Back to school

I'm now ready for a new semester having registered for my first course: European Comparative Legal History. I am SO looking forward to it. :) I really am. And I've got the books so I can get started whenever. Of course, the actual course doesn't start until Tuesday so nothing will happen this week. Now i just have to work out the big things that need planning this autumn (dissertation, possible internship, move). It's all very exciting actually. And tomorrow Linus will be here. Yeay!

Top Model Marathon

A new season of America's Next Top Model - one of my many vices - has started and with a bang. They're showing one episode a day, Monday to Thursday, which means loads of QT with Sofia. Can't complain. And I've been good today - done things that needed doing: bought books for my courses (I found my French grammar at the French book shop in town, at the best price - one's gotta support it - and made the purchase in French :)), bought a notebook and pens, picked up my money from the second hand bookstore (almost ALL my books (two left out of like 12/15) have been sold, and the term hasn't started yet!!!) and visited my dear friend at my old work place. Oh, and I've done some laundry. And finished the introduction to my long distance course... God I'm good. Feel I deserve loads of telly tonight.

Shorter

I just got back from the hair dresser. A bit shoret I said. And she somplied. It doesn't quite show in this angel - but from behind it is very visible. What d'you think?

I want

I've spent most of today researching laptop purchases. What to get? I REALLY want the MacBook, but must make sure it is the computer for me and not just a craving. It all got more complicated now that they're releasing a new version of their OS in October and I'm not sure I can wait that long... I'm sure I'll make the right decision...

Otherwise I've inaugurated this season of Americas Next Top Model with Sofia (a thing we do together) and am looking forward to following all the episodes. Of course the real fun starts with the make overs (you find out who's a wimp and who's not). But that will be soon enough. I also met Sofia's new puppy. Sooooo cute. Small and black. Another craving, but one I know I won't submit to. I'm happy to be his aunty. :)

Last week before school starts

So, iI have a couple of days to go before it's time to get serious again. What to do? Unfortunately I have plenty of musts: get myself organised (books, scheduals...), finish cleaning the flat (only my kitchen is spotless), get a hair cut, work out a computer replacement and many more things I'm sure. I should start right now. And maybe I will.

Oh, I do like to be beside the sea-side

I've had a lovely weekend with Lovisa at her cottage by the sea on the Swedish west coast - Orust. We've been outdoors alot, we've enjoyed eachother's company and just relaxed. I've also enjoyed Lovisa's ad her mother buntiful and generous hospitality and been made to feel just at home.

We arrived in Kårekile after a trip involving five busses, taking seven hours, fueled by yummy snacks (parmesan in balsamic vinager, chocolate covered nuts) and survived through great company. Once at the coattage we were taken care of by mother Lotta who served a wonderful meal which we partook on the porch and sat talking there for a couple of hours. The weather during our stay was more autumnal than summery but enjoyable in every way. Strong winds swept dramatically over the valley, the sun was mostly in our presance and there was NO rain. We went for a walk down to the sea, had coffee and a long lunch in their pergola, missed the store closing at two o'clock, lay in the sun doing nothing, picked blackberries, improvised dinner and had drinks (Mojito - from now on known as "The Mallard" and one invented by us with blackberries "Raptor di Mora"in the pergola lit by candles and lanterns and warmed by quilts. Not a bad day all in all.

Our next and final day was shorter but eventful. After a breakfast on the porch (blackberries in our yogurth) we felt like a swim (imagine!) and went down to the beach where we swam (me less than Lovisa) and lay in the sun on a secured raft in the bay (the revered relation). I even had an encounter with a large jelly fish (area size= cat), but wasn't hurt (they burn) but a little flustered due to not really expecting it. Feeling very refreshed and envigorated with salty water in our hair we left for the store to buy some lunch. We had potatoe gratain with blue cheese (a repeat, sort of, from the crayfish party) and chocolate dipped waffers. Whilst cooking we saw Carlina Kluft win her Hapatlon gold. Then all by a sudden it was time to go home. Lovisas aunt, who was going to Gothenburg, gave us a lift and we got there with a good time margin for our train back home. Thus we had milk shakes in town and chips and onion rings at the station before embarking on our trip home. Once home I was tired but very satisfied after aWONDERFUL weekend and feel very grateful to Lovisa who shared her haven with me and her lovely mother who made me feel so much at home. Thank you!

Upp in smoke

I returned home after an afternoon at IKEA with Sofia (yes I know - another addiction to add to the list, but I only bought merigolds and washing-up brushes for around £2) at around 7. Needed to do something on line before starting on dinner - I therfore tuched my computer. It shut down immediately and I swore remembering all the problems I've had with my cable and battery this summer. I fiddled with the cable and attempted to start the computer when I felt a faint waff of something burning. A pressed my nose against my laptop and turned it slightly. The smell grew stronger and I saw smoke coming out of the fan hole. Aghhhhh!!! I quickly pulled out all cables and later I thought of removing the battery. But I am feeling a bit discouraged. A new computer? Repairs - possible, priceworthy? Internet?!? But I'll wait for Linus to get here before I do anything more about it. Anyhoo, I'm off to Orust on the western Swedish coast for a weekend with Lovisa so it doesn't matter THAT much right now. And my wonderful friend Sofia made lkife easier by lending me her laptop. Yeay! So at least I have an internet connection.

Maybe this is the excuse I needed to get a MacBook... Things are looking brighter!

Wasting a day away

This has been one of my less productive days. I've been swept away by my internet addiction and spent most of the day on line. Doing very little useful whatsoever. A did pay some bills. And fix what could be fixed regarding my internet course in French. And I did have a couple of breaks and organised all my school stuff from last semester. But it isn't the sort of day I'd brag to my grandkids about (if/when I had/have some). Perhaps tomorrow will be an improvement. I do have to clean my flat (four moths non-use and non-cleaning makes a flat icky). And do some grocery shopping - student budget stylee. At least I have a treat for the evening - I'm meeting up with Rikard. Well then, off to bed it should be.

A gap

Now that I'm back in Sweden we'll see what will in fact happen to this blog: Whether or not it will live on. But, to better the odds I will not try to fill in the gap between the move and now because then it'll never happen.

Alright. Being back home is weird and doesn't quite feel like home anymore. Which is impractical. I did write my exam today. I discovere over my study periods this sumer that I just wasn't cut out for self studies and that I really need lectures to gve me a foundation on which to stand. This is partly where my dyslexia makes itself noted and becomes troublesome. Well, well. I can do it in January and study until then AND follow the lectures later this semester. It'll be better that way. But doesn't feel great.