I apologize for neglecting my posts, it's been a busy first 3 weeks. I've made a few new observances on the difference between the American and Swedish daily life :
The grocery carts here are taking some getting used to. While I knew that I was going to have to have 5 kronor in order to use a grocery cart (you get the money back when you chain the cart back up at the end of your shopping trip), I was unprepared for how strange the actual carts were. In the US your normal grocery cart goes backwards, forwards and turns...the rear wheels don't turn to the left or the right. Here in Sweden the grocery carts can go sideways, diagonalways, in just about any direction you could possibly want. While this sounds fine, and is easily brushed off....imagine trying to push a cart with 100 pounds of groceries and a 60 pound child standing on the front diagonally across a downwards slope leading to the parking lot...it's a bit difficult to steer in the right direction when the cart insists on going straight down the incline directly into traffic. Maybe I haven't mastered the art of the grocery cart in Sweden, or maybe I'm just weak...but my shopping trips are always an adventure (now that I've figured out where the grocery stores are, and how to navigate the many roundabouts).
Another oddity that I noticed just recently (we had our first movie night), was just about everything to do with the theater. When we first went in we made the normal run to the bathroom (to keep from having to miss part of the movie)...but the door was locked!!! Of course Joel was completely unfazed by this, and had he not been there I don't know that I would have figured out the secret. There is a code on your movie ticket that you have to enter into a number pad that unlocks the bathroom...lucky for me I had thrown the movie ticket into the front pocket of my purse and it was easily retrievable, but still, a secret code to use the bathroom??? Come on, really? Are there so many people in Stockholm wanting to walk in to the movie theater just to use their bathrooms, that they need to put a lock on the doors? And to be honest, the bathrooms weren't that nice, or clean for that matter.
As an American I have, quite frequently, participated in the time honored tradition of arriving at the movie theater at a ridiculously early time in order to ensure that I could secure a good seat in the actual theater...oh, but that isn't the way here in Sweden. When you buy your ticket, you choose your seat. Assigned theater seating. No more"saving" the seat next to you in order to ensure the desired space between groups attending. So, even though there were 3 or 4 empty seats next to the isle...I still had to sit next to some complete stranger who, unforutnatley, had yet to discover the joys of deodorant.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Signs, Round-Abouts and Buses
I am happy to report that we've finally made it to our new home in Sweden, and I apologize for not updating my blog until day 3.
After a very long flight, a quick jaunt through security and customs in Iceland, and strangely enough back on the same plane for a second flight we finally touched down in Stockholm. Cierra was amazing through the whole thing...not one moment of her "we're flying, we're flying" song! ( I'll upload some pictures from our journey just as soon as I get them off of my phone.) We arrived to an overcast and slightly chilly day (8 degrees Celsius), but beautiful nonetheless.
Once off the plane we followed the overhead signs entitled "Arrivals" in hopes that it would lead us in the right direction to get out of the complicated airport. The last time I flew into Stockholm I was able to meet Joel after going through customs and he accompanied me to baggage claim...sadly, I assumed the same would be true this time (after all, how else could a person transport 4 large suitcases, 2 medium carry-ons, a computer bag, a backpack, 2 pillows, a purse and a 5 year old?). I was a bit dismayed to reach the baggage claim area without having gone past the area where the public was allowed to wait for passengers. Silently freaking out I located our baggage carousel and tried to imagine how I was going to manage the daunting task ahead of me, when I noticed that all of the savvy passengers from my flight had somehow procured baggage carts; a glimmer of hope. Being the shy person I am, I avoided asking someone where they got their cart from, and instead set off to retrace our steps. Without too much difficulty I found the carts nicely stored at the other end of the baggage hall...but, to my horror, every cart I tried seemed (to me) to be broken...just my luck. On the verge of giving up I noticed a passenger stroll up to a cart I had previously tried and easily breeze away with it. NO FAIR! What was I doing wrong?.....recovering from my blond moment I looked down at the handle and noticed directions in fine print....duh!!!! One must push down on the main handle bar to release the wheels, and keep holding it down while walking. We hurried back to our baggage carousel and claimed our spot in the VERY orderly line of people, all exactly 2 feet away from the carousel, waiting for their bags. Everyone was very courteous, allowing each person to walk forward and claim their bags as it passed by. However, I started receiving curious looks as I set off on a marathon of hurrying forward, grabbing a bag, hastily putting it on the cart and then darting back to the belt again to claim the next bag. Needless to say I was the only passenger attempting to cart around 9 bags and a small child. FINALLY we set off in search of the exit and Joel. Without too many navigation errors we managed to reach our destination! After a wonderful few moments we walked as a family to the car and loaded everything into Joel's Volvo, and then, full of happiness, our little family of 3 set off for home. These are my first observances of Sweden:
After following the strange exit signs entitled "Enfart" (yes I was giggling the whole time), we approached the E4 highway. Joel pointed out the strange speed limit signs that simply said "110" (OMG moment, until I realized we were talking about kph, not mph). Then, with visions of horrible multi-car crashes we tackled our first Round-About (I knew I hated them for a reason, and dread the moment when I have to start driving through them with confidence), in a complicated dance we maneuvered our way through and onto the desired road. I was soon amazed by the many cars, that by American standards, are considered luxury European models...but are normal every day cars here in Sweden. However, the ones I still cannot get over are the Mercedes-Benz public transportation buses.....doesn't that seem strange to anyone else????? Apparently it's only me :)
After a very long flight, a quick jaunt through security and customs in Iceland, and strangely enough back on the same plane for a second flight we finally touched down in Stockholm. Cierra was amazing through the whole thing...not one moment of her "we're flying, we're flying" song! ( I'll upload some pictures from our journey just as soon as I get them off of my phone.) We arrived to an overcast and slightly chilly day (8 degrees Celsius), but beautiful nonetheless.
Once off the plane we followed the overhead signs entitled "Arrivals" in hopes that it would lead us in the right direction to get out of the complicated airport. The last time I flew into Stockholm I was able to meet Joel after going through customs and he accompanied me to baggage claim...sadly, I assumed the same would be true this time (after all, how else could a person transport 4 large suitcases, 2 medium carry-ons, a computer bag, a backpack, 2 pillows, a purse and a 5 year old?). I was a bit dismayed to reach the baggage claim area without having gone past the area where the public was allowed to wait for passengers. Silently freaking out I located our baggage carousel and tried to imagine how I was going to manage the daunting task ahead of me, when I noticed that all of the savvy passengers from my flight had somehow procured baggage carts; a glimmer of hope. Being the shy person I am, I avoided asking someone where they got their cart from, and instead set off to retrace our steps. Without too much difficulty I found the carts nicely stored at the other end of the baggage hall...but, to my horror, every cart I tried seemed (to me) to be broken...just my luck. On the verge of giving up I noticed a passenger stroll up to a cart I had previously tried and easily breeze away with it. NO FAIR! What was I doing wrong?.....recovering from my blond moment I looked down at the handle and noticed directions in fine print....duh!!!! One must push down on the main handle bar to release the wheels, and keep holding it down while walking. We hurried back to our baggage carousel and claimed our spot in the VERY orderly line of people, all exactly 2 feet away from the carousel, waiting for their bags. Everyone was very courteous, allowing each person to walk forward and claim their bags as it passed by. However, I started receiving curious looks as I set off on a marathon of hurrying forward, grabbing a bag, hastily putting it on the cart and then darting back to the belt again to claim the next bag. Needless to say I was the only passenger attempting to cart around 9 bags and a small child. FINALLY we set off in search of the exit and Joel. Without too many navigation errors we managed to reach our destination! After a wonderful few moments we walked as a family to the car and loaded everything into Joel's Volvo, and then, full of happiness, our little family of 3 set off for home. These are my first observances of Sweden:
After following the strange exit signs entitled "Enfart" (yes I was giggling the whole time), we approached the E4 highway. Joel pointed out the strange speed limit signs that simply said "110" (OMG moment, until I realized we were talking about kph, not mph). Then, with visions of horrible multi-car crashes we tackled our first Round-About (I knew I hated them for a reason, and dread the moment when I have to start driving through them with confidence), in a complicated dance we maneuvered our way through and onto the desired road. I was soon amazed by the many cars, that by American standards, are considered luxury European models...but are normal every day cars here in Sweden. However, the ones I still cannot get over are the Mercedes-Benz public transportation buses.....doesn't that seem strange to anyone else????? Apparently it's only me :)
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Almost Home
For most people, sitting in a mostly empty house would be a bit depressing, but in this instance I'm not one of those. I look around at the empty rooms and walls and daydream about what my life will be filled with in just a few weeks, because in just 16 short days I'll no longer call the United States my home (how strange that sounds coming from someone who gave 5 years of their life serving their country in the military).
A little over a month ago I received the news that my daughter and I had been approved for residence and work permits in Sweden, a necessary step in the process of moving in and becoming a family with my amazingly wonderful boyfriend, who happens to live in Stockholm. The pace of our lives has drastically increased since receiving the news....three days later Cierra finished her last day of school in the U.S., and two days after that was on a plane to Oklahoma in order to spend some time with that part of the family before we move thousands of miles away. Of course, I was left in Seattle to make all the arrangements for the move. Joel and I sat down with our calendars and picked the "Big Move Day", May 3rd, and that's when the marathon began.
Oh sure, everyone thinks that the hard part of moving is actually doing it...but to be honest, it's really informing your extended family that you are moving out of the country. Full of nerves and after a few bumps and bruises I managed to inform everyone, but it's like telling them all over again once you have the move date set. I informed my landlord, my boss, and all the other companies, places and people who you don't really think of until you realize you are getting rid of and shutting off everything. I fretted about being able to sell my car in time, but to my relief it sold quickly. My mother drove over from Idaho and packed up my living room furniture and TV and hauled it home the next day. I took a few days off of work and made, what feels like, a thousand runs to goodwill, the landfill etc. Now all that is left is the things in my bedroom. I have four large suitcases sitting open in my living room just waiting for me to pack...but two weeks early seems a bit premature for that. I have a good-bye party with my co-workers this Friday, a final weekend to wrap things up here at home, then next weekend I'll fly to Oklahoma to pick up Cierra, then turn around and fly right back.
I keep trying to wrap my mind around the fact that next week is my last week at work, that the following Monday I turn in the key to my townhouse, and three days later Cierra and I will fly halfway around the world to a home we've seen, but never step foot in, to a home that I love, not for where it is, or what it looks like, but for what it holds inside: My love, my best friend, my Joel. Of course he has been very adorable to watch this past month as well, making sure everything is perfect for our arrival. Booster seat in his car, bicycle for Cierra, lots of pink in Cierra's room, new couch, new mattress toppers, new sheets, obscenely clean home, newly updated parking spots, discussions about first meals and first outings, practice shopping....the list goes on and on. I couldn't be happier.
The best part is, I'll wake up tomorrow with a smile on my face and say "only 15 more days".
A little over a month ago I received the news that my daughter and I had been approved for residence and work permits in Sweden, a necessary step in the process of moving in and becoming a family with my amazingly wonderful boyfriend, who happens to live in Stockholm. The pace of our lives has drastically increased since receiving the news....three days later Cierra finished her last day of school in the U.S., and two days after that was on a plane to Oklahoma in order to spend some time with that part of the family before we move thousands of miles away. Of course, I was left in Seattle to make all the arrangements for the move. Joel and I sat down with our calendars and picked the "Big Move Day", May 3rd, and that's when the marathon began.
Oh sure, everyone thinks that the hard part of moving is actually doing it...but to be honest, it's really informing your extended family that you are moving out of the country. Full of nerves and after a few bumps and bruises I managed to inform everyone, but it's like telling them all over again once you have the move date set. I informed my landlord, my boss, and all the other companies, places and people who you don't really think of until you realize you are getting rid of and shutting off everything. I fretted about being able to sell my car in time, but to my relief it sold quickly. My mother drove over from Idaho and packed up my living room furniture and TV and hauled it home the next day. I took a few days off of work and made, what feels like, a thousand runs to goodwill, the landfill etc. Now all that is left is the things in my bedroom. I have four large suitcases sitting open in my living room just waiting for me to pack...but two weeks early seems a bit premature for that. I have a good-bye party with my co-workers this Friday, a final weekend to wrap things up here at home, then next weekend I'll fly to Oklahoma to pick up Cierra, then turn around and fly right back.
I keep trying to wrap my mind around the fact that next week is my last week at work, that the following Monday I turn in the key to my townhouse, and three days later Cierra and I will fly halfway around the world to a home we've seen, but never step foot in, to a home that I love, not for where it is, or what it looks like, but for what it holds inside: My love, my best friend, my Joel. Of course he has been very adorable to watch this past month as well, making sure everything is perfect for our arrival. Booster seat in his car, bicycle for Cierra, lots of pink in Cierra's room, new couch, new mattress toppers, new sheets, obscenely clean home, newly updated parking spots, discussions about first meals and first outings, practice shopping....the list goes on and on. I couldn't be happier.
The best part is, I'll wake up tomorrow with a smile on my face and say "only 15 more days".
Saturday, March 3, 2012
A Lesson in Patience
We've all heard the saying "patience is a virtue", unfortunately it is a virtue that few of us have very much of. Even after years of hearing the military motto "hurry up and wait" I, like most American's, still find myself irritated by the smallest wait time. Haven't you ever caught yourself bouncing your feet as you are forced to wait at the doctors office? Or secretly been irritated at that person in front of you in line, who has a million ridiculous questions and concerns? Having been the person behind the desk/counter I'd like to think that I can appreciate that everyone is doing their best and they will get to me as quickly as possible, but this past year has really been a lesson in patience for me.
In my life it's the decision that is the difficult part. Once a decision has been made I put all of my focus into making it happen, and making it happen as quickly as possible, especially when that decision will bring about a wonderful change. So, when my Swedish boyfriend (pojkvän) and I began talking about wanting to live together, and subsequently deciding who would move where, the waiting began. Naturally I did what I do best, research. Research on necessary paperwork, schools for my 5 year old daughter, Swedish language classes, life in Stockholm, and even the Stockholm subway system (which my boyfriend, Joel, found very amusing). If I was going to uproot my life and move halfway around the world with my daughter I was going to have every scrap of information possible! After many discussions and lots of sleepless nights we finally made the big decision...Cierra and I would be moving.
Whew! Decision made, hard part over!.................WRONG. Originally the Swedish Resident Permit application process was said to take about 6-8 months, a long time to be apart, but doable. Then the Migration Board (Migrationsverket) updated their website and the wait time was changed to 7-10 months. A very depressing wait time for a couple madly in love, and for my 5 year old who is crazy about Joel. Sometimes all the skyping in the world just isn't enough, but we would have to make do. In early November I noticed another update on the migration board's website indicating that they were changing part of their system and we were eligible to apply online starting in December. The new online system would drastically shorten the waiting time, they were promising a decision within 3 months. This was wonderful news!!! We finally applied on January 11th during Joel's vacation with us in the U.S. There was a few hours of elation, we had finally applied, no turning back, but then the real waiting began. Joel was wonderful of course, he knows how much I dislike waiting, and on top of that, how much I dislike not knowing where things are in the process. He was always encouraging, and even sympathized with my obsessive worrying when we didn't receive an invitation to schedule and interview right away. The days dragged by, I hated not knowing. Finally, on February 2nd (my birthday no less) I received the much awaited email. I called the office of the Swedish Consulate in San Francisco (the closest one to me on their list), and was told to wait again :( They were working out some kinks in their system and would call me back when they received the application info from Sweden. On February 9th I called them back, determined to either get an appointment for an interview, or to be forwarded to someone else who could help me. I was directed to their Seattle office and got an appointment for the 14th (great Valentine's day present). The interview was short, but went well. It was wonderful to know that we have nothing left to do on our end. The rest is up to the migration board in Sweden. But now we are back in waiting mode again. The representative at the interview said we could expect a decision in the next 1-3 months.
Secretly, I'm that girl who checks the Migrationsverket website twice a day hoping that a decision will have been made. We've made the life changing decision to move to Stockholm, and now I want to start living that life. I hate waiting. Joel, in his utterly charming way, reminds me almost every day that I am "learning patience" and that we will be together soon. So, for now, I have the promise of a wonderful future in a new and amazing country that I can hardly wait to call my own.
In my life it's the decision that is the difficult part. Once a decision has been made I put all of my focus into making it happen, and making it happen as quickly as possible, especially when that decision will bring about a wonderful change. So, when my Swedish boyfriend (pojkvän) and I began talking about wanting to live together, and subsequently deciding who would move where, the waiting began. Naturally I did what I do best, research. Research on necessary paperwork, schools for my 5 year old daughter, Swedish language classes, life in Stockholm, and even the Stockholm subway system (which my boyfriend, Joel, found very amusing). If I was going to uproot my life and move halfway around the world with my daughter I was going to have every scrap of information possible! After many discussions and lots of sleepless nights we finally made the big decision...Cierra and I would be moving.
Whew! Decision made, hard part over!.................WRONG. Originally the Swedish Resident Permit application process was said to take about 6-8 months, a long time to be apart, but doable. Then the Migration Board (Migrationsverket) updated their website and the wait time was changed to 7-10 months. A very depressing wait time for a couple madly in love, and for my 5 year old who is crazy about Joel. Sometimes all the skyping in the world just isn't enough, but we would have to make do. In early November I noticed another update on the migration board's website indicating that they were changing part of their system and we were eligible to apply online starting in December. The new online system would drastically shorten the waiting time, they were promising a decision within 3 months. This was wonderful news!!! We finally applied on January 11th during Joel's vacation with us in the U.S. There was a few hours of elation, we had finally applied, no turning back, but then the real waiting began. Joel was wonderful of course, he knows how much I dislike waiting, and on top of that, how much I dislike not knowing where things are in the process. He was always encouraging, and even sympathized with my obsessive worrying when we didn't receive an invitation to schedule and interview right away. The days dragged by, I hated not knowing. Finally, on February 2nd (my birthday no less) I received the much awaited email. I called the office of the Swedish Consulate in San Francisco (the closest one to me on their list), and was told to wait again :( They were working out some kinks in their system and would call me back when they received the application info from Sweden. On February 9th I called them back, determined to either get an appointment for an interview, or to be forwarded to someone else who could help me. I was directed to their Seattle office and got an appointment for the 14th (great Valentine's day present). The interview was short, but went well. It was wonderful to know that we have nothing left to do on our end. The rest is up to the migration board in Sweden. But now we are back in waiting mode again. The representative at the interview said we could expect a decision in the next 1-3 months.
Secretly, I'm that girl who checks the Migrationsverket website twice a day hoping that a decision will have been made. We've made the life changing decision to move to Stockholm, and now I want to start living that life. I hate waiting. Joel, in his utterly charming way, reminds me almost every day that I am "learning patience" and that we will be together soon. So, for now, I have the promise of a wonderful future in a new and amazing country that I can hardly wait to call my own.
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