Life in the Land of the Ice and Snow
Infiltrating Sweden one cinnamon bun at a time
… a juicer. Yep, that’s the big announcement in the papers this week. How much did the juicer companies have to pay for that one? Note to family and friends – No thanks. Already got one that I use for collecting dust in my cabinet.
I’m starting my own company to translate documents from Swedish to English. (send me your business — now that’s enough for the commercial). So I went down to my favorite place – the unemployment office – to discuss programs about getting support during the start-up phase. The response from the woman I talked to: “Well, … Read more
I’ve been looking around the Internet trying to find ideas of things I could make to give people for Christmas. I’m sorry but this is the worst one I’ve found. “Jar of dirt” to mark ‘older than dirt’ occasions. haha! I’d be pretty angry if someone gave me a jar of dirt for my 40th … Read more
My son has been studying space at school. Son: Who was the first man to walk on the moon? Me: Neil Armstrong. Son: You mean the musician with the trumpet?!!
While walking though my neighborhood today, I noticed they built the Old Folk’s Home facing the graveyard. Seems cruel.
I just read an article in an online paper called The Local about the Swedish Consul General to China trying to teach the Chinese the difference between Sweden and Switzerland. The above map was created to help people tell the difference. I understand how the Consul General feels. Everytime we go to the states, we … Read more
With having little kids in Sweden, you wouldn’t believe the amount of chesnuts I end up washing in the laundry machine. At least I’m not in Texas. My cousin ends up washing frogs.
Our son is in a choir. Today we got a letter regarding the choir outfits the children must wear while performing. It says that they must wear black slacks (not jeans) and black dress shoes (not gym shoes). Then it goes on to say that if you happen to be in London, there are some … Read more
Today is 5 c outside and cloudy. Winter coat or fall coat? This question has been troubling me all week. Living in Sweden, I’m reluctant to take on the winter coat until I’m absolutely sure we are staying in winter. Why? Because I’ll have to wear that coat for 6 months straight. No matter what … Read more
1. Always up-to-date on the latest novelty songs. Mamma, what does the fox say? HAHAHAHA! 2. Learn lots of new medical facts. Did you know that you pee 5 deciliters a day?! 3. Get to do lots of shopping. But I don’t know where my gloves went. Oh, also I have another hole in my … Read more
1. Always have a supply of screws and nails. Mamma, do you need a nail? I have 3 in my pocket that I found on the ground today! 2. Never a sleepy, dull moment in the house. Mamma, I hid the kitchen timer somewhere in the house and you’ll never know when it’s going to … Read more
Starbucks is finally coming to Stockholm. For the past 2 years, (or more?) we in Stockholm have had to book a flight at the airport to get into the only Starbucks in Stockholm, which lies behind the x-ray machines at Arlanda airport. There have been rumors for years, but it finally looks like it’s going … Read more
I’ve realized that speaking a second language (not very well) is often like playing a fill-in-the-blank game. I was talking to my husband last week when he tried to tell me something but couldn’t find an English translation for one word. The conversation was about a court case that had a crazy ruling. It was … Read more
We actually got invited to another Swedish/American couple’s house yesterday for a Halloween dinner plus trick or treating with their kids. It was wonderful! Finally my kids got a fun and real Halloween over here! The family lives in a large area of attached townhouses which are very family-friendly with no streets – the perfect … Read more
As usual, I like to complain each year about Sweden not understanding that Halloween is one day, not a week or 2 weeks. It also never falls in November. Most Swedes just find the closest weekend to celebrate which normally ends up being in November. This just doesn’t work for we Americans. Halloween is ONE … Read more
I took the kids to a play on Monday. It was in a 13th century church that is famous for having a statue from the 1400s of St. George slaying a dragon. A drama group put on a little play for kids in front of the statue to explain the story. Apart from the really … Read more
First Spotify, then Amazon…. now the kids have gotten into my Netflix account and changed all the settings! I worked for weeks cultivating the perfect system for recommendations. I rated all my favorite stuff. Watched a few things – Thrillers, Sci-Fi, Foreign. I turned it on now and all the recommendations are for “The Magic … Read more
There are a few things for an American in Sweden that equal gold. This would be Velveeta cheese and candy corn. (Not together, but hmm… I wonder….) I just got a bag of candy corn delivered from the states this week for Halloween. I had to put it on the highest shelf in the house. … Read more
I’ve been looking for some flights lately for a trip we will be taking later this year. I’ve tried all sites and finally came to Priceline, with celebrity spokesperson William Shatner. I’ve used Priceline for hotels before and it’s great, but while looking at the screen searching for my flight, I suddenly started wondering if … Read more