Skal, futbol and sweets

Oh man, talk about jet lag kicking in late. Let's be honest, in normal every day life, I could nap more than most people. I'm pretty sure I couldn't find anyone who would argue with me on that one. I am trying to get better, but I think I'm just a person who needs a lot of sleep! So, in order to get me acclimated to the time difference here in Sweden, David only let me nap for about an hour and 45 minutes on Friday when I arrived. Of course, I did need a little snooze later in the day before we went out or I would not have been a fun companion. A little cat nap here and there over the next day and I was just fine. Then came Sunday night. We stayed in and had a late dinner and watched some TV to make up for our exhaustion from the day/night before when we took on the town of Karlstad at the Blue Moon Bar. I even got a little photo snapped of me that is now posted on a site similar to "Omaha Nightlife" hahaha, David was so relieved that his mug didn't make it on the site. I, however, now believe I'm probably going to be some sort of Swedish superstar, don't you think? Anyway, back to the point, I slept in until 11:15 a.m. on Monday morning! Whoa whoa whoa, who's a tired girl raise your hand; THIS GIRL!! It felt so good and then I was super rested for the day and didn't even need a nappy :)

We went over to David's parents for lunch and his mom made a delicious spaghetti with stroganoff-like meat sauce. So good. We also had Wasa cracker, because that is just what you have, and some fresh fruit. After lunch, we had a little fika with oh-so-delicious vanilla bean ice cream with strawberries and caffe. I'm pretty sure I could drink caffe all day long. So much better than American coffee.

David had a soccer game at 3 so after he left, his mom and I lounged on the back porch, exchanged stories and sipped our caffe. On our way to the game, we took a little detour to the University so that I could see it and we took the long scenic route so I could see more of Karlstad. We got to the game a little late, whoops. I told Monica we just wanted to be "fashionably late" she very much agreed ;)

David's team won and there were cheers from all. European soccer is so much different from American soccer, basically sports in general. The teams are set up in divisions and if a team wins enough, they can move up in the division rankings. People can continue to play in these divisions even after college and they begin working. The teams from these divisions feed into the professional league, so it is a possibility that you can be picked up to play on the national team. I think it's so great that adults can continue to play a sport that they love even into their adulthood. I know we have different leagues and fun teams in the U.S. but these divisions and leagues are so well organized and popular, that it is a great way to bring people from your community and area together.

David's team happy after a win!

Someone is a little tired and hot after a long game.

After the game, we went home to rest a little bit (David's legs were a little tired and he was so hot, it was 87 degrees, which is super hot over here!) before we went to the market to get some dinner and grill out in the park near his apartment. I love the laid back culture here. Everyone walks where they need to go, as long as it's a reasonable distance, which is not the same as in America, and it is so much more relaxed. You don't feel like you need to be in a hurry or you're going to be late or you need to be checking your watch every 15 minutes. You just do what you need to do when you can do it. So, we went to the market, picked up some brats and kebabs and peppers and went to the park. We had a disposable grill and we enjoyed a beverage while waiting for our dinner. The park sits right on the lake and with all the boats docked and the sun mixed with rain clouds, it made for a gorgeous sight.

Amanda watching the grill to make sure it's ready.

We ended the day with a trip to the movie theater to see The Hangover Pt. 2. We were a little underwhelmed, but with the selection of candy we had, we managed to stay satiated ;)

Apparently, Swedes love their candy. Mmmmmmm.

Cross your fingers the rain stays away! Ciao!

Stockholm Sights

Well, today is my 3rd full day in Sweden and we are taking a fika right now. Fika is pretty much the best thing ever. It's a break in the day, coffee, a walk, a rest. And I love this time. I am going to bring this to the U.S. because I really feel like we need to adopt this daily, sometimes 3 times a day tradition.

David and I on a bridge on the way to Old Town Stockholm.

I have seen so much already and I've really only been in Stockholm! We walked all around the Old Town District in Stockholm, went over to the palace and got to see the changing of the guard which was really neat to see. It was so hot out and all of the guards and palace band had on heavy uniforms and had to be so incredibly hot. David and I were sweating and we had on t shirts and shorts/capris! Then, when David said that they do this every day, I was absolutely amazed. To march all through the streets of the city and then do a presentation, presenting the colors and playing a few songs for almost an hour is just crazy. I'm pretty sure the best part of the presentation was when the royal band played Dolly Parton's 9 to 5. Yes, I am so serious right now. They worked 9 to 5 and it was awesome.

I'll be adding more later, but here are a few pictures so far!

Royal band marching through the palace courtyard area.

A view through some buildings in Old Town Stockholm.

View down a walkway by Bumblebee Park

Across the pond I go!

In t-minus 13 hours I will be on a plane on my way to the land of Ikea and H&M! Sweden here I come! I am so insanely excited I'm just beside myself. Being able to head over and visit my friend, D, is the highlight of my year and it will be so fun to have him show me his country. When he first came to Nebraska as a foreign exchange student 10 years ago,  I couldn't wait to go over and see him in Sweden. Now, it's finally happening!

It was a good thing today was a super busy day at work and I had things to do constantly because if I didn't I'm not sure my attention span would have been anywhere except looking up new things about my vacation spot. But it does feel so good to have all loose ends at work tied up and knowing that I have awesome colleagues who can handle normal questions that would be sent to me while I'm out! How cool is it that I am actually going to miss being at work while I'm on vacation? Don't get me wrong, I am like a million times over excited for my holiday, but it is pretty sweet that I will also look forward to getting back and hitting the office.

I got all packed up last night and went over everything again tonight, just to double check that I am all ready to go! After work, I made a quick stop to see my favorite stylist who tidied up my hair with a few snips here and there and a few new little rays of sunshine here and there so that I really assimilate into my new culture! Yep, I may be a full fledge American, but if I no one heard me speak, I am so sure they would think I was a local ;)

So, on the packing list: Passport, check. iPod, check. Reading material, check. Extra contacts, check. Cute tops...but not too many since I plan on dropping by H&M, check. Well, that sounds like just about all I need, right? Ok, maybe not, but in any case, I am ready to get on my jet plane and have an adventure in Sweden!

Memorial Day

This morning I attended a wonderful ceremony in my hometown's town square honoring our Great Nation's veterans of past, present and future. I hope we all take this day to recognize and remember all of those who have put our lives in front of theirs to give all of us our freedom and rights that we have today. I have the great honor of remembering and celebrating many in my family who have served our nation and who we can all thank today for their honor, love and bravery.

My Grandpa Jim served in WWII, along with his brother, Ben. My great grandfather James and great great uncle Charles both served in the Civil War and my great grandfather William served in WWI.

Thank you to all of our great veterans for your service.

Wicked!!

For Mother's Day this year, Dad and I went in on a special treat for Mom and Kelly, tickets to Wicked!! Luckily, I get to partake in the festivities and join...hey, I have plants - who do you think takes care of them and "mothers them"...ME! Anyway, that's how I'm going to justify it ;)

The show was absolutely amazing and Mom and Kelly just loved it. I have had the soundtrack for several years now but have never seen the production and boy was it worth it. I had goosebumps, the hair was raised on my neck, I could feel my face moving from looks of excitement and anticipation to joy to sadness to amazement at the range these performers had. Oh my goodness were they awesome. And the theatrics were off the heezy and there was a great ending to boot! 

If you have not seen Wicked, you seriously need to find a showing near you. It's worth the money. It's something you will never forget and it really a fun night out for moms and daughters, sisters, friends and even couples! 

So, why don't you all go ahead and defy some gravity today because in the end you will be changed for good. (hint hint...go see the show and you'll know what I mean)

Expectations, people!

I had a very interesting and insightful lunch today in the Neb. I went out with some coworkers and our new intern, who at the young age of 22, made all of us think on a little deeper level than a usual Friday lunch conversation. I don't even know exactly how we got onto the topic of relationships, but we sure do know a lot about intern, hereby known as OG, and his girlfriend. Let's start with the conversation takeaway: EXPECTATIONS! Know what you want and expect, know what your significant other wants and expects and then do everything you can to exceed those wants and expectations. But remember, you need to meet them first then work on exceeding them.

It was very interesting to hear such a young person's (not that I'm THAT much older) point of view. Especially a young male who met his possible soul mate at the age of 20. Who does that anymore? Where are these people and do they have signs around their necks that say "Hey! I'm single and may just be your soulmate!"

Keep in mind that this young guy is talking to 3 women who are older, one of them by nearly 10 years, 2 of which are completely single and one who is just waiting for that ring to be slipped on her finger. You would think he would be a little intimidated right? Wrong. Not this kid. We have since invited him to our weekly lunch outings. If nothing else, he serves as really good entertainment and brings up things that we really do think about all the time but never have a male's perspective. It brings a new dynamic to our Friday lunch discussion.

So, as I look back and try to remember what exactly OG said I needed to do, shit...I just forgot a lot of it. Oh well, I guess I'm on my own for this one. EXPECTATIONS! That's what it was, oh yes, expectations. Well, maybe unfortunately for men in the world, or possibly this is unfortunate for me, I do have fairly high expectations so for one to meet them and them exceed them could be slightly tiring. Good thing I like to nap and will let my significant other partake in the napping as well. Well, that's enough on relationships for one day. For many people, I can see not being in a relationship but thinking about being in one is maybe almost more tiring than actually being in one! Good thing I'm not many people and don't think about it enough to be tired. In my estimation, when the time comes and Prince Charming walks through the doors I'll be ready.

Let's just hope it doesn't take me eating a poison apple or being locked in a tower for that to happen ;)

Pinterest

Have you heard of Pinterest? Ohmygosh, you need to hear of it, you need to get it and you need to become obsessed. Oh wait, you really don't "need" to do any of that, you automatically will do it!! One of my best friends, L, isn't really interested in getting the whole blog thing going, but she said this is the closest she will come and she loves it. Immediately, I was intrigued and asked her to "add" me to it.

This awesome little concoction give you boards that you "pin" things to. Your favorite foods, your style, places you want to go, gadgets you love in the kitchen, what do you grow? You can create any board you want and name it anything you want and then, when you find something cool online that you want to "pin" on one of your boards, the site gives you this little link that you bookmark and put on your toolbar, click it and you can choose the image and link you want on your board. Confused? Why don't you just sign up and check out the drift I'm sending your way. It's awesome. It's fantastic. It's addictive. And I love it.

I also think it's a great way to get creative, let your mind wander and see things that other people think about and find interesting. You'll learn a lot about yourself and about others. Alright, now get pinning!!!