Life in the Land of the Ice and Snow
Infiltrating Sweden one cinnamon bun at a time
Just got back from a trip to Barcelona. Temperature in Barcelona was 20 c and sunny! Temperature yesterday in Stockholm was -14c! But hey, it was sunny! (Ignore crying sounds behind that.) You really forget what warmth and sun feels like after you’ve been stuck in a freezer for 5 months. I even smelled a … Read more
This is me on my 38th birthday. I have arms growing out of my head and a door to my stomach where I can put cake. Turning older isn’t so bad!
There’s a job ad today for climate modeling. I could do that. “No, PINK sunset, not orange. Orange is so autumn. More pink!” “Rainbow more to the left…. dark clouds move to the center….. splash of sun to the right. YES YES! Beautiful! Hold that….”
Looking (daily) for a new job. Today’s ad is for a company called “The Future.” How would I explain that to my family? “I work at The Future……. No, I’m not going to work in the future, I work AT the future NOW……. No, not later, NOW…… Yes, I know I said the future, but … Read more
Quite a shock in Stockholm for the past few days as we have actually gotten a bit of sunshine! As with every year, the family and I spend each day shielding our eyes when we walk outside. Our vampire night eyes take a while to get used to seeing the sun again. It’s a nice … Read more
Looking at job ads today. I like the ones that say, “We’re looking for the BEST manager” or “the BEST team leader.” I already don’t qualify.
As many parts of the world, Sweden is experiencing a harsh flu season. At least, that’s what I hear from the news. Luckily it hasn’t yet hit our family. Sometimes I think that I didn’t get sick as often in Texas, but then I realize that was probably because I had my own car. Over … Read more
I had to send a letter today with someone that had the address of “Children’s Village.” That’s all. No number. Just their name, Children’s Village, Stockholm, zip code. How does this work? Does the mailman just walk up to this Children of the Corn area out in the country and yell, “Got some mail for … Read more
This weekend we were in a small town in northwest Sweden. The main part of town, which consists of about 2 or 3 roads, is very empty. It’s often a bit eerie and like a ghost town. Even the locals share the same opinion, as we noticed from this sign with “Centrum” (center) in quotes: … Read more
This is a popular topic of mine. I don’t often watch regular t.v. and when I do, I remember why I don’t. Today’s complaint – A new show about the Stockholm subway. It’s simply a reality show about going on the subway. I spend 2 hours of each day traveling on the subway listening to … Read more
I got very excited this weekend because we went to check out a new restaurant that opened in Stockholm. The picture on the web page has a picture of onion rings (big ones) on a hamburger. I miss onion rings so much and I had high hopes. But WHY did I not remember that I’ve … Read more
Looking through job ads today. I was very intrigued by the ad for someone to organize umbrellas. What a great job! I wonder who you organize the umbrellas for? Is this about those people I always see when it rains trying to sell umbrellas? Where do they come from anyway? What do they do on … Read more
This was in “The Local” today. Seems accurate.
Well, it’s January, so that means Ikea time. Out with the old, in with the new… etc. I’m sure many people around the world shop at Ikea. From the ones I have experienced in the states, the routine seems quite the same. See if you recognize this in your part of the world. Arrive at … Read more
Sweden has a special pastry for Fat Tuesday called a semla. It is pastry perfection and very hard to resist. They are only sold about 6 weeks before Fat Tuesday each year. You can’t buy them at other times. There was once a Swedish king who died from eating 16 semlor. If you don’t … Read more
Most depressing headline I’ve seen in the Stockholm newspaper lately. “Only 42 more days until daylight!”
Like most Swedes, I’m spending my winter months planning our summer vacations. I’ve been reading reviews on many of the places I’m interested in. A new feature is an automatic translating system. This makes some very funny reviews and responses from the owners. Just some examples that have made me laugh today: ” You were the … Read more
My 8-year old put this on the fridge today. Might be a rough day:
I challenge you to spend a week in Stockholm without hearing Abba. Can’t be done.