Merry Christmas, God Jul Everyone, Allihopa

What a wonderful time of the year. Some people stress about presents, I dont. I enjoy every bit of xmas. Yesterday (christmas eve) was just me, my sister and our parents and we had a cousy evening together with lots of nice gifts and yummy food. Today I have been a lot more active. A long walk w Erika in the morning in -10 degrees and cross-country skiing with my old friend Vanessa in the afternoon. I will be hurting tomorrow that's for sure. We went to Bultofta in Malmö where they had made tracks specifically for skiing. It was a lot of fun but hard work.


I will add some pictures from xmas at some other point.

From me to you

I visited my friend Lina the other day and she played a CD for me from a group I had never heard off. I really like it and wanted to share it. The group is called "Radical face" and the CD is "Ghost"

A very white xmas for sure!

Brrrr.
Tonight I walked from the bus stop in -17.6 degrees celcius. Little do I need to tell you how cold this was. I can let you know though, that while my hair was turning white in the cold, I was still admiring the beauty of this winter wonderland. All trees and bushes are hanging way down completely covered with a thick blanket of snow. Lights in almost every window and a moon, bright and big, reflecting in the snow.

The last few days since I got back to Sweden I have been out for a few walks with my sister. Obviously always bringing a camera as I don't want to miss a photo opportunity. Here's some pictures.

Last news about my life is that I have accepted to do a course in Social Work at Malmö University starting in January. I thought at least to give it a go and see how I find it. Furthermore I have so far been given 6 different work days at Hornbach (starting after xmas). Yay for this, as I'm already growing tired of being unemployed.

And to finish off. The traditional annual "julbak" (christmas baking)

Xmasy Sweden

So I arrived back in Sweden yesterday...and just in the nick of time it seems as today the south of Sweden has been struck by a snow storm. Pretty sure the chance of plane cancellations is high. But luckily that will not be a problem for me. I have had a wonderful xmasy day. Went for a walk in the snow, did some errands, cleared the path outside our house, had a hot cup of tea in my new cup and wrapped a whole lot of christmas presents.

This evening my parents and I will hopefully be picking the youngest Nilsson up after her bus trip down from her University in Kalmar. Looking forward to seeing the lil' sis again :)

One door closes....

...another one opens

Or at least I hope it will!
I am as of now...unemployed!

I prefer to think of it as free. Free is a better word, is it not?

Free to explore my options.
Free to do what I want.
Free to go wherever I want.

My only worry is how long this freedom will feel liberating.

While I'm looking forward to returning to Sweden, I know I will miss my job at Suffolk ACRE and the people who work there. Today is definitely a day of mixed emotions.

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My 2010 in Facebook Statuses

Wicked Weekend!

Loooong, awesome 4-day weekend! Friday I went to gym and a little shopping in town (xmas shopping). Then in the evening me and Kirsty went and saw "London Boulevard". A film about an x-gangster getting out of jail and wanting to move away from the gangster life style. Starring Keira Knightley and Colin Farrell. Not great but not bad. Would have been better with a different ending. Also, in the picture below you can see a picture of my new look. It's not permanent, but I consider of making it that. What do you think?

Saturday morning Lizzy came to Ipswich, bringing some warmer temperatures with her, melting all the snow and ice away. We went for hot drinks at Starbucks, lots of xmas shopping and a nice pub lunch. In the evening we made a nice dinner for all three of us: kirsty, lizzy and me (the awesome 3). Nice, cousy evening in with my favourites!

Sunday was a day of nothingness, simply relaxing. Me and Kirsty watched christmas films all day long. I did however send off a really important job application. It's a position as project assistant in Malmö (Sweden). Three year contract if successful the first 6 months. Please keep your fingers crossed for me. This job would be perfect!!

Monday morning Kirsty and I headed to London for a full-day in the capital. First we walked around Covent Garden, doing some shopping in the market area. We then had Pizza Hut buffet. Yum-yum! We then went to the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park (a christmas fair). It was all very pretty, glittery and light. Beautiful. It got us both in the christmas mood. To finish off the day we went to the Apollo theatre and saw the musical "Wicked". It was indeed truly wicked! Loved it!!

23

TwentyThree
Closer to mid-twenties than the teenage years. Besides that nothing is different. Go figure ;)
Had an almost great birthday. Was awesome to go to pizza hut buffet with Kirsty and Kyle (Kyle is Kirsty's boyfriend and has same birthday as me).


We then went and saw "Unstoppable" in the cinema. Exciting film based on a true story (believe it or not). A run-away train through the state of Pennsylvania. It is down to the ever-so-cool Denzel Washington and Chris Pine to save the day. How will they do it and will they make it? Well that's for you to find out if you decide to see the film. Here's the trailer.

After gym (yes I went even on my birthday), I went to the train station to get my bike. I found it destroyed. Front wheel had been taken off and breaks destroyed! Who goes through all that trouble to mess with someone they don't know! I hate losing faith in the goodness of people.

The evening I spent baking cakes to bring to work the next day. I was very popular at work today. My cakes were awesome!!

A "Miserables" wintery weekend

Another great weekend has gone by and I know sit exhausted in my bed ready for sleep. Friday, Kirsty took me to see Harry Potter, finally! It was just like I expected. The acting remains not brilliant, the movie technique improves with every movie and each movie is darker than the previous one. Overall, I really enjoyed watching it.

After gym on Saturday morning I went into London and met up with a friend. A little stroll around in a park, a visit to the science museum (this is my kind of museum), food and then watched a musical. We had no plans of what to see, but since all tickets were riddiculously expensive, but there were available tickets for Les Miserables for £18, then Les Miserables was the choice for us! And a good choice it was. Absolutely loved it!!!! Fantastic songs. Really powerful show. I will give you a little taster bellow. The story, for those who doesn't know, is about a man who is an ex-convict and the life he lives to better himself. It takes place in France not too long after the French revolution and life is quite rotten for the people. There are still up-risings and one student "revolution" is part of the storyline. In the clip below the students are preparing their attack.

Sunday I met up with another friend and enjoyed a nice Tapas meal in London, before heading back to Suffolk. Travelling back was easier said than done. Sundays are horrible days for travelling in general, but this Sunday was particularly bad because the tube strike started at 6.30pm which means that London becomes impossible and you need to make sure to be out of there by then. Everyone seemed a bit confused so me and this Irish lady decided to just stick together as we were going the same way. We took tube, bus and train together. Travelling in total 3,5 hours (this should take roughly 1hour). It was one of those really funny random moments when you get to know a complete stranger. It made travelling a lot more interesting :)
Here's some pictures of wintery London. Enjoy...

Make-Over

Make-over ala' Blog! What do you think?

I'll be home for Christmas...

Ticket has been booked and paid for! I will be leaving England on the 15th to return to Swedeland. Now hopefully, somehow I will be able to fit all my stuff in my one suitcase (20kg) and one carry-on. Why is this always equally intense? Weighing your bag at the airport always feels like a lottery. BINGO is anything below 20.

Cambridge Winter Head

The UERC Crew on Saturday 20th November

I took Friday last week off work and went to Colchester. Met up with Rob for Lunch, went to Starbuck with Lizzy and then in the evening all the rowing girls went out for dinner at Zizzi’s (Italian). I had a gorgeous calzone pizza and cherry tart dessert.

Stayed the night at Emma’s and then went up stupid o’clock the next day. 6:20am all rowers met at the University and then we headed to Cambridge and the first race of the season. I first agreed to cox the men’s first VIII and then I rowed myself in the women’s IV+. Stroke seat. It was the first race ever for quite a few of the club’s members and everyone did really well on this cold, misty day.

Sunday I went to gym and then did some Christmas shopping in town. My sister is definitely getting spoiled this year that’s one thing that’s for sure!
Work is more interesting now. It is keeping me busy and hence not as bored. Only three weeks to go now. Minus 3 days holiday! So actually not more than 12 days!