Thursday, December 31, 2009

having chocolate together with friends

Totally forgot about my cute Christmas calender. I had a few days left unopened which was perfect since it took care of my chocolate cravings.



Now I am watching Friends and I am on the seventh season. Working hard to complete all the ten seasons within reasonable amount of time. But I guess I should get some sleep now, New Years Eve tomorrow and it will be a long day and night.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

fail blog


A favorite is the Fail Blog.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

more is more?

Been trying out New Year's outfits, in lack og better things to do. I have so many new accessories and just want to wear it all. Headbands, necklaces, bracelets, rings etc. I need to pick out a few things and not go to the party looking like a Christmas tree.

Monday, December 28, 2009

my life according to facebook

A few of the many status updates on Facebook in 2009. This was my life according to Facebook in 2009.


monday cocktail

I am having a Piña Colada at three o'clock a Monday. Life is just fabulous sometimes.


someone has lots of free time

Sunday, December 27, 2009

the fabulous christmas fudge

I think I forgot to show you the incredible delicious fudge I made before Christmas!


It was a recipe also taken from the Swedish site Matplatsen. The fudge just melts in your mouth and you can really tell just by the taste that it is homemade. I think it might be the number one favorite candy recipe of all times. I have a weakness for everything that is toffee, caramel, fudge or similar. So this is my thing.

Some time back I also wrote about another fudge recipe from the same site. This fudge made of skumtomtar (marshmallow like Christmas candy) and white chocolate. Tonight was the night to make this kind of fudge.




Lovely pinkish color of the fudge bubbling in the pot. Now it is cooling and let's hope it tastes good as well.

a boxing day in london

One day behind here, but Boxing Day was the last day in London. We had heard that Boxing Day was when all the sales started in the shops so we wanted to do some last minute shopping before heading back home.

We realized it would be crazy on Oxford Street due to the sale, but perhaps not this crazy. We started at Primark with all the cheap stuff and picked up a few items and we managed to get out alive although a bit sweaty. Our next location in mind was New Look. After managing to squeeze in to look at the shoes it was every woman for herself. It was totally insane! At one point I almost got into panic. I was trying on a pair of boots after I was going to put on my own pair of boots I realized that the one shoe I had taken off was gone! My own boot was gone! I yelled after my sister to get here immediately and help searching for the shoe. We both ran around with no luck, then I saw the shoe lying among a pile of other shoes thank god.

We only managed those two stores, way too much people and no more energy to fight with all the other crazy shoppers. We went back to our hood and to the pub next to our hotel to have one last lunch. I seem to be so hungry at all dinners, so I never remember to take photos of it. I always take photos of the food, but I did remember to take a photo of the delicious dessert, although when we almost had finished it.


Sticky toffee and date pudding with custard. And it was served warm. Really delicious!

Then it was time to head back to the hotel to pick up the bags to do a bit of repacking. We managed to shop quite a lot those last few hours and squeezed all the new items into the carry-on bags we had. Then we took the tube to Heathrow airport and that was that. The Christmas weekend of 2009 in London.


Friday, December 25, 2009

a christmas day in london

Christmas Day in London is very interesting since everything, EVERYTHING, is shut down. I understand that most shops and restaurant are closed since it is a bank holiday. But even the tube and buses, any sort of public transportation, is closed. So we basically just walked around our hood to check it out even though everything is shut down. But I like discover a city by foot even though it is not much going on.


We took a stroll to Notting Hill since it was just around the corner and walked along Portobello Road with some cute houses.


Just me at Portobello Road.


At the start (or end?) of Portobello Road there was the cutest pub, I loved the decoration and design of it. There was even a Swede working there playing a Swedish Christmas song. Wherever you go, you cannot get away from those Swedes it seems.


I had a glass of mulled wine, did not taste much like glögg at all but it was good. Always nice with something warm containing alcohol when it is cold outside.


Of course I had to be very touristy and take this shot. Sister who took it was embarrassed and wanted me to get out as soon as possible before more people walked by.


Then we had a Christmas Eve dinner at La Cabana on the street Queensway, not the best food but okay I guess. (On the other hand, who am I to tell since I lost my sense of taste due to my cold...) Queensway seems to be the place for tourists on Christmas Eve since all the restaurants on this street was open. Good thing we lived just a few minutes from it so we could get a Christmas Eve dinner.

a christmas eve in london

Yesterday we decided to be a bit touristy, but since we were somewhat lazy and it was raining we hopped on a local bus. Unfortunately with the rain I did not get the best pictures.



From the bus we saw most of the major tourist attractions, which was enough. Perhaps next time I will spend a bit more on actually visiting the places and not just see them from the bus window.


We actually made a stop at St Paul's Cathedral. But only since we had to switch to another bus.


Trying to take a photo of Big Ben from the bus when passing by.


We made it to Buckingham Palace as well.


Heading to the Underground towards Camden Town to do a bit of exploring and shopping.


One of the many markets in Camden. A cute little area with plenty of things, of course a lot of the same things. But I managed to find a few cool things.


Camden by night.


Then we finished with a Christmas Eve dinner at the Indian restaurant Maharaja, fully licensed (whatever that actually means).

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

first day in london, i.e. shopping

After a delay of almost two hours we reached London Heathrow. The hotel seems nice and quite central next to Hyde Park, and with mom's employee discount it is cheap as well (which is good in an expensive city such as London).

Being really hungry after arrival at the hotel we headed out for some grub. We took the pub close to the hotel and being in England, we of course have to take the fish and chips.


























After some food we hit the shopping street, Oxford Street.



As you can see, we stepped into Primark and did some very cheap shopping. A few pieces of clothes that looked decent and plenty of nice accessories.



Primark took some time to go through, especially with so much people crowding inside. After some time it was time to head back home to the hotel, waking up early this morning we needed to chill a bit.

Sister was caught in the act admiring her just bought leather jacket. Wonder if she will sleep with it on like she did when she was young and had bought something new. She once had a pair of shoes next to her in bed since she liked them so much.



Now time to eat some pills and go to sleep, I have been feeling quite well today but the head feels heavy now.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

suppressing it

Taking some pills and heading to bed early - hoping not to feel worse tomorrow. Have an early morning to look forward to as well since we have to leave the house at five a.m.

But we are going to London baby!

Just have to suppress all the cold-like symptoms. Piece of cake.

no. no. no.

I am not feeling tired and down.
I do not have a runny nose.
It does not feel like I have a sore throat.

I am not getting sick the day before going to London.
I am not being sick during Christmas for the third year in a row.

brighter times ahead

We are finally heading towards brighter times. Literally.

Yesterday was the shortest and darkest day of the year. Now it can only get better.

london baby!



There will be a Christmas in London this year. After weeks of indecision it was finally decided today. I guess that is where I got it from, I am not good at making plans either so who am I to complain.

I like going somewhere else for Christmas, somewhere else in Sweden or abroad. But it has become many Christmases abroad lately. When I thought about it yesterday, I realized I have not celebrated Christmas at our house for at least seven years!

2009 - London, UK
2008 - Nice, France
2007 - Alicante, Spain
2006 - Singapore
2005 - Småland, South of Sweden with my cousins
2004 - Barcelona, Spain
2003 - Bradenton, Florida, USA
2002 - ?

christmas in london?

Perhaps a Christmas in London this year?

Would be quite nice.

Monday, December 21, 2009

great night out in stockholm

I ventured out into the nightlife of Stockholm the Saturday that passed. S who is leaving Stockholm to head back to Switzerland was kind enough to give me a couple of days notice this time. It started with a fondue dinner (of course since he is Swiss) and drinks at his place, he had to empty his liquor cabinet and we were more than willing to help.

Then we went to Obaren and I really liked the place. It is located at Stureplan but has a more rock, indie, soul feeling about it, which I am all in favor of. Unfortunately it closed at 2 a.m. (why is it that all the good places close so early...) and we walked towards some more partying and dancing at Solidaritet.

When it was five minutes left until closing we picked up our jackets and braced ourselves for the cold, snowy weather outside. Kind E let me sleep at her place and we were lucky with the metro and got home fairly easy with basically no waiting. In bed were we at 6 a.m.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

tired eyes

Had a great Saturday night out in Stockholm. Too tired to write more at this point. Need sleep.

Friday, December 18, 2009

take away

So went out for a small shopping tour today. Also just nice to get out of the house. I dropped off the car at mom's work and got some lunch with me home. Their delicious caesar salad. They have the best caesar salad, which I measure all other caesar salads with. Other caesar salads usually do not measure up to this one.


musikhjälpen

Musikhjälpen (Music Aid), that is what I am listening to today, and watching since they are also showing it live on TV and online. In short, it is the Swedish Radio that has three radio hosts locked in a small house placed out on a square in Gothenburg. They are collecting money for malaria, you can give away money and with that you get to request a song to be played on the radio.

I went shopping today and spent some money on basically bullshit. Spending money on basically bullshit, I can also spend some more money on something good. So that is what I did. I gave away 250 SEK and requested a song with John Mayer, one of my favorite singer songwriters, with the song Waiting on the world to change. Just something I felt like listening to today, he is not played to much here in Sweden. He also reminds me of the time in USA, since it was there I discovered him.

So now you Swedes, donate you too.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

a bit of christmas feeling

Getting a bit of Christmas feeling here in the house. Been drinking quite a lot of glögg recently and eating some gingerbread cookies. Now with all the snow outside it further increase that Christmas feeling.

Today mom and me made sandwiches with beetroot salad and meatballs. Yummy.


Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Monday, December 14, 2009

wanted: a life

Is it a sign that I have way to little to do when I finish all the six seasons of Sex and the City in roughly one week?

Perhaps I should get out more. 

finger painting

Been doing some painting here today in my boredom. I have a few blank canvases that I do not really have a clue what I want to do with. So I am just smearing some paint on them with either my fingers or paintbrushes.




















But now I am having a break eating some kiwi. We will see where the painting will end up. Who knows, maybe I will get an epiphany and know what to do with it.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

congrats

Congratulations sister to your great, new job. I am so proud of you!


also wanna make fudge

Found a food blog the other day, Matplatsen. She posts recipes and photos of the food she cooks. I got stuck with the blog one night and could not stop going back to see the older posts. My mouth started watering when I saw all the delicious food.

Now she has started making all this sweets for Christmas. I also want to make fudge!


Thursday, December 10, 2009

what was in the fridge

Tonight's dinner. Okay, the pine nuts got a bit burned but tasted good anyway. Then we had some basil, ricotta tortellini, cream, pesto, squash, and tomatoes. Love just mixing stuff together and fresh pasta is always delicious.













Now and then I miss living next door to a grocery store. Just picking up some stuff to make a dinner. Of course I can have someone else buy it when they come home, but it is not the same thing. I always get the inspiration walking down the isles of the grocery store. Picking up stuff here and there and then making something out of it.

sex and the city in the countryside

So how am I spending the days unemployed you think?

I am doing a little bit of jobsearching.

While watching Sex and the City. I am about to end the second season. Did the first season yesterday.


Tuesday, December 8, 2009

let there be chocolate every day

Since no one bought a chocolate calender for me, the only thing to do was to buy one for myself. I can always count on myself.


touring sun moon lake on electric bikes

What Alli made when she was home sick and bored in her dorm room in Taiwan. It really makes me laugh! It is videos I made when we where in Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan and had rented electric bikes to go around the lake. We had so much fun.



Warm weather and some sunshine, it was three good weeks I had in Taiwan. Now I am sitting here looking out the bedroom window on a gloomy, grey, Swedish weather dreaming back to the wonderful three weeks.

Monday, December 7, 2009

waffles are nice as hangover food

One more thing worth mentioning about this weekend. I tagged along M&E for brunch at Elverket for some hangover food. I think it must have been one of the better brunch buffet I have been too. They had everything and then some. They had a caesar sallad dressing which is almost in the same top class as the one at mom's work, the hotel restaurant at Radisson Arlandia. Although I think the top favorite must be that you could make your own waffles.



Mmm, waffles. Have to make them at home one of these days.

in memory of cliff barnes

I managed to figure it all out after all. I should have remembered my own motto that it always works out in the end. I ended up meeting my three friends from the Helsinki era for a couple of beer. A lot of reminiscing and updating. Instead of heading out with them clubbing, I went for M&E's pre-party at their place. Fun to see some of the Jönköping girls again, some I have not seen for a couple of months now and one not for a few years actually. Nice to catch up.

Then we moved on to Cliff Barnes a bar, waling distance from their place. The rumor was to be there early, 10 p.m., and we managed to be there at 10.30 but still had to stand in line for perhaps 30 minutes. But it was totally worth it, definitely a place just in my taste. Great music, not too big, but still possibilities to dance. The only bad thing is that it closes at 1 a.m. since I could have stayed a while longer, but arriving early is what you have to do and what everybody does. It is those places I need to get to know more off, I had my favorites in Copenhagen and need to find them in Stockholm as well. Of course a bit tricky when I do not really have easy access for a night out in Stockholm.

This weekend M&E saved the country girl and let her sleep on their sofa so she could come and experience the city life. Sunday I took the train back home to the countryside and mom picked me up from the train station to take me the rest 15 km back home. I shared some info about the night and found out that Cliff Barnes was a character of the TV series Dallas.


Saturday, December 5, 2009

anguish

Another one did it. I just happened to find out that two other Helsinki friends will be in town tomorrow. From a general post on Facebook so that does not really count as direct contact. It is the same friend they are visiting, did he not learn from last time? At least I got to know it tonight, but it still causes some problems. I would love to go out clubbing with the guys. But I do not see how that will work out.

I do not really feel secure taking the night bus all by myself. If I would anyway then I cannot drink since I need to use the car as well. Not sure if I can crash at S's place since the two guys most likely will crash there.

I really dislike this agony about meeting up with friends in the evening/night.

I miss living in the city. Have to try remembering that on Monday when I need some motivation for job hunting.

Friday, December 4, 2009

scandal

Okay, one more post about Idol. Probably the last one for me, since I am not really interested in it anymore.

Scandal that Calle got the most votes and not Erik. Scandal that Erik and Tove had to duel for the last spot in the final. Scandal that Tove is out of the competition. Scandal that Calle is in the final.


(facsimile from Aftonbladet.se)
Erik will win for sure, he is really good and deserves it. But I had Tove as a personal favorite. Now there is no point in watching the final. It will not be a nail-biter when Tove is not joining Erik in the final.

So next Friday I could actually leave the house and do something interesting.

come up with something new

Another note on Idol.

Why oh why did they have Westlife performing? Could they not come up with something better? Almost anything would have been more interesting. They were big years ago. Perhaps that is why it was easy to get them to perform. 

Okay, I have a confession to make. I have not only one, but TWO, cd's with Westlife. Not ashamed at all about that, but not the kind of music I am listening to in the latter years. I guess they are trying to reach out to the new generation of young girls out there. But please, it is not only young girls watching Idol, give something that also suits us who have passed the teenage years.

another one of those fridays

I have a small crush on Eddie Razaz, who was an Idol 2009 contestant here in Sweden. Unfortunately he was voted out of the competition since he could not keep up with the other contestants. What a shame. We will probably see more of him anyway.



Here he is together with Rebecca Simonsson (from whose blog I borrowed the pic) on a photo shoot. They both look gorgeous. Sister says that is the kind of guy she could see me with. Well, I would not complain.

What we can conclude from this is that I spent Friday alone in front of the TV watching Idol.

it's been a while

I must say. Cannot really say what happened, it just slipped my mind. When I remembered a few days ago and was ready to start again - then internet died. Is it not always like that? When you want to do something then you cannot?

When I finally woke up one morning and had the motivation to make all those phone calls to recruitment firms. But with no internet, no list of recruitment firms, and no list of phone numbers.

Now the internet is back, and hopefully I am back.