Ice Fishing!

Finally, I have some pictures to share. I'm still waiting on my camera, but these I took with my Iphone. This is the house that I'm living in, very nice! Heated floors even :) There was plenty of snow the first few weeks I was here, and now it's starting to melt. This means ice and slush is everywhere. I loved the snow, but now that it's melting, I want it to be Spring! Haven't really done too much up until today, so that's why the lack of postings.

However, today...I went Ice Fishing! Yes, I walked on a frozen lake, carved out holes, and went fishing with the guys. Lasse, his sons Anton, Elias and Charlie, then also some of their cousins. It was beautiful clear blue skies, calm and quiet. I was a little scared obviously, never being on a frozen lake or ice fishing, but everyone was doing it, and they've all done it their whole lives. When we drilled (using a hand held large screwdriver basically) I found it was only inches until the water. Still, this was scary to me. They said it was really thick and frozen, and they'd even drive their cars on it. We didn't thank God. I loved this experience though! There was a small post/fort area, where we started a fire, and grilled up hotdogs, and we also drank hot chocolate. We were only there for a few hours, since the kids were exhausted, but it was totally worth it. We unfortunately did not catch any fish though, kinda bummed, but that's fishing. Here are some other pics of the morning. By the way, had herring last night as an appetizer for dinner. Pretty good!

I've been here over a month already, and I'm really feeling settled and comfortable with the family and life around me. Everyone loves that I have Swedish roots, and that I'm from California! Have a few trips planned for April (or sooner), and I'll have my camera by then. Happy Birthday to my mom too, March 1st! I love the webcam, I'm talking to family probably more now than ever. Talked to Reese and Lucy Hobby (little cousins) last night at my parents house, and they were so cute and excited to see me. I'll try to connect and see the whole family on Sunday! Miss everyone, and hope everything at home is great! Hejdo!

Kumla Prison

Today, was a great day! It was snowing lightly all day, and just looked beautiful and quiet. Lasse and I decided to take a LONG walk, which I´ve been walking a lot anyways, but today was more of an adventure. Think he said it was about 7 miles around the city, so I was game. We packed up Elias, and brought Bella, and dropped off Charlie at school.

Destination...Kumla Prison. Okay, found this out just a few months before I moved here, but Kumla has the biggest Prison in Sweden. Just outside of town, they have inmates from all around the world, not just Sweden. Looked pretty big, and no one was out of course (snow), but wasn´t anything too special. Glad I saw where it was at least, and happy it´s on the other side of town. Was a great walk that included conversation about politics, our countries, prisoners, etc. Nothing too crazy though with the politics, as you know how I can get.

I promise, I´ll get pics up soon and probably send some on shutterfly. Working on getting my camera fixed asap. Stay tuned.

White, White White!

Today, I woke up to a completely white and still snowing Sweden. Everything is white, and you can hardly see the trees! Think it looks beautiful! Have never seen this much white really :D

Going to a nice lunch today with the family. I´m not sure where, but will be good. I´m so glad the family has been showing me around and inviting me into their family.

It snowed all day today! I´m such a Californian, because I loved it! The ground was covered with inches of fresh snow, and it just looked beautiful! Great work out too, pushing the kids in a stroller, up hill, in new thick snow, with a dog. Had my new snow boots, and great jacket, so I was fine. The kids of course had all the greatest warm gear. Supposed to snow for the next few days :D Don´t worry, I know the temperature in CA now, so no reminders :P

Lost in Translation

My first week in Sweden has been a whirlwind! Finally made myself at home, and learning my way around Kumla. I´ve officially started working, and I´ve realized how much I´ve missed working with kids. Charlie and Elias really know who I am now, which makes walks, meals, games, etc. more fun for all! Charlie still speaks to me in only Swedish, but I see everyday improvments on his understanding of english. Since that is all I can speak, he really has no choice :) Elias, the baby, is so much fun. I´ll be spending most my time with him. Typical 1 year old, grabbing and eating everything. It´s been fun finding my way into this family, since they´ve been so helpful and accepting. I know I made the right choice choosing this family!

Last week, I was still adjusting to the culture shock and time change, but things are finally settleing. Sevy, their previous Au Pair, was here for a few days before she returned to Idaho and she showed me the ropes. I also went to Orebrö with her to meet a friend for shopping and lunch. Orebrö is a little larger than Kumla. This is where I take my Swedish language classes. I go every Monday and Tuesday for 6 weeks. Lets just say, it is totally yes, foreign to me! I´m so lost right now, but I´m glad I´m taking something just to get the basics down. I have 2 really cool teachers, who are very patient with their ´special´student :P It really fun, but I have a lot to learn. Pray for me...

I´ve also noticed more interesting things here, that I thought you´d like to hear about. Instead of John Deer, they have Volvo tractors!! Thought the Irelans would love this! The Swedish flag is everywhere. They are very proud people and I love that. They have drop offs for clothes donations right next to the trash and recycle dumpsters. I thought this was genious, since I´m always going through clothes.

I´ve gotten in contact with some of Grandma Mary´s relatives. Think they live about 2 hours north of Kumla. They said there´s plenty of snow where they are, and they can´t wait to meet me. It´s crazy to think, my family is here too. My mom says Grandma would be very proud that I was here. I agree, but think she had a hand in making this happen! I´ve also gotten in touch with my friend Amarachi, who is living in Stockholm studying for a year. She is originally from Nigeria, but we met while working at BGI in SF. Small world!

While I´m at it, just wanted to say thank you for everyone´s love and support to get me here! Whether that meant money for my travels, patience while I figured out my crazy life, or best wishes and prayers. A special thanks to my parents and all my grandparents! None of this would be happening without your love and support! I´m living the dream, and I can only hope to share it with you the best I can! Waiting for my camera to be fixed, but I´ve have pics asap. Sweden isnt going anywhere :D

Btw, almost killed Lasse tonight...he thought he could take the Habanero hot sauce I brought...oops! I warned him, but apparently, it ´wasn´t that bad...´

Until next time...take care!
Jani

My Swede Escape has arrived! I´ve been here almost a week, and am now finally adjusted to the time change and the many new changes in everyday life. I arrived last Tuesday to Stockholm after a long 2 days (basically) of flying. Luckily had no problems with my luggage, customs, or flights. Although one European lady kept staring at me on the flight here.... who knows.

The family is awesome, and the kids are adorable! They have a very nice Ikea -like home with plenty of room and conveniences. Suzanne and Lasse have been very welcoming and fun to talk with. They love practicing their enligh (which is really good!), and love to learn what I think and know about America. Charlie is 2 1/2, and is a typical 2 year old. Runs a lot, talks a lot, laughs a lot, and all around just fun! He pretty much only speaks Swedish, but I think that´ll help me learn from him. He does understand my english words and questions, but will answer in Swedish. Very smart and really does try to speak english and swedish. Elias just turned one last week, and is so much fun also! He´s just begun to walk, and is saying papa and mama only. I´ll spend most of my days with him, which will be great. Then there is Anton and Louise, Lasse´s two older children in their teens here, but not my responsibility,) Very nice kids, but still shy with me. I´ll post some pictures asap with the family, house, neighborhood, etc. They also have a dog Bella, who is a very active 12 year old dog. She´s half black lab and something else, very very sweet. I love having a dog around!

Some things I´ve notice that are extremely different from home... My head is swimming with confusion due to the language barrier. I start classes on monday, and that will go on for 6 weeks in Orebrö (about 15 minutes away). A lot of people speak english, or at least try to. Everyone is very pleased to meet the new American! Lasse loves to tell everyone that my grandparents came from Sweden, making me Swedish American (basically the best of the best in the world!) Another big difference is they hang dry their clothes. I asked where the dryer was, and Suzanne explained the new process. There´s a closet like space where you hang everything. Works I guess, but I know I´ll miss the fresh, non-wrinkled, warm laundry. It´s cold! First few days, it was snowing. Little different from the 75degree weather in Solvang! I like it though...fun to wear the hat, scarf, gloves, and warm clothes. Makes you realize how easy it is to get kids ready to go in CA. The heat in the house comes from the floors. I really like this, because you´re feet are always warm and there´s nothing blowing or making noise (like our heaters). The windows and doors are very think and secure to keep the heat in, or course. The first night I was here, we had tacos, yes tacos! Little different though...it was ground deer meat! Actually very delicious! They do have tortillas, and I brought my favorite hot sauce so I was set. Lasse LOVES the hot sauce, I was so surprised but happy! So basically, life in Sweden is very different, but I´ll enjoy getting used to it!

In the past week, I´ve met most of the family, seen Charlie´s preschool, eaten very Swedish food, seen Kumla and Orebrö, been kind of trained in the way of life in Sweden, etc. One of my favorites was Lasse took me up to his grandfathers cabin, about 20 minutes away. SOOOOO Swedish! I really wish you all could see it, I´ll get pictures. I kept thinking my family would love this! It was a red 100 hundred year old cabin, with very small doors, windows, stairs, etc. No electricity or water, the outhouse was about 30 feet away, there´s an outdoor bath tub and shower, and a bbq pit. Lasse said we will go there this summer and hang out. I really loved this place because it just seemed so Swedish, did I say that already!?

Everyone here is very welcoming, and I love my new family already! Good things to come. I have a few email addresses of the family, which I will contact soon. I will for sure meet them, Lasse says that´ll be very important:D The Holms are extremely family oriented, which I can obviously relate too. Last night at the family party, I could easily see similarities which made me happy and also miss my own family. No worries though! Hope you enjoyed my first real blog, and I´ll do my best to update of course. Officially starting work on Tuesday, finally work!

Hej då (sounds like Hey Dough, goodbye)
Ta ta for now...
Jani