Glad Midsommar!

Today it's Midsummer.

A holiday as big as Christmas in Sweden.

Midsummer and Christmas is kind of similar.

For Christmas we have a Christmas tree to dance around. For Midsummer it is a Midsummer Pole. A big cross dressed in fresh leaves and flowers. In each end of the crossing pole a garland of flowers is hangning.

For Christmas we eat ham, but also herring and drink SNAPS. For Midsummer we eat herring, the first potatoes of the season, and drink SNAPS. But also strawberries.

For midsummer we don't get any gifts though! And it is more of a party....

You can read all about midsummer here

100 known or unknown things about me!

It happends every now and then that I receive these lists.

This one was knew to me - so I thought I share it wih you here....

1. ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT?
On the back of both ears. Got it from doing plastic surgery!! Well cosmetic surgery then! =)

2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?
In the room I'm in right now there are a variety of pictures, some that I'm thinking of changing soon, a dart board, an old violin and my favourite - the collection of masks from travels.

3. DO YOU SNORE, GRIND YOUR TEETH, OR TALK IN YOUR SLEEP?
I've been told I snore - but I'm not sure I believe it. I've never heard it....

4. WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?
Most of what's out there - but with different empathy. Listening to the radio and gets a vareity from that.

5. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN?
Yes I do - 14.06 (or 2.06 pm for you who prefer it like that)

6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?
A long good sleep....

7. WHAT DO YOU MISS?
Well, I guess I miss lots of things - but the question is what out of all these things that really matters. Do I REALLY need any of it? Can I live without it?

8. WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION(S)
That must be myself and my life?

If we go materialistic it is most definently my computer! =)

9. HOW TALL ARE YOU?
My passport sais 170 cm...

10. DO YOU GET CLAUSTROPHOBIC?
Sometimes, but not in small rooms or elevators or so... more from people getting too close when it doesn't feel ok to have them that close.

11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?
Oh yes I do - a lot of strange things can hide in the dark!! =)

But it's not a big issue for me.

12. THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU LAUGH?
A cute friend of mine...

13. WHAT'S YOUR WORST FEAR?
Not to know how to react if something bad happends close to me, my family or friends...

14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Hair or no hair - doesn't really matter...

Eye color doesn't matter - as long as the eyes are kind and trustworthy.

15. WHERE CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF PROPOSING?
To be honest - I can't see my self in that situation.

16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINK?
Well NONE!

17. FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING?
Feta Chees and Garlic

18. IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Sushi from Restaurant BlowFish in Cape Town.

19. FAVORITE COLOR OF ALL TIME?
Tricky one! I do like blue and have always done - but black is classical - even though it is not a color!! =)

20. HAVE YOU EVER EATEN A GOLDFISH?
Well, I've been to China a few times so I couldn't say no for sure!! =D

But I hope I haven't!!

21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST MEANINGFUL GIFT YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED?
I have no idea. I believe that the meaning of a gift in some way depends on the giver.

22. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?
RIght now??! Maybe?! =)

23. ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED?
Ohhhh noooo.... stiffer person then me is hard to find!?

24. FAVORITE SHOE BRAND?
I'm not that into brands. Comfort and priceing comes first - but I like ECCO and they like my feet.

30. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED:
WHY??

OK - 36

31.FAVORITE PLACE?
South Africa

Cape Town

Blauwberg Strand

32. FAVORITE QUOTE?
You don't regret what you do - you regret what you don't do!

33. FAVORITE SUBJECT?
I don't know really... there are so many interesting thing to learn and discuss. It is all about situation and timing I guess... at least for me.

34. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF THE USA?
HAHA! I guess this comes from the States??

Yes I've been outside the USA, most of my life really - except for one week in 2003, a few days in November last year and if Canada is included - one week in August last year...

35. YOUR WEAKNESSES?
I guess I could make a long list, but there is one that bothers me the most:

I have to close to tears... in any situation.

36. MET ANYONE FAMOUS?
Yes I have. Local and international. At least they are famous in my world...

37. FIRST JOB?
As a cleaner at the local regiment - one summer for pocket money.

My first "real job" was as an Occupational Therapist at a Orthopaedic Ward.

38. EVER DONE A PRANK CALL!!
Far too many... =)

39. DO YOU THINK EVERYONE OUT THERE HAS A SOUL MATE?
I'm not sure I think so - but I really do hope so!

40. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED THIS OUT?
Sleeping in front of the TV after a 4 hour drive home from a weekend with friends.

41. HAVE YOU EVER HAD SURGERY?
Yes, the cosmetic one I told about in question 1. I did it twice on each ear!

42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST?
Being a good friend.

43. HAVE YOU EVER HAD BRACES?
No - but glasses since I was three!

44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?
A Soda streamer!

45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT AND THEIR NAMES
Don't want any - so no names needed!

46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Nope, I got my own name!

47. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST TURN OFF OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Being rude, aggressiv or too drunk.

48. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU LIKE(D) ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL?
Graduation!! =)

49. WHAT KIND OF SHAMPOO DO YOU USE?
Different all the time.

50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Most times yes, when I do it nicely!

51. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
CHICKEN!

52. ANY BAD HABITS?

Lots of habits - desides from time to time which is bad....

53. ARE YOU A JEALOUS PERSON?
I do want to see myself as jealous - but yes I can be!

54. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Yes I hope so!

55. DO YOU AGREE WITH FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS?
Yes, of both of you agree to it and are ok with it! That is up to you!

56. DO LOOKS MATTER?
Not really, but unfortunatilly I think it has a too big influence many times...

57. HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER?
I say a few bad words, but is mostly quiet and deal with it inside!

If I get really angry I often cry.

58.WOULD YOU RATHER GAIN 58 POUNDS OR LOSE 58 POUNDS.
Well, that was a differnet question... I think my answer is LOSE without any doubt.

60. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?
I have no idea. I know I had a stuffed bunny that I liked and a boy doll named after a friend to my parents.

61. HOW MANY NUMBERS ARE ON YOUR CELL PHONE?
Lots and lots - probably more then I need since I don't erase numbers I put in there just to use that one time.

62.WERE YOU A FAN OF BARNEY AS A LITTLE KID?
No sorry - I think I'm too OLD for Barney!

63. Do you use sarcasm?
More often then healthy....

64. MASHED POTATOES OR MACARONI AND CHEESE?
Never had macaroni and cheese - so I have to say Mash for now!

65. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?
Honesty!

66. WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES?
Ina, Cina, Mildred, AniracPlutt.....

67. FAVORITE SUPER POWER?
I'd like to be able to move my self to a chosen destination in just a finger snap.

Just imagine to move to the other side of the world in a second. To go to Aussie for the weekend, Africa for dinner on a Wednesday and go shopping in LA on Monday afternoon.

68. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW?
Crime like CSI, Without a Trace

Documentaries

Some soaps occationaly

69. WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH YOUR ENEMIES?
They sayyou should keep them close, but I think I'd like to cut them out completely...

70. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
Not an ice cream fan - but liquorice is nice.

71. DO YOU HAVE ALL YOUR FINGERS AND TOES?
Yes, last time I counted they were all there.

72. DO YOU HAVE A COMPUTER IN YOUR ROOM?
Yes I have my computer in any room - I can carry it around if I like to.

73. PLANS FOR TONIGHT?
SLEEP

74. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO LIVE WHEN YOU ARE OLDER?
In Cape Town!!

75. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
Well, I don't think it will happend so it doesn't matter what I want.

But if you like to do so - please send me your answers in an email...

76. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?
A Red Cross Gala for Mums of the world on TV.

77. LAST THING YOU DRANK?
A big glass of icecold tapped water!

78. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?.
One of the organizers for the party last night!

79. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Hands and fore arms!

80. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
TRAVEL!

81. FAVORITE THING TO HATE?
Too much work! Cos I like my work and I like haveing lots to do - but I hate it when I'm in the middle of it and I have to work day and night!! Does that make any sence??

82. FAVORITE SEASON OF THE YEAR?
Going form a great spring to summer....

83. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF CANDY?
Candy? What is that!!? I don't eat that! HAHA!

Dark Chocolate with chili or sea salt!

84. HAVE YOU EVER REALLY AND TRULY HAD A BEST FRIEND?
I'm not sure. I hops so... I think so - and I hope the other person thinks so too!!

85. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR?
Brown - rat

86. EYE COLOR?
Blue

87. SHOE SIZE?
40 somewhere

88. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE?
MAX hamburgers (Swedish brand)

89. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
BlowFish in Cape Town.... the sushi bar!!

90. DO YOU LIKE SUSHI?
Hmm - see question 89

91. WATCH TV TODAY?
I switched it on - fell asleep and now I've done this questionare, so I think I can say no even if it's still on.

92. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR??
Last day before a holiday!

93. PLAY ANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS???
Maybe not play - but played the Trombone for many years...

94. REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT?


95. KISSES OR HUGS?
Why OR? but hugs are great cos you can get real great ones from more people!!

96. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS?
Well, a relationship is to prefer

97. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT?
A bottle of water!

98. WOULD YOU EVER BE A HOUSEWIFE?
I hope not!

But in a way - yes, cos I will always take care of my home!

99. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
Acctually finished one today - "Exit Kalahari"

Don't know which one to start reading next...

100. DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE:
Hmmm.... close to unexisting.... but hey - I love my life!

Don't Worry - Be Happy

Today I've been to see Bobby McFerrin. I must admit I didn't know that much about him before and expected some kind of Reggae Music. But I couldn't be more wrong!

I was the strangest show ever - but also one of the best shows I've seen!

It was Bobby, a chair and four monitors on the stage. A one man show with just music without any instruments. He is incredible to use his voice. He can sound like an acapella group by himself. His register is four octaves....

He wasn't just really good at making music - he was a lot of fun too!

He used the audience a lot.

Even though I didn't have that much expectations - it was much better then expected!!

If Bobby McFerrin comes to a place near you - go see the show!! It's a great couple of hours!

But no, we didn't get "Don't Worry, Be Happy".....

Winter is out - Spring is in....

We've had fantastic weather for a while now and really got the feeling of spring. However you can not be too surtain until Arpil is gone. April is one of our trickiest months. The month where the weather can change from sunshine to snowfall on a coffebreak.

Now May has arrived and I can be a bit more confident about that Spring actually have arrived.

This past week I have made sure winter is out of my life for this time. The hat and the gloves went throught the washingmachine, the winter tires on my car is now off, washed and stored away to the next season. For you woh doesn't experience winter and summer tires on your car I can tell you that the feeling of getting the summer shoes on is such a relief!! The car is quiet and it is a delight to drive! So the car is now settled.

Now I had to take care of my home. During winter they will put lots of gravel on the roads for the sliperiness of snow and ice. When spring comes they come and sweep it up and that is one of the best signs of spring we have! But that sweeping together with putting the gravel there in the first place does make the surrounding dusty - as for example my windows!!

I live on the middle floor of three - quite high up from the street - but hey, my windows got dirty! So, this weekend I cleaned them, togheter with the rest of the place! And the balcony.

So, now I'm prepared for summer - my balcony is all set up and the car got it's summer shoes on! That is a grat feeling after a long dark winter!!

INDIAN TRAFFIC...

I have put together a small film from our taxi rides in the Indian mountains.

If you think it looks hectic, it is nothing compared to what it is. The small movies I have been able to shot doesn't show the real hectic times we've been through. For some reason the breath taking situations wouldn't appear when I took the camera out.. Maybe I will come back with a new movie later...

HAVE A SAFE RIDE!!

Summer time....

Today is one of two strange days we have in a year. The day when it is time to "move" the time. From the very dark winter we are heading into the lighter spring. To help the light a bit we drop an hour and suddenly we have swindled ourselfs that it is much lighter.

When the winter comes we move the time back an hour for the same reason - to get more light! Why not move the time half an hour and keep it that way?? Or decide what time to keep. I think it is rather crazy to move it around like that.

I guess they who worked last night thought it was great - they had to work for an hour less.

well, not much I can do about it. So I did move my clocks already befor I went to bed. It is better to wake up and know what time it actually is..

So in a way I lost an hour today (not only me.. all of us). That is so typical a day like this... when I have lots to do... But I desided to work harder instead!! =)

I'm a bit tired now - I wonder if it's jetlag!??!

Sorry...

It's been a while, I know... I'm sorry! But time is something I don't have enough of right now. Work is taking most of my time. For a while I have spent every second week at my "normal" office and every second week at our plant in the south. Lots of packing and lots of traveilling, but also lots of experience of all kind. =)

I'm working on a BIG BIG project right now. It's a great project, but it is also very hard work. Lots of hours! Evenings and weekends aswell... I really hope I will do a good enough job so it pays of in the end! A good deal for the company is what we are working on!

A few days ago I couldn´t see the light in the tunnel. All I could see was the deadline coming closer and closer... Today, after a few hours spent at the office I can see a gleam of light but the deadline is getting closer even faster... Guess I need to spend lots and lots of hours at work the comming week as well....

But hey... I don't mind that much. Some days are harder, but then I think about what I wish to do with all the extra time I do... and then it is easy to do another hour!

Right now it's rather easy to sum up my life. I can use one word: WORK!

Well, it is lighter and the snow is slowly leaving us (even if we got some more last week) and hopefully we can smell the spring any day now! Great! Looking forward to some light and some sun!

OK, I'll be back when I have time to do something to tell you all about! =)

DESCRIBE...

... your wallet......

My wallet is famous for being left behind when I went to Egypt in December!!
A leather one that is now very well used and in need of retirement. But it's doing it's purpose so it stays for now.
Inside is to less money, a deck of platsic cards and some "good to have"...
And for some reason I lost it at the petrolstation today buying food. I thought I left it at the hotel and rushed back. Couldn't find it in my room, got back to the petrol station and there it was - I had put it on the counter...

...your dream car.......

...is good looking, safe, cheap, great and fun to drive and fuel efficient!!

...your toothbrush......

I have a few. One in the bathroom back home, a whie and green Colgate, one in each bag used for all travels. So in the bag on this trip is a white, also a Colgate that I got on a business class flight!! =)

... the jewellery worn daily......

Well, as most people know, I'm not a jewellery person... but for the momnet I'm wearing a silver chain with a "Key of life" in silver. Bought that key in Egypt during the trip there at Christmas.

... your pillow Case......

Hmmm.... here at my hotel room in Helsingborg it is as in most hotels white striped in white! on both pillows...
Back hom I have my favorite - white bottom filled with big black ants!! Bought it at IKEA on the childrens department.

... your eyes.......

Yes, the normal standard two! Blue!
The left one is working far better then the right one - but none of them is working 100%... Using glasses! I could really do with a pair of new ones...

...the room you are in at the moment......

The presten room is room 104 at my hotel. I've got light colored walls, wodden floor, two beds, two arm chairs with a small little table, a desk with chair, a TV and a very white bathroom....

... your cologne/Perfume........

I enjoy me Green Tea by Elisabeth Arden.

... what Cd is in your stereo.....

Don't have a stereo here. Back home I have no CD in my stereo but in the car I have "The Ark"....

...your piercings.......

Nope noone here! Tried earrings as a little girl - but since the hole in the one ear doesn't want to stay in place - a took them off and never used any since then!

... what you're wearing........

Blue t-shirt saying "SWE" (patriotic right) a very confy but not to beautiful pair of pyjamas pants. Gray with small blue, green and pink owls - night owls - and even smaller white moons and stars... bare feet

... what you want........

When? Where? What?
I guess there is lots... differnet depending on the occation!
For example - loads of holidays, free flight tickets for a life time.... a job and a life in my favorite place on earth - CT!!

... what your blog title mean.......

Well it is very easy - it's me - blogging....

...the last thing you ate.......

Mashed potatoes and sausage with some ketchup and mustard from the petrol station.

... something you are afraid of.......

To have my passport taken away from me. Means no more travelling!?!? Shouldn't survive!!

Winter Poem

I received this beautiful winter poem from a friend

and thought it might be a comfort to you. 

It was to me.

It's very well written.

"WINTER"

A poem by Abigail Elizabeth McIntyre...

"SHIT, It's Cold!!!"

The End

Elkschnaps at Grüne Woche

I spent the weekend that past at the gigantic expo "Grüne Woche" in Berlin. We showed the Elkschnaps to the Germans (and all other visitors ofcourse). It was a great experiense. We had so much fun!! Most of the visitors tested our product and lots of them also bought a bottle or so... Business were going real good!

My first day was day nine of the expo - it was the second Friday and a long day - opened from 10 am to 9 pm... That ment 11 hours standing. Guess if I had sore feet after that!! Then we did another 9 hours on Saturday and another day on Sunday... But it was so much fun the sore feet wasn't that big of a problem.

 

On Sunday afternoon we managed to sneak off a bit early. We went for a sightseeing trip around Berlin and then we had dinner at the top of the TV tower. The turning tower... That was great. Then I had to rush off to the airport to go back to reality...

I had a great time and hopefully I can do it again next year - maybe a few more days then!

Live your dreams? or !

What is the treatment for the diagnosis: "Not being able to make up your mind!" ??

It is not the all day things like what to have for lunch or dinner, or what to wear for the day that is the problem. It is the big decisions in life! Like - what to do with the rest of your life - kind of questions. 

When and how do you know you reached the point of satisfaction?

The point where you can say I'm happy with this, I have what I need and and don't have to strive to get anywhwere else. Is that really satisfaction, or is it just something you tell your self when you think you can no longer live your dreams??

When and how do you know that "the grass on the other side" isn't just greener, but better! 

Is it possible to know without going there to see for your self? Is the saying "The grass is always greener on the other side" something you say to tell your self it is no use to go there and have a look or is it a fact?

When and how do you know when a dream is just a dream and not someone telling you that this is the way you're going?

Are dreams just dreams to keep us going, or is the mening of dreams to tell us to keep an open mind and maybe one day find what we have to do!?

But then, how do we know when that day is? And that "that dream" is the one.

So, when you find this dream that is ment to be your dream to live - how do you make the decision to do so?

Say that you have a dream you really would like to live. You know it is the right thing for you to do. Then you get all these new questions to answer. 

When is the right time? Is it really sure/right? 

If it means you have to change your life drasticly, are you strong enough to do that? How do you do that? It is not just to wake up one morning and deside that today I will live my dream!? Well, it can be, depending on what your dream is.

I'm convinced. Everyone can live their dream! Everything and anything is possible. The only hindrance is yourself! Make sure you plan it well and think about EVERYTHING before action! Then you will succeed!!

LIVE YOUR DREAMS!

We only have one life!

LIVE IT!! 

~ 2009 ~

The year of 2009 is about 62 hours old!! It leaves quite a few hours to fill until this new year becomes last year! 

So far I know I will spend a lot of these hours at work. In general 40 hours a week, but some weeks more, some less... I will try and spend some hours every week at the gym getting in better shape! I know I will waste some hours, or even days on just doing nothing - but maybe I will need that after the hectic year I had 2008!

But to be honest - I'd like 2009 to be similar to 2008... cos that was a brilliant year!! 

I don't know, am I suppose to make a resumé of 2008 now when that chapter of life is finished and a new is about to begin.

Well, ok - I can give it a try! 

I can describe my 2008 in one word that sais a lot: TRAVEL!

It turned out to be a year of travelling. Most of you know about my trips so I will go through the places I visited quick;

South Africa, Germany, Denmark, Holland, China, Canada, Iceland, China (again), Florida, Haiti, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Mexico, Egypt.

That is about it... leaving out places like Great Britain, Norway, Switzerland, Austria that was just transfers...

Inbetween this trips I have managed to squeeze in a few visits to family and friends around the country and some businesstrips... and yes - I have done some time at work too!!  =)

It's been an amazing year and I have hopes and wishes for the year ahead of me...

I don't really believe in planning everything in detail even if I do like to plan and organize... =D

That's why I have some small plans for the coming year, not much planned yet, but I'm working on it! I have hopes and wishes for what I would like to do and what I would like to happend! But.... I will keep them to my self and in the end of this year I can tell what of my wishes got done!! 

Well - what ever you decide to do with your new year 

I wish you all the best!

Take Care of it - remember it will never come back to you!