Friday, February 25, 2011

Conquering my fears!

I was faced with two of my biggest fears this week in Västervik...... 1. BIRDS (thanks mom!) and 2. Ice, Cold Water, Drowning.... not really sure how to explain this one.... Unfortunately I was only able to conquer one of them this time. I guess I will start with the one I didn't conquer first...

BIRDS!
Foreigner is OBSESSED with Parrots... at his Mom's house they have a parrot... It looks like this ------->

Before I arrived in Sweden they loved to let this parrot fly around their house, sit on them, by them, etc. As soon as I arrived I let them know that I am terrified of birds and that it needs to stay in the cage when I am around. I had my first encounter with the free bird back in August. I had just woken up... I walked into the kitchen to get some juice and THERE IT WAS sitting next to the cabinet that held the glasses. I screamed and ran into the other room. After that incident everyone knew that my fear was serious so when I was around they kept him in his cage or closed the door to a room when they let him out.... UNTIL the other day. Foreigner decided to let out the parrot without telling me... it landed next to me on the couch... I of course screamed and ran into his Grandma's room and closed the door. I though I was safe.... then the door to his Grandma's room opened... I looked up and in flies the parrot at my face!! I duck down and the parrot lands on my back... I freeze.. tears running down my face... Foreigner of course is laughing.. he finally gets the parrot off of me and I start sobbing. I knew I was afraid of birds but I didn't realize I was so scared that he could make me cry!! It was terrible.... I'm afraid that this might be a fear that I will never be able to conquer.

On to the good story! Foreigner has "always wanted to walk across the Baltic Sea to the island". They just moved into this house in the Fall so I know he hasn't "always" wanted to do it but whatever. I told him NO WAY when he asked me. To me walking on frozen deep COLD water is asking to die a horrible miserable painful death. I felt that as a smart person I could not let myself step out onto that ice. I mean how does a SEA freeze all the way? I've seen people fall through cracked ice into freezing water in movies... Little Women??? it looks terrifying! I saw Jack die in the ocean from freezing water in Titanic... it was horrible! I could not let that happen to me!

Eventually after a lot of begging from Foreigner I decided I would walk down there. We bundled up and grabbed the hiking poles and headed down to the shore. I couldn't tell where the land ended and the sea started. The snow was so deep it covered the piers. Foreigner took the first step onto the ice... he didn't fall through... I decided against all of my better judgement to step onto the ice too. I didn't fall in! We walked to the island... and then to another island... I conquered my fear! I can't say that I will ever walk on ice again... but now I can say that I did it!

I am still on land.. Foreigner's first steps on the ice

Foreigner

The island in the distance

It started snowing pretty hard!

Foreigner

The "shore"

The island

me by the island

me with the very helpful hiking poles

Foreigner

Turned into a whiteout on the walk back!

Sunday, February 20, 2011

I'm back!!!!

Hello again everyone! After 2 months of living the high life in the good ole USA, I am back in Sweden. I arrived here early Thursday morning after a long but easy flight. Thankfully I got a direct flight from Chicago to Stockholm AND the flight wasn't full so I got to stretch out a little. Unfortunately, I was only able to sleep for about an hour so I was pretty tired when I arrived in Sweden. Foreigner picked me up from the airport... wearing the "I Love L.A." t shirt I bought him for Christmas! (get it?? My initials are LA). Traffic was bad so it took us a while to get back to the apartment. As soon as we got there I fell asleep and slept until 10:30 pm!!!! Sleeping all day is usually the worst thing.... but I woke up for a few hours and then around 1 am I went back to sleep and slept until probably 1 pm.... woke up for awhile and took another nap for like 5 hours. I have never slept so much in my life! I guess I needed some sleep!

Last night (Saturday) we went and saw the movie 127 hours.... it was good.... but weird. The best part was when Foreigner yelled out loud "He's gonna slip!".... I bursted out laughing and went into an uncontrollable laughing fit during one of the most intense and serious parts of the movie. If any of you know my Mom... you know her laughing fits... it was like that... in public... at a very inappropriate time. Even now as I type this I am laughing out loud... it was so funny.

Today we are going to his mom's in Vastervik. I have been up, ready, and packed for two hours.... foreigner is still not ready....

I will try and blog more often on this trip! I will be here until May 24th.... so be ready for a lot of stories! Love you all and miss you already!!

ps..... it's freezing here and of course it has snowed a little everyday :)

Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Eve everyone! For those of you I haven't seen yet, I am back in the USA! I got home on Wednesday (Dec.15) after a LONG day of traveling! It was bittersweet because I was soooo happy to be home but also really sad to say goodbye to foreigner. I probably won't blog much while I am home since the title is "Laura's Life in SWEDEN!" I thought I would attach a link to "The Local" (Swedish news in English) again to explain how Christmas traditions are celebrated in Sweden. I am also putting some pictures of snow at the end. Sweden has been hit really hard with snow since I left. I am sure you have all heard about the airport closings and bad weather all over europe... well foreigner sent me some pictures!

Click here to go to the website or just read below!!

The Lowdown: Christmas in Sweden

Jellied pigs’ feet, Donald Duck and a goat-riding gnome may not be your typical global Christmas symbols, but for Swedes they’re all part of the fun, writes Jennifer Heape.

Like most European countries, Swedish Christmas celebrations feature such mainstream symbols as Father Christmas, decorated fir trees and brightly coloured presents. However, in among all the usual suspects, Swedish Yule celebrations also throw up some surprises.

The Christmas holiday period begins on the first Sunday of Advent when the first Advent candle is lit, although most of the feasting and celebrations take place after St. Lucia Day.

Held on December 13th every year, St. Lucia Day features a procession headed by a girl wearing a crown of candles, symbolizing the flames which refused to burn Saint Lucia when condemned to the stake.

From December 13th, the festive season is in full swing, and although every family celebrates the Christmas period differently, here are some of the country's most quintessentially Swedish traditions.

Smörgåsbord

The internationally renowned Swedish tradition of the Smörgåsbord makes a special appearance at Christmas as the julbord ('Christmas Table'). Literally translating as 'sandwich table', the smörgåsbord is a buffet style meal consisting of various dishes which may be eaten any time of the year.

The contents of the julbord vary from family to family, but generally will feature some, if not all, of the following: julskinka (Christmas ham), prinskorv (small sausages flavoured with spices and mustard), jellied pigs’ feet, cooked red cabbage, meatballs, gravad lax (dill marinated salmon), Jansson's Temptation (a potato, cream and anchovy dish not unlike French gratin), lutfisk (dried and salted cod which is then cooked in water), and dopp i grytan (literally meaning 'dip in the pot’ - guests and family dip bread in the juices left after cooking the julskinka).

Risgrynsgröt, a sweet rice porridge made with cream, sugar and cinnamon, is also a julbord favourite. Traditionally a whole almond is placed in the porridge and whoever finds the nut in their serving will be married the next year.

Glögg

Arguably one of the best reasons to visit one of the many Christmas markets that spring up throughout the country, glögg is a yuletide staple and is often seen sold at outdoor kiosks.

Made from red wine and spices, including cinnamon, cardamom and cloves, glögg is drunk throughout Christmas time. Although also served in a non-alcoholic form, for an extra kick, vodka, aquavit or brandy may be added.

Served with raisins and almonds, glögg is typically drunk with pepparkakor (gingerbread biscuits) or lussekatter (a sweet saffron and raisin bun).

Tomte

Although now either confused with, or replaced by, the more mainstream image of Santa Claus, Tomte is actually a gnome, a figure harking back to Norse paganism.

Tomte has been described in many different guises; indeed some believe he has the ability to shape-shift at will. However, he is usually depicted as a bearded old man with a tall, pointy red hat.

Living under the floorboards of the house or barn, Tomte is fabled to protect the family and livestock. Since the late nineteenth century, Tomte has come to be associated with Christmas, appearing with the Christmas goat (julbock) who gives out presents to children.

The julbock is most probably descended from the Norse mythology of Thor, God of thunder, whose chariot was pulled by goats.

Donald Duck

The Disney character of Donald Duck, known in Sweden as 'Kalle Anke', has been making an appearance on Swedish television on the afternoon of Christmas Eve for decades.

Quite frankly, no one seems to really know why Donald is so ardently shown year upon year, but the show has become such an institution that taking it off the air would probably result in civil unrest.

Another Christmas television favourite is 'Sagan om Karl-Bertil Jonssons Julafton' by Per Åhlin, from the short story by Tage Danielsson. Made in 1975, the animated movie follows a Robin Hood style theme where wealthy Stockholmers are robbed and the bounty given to the poor.

Julmust

Devised by Harry and Robert Robberts in 1910 as an alcohol free alternative to beer, Julmust is a drink that you seem to either love or hate.

The syrup forming the base of the drink is still exclusive to the Robberts family, but the recipe contains hops, sugar, malt extract and spices. Usually impossible to get hold of during the rest of the year, this Christmas drink is very popular, even outselling Coca Cola during the festive period.

So once the julbord has been devoured, washed down with liberal quantities of julmust and glögg, the family has dozed to the comic quacks of Donald, Tomte has visited and the Julbock delivered the gifts, there is not much left to do.

Many Swedes attend an early morning church service on the 25th called julottan, or just wait things out until Knut's Day on January 13th.

Knut's Day is named after King Knut (Canute IV of Denmark), who ruled during the early 11th century. He was sainted for his virtue and generosity and legend has it that Knut ordered for the Christmas holiday to continue for 20 days until the 13th.

On Knut's Day, the Christmas trees of Swedish households are thrown out amid celebrations and all the edible decorations are consumed.

Once Christmas has been packed away for another year, it's just a couple short months until Easter and the delights of semlor buns, pickled herring, witches and of course, yet another smörgåsbord.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Last days in Sweden

My days in Sweden are almost over.... I fly home early Wednesday morning (Dec.15th). Today is my last full day in Linköping and my last night in my apartment. Tomorrow afternoon we will be driving to Stockholm! Since my flight is at 6:50am on Wednesday we decided to get a hotel in Stockholm for Tuesday night. Our apartment is about a 2 hour drive to Stockholm so now we won't have to drive in the middle of the night! I am really excited to go home... it has been almost 5 months (!!!)..... but I am also really sad to be leaving. I am very conflicted, but I know it will be so nice to be home with my family and friends. It will also be nice to sleep in my own bed, eat american food, and to hear english all the time! I am also looking forward to working and actually having money! Most of all though I am so excited to see my family and close friends. My parents and friend Amanda are picking me up at the airport. My sister should be coming over that night and my brother will be home from school on friday. I'm also so excited that my friend Lori will be back from Florida on friday!!! She moved there in August and I would not be as excited to come home if she wasn't going to be there for awhile! On friday I get to see my cousin Jen, so she can do my hair..... which is MUCH needed! I will also get to see all of my Aunts and Uncles on my mom's side for lunch! I am really excited! On Saturday, my mom and I are heading to Western Illinois University for my life long friend Amanda's (it will be 23 years on wednesday!!) graduation, then that night I'm heading back home and my other long time friend Amanda is throwing a homecoming "Ugly Christmas Sweater Party" for me! Then Sunday I will get to see the Havlicek's! My cousin Annie is a fashion designer in New York and she is having a trunk show at her parents house in Geneva! (If you want to check out her designs click here Annie Havlicek's website... she is super talented!) Then I will FINALLY get to see Grace (my cousin).... who I will force to hang out with me every second until she leaves for Christmas with Doug's (her boyfriends) family. Then during the week I will hang out with Erin for some wedding planning!! So I will be pretty busy when I get back.... but that will be nice! (I think I got a shout out to everyone I have plans with already ha ha)

Here are some pictures from my last weekend in Sweden:

snow covered bike

bike rack outside the bar

me on a giant bicycle downtown

snowy road

cemetery

Gamla Linköping (Old Linköping)

Christmas tree in Gamla Linköping (Old Linköping)

Gamla Linköping (Old Linköping)

Old bank in Gamla Linköping (Old Linköping)

Old street in Gamla Linköping (Old Linköping)

Window shopping in Gamla Linköping (Old Linköping)

Gamla Linköping (Old Linköping)

Snowy Apple tree

Old printing shop now museum in Gamla Linköping (Old Linköping)

Gamla Linköping (Old Linköping)

Christmas display outside a toy store in Gamla Linköping (Old Linköping)

Entering the toystore

Foreigner and I

Happy Sankta Lucia Day!

Today is Sankta Lucia (Saint Lucy) Day! We are going to a celebration of it tonight downtown. I am posting another article from The Local that explains the tradition in Sweden. You can click on the link to go directly to the website or just read what I copy and paste! I will post pictures from tonight as soon as I can!

The Lowdown: Lucia - The Local

It's one of the most enduring Swedish winter traditions. The tradition of Lucia brings some much needed light into Sweden's winter darkness, James Savage writes.

My colleagues have told me to get up early for Lucia. Who is Lucia?

Lucia is, or was, St. Lucy, a Catholic saint martyred in Syracuse in 304 AD. In Sweden, she is celebrated in early morning ceremonies on December 13th. In schools and workplaces, a nominated girl or young woman will don a white dress and wear a wreath of candles on her head. The ceremony is usually accompanied by early morning servings of glögg (sweet mulled wine), lussekatter (St Lucy buns) and ginger snaps.

Why does Sweden go so big on Lucia?

Quite how St. Lucy worked her way into Swedish tradition is unclear, but December 13th was the shortest day of the year under the Julian calendar, which Sweden followed until the 18th century.

It is traditionally held that a maiden dressed in white robes and wearing a crown of candles brought food to starving villagers on the shore of Lake Vänern. Lucia also has links to a German tradition of girls dressing as 'Christ children', handing out Christmas presents.

Traditionally, Lucia processions would be held in the home, with daughters dressing up and bringing coffee to their parents. Now, the practice is widespread in workplaces and schools, and newspapers frequently run Lucia competitions for readers.

Is this just something for the girls?

Even in these days of sexual equality, the girls have pretty much got Lucia wrapped up. Still, men are now allowed walk-on parts as Lucia's acolytes, known as 'stjärngossar' or 'star boys'. They also wear the long white robes, but instead of the crowns they wear white, pointy hats.

Didn't I hear something about a song?

Indeed, the Lucia celebrations are accompanied by music, particularly the Neapolitan Song Santa Lucia, which has been given Swedish Lyrics which speak of St. Lucy bringing light in the darkness. It's haunting melody make it a firm favourite for many Swedes.

Sounds lovely, but I'm not keen on getting up early to attend one of these celebrations.

You could always watch it on TV - SVT always broadcasts a traditional Lucia celebration early on the morning of the 13th.

All sounds very pleasant

It is. There is a more raucous side, however, with Lucia night celebrated by high school pupils partying all night to celebrate the approach of the Christmas holidays.

I also found the lyrics to the Sankta Lucia song that they sing in Swedish... the English translation is here too!

Sankta Lucia Translation

Natten går tunga fjät, runt gård och stuga.
Kring jord som sol'n förlät, skuggorna ruva.
Då i vårt mörka hus, stiga med tända ljus,
Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia.Natten var stor och stum. Nu hör det svingar,
i alla tysta rum, sus som av vingar.
Se på vår tröskel står vitkläd, med ljus i hår,
Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia.
Mörkret skall flykta snart ur jordens dalar.
Så hon ett underbart ord till oss talar.
Dagen skall åter ny, stiga ur rosig sky,
Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia.

Hark! through the darksome night
Sounds come a winging:
Lo! 'tis the Queen of Light
Joyfully singing.
Clad in her garment white,
Wearing her crown of light,
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!Deep in the northern sky
Bright stars are beaming;
Christmas is drawing nigh
Candles are gleaming.
Welcome thou vision rare,
Lights glowing in thy hair.
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!

Click here to watch a video on YouTube of a Sankta Lucia ceremony in Sweden

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Winter in Sweden

Winter in Sweden is absolutely beautiful. I am not a person who really likes winter or snow, but I can acknowledge that it can be a beautiful season. As I'm writing this it is snowing outside.... like always. It seems to snow at least a little everyday here. Over the weekend we went to Västervik to visit Foreigner's mom. We took the train... about 2 hours south to the small town on the Baltic Sea. The town is known as a "summer town" with a lot of wealthy swedes having summer homes there. In the winter it is a lot quieter and just incredibly beautiful. When we pulled into town I was shocked at the amount of snow.... the most snow I have ever seen in my life! Everything looked just like a christmas card! So I am going to post a ton of pictures.... hope you enjoy them!