BBQ crazed

Another wonderful day, that I haven't quite profited from. This morning I had my mock trail (a part of my course - more fun than I expected), during the afternoon I cleaned my flat (much needed - was about to drown in dust) and I even managed to fit in some exercising (Ki Balans - mix of gym+yoga+chigong). Now I'm mostly thinking about what I can do until Linus comes (I know I should be studying...), watching loads of people having BBQs out on the lawn and feeling my tummy hurt.

Serene

I don't know quite why, or how it happened. I should be stressed out; I have so much to do, but I just feel calm, good, satisfied... even serene. I'm sowing elbow patches on my favourite jumper, I see the sun through my window (think I'll go for a walk after I've had a bite to eat) and I'm simply enjoying life. Spring probably has a part to play in my well being, as well as Linus coming tomorrow. I suppose yesterday's party didn't do any harm either. Living is great.

Sweet Lord.

I usually feel perfectly well the day after but considering the amount of alcohol we've imbibed tomorrow might be an exception to the rule. Next step: going to sleep and hopefully sleeping soundly and not thinking too much about the class I'm skipping tomorrow. Goooo Senior Staff!

When I realised: No more pizza!

I've had a couple of episodes when I come to suspect that they know me at the local Pizza Place. This has now been verified in an almost painfully obvious way. I decided to order a pizza (I can absolutely NOT motivate ordering one on a Tuesday afternoon when I'm quite skint but no matter) and phoned down. After telling the man which one I wanted I got the following response: "I recognise your voice, Pariso? [my chosen pizza: chicken, bananas and curry] I know who you are! How are you doing?" What can I say. I think I might have ordered one pizza too much at that place. And, of course, what lovely people they are - the proprietors.

A Horse of a Different Colour

Yesterday Soia helped me with the next phase of operation: getting-my-own-hair-colour-back. I'm afraid I can't report complete success although I must say I'm looking far more attractive today. I just can't seem to get rid of the red residue from the brown hair colour, Damn it! The dying that was supposed to give me a dark blond base and then hightlights in that turned out dakblondredish with highlights intsead. Next step is using highlight spray more or less daily and see where that gets me. I am starting to think that Edgar Allan Poe's Raven was right: Never more! We'll see how long I manage to keep to that resolution.

What's your offer?

I woke up at twenty to six this morning. Why? Well Sofia and I had decided to sell stuff at the flea market in town and we had to be there at around six. We set up shop and stayed until a short while after noon. It was fun although pricing was hard (5, 10, 20, 50 kroner?), it was difficult to tell if haggling was worth while, and it was COLD. I made a net profit of around 200 kr, which isn't much but more then f I had stayed home (sleeping) and given my stuff away. Half a week's worth of food? It was nice spending time with Sofia and with Rikard who became a honorary member of our sales team making sure the clothes rack didn't collapse (not as stable as we might have liked). So I'm happy, but very, very tired. The rest of this weekend must be spent studying judicial filosophy for my exam in a week+.

Specialisation

Today we received info on choosing specialisation courses for the autumn. And it's induced a feeling of angst in me. I really don't feel completely comfortable with my possible choices. I've managed to create a quite restricted frame for my choices due to the fact that next semester's courses are the only ones I am to do at the faculty of law and that I can only do those offered this autumn. Some cousres of interest are given at the same time - so I can't follow them both. And to add to complication the two courses I choose must be thematically connected to my dissertation. Which I do not know what it will be about. If I choose from within a profile there will be no trouble, but If I wish to mix and match I have to be much more careful. I do feel a little bit beter after having soken to some teachers though. I have basically received a Go from a top dog on a certain combination of interest that does not adhere to the set up bounderies og the given profiles. That's something at least. What troubles me now is my chances of getting what I want. Since I haven't been following the normal study path i have had to apply for an excemtion in order to be able to apply for specialisation courses despite not having completed all prerequiste courses. This means that I will not be competing for spots on the courses on the same conditions as a "normal" student. This is ok if you don't want to study anything too popular (one of the courses I am considering in public law should be no problem - but the other in EC law might be trickier). IF I were to chose a profile I would better my chances of getting the courses I want, but my first choices don't fit a profile. And the profiles I could consider can't gie me anything but an acceptable combination. And I'm not sure I'm looking for only acceptable when it comes to this part (if any) of my education. I'll have to think about it some more and check certain things out. Still it's all giving me a bit of a tummy ache. Maybe it's a case of embaras de richesse - but it doesn't make it less hard for me.

Carrot top

I've spent most of the day with Sofia. We did some shopping and bought stuff to dye my hair back to its natural look. That plan didn't go so well and I am at the moment somewhat of a carrot top. Not very fetching but better then earlier on when I looked like a freak (white blonde roots and orange hair brrrr....). Can't do anything else today. Will have to wait a little and wash it a lot. AM hoping for the best though. The fact that I'm going out this evening with my class isn't such a treat as it was yesterday.

Paaarty

I sort of reckoned on this evening being very lazy, me in front of the computer not finding energy to do anything worthwhile. Instead I've started a process of getting rid of loads of clothes (any thing that is ill fitting, too short or I just haven't worn for ages) whilst drinking port (yummy) and feeling the music ("Dirty Dancing" and Madonna's "The Immaculate Collection"). I feel surprisingly good.

Spring is here!

Well, it is a viable claim if the trees are in bloom, the sky is blue and I've been laying in the sun reading/sleeping for an hour and a half, isn't it? It's delightful in every way. Except 6h of lectures and seminars today. I was even supposed to work out today, but that didn't work out too well. Standing in line at the gym I found out that the course I was to attend had been cancelled, and since it was a yoga/chi gong kind of thing I didn't have my shoes or normal gear so I couldn't do anything else. Alas! I'll see if I manage to finish updating this blog instead. I'll do my best.

Easter Weekend, April 5-9

Quick trip to Stockholm, March 31- April 2

One year more, March 30

So now I'm 28. Imagine. I don't feel it. Aren't I supposed to be much more mature? Well, well. Could be worse. I made carrot cake that I brought with me to the court and we ate in the afternoon. I was invited to spend the evening (then the night) at the Family's. Very happy to do just that we had a nice dinner, equally nice pudding (ice cream with warm raspberries) and I enjoyed the company of the kids and Gisela. It was perfect.

A Day in Court (or more), March 28

Today was the third day of my week long internship at a court house. Not considering that I haven't been able to speak properly these last THREE days (I've lost my voice) and having to be drugged up on paracetamol it's been great. We started of with a guided tour of the facilities, including the detention area before being given an assignment and seeing the work being done. We researched and answered some questions from the public (and I do hope they controlled what we said before replying with our text) and then tried to consider the cases for the next day – especially the question of punishment in case of a guilty sentence. We were even allowed in on the preparation for a case on living arrangements for a child. Everybody at the court is being very nice to us and it's fun seeing more of Gisela on a daily basis. Can't say I am loving commuting again, with my bus leaving at 7.30 in the morning, but at least it's a nice trip .

Tuesday we followed a number of criminal hearings: drunk driving abroad, violence towards an official and damage. It was all terribly interesting and I feel I learned loads from just following the proceedings, listening to and seeing the parties LIVE, and then taking part of the sentence and some of the reasoning behind it. The initials in the cases we read became people and I was reminded of how important the courts work is and that it affects real people and lives. As a bonus certain aspects of our studies have started to become clearer – some situations have been conveniently illustrated for our benefit (sort of). One of the judges gave me a ride back to Lund at the end of the day and I found, upon returning home, that that evenings course in Legal English had been cancelled so I could stay home and be pathetically ill.

Today we witnessed more criminal cases. It's just as fascinating still, and I'm learning SO much. We got a taste of cancelled proceedings due to lack of interpretor (unexpected), due to the defendant not showing up (the excuse being valid is yet to be determined), people with defence attorneys and those representing themselves (get a lawyer- it's good advice) and an interpretated proceeding regarding both crime and detention. A little of everything. I am so happy I've ended up at the court instead of a firm. Am feeling a bit ill at ease though and I admire those who do this on a daily basis and manage to remain compassionate and still make difficult but necessary decisions. I don't think I could manage that. I felt so sad for so many – kept feeling a lump in my throat. And still I do believe those who commit crimes must be punished. It seems though that criminal aren't just evil people (which of course I already knew but also felt now) – many are ordinary people who made mistakes. A very good experience whatever career path one may take in the future.

Only to days left. A pity. Though I am looking forward to not having to commute. A bicycle ride away is a good distance.

I'm such an old woman, March 24-25

We went to see the flat on Saturday. I'm very happy – I think it'll make a good home. The tenant who lives there now was somewhat confused, but that shouldn't be a problem in the end. Feels good to have a more physical experience and grasp of my future home. Afterwards we went into town and did some shopping (a present for the baby amongst other things) and had a nice time together. The music at H&M was so extremely loud and overpowering that I just wanted to escape. Who is it that becomes more motivated to shop under those circumstances? And those who actually like it – are they a financially interesting target group? This query belongs to the group ”What are they thinking commercially?” where you can also find my wonderings about horrific lighting in changing rooms. , at least, won't by MORE clothing If I look grotesque whilst trying them on. I'm more likely to feel there is no point in buying anything. Later that day we grilled hamburgers and ate them with Gorgonzola sauce and home made onion rings. Very satisfying. I woke with a sore throat on Sunday and it just got worse as the day progressed. All I wanted to do when finally arriving at my flat that night was to sleep and take pain killers – which I didn't have *buahaahahh*. I feel sorry for my self. It did help some that I had received such a nice gift from Linus (for my birthday, but in advance) *love*. I now have a wonderful ”NO RAPTORS” T-shirt. That's love for you.

The Old Baily, March 23

One's nerdiness is never as apparent as when onemakes a study visite OUTSIDE the educational frame work, on one's time off, in a foreign (well...) city. Nevertheless I spent half of my Friday visiting reknowened London's Criminal Court: the Old Baily. There as a line to get in and diifucelt to get a space inside but not being part of a group I managed to get a spot at a murdr trial. Interesting and exciting in many ways. Of course what I experiencd is very much down to what I'm used to and what I writeis not so much a critical comment of what I saw as a description what I noticed and reacted to. The most obvious thing that was ( because it's such a strange concept for a Swede) seeing these professionals dressed up in 16th C wigs and volumnious black cloaks. I knew it would be like that but still it felt very weird. Just as strange was witnessing the Jury being sworn in. Why? Well in Sweden we don't have a jury (except in certain very restricted Q's) and with the now complete separation of church and state here, hearing swear to ”the all mighty Lord” with hands on the Bible (I persume the book was just that) to do their duty was just as much a trip in time as the cloak and wig. The judge sounded like a parody of Prince Charles. The barrister for the defence was an older, not starved, man from the upper class who with a somewhat drawling voice put forward his arguments against what his ”learned friend” had said. There was a bit of a balance when ”the crown” turned out to be (I didn't notice at first) a younger woman and the beilif? was a darek skinned, young woman. Not so much a trip back in time then. When people entered the court they bowed to the judge (” my Lord”). The part of the trial I witness was all about the admissablity of certain evidence (well except the jury being sworn in and then released until the trial propper could start later in the day). This is very different from the way it works in Sweden since here basically all eidence is admissable and it is the court's duty to value and analyse the evidence. Fascinating. Som funny? Bits were also hearing the posh defender quoting someone involved saying ”Paki basterd” which just was something you'd never expect to here from someone like him. When discussing whether havig fiddled with a cat flap could have been consiedred an act in a robbery and the purpotrator in question was a man 6 feet 2 taöö the judge said: "I would have had to be a very large cat."

Les Mis, March 22

Having done two presentations during the day I left for Kastrup to fly SAS to London City Airport on Thursday. It was sooo civilised – and I haven't been spoilt with that flying these past two years. We had assigned seats, the plane wasn't full to the brim, people didn't act like a herd of rampant cattle, I was allowed a paper. Those small things that make all the difference. I fellt grown up – in a good way. Landing at LCY was delightful. The decent was outright cool; suddenly your flying low above London – behold the Barbican and Linus' office, hello Gherkin, oooo Limehouse, soon to be home, oh-oops are we going to land in the water? No, we managed to reach dry land. Then the trip into Bank took 25 min and cost around £2. Sweet love. Linus meet up with me at Bank and we continued to the West End since we had tickets for the evening show of Les Misérables. Hihi! I have a long running love story with this musical. Mum and Dad went to London in 1986 to celebrate their 25^th anniversary and they went to see it bringing back a tape with selected music from the show. Listed to it and my Dad telling the story and I loved it and learned the songs off by heart. As I was approaching my 15^th birthday we went to London and I got to experience it for myself. It felt like coming home and I was so happy. That X-mas (I think) I was given the CD with the complete soundtrack and I listed to it in much the same way I had the tape. Now, a short time before my 28^th birthday, I got to see it once again. Happiness. I must admit I found Javert's part being sung too much in staccato, Marius being portrayed by a wimp and the tempo all through being too fast and hurried. And horror! They had removed the solo number of Gavroche (which is a crime) but this didn't diminish my experience. Mmmmm...

Days that simply suck, March 20

There are some days on which I simply shouldn't have to exist – for my own sake as well as other's. These days reoccur cyclically. Enough said. I got back home from school and all I really wanted to do was to hit people, perhaps be more violent than that, and then lie in bed crying beneath my duvet. To top it off my elbow hurt like hell (from using my computer mouse?). I was suppose to attend legal English class – for an interactive language exercise. It doesn't take a genius to realise the impossibility of it. Sitting in a class talking in English with my brat class mates in a forced manner? Never! I was blood thirsty enough as it was. So I played hooky and stayed home moping. It was great.

Trinny and Sussanah, March 17

More accurately: Kristina and Sofia. We did it again – together we scrutinised yet another wardrobe (that is its contents). The victim of the hour was Sofias twin sister Mona and we did good. Most of her clothes are lovely so we ended up developing combinations and forcing her to Mix and Match more liberally more than we needed to make use of the trash can. It was fun. Directly afterwards I went to a party where we had dinner, drank ”punch” (a Swedish sweet liqueur) and I talked to amongst others my old colleague Johan. I got home at half four. Sunday wasn't much of a day to be honest.

I hate Ryanair, March 16

A long time ago I decided NEVER to travel with Ryanair again. They're bad, with unpleasant policies, bad terms and I do not trust their safety (or NON-safety). More often than not they're not that much cheaper either. But then I was to book my trips for the spring semester in January and I was foolish enough to check out Ryanair – since SAS and Easyjet were very pricey one specific day. The ticket being MUCH cheaper I booked it despite my earlier resolution. I decision I was to regret. IN February I received an e-mail that my flight had been rebooked from the evening to early morning – no go! I was able to apply for a refund on line, since the change to the schedule was more than 3 hours.I received no confirmation. Mid March I started to grow concerned, reapplied, no confirmation. When the day passed when (according to ryanair) my application should have been processed I decided to phone them up. From Sweden one has to call a service line, i sort of English, that costs around 40p a minute. Happyhappy joyjoy. After a lot of explaining from my part I got a lazy answer: my application was logged in the computer. That's something at least. It wasn't until March 27 that I received a confirmation, by mail, that the fare would be credited to my account. Don't fly Ryanair. The price isn't worth the trouble.

Kroppkakan (The Body Cake), March 9-11

Linus came over for a long week end. It was wonderful. Meeting up for lunch on Friday was luxurious. We had a lovely time, and unusually much of it AND managed to go to a ball as well. We went to ”Storaste Kroppkakan” (literally ”The Biggest Body Cake”) and had a great time. Kroppkakor is a dish made out of potatoes and sort of bacon (the bacon is in the middle of a ball of mashed potatoes which is boiled) served with lingonberries, cream and melted butter. I had never eaten any before but I must say the food agreed with me. I had 6.5 kroppkakor (each the size of tennis ball) – which was one half too much. It was pointed out to me that I could have entered in the eating competition and come in third. But I know myself better than to do something like that. With my instinct to compete it would have been a very bad idea. Knowing that there was a competition going on was enough to push me to eat a lot, almost too much. I danced and talked with some old friends and had drinks in both my old office and in another office. We tried a drink from one guys stay in Malta: ”Sniffer”? What you had to do was to light the fumes of Cointreau poured into a large glass that you then extinguished with your hand thus capturing the alcoholic vapour then and breath it in after which one breaths in some Cointreau through the other nostril and then drinks what's left of the Cointreau in the glass. It didn't work too well but we had a good time anyway. Kids, don't do this at home! Sunday was Pizza Time!

Blog Drought

I have been very, very bad at updating my blog. I will try to improve, but I'm not sure I will. For the purpose of not having a total gap of a month I will try to recuperate what has happened in separate entries. But since I have loads to do and it's already late I'll start by just adding the entry titles corresponding to the entries I made on my Swedish version and filling them in whenever I have time. Things might look a bit strange for a while. Well, such is life.