The Swedish love the sun and warmth that Spring and Summer provide. Spring is welcomed in with “Majbrasa”. Majbrasa is held the last day of April every year and according to Wikipedia, is also known as “Walpurgis Night”. Every community has some kind of celebration, which generally ends with a huge bonfire. Grimnäs celebrated with a dinner, fireworks and a bonfire.
Our village is divided into 3 sections. Each section takes turns hosting the different events throughout the year. We live in the western section, and it just so happened that it was our sections turn to host Majbrasa. Whoever hosts these celebrations is responsible for food, entertainment, raffle prizes, etc. We held a meeting to decide on the menu (pyttipanna, salad, bröd och torta), drinks (öl, silt, vin, te och kaffe), how much food would be needed, the raffles and who was going to organize the fireworks and bonfire. Since I like living on the edge, I threw in a suggestion for a game. “Gissa Vem” or in engelska, Guess Who? The object was to guess who was who from their child or baby photos and win a prize. It was well accepted, so Lars and I collected baby photos from the “Wild Westerners”, scanned and printed them out.
This was my first official village event. I was nervous. I wanted everyone to like the game and well, to like me too. We met up at the people house and set up the tables, make coffee, get everything in order. The food was pre-cooked by different members and brought in large thermoses. I set up the game and tried to not look as nervous as I was.
As more and more people arrived, we quickly realized we were running out of food. Lars started cooking more pyttipanna on the stove. People were starting to play Gissa Vem and it was comical when someone would go up to a Westerner and look them in the face closely trying to determine which photo was of them. Raffle tickets were being sold for prizes also provided by the hosts. After dinner it was clean up time, then bonfire and fireworks.
The bonfire was huge and very warm. I stayed close to it as I was cold, as usual. Everyone was gathering to see the fireworks display. In Florida, you can’t buy serious fireworks without having some kind of a pyro-tech’s license. In Sweden, we don’t need a stinking license! We had Johan. He was very good at lighting the wick and hauling ass! They have major fireworks here in comparison to the states. I was impressed.
No one was able to guess all the photos correctly, so we had to pick the 2 highest guesses. Then we had a tiebreaker. Afterwards, we taped our baby photo to our shirts and showed everyone who was who. There were a lot of laughs. I think everyone was having a good time.
June 09, 2006
Time In A Bottle (Jim Croce)
Boy, time flies when you aren’t blogging! I apologize for the lapse in writing. I am getting more comfortable with my new surroundings and try to venture out more. Spring came and apparently isn’t in any hurry to leave. To the natives, it is warm. To me, it is still a little too chilly. I have done some planting. I will see if I can grow some tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkin, sugar snap peas, carrots, salad and herbs. I had a pretty nice garden when I lived in Pennsylvania and hopefully I will have the same here.Meanwhile, let me catch everyone up on my adventures in Sverige.
April 12, 2006
Easter Again (Leo Kotke)
I am learning about Easter now. I found the info below to share with you.
In Sweden long ago, Easter was thought to be the witches' time. In west Sweden, they lit Easter bonfires around which people would scream and yell to frighten away the witches. On Maundy Thursday the witches were said to fly off to "Blåkulla" and return again on the Saturday. Read more about the Easter traditions on the pages created by Luleå University.
Nowadays, children dress up as Easter witches on the Thursday before Easter and go from house to house and are given gifts or money - very similar to the North American Halloween.
After the long fast during Lent, eggs were eaten in celebrations, often taken from the nests of the spring birds and children would play games with eggs - such as rolling the egg. The older children in Skåne would assemble at a special celebration when they would dance, play games and eat eggs.
The Easter egg has a long history. In graves from B.C. in Gotland, colored clay eggs were found. They were painted in red and yellow as the eggs represented the sunrise and sunset - and even today the Swedes, like other Europeans, paint their eggs at Easter.
As a reminder of Christ's suffering, years ago young people would thrash each other with silver birch twigs on the morning of Good Friday. These silver birch branches, decorated with brightly colored feathers, were the originator of both the Lent and Easter decorated branches.
Semlor are special buns that used to be associated with Lent but now seems to be sold earlier and earlier in the year! They consists of a sweet bread bun when the middle is scooped out and filled with marzipan and whipped cream. Otherwise, lamb is often eaten at Easter as well as many of the dishes eaten at the Christmas Smörgåsbord.
Here is Grimnäs, as with many villages in the area, on "long Friday" we are having a fishing competition followed by a cookout where they will sell hamburgers and korv. The village pub will be opened to sell beer and spirits. On Easter Sunday, Lars and I are hosting the first "knyts kalas" Easter. I am introducing potluck to my Swedish family. I am looking forward to experiencing another Swedish tradition and starting a new one.
P.S. I have some bad news. The rabbit died. No, I am not pregnant...my snow bunny melted. *pout*
In Sweden long ago, Easter was thought to be the witches' time. In west Sweden, they lit Easter bonfires around which people would scream and yell to frighten away the witches. On Maundy Thursday the witches were said to fly off to "Blåkulla" and return again on the Saturday. Read more about the Easter traditions on the pages created by Luleå University.
Nowadays, children dress up as Easter witches on the Thursday before Easter and go from house to house and are given gifts or money - very similar to the North American Halloween.
After the long fast during Lent, eggs were eaten in celebrations, often taken from the nests of the spring birds and children would play games with eggs - such as rolling the egg. The older children in Skåne would assemble at a special celebration when they would dance, play games and eat eggs.
The Easter egg has a long history. In graves from B.C. in Gotland, colored clay eggs were found. They were painted in red and yellow as the eggs represented the sunrise and sunset - and even today the Swedes, like other Europeans, paint their eggs at Easter.
As a reminder of Christ's suffering, years ago young people would thrash each other with silver birch twigs on the morning of Good Friday. These silver birch branches, decorated with brightly colored feathers, were the originator of both the Lent and Easter decorated branches.
Semlor are special buns that used to be associated with Lent but now seems to be sold earlier and earlier in the year! They consists of a sweet bread bun when the middle is scooped out and filled with marzipan and whipped cream. Otherwise, lamb is often eaten at Easter as well as many of the dishes eaten at the Christmas Smörgåsbord.
Here is Grimnäs, as with many villages in the area, on "long Friday" we are having a fishing competition followed by a cookout where they will sell hamburgers and korv. The village pub will be opened to sell beer and spirits. On Easter Sunday, Lars and I are hosting the first "knyts kalas" Easter. I am introducing potluck to my Swedish family. I am looking forward to experiencing another Swedish tradition and starting a new one.
P.S. I have some bad news. The rabbit died. No, I am not pregnant...my snow bunny melted. *pout*
April 09, 2006
Too Much Time On My Hands (STYX)
Living in a rural area can be very peaceful and relaxing. It can also make you a little nutty - think Jack Nicholson in The Shining. I can always find something to do, like clean (arrggg!). But I wanted to do something creative and I wanted something fun for the kids to see when they come over. The weather is beautiful, not freezing. The snow was packing nicely. This is Easter (Påsk) week, so I looked out the window thinking, “What can I do with this snow?” At first I thought I would make Easter eggs out of snow and lay them around in the yard. Then I got a little ambitious. OK, she isn't perfect. I was going to put a basket in her paws but the snow stopped packing so I had to quit. Maybe this will start a new Påsk tradition in our little village. Even Lars made a snow egg. By the way, Glad Påsk!
March 17, 2006
I Saw A Bird Fly Away (Dar Williams)
It may be in poor taste to use a song from my favorite female performer for such a drab subject but this is something that needs to be written about and well, I love Dar Williams. Unfortunately, this post is about H5N1 Bird Flu. It has "officially" hit Sweden. I have noticed a change. Not a lot of fresh chicken for sale at the local ICA these days. They don't eat much turkey here, but there is a local turkey farm outside of Östersund which is probably a little worried. The H5N1 strain first arrived in the EU last month, and has now been confirmed in 11 EU countries: Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland. Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and Denmark.
The H5N1 strain, in its most aggressive form, has killed nearly 100 people worldwide, mainly in Asia. There is more concern about how the virus will evolve once it has spread to other animals. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Preservation (CDC) influenza viruses are constantly changing and evolving.
I keep thinking about the poor birds. Even the healthy ones on the farms must be killed once the virus is found. I imagine there will be some bird populations that will be wiped out, or become endangered or extinct. That is sad. It is also sad that I have to think about moving the bird suet we bought and have hanging off the porch to a tree far, far away so we or the dogs aren't subjected to potentially infected bird poo. I worry about using eggs. I also have to worry about one of the dogs finding a dead bird and my not getting to it first. The Centers for Disease Control and Preservation has some good info on their site about H5N1.
Does anyone other then me ever wonder if vegetarianism isn't such a bad idea? Between Mad Cow, Bird Flu and the fish tainted with mercury, it makes you wonder if any meat is going to be safe to eat. But then we would have to grow our own or buy organic so we wouldn't have to worry about the pesticides, fertilizers and genetically modified plants.
OK, back to happy thoughts. Go listen to great music. Click on the Dar link!
The H5N1 strain, in its most aggressive form, has killed nearly 100 people worldwide, mainly in Asia. There is more concern about how the virus will evolve once it has spread to other animals. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Preservation (CDC) influenza viruses are constantly changing and evolving.
I keep thinking about the poor birds. Even the healthy ones on the farms must be killed once the virus is found. I imagine there will be some bird populations that will be wiped out, or become endangered or extinct. That is sad. It is also sad that I have to think about moving the bird suet we bought and have hanging off the porch to a tree far, far away so we or the dogs aren't subjected to potentially infected bird poo. I worry about using eggs. I also have to worry about one of the dogs finding a dead bird and my not getting to it first. The Centers for Disease Control and Preservation has some good info on their site about H5N1.
Does anyone other then me ever wonder if vegetarianism isn't such a bad idea? Between Mad Cow, Bird Flu and the fish tainted with mercury, it makes you wonder if any meat is going to be safe to eat. But then we would have to grow our own or buy organic so we wouldn't have to worry about the pesticides, fertilizers and genetically modified plants.
OK, back to happy thoughts. Go listen to great music. Click on the Dar link!
March 06, 2006
Background Scenery (Nick Annis)
When I get up in the morning, I have learned to check the thermometer before I go out. Since anything below 65F/18.33C is still cold to me it really doesn’t make too much sense, but still I faithfully check every morning. This morning it was -14.8F/-25C. This is the coldest so far since I have lived here. I wasn’t very anxious to walk the dogs. In order to be warm I have to put on my “layers”. I wear thermals, pants, a turtleneck, a wool blend sweater, 2 pair of cotton socks and 1 pair wool socks, wool hat and scarf, snow mobile suit, boots and a pair of heavy cotton gloves covered with wool mittens. It is remarkable I can walk at all really, but I have embraced the warmth and try to forget that I look like Frankenstein when I am walking.
When it is this cold out, my eyes water when I first go out. Even Saga who loves this weather gets cold. Ky walks long enough to do her business then jumps up for me to perch up on my shoulder. We stop occasionally so I can massage Saga’s cold paw when she lifts it and hops around. This morning while we were walking it began to snow. It sparkled in the sunlight. It looked like someone was shaking fairy dust over us! It made me forget for just a few minutes that my eyelashes were half frozen together; I had lost all feeling in the left side of my face and the 20-pound dog on my shoulder.
After our walk, I was sitting at my PC drinking my morning tea. Saga started whining at the window. I got up to see several deer grazing in the pasture across the road. I remembered last nights beautiful sunset. It really is beautiful here. If you get a chance, give Nick Annis a listen.
February 26, 2006
You Can't Always Get What You Want (Rolling Stones)
Food has been an adjustment for me here. I don't speak the language, I can’t understand 95% of what is being said on TV, but I know how to cook. Well I did in the states anyway. There are a few things that aren’t regular staples at the grocery store. For example, they do not sell things like vanilla extract, Crisco shortening (or any shortening) or chocolate chips. They have many delicious cheeses but they don’t sell the cheddar cheese we have at home. I took these things for granted in the U.S. never dreaming I would never be able to get it here. Fun foods like Fluff, cornbread mix and peanut butter are sometimes found in the "American section" of ICA (a grocery chain here) or they can be ordered from “Greys American Store” in Stockholm, but they don’t have Skippy or Jif brand peanut butter. In fact mostly everything they do sell that is “American” is a generic Shoprite brand, a Northeastern grocery store that I think went bankrupt. You can get Skippy peanut butter, but it is made in Sweden and it isn’t the same. My friend Alexis sent me vanilla extract, chocolate chips and Splenda. I was so excited that I made a bunch of chocolate chip cookies and passed them out at school and to neighbors here so I could show the folks here what they were missing. I think I made a few new friends that week.
The food here is actually better then it is in the states. It is fresher. It doesn’t have all the preservatives that we have in our food. And there aren’t any instant or quick meals like Hamburger Helper. Another thing that is different is the flour. They have several different types of flour here, but nothing close to what we refer to as “All Purpose”. I made a few breads and cakes and they turned out lethal. If I threw them I probably would be serving a life sentence if someone got in the way of one of my projectiles. This happened a couple of times and I became really frustrated. I didn’t know what I was doing wrong. The only thing I noticed was that the flour was heavier. I searched the Internet and found an article comparing flours. I read that all-purpose flour is 1/3 flour and 2/3 chemicals and preservatives. My American-turned- Swedish friend Cheryl said, “You have to make a choice, either pay to have the things you think you can’t live without sent, or just make do with what you have.” I decided instead of sending out begging emails to friends requesting stuff, I would stick with what I had and try to make it work. So instead of using vanilla extract, I am using vanilla sugar. Instead of using shortening, I am using real butter or cooking margarine. But I am not giving up my Fluff, peanut butter and chocolate chips damned it! Consider that a silent request.
The food here is actually better then it is in the states. It is fresher. It doesn’t have all the preservatives that we have in our food. And there aren’t any instant or quick meals like Hamburger Helper. Another thing that is different is the flour. They have several different types of flour here, but nothing close to what we refer to as “All Purpose”. I made a few breads and cakes and they turned out lethal. If I threw them I probably would be serving a life sentence if someone got in the way of one of my projectiles. This happened a couple of times and I became really frustrated. I didn’t know what I was doing wrong. The only thing I noticed was that the flour was heavier. I searched the Internet and found an article comparing flours. I read that all-purpose flour is 1/3 flour and 2/3 chemicals and preservatives. My American-turned- Swedish friend Cheryl said, “You have to make a choice, either pay to have the things you think you can’t live without sent, or just make do with what you have.” I decided instead of sending out begging emails to friends requesting stuff, I would stick with what I had and try to make it work. So instead of using vanilla extract, I am using vanilla sugar. Instead of using shortening, I am using real butter or cooking margarine. But I am not giving up my Fluff, peanut butter and chocolate chips damned it! Consider that a silent request.
February 25, 2006
Break Away (Beach Boys)
It is almost Sportlov time here in Jamtland! What is Sportlov? Sportlov means ”Sportsbreak”. They actually schedule sportlov by region so depending on what region you live in in Sweden, the schools are closed and some businesses for one week in order for families to participate. This avoids over-crowding, lack of lodging, etc. In Jamtland, our sportlov is during week 10.
There are a lot of activities offered during this week for children/families to participate. For example the museum may have special activities, or a child can learn about different sports such as horseback riding, basketball or floor ball. The swimming hall has special hours to accomodate during sportlov. Some families use this time traditionally to go skiing but some families choose to go to a warmer climate. Ain't Sweden great?
I think it is great having a nationally scheduled week to take off and enjoy a healthy time with your family. What am I doing during spotlov? Well Lars will be away at work which is a bummer but a necessity. I am going to be cooking, killing dust bunnies, having lunch with friends and sleeping in. Doesn’t that sound really sporty?
There are a lot of activities offered during this week for children/families to participate. For example the museum may have special activities, or a child can learn about different sports such as horseback riding, basketball or floor ball. The swimming hall has special hours to accomodate during sportlov. Some families use this time traditionally to go skiing but some families choose to go to a warmer climate. Ain't Sweden great?
I think it is great having a nationally scheduled week to take off and enjoy a healthy time with your family. What am I doing during spotlov? Well Lars will be away at work which is a bummer but a necessity. I am going to be cooking, killing dust bunnies, having lunch with friends and sleeping in. Doesn’t that sound really sporty?
February 22, 2006
License To Kill (Bob Dylan)
My Florida drivers license is valid in Sweden for 1 year from the time my passport was stamped. I have that amount of time to try and learn the Swedish rules of the road. Believe me, it will probably take close to 12 months and it isn't going to be easy. Had I moved from an EU country, I could have just gotten a license issued with no problem, like we do when we move from one state to another in the U.S. But I came here from the United States, land of "The Fast and the Furious" and "Gone in 60 Seconds!" I have been a license driver for roughly 30 years. I have had 1 ticket. No accidents. Knock on wood. But Americans are considered dangerous drivers by Swedish standards. It is such a privilege to have a drivers license here that is it often listen on a CV or resume.
To get a Swedish license you must get permission to get a license (a permit) which you can apply for that over the phone. This is done through Vägverket. They are responsible to licenses and roads. Cost: SEK 275. You have to complete a health form, and you must have a signed certificate from an eye doctor. This information is required as part of the permit process. Then you must take the written test. The cost is SEK 210, but you can pay SEK 800 to cover the written test, the practical test, and the processing fee for your new license. The computer-based test is available in English. THANK GODDESS! There are 70 questions, 65 real questions and 5 "control" questions they check for use on future tests. You have to get 52 right to pass. Then you must do the halkbana. This is a two to three hour course about driving on slippery surfaces. It is not a pass/fail situation, but a completion certification is required. The slippery road certificate needs to be presented when you take the driving test. Then you do the driving test. You are not allowed to schedule this until after you pass your written test, and the waiting can be a few weeks. It is also required that you take the driving test in a car equipped with a passenger set of foot pedals. If you don't have such a car, Vägverket will be happy to rent you one. Cost: SEK 180. The average cost to attempt to get a license is SEK 3700 which is $468!!! GULP! I'm going to need a job just to try and to get a license.
To get a Swedish license you must get permission to get a license (a permit) which you can apply for that over the phone. This is done through Vägverket. They are responsible to licenses and roads. Cost: SEK 275. You have to complete a health form, and you must have a signed certificate from an eye doctor. This information is required as part of the permit process. Then you must take the written test. The cost is SEK 210, but you can pay SEK 800 to cover the written test, the practical test, and the processing fee for your new license. The computer-based test is available in English. THANK GODDESS! There are 70 questions, 65 real questions and 5 "control" questions they check for use on future tests. You have to get 52 right to pass. Then you must do the halkbana. This is a two to three hour course about driving on slippery surfaces. It is not a pass/fail situation, but a completion certification is required. The slippery road certificate needs to be presented when you take the driving test. Then you do the driving test. You are not allowed to schedule this until after you pass your written test, and the waiting can be a few weeks. It is also required that you take the driving test in a car equipped with a passenger set of foot pedals. If you don't have such a car, Vägverket will be happy to rent you one. Cost: SEK 180. The average cost to attempt to get a license is SEK 3700 which is $468!!! GULP! I'm going to need a job just to try and to get a license.
February 14, 2006
Gift Shop (Tragically Hip)
When a single girl or woman becomes pregnant in the United States, you almost immediately hear someone ask if she plans on getting married. After all, a child born out of wedlock is frowned upon in the U.S.. A child born out of wedlock is considered a bastard, and the girl or woman is "obviously" promiscuous. I think the church has a lot to do with these views.
There are many people married in Sweden, however more then half of all children in Sweden today are born outside of marriage. This does not mean that their mothers are single but that many adults choose to cohabit rather than get married. The term in Sweden is “Sambo”, loosely translated, life partner. Some sambo couples get engaged or wear gold bands just like married folks.
The social pressures that exist in the U.S. are nonexistent in Sweden. Parents don't get as upset when their child comes home and tells them they or their girlfriend is pregnant. They don't try to force a marriage simply because there is a child involved. The church doesn't preach about the evils of fornication and having pre-marital sex. Couples have their babies christened in the church and the priests don't have a problem with the marital status of the parents.
If you are married, it is called "Gift". Although it isn't pronounced the same as the english word, I just love this. I think this is such an appropriate word and your spouse should be treated like they are a gift. Of course, being gift or having a sambo doesn't mean relationships are guaranteed to last. People in Sweden divorce, separate and break up. Some people break up with their sambo's and have children with another sambo, just like in America. I don't know what the statistics are, but I don't think they are too different.
Being a person who has been married a couple of times, I have looked at divorce sometimes like it is failure. I envy the family and friends who have been in long term marriages or relationships. My friend Susan, who has been married for over 25 years said the secret to a good marriage is to take one day at a time. I hope someday, many years from now someone asks my gift (because he really is a gift) and I what our secret is.
There are many people married in Sweden, however more then half of all children in Sweden today are born outside of marriage. This does not mean that their mothers are single but that many adults choose to cohabit rather than get married. The term in Sweden is “Sambo”, loosely translated, life partner. Some sambo couples get engaged or wear gold bands just like married folks.
The social pressures that exist in the U.S. are nonexistent in Sweden. Parents don't get as upset when their child comes home and tells them they or their girlfriend is pregnant. They don't try to force a marriage simply because there is a child involved. The church doesn't preach about the evils of fornication and having pre-marital sex. Couples have their babies christened in the church and the priests don't have a problem with the marital status of the parents.
If you are married, it is called "Gift". Although it isn't pronounced the same as the english word, I just love this. I think this is such an appropriate word and your spouse should be treated like they are a gift. Of course, being gift or having a sambo doesn't mean relationships are guaranteed to last. People in Sweden divorce, separate and break up. Some people break up with their sambo's and have children with another sambo, just like in America. I don't know what the statistics are, but I don't think they are too different.
Being a person who has been married a couple of times, I have looked at divorce sometimes like it is failure. I envy the family and friends who have been in long term marriages or relationships. My friend Susan, who has been married for over 25 years said the secret to a good marriage is to take one day at a time. I hope someday, many years from now someone asks my gift (because he really is a gift) and I what our secret is.
February 12, 2006
A Warm Place (Nine Inch Nails)
This is a photo of pellets. No, this isn't what we feed hamsters, although it kinda looks like that. This is what we heat our home with. Pellets can replace oil and coal. What are pellets you might ask? Pellets are a refined biofuel, dried and pressed into cylindrical rods of compressed energy. The diameter of each one is between 4 and 12 mm, and the length is between 10 and 30 mm. They are usually manufactured from raw material from Swedish forestry and farming, but bark, paper, grain and hull can also be used. In Sweden alone approx. 800-900,000 tons of pellets are produced annually. Its shape means that it pours easily into silos and feeding systems. Pellets which are stored outside under roofs do not absorb moisture or become frozen. Today the majority of the raw material used to manufacture pellets is sawdust and shavings from sawmills and joinery businesses. Forest growth in Sweden has never been greater than it is now and it exceeds the trees felled by a wide margin. All the oil that is currently imported for heating small houses can be replaced with pellets without this situation changing. One of the greatest threats is climate change caused by increased carbon dioxide emissions. Burning fossil fuels, like oil, coal and natural gas, leads to an increase in the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Pellets and wood are biofuels that do not add to the carbon dioxide levels. Combustion in appliances that use pellets takes place via tested process-controlled technology, with optimum efficiency and environmental values below the current limit values. Biofuel from the forests is a sensible choice for the environment and for your finances. It's a renewable energy source and is part of the cycle of nature, which is the basis for an enduring and durable development.
Do you know that this system is also available in the U.S.? Companies like Shell and other oil companies have nationwide distribution.
February 02, 2006
Winter (Tori Amos)
Warning! Graphic Content!
Yesterday at school, a teacher came in to our class to tell us something. She was speaking in Swedish, and from the look on everyones face that could understand her, I knew whatever she was telling them wasn't good. She was telling us about Viral Gastroenteritis. Also known as "Winter Sickness" and "Winter Vomiting Disease". It occurs during winter, comes on suddenly and whoever the unlucky sap is that gets it usually has to sit on the toilet and hold a bucket at the same time for roughly 3 days. Schools, daycare and businesses have closed down due to this seasonal virus.
You should stay away from other people if you do contract it as it is highly contagious. They tell people to wash their hands with hot, soapy water, close the lid of the toilet before they flush, use a bucket instead of the toilet when vomitting, wash any clothing your wore or slept in to kill the germs and pray or learn how to. People who contract it also should drink a lot of something with salt and sugar in it to prevent dehydration and pray.
While Anna-Stina translates this I am getting sick. Mind you it is all in my head. For someone like me who has a comically mild case of OCD, this is trouble. Nervously I look around at my classmates to see if anyone even looks just a little like vomitting. Then I grope around in my bookbag searching for my little bottle of alcohol hand cleaner which I carry with me at all times. I find it to my relief. There is danger everywhere, even in my beautiful Sweden.
http://www.shb.ie/content-1259747958_1.cfm
Indian Reservation (Paul Revere And The Raiders)
America and Sweden have some simularities. The one that is the least flattering however is how they have treated their native people. In American, the American Indians were victims and in Sweden, it is the Sami (the people of the eight seasons) that have been the victims. For as long as anyone knows, the Sami have lived in an area that extends across 4 countries. It consists of the Kola Peninsula in Russia, northernmost Finland, the coastal and inland parts of Norway and parts of Sweden. The region is called Samiland. The original Sami area was larger, but they have gradually been forced back.
Traditionally the Sami are reindeer herders. Families would live in their "Låvvu" (similar to a tepee) during the warm months maintaining their herd of reindeer and travel to another location in the winter. And just like our indians, each Sami "tribe" have their own traditional style of dress (Gåkti) and their own language. The migration paths their herds follow today are the same paths their ancestors took hundreds of years ago. Today the total Sami population is estimated 70,000. While more modern Sami live in cities there is an estimated 10,000 are still involved in reindeer husbandry. Many Sami also make handicrafts which include beautiful sweaters, knives, jewelry, etc. From what I have been told, one of the reasons the Sami people weren't very popular was because of the damage their herds do to the forest and farmlands. However, I am not an authority on this subject. To learn more about the Sami, please copy and paste the links below.
http://www.lysator.liu.se/nordic/scn/faq23.html
http://www.itv.se/boreale/samieng.htm
Traditionally the Sami are reindeer herders. Families would live in their "Låvvu" (similar to a tepee) during the warm months maintaining their herd of reindeer and travel to another location in the winter. And just like our indians, each Sami "tribe" have their own traditional style of dress (Gåkti) and their own language. The migration paths their herds follow today are the same paths their ancestors took hundreds of years ago. Today the total Sami population is estimated 70,000. While more modern Sami live in cities there is an estimated 10,000 are still involved in reindeer husbandry. Many Sami also make handicrafts which include beautiful sweaters, knives, jewelry, etc. From what I have been told, one of the reasons the Sami people weren't very popular was because of the damage their herds do to the forest and farmlands. However, I am not an authority on this subject. To learn more about the Sami, please copy and paste the links below.
http://www.lysator.liu.se/nordic/scn/faq23.html
http://www.itv.se/boreale/samieng.htm
January 30, 2006
A Dogs Prayer (Smashing Pumpkins)
I have 2 dogs. Saga and Ky. I brought them with me when I moved. I call them "The Girls". I love my dogs, probably more then some humans I know. They were born in Florida. They are both 5 years old. Saga is an Akita/Shepherd mix. She has a beautiful brindle coat and lots of it. Ky is a cat in a small dogs body. We aren't sure what she is. The Humane Society has her breed as a Chihuahua/Shepherd mix but I don't think it's possible. She really looks like she has terrier in her. Needless to say the dog has very little fur and is bald on her belly. Our friends are always asking "How are the dogs taking the cold?" Well Saga is in heaven! She has discovered wild animal smells and is now "Saga The Huntress!" OK, in her mind anyway. It is comical to watch her when we take the girls out for their walks. Saga buries her head in the snow up to her shoulders smelling, sniffing and tracking. All you can see is the back half of her. When she isn't tracking, she likes to sit out on the porch and watch for wild animals.
Ky tries to track like Saga, but she has short legs and doesn't like the cold snow on her belly. If Saga goes into deep snow, Ky stands and bitches at her from the road, then always makes sure to bite Saga when she gets back just to show her who's boss. When it is snowing, she bites at the snowflakes like they are flies. Ky is a real trooper though. She has only cried once about being cold, and we immediately brought her in. Lars bought her a new fleece coat last week. She didn't look like she liked it too much, but she will get used to it. Maybe now she can go tracking moose!
Back To School (Deftones)
At the young age of 44 I have found myself back in school. No, I am not going to college. Been there done that. I am not taking a self improvement class to learn about floral arrangement. I am learning my A B C's - in Svenska! For 2.5 days a week, I join people which represent 16 other countries to learn Swedish language. Trust me, it is as difficult as you can imagine. In America we pronounce our alphabet Ayyy Beee Ceee. Here is Sweden, they pronounce it Ahh, Baya, Seya, etc. And if that wasn't enough to confuse me, they have 3 additional vowels Ä, Å and Ö. I can hear some people thinking "Come on, it is just the alphabet, how hard can it be?" Well, in the U.S. the consonants "SK" are pronounced "SK"! Here in Sweden, depending on what vowel follows can be pronounced "SK" OR "HW". It can be truly mind boggling.
I am lucky to have a wonderful teacher at skola (school). Her name is Anna-Stina. She has a gift for languages and often speaks in Swedish, English, Spanish and tries hard to speak in Arabic at the same time so everyone in the class understands. Still, I think the best teacher is time. I have met other Americans that have been here for 5 years or longer and speak (what I think is outstanding) Swedish and even have a Scandanavian accent when they speak English. So hopefully one day I will be able to have a conversation that doesn't start with "Talar Ni Engelska?" translated "Do you speak English?"
Post Office Buddy (Buckethead)
Here is a unique idea: Sell boxes in various sizes for domestic and international mailing. The price of the packages includes the cost of shipping. Well that is how they do it in Sweden! At certain stores (grocery and retail) the public can buy stamps and packages for mailing, pick up packages too large to be delivered in your post box and where you bring packages to be mailed.
They offer everything from small mailing envelopes to large boxes. You can stuff them full and send them to wherever for one set price. Are you paying attention U.S.P.S.?
January 20, 2006
Here Comes ..Tomte?
Christmas arrives here in Sweden on December 24th. This was my first Christmas abroad. I was excited and nervous with anticipation because I didn't know what to expect or what was expected of me.
Like many families, we gathered at a designated family members home. In our case it was my in laws Sture and Anette's home. We watched the traditional Christmas show called "Kalle Anka". Kalle Anka translated is Donald Duck! The cartoons are a collection of old Disney cartoons and movies from the 40's to now. It is shown at the same time every year and a Swedish tradition. The children could hardly keep still as they anxiously awaited for the arrival of Tomte.
Tomte is the Swedish version of Santa Claus. He is a gnome-like, old man with long hair wearing a red and white cap. Tomte hands out the gifts to everyone. I read that in some families, a rhyme or riddle must be solved before the gift can be opened. I am really glad my family doesn't do that. I'd probably be still sitting here with an unopened gift! I am not sure exactly what tradition is as to who plays Tomte. I think generally someone offers to play Tomte, but Lars informed me that some people are paid to go around to different homes as Tomte. The children here, like the kids in the U.S. eventually figure it out. This year, our nephew Sebastian was asked to play Tomte. He was SO EXCITED!
I can speak from experience living in the U.S. that Christmas is a very stressful and expensive holiday. As parents we want to give your children and family everything they wish for and desire and in exchange you get into debt and lose a bit of your sanity. I don't know if it is the media or our culture or both that pound it into our heads that more is better. I think some parents think by giving their children everything they want is showing them they love them. I am guilty of doing this myself. Thankfully, I learned it isn't.
The stores in the U.S. have sales that create riots and put customers in danger. I have a former co-worker whose mother in law was trampled on Black Friday (The day after Thanksgiving in the U.S.) when trying to get into a store that was offering something that apparently many people wanted. In Sweden, they have sales at their stores, but I haven't seen a mob waiting outside the doors to get in. I think most people do not give expensive or tons of gifts to their children here. Many of the gifts are homemade. It brings to mind the saying "It's the thought that counts." OK back to Christmas.
After Donald Duck and Tomte is my favorite subject....FOOD! I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. I know fish was involved and I am not a fish person. Among the foods were Julskinka or Christmas ham and salmon pate with a dill sauce. There were cold cuts with interesting names like "horsemeat" that really weren't horse. There was a traditional dish called Jonsson's Temptation. This is a combination of sliced potatoes, onions, anchovies and cream. It may sound gross but I can tell you it is very delicious! Like I stated before, I do not like fish. In the U.S. I was the only member of our Sushi Club that didn't eat the stuff. lol They also served boiled potato, köttbullar or meatballs, mini hotdogs, beets, pickles, bread. I tried everything. I didn't like everything, but I gave it a try. It was a lovely experience.
January 19, 2006
Suffer The Children (Tears For Fears)
I pretty much raised my 3 children alone. Their father has contributed next to nothing in support. In America this is pretty typical. The court system has little to no concern about children unless you are on welfare. And you are on welfare, the child support office will make more of an effort to collect support. But you are forced off welfare once the children are a certain age and basically shit out of luck if you have a deadbeat parent. I could buy a home with what my ex husband owes me in child support. But the courts will not do anything to enforce payment. Maybe the U.S. should take a look at the how Sweden does it. The parent gets their child support from the Government. It isn't welfare. It's child support. The government sends the bill to the other parent. The parent raising the children can pay their bills and take care of their children. They don't have to worry about robbing Peter to pay Paul *hopefully* and the children are taken care of as they deserve. The other parent has a debt with the Government. Maybe I am crazy, but I really like that idea! What do you think?
Money Changes Everything (Cyndi Lauper)
Sweden did away with pennies. I am not sure when, but everything is rounded now to an even half or full krona. When you go to the store the price you see is the price you pay. There is no tax added at the register because it is already calculated in and is displayed. No surprises. Another interesting thing that is done here is currency is retired. There are new kronors out and the old ones have to be exchanged by a certain date or they are no longer valid. Can you imagine not having to use pennies, nickels and dimes in the U.S.?
Let's Get This Party Started (Korn)
A few days after we arrive in Sweden, we went to a "Porridge Party" at the village house. I think it is safe to write that nearly every village has a village house. They have parties, village meetings and celebrations in them. Since it was close to Christmas, this was our villages Christmas party.
We paid a few crowns and enjoyed a nice flatbread sandwich made with Christmas ham and butter, a bowl of porridge, glögg, gingerbread cookies, saffron buns and coffee.
In Sweden they celebrate Lucia. Some of the children in the village dress in white cotton gowns. The girls have a crown or wreath around there heads and the boys wear a cone on their head. The part of Lucia is played by a young girl who wears candles in her crown or wreath. They sing Santa Lucia and other traditional songs to the folks there. It was a very nice experience.
I Saw It On TV (John Fogerty)
We live in a very rural area. Cable isn't available, but satellite tv is. If you don't have cable or a dish, you have 3 channels. 1,2 & 4. Interestingly enough, you have to pay for a license to watch these. If you don't and "The Man" finds out, you could be fined.
I remember as a kid trying to stay up until the tv station shut off. After Wolfman Jack and the Midnight Special, the station would stop broadcasting. All that was displayed until the station came back up was a screen that looked sort of like a radioactive sign and a constant annoying "Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!" The stations we have here are the same. Sometimes I turn on the tv at 8am in the morning and the station isn't on yet.
I remember as a kid trying to stay up until the tv station shut off. After Wolfman Jack and the Midnight Special, the station would stop broadcasting. All that was displayed until the station came back up was a screen that looked sort of like a radioactive sign and a constant annoying "Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!" The stations we have here are the same. Sometimes I turn on the tv at 8am in the morning and the station isn't on yet.
Life By Numbers (Jim Lauderdale)
In Sweden, you have a personal number. If you are born in Sweden you are given a number. If you move to Sweden, then you are assigned one when you register. It always begins with your date of birth and is followed by 4 addition numbers. For example 611226 is the start of mine because I was born December 26, 1961. Kind of like a social security number in the states.
If you are not registered in Sweden, you really can't do much. You can't get a telephone hooked up without putting down a HUGE deposit, you can't get a job, open a bank account, etc. Your existence here depends on that number.
If you are not registered in Sweden, you really can't do much. You can't get a telephone hooked up without putting down a HUGE deposit, you can't get a job, open a bank account, etc. Your existence here depends on that number.
January 18, 2006
Welcome Home (Metallica)
Do you know what dogs do when you take them out of a crate they have been couped up in for over 10 hours? Well, our little Princess Kyra Fay aka Ky was taking a poop before she was even out the door of the Arlanda airport! My sister in law Carina was right there with a poop bag. You gotta love your fellow dog owners! They are always prepared for such emergencies.
We finally arrived in Stockholm. We only had a 6-8 hour drive to get home. My mother in law rented a U-Haul (or the Swedish equivalency) for the crates and luggage. The dogs were happy to be out of the crates but were wondering where the hell they were when we were putting them in the car. The trip was emotionally and physically draining, but we were finally home.
We finally arrived in Stockholm. We only had a 6-8 hour drive to get home. My mother in law rented a U-Haul (or the Swedish equivalency) for the crates and luggage. The dogs were happy to be out of the crates but were wondering where the hell they were when we were putting them in the car. The trip was emotionally and physically draining, but we were finally home.
S & M Airlines (NoFX)
We had all the paperwork completed to move to Sweden. We arrived at Miami International Airport (MIA) via my son Richard driving my fathers truck. Our dogs Saga and Ky were in the back in their new crates along with the ton of luggage. The porters helped up load everything onto carts and took us to the counter at British Air. While standing there, there were only a few people in line. We thought since we had the dogs that there was a special check in. Ahh, no! As time went on they started checking people in. The line was now stretched to around the corner and when I asked the reservationist when we were going to get checked in, she said one of us had to get in line. So Lars went around the corner and stood in line while the dogs cried for him and I stood there trying to calm them down. A supervisor heard the dogs and told the lady to process us next. While getting our tickets, a man came out from behind the wall with a camera. He told us "Your dogs will not be flying with you today." I looked at him like he had 4 heads. "Oh yes they are!" I replied. He told us that both British Air and we would be charged with animal cruelty in London because the dogs crates weren't large enough. Now, the dogs were fine. They had room to sit, stand, etc. but apparently they needed a bedroom. Ky could go into Saga's crate but we would have to find a larger crate for her.
With an hour and a half left to flight, I ran down to a car rental kiosk, looked up and called the nearest Petsmart pet store (with the help of the car rental guy) to see if they had an extra large crate, hailed a cab/van and was off to downtown Miami in search of a larger crate. I got to the pet store to find the extra large crate the gentleman told me about on the phone was the same size as the one Saga was already in. I broke down. The store manager came over and asked what was going on and within a few minutes she said there was one larger crate in the back and sent the guy to get it. The crate cost nearly $300 (choke). We loaded it into the back of the cab and hauled ass as fast as we could to the airport. We made it back in time to be xrayed and board the plane.
I need to bitch a little about this. First of all, there is nothing on the BA website about a European regulation size for animal crates. Secondly, all the paperwork and testing that a pet owner must go through is expensive and time consuming. You would think that the the airlines, the U.S.D.A. or the vet's office would have this info about crate size regulation but they don't. When we called BA to register the dogs to fly, they asked the dogs weights, the dimensions of the crates but never mentioned anything about crate size regulations. This was an unneccessary, emotionally draining experience. I pity any other pet owner that has to go through this.
We had all the paperwork completed to move to Sweden. We arrived at Miami International Airport (MIA) via my son Richard driving my fathers truck. Our dogs Saga and Ky were in the back in their new crates along with the ton of luggage. The porters helped up load everything onto carts and took us to the counter at British Air. While standing there, there were only a few people in line. We thought since we had the dogs that there was a special check in. Ahh, no! As time went on they started checking people in. The line was now stretched to around the corner and when I asked the reservationist when we were going to get checked in, she said one of us had to get in line. So Lars went around the corner and stood in line while the dogs cried for him and I stood there trying to calm them down. A supervisor heard the dogs and told the lady to process us next. While getting our tickets, a man came out from behind the wall with a camera. He told us "Your dogs will not be flying with you today." I looked at him like he had 4 heads. "Oh yes they are!" I replied. He told us that both British Air and we would be charged with animal cruelty in London because the dogs crates weren't large enough. Now, the dogs were fine. They had room to sit, stand, etc. but apparently they needed a bedroom. Ky could go into Saga's crate but we would have to find a larger crate for her.
With an hour and a half left to flight, I ran down to a car rental kiosk, looked up and called the nearest Petsmart pet store (with the help of the car rental guy) to see if they had an extra large crate, hailed a cab/van and was off to downtown Miami in search of a larger crate. I got to the pet store to find the extra large crate the gentleman told me about on the phone was the same size as the one Saga was already in. I broke down. The store manager came over and asked what was going on and within a few minutes she said there was one larger crate in the back and sent the guy to get it. The crate cost nearly $300 (choke). We loaded it into the back of the cab and hauled ass as fast as we could to the airport. We made it back in time to be xrayed and board the plane.
I need to bitch a little about this. First of all, there is nothing on the BA website about a European regulation size for animal crates. Secondly, all the paperwork and testing that a pet owner must go through is expensive and time consuming. You would think that the the airlines, the U.S.D.A. or the vet's office would have this info about crate size regulation but they don't. When we called BA to register the dogs to fly, they asked the dogs weights, the dimensions of the crates but never mentioned anything about crate size regulations. This was an unneccessary, emotionally draining experience. I pity any other pet owner that has to go through this.
Have Love Will Travel (Sonics)
I met someone over the internet by accident, fell in love and eventually married him. He lived in Sweden and I was living in Florida (U.S.A.) We have been together now for a number of years and recently moved to Sweden. We live in Jämtland, which is sort of like a state and in the village of Grimnäs.
I met someone over the internet by accident, fell in love and eventually married him. He lived in Sweden and I was living in Florida (U.S.A.) We have been together now for a number of years and recently moved to Sweden. We live in Jämtland, which is sort of like a state and in the village of Grimnäs.
January 01, 2006
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