• Sweden edition

They Call Me Sweden

Well, I\'ve now moved to Cardiff, UK for studies so you\'ll get to follow all of my new experiences. Like living on my own for the first time. In a new country.

Archive for December, 2009

Bye bye phone

Saturday, December 26th, 2009

Apparently I wasn’t the only one who decided to take some time off during the holidays, as it seems that my mobile phone has fallen into a coma. You don’t realize how dependent you are on your phone until it’s no longer functional. The contact you had to the surrounding world disappears, and you feel disabled. I’ve heard that phone companies nowadays install a program in the phones which make them die after about two years. It seem so, as older phones work longer than the newer ones. My phone wasn’t even two years old. I’ve had the worst luck with phones; I’ve had three phones in three years.

I really feel like phone companies just take advantage of their customers, because they know exactly how a client will react when their phone breaks. I.E, feel cut off and run down to the nearest store and buy a new one (if the insurance has ran out).

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Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 24th, 2009

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you all have a good one with delicious food and nice presentbs. :) As you may know, Swedes celebrate it on December 24th, Christmas Eve. Soon it’s time for “dopp i grytan”, I don’t like it all but it’s a tradition when you dip bread in a stew of the gravy of the ham and Christmas sausages. After that the majority of Sweden watches Kalle Anka at channel 1 (and not Anna Anka at channel 3) and then we eat the food. Thereafter Santa Claus comes!

Well, the battery of my computer soon dies so hope you have a good and enjoyable time!

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Christmas is coming up!

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

Stockholm is like a winter wonderland right now, big snowflakes are continuously falling and it seems like it will be a white Christmas this year. I can’t remember the last time there were snow on the holidays. The Christmas spirit is on its peak and there’s only four days left now.

I hope I’ll find this under my tree:

bjorg

bjorg2
Bjorg jewellry

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SAAB and the environment

Saturday, December 19th, 2009

The latest news here in Sweden are about the closedown of SAAB and for most people it seemed to come as a chock, and it also shadowed the results of the climate meeting in Copenhagen (Denmark). When the outcome of the COP15 came to be a disappointment, the intensive reporting about the session stopped and instead, journalists rate the economy higher than the environment once again.

Of course, both Swedish economy and the unemployment rate will definitely get effected by the closure, but most of us did see this coming. And no company is formed to be able to survive centuries after centuries. I guess that is the cycle of economy and people seem to forget SAAB actally was a company that is dependent on people buying their cars. Swedes often tend to have a ’special and friendly relationship’ towards companies that heritage from Sweden. We’re fond of Swedish brands such as IKEA, Volvo, SAAB and Electrolux. For some the result of a company reaching bankruptcy is almost like losing a loved one or a friend.

I’m sure that the closedown of SAAB will not effect my life in a big way, I still have my job and I don’t think it will increase the taxes. The environment on the other hand will have an affect on how my life turn out to be, and it does that to everyone. Though I think that citizens have the right to big news immediately, I must wonder; Was it a bad timing that they went public about SAAB on the same date as the final day of the COP15?

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It’s snowing!

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Just got home from a nice breakfast with my best friend at our favorite cafe in the central of Stockholm. This is a routine we have had since year one at high school and we try to continue with it even though I’ve graduated. She’s going to Thailand over Christmas and New Years’ Eve, can’t say that I’m jealous at all (yeah right…). I mean, who could wish to be in a hot and sunny country with white beaches when you could be in Stockholm where rain and coldness is common? However, at this moment it’s snowing and there’s some snow on the ground as well. I hope it will stay more than a day and wish for that there will be a white Christmas this year.

I also had the time for doing a vision screening for getting permission for driving license, so now I’ve filled in all the papers and payed the fees. Soon I’ll be able to get my driving licence! I’ll probably contest with Mikaela and Linn (who’s mentioned above)on who’s getting it first!

IMG_4198

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Lucia, 3rd of Advent and Lee Miller

Sunday, December 13th, 2009

December the 13th means Lucia and this is a tradition that has been around in Sweden since 18th century. Even though the real Santa Lucia originated from Syracuse, Sicily (Italy), Swedes have really made this their own tradition. Even though the Italian Lucia was brown haired there has been some weird rule in Sweden that Lucia should have blonde hair. Both Lucia and Advent are Swedish/Nordic preparations for Christmas celebrations. Advent starts four weeks before Christmas and each Sunday another candle is lit. Most Swedes that celebrate Christmas are not often religious, it has become a part of Swedish culture. Lucia and Advent have, like Christmas Eve, a power to bring family and friends together.

Darkness is a part of December in Sweden and when the sun don’t come around so often I like to light as many candles as I can. The environment gets much warmer then. It’s the third of Advent today so here at home we have just recently lit our third candle. By the way, perhaps you know that Swedes like to decorate their homes with electric Christmas stars and candlesticks. Funnily enough, some Brits think these electric Christmas candlesticks look so nice that they have them in their homes all year round!

Anyway, if you have been outdoors in Stockholm today you have seen that there hasn’t really been that Christmasish. It has been a good day though; my boyfriend and I went with his parents to Millesgården (an art museum at Lidingö outside of Stockholm) to see the exhibition of Lee Miller’s photographs. I was really impressed by her work and how beautiful she was, really got an ‘aha-feeling’. If you are staying in Stockholm before the end of Febuary 2010 you should go see the exhibition, as it is shown until then.

miller400

Self portrait of Lee Miller.

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‘You make me feel like I am clean again’

Sunday, December 13th, 2009

cure

During my early teenager years when I, as many other youths, tried to figure out the meaning of everything is I came to adore the TV show One Tree Hill. Sometimes you have the need to feel that you’re connected to people that you don’t know at all, or even could be made up by a TV show cast. Sometimes all you need to know is that some where out there, there’s someone like you that thinks and act alike. And perhaps that makes it easier for lost youths to find a place in their own reality.

The early teenager life of my own was like a roller coaster, sometimes life was good, but sometimes insecurity struck me hard. Although that kind of life is part of growing up in my view, it’s extremely important for youths today to fid out that they matter. Personally music has always been important for me and has worked out as therapy. During episodes of One Tree Hill my love and need for The Cure’s music started. The first album I listened to was Disintegration and I remember that I listened to Pictures of You, Love Song, Prayers for Rain and other songs of the album over and over again.

And now, years since I first ‘discovered’ The Cure I still listen to them and still believe that life would be terribly empty and harder to live without music. Music helps us to find a our places in life.

‘Whatever words I say, I will always love you’ – Love Song by The Cure

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Lenka

Monday, December 7th, 2009

lenka

My friend and I had a bad luck when we went to our old school as the student and careers adviser was busy until lunch, which means that I’m still confused about the financial part. At least we got to meet our best friend that still are stuck there (she went to the US for a year so she’ll gratuate next coming spring instead).

Have you heard Lenka’s songs? If anyone is looking for a music tip and is fond of indie pop and cheery music then perhaps her songs are something for you. If you have Spotify you could just click on the link. :)

I’m just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze and love is a riddle
I don’t know where to go I can’t do it alone I’ve tried
And I don’t know why

Slow it down
Make it stop

Or else my heart is going to pop

‘Cause it’s too much
Yeah, it’s a lot
To be something I’m not

I’m a fool
Out of love
‘Cause I just can’t get
enough

The Show by Lenka

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The financial part of uni gives me a headache

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Tomorrow I’m going back to my previous high school for the first time since graduation. Personally I’m one of those who usually put the past behind me and moves on, i.e. therefore rarely visit old schools. Many people seem to have the need to go back sometimes and meet teachers, but I have never had that need until now. The financial bit concerning the university is driving me crazy. I’ve gotten a financial form that says on the front of it that it concerns academic year of 2009/10, however, I’m not starting until next year. So I really need to sort this out with the study and careers adviser.

Just looking through the form makes me feel confused about how much details they must know about me. How much I’ve moved over the years, how my living situation looks like and other details. Sure that they want to know who they lend out money to, but come on – too many details definitely feels like extreme!

The financial part is something I wouldn’t have to care about much if I had chosen to study at a Swedish university as all schools are for free. Many would perhaps think it’s weird to choose to pay for ducation abroad when you could get it for free at home. However, for me, there has always been a desire to study abroad and experiencing other cultures. An another reason is that there’s more study options in e.g. the UK and the journalism educations are often better. I’m convinced that the study results become far better if you choose a course which you really are interested in. That’s why I’m longing and exited for studying Journalism, media and sociology. Gosh, less than a year left!

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I just love hotels

Friday, December 4th, 2009

On my friend’s demand I’m uploading photos of the entire autumn right now. When you see that you haven’t uploaded pictures from the camera to the computer since September you really wonder where the time went. Suddendly it’s December and in a couple of weeks it’s Christmas and News Years Eve. Time is kind of peculiar, it just continues to move on without most of us knowing.

Anyway, Gothenburg is really nice and we have a good time here. We haven’t done much except from shopping, eating at restaurants and experiencing Gothenburg’s nightlife. Today we checked in at a hotel and it was almost like coming to heaven! We have enjoyed the relax department and I was quite happy when I realize that the bed was a ‘Hästen’bed (Swedish luxirous bed brand). I wouldn’t mind living like this permanent!

And I have noticed that Gothenburg differs from Stockholm in a single detail: restaurants seem to care more for their customers. I witnessed this when we were eating dinner at a restaurant tonight and they were late with my dish, and as a forgiveness I got my dessert for free. I’m sure that restaurants in Stockholm rarely does that. But of course, both Stockholm and Gothenburg have pros and cons.

334b

The look of tonight :)

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Highlights from Follow Sweden

20 things to know before moving to Sweden

As diverse as Sweden is, there are a few societal norms that are distinctly Swedish. Understanding a handful of them will hopefully prepare you culturally before you relocate. When you're invited home to a Swede, you better be on time and take your shoes off, writes expat Lola Akinmade-Åkerström. Read more »

How far can English take you in Sweden?

Sweden is a country where almost everyone can speak English. So why bother to learn Swedish? Edina Varnagy from Hungary managed with English for a whole year but then found that Swedish could open doors – to a job, a social life and greater understanding. Read more »

Blog Update: Julie's Nordic Island

12 February 21:30

The consciousness of one »

"The ice dripped in the winter sun. It was the first day when the light had been intense enough to cause dripping in the sunlight. To hear it was an extraordinary wakeup call. The cycle was happening again as it always does, always will (or so we think). I imagined that on my summer island, the bees..." READ »

Highlights
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A Valentine's Day look at how how sex, booze and mobile phones can unravel that tantalizing mystery known as the strong, silent Nordic type
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The Local's Oliver Gee finds out why the star of Sweden's version of 'The Office' thinks Sweden is the most PC country in the world
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Seven Swedish designs that will blow your mind
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What's On: The Local's guide to upcoming attractions and events in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.
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The Swedish language needs a new pronoun free of preconceived notions about gender, a Swedish linguist and representatives from a publishing house argue
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Madonna set for July 4th concert in Sweden
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Swedish mother gave 3-year-old cigs and beer
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A duvet cover designed to look like cardboard boxes, on sale at a luxury department store in Stockholm, has some arguing that the city's homeless are being exploited for profit.
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Five Swedish songs that never made Eurovision
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Swenglish comedy star Ben Kersley explains how ‘three bespectacled English guys’ plan to make Swedes laugh
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Move over Bugs – a Swedish bunny is rapidly becoming the most popular rabbit in the world!
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A truly international education at the heart of Berlin
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Turning Point Counseling
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