being photgrafed by what might me journalists. We though maybe it had to do with the filming of the book "Brick Lane" and so it was.

Flickr frenzy

Today I discovered flickr and I have both become enthusiastic and disapointed (didn't realise the limitations of free memership at first) but am now contemplating to go full out. I spent most of today (not really, but a lot of time) uploading photos and organising them. Now my summerphotos and those from Easter (Paris!) are available for viewing.

Today I also discovered Greenwich Picture House which seems great. I liked the wibe - from their internet site. Hoping to go there some Wednesday and see a movie then hang out at the bar. All in all Greenwich appeals to me. It's got character and something homely about it despite the tourists. Read a bit in London for Londoners and realised I must go there more and look around. My kind of place.

Whilst I'm mentioning Greenwich Picture House I must also tell you about another cinematic venue that's come to my attention on the net - Prince Charles Cinema - whic with low prices, memberships and a mix of less commercial flicks and quality blockbusters seems to be a good place to go. I'm planning on joining when I move here some day.

It sucks

Today I managed to buy Linus' gift but had a baaaad shopping experience. I hadn't realised how things work at Argos though. I checked that they had what I wanted in stock and off to Lewisham I went. Arriving at the store I realised I had to find the item I wanted in the catalogue. I sought it here, I sought it there and I couldn't find it despite eventually going as far as looking through the whole catalogue page by page. I tried to get help from the cashiers but they just handed me another catalogue. I ended up phoning my parents who looked the item up on the internet and voilà. Of course then there was the small matter of my visa not working (I havn't got a chip on my card). Then the item was twice as expensive as advertised on the net (but I couldn't be bothered by then). Then on the way home, eating a nectarine, I got fruit juice all over my clothes and even the window of the DLR. Not my day. (How about that - a riveting story.)

Pool party

Yesterday we celebrated Linus' birthday by going to a bar in Clarkenwell, playing pooI, drinking and eatin excellent burgers with some of his friends and collegues. We played dubbles since we were so and I ended the evening better than I started. It was great fun, both playing poola and meeting up with everybody. Of course drinks do their part to spice up an evening - and there were quite a few of those. We finished the evening in a bar beind the meat market in Smithfield located in some kind of indusrial/abbatoir building. Whilst sitting there we experienced the first delivery for the next day. I didn't see anything but apparently at least6 one of the trucks was full of pigs - dead ones. We shared a cab back to Mudchte with James. I slept late the next morning - since I'm able to.

I was exiled from home during the day due to the inspection of the flat so I had lunch with Linus. We lunched at a sushi restaurant (Little Tokyo) sitting on the floor, but with legs in a practical hole carved out under the table. Japanese dining for dummies. We shared a assorted plate of loads of nigiri, rolls and sashimi. Hip hip hurrah! I got to taste fish I haven't tried earlier, unfortunately I don't know what it was.Afterwards I wandered around the City (Smithfield included) looking for Linus' birthday present. Very frustratimng since I know what I want to give him, I have a list of options to choose from, but I haven't got a clue of WHERE to find any of them. Very frustating. A city can be to large at times. But during the pool party I got a tip of where to go - so I should be ok now. Before returning to the flat to fetch the camera (which I had forgotten earlier on) and to cool of (boy, is it hot) I spent some time on a tiny square by a small church close to Bank reading. Except fora couple of eager and disgusting pigeons I had a very nice time in the shade. I learn to appriciate Tom Lehrer's "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park" more and more every day.

Why?

By popular demad - not even - I've decided to have my Blog in both Swedish and English. It's as simple as this: I have far to much time on my hands. I will also try to motiate this narcissistic attack (can it be called an attack if it's a constant state of behaviour?) by claiming to feel sorry for James having to try to find intelliable stuff amongst Swedish-Muppet-chef-mundane- madness. So here we go.