Connected

Finally I managed to get my broad band phoning system working. I spent a looong time talking to support after not being able to get my connection working and they couldn't help me. They forwarded the problem to a technical group that texted me after the weekend saying I would be receiving a new ATA-box (the device through which my telephone is to bee connected to my broad band). I picked it up at the post office to day and held my breath whilst arranging everything. And it worked! Hassah! So now I will be able to finish with Telia (the supplier of phone lines etc, similar to BT) and not have to pay 125 SEK just for the privilege of having a phone line. I've called my parents to try it out, I've filled out the form for transferring my present number to this new system and I've packed up the faulty ATA-box to return to sender. Now I must study, but before I go some less interesting news: The crazy guy in my class informed us all, when commenting/asking a question to the teacher, that he hasn't had sex for many years; I got 9/10 on my test today which means 4 extra pints for my exam in June; I just made 8 helpings of (hot) Gulasch - my freezer rules.

IKEA, tapas and transportation

We were supposed to look at the flat on Saturday morning but we were a bit delayed and the tenant seems to have left very quickly so it didn't happen. We took the opportunity to take a closer look at the Deli on the ground floor (were we shall by fresh croissants and the morning paper on Sundays), at the Italian restaurant on the other side of the court, at the balcony from out side and we walked down Narrow street feeling every much at home. Then we took the tube to IKEA in Wembley and started to reconnoitre. I have made a list of what I think is needed (with material, colour, size, price and amount) which we could use as a starting point. We tried out some couches and bed frames. It was very crowded which didn't really add to the experience. It was nice not needing to buy anything (although we did - Linus became especially enthusiastic in the Sweden Shop. I have made a sketch of what the reception area could look like from a certain angle (not a very precise sketch) and linked to it is Linus' collection of photos of the building and similar flats.

In the evening we went to El Faro with James and Sian, Matt and Gloria. We got there a little early and had a cocktail at the bar teaching the bar man to make White Ladies (which he got to make plenty of during the evening). We ordered a tapas each and shared which means I got to eat: chorizo, garlic prawns, cheese, tuna, croquette, juicy pork. I had a fantastic main course: lamb in rosemary and honey that was cooked to perfection - the meat melted in my mouth. For dessert we all had (sharing couplewise) a hot brownie with tiramisu ice-cream. Yummy. Once home, with plenty cocktails and food in my tummy, it didn't take long before I was asleep.

Sunday wasn't very busy and the trip home went smoothly until at Copenhagen Airport. (I LOVE on line check-in. It gives me so much more time with Linus and less stress.) We arrived ahead of schedule and I saw the opportunity of making the 16 past train going directly to Lund. So I decided to run and I arrived sweating (not perspiring) at the platform in time. The train did not. First it was three minutes late. Then 25. It arrived minutes before the next scheduled train. People started forcing themselves on board and the announcement explaining that another train to Malmö would be arriving just after didn't change anything. On board there was a gang of loud and drunk youths screaming and singing filthy and violent songs. Arriving in Malmö I nevertheless had to change trains. By some miracle I still made a good bus back in Lund and got home fairly early. But with a lot of stress in me.

I will fly. So there.

And I did! Thankfully I didn't go by SAS whose planes were iced and therefore most flights were cancelled. I even got home before Linus. We ordered a curry and relaxed.

No, I haven't warmed to winter yet

With many cancelled flights today and worries about tomorrow I don't find the weather charming. At all. Quite the opposite.

Dubble ugh, winter

we have a grade two storm warning. that means considerable risk of danger to people and property. yeah. it's snowing heavily, it's very windy and quite cold. I just came back from Sofia - wasn't a very pleasant walk. at her place we had to dismantle a window of their sort of balcony thingy so that it wouldn't get blown off. I don't like this. 20-30 cm of snow is expected for tomorrow morning. well, it better have stopped by Friday. I'm off to London then I am.

Ugh, winter

I woke up today to see the ground covered in a thin layer of snow. I hate winter - why won't it ever stop? it's cold, and windy and wet. had a lovely lecture at 8 with a man from Finland, but with Swedish as his native tongue (finlandssvensk) - the way mumin speak. it was a contrast to the one this afternoon which was unstructured and presented in a head-ache inducing voice. I was very happy when it finished. went by my old work place between lectures and had nice chats and was a computer assistant.

AMbiguity and multiple choice

I had my test this morning and managed to get it done (and checked quite a few times) in half an hour. I got annoyed as the questions were interpretable - which is not a good combination with multiple choice answers when one interpretation would give you one answer and another a different one. "must e connected with a crime." what? a certain type of crime (eg robbery) or a specific crime (eg the robbery on Tuesday of the corner store)? It makes all the difference. After having talked with my dad (and him confirming my superiority ;)) I went to the gym to work off my aggressions. I am very happy with myself after 25min on the tread mill and 35min working out my arms, my thighs, my abdomen and my back. AND I stretched as well.

Had our introduction to the next project. Interesting but disconcerting. It's about sexual crimes something not to pleasant to read about. Can't help myself from sympathising with the woman, even if I don't know if she is indeed a victim. I wouldn't want to be a judge. Horrible, horrible. But it's a important subject.

I picked up the answers for the test as well. Got 8/10. One mistake was me thinking wrongly the other was me missing a NOT in the question resulting in an answer opposite of the correct one. I was right, but wrong. Will do it again on Tuesday and prepare this time (have been very lazy) and read the questions properly.

I aint got no dicipline

Tomorrow I have a test on all we've done thus far this term. I should be reviewing. I should be studying hard. But I can't bring myself to concentrate. I'm very easily distracted I all I want to do is take a nap. But I shouldn't. I have to at least read through my notes. And I should review the projects we've done. Why, oh why, are some days the enemies of dicpline?

Weekend in Åhus

I've had a lovely weekend, but am quite beat now. Some of us went to Åhus - a town in the north-eastern corner of Scania - where my brother has a great house. We relaxed, watched the music competition leading up to the Eurovision song contest, made delicious pizza, played board games, walked through town, went down to the beach and the coolest: we got to climb up the bell tower of the church. The nice custodian let us accompany him up and we saw the vaulted ceiling from above, we saw the bells (which he rang once) and saw the view from a hatch in the face of the clock. Next thing I have to do is a small exam on Tuesday. I should study, but I can't be bothered. Today.

Waffle fest

Internet problems, shopping spree and a lovely visite

I decided to order broadband telephony and the whole project has turned out more of a mess than a simplification. Instead of giving me access to more cheep telephone calls I have ended up with a sporadically functioning internet connection. Not very amusing, but hopefully nothing that won't be handled by phoning customer service (good grief). At least Linus helped me find a way to get my connection back.

Am feeling a bit guilty - finacially - as I have spent a good portion of a scholarship (one I got in December) on shopping clothes. Linda, Sofia and I went shopping together and I returned home (after two sessions) with: a pair of jeans, a skirt, a tank top, a belt, a dress, a top, a cardigan, two blouses, a hat and a summer trouser suite. Now I won't be doing any shopping for a good while. But I must admit to being very happy with my purchases.

We had a quite and nice weekend with dinner at Linda's and Jonas', Studio 60, waffles and a quick return (for me) trip to Kastrup (Copenhagen airport). Oh yeah, we have been playing at interior design what with Linus buying a flat. Lets hope nothing goes wrong with the whole deal. Now I'm just very tired and looking forward to sleeping. I have a lot of studying to do this week.

The case of the disapearing mango

I bought three mangos at the store today. Once I got home I discovered I only had on in the bag. Hmmm. Since I hadn't tied the plastic bag closed they might have slipped out at the till, so I went back and asked. No was the answer. Walking back, annoyed and cursing bloody thieves, I spotted a mango lying on the pavement. I deduced it was mine. I retraced my steps but I didn't find the last missing one. Two is better then one at least. I wonder who picked up the missing one?

I've been for a long walk out by the bird ponds in the glorious sun with a clear blue sky above. Lovely.

Watch your head

When cycling home I pass under a bridge for trains. When coming down the road towards it I saw a police car keeping motor traffic from using the road and wondered what might have happened. Son enough I found out. A lorry had tried to drive under the bridge, but it seems it was a bit to high. Just a bit. It had got stuck. I thought about taking a picture - but I don't know how to transfer pics from my mobile to my computer so I decided not to. It seems the train traffic over the bridge had to be suspended for a couple of hours as well. I don't think anyone who knows the driver will ever let him forget. Check out the pictures on our local newspapers web site.