22 November 2006

Thanks-giving

Mood: mild, recovering from nasty lingering cold
Music: KEXP Seattle Radio
Weather: Dark now, but was so beautifully sunny! Yay!

I'd like to take this post to give thanks, in a traditional observation of the American holiday, Thanksgiving.

First, I want to say that I thanks all those wonderful people in my life. There are so many people that make life so sweet, add a unique flavor to the spice of life. From my brothers whom I can never send enough hugs of gratitude out to and my parents for always being there for me.

For the friends that weave the delicate bonds of support and sharing through days, nights, troubles and joys. For my extended family back in the States who continue to support my being, whether near or far. And for my new extended family here in Sweden, for reaching out to their son's girlfriend through hugs, suggestions for cold recovery and appreciation for talents I have to share. My "old" coworkers from various institutions that have continued to keep in touch because work doesn't just stay at work; we create interwoven lives with all the people we encounter. Thanks for being in the mix too! (CCR, Caribou girls and family, GJ ladies too)

Secondly to God. Hardly a second place, but that without Him, I wouldn't even be here to say thanks to all these other great things that I enjoy and appreciate in life, not to forget the little things that I don't quite consciously notice that contribute to such great things!

And then a generic one to encompass the beautiful things all around us. Even the wet cold Swedish weather has it gorgeous moments, like today, it was magnificently sunny and the blue of the sky is unlike any I have seen in the States, truly. Not to forget these pretty pics from this autumn. I mean, I've never seen so many blueberries; it compared with the wild blackberries of Seattle, that grow wild everywhere, and I mean everywhere... and totally edible! I wasn't sure if these were, but they sure looked inviting!!

I'm even thankful for the Swedish language. I'm still just grasping this language, but it somehow feels empowering. I mean, I can relate in a new way to how Thanksgiving must have been founded. Immigrants taking a time out to feast with friends and enjoy what they have. I can truly relate with the new found struggle of being that immigrant. You really do have to be above par to get anywhere. You need to have skills, practice, experience, both languages... fluently! and you need to want it more. I'll save that for another post.

Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!!

04 November 2006

Little Holidays

Weather: grey, still
Sounds: the hum of the laptop

Thank goodness for little vacations! Don't you just totally love those random days off from work or school. Those little bonus days to just do whatever your body needs. Sometimes we get sick and just have to sleep. Sometimes we get to go somewhere. Sometimes we play. But even if we do absolutely nothing, there's something so relaxing or enjoyable about it, isn't it?

I happen to be in one of those vacations. (Won't see another until Christmas though) None the less, I'm so enjoying this week. We had Wed-Fri off and it's been a lot of fun. From a little computer gaming to catch up on a few projects, like I just finished up a few pages and sent them to my wonderful and adorable niece, Cadence; I'm reading my totally fun novel; we're watching the third 24 season and just about done. We toyed with the idea of going to Scotland to visit Doug's brother, but it sorta dissipated for no great reason other than it's tough on Otto to just ask him to help us out. Not really a treat for him. So, I'm trying to push a little care package. This guy is truly a world traveler, however, this is his first time "away" for college. He's the guy in the Marimba band. Incredible music, absolutely fantastic. I mean, just this past summer alone he went to Botswana for 6 weeks, came back to Sweden, then in just 1.5 days, went back out with the Marimba band to Zimbabwe and yet another place I can't remember where. Now, he's in Scotland. Truly, the world is his oyster!

Anywho, the weather took a fantastic dip to be in the low 30's and 20's at night, but what makes that so lovely? We had 2 luscious days of fantastic blue skies and sun and even snow flurries! Oh, I had such a huge smile.

To celebrate a little of Halloween, Doug and I carved up a sweet snack ending in a deluxe rather tasty little orane ice cream sundae. Halloween isn't really all that celebrated here, but I understand it's growing. It's still pretty much just a kids' holiday. But I do think that we got the holiday off of school for some reason for the all souls day in this week; even though they don't actually do anything special for it.

I've already been asked what am I going to do for Thanksgiving and seeing that it is only an American holiday, I may throw us a small version of the traditional turkey day dinner. Get my hands on a turkey leg and make up a couple potatoes and some lingon sauce, I mean cranberry sauce! *heh heh heh* Actually, I do like lingon way better than cranberry sauce. Yeah, it's sweeter, without just being sugary and such. Mmm, lingon, good stuff.

Anywho, I ought get to a few things. Doug and I just got a how-to book for Photoshop and I'd really love to help him out with his business, from an art/design perspective on the website creation stuff... .so, I gotta put some time in and learn about the program, eh?

Oh, also, I applied for a barista position with a company called The Espresso House, but no word yet. Frustrating, but I understand that's very typical for Sweden. It's okay, I'll keep trying.