So this is Sweden: Chapter Two

Adventures in Swedish Healthcare Pt. 2: Getting the most for your 150 kronor.

2010-11-15T15:39:00.000Z

Well, I don't know about you, but I had a very interesting morning at Vårdcentralen this not so beautiful Monday morning in Linköping. What turned into just going to see a doctor about something funky going on to my foot turned into a whole dramatic morning for me and the lovely women who work there...and probably some of the other patients. What one earth happened? I think it's more of a what didn't happen....

For a long while now I have had some odd discoloration on my left foot, I went to the doctors about it weeks ago and they said it was something to not worry about, but if it seemed like it was spreading, to come back and have them look at it a second time.

Well two weeks ago, I noticed what I thought was contact dermatitis and started giving it the good ol' cortizone treatment...and this morning I finally realized it was not working and I think the discoloration was getting worse. Ok. Damnit. Gotta go to the doctors. So I arrived at 9 am, 30 minutes early from the beginning of the ticketing time (which determines your order...somewhat I've noticed). And I went back at like 10:45. I had a different doctor than last time (don't let your panties get into a republican twist, kids at home, I paid the total of 20 dollars for all of this, and I'm not even finished yet), and she was looking at my foot and how it's changed, read the previous report etc. She even called in an older doctor to talk about my foot (Borellea and penicillin and blood were mentioned in Swedish, I knew something was up.) Me, "Um....what is going on?" in my worst 5 year old panicked voice.

The doctors were not too sure what was going on with my foot, they do not think it is borellia, or however the hell you spell it, but to be on the safe side, I'm getting a healthy dose of antibiotics to try and kill whatever the hell is going on. But, they want to know what is wrong with me....and what is the best way to figure this out?

Blood work.

Being the tough American Mid-west girl that I am, I cried. Instantly. I have had a major fear/issue/phobia of having my blood drawn/giving blood, etc. The idea just freaks me out. Now, here I am, I had to get it done...and I might have borillea. DAMNIT.

Pull yourself together woman! You can handle this! Your tough! Strong! Your mother would laugh at you right now!

...but I really hate the whole concept of blood, and I was alone. Tired. Freaked out. Ok. Get the blood taken. 5 minutes later I'm on the other side of the office in a little room that is connected to the waiting room with only a curtain for privacy. It was like I was off to the gallows....because I am that pathetic.

Nurse: Legitimation?

Me: Huh (idiot, you know what she's saying)..oh...*gulp* *sniffle*....yes.....

I shakily hand over my handy Swedish ID card.

Nurse: Tack. She went off to process my stuff.

She comes back and I'm sniffling trying hard to pull myself together. She says, I need you to say your name and your personnumber to me. All my Swedish went out the door as a retaliation to her upcoming torture...that's right. I'll get you back. Also, I was just a bit confused because she just handed over my id card...um....didn't you just SEE my name/picture/number? What the hell.

Then it begins....prick!

Shaking gulp and looking away...

It wasn't that bad. This was one of those times, where all you people that say giving blood doesn't hurt, you were right. You weren't actually bullshitting me (most of the time that 'it doesn't hurt' is just a huge crock of bull.) So she took 2 viles. I survived. Shaky, emotionally exhausted, but it was over.

Her: "Are you ok?"

Me: "Yes, just a bit lightheaded..."

I grab my things and start to walk out. (Melinda, this is where you'll start having flashbacks to Fall 2007...). The warning signs are coming. My internal voice is telling me to sit down. I keep walking towards the door, just thinking it was the new blood loss. I remember struggleing to get the door open. I step out into the hallway and I remember starting the tunnel vision. Hearing was going out and I lost ability to focus well...then I grabbed the wall trying to will myself not to faint.

Then I woke up from a really nice dream all peaceful and cozy....on a cement floor.

What the hell am I doing on a cement floor? Where am I?!

Oh. No. I get up and notice a lot of blood.

Oh shit.

Leaving my coat, books and scarf on the floor I stumble back into the doctors office. I must have looked awesome because I am covered in blood and completely incoherent. (Melinda remembers this from when I fainted before, luckily the nurses did not slap my across the face to try and get my back to consciousness). I passed out a second time at the reception desk basically in front of the entire geriatric community of Linköping. Great. Here is the silly American immigrant girl who was trying not to cry when getting her blood taken. HA HA! Now you are covered in blood in the reception room! WIN! Way to go crazy American!

I come to again with two blonde Swedish nurses dragging/escorting me to an office. They get me up on a chair and start cleaning me up and I'm trying to tell them I have stuff in the hallway. I think it was something like meregggbbbbCOAT......mmmmmhhhheeeellllllllluuuuuHALLWAY....

Then they were telling me I busted my chin (I figured something was up with the blood), and that I might need stitches, but the doctor needs to look at it first. I just lose it at this point, now I've earned the right. Sat there crying while they swab my poor innocent chin. (NO! Not the moneymaker! Not the moneymaker!...sorry...) The same doctor as before comes in to look at me, (I'm still slightly incoherent, but a bit more conscious than before. I could understand some of the swedish around me) and she said that I either need a stitch or I need the skin adhesive. I tell her I have had enough stitches in this lifetime for 5 people and my body will have no more.

Skin adhesive it is. So they clean my up and get out the skin glue and tons of bandages. I'm already planning the amount of Vitamin E and coco butter to counter act this scar silliness. So now we chat, and I'm managing full sentences. Doctor asks about my 'enough stitches for 5 people' and I say 'attacked by dog when child. over 100 stitches.' and I slap my leg for loopy emphasis. I am such a dweeb.

Then, all is calm. The nice lady who helped me first is there chatting with me, and I am making her laugh. Good. I'm coming back to normal. I call Fredrik, telling him what happened...which had him in for a shock. Har. And he offers to come and fetch me from the office and help me home. So I sit and chill for 20 minutes just trying to get my head on straight again. He arrives (yay!) and helps me home...the knight in shining armor rescuing his silly girlfriend who just caused a crazy raucous at the local Vårdcentralen.

He walks me home and offers to get me Burger King (10 points to Fredrik!) and we had lunch and I just kinda sat and calmed down and then my mom and I chatted and I told her about my whole adventure this morning. She seemed to appreciate that one week before I'm coming home and at 6 am her time.

So yep. Now I'm here, with a massive bandage on my chin and a prescription I need to get filled out in city center....and Project Runway is on.

So there are 2 lessons to this story. First, do you want to know how much all of this cost me? 20 bucks. Yep. 150 kronor (roughly calculated.) For everything. Overall, I do believe that I definitely got my money's worth today. It was a financial accomplishment. 10 points to the Swedish Healthcare System!

Second, Leave my blood alone. I am quite attached to it, even just a little bit. Bad things happen when you take it away from me. Ok? Ok.

<3 <3

Is this a bit sad?

2010-11-06T08:59:00.000Z

As I write, I am currently sitting in Sapphire's flat in Stockholm enjoying some fabulous sunshine....and the fact that her flat is on the corner, has lots of windows, is an 18th century building, and has a working fireplace, is located in a great part of Stockholm, I have wireless access, and tonight is the the big Indian New Year Party, Diwali (excuse the spelling if it is incorrect, if it is correct, please send a cookie.)

And you know what is really sad and is an excellent representation of my life in lil ol' Linköping and my minor shopping issue? I was so excited about shopping, seeing lots of different stores that I could spend money I don't have in. Oh. So. Excited. There was actually a spring in my step. I was..giddy....

Don't get me wrong, I was very happy to be going to Stockholm to visit Sapphire, hang out, celebrate the Hindu New Year etc...but the shopping. Oh. Baby. That's just a different thing all together. It was glorious. Makes me giddy for going to the malls at home.

Plus Christmas decorations are starting to go up in Linkoping and stuff is in the stores here in this part of Stockholm....and Fredrik makes fun of me/Americans for decorating for Christmas too early. Pish. Swedes seem to be just as bad. Which isn't so bad at all.

Luckily my bank account survived, and I had a very wonderful (not sarcastic) experience with Beyond Retro's customer service. 10 points to Beyond Retro in Söder!

Going back to the selection of H&M and...well....H&M in Linkoping is going to be painful...*sigh*

For Sweet Fudge's Sake

2010-10-23T16:02:00.001+01:00

The Local is a never ending source for entertainment and information for me as an American expat in Sweden. I get all of Sweden's news ... in ENGLISH! They really prefer to stick to the hard core, no bull facts, like incest in Kalmar between first cousins who wanted to get married....or brother and sister...can't fully remember (I asked Fredrik if he was related and to no longer mock me about being from Kentucky. He responded that he's never made incest jokes about me, and didn't know there was a correlation to the two. I believe I was over zealous with my HA HA! Whatchu gonna do now! approach.)

But today, Sapphire, sent me a doozy during our slightly obscene ongoing skype conversations. Get ready for this one. It's brillz.

Body Shop hemp ad falls foul of Swedish authority

Stop the presses. Holy mother of hell. What did The Body Shop do?! Were they advertising hemp plants in store? Selling weed behind the counter? Special relaxation oils? Seriously, what in good gracious is going on?

Oh Sweet Jesus.

But it actually gets better. Some genius employee of Örebro municipality, actually walked in to their local store, and demanded that the store take down their poster because it is deterring their on going fight against youth drug use...you know...because I know soooo many highschoolers rubbing the Hemp Body Butter all over their body for that sweet sweet high.

I used to do it too...it was a bad addiction, everyday for years...my mother included...until I realized that my beloved body butter isn't so natural (PEG-100...not so good for you if you're into that 'I want natural products in my skin, k thanks, dept.) It was a painful separation. I had to go to rehab, and then I went to Lush.

But, can we just discuss this, most definitely middleaged person (I'm thinking combover and a bad suit...kind of like the nerdy dad from Charlie and the chocolate factory....the one who's kid had a tv addiction) thinking they were actually going to affect the international powerhouse company that is The Body Shop.

I also feel bad for the sales clerk being read the Riot Act. Did she cry? Laugh? Or just sit there looking really confused...like...really...confused.

I think I would have just looked at the guy and been like...um...you realize that The Body Shop is a major international franchise and that this town is the size of a deer tick in regards to size of world cities, and that if you really wanted to do something, I don't think that harassing me about it would do you a lot of good. However if you would like to have a free sample of the hand creme, I would highly recommend it for the dry Swedish air. (I've had lots of training in retail.) And can I interest you in some aroma therapy diffuser and oils? I think you need to loosen a screw or two.

Poor Fredrik feels like he's going to be judged by all of Sweden now...that Hemp intense mousterizing hand creme is in his gym bag.

Don't tell anyone k? K.

In other news, it did not snow today. YAY!

If you do not see it. It does not exist.

2010-10-22T12:03:00.000+01:00

Apparently, it snowed yesterday.

I'm here to tell you it did not.

I didn't see it. Therefore, it did not happen. (Did I manage to spend all of last night not looking out the windows on purpose? That's a different question, what really matters is I did not see snow. No. Not at all. Forget about it. NO.)

Stop drinking the koolaid.

It's 65* and sunny outside with a slight breeze. Duh.

JOB INTERVIEW!

2010-10-06T11:11:00.000+01:00

Basically a month ago, before SFI started taking over my life, I was haunting Arbetesformedlingen website on an hourly basis. The only (I'm not exaggerating here) job that I was remotely qualified for was a part time position as a yoga instructor. I figured, what the hell, I love yoga, I've done it on and off for several years, and since it's a gym that is connected/close to the University, I thought they would be more open to an English speaking instructor. So I applied, in English, and I wrote my coverletter about how I love yoga and what I would want to bring as a yoga instructor. I've had different teachers with different backgrounds and I know what I like and don't like in a teacher.

I basically forgot about it/assumed they weren't interested since it had been a month.

Until they just emailed me asking if I could come in and do some poses and chat.

I. Am. Freaking. OUT.

It's only for a couple days a week, but it's just so perfect, and it's yoga, and it's teaching, and it's a chance to meet people and take better care of myself at the same time. It's just so perfect.

I don't usually ask for luck online, but all positive thoughts for me and this job would be appreciated, greatly. It was a long shot anyways, and so now I have to go and prove to them that my Swedish language skills are not necessary to be a yoga instructor.

Now I need to work on my breathing. Just. Breathe.

<3 <3

Being American makes SFI hysterical

2010-10-04T11:20:00.000+01:00

During my pronounciation class today, my teacher wrote these words on the chalkboard:

Hopp
Mitt
Kock

Thought kock is not the same in Swedish as it is in English, reading this in 'swenglish' makes this hysterical. If you haven't already laughed your butt off. I had to keep myself under control during class...

Gotta love Mondays. Now I get to spend the rest of the day proofreading Swedish like we did in 6th grade, and take an adverb test. Holla.

Crayfish!

2010-10-03T16:28:00.000+01:00

A couple of weeks ago, my good friends Emilie and Sebastian invited Fredrik and I over for my very first crayfish party. Traditionally, these mildly pointless (but with a point) parties happen at the end of August and beginning of September, as a way to celebrate the end of summer and welcome the start of autumn. Well, ours happened well into autumn. End of September to be exact, and instead of eating outside which seems to be traditional, we ate inside (it was dark, cold and rainy, so much for summer!) Regardless, it was fabulous. I ate crayfish that were boiled and soaking in a dill and other herbs/spices infused water to give them flavor. Though they were a challenge to eat, they were absolutely delicious. I'm officially a fan. I didn't go as extreme as some Swedes (in this case, Fredrik) and eat the guts and junk inside. I stuck mostly to the meat. Anyways, here are the pictures...what you're really interested in.

Traditional party decorations. Time to say good-bye to the sun!

Our dinner, defrosted and marinated, delicious!

Shrimp (or Prawns if you're British) for Fredrik/Me (if I didn't like crayfish. I actually like crayfish much better than shrimp.)

Our beautiful and delicious table! Emilie made traditional/from scratch Swedish flat bread. You can also see 'traditional' decorations, like placemats and super kitschy hats. I loved the hats.

Getting pumped!

I'm just a bit of a dork. You can't help it when you wear the hat.

Slightly gross...slightly awesome, and really good.

This was when Emilie was teaching me how to eat crayfish.

Fredrik is now showing me how he eats crayfish.

We found Nemo!

Gross crayfish hands!

Fredrik's plate at the end of the meal. At least he was neat about it.


gross. :)

I'm already looking forward to next year's crayfish party....but I'm mostly just looking forward to summer returning. :)

4 things I learned in SFI

2010-09-22T19:38:00.000+01:00

1. Abby (or at least the sound, not the spelling) means blue in persian.

2. Just because his name is Tali, does not mean he is a part of the Taliban. (I was introduced to everyone and this one guy said, 'My name is Tali, like the Taliban, but I'm not a part of the Taliban'...I found it very funny.)

3. Just because you can ask a simple straight forward question in Swedish does not mean you'll get a simple straight forward answer back. Thus resulting in you not attending the second class of the day because you thought that's what the teacher told you in overwhelmingly fast Swedish...which makes you so frustrated you cry and forget to lock your bike when you're home. (Luckily Nelly was not stolen from me. Thank GOD)

4. In the course of my higher education, I have begun 3 different language courses, resulting in 4 semesters and 1 SFI. 4 out of the 5 'first days' I've cried.

What is it about language courses that always makes me cry a little bit? Here's for a better day tomorrow.

An election of many colors

2010-09-20T12:53:00.000+01:00

Yesterday was election day in Sweden (and I'm sure some of you who read this because you have a mild obsession with Swedish ex-pat blogs are very well aware of that, since this morning the blogging community is hardcore blogging about what happened).

Apparently this election was a big deal. Due to several factors, I am just now starting to understand what is going on with the Swedish election process and the different parties. For the most part I was overwhelmed by the different colors and little cottages where they do their politicking. (Seriously, Linköping's square was lined in little wooden cottages painted colors like light blue, green/pink, red, etc.)I found it very friendly and welcoming and also made me wonder what it would look like if the Dems/GOP had their little cottages to politic with. (Oh the possibilities...)

Centerpartiet i Linköping. It was my favorite.*

But the election was important because as far as I can understand from watching SVT1 (mostly just looking at the graphs because I cannot understand what they're saying), reading The Local, and the local newspaper. The Moderates retained control over parliament....barely. The Social Democrats (hold on to your pants my conservative friends, these are the people you consider socialists...breath...just breath....it's ok...just stay calm) just barely lost. The 'conservative' (I use this term extremely loosely, every political party in Sweden is further left than Obama's pinky toe can even fathom) section of their groups has majority. As far as I can tell, this is good? I don't know.

However, what is really getting everyone into a major stink is that Sweden Democrats got 5.7% of the vote meaning, I think, 20 or so seats in Parliament. The issue with this party is their anti-immigration stance (read: Anti Islam) and older members possessing Nazi party ties. Every other political party can't stand them, don't want to be in the same room with them, and have stated they will refuse to work with them. (Apparently they're taking a page from the Mitch McConnell book, except they have chins, are nicer, and actually care about the people they represent and not about lining their pockets...so they're not actually like Mitch McConnell at all, other than they refuse to work with thinly veiled racist party...oh crap...what am I talking about....they're nothing like McConnell.)

The Swedish Democrats being elected into parliament could have an effect on me. How much? I don't know, but they have a very clear anti-immigration, fear based, stance. When people were campaigning, I asked if Fredrik wanted to go to the Swedish Democrats cottage and ask what they thought about my immigration into Sweden. Would they want to deny me also? I was curious, plus what would they do if they were actually confronted by a Swede who wants his immigrant girlfriend with him?

Anyways, I feel bad for my Swedish friends who are embarrassed by this election..and well..welcome to the club of being embarrassed by your country's politics (Can we say, "Tea Party"?). Let's hope Sweden stays progressive and there are no steps backwards, and that if there are changes to the immigration laws that they are positive.

<3 <3

*Photo from Centerpartiet i Linköping.

2 years?!...and SFI.

2010-09-15T13:34:00.001+01:00

Well today is a big day. Today is the 2 year anniversary for Fredrik and I. We started dating the next day after we met. It's hard to believe it's been 2 years since we met, and 1 year since I left Glasgow. A lot of changed, life is crazy, and we're still managing to not kill each other. I'm grateful. :) I feel lucky that our relationship has improved over time. Everything is so much better than comparing to when we first started dating, for us it seems like our relationship has improved much better over time, instead of peaking out early. I'm very thankful for that. I like him. I want to keep him. He folds my underwear.

I mean, I love him so much I moved half way around the world just to be with him. So he must be worth it....

2 years...crazy.

Today, we're celebrating by going to the movies. Toy Story 3 has finally come out over here, and so Fredrik has willing agreed to go see it with me. In 3D. I'm just a *little* excited. I can't decide if it is because we're seeing a movie, or if it is because I get to eat popcorn and candy. Muah-ha ha ha ha. Today is a good day for the two of us. <3

In other news, I had an SFI meeting...thing...today. It was not what I was expecting, much different in fact. From what my letter said from the school, was that I was to take an exam to see where my level for SFI is. Well, when I showed up it was a intro lecture to what will be 1-4 weeks of 'testing' (I use this term loosely) to see where I should start my SFI classes. The way it was explained was that there are 3 levels of SFI, and you are placed (usually) depending on your existing level of education. The top level is for a higher educated person, at minimum high school. I understood the purpose of the meeting, and how it is beneficial for them as a school and us as students, but if our previous education is so important in our placement for SFI, why didn't they ask specifically what level of education you had? They asked how long you had been in school. (almost 20 years, thanks). I found that a bit vague, but I guess it was to make the question more applicable to everyone, not just people who have degrees with names. So I know now, regardless of how much education I have, I should be in the highest level of SFI. Ok, good to know. This makes me happy.

Knowing this, for the next few weeks I shall be meeting 3 days a week for half a day to do testing, assessments, etc to see where I belong. Though I believe she said that it could be a short as one week for some people. I do think this is probably because there are just a lot of people needing to take SFI. It should be interesting to see what happens. There is a wide range of people in this group. From a Dane, Brazilians, Argentinians, Somalians, Iranians, Arabs (from a variety of countries I do not know) Asians (again, a variety I do not know), a Ukrainian (who I instantly liked just because she was blonde and named Melinda), and even an English guy. I like the diversity. It's interesting and fun. Plus, I'm really looking forward to getting a schedule and a routine. I feel like it is important for my sanity.

Here's to Monday, the start of 'school'. Weee!

And 2 years for Fredrik and I and Toy Story 3! Double Wee!

Oh and the sun is shining today, the greatest 'WEE' of all. It's been hiding the past couple of weeks. It shouldn't do that.

<3 <3

Dumb Question of the Week

2010-09-13T10:45:00.000+01:00

Fail. Isn't it funny how you always get stupid questions until you decide to write about them and then poof, no more very stupid questions? Lame. Anyways, I just figured I would take this moment to write some of the classic ones and just vent a little. So here's a 'classic', that I get, often. This question always comes after I tell people, "I live here."

"Oh, so when will you move home?"

...what part of, "I live here." is unclear? I don't know how to explain, no, I live here. Like you do. Living. Residing. You know, living.

Not that I didn't get the same thing at home. "I'm moving to Sweden."

"Oh cool! When will you come home?" No. See, I'm moving. That means packing up my life into categorical boxes and shipping it to go across the ocean to a new country. Not visiting, not touristing, not studying. Words like living and moving are permanent words. I'm not studying abroad, and there are no current plans to come home, or, move home. (see?)

It might sound bitchy, but I get that basically every single time I meet someone new. Every time. (Maybe that's why I haven't gotten any good 'Dumb' questions...) It gets old. That's something about this whole thing, is you get a lot of the same questions over and over again. And normally it's fine, and I don't care to talk about it. But when you try to use words that are very defined, and it is still not registered, how else can you explain it? Sometimes, I just want to bang my head against the wall...or give really bizarre answers like, "When will you come home?" August 24th, 2030 at 1:32:02 pm on the back of a red llama.

The other thing that I'm just absolutely exhausted with are a selection of questions. I am always very polite when I answer these questions, because I know that the questioner doesn't know that these have been asked 100x already. (You know, this makes me feel so bad for the foreign exchange students in highschool who had to deal with these questions and other doozies like, "Do you have running water?" I blame it on the excited, innocent, ignorance of the small town I grew up in.) I definitely asked some of these questions below to them and many others from foreign countries. You can't help it. It's always something people want to know. Luckily, I didn't ask/or have been asked about running water. ha...

Now these questions can be interchanged to any country for Sweden/America. So these are the "Don't Ask the Foreigner (Specifically Americans)" questions. With included bitchy internal thoughts.

"Do you like Sweden?" Do you really have to ask? Why would I move here if I hated it? I hate your weather, but that's about it.

"What do you think about the war?" I hate it. I want everyone to come home. I'm mad at my government for sending my friends overseas for a selfish reason, because I don't buy the 'terroist' fear-mongering crap anymore. I just don't. It's like the boogey-man. Please stop asking me about it. You're not going to find anyone to debate with here. I just want my friends home, safe, and happy. And I want my government to take care of it's citizens at home. There's far too much suffering.

"Which do you like better? America or Sweden?" Please. Please. Stop asking people this question. It is so difficult to answer. America and Sweden are just not that comparable as countries. Do you realize that Sweden is the size of a small to medium state (population wise)? You cannot compare. Yes there are differences, duh. Yes there are similarities, duh. But they are not comparable. My home country is a massive beast of a place with different sub-cultures within a larger culture, all varying by region. We are not comparable. Every country has its perks and its downfalls. I can't say I like Sweden better than America because America is the home to my family and my friends. That is my America. Sweden is the home to my partner and politics that I am more agreed with. But I miss home. I love home. Just like when I'm in America I miss Sweden, Fredrik, and Godis. Make sense? Stop asking this question.

"Are all Americans fat?" Am I fat? No? You sure? Well, ok, there you go. But if you must know, where I'm from there are a lot of overweight to obese people. I'm from the Mid-Western medium sized city (Hi Louisville!) Where we have really really crappy public transport (almost non-existent unless you live in the middle of the city), and plenty of inexpensive restaurants. It's a bad mix, and so yes, a lot of people are overweight, where I am from. I never really noticed until I came home from Glasgow/Sweden last year. Then I realized that there is a problem. It's national and regional. I doubt that people in New York City are as overweight as people in Louisville. Why? Well didn't you know that it's a fact that Public Transport helps keep you skinny? Duh. And I just want to add, Thank you Sweden for making me cycle everywhere, my legs are looking fabulous.

"Are there really people that crazy like the ones you see on TV?" This is usually referencing Republicans. (Which I find fairly hilarious). Yes. There are. Just like there are crazy Swedes. Our politics are different. There are reasons why there are Republicans, and you being from a welfare state, have a difficult time understanding why anyone would be republican in your eyes, but please remember, one of our greatest presidents was a Republican. Abraham Lincoln. Yeah..kind of hard to see the connection between Republicans then and now? Yep.

"Does everyone really drive cars?" Where I am from. Yes. Remember big country. This is a different answer depending on region (NYC for example). I live at minimum a 10 minute drive from anything of importance (food, gas, clothing, etc). You cannot walk this. You cannot bike this. No. There are no buses. I live in the country. No buses. We drive. Yes. I started driving when I was 15. Yes I drive mostly an automatic. But don't you dare think that you're a better driver than me cause you have always driven a manual. I can drive a manual too, I just don't, and I'll out drive your ass any day of the week. I have years of experience on you. And Yes, I have my own car, and YES my family owns more than 1 vehicle. No, we are not the normal for families, we have horses, and they require certain trucks that normal families don't. However, once children are of driving age, more than likely there will be a car per person in that family, especially if everyone is working/at school. Different culture, yes it's hard on our environment. Please tell our government and population that. I'm sure they'll love to listen.

These are the major ones I usually answer. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy discussing America and our culture, etc with friends, where the environment is safe and open. Where I am comfortable. When I am at a party though, where I don't really know anyone, I would really prefer not to talk about these subjects, though they are 'easy' questions. They're uncomfortable to answer 95% of the time, and somehow I always get stuck in a position of defending myself/my country once these questions are asked. So, just...let's just leave them alone for now on ok? Ok. Thanks.

Is this going to make you uncomfortable?

2010-09-08T09:37:00.000+01:00

When I moved to Sweden, I was intrigued and, well, relieved by the fact that I will have my medical insurance covered. I am definitely not one of those American's that really gives a damn about 'picking my doctor' or any other nonsense caused by fear mongering in the media about health reform. Actually, I had to go without health insurance while I was home for 6 months. I felt very fortunate that nothing disastrous happened. (and if anyone was interested I should of had health insurance, but my biological father dropped me and the magic age of 23 got me kicked off of Tricare). My option was paying several thousand dollars in "necessary" testing (to make sure I don't have any pre-existing conditions, etc) and premiums, to just pay an insane amount monthly just to pay 25 dollars at the doctors instead of 50. Also to protect me if I go to the hospital, etc. Or just going without and hoping for the best. The point with moving home was to save money, not give it all to Humana, who also has very poor practices when it comes to employee treatment and loyalty and they don't deserve anyone's money.

Anyways- back to the point.

This Monday I had to go to the women's clinic to take care of a prescription. In Linköping, the way the clinic works is that you call an automated number, leave your number, and they call you back. Well let's just say this was hysterical because I didn't understand anything on the phone message. (Oh the joys of a language barrier. I'm getting better though, I swear!). So I had to text Fredrik to call them and leave my number. Not a huge deal. No joke, within 10 minutes of me texting Fredrik, I received the call from the clinic! She spoke a little english and I told her what I needed, she said she would look up an appointment for me. After a not-sooo-awkward silence, she said, "Well, can you come in at 4pm today?" Me, "Yeah, sure!" Her, "Well, you can come in earlier if you want, 1 or 2 pm good?" Me, "Can I come at 2?" Her, "Yes of course. You'll be meeting with B.F. and she speaks English really well."

I came in early to fill out paper work (10 points to me for being able to fill out basically everything on the paper...all regarding health questions, etc). And around 1:45 B.F. came up to me and asked if I was her 2 o'clock, and then proceeded to let me know she was running a little late, but that she will be with me as soon as she can. I'm used to waiting in Doctor's offices, that's just sort of protocol. I also worked at an Audiologist, and I've seen people wait for a loooong time (though it was their own fault because they failed to bring in their referrals). So I was just prepared for it to take a while, and it didn't. Quater past 2 she came and got me.

B.F. is not a 'doctor'. She's a mid-wife. I thought this was extremely cool. This appointment was very casual, and she was extremely nice. She looked at my information and filled everything out. It was very personal and very comfortable. I didn't have to do any tests or anything, and she filled out the prescription on her computer. She said that the prescription was at Apoteket and that since they had just moved into their facility today she suggested I wait until this evening or tomorrow to pick up my prescription. I did not pay a dime. That visit qualified for a free visit. Wee!

Easy. It was the easiest thing, ever. The facilities were brand new, so everything was clean and bright. All the women were mid-wives (and I guess some nurses?) working there. This just really appeals to me. It was a facility for women, by women, and was next to the main health center. It was well run, even for the "just moved in today" learning curve.

I got my prescription yesterday, and it was also ridiculously easy. The pharmacists sit in little, like, bank like, cubicle thingys, with little seats for you. And they chat with you while they get your things. Super easy. All I had to do was how her my ID card and she got my prescription. How easy is that? She also signed me up for this program that is associated with only paying 900:- for my prescriptions and anything after that is either discounted or free. I'm not to sure, but whatevs.

I paid (really inexpensive as well) and left.

As I was leaving, I was wondering to myself why people at home are so scared of this? There was nothing scary about this, nor did I ever feel I was out of my control. And I do think that if I wanted to meet with B.F. again, I could, and I will request her next time I have to go in. She was super nice. All in all, it was a great experience. YAY!

http://easygrowhouseplants.blogspot.com/2009/08/universal-health-care.html

<3 <3

Dumb Question of the Week

2010-08-29T09:27:00.000+01:00

So, a lot of bloggers have a thing they do weekly. As a way to keep reader's interested and also to give me something to write about on a regular basis. Well, I've come up with my own. It's, "Dumb Question of the Week" (as seen by my blog post title). As an American expat in Sweden, I get a lot of the same questions, you know, the "standards", but sometimes....sometimes I get doozies. Usually they'll come about once a week, depending on how social I am. This new theme will be mostly focused on questions I get asked regarding America, our government, culture, food, religion, craziness, and overall awesomeness that comes with being American. We're crazy, it's just time to embrace the fact that we're not a normal society. Glenn Beck's bastardization and complete disrespect to Martin Luther King Jr. is a prime example of this. Anyways, back to the topic.

Well, last night, I had a good one. I mean, this was a whole conversation of ridiculousness, but I'll just leave it at this one question, and let your imagination go wild as to 1. How this question got brought up. 2. Why someone would ask me this. 3. How I handled this awkward situation. 4. Do you think I referenced South Park in this conversation?

"Does polygamy actually exist in America?"

www.blog.beliefnet.com

<3 <3

SFI, you are on my naughty list.

2010-08-12T21:02:00.000+01:00

Well, not quite, but they are the source of my current frustrations.

I arrived in Sweden as a 'real' immigrant on June 18th. I sent in all my information for my personnummer a few days later, around the 22nd. I got my personnummer around the 28th. Ok? Ok.

The Swedish government has started a program that pays immigrants to finish SFI early. Yeah, I would get paid to be awesome at Swedish. I have a masters degree, I can totally make bank! Sweet!

NO.

This only applies to people who register starting July 1, 2010.

I registered, technically, June 27/28th, 2010.

Bastards. Ok...well...at least I will have classes starting in August to keep me busy and give me something to focus on so I don't become a desperate housewife.

NO.

I called the place on August 3rd (the lady was on holiday until August 2nd) asking to see if I was in the system and questions about classes, etc. Well, to put it frankly, I got shot down. She didn't have me in the system (I dropped off my application July 10th) and that I was supposed to technically kind off start classes within three months of them receiving my application, but they are just so busy now that it could take longer.

Ok, so let's refresh. I arrived mid June. I applied as soon as I could for SFI. Nobody was around to do some office work for over a month? Seriously? I mean, I know Sweden goes on vacation, but did everyone literally take the same days off? Seriously? I mean, really? So they have a whole summer's worth of mail to sort out? Well, I just don't think that was all that brilliant...do you? Not one person to go in once a week or twice a week to check the mail, get the process going for applications to make their life easier? No? Well, ok, if you like coming back to that much work....

But now what it means is that I probably wont start SFI until November...which is just already driving me into desperate housewifery at the thought of not having something to go to everyday to make me feel like I'm a real human being who is going places. I have got to have something to do....or I will go absolutely insane.

So, for now, I have borrowed my Swedish grammar book from the local library, F is speaking Swedish to me, sometimes against my will, and I am going to test out of SFI, ya basterds.

I guess this is just the first of many frustrations with becoming 'Swedish' ...

*sigh*

<3 <3

Going to the beach.

2010-07-18T15:06:00.000+01:00

I have been living in Sweden now as a proper immigrant for a month. It's been great and I have had a lot of fun, but let's just say I've been quite the nomad (it goes like this, Stockholm, Trollhättan, Linköping, Tylösand, Linköping, Stockholm, Linköping, Kalmar *Sigh* Breath...ok...here for four weeks...oh, big comfy couch, dvd player, and big tv...nope keep moving!)

In order to 'relax' and to enjoy the insanely nice weather Sweden's been blessed with, I have spent an insane amount of time at the beach. Is this bad? Not really, no. Why am I a bit blah about it? Well one, I get sun poisoning very easily in Sweden (The second Stockholm trip was brutal, I looked like a leper) and so it has made me a bit hesitant to go out and lay in the sun for hours upon hours. However, with the pain of getting sun poisoning, something magical has happened. Never in my life has this ever happened before without unnatural help.

I, ladies and gentlemen, have a tan. I know. I know. For those of you know have known me for years, this is just unheard of. Abby has a tan. No kidding. Mostly on my face though are freckles. This is also been a shock to my system. I wear spf 30 on my face everyday, still have gotten freckles. Swedish sun, if you ruin my chances of fantastic skin when I'm in my 60s, I'll curse you, I swear!

Anyways, here are some things I've learned about Swedish (European?) beaches and the culture.

1. Just because this country is close to the arctic circle does not mean that the sun is lame. On the contrary, it's insane. Florida? Please. Swedish sol for me...just watch out for the sun poisoning.

2. People change on the beach. They don't bother with changing rooms here (and they also have the infamous unisex bathrooms). There is a unique dance that beach goers do to change into their suits or normal clothes. usually involving a towel and certain amount of coordination and flexibility. I have not mastered this technique and I think a few people caught sight of my snow white bum the other day. Oops....I'm just practicing the idea of being comfortable with my body in front of tons of people..ok.oh well...

3. If you are not equipped with a decent bathing suit, but still want to sun yourself on the beach. It's ok, just wear your bra (I'm talking to you granny a couple yards a way...)

4. Most kids under the age of 5 are naked, and loving the HELL out of the beach. Parents are not concerned about their boy or girls birthday suits being paraded around in public! It's the beach. Who gives a damn. Plus, clean up is much easier.

5. Fredrik does not like being a beach filled with children.

6. Even though the weather is fantastic and the sun is strong. Sometimes, I would still rather sit inside and watch a BBC historical drama.

And...on that note...happy Sunday. Should it be Clarissa or the Aristocrats? :)

<3 <3

Jag bor i Sverige nu.

2010-06-24T11:09:00.000+01:00

Jepp.

Den här helgen är det Midsommar.

Weeeee!

More updates later. Our flat is dandy...just now got wireless set up.

<3<3

Tomorrow!

2010-06-16T23:15:00.002+01:00

I leave tomorrow for Sweden. I have 3 suitcases packed, aka 150lbs of my life divided into 3 parts.

Oh my goodness.

The nerves have already started to set in...

How many more weeks...err..days?

2010-05-26T05:42:00.000+01:00

June is sneaking up faster and faster every day. As exciting as it is, I am still overwhelmed by all the events that will take place. Also, F and I have a lot of things going on before I even move over that have nothing to do with the move.

Currently, he's finishing off his masters in Sweden just being a genius. I was volunteered to be his proofreader since his thesis has been written in English. Joy. I know that his work is really good and successful because I did not understand a single word of that thing. I edited it, critiqued the word use, etc. However, I could not tell you what it was about. Well, not true. It's about composite materials for a joint of some sort. Lots of tests were done. But I think it was successful.

On June 4th is his final day of 'student-life' as he is presenting and defending his work at LiU. *yay* applause applause. He is then on an official three month vacation. September of this year he starts work in Linköping (can we say YAY for that?). The job worked out as did our flat, so that Monday or Tuesday after I arrive in Sweden will be spent in a moving van traveling across Sweden and moving into our first (of probably many) flat.

This past week I have been on a holiday...some S&S if you will. Spa and Shopping. (My mom's phrase). She and I went to Santa Fe, New Mexico and stayed at the Bishop's Lodge Resort and Spa. We spent every morning in the spa (except one day was spent at the 10,000 Waves Spa also in Santa Fe--fabulous fabulous fabulous!). We had a wonderful time, found some wonderful jewelry, and had wonderful treatments at the spa. My mother truly deserved it, and I just got to benefit from it. ;)

One day was spent going to Madrid where the film, Wild Hogs was filmed. Madrid is an interesting place and we had a good time. Lots of hippies, which is always a trip. Another day, our favorite day, was spent at Bandelier National Monument where we got to see 400+ year old cliff dwellings and pueblo ruins. This was simply magical. Apparently, during the high season it can be up to a 45 minute wait just to park at the national park! We were virtually alone. Only crossing a handful of people on the path, and no one was around to disturb us as we visited the cliff dwellings and peeked inside. Words and pictures cannot do this state justice. I loved New Mexico. Here are some of the pictures I took. Please bear with me as most of them were taken from the passenger seat of a Ford Fusion named Molly. :)

Bandelier. View from over the cliff. Stunning...simply stunning.

Moi.

On the walk, cliff dwellings in the distance.

This was my favorite spot. Very quiet, it's in the cliff, dark, and green. You could hear the laughter.

Ruins with three Kivas. They think these was mainly for storage...except for the kivas which are for religious purposes.

Walking around the cliff dwellings.

<3 <3

Panic Attack...Oh..I mean Packing.

2010-05-16T19:00:00.000+01:00

Reality has started to set it once the joy of receiving my pretty pink and blue and green visa in the mail at the beginning of this month. Now it's business time (it's buisness, it's business timmmee, I even got my business socks on..) and I'm starting to plot out and plan how and what I'm going to pack to take on the airplane and what to send by post. It's starting to become slightly overwhelming. All the little things I have to take care of, and only 3 weeks to do it. (I'm leaving for Santa Fe with my Mom on Wednesday and wont return until Monday. This means that, that week is not being spent packing and planning, but instead relaxing and primping. EEK!)

I've visited my local Post Office to discuss M-Bags, they are so popular, that the postal worker has only seen them once in her long career and they didn't have any in stock. Joy. This should be fun. I genuinely do not know what I would do if all my books got lost in the ocean. Makes me tear up a little actually.

I've been to the doctor to make sure that I'm stocked up for a few months in Sweden before I can get to the doctor there and get my new prescription. They are also pulling my medical records so I can take those with me as well. This was an adventure. My original doctor just up and left town and we didn't receive notification until the Monday after her office closed. So a $54 dollar 10 minute office visit to get 4 months of Sprintec and my medical records could have been avoided if my original doctor had not just decided to leave without proper warning. Sketchy Sketchy.

My Swedish tutor has told me to get my International Driver's License as close to the day I leave as possible. Which is good. Apparently, she would just renew hers every year, since she was in America once a year, and avoided having to do the Swedish driving school, test, etc. This sounds promising. However, if this move is super permanent, I guess I would be better off biting the bullet and getting a Swedish license.

I know to buy things that are easily acquire here than in Sweden. Linköping does not have a L'Occitane so I have to deal with that.

What else do I need to do? I have so much to pack and send. I'm taking 3 suitcases, but I mean, my shoe collection is obnoxious, and I own a ridiculous amount of fabric and sewing odds and ends, that will keep me entertained until I can find some form of employment. How the hell am I going to do this?

Anyone have any advice? This is totally different than when I packed for Glasgow...this is my whole life I'm trying to move...

<3<3

3 months later and 2 pounds of paperwork

2010-04-29T22:11:00.000+01:00

My visa has been approved! Fredrik received the letter from Migrationsverket today informing us that my temporary residence visa is good until April 2012. Now I'm just waiting for my passport to come back.

Only 49 days until I move! Wee! :D

<3 <3

Swedish Applications...la de dah

2010-04-13T01:22:00.000+01:00

So I had my interview on the 25th and it went really well. Right now my application is chilling in Göteborg and we're waiting for Fredrik to get his paper work to fill out. My ticket is booked for June 17th. Sooooooooo...yep.

Anyways, Fredrik came to visit last week for 9 days...not enough days if you ask me. It was a great visit that included a crash course in Indiana University student life and hanging out in a cabin in the woods, visiting family, and finally, him rowing me around in my mother's canoe as I channeled Paris, 1920s (and maybe random Ukulele music)

That's about the end of it I guess. Yawn...I'm so boring... :(

Visavisavisavisavisavisavisavisa

2010-02-09T17:43:00.002Z

I have received notification from the Swedish Consulate in Chicago that I have an interview scheduled February 25th! EEK-I'm excited!

<3 <3

Christmas Trees...America vs. Sweden

2009-12-07T04:16:00.000Z

Fredrik and I have been...umm...debating what kind of Christmas tree we'll have when we celebrate our first Christmas together (instead of on separate continents which is lame.) But he says we must have a 'Swedish' Christmas Tree. (aka none of what makes my christmas tree awesome. Personal memory filled ornaments dating from up to 50 years ago, colorful lights that fill a room with warmth and color (personally I find this to be a desirable aspect to the tree, especially if we're in Sweden the land of 2% sunshine in November...yeah apparently that's how much sunshine was around this November...I have to say...I agree I was there for most of it.) Hand strung popcorn that was made while watching christmas or holiday films on a Sunday night. And the biggest point of debate, is when do you put up the tree. My family tradition usually sticks to the first weekend of December. We moved up to the more American standard of Thanksgiving while in college only because it was practical.

Fredrik does not agree with any of this. White lights. Standardized ornaments. And worse of all: putting up the tree on the 23rd of December.

Umm...where do you put the presents?

Master of Letters

2009-11-04T10:13:00.001Z

I received notification last night that I qualified with merit for a Master of Letters (MLitt) from the University of Glasgow in Decorative Arts and Design History! WOO!

<3<3

Home

2009-10-29T19:49:00.003Z

This blog is quiet now ... so just check out my other blog http://stay-ingalive.blogspot.com if you wanna :)

<3 <3

Foggy day in Linköping

2009-10-21T09:47:00.000+01:00

So a few things of note this morning.
1. My boyfriend is really hungover, and it's a little funny...even though I feel bad he left his wallet here and can't get into his office. Looks like I'll be making a trip to campus here ina few minutes.

2. He's actually very brilliant. The housing company decided that 7am till 11am was a great time to redo the floor in the common room...meaning no on was allowed into the room for that amount of time...meaning...how are you supposed to eat breakfast (I guess that good 5 hr block of time from 12 till 17 just didn't work for them..you know when no one really needs to get into the common room because they're on campus our busy..) anyways... Fredrik, being as smart as he is, decided that inorder to have breakfast, we have to bring it to us, in our wee little room. So since it's so chilly outside at night he decided to hang a bag with the milk, yoghurt, cheese and butter outside our window last night (even when drunk).

He is brilliant, because it totally worked. I love him...and how damn smart he is...I would never have thought to do that (I was pushing for cinnamon rolls for breakfast..see where my brain is..ha)

3. the masquerade ball in Kalmar is this weekend, and I'm almost done with my massive sewing projects. Check out my costuming blog at http://stay-ingalive.blogspot.com I update that a lot more than I do this one at the moment.

4. I'll be home in a month. See you all soon..

5. oh and Home Improvement is showing the Christmas episodes and it's totally reminding me of being a little kid...and I love it.

<3<3

learning Swedish

2009-10-17T14:36:00.002+01:00

The best way to practice your Swedish listening skills is to watch Svenska Hollywood Fruers.

California has been 'good' to them. They speak....slowwwwwwwwwwwllyyyyyyyyyyyy verrrrrrryyyyyyy ssllloooowwwwwwwlllllyyyyyyyy.

<3<3

'tis the season'

2009-09-30T21:29:00.001+01:00

I've had a little laugh from facebook today, and I wish to share it with you all.

Backstory:

It seems, that across major cities and college campuses throughout the United States there has been this ongoing trend of fall/winter wear worn by women. It consists of a few basic pieces, but is still costly to put together.

1. White T-shirt usually oversized and preferably the v neck Hanes you buy from your local superstore (Target of course being the fashionista's choice). This, is the best piece of the ensemble. I love these shirts. They're soft and 100% cotton, comfy, and cheap. Not a lot not to love really. Plus V necks are pretty flattering for most girls.

2. Spandex pants. Ok. This is where things start to go wrong. Why? Well, we'll discuss this later. However Just know that they're usually black, as standard leggings go. However it must also be noted that since this uniform is usually worn on a college campus, they're usually 1. old. 2. too small. 'Why do you say too small?' You ask...well..it's simple really. Beer. Beer + Drunk food= Fatty. If you took finite, you'd know this. Not only does this mean they are wearing old spandex, but usually the bum is too healthy to fit into them in a way that is decent for grandmothers to see and for their lower body blood circulation. But that's beside the point.

3. Ugg boots. Ugg. Enough said. STOP WEARING THESE GOD FORSAKEN BOOTS THEY'RE UGLY. I say that Uggs and Crocs should burn in shoe hades. Good riddance.

4. A fleece nortface pullover. Usually black, but can come in a variety of colors. Northface is a popular and really good outdoor brand..you know...for when you're hiking in the woods on a cool fall day...or camping...or live in colorado and would like something that helps keep you dry that isn't a full blown parka. However are they truly needed for a lovely fall day? No. They're not. Plus can we just gently refer back to the whole Beer + Drunk food= Fatty equation. Fleece...like wool sweaters...may be comfy..but it's not exactly flattering for a girl who is still in her 'i'm a senior in highschool and smoking hot' mentality. Sorry sweetheart, you've gained the Freshman 20. We all do it. I did it..:I just didn't wear spandex to amplify it.

5. (Optional) A badly dyed, dirty, messy mass of hair that is somehow tied up to the head in some weird ass way. It's hard to understand..all you know is that it looks like a dead animal is up in there burrowing for the winter.

6. (Optional) Cigarettes.

7. (Optional Depending on Weather and Severity of Hangover) Oversized Sunglasses. These are fine. I like big sunglasses. I have light sensitive eyes.

7. (Optional but common on Mondays and Fridays) Stale Beer Perfume. Oh...to smell a college campus again...

I'm sure, if you have followed this blog at all, you know the type of girl I'm talking about (and since most of my readers are in college...I'm sure you know exactly what I am talking about.

Alright. There's the backstory now here is what happened on Facebook today.

Daniel H (his facebook status): saw some uggboots, leggings, and northface action today....tis the season!
A girl named Katherine: were you at miami? because thats the staple fall uniform here
[additional random facebook comments]
Abby C (me): god damn i wish those walking fashion disasters would just freaking stop. They look worse than their beer, grease, and ciagrette smoke weave smells.
Katherine (yes, that one I just mentioned): ps I am sporting that outfit today haha.

Yes. That's right. She posted that immediately after my mini rant. (i died..laughing...)

It was cause for a good laugh. I am not sorry. It's true.

JUST SAY NO TO THAT COMBO. It makes you look like trash.

<3<3

Sweden likes and dislikes after 1.5 weeks.

2009-09-22T08:35:00.000+01:00

Alright, I've been in Sweden now for about 1.5 weeks and I've realized a couple things that are absolutely stupid about Sweden.

1. This whole 'dual' duvet for big beds. I went to Ikea with Fredrik this weekend, and I saw 1 duvet that fit a larger bed. What the hell is up with this 2 duvet thing? I'm sorry, I know you Swedes are used to it, but really...but 1. Why buy 2 and deal with 2, and wash 2, have to find 2, match 2, where you could buy...1. Single. Solitary duvet and duvet cover. For being socially progressive I did find it a *tad* neo-1950s. Seriously. How are you supposed to cuddle with your partner if you are holed up into your own personal duvet? Hmm? What a crazy mess that would make in the mornings. You don't have to make 1 bed, but might as well be making 2. Twice the work. Twice the hassle. One big duvet, Sweden. Let's get with the program here.

2. Tampons. Fredrik and I went to the massive ICA this weekend, and I remembered that I should buy a box of tampax for my upcoming week of misery. In drugstores, gas stations, any where really, in America I have a healthy selection of Tampons. Do I want plastic or cardboard applicators? Travel size? Teen, Lite, Regular, Super or Super-Plus? (Yes, Sweden, in case you weren't aware of this, the women of the world have different feminine needs depending on their maturity and birth control intake. One single tampon option will not cut it!) And what's up with the crazy pad selection? Is the Swedish government and/or grocery chains being bought out by Always? Happy Period, my arse. (Glasgow will always affect me in some way...) Maybe It's ridiculous, and frankly cruel to only give me 2 tampon options, because, Ob is not an option. Ok. Please work on this, I don't want to have to deal with this delimma again.

Alright, those are my 2 major beefs with Sweden. Now for the thing I like.

1. Bicycles! I am always humming the Queen song in my head when I am (finally) going on my bike. As most of you know, I am not great on a bicycle...not even really that good. I'm getting better, it's true, but I'm obviously someone who really knows what they are doing on a bicycle. I ususally have a false start when I'm trying to get on, or get moving from a complete stop at a light, but I am improving. I have not wrecked or fallen off, I have gone great distances, and worked my legs a great deal. I hope my thighs are even better toned after this stint in Sweden. I dig it, I really do. Especially the lack of cars on the roads and the ample huge pretty bike paths that actually seem to cut time away from travel. Just like Fredrik said that America was geared to travelling by car, Sweden is geared to travelling by bike. You always get there quickly, just as quick as with a car really. You never have to worry about finding a close parking spot, because you just put your bike where ever you want and no one will bother it. And I challenge you to find a really fat person on a bicycle. It's difficult, and I would argue that the said fat person is not actually a regular bike rider, but pursuing an attempt to lose some weight....or their car is not driveable. So yes. I am also wondering the difference in celluite from bicycle riders vs. non bicycle riders...I feel mine deminishing as we speak (or after I crawl up 3 flights of stairs after a power bike up hill back home from Ikea).

2. Dairy Products. I also would like to see a study of American women vs. Swedish women and the regularity of osteoperosis in these women. The amount of dairy products in Sweden seems to be fairly common subject of banter amongst the internet crowds, but it really is astonishing once you're in a grocery. Cheese, Yoghurt, Milk, Creams, that strange sour milk product, and other stuff. It's just. Wow. And EVERYONE is about the milk product here. In Fredrik's flat I doubt there is never someone who is not eating something that has dairy as a main ingredient.

3. Stripes. Like dairy, every one (mostly girls) wear stripes of some nature. I guess because they are all so skinny from their bicycles that horizontal stripes are easy to get away with. However, there are some mistakes to this truth. Here is my first major fashion no-no. I don't know what this girl's problem is. You can tell she's Swedish by what she's wearing. Khakis, and stripes. She's blonde and at a student party. Here's the problem...and I really don't want to be cruel, but I have to be honest...she's not skinny like normal Swedish women. Alright, I'm not trying to pass judgement on body types and sizes, I don't know this girl's story. However, what she is wearing is unexcusable. Please, everyone, for the sake of simplicity, when buying the new 'retro' look clothes that channel the horrid 70s and 80s please keep one thing in mind. Pleated Pants Are Not Flattering. This is even more true if you have a tummy. To make matters worse, if you have a tummy do not, I repeat, do not Tuck In a horizontally striped shirt into the pleated pants. Why? Because that is what you look like. A Fashion Victim in a drunken train wreck. (I barred out her eyes...not that you can really see her face anyways. She totally saw me take a picture of her too....not sorry. I couldn't stop staring, for all the wrong reasons).

4. These coverall parties. I'll just post some pictures so you can see the fun Fredrik and I had my first weekend here. It was fun. :) I like pretending to be a student...though I am technically an 'adult' now. Even Fredrik (cough cough 25) stated this weekend at a student bar, 'I think I'm getting too old for this....I don't recognize anyone' Which is true. What I find oddly funny is that at 25, in America, people would be shocked he wasn't married, with a carrier, and a kid really. Nope, my boyfriend refuses to grow up in some aspects, the good ones I guess. He's an adult when it comes to laundry though...but that's a different story.. Anyways, here are some pictures for your enjoyment.

This final picture is of a square in the city centre of Linköping. I think it's a beautiful city.

Overall, I really like Sweden so far. I am starting to pick up on some may-jah cultural difference, but I think that it's a really amazing country with a cool mindset. So, we'll see how the rest of my 90 days go...

<3<3

Hey what's up Linköping?

2009-09-14T14:50:00.000+01:00

I've successfully made it Linköping Sweden for a few days now, and am starting to get a bit relaxed for my temporary resting place. I've been a bit sick, but I think it's just a cold/allergy/sinus mess I got from weather changing and Fredrik having a touch of something when I got here.

so far so good. I like Sweden very much on a shallow level. The inner workings of the gov't and all that jazz isn't what I'm about at the moment. I'm just a tourist right now enjoying hanging out with my boyfriend for a little while before I head home to America.

It's been fun. Fredrik and I went to this big party on Friday and I got to wear 'standard' Swedish college party wear....according to Linköping anyways...

it was a good time, and then the next day was this big tug of war event that we went to. Also a good time....watching a bunch of drunks tug o war themselves into a river...in drag usually or some sort of crazy costume is always good for a laugh.

Other than that it's been fairly quiet. Fredrik and I went and rode bikes yesterday...about died right there....I'm getting better at it...mostly taking off from stop is tricky for me...so crosswalks and i are not friendly yet....but again...it makes people laugh...so it's the least I can do.

I guess we'll just see how long it takes for me to get more adjusted while I'm here. I'm listening very closely to when people speak swedish...I hope to improve at least a little bit...

<3<3

1 year

2009-09-08T22:34:00.001+01:00

It was exactly one year ago that I had just finished packing for Glasgow and was trying to calm my nerves before leaving September 9th for Glasgow with my mom.

Today, one year later. I am not nervous, but ready for the next leg of the adventure known as my life. Tomorrow evening I will be leaving Glasgow for Sweden to spend the fall with Fredrik. That time last year, I was in the air on my way to Glasgow.

How amazing this year has been. How life changing.

More to post later. Too much cleaning to do now. The next time I write- I shall be in Sweden!

<3 <3

....REALLY!?!

2009-09-05T00:14:00.003+01:00

1 toilet flat.

Said toilet decided to break at 11 pm on a Friday night.

...great.

(Note: Once I posted this, an advert for toilets came up from Google Ads. I found it funny.)

Window Cleaners

2009-09-04T09:42:00.002+01:00

Who decided that it was alright for a bunch of window cleaners to barge in at 930 am?

....REALLY?!

One guy told me it was noon. It was most definitely not.

I am not happy.

Reflections...

2009-09-01T18:51:00.002+01:00

Later this week I will try to post a more 'reflective' blog about my year spent in Glasgow...

people keep asking me why I'm leaving and if I'll miss Glasgow.

The answers are simple...kinda.

I'm leaving because I want to be in Sweden with Fredrik, begin to learn Swedish and enjoy a few months of 'holiday' before moving back to America to save money for the 'big' move to Sweden which will hopefully be possible mid to late 2010.

I always miss the places where I have been and have left an imprint on. I will miss my friends. The nights in Fredrik's kitchen cooking dinner. The HRC complaining about school and life over a pint with my coursemates and friends. Things like that. I'll miss my happy memories.

I will not miss the drunks, the weather, the lack of nature or the peace and quiet that I am blessed with at home.

Oh- And I will definitely not miss my flat. *Note to potential University of Glasgow Students (International or 'Local') Don't live in the University Accommodation. It's rubbish..if you want to make friends when you first arrive- go to all the international/freshers events at the beginning of the year and go to the Primary on Thursday nights. Trust me, you'll be fine, and much happier in a let flat. :)

<3 <3

100th blog post

2009-08-30T17:39:00.002+01:00

The post below was my 100th blog post!

WOO! CELEBRATION!

ok..done..

:) :)

<3 <3

Packing..

2009-08-30T17:34:00.002+01:00

I'm packing again...this time for my long visit to Sweden.

I leave September 9th.

Trying to think of a new name for the blog...something that still has at least 'Scotland' in the title, but clues people into my more Scandinavian settings.

Check out my other costuming blog too, if you're bored. http://stay-ingalive.blogspot.com

<3 <3

Waiting..

2009-08-12T23:42:00.002+01:00

Hmm how ironic almost 1 year ago today, I was waiting to go to Glasgow..and now I'm waiting to go home.

Fredrik is currently in Prestwick airport getting his stuff together to hop on a bus to Glasgow bus station...

only 1 more hour till he's here and 7 hours until I'm on my way to the airport!

eek! no sleep tonight!!!

Finished.

2009-08-05T16:09:00.002+01:00

I have just put the final touches on my master's dissertation. I will be turning it in this Friday...and I cannot wait! I can't believe how relatively...painless (?)... the whole thing was. However, when you're not doing anything else most of June and all of July, I do not think the process is as miserable as it has been for some of my coursemates who are still fighting it out with their papers.

I'm not going to lie, I am so glad I finished early. Fredrik is coming in exactly 1 week, and we'll be flying home next Thursday. This means that from Friday afternoon until December my life is going to be geared on sewing, planning the next step, and learning how not to worry. I am so looking forward to this time off. Even though I do know that I will probably go bat-shit crazy with boredom at some points over the next few months. My main goals this fall are to learn Swedish as best as I can and as quickly as I can and to successfuly create Fredrik's masquerade ensemble (read about it here.)

I guess sometime in September I will give a massive blog about what my year in Scotland was like, all reflective etc. As of now, I am just so geared on being finished with my dissertation and enjoying what's left of this summer, that it is all I think about. I don't have time to think about missing Scotland..and I definitely wont miss my gross flat.

I can't wait to come home and see everyone!

<3 <3

Educating the Swede for America

2009-07-23T18:30:00.002+01:00

As we speak, I am currently educating Fredrik on some of the beauties of being from Indiana/Kentucky/Mid-west.

You know what I mean...

country music..

I think he wants to kill me now, with the amount of music videos I'm making him watch...haha...

So far I've made him watch, Garth Brooks- Friends in Low Places, some George Strait - Cross my heart, and George Jones..

I really do think I'm driving him bonkers, but I find this really fun...haha

All the little bits and pieces

2009-07-22T23:44:00.003+01:00

So I finished the final chapter to my dissertation today, and if I can keep to my schedule, I'll be completely finished and turning everything in by the beginning of August, which will give me almost 2 weeks to relax and plan things and prepare for home!

I'll be so happy to get this burden off my shoulders!

22 days till I'm home!!

<3 <3

I love summer...

2009-07-17T11:35:00.003+01:00

...especially when it is spent in a small room that also functions as my bedroom and living space sitting in front of a computer writing 15,000 to 20,000 words.

It's swell.

On the plus side, I finally get to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince tonight with Kat and Hanne. It's my one social event of the week (well, I did get to get lunch with Karen and Kat yesterday too...so I've had 2 social events this week! YAY!)

I cannot WAIT to go home with Fredrik.

I. cannot. wait.

Read my other blog, Stay-ing Alive, if you want to know how my 18th century clothing making is coming along...I'm being fairly good about updating that..but that's because I'm actually making progress and have something to write about, instead of writing about nothing here, because I'm not doing anything but working on my dissertation and watching Boston Legal.

<3 <3

London, Liverpool and Home, oh my!

2009-07-12T22:28:00.007+01:00

Official Announcement:

Fredrik and I will be arriving in Louisville International Airport on August 13th! I'm coming home for 2 weeks! I cannot wait! I'm so excited ! Bliss Bliss Bliss!

Ok, enough of that

So last weekend and the beginning part of this week was spent reuniting with Brooke for some good 18th century research touring around London and Liverpool. We tried to get into the collections at the V&A and London but they were not having it (nor was Manchester..lame...all the damn collections are closed to researchers..lame lame lame). Anyways, we had a fabulous time in London, and it was great to be back in one of my favorite cities! We spent the day at the National Gallery where I was in art history nerd heaven. Every single early Netherlandish Renaissance painting on display I had studied at IU...plus the Arnolfini's Wedding painting. Bliss. They also had great Tudor paintings. I'm much more interested in that than Brooke is, so I tried not to bore her about what they were wearing...the eighteenth-century stuff was wonderful as well... I just adore Gainsborough. His lose brushwork and how he highlights the faces is just to die for. This one is one of my favorites, and it is at the National Gallery. We then had a nice lunch and toured Bond Street where I drooled over Alexander McQueen and yawned at the other designers. For being high end/couture, their sewing was shitty. Prada, why would you not finish a hem? Um, if I wanted unfinished hems, I'd go to Top Shop. Disgusting.

Brooke wasn't feeling so hot, and she wanted to see about Top Shop, so we went to Oxford Circus (um...oops?) It was nuts, and we weren't feeling it. Brooke and I are the same when it comes to traveling and shopping. We don't want to be crowded and we triple check everything Our conversation example:

Brooke: "Okay. Wallet. Check. Phone. Check. Camera. Check. Keys. Check."
Me: "Ok, and I have everything too, and I have my camera in case your batteries die, and I also have 2 copies of our train tickets for later so here is yours and here is mine, and I was thinking we should get to the train station about 30 minutes to an hour before departure so we wont be rushed?"
Brooke: "sounds perfect!"

We never ran late for anything.

The biggest surprise of our afternoon, which was a bit of a shame because we got there not too long before closing and had a long and enjoyable tea (with clotted cream and jam on a scone!) We went to the Tate and for 18th century portraits..it was to DIE for. I had never been, but I want to go back, just because we didn't get to examine them as closely as we would have liked. Also, I really want to get a better look at the glorious Pre-Raphaelite work (love love love).

We then took the train to Liverpool and spent the next day in the Liverpool National Museum collection, where I got to examine a pair of 1770-80s never before worn stays and all of its intense inner workings. A man's waistcoat (research for Fredrik's), and Brooke and I oohed and ahhed over a number of 1770s-90s gowns. All very similar to the style that we draped and cut out for my masquerade gown. (which we did on the train and in the hotel rooms late at night. however, no pictures of that shall be posted until after the masquerade)

We spent the entire day in the collections and had great fun talking to the staff at lunch. Pauline Rushton (curator of costumes) is lovely and super sweet.

That night (Tuesday) we headed back to Glasgow. Because that morning we went to the Burrell (my 3rd trip now) and looked at some gowns, a corded pet-en-l'air and a sleeve which was really horribly stained...sad sad. It was sad though, cause then brooke left for Wales...I've had the best time with her when we've seen each otherthis year. It's been really great though, having someone to talk to about 18th century clothing. She's the best go to...and to help me drape my gown...I can't even begin to gush about how lucky I am for that. She did a great job with it, and the bodice is almost finished...so I'll be able to get a lot of it done when I'm at home i think...which will be nice. We talked about me coming for a visit to Cairo in the fall, and I am really looking forward to that...1 because it'll be great to visit Brooke and 2. I've always wanted to go to Egypt, and this is probably my best shot.

So, after Brooke left, I had a meeting with Sally my dissertation Supervisor, and got a lot of that sorted out (had my official mental breakdown cry fest a week ago..so now i know I'm in the downhill stretch) and all that's left is to write my dissertation. I've already been writing it...so now it's just finishing it and making it good. Though I have to admit I'm fed up and want it over with and I just want my damn degree.

That's my life right now. Dissertation and Sewing. I still haven't finished my stays..but all that's left is to do the eyelets in the body and to finish the straps...just...I'll get around to it in an afternoon...

I'm so excited to come home...I can't wait to see you all!!!

<3 <3

Grades and Toilet Humor

2009-06-28T14:04:00.004+01:00

So I found out my grades yesterday! I am satisfied with what I have received as it was a vast improvement from last semester (I definitely learned a hard lesson last semester, but I do believe that my improvement shows that I learned it.) I did not come here to make straight As, nor do I think it's possible in my program. I just want to get my damn master's and be done with it, and I will be doing that by August. Huzzah!

-------------------------------------------

Funny Sweden Story Time:

The first few days I spent in Sweden were in Solvik which is an area about 30 minutes outside of central Stockholm. It is a camping paradise next to Björn Borg (?) and Mark Hulio (sp?) 2 very famous Swedes..for various reasons which I wont get into...I was just bragging.

Anyways. They have 2 toilets in this camp complex which are not the typical American hole in the ground with a little stinky wooden house on top. Nope, these things were high tech, electric inferno poop burning machines. No smell (well...except when the incinerator was working), and you get to know what it's like to poo and pee in paper bags. Well, the rule was that boys pee in the woods, and girls can use the toliets to pee in, Fredrik didn't know that rule, and so at 2 am guess who was having to pee like no body's business in the woods wearing a maxi dress? (1 guess...it was me). Anyways, so, of course the next day when I decide I can't hold it any longer (I was going against nature at this point and conserving my peeing amounts), I go to this high tech poop burning toilets.

They're beeping with a red light.

This, is never a good sign.

I had not used the toliets before this very moment, I must make this clear. None of what is about to happen is really my fault. Of course, it being my luck, I am the one who feels like the moron for 'breaking' the toilets.

Well I tell Markus about the beeping, and he says it's probably just because someone didn't put enough liquid in the bag and so it didn't go to the inferno properly. So he says to flush a bag of water down to make it work or attempt to fix it.

I did this.

It did not work.

Well, what do to? Playing in water, thinking about how badly I need to pee..and only pee.

Screw it, I'll pee and add water. Can't hurt.

I was wrong. Dead. Wrong. The amounts of water I put down the toilet along with other waste product (hint hint, my release) are now coming out of the bottom of the toilet. This is what I sounded like, "OH SHIT! OH HOLY SHIT! NO NO NO NO NO! SHIT! GOD DAMNIT!" etc.

I go and get Markus. To make a long story short, I went with Jose to go dig a shit hole in the woods, all the while, Markus is fixing the two broken toilets. As it turns out, if paper gets into a certain part of the toilet, it doesn't incinerate anymore...meaning that there is a back up issue. It's a safety hazard if paper gets in the wrong area (talk about setting your pants on fire. haha), so 30 people over 4 days, many of whom were drunk boys (and we all know what happens when you drink too much). Yep. Gross. Gross Gross. Markus, being the trooper that he is, cleaned out both toilets to working perfection. He is demanding a discount/refund from the people. I think it was well earned.

And that, Ladies and Gentlemen, is a testiment to my ridiculous luck with toilets and bodily functions.

Sometimes, it's just better to shit in the woods.

<3 <3

Swedish Coffee, Boyfriends, and Cheese Slicers-- My Swedish Vacation

2009-06-27T11:36:00.003+01:00

Hello Lovers

I have, very regrettably, returned to Glasvegas from Sunny Sweden.

I loved it.

I know, I know, I know, that I was blessed with some of the best weather Sweden has to offer, but you all need to understand, that even if Sweden isn't always like that (um can we say 25 C slight breeze and no clouds? Oh yes, I think we just did.) It is still far superior to anything I've seen from Glasgow (except that mysterious summer weather that made an appearance when I was in Paris, since I wasn't here for that, I refuse to believe it actually happened.)

I loved Sweden. LOVED IT. Sweden was exactly what I was expecting with a few surprises. The first being that Kalmar, where Fredrik is from, is like Sweden's answer to Troy, Ohio, where my mother is from, where my grandparents still live, and where I would love to live some day. Why? Because it's pretty, safe, picturesque, and not too large, but with a large city close enough to do serious shopping damage in (as we all know this is nessecary to my survival). Kalmar is beautiful and quiet and calm. It is medival with a castle, on the sea side, and the streets are covered with bicycles. Wildlife and pretty people are everywhere (mostly Fredrik, I hadn't seen him for a couple weeks, so he was looking like Adonis to me). I just really loved Kalmar...I can't really say anything other than that I guess? Plus, I got to see some of his friend's flats, and I was (and still am) playing the "This is what Abby and Fredrik's Swedish Flat will look like!" Game. It's one of my favorite games. Plus, IKEA has come out with this awesome home decorator free software...Um..totally obsessed.

On top of Kalmar I also visited (briefly) Stockholm, Öland, and Göteburg. From what I saw of the two main cities (aka Öland is excluded from this discussion, but I will give my opinions in the next paragraph), Stockholm is prettier than Göteburg (Gothenburg). After seeing the beauty in Stockholm, Kalmar, and Öland, I was just a bit dissappointed in the industrial-ness of Gothenburg... It wasn't very picturesque...very much just...a big city. Of course, I only saw a tiny fraction of it, and very briefly...However, except for Kalmar, that was how all of my tours went. Briefly. So my brief opinion is that Stockholm is prettier.

I preferred Kalmar over all....Gothenburg has the shopping. So train rides for weekend shopping trips is perfectly doable.

Öland was just amazing.

Fredrik grew up there, he is a 'real' islander. His grandmother (mother's mother) still lives there, and still owns the farm where she grew up, and where Fredrik played as a little boy. It was very cool. We paid a visit to his grandmother and helped her out around the place since her husband has passed and she lives alone. It was an interesting experience...mostly due to the fact that she is really hard of hearing, my Swedish is rubbish, and she would still mumble to me in Swedish. So it was a good time. The island is also cool, because 1. there are viking burial mounds 2. old wooden windmills are everywhere and 3. you can see the sea on either side of the island.

On top of seeing where Fredrik was from, I finally got to meet (everyone?) that has influenced Fredrik in one way or another. I was very happy to finish meeting his massive amounts of friends (and re-meeting ones I have met before). Everyone was so nice and really friendly (keeping in mind the swedish stereotype of people being standoffish, having a swedish boyfriend helps in this matter i believe...plus they're cool people anyways). Karl had a bbq and that's where I finished meeting most of the people. Mostly the girls with a couple of boys that didn't make it to Scotland in April. I had one interesting experience that I really want to write about, mostly for her, and for anyone else who has this 'fear'. One of the girls in the group was, I am assuming and was basically told, was nervous to speak to me in English. She understood everything I said, in English, but was nervous and did not like the idea of speaking English to me. Mostly, from what I've gathered, is because she was concerned about being judged on her English by a native English speaker. This is not the first time a non-native speaker has done this, and probably wont be the last. However, I wish I would have known this at the party, because I would have really made it clear that I don't judge people for speaking a second language, no matter how 'bad' it is. How can I? I have no right to do that, especially when I am not bi-lingual in any language, and am barely understanding Swedish. She was already way ahead of me in the ball game if she could understand everything I said, because I couldn't understand her. I just feel bad when people feel this way, because, it's an unnessecary fear. I honestly can't think of a single american friend of mine (or British really) that would judge someone for speaking English poorly...especially when you're in their country.

It was just a bummer, because I was looking forward to meeting her and having some sort of chat. I dont want people to be nervous in any situation..especially if it involves talking to me. It's ok though, I will just have to practice my Swedish more. Maybe the next visit we can have some sort of Swenglish conversation.

But speaking of Swedish-English conversations..I had a humerous observations in Kalmar. Fredrik, some of his friends, and his family (mother in particular) take a sharp breath in with an 'ah' sound (like you're gasping for breath kinda or shocked) as a way to say 'yes'. scared the crap out of me when I first heard his mom do it. I thought something bad had happened or was said. This wasnt the case, but it scared me nonetheless. Then I became acutely aware of it and noticed that almost everyone does it. Then, it just became funny...and really interesting, and finally, when I was in the care to Gothenburg with Fredrik, Petter, and Elin, I asked, 'what the hell is up with the breathing thing?!'. Of course, Fredrik was totally confused at first and I had to really explain it...then he looked at me like I was a bit silly, and either Petter or Elin (or both?) said it was probably just them saying 'yes'.

Elin and I had a really great chat when we met about visas etc. Her boyfriend is Turkish, and they had to go through the whole visa ordeal to get him into Sweden. She and I chatted about the whole process, and what it was like, and the time it took. Also, that my blog is perfect to use as a way to prove Fredrik and I's relationship (Hej Migrationsverket!) since this thing has documented our whole relationship (I even write about meeting him for the first time September.) More and more, it is looking like I will be moving to Sweden within the next year or so. This is for different reasons, but mostly Fredrik and I can't stand this seperation and I am ready to leave the UK, and I really want to move to Sweden. Glasgow has served its purpose, and I fulfilled a long dream to live here, but now, I'm ready to move on. So, more than likely (highly likely), I will be moving home sometime in the fall/winter. Either 1. to get a job and prepare for Fredrik to move to the US to do his thesis work with an American engineering company or 2. to work to save money up for when Fredrik finishes his work and has a job in Sweden, so I can move, and we can get by while I learn Swedish and find a decent job (hopefully within my field. Fredrik and I have agreed that it is really possible for me to get work as an English speaking guide for art museum/castles/etc). However, I am leaving my options open. I would not be moving to Sweden to start an amazing museum career (though it would be cool), but I would be going to be with Fredrik and to have a chance to learn from a different country, a different language, and have an adventure. As long as I have a job I enjoy and I feel good at, then I'll be happy.:) Plus, I loved Sweden, so I think I'll enjoy myself...I'll just need to buy a huge 'Happy Light' for those dark winters.

Ok.. so I took over 200 photos in Sweden, clearly that's too much for this blog, so here is my facebook album link. Enjoy.

And that, my friends, is at least one Sweden post. I have other funny stories to write about, but I just dont have it in me at the moment.

<3 <3

Life Updates and Paris

2009-06-16T11:02:00.003+01:00

Hello Lovers,

Well, I am slowly recovering from Fredrik moving back to Sweden. I'm going there on Friday to celebrate Midsommar and have my first official visit. I wish I had my Kirsten American Girl Doll to carry around with me. ;) Though I didn't have her springy/summery outfit. Mostly winter clothing...

anyways.

Life update.

Right now, all I am doing is working on my dissertation and trying to figure out what I am going to do after Glasgow. Scotland's weather is really getting to me, and the entire lack of summer...though we've had warmer and sunnier days the past week (I say this is the Universe trying to cheer me up, but only partially succeeding. Give me an 82 degree sunny day, then we'll talk.) My dissertation is due August 27th and from then on, I really don't have to go to school ever ever again. (Until I decide (stupidly) that I want to do a PhD. (haha.) My 'summer' is being spent working on the dissertation (18th Century women's clothing & Comfort--focus on stays). Travelling to Sweden on Friday and staying for a week, then I'll be in London/Liverpool with Brooke to look at clothing collections and hang out (I'm very excited for my grand return back to Londontown after 3 long years! Even if it is for only a day)

After that, depending on my schedule and my dissertation I'm going to desperately try to get home in early/mid august with Fredrik (this is becoming a greater challenge as time goes on. grr). He's never been, and with us trying to figure out our next step (this long distance thing is unnacceptable to both of us.) We have three options. 1. I stay in the UK and he comes here. 2. We move to America (he found out he can do his thesis work in any country, and there are a lot of Swedish companies that have posts in America...one of which is in Chicago --- though I want to be in Virginia. 3. I move to Sweden! I am more willing to move to Sweden than to stay in Glasgow at this point. Though it's just as far North, I like the idea of the adventure that moving to Sweden and learning Swedish will bring. So, we dont' know what we're going to do yet, but hopefully the decision will be easy, successful, and a good one. :)

Also, I'm continuing my massive Masqurade 18th Century project. Stays and a waistcoat are next. Fredrik's shirt is finished, and I'll post it on my new blog 'Stay-ing Alive' (haha get it?) I haven't really updated it yet (surprised? I think not) but that's where I am going to try and put up all of my projects so it's organized and wont clutter this blog. I got all my fabric for my gown and Fredrik's Breeches and Waistcoat (lovely golden yellow and white silk stripe)

---

So...I went to Paris.

:) Mom & Vicky came for a lovely visit to Glasvegas with an AMAZING 6 day stay in Paris! Our hotel was amazing, and the weather was even better. Mom and Vicky had a balcony and so many a night was spent watching the 18 year old parisians throw a party next door, get busted by the cops, and spy in people's flats. (It's creepy, but I really like knowing how people decorate)

Our first full day was spent at Versailles, where I got to see a wonderful 18th Century Court Costume exhibit. Most of the clothing was actually from Sweden (oddly enough), because of the damn French Revolution destroying so much stuff. It was great though, just a little crowded at some points. When I'm in situations like that, and I am really there because of my love for the subject, I get incredibly pissed off when there are tons of school kids there who actually don't give a damn. It's annoying. Actually, the tourists at Versailles were just annoying in general. Tons of tour groups. Tons of kids, tons of flash photography (omg I wanted to break everyone's camera when we were in rooms with textiles)

Versailles was cool...but all the tourists clog the energy of the place. You can't just enjoy it...you're rushed, pushed, shoved, hot, annoyed, and fighting with everyone to get the 'perfect' picture of Marie Antoinette's Bed (like, okay 10000000s of tourists who don't actually care about it, are you EVER gonna look at those again? I think not.)

It was lovely though, Versailles is just aboslutely majestic, and it was enjoyable to think about what the life there would have been like. (Like an oversex drug and booze filled High School?)

The next day Fredrik and I went roaming around Montmatre, which was a huge goal of mine. We had this card deck of walks around Paris (brilliant product), and there were several Montmatre walks, so we saw ALLLLL of Montmatre, including the horrible tourist traps. It was much prettier when the mass crowds are gone. Paris can be a very quiet and cozy city when you're in the right areas I discovered. We had crepes and wine for lunch, again, lovely. :)

We also went to the Eiffel Tower at night, Musee D'Orsay, some other random neighborhoods, and hung out with mom and vicky too. They had a slightly different agenda so we didn't do too much with them, which was a bummer. However Fredrik and I went to the Jewish Quatre in Paris, and Mom and Vicky met up with us, and that was nice. I really liked that neighborhood. :)

Sheesh...I'm forgetting what all we did..it was all a blur.. anyways...here are some pictures that Fredrik took.

Paris was good. :)

Alright, it's time for me to get going....but first I need to change my layout back to the old way, I'm not a fan of the new one.

<3 <3

Blah.

2009-06-06T15:05:00.002+01:00

Mom's left.
Heloise left.
Fredrik left today.

I don't think I've cried this much in a week since my dog died when I was 16.

Time to distract myself with my dissertation.

1780s Jacket Completed..minus trim...

2009-05-19T15:50:00.006+01:00

Hey hey lovers that have probably given up on me.

So my jacket is finished, and has been for a while, I've just been too busy/distracted/unmotivated to post about it. Now, I'm going to do a finishing post with pictures! (woo) Ok, so when we last left off (eons ago) I had whipped stitched my back pieces together and here is what they look like...brooke and i were splitting a bottle of wine over chinese food when we decided to patter these out, and my clumsy-ness accounts for the wonky fit of the far side pieces, but it didn't/doesn't matter as they were hidden by the sleeves.

After that I did about a half/half construction of the sleeves and the bodice. Brooke and I already knew that the bodice was going to be crazy large for the fit from the start, so I was prepared to hack off a large chunk of it during the fitting. And, luckily for moi, my amazing engineer of a boyfriend is also an AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING (did I say AMAZING?!) fitter! OMG Fredrik was a god's send. Absolutely. So once I got my bodice pieces and their linings sewn together it was time to venture to fredrik's and got to the fitting. I ended up cutting off serious chunks of bodic fabric in the end, but the fit was lovely, and i'm really satisfied with it. Though I've noticed with every fitted 18thC piece I've contructed my stays ALWAYS take a peek from the neck line, and it's annoying. Grr. Anyways, picture time!

Doesn't he look thrilled?

Me being a nerd. The fitting looks so wonky with me not in a shift. However at this point I hadn't made a shift yet, so..yeah just wore a cotton top. No difference really, it just looks dumb. The shoulders straps proved to be a pain later when fitting the sleeves, and that caused a late night tantrum, but I pulled myself together and got it all fit. Back to being shiftless, I kinda like how you can see what the stays do to your 'healthy' bits, makes them useful. ;)

Next, I was working on my sleeves. I have a big arm issue, and I really like having tight sleeves with my 18thC clothing. That means, the sleeves drafted for me are never small enough (and I'm always hesitant to fold fabric over when sewing the lining in etc. So I'm always left with really re-doing the first sleeve...did it about 3 or 4 times? yeah. blah. 2nd time around my memory recovered and it turned out a lot nicer. I got them to fit nice and snug around my arms which was good. Fitting them to the bodice was a bit of a challenge (no surprise there) and Fredrik again proved to be sent from heaven. God bless him. He managed to fit my sleeves and put the pleats in as best as he could to where I wanted them and made everything fit as smoothly and as snuggly as possible. (I see his head growing now as he reads this..har har har).

Both sleeves one is either finished or folded just so yall can see what they look like.

This is a photo of my crappy backstitching of my sleeves (backstitching = what machine stitch comes from..but it's better)

Funny Story Time: I was trying to fit my sleeves myself at Fredrik's one afternoon while he and everyone else in the house were gone. That day, the power to most of Glasgow and parts of Scotland got cut. Fredrik lives in a suburby area and I was in his room when everything went dark and their burglar alarm started beeping (see where this is going?!). Well first I had images of 'SCREAM' running through my head (Rauchill isn't the safest part of Glasgow), and then panicked I was going to set the alarm off, and would have to deal with cops and what not and it was just horrible. Plus other house's alarms were going off along with car alarms. So I decided (like a moron) to just stay in Fredrik's room and try and work until he came back. I called him several times (he was climbing) and to no luck. So I kept working until it was too dark outside to see properly, and then the power came back on. What does this mean? Well 1. The internet returned and I could entertain myself on facebook. 2. I didn't know if the alarm had reset itself and so I was trapped in Fredrik's room for around 3-4 hours waiting for him to come home.

He came home with no burglar alarm set. I wasn't actually trapped in his room. He laughed at me. The End.

Ok, so now after fitting the sleeves it was time to do the skirt. I'm fairly happy with it, but I should have made it a bit longer. I had enough fabric with a nice selvedge that I decide to use that to avoid hemming. Also, I really enjoy pleating (though I totally eyeball it and never measure...not like I had a ruler until yesterday anyways) and pleated that up quick quick. I couldn't remember if Brooke said to slip stitch or top stitch the skirt in, but I opted for top stitching just because the skirt was being a menace and I was short on patience. It's ok, but I'm annoyed that there are ripples in the back, especially since I know it wasn't like that before the skirt. However topstitching, no boning, and no weight kinda made it do that...so sort of out of my control. Here are the pictures.

It was a lot of fabric, but I cut off the top bit.

Here is the skirt attached. One other thing that is bugging me is the lining is peeking out and it's annoying the crap out of me..however no one really notices it, and i'm going to make sure that doesn't happy with the masqurade gown.

So, now the jacket is 'done' I still don't have it trimmed. Mostly because I was sewing this, a shift and a petticoat for the fashion show. Shift is rubbish, but it works, and the petticoat is needing some fixing. I literally did it in like 4 hours, and it's a bit too big and the hem's screwy. So I just need to fix it a bit, but I just have been too lazy/busy. (Repeated theme.)

Also, sadly, there are no pictures of me in my jacket. however there pictures of it being worn at the fashion show! (That devil that took over my life, final project for my work placement.)

Model: Kirsty. She was really close to my size, but almost too big, so the fit was crazy tight...She has the kerchieft on to cover her girls and also to help with the outfit...but it's done! it's been worn! I will trim it! Woo!

I personally thinks she looks fabulous, and my lovely red shoes are sweet too!

The End.

<3 <3

update??

2009-05-18T10:33:00.002+01:00

Um...hi...

so ive been crazy crazy busy the past month + thus no real desire to update here in blog land. however now i have reached the point where my classes are done, the fashion show is finished, the exhibit has opened, and i went on my course trip to liverpool (very cool btw). Now its just on to dissertation and what not. Im going to try and be better about updating, i just lost the desire to do it as it was becoming more of a chore than something i was enjoying. But i think im just going to try and not write as much, as that's what is so annoying..i feel like i sit here and write for eons. Anyways, here's the update for the summer events of my life.

1. Mom comes to visit! (next week!)
2. Paris avec mon mere, Vicky and Fredrik!
3. Mom leaves. :(
4. Fredrik leaves :( :( :(
5. I go to Sweden for a few weeks! :D
6. Spend July roaming around the uk looking at collections with brooke and working on my gown and such for the masqurade ball (we're offically going!)
7. Hopefully finish the dissertation by august.
8. Go home for a visit.
9. Turn in dissertation Aug. 27th.
10. Job?

Here's hoping.

<3 <3

1780s-1790s Jacket- A Mini-Series

2009-03-22T21:04:00.004Z

Hello Lovers,

So you will probably notice a new aspect to my blog, titled "mini series". Let me explain... as I mentioned in an earlier post, Fredrik and I are going to a masquerade ball (18thC) at Kalmar in October, and I will be making....everything. Shifts, shirts (fredrik is, but I want to document it), petticoats, gowns, trim, waistcoat, breeches, coat, etc etc. And I've decided to try and keep an regulary updated blog about what I'm doing and how it's going (i've had a few requests). So the first thing I am working on is a 1780s-90s fitted jacket to prep myself for the gown i'll be making for the ball (brooke's amazing idea!)

So, this is the first post, and I have progress to report, and a few pictures.

First, Brooke cut and draped the pattern to me, and I cut out all the pieces in plain muslin for the lining and then the deep red cotton for the fabric.I have 4 back pieces that are now whipped stitched together instead of taking one large panel of fabric and pleating it down like I did in my nightgown. I'm doing this because this will be how the back for my Zone gown will be for the ball. The only difference is that I will be adding boning to the back of the ball gown to give it a better look when I add a bum roll etc etc.

cutting out the back pieces

One of my bodice fronts all cut out.

As of right now I have completely lined and whipped stitched the back pieces (all 4) together, and I will post pictures of them shortly.

Next on my list is to attach the lining to the front bodice pieces.

Then from that point, I can either A) Fit the front to the back or B) make the sleeves up before doing any fittings at all.

I'll probably do B just because it's easier to take around with me. However classes are done at the moment, so it's not like I have a lot of places I need to be.

However I need Fredrik's mirror to do the fittings well, as mine is very very tiny.

Convertibles

2009-03-21T11:02:00.003Z

hello lovers,

So apparently in Scotland they actually sell convertibles. Clearly Scotland has a high demand for roofless cars. I mean, it's so damn hot and sunny here all the time, it's really the only way to try and enjoy this crazy hot weather. Yesterday, I felt like I had reached the 7th level of hell, I was sweaty, hot, gross, exhausted from hauling my bag around in 57 degree weather while the red Ferrari holding two douche bags zoomed passed me without their top on. Oh, and then came the VW Bug converitble, some ugly Ford, that French car brand, and another VW, a Toyota, Mercedes, BMW, etc etc. you get the picture.

Ok. So. I was kidding about the 7th level of hell thing. That's not true. It was nice yesterday, and it was nice the day before. In fact spring has been welcomed to Glasgow for a full 3 days of sunshine and warmth. It has been lovely, I get to wear sunglasses and not walk around in a wool coat.

yay.

But, I have a rant: (as if you didn't pick up on that already)

Why would citizens of Scotland own convertibles?

Can we say "waste of money"?

Convertibles are at prime use when the temperature reaches around 75 degrees. The only time the weather in Scotland reaches that temperature is in the middle of July at the peek of "summer". Not in mid March with the first glimpses of a nice spring and 50 degree weather. Dudes take note: it's warm in the sunshine, but it's still chilly in the shadows, and you driving around in your car with your top down is not going to be a warm and pleasant driving experience. How on earth were they comfortable? It's like me (a person who knows what heat is, and 57 degrees is not it), walking around in tights, jacket etc, and watching stupid girls walk around in tank tops. Same thing as the convertibles...IT'S NOT WARM ENOUGH YET. PUT YOUR TOP ON. (haha what a pun)

I really didn't get it. I mean, the convertibles (and lack of clothing) weren out in full force yesterday on Sauchiehall Street. I guess this is like crazy hot for Glaswegians, but still...it's not warm enough to justify a car that has a removeable roof. Not in this country, and not in this climate.

However, I do need to clarify that most of the cars were extremely high end (yes i did see a red Ferrari convertible with 2 douche bags in pink button ups included)** So I'm assuming that these wealthy Glaswegians own more than 1 car and this was their "yay it's warm car!" and had the extra money to drop on an impratical purchase, but ... i mean... really... a convertible?

It's like driving a snowmobile in Florida.

They spent all this money on a convertible that you can drive maybe 7 days out of 365?

...really?

Get a sunroof.

However the weather here reminded me how nice it will be when Fredrik and I go to America in July and I can actually be jacket less. woo hoo!

Now, it's time to get back to my essay!

<3 <3

**To clarify (after my "white trash" critique, I'd really prefer not to have douchebags send me hate mail, as they're just annoying): Not all Ferrari owners are douchebags, nor are all men in pink shirts douchebags. However, I feel justified when two guys in a red Ferrari convertible in Glasgow rev their engines to go 10 yards from one stop light to another in an attempt to over compensate for what must be extremely small appendages.

oh dear it's mid march!

2009-03-15T23:33:00.002Z

talk about a total failure. I haven't updated in ages! i'm sorry lovers, life has been busy here in scotland and i just haven't found the time to sit and post an update.

so now

an update.

still no response from anon. sadly...but i'm glad all you lovely readers out there enjoyed my response. i know i did. haha

Laura's visit went smashingly, and I will miss her dearly until I see her again. We kept the whole visit pretty chilled...and on friday we went to Pitlochry for some hiking etc, and it was lovely. i'm looking forward to going back when the weather is better. it was rainy for the vast majority of our time in pitlochry..of course i didn't realize that i had an umbrellla in my purse until after the hike was over and laura and i looked like drowned rats. ... she didn't appreciate that.... ooops.

saturday we did a sub pub crawl in her honor, the crowd was smaller than last time, but we had good fun. it was a rangers game and so the cream of the crop of glaswegian society was out a-drinking that saturday and we just so happened to be in the southside of the city when the game was over..aka..it was damn crowded.

then i had a week or so after laura left and then brooke came to visit me from Egypt!! we also had a marvelous visit and we did a lot of sewing. so i have some projects going on of an 1830s cotton dress and a 1780s to 90s jacket. The jacket will be mine, and the 1830s dress for Pollok house, but i will also be using the jacket in the fashion show...which will be marvelous..

i also will have to make a new petticoat, kerchief, neck tucker, elbow ruffles, etc for it. joy joy joy

brooke and i also got our hair cut (finally) mine is the standard, but its so nice to have bangs (ahem fringe) back. ahha

i have an essay due about 16th century costume due in 2 weeks, which will stress me out...but it'll be over soon and so i will be quiet happy about that. then itäs the fashion show and the studen exhibition and wam bam thank you ma'am i'm fini.

then...it's thesis time! eek!!

My personal life is going wonderfully..i've had great friends come for a visit, and also i have been reminded that I have the best boyfriend ever...but i'm not going to get mushy...i promise, nor do i think he would really appreciate me gushing about him on my blog. But i have very exciting news, Fredrik and I are going to go to an 18th century masqurade ball at Kalmar Castle in sweden where he's from! I'm sooooooo excited!! I'll be making our clothing and it should be marvelous. i'm nervous about fitting fredriks clothes, but it should be alright.

we're also planning to go to paris with mom and vicky in may, and then i'll visit sweden for an extended week in june, and then we'll be returning to the usa in july! it should be really great. He's never been, and i'm looking forward to having a big human pillow to sleep on on the flight over and a travel companion.

so that's really it for now... not much else is going on...

oh...i met the "inlaws" this weekend..hehe Fredrik's mom and sister came to visit and they were lovely. The language barrier is frustrating, but after a while and once we were all at a comfort with eachother, it was really enjoyable...plus his mom decided she wanted a red purse...clearly we are going to get along!!! haha :D

<3<3

A Critique by Anon

2009-02-18T07:47:00.003Z

Hello Lovers,

So I woke up this morning to find my Gmail had a new message for me in my inbox. I had received 2 new comments here on my beloved blog! (Off Topic: Laura's here and I'm so glad. We're having a ball. Pictures will come later. No time to be on the computer). And...well...they weren't exactly what I was expecting to see first thing on a Wednesday morning. Anyways, I thought I would post what this person wrote (since the comments are not private and are for everyone to read anyways...if they don't know/like that feel free to email me and I'll remove them, but I just feel I need to give everyone a background) This person is Anonymous, and so I'll just call them Anon.

Anon writes:

I just ran into your random blog about the random band member of the random band. And yes, if they were in Kentucky they were on tour. They live in Scotland and often go to local clubs after they perform and dance and drink. They are just regular guys. As for the bow and the politeness that is just how they are to their fans which is why they have "groupies" from all walks of life and all age groups and from all over the world. My grandaughter has loved them since she was two. She is five now. One of their oldest fans died recently at 80 something. And there are a whole lot of us that wouldn't appreciate being called middle aged white trash. I don't know what you look like nor do I really care, but trust me, you were nothing special to him I can assure you! People like you are a dime a dozen and they band knows PLENTY of your type.

February 18, 2009 at 5:35 am

Anonymous said...: I do apologize for my stupidity. They were in Scotland. As you mentioned Glasgow and the Kentucky Ren Faire, I thought you meant Glasgow, Kentucky. They have been there quite a few times and I didn't read your whole blog. As for the rest of my comment, it stands.; February 18, 2009 5:43am

Ok.

Wow. I guess this is what happens when people who aren't your friends/family/friends of family read your blog? Ok that's cool. I feel like what I wrote was a *little* misunderstood. Here's what I wrote so everyone knows what it is that this person is so peeved about.

I wrote:

Second random story. So Mom and I saw this band called Albannach at the Kentucky Renaissance Faire (hello nerd stamp...) and they were really good. I liked them...tribal scottish stuff..good drum beats to trance out to. Anyways, they're from Glasgow. Apparently they're not on tour at the moment because once we arrived at this teeny tiny club. Guess who I saw? A band member, drunk and dancing to house music. Made me laugh. I introduced myself and told him I knew the band. He bowed down to me...well deserved I must say. (probably was just amazed that a woman under the age of 35 knew of the band and wasn't total white trash/groupie....cause that is what seemed to be the fan base...at least when I saw them). Anyways, it was just odd. Only my life would I run into a random band member of a random band.

Alright, so that's what I said, and everyone has seen/read the response to my tiny social commentary. Here now, is my response to "Anon"...

Dear Anon,

First I cannot decipher if you are male or female. However, I am taking a guess at saying female, perhaps between the ages of 25-50 who is from Kentucky and is a frequent attendant at the Kentucky Ren Faire. I am also taking an educated guess that you also are a great fan of Albannach (no reason not to be, as they are very fun to listen to and great performers). I also have a hunch that you are not a fan of me. Which is a shame, as I pride myself on being a sociable and likable person (at least my 635+ facebook friends tell me so). I have no need to censor myself on this blog, because I am writing from my point of view. I also write my blog as a train of thought. Personally, I have been told that my writing style and how I present my opinions is fun and entertaining to read (of course now I have received my first hate mail, congratulations, you should get a prize).

You have taken a small and rather random (and old) topic to choose as a way to rip me a new asshole. Sadly, you did not succeed. First, I feel rather justified in my observation because when I saw this band at the Ren Faire, the groupies that were dancing half naked, on the side of the stage were not pretty little 17 year olds nor young children. Yes, there was a wide audience in attendance, including myself (I am definitely no where near the age of 35, and my mother is over 50). That were sitting on the haystacks enjoying a (hot) but good music set. However, my attention was constantly drawn to the women desperately trying to get the bands attention with pseudo-sexy dance moves that they must have picked up from the local YMCA belly dancing for beginners class.

On that note, when I ran into the band member in Glasgow Scotland, I was not doing pseudo-sexy dance moves that I picked at my local YMCA Belly Dance Class. On the other hand, I was simply showing my appreciation to this band member for their music. I would not have even considered pursuing him, because my boyfriend would not have appreciated that. Nor frankly, was I interested. So, Anon, you are offended because I was simply making a truthful commentary on Kentucky's colorful culture (which by the way is also my home state) that I observed at the ren faire. However, for you to insinuate that I was trying to take this band member home, and that I am a "dime a dozen" and that they know "PLENTY of your [my] type" is just flat rude.

You write, "I don't know what you look like nor do I really care, but trust me, you were nothing special to him I can assure you! People like you are a dime a dozen and they band knows PLENTY of your type."

If you do not know what I look like, then how do you know I am a dime a dozen? You don't. How do you know that I was nothing special to him? You don't. You were not there. In fact, you did not even realize that I was talking about Glasgow Scotland, even though my blog is titled Scotland Bound. I am not a club-rat, nor am I a slutty groupie. I have a strong distaste for women who pursue bandmembers just because they are in a band. However, if I see a musical artist that I recognize, specifically if they are in a small, not incredibly well known band, I just wanted to let him know that I thought their music was good...and that I liked his tattoos.

As for the white-trash comment. Any woman parading around half dressed, drinking arbor mist and smoking cigarettes in a horribly tacky belly dance fantasy (very much NOT Renaissance) costume, with poorly bleached hair, and blue eye shadow, classifies as "white-trash".

If this is not you, then no worries. If it is you, be proud. You're special and make Renaissance Festivals worth going to.

Sincerely,

Abby.

<3 <3

Protesting...bull...

2009-02-10T18:42:00.003Z

So here's a video of some people protesting just about everything yesterday on campus. Mostly Palestine/Israel/Socialism (pro?)/and the good old stand by, G.W. Bush. Cause clearly a former president is worth the effort. He's off into oblivion kids...just leave the village idiot and (rumored to be at it again) alcoholic alone. We have other more important issues, like domestic abuse between R&B couples (shame on your Chris Brown!)

It's shorter than it should be ... but whateves...enjoy. I personally like the bit about "our campus! our school!" etc etc.

lol

<3 <3

White Socks and Sock Etiquette at Scandinavian Parties

2009-02-10T17:25:00.006Z

Helloooo Lovers,

So this post is a little later than I had intended to post, but it's been an interesting/busy/stressful weekend, and I just did not have the chance to do it. Plus I left my video camera at my flat and I wasn't there at all this weekend.

Right, onto my story.

Last Wednesday I attended a little get together organized by two friends of mine, Ida and Julia, both are from Sweden. As most of us know, it is almost Mardi Gras, and in Sweden they have a pastry that they always eat for Mardi Gras. Julia and Ida decided to make tons and invite people over to eat them. I was invited, and I was very excited about it. (um, duh, pastry?)

So I get there, Fredrik was running late, and I was lucky enough that I did not have to wait in the snow for him. As I was turning around to go waste time in a convience store (I did not know how to get to the girls' flat) I ran into Cecilla. So I walked with her to the flat, and once we get there, I was reminded of a stead fast Scandi tradition. Removal of footwear when entering a house. (No this entry does not end like that episode of Sex and the City where Carrie got a pair of Manolos at the end, though it would have been cool to get a pair of Manolos..if anyone wants to send me a pair, I wear a 9.5 in American and a 41 in Euro. K. Thnx.). Well, it was damn cold outside that day, so I wore 2 pairs of socks, and on top of this I was wearing black jeans. Now, beign American, and not giving a damn about socks (I wore horribly mismatched socks when I was in like 4th grade...I really don't care about socks), I just had on my lovely $6 6-pack Champion Socks from Target on. I had just bought 2 bags before moving to Scotland, so they're still fairly clean. I didn't really think much of it at the time of removing shoes, but as the night wore on...I noticed something.

I was the only one in white socks. I was 1 of 2 Americans. Jose had on grey boy-ish socks, he didn't even have white socks on.

Oh.

My.

God.

I felt like I had just committed the worst Scandinavian fashion crime EVER. I instantly became self concious and just assumed that all the Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish conversations were in regard to my sock color choices. ("Abby's great, but you can so tell she's American. LOL Look at her socks!" "Only my grandfather wears white socks! LOLOLOL!" ...you get the idea...)

So for most of the evening, post realization, I sat on my feet until I decided it was time to go. I checked out early because I had to be at Pollok House first thing in the morning.

As I was leaving I was talking to Fredrik about my observation, and he looks at me and says (a little bit like I'm an idiot, though I know he didn't mean it that way), "well it's a rule, dark pants, dark socks..."

wtf. no. You wear clean socks. no matter the color. In America, at least where I live, we leave our shoes ON, meaning, SOCK COLOR DOESN'T MATTER.

Oops.

This means that from now on, next time I'm at a Scandinavian Social Gathering in a flat, I must wear only tights, or better socks.

Looks like I'll need to go sock shopping.

Anyways, here are a couple of videos from the night, and then also some pictures from the evening. It was good fun...minus the sock stuff.

<3<3

Sneak Preview

2009-02-04T23:05:00.000Z

Sneak Preview to my next post:

The titled is called: White Socks and Sock etiquette at Scandinavian Parties.

Summary: What happens when an American girl goes to a Scandi/European party where everyone takes off her shoes to realize she's the only one in white socks.

Feel free to laugh at me.

<3 <3

Snow!?

2009-02-02T22:25:00.000Z

So it snowed in Glasgow today. Big fat wet flakes with lots of wind. Watching it from the comfort of a warm and cozy room means that it was lovely. Walking in it sucked. I had to walk in it a lot...more than what I got to sit and enjoy from the comfort of a warm and cozy room.

I'll try and remember to take pictures tomorrow...not like an inch of snow is really that big of a deal, but England is freaking out about it.

Pansies.

<3 <3

Huzzah! I got to paint!

2009-02-01T18:31:00.002Z

Helloooo lovers,

Well as most of you all are suffering without electricity, extremely freezing cold temperatures, ridiculous amounts of snow and ice, I just wanted to write about how lovely the weather was in Glasgow this week. Upper 40s and sunny most of the week. Yay! It was a lovely pick me up. Also, it's been extremely lovely being this far up north, as sadly before the winter solstice it got dark incredibly fast, but now that we're heading into spring and summer, it's been staying brighter and brighter much quicker. Before I left for home in December it was dark by 3:30 or 4. Now it stays light until after 5 or so. Which is great, the more daylight the better.

I had a good week this week, despite a rough sunday (Drinking game called toyko drift + whiskey=not a good combination....). I had a meeting with Sally, my Palaces and Castles class to discuss my dissertation etc, and she had a lot of really good feedback for me...which i'm very happy about. First she said that the idea was good enough to do a whole PhD on (not for a few more years I think.). My writing needs a lot of work, because it's not academic enough, but she said that I had a good 'eye' when analyzing and looking at images. This made me very very happy. When reflecting on my education at IU, I think I can credit them with helping me develop that skill, as we spent a great deal of time looking and analyzing images and so on. However, I do wish we had professors who really worked with writing. I was always frustrated about how we were required to bust out essay after essay but no one really gave us much feedback on style? A quality vs quanity thing I suppose.

Friday I worked at Pollok House, which was good fun. Helped with a tour in the morning for some school children, after that Beth and I sat in on an art class and I got to paint for a couple of hours, which was good fun, and I just tried to enjoy myself. I focused on playing with color and color theory with Delacroix the whole time. :) Then we worked on the fashion show planning which..

Da da da DAAAAHHH!! Is APRIL 18th! So, if you will be in the Glasgow area, you should either be in attendance or participating.

Then I had a great dinner with Kelly at the Islay Inn, a bottle of wine and 3 hours later, we were talked out, and happy. I consider myself quiet lucky that we made friends on facebook before coming. [Same for Heloise too!]

Saturday was spent hanging out around the flat, talking to mom, and then i ventured out to city centre and back in the evening just to get some air and excersize before Amy showed up at 7 and we devoured an extra large Papa John's Pizza. I can't stand Papa John's at home, but here..it's heaven. ;) After that we went to a party at a flat where she knew the girl. I had a lovely time, and went home fairly early.

This week will be a nice one. Tapestries in 16th Century Palaces and Castles! WEEEE!!!

<3 <3

Question: How does the old man get across the road?

2009-01-27T18:24:00.002Z

Answer: By demanding me to walk him across that road.

Side note: Man had very few teeth and what were left were a gnarly yellowish-orange color. His mouth kinda reminded me of Jabba the Hut's. Which makes me feel bad because I like old people. He just should have gotten dentures about 30 years ago. I mean...it's not like there isn't free health care in the UK or anything...

--------------

A comment on weather:

Glasgow, Scotland is 45 F today, partly cloudy with a slight drizzle this evening.

Borden, Indiana (hometown just north of Louisville, Kentucky): 25 F (way below 0 C), freezing rain, and apparently lots of snow.

I prefer the 45 with a bit of rain.

Yay Glasgow!

<3 <3

Fame, Burns Night, etc etc

2009-01-26T19:44:00.006Z

Hello Lovers,

So this past week was good fun. Fredrik and I went out to see Fame! (my christmas present) this past thursday and it was a wonderful time. It was on a Thursday evening, and I was fortunate to not have anything that day, so I took my time getting stuff ready, homeworkin', etc and went over to Fredriks around 230-3. We get ready to go out, and he wore the new shirt I bought him with his Winged Skull cuff links I also bought him for Christmas (it was a night of Christmas presents). We get a taxi and go to city centre. We had talked about where to eat before and the idea of Tapas came up (love tapas)...and we found a small tapas restaurant right on Sauchiehall street not 2 blocks from the theatre. It was Ah-mazing! It's called Torres, and the prices were good, the food was great, the wine was great...the only down side was that the portions were tiny for tapas. Food was so good, it didn't really matter. We ate well, had good wine and didn't spend tons of money (well...Fredrik didn't). Then we went back to the theatre got another drink (my treat) and waited for the show to start. Fredrik was lovely and thoughtful and was very specific in his seat selections (he knows how I am picky about where I sit in theatres). We were in Row E (1st row = A) So we were in perfect view of the stage...unluckily for me a really tall woman sat infront of me and at times blocked my view, but i just looked around her.

Rant: I do not like Scottish manners in the theatre. Not. At. All. Period. End of Story. I love the idea of bringing food, as long as your not loud (chip bag openers.) I hate that they cat called the actors during the production (this is not a panto.), and I did not like that they did not stand at curtain call. I couldn't take it anymore, and I finally stood up. I've worked on stage for far too long to not give the respect of standing to actors, I don't care if I am in a different country. I will stand for the work I know they go through. Even if the show wasn't superbly awe-inspiring take my breath away amazing (like Wicked). I stand. They sang well, they danced well, the acting was a bit campy. Group Bow=Stand.

Grrrrr....

Then Fredrik and I went out to a pub of his that he loves, and it was nice. I had a marvelous time with him, and I think he did as well. I'm very happy we got to have that chance....42nd street is coming...I wanna see that!

Friday Night was just a chill night, I made chili and Fredrik and I watched Stardust and drank Margaritas. (obviously a perfect night to me)

Saturday we went shopping in city centre and then i tought him how to play Beer Pong. (Question: If 2 balls make it in the same cup, after the first turn, does that count as an automatic win? What does this mean? What is protocol? This happened and I didn't know quiet what to do...) Anyways, I won! It was a 1-1 game, and I managed to win! (This has never happened with me making the single cup shot...). After this we went over to Mark's girlfriend's (Rozelle) flat to celebrate Burn's night a wee bit early. We actually read some of his (burn's) poetry and ate cake and played games. Again, it was a chill night.

Today I had a really interesting unplanned lecture about the Stirling head sculptures at Stirling Castle. My professor Dr. Sally Rush is doing a lot of research over them, and it was really interesting for me (the whole early 16th century mild obsession etc bits).

Friday my course and I went to Stirling Castle for an all day tour. It was pretty cool, and it will be much cooler once they're finished re-doing it. I am excited for this project because they are doing the castle how it would have been in the 16th century, as detailed and as accurate as possible. So they are trying to make something that actually looks like it would have when people lived in it, and not a vague worthless idea. I'm excited about this. Some people think that we should just use our imaginations, but I like the idea of getting lost in a fantasy, and I think being in a building that is designed for someone from 1500 is a good way of doing this. (past life bleed over?ha)

Tuesday I have lecture in Palaces and Castles, which I'm really enjoying. I'm really happy with my course choices this semester, I like my homework, and I like my hands on experience. I just kinda wish my Work Placement wasn't so random day wise. But that's the way it is, and that's what I'll deal with.

Not too much else going on I guess. Mom's booked her flights here (with VICKY!) from May 25th-June 4th or so. Bittersweet really....Mom will be coming, which will be great to see her, but she'll be here when Fredrik's getting ready to leave/will be leaving...so I might lose both of them at the same time. :( Not going to be a fun week I imagine.

Now, it's time for dinner and studying.....

<3 <3

First Full Week Back!

2009-01-18T00:23:00.003Z

Hello Lovers,

Well it has officially been one full week (yesterday) since I returned back to Glasgow, and I have to say I'm happy to be back. I really enjoy it here...though I've decided I live in a walk in closet w/ a bed and not a proper bedroom/flat. If there are any readers on here who found this blog and are considering moving to Glasgow/ attending Uni here...my advice is to rent a regular flat, and then attend all international events. Though this flat was good for meeting people at first, it's over priced and poor accommodations compared to where my friends live (some right next to campus and the subway). I miss living in my own apartment...it was nice feeling like I actually had a home...there is something about residence halls that don't feel like home...too sterile and here they do room inspections and we're not allowed to hang anything on the wall...

So, my life in glasgow would be close to perfect if i had a lovely victorian townhome flat to live in...i guess I'll have to wait till September.

Classes are good, and I'm crazy busy. It should be a good semester. I'll have lots of deadlines and research to do, but mostly for my thesis, as I'm only taking one "taught" course on 16th Century Palaces and Castles, which I'm really excited about, and I think it'll be fabulous. The other course I'm taking is the Student Exhibition which should be good fun even with the inevitable brawls that will occur with 12 women trying to organize something (esp since many are very headstrong) I luckily have fallen into the "i don't care I just wanna enjoy it and make it the best possible" category and will try and maintain a neutral standpoint on all things.

My workplacement should continue to be awesome. I feel like I've entered another Williamsburg. It's a small group of people, and everyone is really cool and laid back. It should be great fun working there and getting to know all the people (plus the fashion show- OH MY GOD i'm excited!)

Right now we're hoping to turn it into a ladies luncheon tea thing and have a themed menu (like the 1770 or the 1860) where will create a menu that is fitting for the period (aka tea/coffee/hot chocolate a sandwhich and a sweet. ) if you have suggestions let me know please! :)

I spent all day in the library (literally 1 pm till 10pm. good lord.) and will not go back tomorrow but instead opt for finishing my work here at my walk in closet and skyping with people and doing more reading for 16th c palaces.

This friday we go to Stirling castle all day. I'll obviously be posting pictures sometime after.

This thursday is going to be very exciting! Fredrik and I will be going on my christmas present! He was absolutely wonderful and gave me a very thoughtful gift of 2 tickets to see Fame! The Musical. I am incredbily excited for this because 1. it was very thoughtful and sweet of him to buy the tickets. He's only ever seen Chicago, and even then he doesn't remember it. So basically, he's never seen a musical before, and never had an interest to see them either. So he's going with me because he knows how important the theatre is in my life, and is willing to risk 3 hours of torture to make me happy. I'm praying that Fame will be ah-mazing, and he'll enjoy it. I would hate it if it's a horrible production and then I'll never be able to get him to see another one ever again. (I hope he loves it...we'll see..he's a bit of a music snob). Plus I think we're going to go out for dinner and drinks before and after. Coincidentally enough, one of my Christmas presents to him was a nice white shirt from Express and skull cufflinks (couldn't help myself). The sleeves are a tad short (cause Fredrik has crazy long arms), but other than that, it fits him well. Hopefully they'll lengthen with a decent iron. I hope he wears it when we go out (hint hint hint fredrik.)

Also, exciting news: LAURA COMES ON VALENTINES DAY! For over a week I'll have my laura all to myself. I can't wait to see her, as I've missed her dearly. It'll be good to talk to her again and have her around to throw thoughts around with. (us and our conversations. hehe)

That's all that's really going on for the moment..it's quater to 1 am here, and i've started the movie The Duchess, though I suspect I'll be in bed very very soon.

<3 <3

Adventures with the Scottish Rail System..

2009-01-14T22:12:00.002Z

So today was my first meeting before I start my work placement at Pollok House this semester. I was supposed to be at Pollok House at 3:30 pm this afternoon. Right. Ok. I was done with class at 12, and had lunch with Fredrik at 1. We left and went to the city centre at 2. (he was going shopping and looking for knee pads for his caving trip this weekend). I went to the train station, bought my tickets to Pollokshaws West. Found my train (leaving at 3:07 getting me at the entrance to the park at 3:17) That was the earliest train I could get. Right. Ok. I was going to catch the courtesy bus to Pollok House when I get there, and everything will be fine. I'll be ontime no problem-o. WRONG. wrong wrong wrong. get this: At the station I see that I'm supposed to go to Platform 4 for the correct train. The train that made about 5 stops and terminated at Barrhead. Ok. So i go to the only train on the platform (with about 10 other people) and we get on, sit down, etc. Then a conductor comes on and yells that we are supposed to go to the 'first' train which means the train that is "infront" (blocking the other train). So, what do we do? We go to the train. right. ok. no problem again. no. wrong. think again. (fyi: this is the stupid part) I am sitting in my seat and I hear the normal garbled Glaswegian announcement of the stops on the train. As far as i could make out, it sounded right. Then I hear the automated (and understandable) announcement that said, "This train is for Barrhead. This train stops blah blah blah Pollokshaws West blah blah Barrhead." Ok Great. Then about 3 minutes later there is another garbled Glaswegian announcement and more people get on the train. I don't think about it, since I figure it's just the same announcement (not like I can understand it anyways). So the train takes off...and then I hear, "This train is for KILMARNOCK. The First stop is BARRHEAD."

I flip out.

Me and about 3 other people (no more than 10 on the train originally for barrhead) are stuck on this train. I have no idea where Barrhead is. I have no way of contacting Pollok House/Allison my boss. So the conductor comes up and I see him talking to 2 guys that I saw get on my train (original for barrhead...the RIGHT train) and I go up and I say you know, "what the hell happened, I thought this was for barrhead, I'm going blah blah blah." The conductor says taht they JUST changed the trains and he even had to run over here to make sure they were on time He then tells me Barrhead is only 15 minutes away and that we can catch a train bacck towards glasgow that will stop at pollokshaws west for me to go to. I will be late though.

Then a nice guy told me to call a uk - esq 411 and they connected me through to pollok house...which was comforting. So I had to ride the train to barrhead being talked to by 2 Scot men who 1 was very nice but missing much of his teeth, the other one took 20 minutes before he started asking if I had a boyfriend and my number (Thank GAWD for Fredrik in that case). So i'm being forced to hang out with these 2 very interesting scotsmen and then had to ride the train back to pollok house. I get off at the train stop (thanks to 4 glaswegians helping me...i appreciated it, but i'm not stupid...but again speaks to the niceness of Glaswegians) then I go to the bus stop hoping that one was on its way. No. It was 3:45 at the point, a 15-20 minute walk to Pollok House from where i was and a 15-20 minute wait for the bus. I walked. Carrying 2 heavy bags, and my new Born boots. I get there at 4 pm.

Good news? She changed my requirements, and I'm going to be working on an HISTORICAL FASHION SHOW to raise money for Pollok House!!!!!!

HOLY COW BATMAN!

Then she gave me a ride back to my part of town in her 70's gold bug. But it was pouring rain and by the time I got into my flat I looked like a drowned cat.

That was my day. I'm exhausted and I have to be at a corner for her to pick me up at 815 tomorrow morning. Plus side? I get to dress up in a victorian costume.

That was my adventure to Pollok House. Hopefully taht will be the only time that happens.

<3 <3

hacked.

2008-12-26T00:50:00.002Z

Well, this is just a warning post.

My christmas has been borderline ruined this year because of someone hacking into my paypal account on the 23rd and purchasing a 1,250 USD camera w/ my debit card (plus a 50$ shipping charge). I was fortunate enough to not have enough money in my account, and recieved a phone call asking to verify a purchase (the camera) which I couldn't do (obv). So now, I'm dealing with that. I had to cancel my debit card/report as stolen. Then I had to put a freeze on my credit so no credit cards/etc can be opened in my name, and am currently paying 12$ a month for unlimited access to my credit reports. All because some bastards tried to buy a Canon Rebel SLR camera for christmas.

I'm livid. Not just because of dealing with sitting on the phones. I'm livid and hurt because someone did not care that they have ruined my christmas, my week, possibly my whole stay at home. I'm paranoid now, have had to change all of my passwords etc because I don't know how these people hacked into my paypal, what they know about me, etc. It's been ruined. I can't believe how selfish people are.

So, I'm just writing this as a warning. Watch your stuff online. Watch paypal if you're an ebayer, just becareful. I would seriously consider opening up a random bank account that isn't associated to anything to protect the rest of your accounts. Or not using ebay/paypal at all. I sincerely doubt I ever will.

On a plus side...i got red leather ladies 18th century shoes from Burnley and Trowbridge for christmas. :)

Merry Christmas lovers.

<3 <3

IRELAND

2008-12-19T11:20:00.002Z

thought that title was obnoxious enough... hehehee

i'm still in ireland..our plane doesn't leave till 830pm but we're not leaving for the airport till 6 or so..just becaue dublin traffic and me not being from the eu and actually flying out of a "real" airport could take some time..

ireland was cool...but i'm really excited for tonight in glasgow...

i'll write more later...

i'll be home sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

can you believe it?!

<3<3

Wee Update....still haven't finished old posts..i know i know

2008-12-14T18:13:00.002Z

well, you all have dissappointed me first off.

I know i have readers out there. you all tell me all the time, "oh i read your blog blah blah blah" etc etc.

I write a post, for you to respond to, and melinda (ever so faithful melinda) is the only one that responds.

ya'll friggin' let me down! Really though, I don't care if I don't know you or not, just comment, I want some feedback.

Ok now actually posting.

Life has been ah-mazing here in glasvegas since I've gotten back from Belgium. Couldn't be happier actually, so it's a bit of a bummer to be going home now when I finally feel like everything is in order, but I am excited to go home and see you lovely blog reading, no comment leaving friends and family of mine. I'm dreading the flight though, just because it will be irritating..and I don't like flying around by myself. ( I have a great time when I'm with people though...hahah Kelly Leblanc knows this! :])

Anyways, I leave for Ireland tomorrow evening, and I have a great week instore for me. Ashley is super stoked about mine and helo's visit (and I'm crazy excited to see her again!), So we arrive Monday evening into Dublin, and Tuesday we'll explore the city, guiness factory, etc. That night we're planning on hanging out and getting rowdy at Temple Bar, and ashley will be crashing in our hotel since she lives so far outside the city, and she's coming to Kilkenny with Heloise and I on WEDNESDAY! (sooo excited) should be great shopping in Kilkenny, so lovers, expect cheesy gifts from Ireland (except for you Mamie, I got you something from Brussels cause you're special! haha). Thursday we're going on a bus tour to Blarney Castle and Limerick. I'm excited about this too..not like I need to kiss the blarney stone for the gift of gab...pretty sure I got enough of that to last 2 lifetimes, but a little more wont hurt! :)

I get back around 930 on Friday evening, and then then mayhem really begins. It's Markus's last night in Glasgow (omg sooo sad about this..) and so he wants to go to the 12 hour cheesy pop. Fredrik and I have decided to go, and thankfully, not stay the whole time...since we planned on day trippin' to Edinburgh for last minute christmas gifts for our families etc (little did I realize that I was his gift planner for the women in his family....kinda hard to do when you don't know them...but ohwell i think I helped?) I'm looking forward to going to Edinburgh with him a lot...like a mini-vacation!!! It's sad too tho...cause we both go home the next day. I arrive in Chicago at 3:20 chicago time, and then start the long journey back to the ville...either via car (preferred) or suffering through flight delays (lame lame lame)

Oh! and i have the plan for me next semester! I'm very excited about it, and I think it will be a much more exciting and fun semester compared to this heavily confusing and academic one. I got my Work Placement, and it's the one I wanted! I will be working with National Trust of Scotland in Museum Education! I'm very excited because I am the only one that exact WP (another person is at NTS too, but doing a different thing), and I get to organize and present multiple art related talks! The two I'm really looking forward to is the one where I have to dress up as an historical character and speak to school kids (i knew i brought that gown for a reason!) and then the other one I'm really excited about is giving an adult education art history class! I can talk about my love for art, van gogh, netherlandish renaissance, omg sooooo excited to do that! Also, I'm hoping that my sweet american southern charm will win over the NTS and they'll want to keep me for a 'real' job once I'm done! I've been doing a lot of thinking about what I want to do after I get out of grad school, and I really think Museum Education is the right path for me at the moment, curatorial work will be my reward when I'm older I think, but right now, at my age, and just energy & knowledge I would love to work in Museum Education. That's why I'm so excited about my work placement!

The other 2 courses I'm doing are Student Exhibition (wee! talk about resume builder! it's going to be at the Paisley Museum...write more when I know more) and then 16th century palaces castles and their interiors! Sounds like a lovely well rounded time for me, and I'm excited for the next few months! I feel like this first semester was the challenge months, full of tests, trials, lessons, and growth. Now I feel like everything has fallen into place, I've proven myself and passed my tests, now it's time to really enjoy this experience and start growing, and gaining more adventures and stories.

So that's the plan for the week and near future. :) I have missed you all so much, and I'm so excited to come home and see all of you. I love you bunches and muches and muches!

oh, and I've discovered my new obsession....love letters from the past...not just from great men..but from the past...god they were romantic then...gives you goose bumps. What happened to that? Why are we (men and women) so terrified of being romantic and emotional? I think we should be...gets the blood going. Maybe that will be my New Year's Resolution...be comfortable with my romantic and emotional feelings and just let them loose. (hold on tight fredrik...who knows what my resolution will turn me into!!!)

<3 <3

Omg.

2008-12-12T23:33:00.003Z

I'll write more tomorrow, but this was the best line I've heard from Scotland in a long time,

"Stop eatin' their food, and buy them a drink!"

Said to a guy hitting on me, Amy, and Kelly tonight at the Islay Inn Pub next to Kelly and I's flats. Priceless. Friggin' Priceless. hahahaha.!

Guest Bloggers...Please Comment...

2008-12-09T12:31:00.001Z

Well, I just woke up from a nap in the library...fredrik was so kinda as to take a picture of me mid nappy. Thanks Fredrik...thanks a lot.

Anyways, I put a post on facebook, but only Melinda (of course) responded. I was thinking about having "guest bloggers" to my blog. Aka people like Fredrik, Heloise, and other friends etc write about our adventures here in Glasgow and their perspective on their experience here. I figured they could wirte about things they do with me etc, so that way you all still get updated about my life, but you get to hear it from a different source...who in most cases remember embarassing stories about me that I happen to forget to mention on here. hehe.

Anyways, if you read my blog (I don't know who does because I don't get a lot of comments...minus melinda) Could you please let me know if you all would like this idea? Just leave a comment on this post, you don't have to put your name if you want to remain anon, but I would just appreciate some sor to feedback..

Ok, now back to Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol via Youtube and my Authentic Artwork Essay.

<3 <3

Culture Shock: A Scandinavian Student Dinner Party (aka getting drunk in heels and a dress and singing songs in languages you don't understand...)

2008-12-08T16:49:00.006Z

...in melodies you recognize about penises, fat ugly women, sex, drinking, and babies.

thank you Scandinavian Student Dinner Party (SSDP from now on). It's called something specific in Swedish/Norwegian/Finnish/Danish, but I don't know all the words, so whatever. Anyways, let me explain to you all about this insane student tradition that Fredrik and Markus put together (with the help of Meri and a Norwegian girl named Eldri). The purpose of a SSDP is to get dressed up in some form. In Sweden they have these cover-alls in bright colors and you can put patches on them, sometimes they just wear these (informal SSDP), and then sometimes they go all the way up to white tie (think White House formality...even with silly Bush). Well, after much debate (Markus and Meri (?) orginially wanted to do a theme dinner, everyone else wanted an excuse to get dressed up. Including me. Duh.) So it was a semi-formal dinner. Yay for me on this one, let me tell you. I was stoked to get all dressed up and wear heels again. (off topic, I really need to live in places that are ideally located to uni/work either by close walk to subway, or close to where I work. I hate having to dress sensibly.) So I get dressed up. I wore red lipstick. I fixed my hair. I was happy. I looked damn good too if I do say so myself. :) I also made pumpkin pie for Markus because he was going to have to miss thanksgiving dinner. So I truck my tush to the Heatherington Research Club on campus....

I was really impressed by what a good job Markus and Fredrik did for the dinner. A part of me thinks that no one expected it to be that nice, since it's the hrc and it's not known for fancy-pantsy, plus 2 boys running something doesn't always turn out well...even if Markus and Fredrik are like an old married couple (which they are) [I say this with the greatest love for both of those boys, who are both incredibly classy, but they're still boys.] Everyone started showing up, all dressed up. It was cool I was one of the first ones there which was nice.

Oh, before I forget, let me point something out here. I was 1 (yes 1) of 2 (yes 2) non-scandinavians there. What does this mean? Well it means I made a new friend (yay new friends!) Who's name is Angus, originally from Scotland and plays bass in the band Acutones (which opened for Westlife, and was incredibly shocked when I had a "who the hell is westlife" reaction. Clearly, I'm not up to snuff on British culture, but I think the UK needs to reevaluate their love for boybands and girlgroups (Westlife and Girls Aloud = lamesauce). Super cool guy though, and it was really nice not being the only non-scandi there.

So, anyways, what do you do in a slightly awkward social situation (with a potentially annoying language barrier?), drink. And that's what I did. That's what everyone did. It was a requirement. I paid 25 quid for this fancy dinner, and i was going to enjoy the hell out of it. So we have the welcome drink and mingling while waiting for everyone to show up and dinner to get started. It was lovely hanging out with a lot of my friends (Cecilia, Agnete, Meri, so on etc).

So the dinner starts, and not within 2 minutes I was forced to sit awkwardly in my seat while I had 20-something scandi's singing about booze. It was awkward. 1 because I had no idea what was going on, and 2 i didn't know the song and 3 i couldn't pronounce the words to sing anyways..so i just sat there with this dumb gapping mouth look on my face at everyone singing their bloody brains out.

this kept going.

for.

ever.

singing every five minutes. literally. I wanted to eat, and it was like the moment i filled my mouth with my delicious goat cheese and balsamic carmalized onion tarte i would hear "BANG BANG BANG BANG TEMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!'

Drove me slighty bonkers. Ya'll know me, I like my food, and I don't like not being allowed to eat when it's sitting in front of me for sitting awkwardly at a table while tipsy scandis were singing.

however, apparently it's normal to eat cold food at an SSDP. So I just gave up the dream of a warm dinner. So I drank.

There is a special alcohol they serve at SSDPs similar to Schnapps. They sold it at Ikea (figures), and Fredrik and Markus bought multiple bottles for the dinner. It's called AquaVit (life water) and it tasted like badly flavored everclear (or rubbing alcohol) and you are required to drink this stuff, in shot form. and if you fail or don't do what you're told, you get punished...which just means you get sung at and forced to finish the drink.

After the aquavit burned my throat and warmed my tummy, i got less awkward and started pretending like i knew what was going on. ha. ha. ha. silly me. but it made it a lot easier for me, and a lot more fun (cause I started singing the songs!!!)

All in all it was a fun night, and something that I know was a special experience for me. I got to experience something that was unique to Scandi culture, and I think that's really cool. It was awesome to see boys and girls not concerned about "looking cool" (like they would in America) and singing silly songs again and again. It would never have happened in America, and for that Scandi-ville gets my respect. They had fun, and I had fun with them. I just had to drink enough to start understanding Swedish, Finish, Norwegian, and ... gaelic?

Here's a vid of the birthday song (also the picture of me standing on the chair is from this song), and it's Cecilia and Meri (November birfdays), I love what Cilla does with her glass at the end (girl on the left).

Well, that was my first SSDP. Apparently, there will be one in the spring. Plenty of time for me to remember IUs fight song, and other drinking songs (other than 99 bottles of beer...)

<3 <3

Lykke Li Concert

2008-12-08T16:23:00.003Z

Hey Lovers,

Ok so what I've decided to do is write about each of the exciting things I've been up to individually, so that way I can keep my brain in order, cause we know me...I'm a bit of a scatter brain and having essays due and crazy busy stuff, it just makes it worse for me....

So the first thing to write about on my little list is the Lykke Li concert that I went to a couple weeks ago (before Thanksgiving). I don't know if anyone from home has heard of her, but she's a Swedish artist (popish) that I found on iTunes beautiful "free single of the week" feature. It was a music video of hers, and it was pretty awesome. Anyways, I found out from my Swedish/Scandinavian friends that she was coming to Glasgow, and tickets were only like 12 pounds. So I introduced Lykke Li to Heloise and we decide to go (well she decided to go with me, I had already decided to go in the first place.)

Anyways it was at a venue called The Arches, which was very cool. It's located in what looks like abandoned train platforms which are situated underneath Central Station. It was huge and dark and damp smelling...kinda like what you would expect from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Plus you could hear the trains when you're in the bathroom...thought that was really cool. Anyways, the concert was good. More rock n roll than I expected, and that was fine for me. She came off a little errr... pretentious...i think that's the word I'm looking for here...but she still put on a decent show.. Here are some pictures..

Ok. 1 Down...how many more to go??

<3<3

quick update..

2008-12-03T00:46:00.001Z

So I can't talk, cause it's damn late, and I have to get up early tomorrow cause.....I'M GOING TO BELGIUM! woooooweeee! i'm excited to get out of Glasgow for a couple of days, a nice little vacation! :)

Anyways, Thanksgiving went excellent. So did the Scandinavian Student Dinner Party, and Lykke Li concert.

I'll write good proper blogs after I get a break. Probably when I'm home for Christmas.

<3 <3

Countryside

2008-11-24T23:21:00.002Z

I will swear up and down that scotland has some of the most beautiful countryside...ever. Today I got to get out of the city and go to the National Museum of Rural Life. There they had a country house and a working farm. I got to be in my home enviroment, sorta speak. Away from cement, cars, traffic, and street lights. I got to get mud on my shoes and smell boxwoods and listening to quiet. I got to pet horses. It was well worth the allergic reaction. I almost cried I was so relieved to be in the barn with them. I didn't want to leave.

Tomorrow is the Lykke Li concert and my presentation. Wednesday is the last day of classes for me and the Scandinavian Student Dinner Party (get dressed up. get drunk. and sing songs. It's a Scandinavian thing. I don't quiet get it..but I'm looking forward to it). Thursday is thanksgiving, but I'll be shopping for it then.

I need to work on my essays. Damnit.

<3 <3

We're Elves. Thanks Dan

2008-11-23T22:17:00.001Z

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Just Enjoy the Show.

2008-11-23T14:40:00.003Z

Hello lovers,

Hard to believe isn't it? I'll be home for Christmas in less than a month. In fact, it is one month till Christmas (Eve...but I still put it in the "Christmas" day category cause Christmas Eve is AWESOME). Anyways, I'm getting down to the wire, and I feel all desire to do anything productive draining from my body. I just want to sleep..I don't really know why...but I'm just not in the mood for much. However, I did finish and practice my timed presentation and I had 30 seconds to spare within my 5 minutes, and I was speaking very slowly, so I do believe my presentation will be good to go.

Other than that I'm stressing out a lot and I can feel myself getting into that "no sunshine/end of term/stressed out/minor homesickness/mini depression". It's time for me to get back into the countryside and enjoy my Christmas. I knew that my move to Glasgow would be a big deal, and it would be difficult and enjoyable at the same time. That it has for sure. A lot of journeys have begun for me, and some I hope last longer than others. I have a great deal of work to do, and I feel very much out of the loop when in regards to my work. I shouldn't be stressed out about my assignments. I've had it a lot worse, but for some reason, they're really hanging over my head, and I just feel like crawling into bed and never coming out. Not until I come home anyways.

I hope that Christmas will get my energy recharged and when I come back to Glasgow in January it will be smooth sailing.

I had a good weekend. Friday was Mark's birthday, and we went out to a pub called the Ivy and then to a club at a hotel. The club was tiny and the music was good (house music..but still fun). Interesting things happened though over the course of the night. Some really good stories actually.

First story, I saw a guy get thrown out of a stretch limousine hummer. Out of the window. It was hilarious. They were stopped in the middle of traffic in the centre of Glasgow, and I guess he just pissed off his friends way too much, and they literally pushed him out of the window. He lost a show in the process, they threw it at him. In return, in the middle of this intersection, filled with traffic, he proceeds to pick up his shoe, and attempt to beat the guys in the limousine with it through the window. Then he tries to crawl back through the window. Didn't work. Then he decides to pull one of the guys out of the window. Didn't work. The whole time everyone in the taxi was watching this fight with complete and total fascination. Only in Glasgow. I swear to god. What was even funnier, to me, was Fredrik had just told me this story about his friend Mike (here in Glasgow) that got into a fight with a "ned" (trashy guy/gal wanna be hip-hop trash I guess? hard to say/explain) anyways, that Mike got cut off/almost ran over by this ned, he yelled random curse word (too inappropriate to repeat on blog) and car stops. Ned gets out. Swings at Mike. Mike ducks and responds, hits him just right and knocks ned out. Then looks down, sees overpriced shit sneaker on ned's foot. Takes ONE off and throws it in the river. Walks home. (hilarious if you ask me). Anyways the fact that I heard one sneaker fight and witnessed another in the same night was highly entertaining to me.

Second random story. So Mom and I saw this band called Albannach at the Kentucky Renaissance Faire (hello nerd stamp...) and they were really good. I liked them...tribal scottish stuff..good drum beats to trance out to. Anyways, they're from Glasgow. Apparently they're not on tour at the moment because once we arrived at this teeny tiny club. Guess who I saw? A band member, drunk and dancing to house music. Made me laugh. I introduced myself and told him I knew the band. He bowed down to me...well deserved I must say. (probably was just amazed that a woman under the age of 35 knew of the band and wasn't total white trash/groupie....cause that is what seemed to be the fan base...at least when I saw them). Anyways, it was just odd. Only my life would I run into a random band member of a random band.

Yesterday I went to Ikea with Fredrik and Heloise...and bought stuff for my room/ thanksgiving. Then I got sickish (guessing from the hot dog from Ikea) and didn't go out. Stayed home and watched A Muppet's Christmas Carol, Love Actually, and Flight of the Conchords DvD.

Today I finished off the rest of my presentation that I'm giving on Tuesday, watched Marie Antoinette and am trying not to freak out about my essays due the 2nd week of December. Perez Hilton introduced me to a new artist. Lenka. Her lyric is the title of my blog. I think I need to make it my mantra for the rest of the year. Here's the video to it...

The Show

It makes me happy...it's quirky, and I like that. Plus, I like what she's saying...I keep trying to tell myself that. Not enough sunshine makes me serious I think. I woke up the other morning to bird's chirping..I almost cried...I realized I never hear them anymore.

I never thought I'd miss the countryside as much as I do.

<3 <3

Asshole and Douchebag: A Lesson in American Insults

2008-11-17T19:18:00.002Z

Ok first off let me apologize to my grandparents and any other adults that I might potentially offend with the upcoming post, but I found my most recent situation too funny not to blog about.

I walk in to my Chinese and Turkish roommates cooking french fries, and Dilek (Turkish) was trying to speak Chinese to Iris (Chinese...obv). Anyways, she was saying, "I love you" in Chinese and then I worked on how to say it.

Well, me being me, usually vulgar and always keen on learning bad words, asked Iris how to say "asshole" in Chinese.

Little did I realize that she didn't know what "asshole" was.

So she and Dilek (who didn't know either) looked at me and went, "What's an asshole?"

I'm sure you're laughing now. You know what's coming next.

Me, "umm..well..it's...your..asshole...You know...when you use the bathroom..where...uhh..well..you discharge solid waste from...number 2 (still blank stares from Iris and Dilek is giggleing)...on the toliet...when you go to the bathroom...errr...uhhh...well this is awkward..."

Dilek, "You mean your ass?" (pointing to hers)

Me, "No, not your ass (grabbing mine) but your asshole (referencing to mine)."

Dilek and Iris, "OHHH!!! ahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
ahahahahhahah *breath* ahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah"

Me, "yeah..well...umm..it's what you call people who make you angry. It's an insult."

Dilek, "Oh, ok. What other insults are there?"

Me (remembering my favorite one), "Douchebag." (another mistake)

Dilek, "What's a "douchebag"?

Me, (while having Wet Hot American Summer running through my brain and trying not to quote it) "Well, in American English, a douche is a hygenic cleanser that women use to clean out their..well..private regions..."

Dilek, "oh...i don't really understand."

Me, "It's kinda hard to explain, I've never used one, so it's just kinda the best way I know how to explain it" (all the while I'm catching myself starting to pantomime the act) "It's to help keep their body clean..and sometimes make them smell like strawberries." (not kidding...totally said that. omg.)

Dilek and Iris, "OHHH!!! ahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
ahahahahhahah *breath* ahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah"

....talk about one of the most hilarious and awkward situations...ever...but it was really funny to see Iris crack up..Dilek too. Then I tought them other cuss words that they were so keen to learn, but those definitions are easier understood than asshole and douchebag apparently.

That is my life here in Glasgow. Now I'm watching awesome Gap Christmas adds on my laptop..

love you all.

<3 <3

The Glasgow Bus: A Social Commentary.

2008-11-16T18:30:00.002Z

Hey Lovers,

I hope everyone is doing well. I'm starting to freak out about all the work I have to do over the next couple of weeks, along with all the other random and various events that will be finishing up my first semester here in Glasgow. [Lykke Li concert, Scandinavian Student Dinner Party, Thanksgiving, Trip to Belgium, Trip to Dublin, Rob and Lauren coming for the day, Decorative Arts Paper 3,000-4,000 words, Authentic Art work Paper 3,000-4,000 words, Research Training presentation and paper (no clue in the word department), and then on top of all that Christmas shopping, and going home for a couple of weeks, only to work on my Lit Review that's due on January 14th.] Clearly...I'm...busy. To say the least.

To get to the title of my blog, "The Glasgow Bus: A Social Commentary", I want to discuss what it is like to ride the bus in Glasgow. Most specifically when I am in Fredrik's neighborhood and we're going towards the city centre via the East End (Bad part of town). Picture this: Fairly old bus (not the really nice double deckers w/ video screens) that is sounding like it's near death everytime it breaks. First stop, a man and his dog get on. They stay towards the front of the bus, he orders his dog up into a seat, and he starts munching on a sandwhich (that the dog really wants). Then we get old fat people who's Glaswegian sounds so incredibly thick you could mistake it for Russian. A group of young to middle aged males who decide that blasting techno and screaming in the back of the bus is a good idea on a Saturday morning. We're driving through what seems to be Little Asia in glasgow (pretty sure there were dead animals from the windows in some spots). And I get to listen to Dog man discuss to the busdriver (which apparently he was friends with) about going to New Zealand. All this time, the trashy people just keep coming on and off the bus. Men, Women, Skinny, Fat, Alcoholics, Smokers, tattooed etc. It was very interesting to say the least. Fredrik and I had that moment where we were sitting there trying to keep a straight face (and hide my horror as I realize how far east we were going) and he looked at me and while laughing went, "you're going to blog about this aren't you?" and I looked at him, laughed, and responded, "oh hell yes. there is no way I can't."

I have a love/hate with buses. I love city watching and learning the city. I love the convience, and the prices. I hate being around weird people, and that they're always late, and never really knowing what stop to get off at. Sometimes though, the people watching is good fun though, and telling to Glaswegian culture. ;)

Anyways, I had a very quiet and Fredrik oriented weekend. I didn't go out at all this weekend (actually really enjoyed that, I'm getting sick of going out). Friday was spent at the Research club studying/reading all day, and then having dinner w/ Fredrik. Saturday it was the big City Centre shopping extravaganza for Fredrik and I. I know what you're thinking, "oh my god! how much did she spend?!?!!?" Cause, let's face it, we all know I'm a shopping hound, but to your great surprise I didn't buy ANYTHING (minus lykke li concert tickets, but that's different in my book). Nope, instead I became Fredrik's Fashion and Shopping Consultant. I introduced him to the Gap (which he didn't care for..but I think he missed my point of "simple basics for reasonable prices and good quality" not the "edgy up to date fashion place" cause I mean..it's the Gap for Pete's Sake.), and then I showed him that Urban Outfitters was not just for Interiors (the one here is 3 stories, the first floor is home/book crap, 2nd is womens (crappy ass clothes blakdahs;lh;gawrg), and then the top is men's (which is much better stocked than women's). Anyways, my shopping skill came out very clearly when I beelined it for an amazing winter coat for Fredrik (he needed one). It took him a while to catch up, as he was distracted by t-shirts, and I get him to try it on, and viola! he looked ah-mazing. It fit him really well, which seems to be a bit of a challenge seeing as how he is so tall, but still fairly slim. So he needs a large for arm length, but then the body just eats him alive. This coat was fitted much better than the other ones we tried on, and it suited perfectly. It was classy and simple, but with good stand out details. (Stand up collar, buckles, and stitching detail yum yum yum). It was fabulous. I liked the navy one best, but he stuck to his stand by black. (something about the navy and his skin tone..plus i think the sailor look [indulging the oh-so-standard men in uniform delighfulness] was another reason. haha.

So we had a great day shopping in the city centre...then we went back to his house and he made dinner while I practiced my Swedish [Yes, on top of my school work, I've decided to start learning swedish...or attempting anyways..] it's actually not that bad to learn..pronounciation seems to be the trickiest part of the learning bit, as the grammar and words are similar. For example Kan du hjälpa mig? is Can you help me? in Swedish. (I know if you try and read it with american speech it's weird as hell, but it doesn't sound that way actually.) But I'm enjoying it...all of you should know my complete unsatisfaction in not being bi-lingual and how I think that America is horribly wrong and doing a disservice to her citizen's by not forcing a second (3rd or 4th) language down our throats at a young age. So any chance I can seize to learn a language..I tend to jump at it...I hated spanish, love french, and I really like learning Swedish. Plus, having Fredrik as a walking speaking dictionary makes it fun. Also I have Cecillia, Markus and other friends to help. Anyways, funny story with the swedish learning stuff, I was practicing it, and going through the program I have, and one of the phrases was "en pojke och en hund" which is a boy and a dog. Well I accidentally said, "en pojke i en hund" which means, um..well..."a boy in a dog." I started laughing when I realized what I said, and Fredrik called me obscene. I found it humerous. My current favorite word is fladdermus (bat like the animal) but it's because of another funny story that isn't quiet blog appropriate. haha..

[Funny side story about the Sub-Pub Crawl that I forgot: End of the night. Fredrik's limping and whining about his lost sole (haha still makes me laugh), Markus decides to teach me "in the jungle" in Swedish...you know, like "in the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tooooniiiigghhhttt aaaaa weeeeeeee ommm bum boooaaaaayyy" song. Anyways, just imagine a group of people screaming a song in swedish and laughing hysterically...i'm sure it was quiet the sight to be seen...hahha]

So we had dinner and I made him watch Elizabethtown with me (his roommate Caitlin has a copy!) and I showed him all the wrong parts of the driving scenes, told him what was what, and got a little homesick and teary eyed for the cicada filled kentucky/indiana summers...and actually that sticky sweet humidity at night..made me want to go night swimming..

I talk about home to him alot...I don't know what he's thinking about it...but I'm always going on about all you readers, etc. Home, School, Family, Friends..he's going to know everything about everyone by the end of school. I hope I don't drive him bonkers, or make his head explode. Being here has made me appreciate some things about home that I didn't realize...plus the weather (even though I bet it's nicer here than at home at the moment).

Anyways, I miss you all and I miss home. I'm looking forward to coming home for Christmas.

I just need to get all that other stuff out of the way.

<3 <3

A Sub-Pub Crawl: an Epic

2008-11-12T13:27:00.010Z

Meri and I

Alright boys and girls now is the time in the blog that I will share with you a story about a wonderful Glaswegian adventure and tradition known around the world as the "Sub-Pub Crawl". What is a sub-pub crawl you might ask? Well let me give you some background information. A sub-pub crawl is when a group of over 18s (legal issue) decide to buy a "discovery" ticket on the Clockwork Orange (Glasgow Subway System that is circular and orange in color...hence the name) and starting at the first stop of choice (usually the one that is nearest to everyone's home) you get a drink at the nearest (or most preferred and still extremely close) pub to the first subway stop. There are about 15 stops (1 stop has no pub within walking distance, so this means you must drink at least 2 drinks at 1 stop) and the goal is to go to each stop and have at least 1 drink before the pubs close (11-midnightish). The time restraint requires the crawling to commence early in the afternoon/late morning. My crawl started at 2pm and ended 12am. So yes, I succeeded in drinking alcohol for 10 hours straight and did not die (nor was I hungover the next morning either...amazingly)

As mentioned before, the reason for this subpub crawl was for my Finnish friend, Meri (mary). It was her 21st birthday, and she had friends from Finland in for a visit and to help her ring in the big 2-1. We met at a pub called The Captains Rest (haha) between St. George's Cross and Kelvinbridge subways. (But for our purposes it would be St. Georges Cross as 1st stop). There I had a Strongbow Cider (pint) to begin the journey, and also I always think of Paw-Paw's stories about falling into the gutters in the streets of England during WW2 after having cider in pubs. So I figured today was the day that if i was to ever fall into a gutter, this would be it, and I would honor my very cool grandfather by drinking a pint of cider first. :)

So from there we begin. The people you will recognize in this story (other than myself) are Fredrik, Markus, and probably (maybe..) Meri. My friend Selma who's from The Netherlands was also in attendance, but I don't think I've mentioned her on here before (hullo Selma!) It starts off really chill, in all honesty. Fredrik and I had met for lunch before the crawl started so we were filled with cheese and nutella crepes. :)

I'm going to try and keep the stories in linear order, but clearly, the amount of pubs, and the ridiculousness that we went through on this night makes it difficult for me to keep things in order. However, I want to let everyone know that we were always safe, no one got hurt, and any headlocks that I might have put Fredrik in weren't that horrible. (haha)

The pub crawl starts... and since it's early I just want to take it easy as time goes on. The plan is to go south of the River as soon as possible and get out of the bad part of town as quickly as possible. This is crucial because it does become unsafe for subpub crawlers if you are in the south side after dark and later on into the evening. Granted it gets dark here at 5, but no one is at the pub yet, so almost all the places we went to were empty while we were there...which was comforting.

I start with a cider, and then move on to a malibu and pineapple. Then...the Southern Comfort comes into play. It's my shot of choice, and since we were doing shots so often (Drink and run for safety purposes) I did..a lot.. of them that day..but it's fine. When I was getting sick of SoCo I turned to Bailey's (less alcohol and kinda soothing on the stomach). I was concerned about getting myself sick (so many choices), but I was lucky. The smart thing about subpub crawls that if you stick to just one drink, the time spent travelling around etc, makes it difficult to get extremely drunk. It takes a long long time. (however if you drink doubles or more than one drink..that's not my problem). Fredrik and Markus stuck to beer and whisky (they really...really...really love their whisky). So as time went on, ridiculousness insued..which was great fun.

The first funny thing that happened is actually Fredrik and I got into a fight...but this is later on into the evening and it was over something incredibly dumb and hysterically funny (in my view). And wouldn't have happened if we hadn't been drinking. From what you can see by some of the pictures I've posted so far...there were a lot of really really dumb pictures that were taken of Fredrik and I. One of them, I took of him doing something stupid...anyways, he decided he HATED it and wanted it deleted immediately... well, he grabs the camera from my hand, refuses to give it back, and begins messing with all the buttons on my camera looking for my delete button (which is funny cause it's fairly clearly marked blue trashcan!) and I'm just laughing at him as he's desperately trying to delete the photo. I refuse to tell him (to my amusement) how to delete the photo..he then decides to threaten to delete all of my photos...which was not ok with me. So what do I do? I demand he give me my camera back. He refuses. This goes on for a few more minutes. His argument that since he took the picture, it is in his ownership and therefore he has the right to delete it. I say no, it is my camera and my sd card therefore it is my photo, whether he took the photo or not. This kept going and going, and we argued about who's argument would hold up in court (totally judge Judy worthy if you ask me...haha). And eventually I get fed up and walk over to his side of the table...and...well..I kinda put him in a headlock...yep...and we argued for a little while longer, and then he finally gave up and gave me back my SD card (this is after I started calling it my SIM card, and he so brilliantly pointed out, "I do not have your SIM Card. I have your SD Card, and no I will not give it back." haha) So I get my card back, and I make him wait like 5 minutes and then I deleted the picture. I had plan on deleting the picture after he showed such a horrible desire to remove it..but I was fighting for the purpose of the matter (it being my sd card and my camera). So we both won, but it was funny.

The next funny story involves Fredrik's shoe sole. Well...it fell off..one of them did...but this was at the end of the night, and he starts yelling, "I'VE LOST MY SOLE!!! I'VE LOST MY SOOOOOLLLEEEEE" Which just resulted in me dying with laughter..I thought it was hilarious..plus he then decides to start walking with this ridiculously exaggerated limp and as a result looks like his right leg is 2 feet longer than his left. Well I was busy laughing at him..but I was too embarrassed to be seen next to him..he was looking too ridiculous....

Finally, I just wanna say that it was a great Saturday, and I was very thankful that I wasn't near death on Sunday. It was a good time, and I'm really happy I finally got to experience a sub-pub crawl..I'm sure I'll do another one..but I really want a theme this time! hehe!

we found a pub w/ karaoke! I sang Proud Mary (for Meri!)
I just think this is a really funny/cute picture
Fredrik, Me, and Selma being silly

<3 <3

Dublin and Belgium and Travelling OH MY!

2008-11-11T20:21:00.001Z

Super Excited.

Just booked tickets to Belgium for the 3-5th of December (with Kelly) and for Dublin (with Heloise) for the 15-19th of December.

In the midst of 3 papers due, I'm FINALLY going to get out of the UK! soooooooooo excited to go to Ireland and Belgium! :):)

I'll post a lengthy blog about the sub-pub crawl and it's ridiculousness sometime later this week...i'm over loaded with work at the moment, and I need a good hour to blog.

[clearly I survived! ahha]

<3 <3

Sub-pub Crawl...eek.

2008-11-08T10:57:00.002Z

So it is 10:58 here in the morning..and my flatmates are slamming doors and making loud noises as they seem to enjoy doing every weekend morning..(irritating when you're trying to sleep)

Today, I will be embarking on my first Sub-pub crawl. What is this you may ask? This is when A group of incredibly ambitious (or stupid I have yet made up my mind) peoplw decide to meet at a pub early in the afternoon and start drinking. And they have at least 1 drink at every pub, and then they go, buy their discovery subway ticket (meaning we can ride all day) and go around the circle subway and get off at everystop, go to a pub and get a drink.

I told fredrik he'll probably be carrying me home the end of the day...he said only if he was able to. (this is very true, it is very possible that I will carry him home...with his taste for Scotch..)

But, when it's your friend's Meri's 21st (omg!) birthday..you have to celebrate. I have charged up my camera..getting ready to hop inthe shower, meet fredrik for a big lunch, start crawling, and I will be prepared to post all ridiculousness that will follow.

I also told fredrik I will demand Domino's pizza at the end of this journey (which I know will be over at 11 or 12 tonight...which is comforting.) [please note: dominos does not compare to pizza express at 2 am...but it will have to do.]

Wish me luck o' readers of mine. For I have never done anything this ... ridic before in my life.

<3 <3

Cats (the musical) + Faux Guy Fawkes Day + wrist= not my best night

2008-11-07T10:57:00.003Z

ok well first off I've messed up my wrist. Being me, the klutz that I am...I fell last night walking to the subway (no, I had not had a single drink...remember who's writing this). What was so hysterically funny about it was I took a step and the voice in my head went, "you're going to fall" and I went, "nah I'll be fine, I'm used to walking in these boots" BAM. Flat on my ass. When I fell my arms immediately went down to catch my self, and in the process I scared some African man half to death, and then I hurt my wrist. I hope it's just sprained or something...but my mobility isn't very good...and it hurts really bad...I kept waking up to it hurting while I was trying to sleep last night. I can see where it is swollen...so we'll see what happens... again me being me, I'm going to be stubborn about the whole thing.

so that was the beginning of the 6th of November night.

Heloise and I crammed ourselves onto the subway and headed towards Glasgow Greens for the fireworks..we didn't really know what to expect, but we were kinda shocked when we got there... there were big screens with personality people talking to crowds (or attempting to), and carnival rides and fair food. Which was cool...but kinda odd at the same time.. they kept talking up this fireworks display like none other, saying there were 3,000 fireworks this year (apparently a big deal to them).

well, let's just put it this way. Thunder over Louisville is sooooooooo much better.

[here are some pictures for you non-louisvillians so you kinda get what i'm talking about]

and this doesn't even really compare to the real thing..it's pretty gnarly in all honesty...

anyways, the fireworks were border line pathetic...plus, the music they picked was miserable..i mean, they played almost the whole song, Memory from Cats, but only a 30 second snippet of Queen...really? I'm sorry, but I think Queen's We Will Rock You was a little more appropriate than a Cat singing about memories...barf.

anyways Heloise and I were being Firework snobs...the only cool thing about it was where we were standing, the oblisek was in our view and so the fireworks were behind it ... created a ncie view... I tried to get pictures but my camera was dead (per usual)

after the fireworks were over, Heloise and I high-tailed it back to the city centre and to waxy o'connors before everyone else...we parked our butts on some comfy sofas and waited for the others to arrive.. The bar is very cool...and full of little knooks and crannies...which is fun..

And to sum up the rest of the night, I got pissed off at Fredrik. It's better now. But my angry face came out hard core (you all who've seen it know what face I'm talking about). I'm over it now..

so yeah...

So that was my night. Hurt wrist, poor fireworks/guy fawkes, and fredrik pissed me off.

Hopefully today will be better...

oh wait...no i have to sit through a conference all afternoon.

lame.

<3 <3

Guy Fawkes Day...remember remember the...err...5th..no..err 6th.. of November...

2008-11-06T14:05:00.001Z

So yesterday was officially Guy Fawkes day (lots of fireworks) however, there was a Celtic Football game yesterday, and Glasgow decided that today (the 6th) was the official celebration of Guy Fawkes Day instead of yesterday...because they couldn't afford/find any extra police.

...did no one think to move the game to ... today?

just asking.

I found it humorous. I'm going for some fireworks tonight and the to a bar called Waxy O'Connors..should be picture worthy. :)

<3 <3

The election, a glaswegian perspective

2008-11-05T17:15:00.004Z

First off, I want to start out with this.

I am speechless. I am so overwhelmed with happiness and the strongest sense of relief I have felt in a long time. I know I am not alone in these feelings. Our country is in need of a great deal of changes, and we have already started down that road. The racism that has plagued our country for centuries has had a great wall knocked down over the past 24 hours. For as long as there is the United States of America, yesterday will be a day that will always be taught to our children and our children's children's children. We have elected a black man to be our president. Not only that, but we elected a charismatic, inspiring, uniting, motivated, and intelligent man who deserves our respect. He worked incredibly hard for this moment, and I hope he enjoys the hell out of it.

I'm fiercely liberal, and there would not have been anyway I would have voted for McCain. However, he did lose a great deal of my respect when he chose Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate. If he had selected a runningmate who actually knew policy, and was put together, I wouldn't have aggressively been against McCain. I honestly think she lost him the election, and I honestly believe that he would of had a great shot of being the next president if he had picked a more qualified and intelligent vp.

Palin scared me, a great deal, actually. I saw in her, a woman who would take away women's rights. I saw a woman who would make women take backward steps from where we stand today. It seems, that McCain only picked her because she was a woman. I find this incredibly insulting to all women. Even though I don't agree with Conservative politics, I know that there are more republican women out there who could have done a hell of a job as VP.

My friends from all over the world, are rejoicing with us. However, I really don't think they truely understand what this election means to me, as a young American woman. I don't have to worry about my reproductive rights being taken away. Maybe my beloved gay friends will actually be legally recognized, and no longer be discriminated against due to ignorance. What is going on in America with Prop 8 in California, etc. is un-Constitutional. I cannot tell you how much this breaks my heart. However, the Democrats are in the majority now, and hopefully, we will see equality soon.

I want my friends home from Iraq. I want to make sure that my friends who are serving my country stay in my country. I remember, distinctly, my high-school graduation, June 2004, where all of my classmates who were enlisting in the military stood up for recognition. I remember crying from the pride I had for the girl I called my best friend since I was 8 years old. However, I cannot express to you all the fear I had all through college of recieving news that she was going to Iraq. She hasn't, luckily, and I want to keep it that way. With Obama, she should stay home, and finish her education. Even though she did not go to Iraq, she has served our country for years. I want to know that when my younger brother turns 18, that he can enlist in the military, and I can go to bed and sleep soundly knowing that he wont be sent overseas at such a young age.

Even though it does not matter to me anymore, I want to know that my sibilings, family, friends, and unknown younger generations will be able to attend college, and not go into 100,000 of dollars in debt. People make "we're turning into Europe" comments, and frankly, I find it irritating. Almost all of my friends in Europe attend University for free. Many of them have served their country before attending University. My boyfriend, Fredrik, included. What is wrong with trading a couple years of your time, helping the common good of your country and your countrymen for a quality education for a more affordable rate? Also, what is really so bad about Europe anyways? Why do people talk this way? I'm sure that if these people engaged in an actual intelligent conversation with my friends (most of which study politics...go fig) from Europe, they would be surprised to what they hear.

Most people are only impressed by the fact America has incredibly cheap booze.

One more thing, before I post pictures for my aunt, I ask, that all of you conservatives out there, give Obama a fair chance. Stop watching Fox News, stop listening to Rush Limbaugh, and listen to Obama. Listen to Biden. You have had 8 years with Bush and Cheney, 1 border line stupid, and the other just plain evil (How could one deny his daughter equality is beyond me, and that is why I call him evil.) The Democrats fought hard for this election, and we were successful, truthfully (not like the election of 2000 remind you). Obama won. Give him a shot. This is our chance to show the rest of the world, that we are a forward thinking, united country. Our respect has already increased a great deal to the outside world. I know this for a fact. I no longer have to fear being discriminated against because of being American (it happens..often).

Please give Obama a chance. He deserves it. He did something that none of us could ever dream. Coming from nothing, and now he's our president elect.

Please. Open your heart, and open your mind. Give Obama a chance. You might be pleasantly surprised. <3
----------------------------

Now more pictures of Scotland for my Aunt Teckla, who so polietely requested more "scotland" photos (though I don't have much) The view from the top of a tower at Melrose Abbey
melrose abbey...with a color effect
Sir Walter Scott's Abbotsford. Neo-Gothic

Melrose Abbey Ruins..
View from the scaffolding of Rosslyn Chapel..didn't post pictures of the chapel seeing as how it was covered in Scaffolding (it was kinda lame too...not gonna lie)

Ashley took this shot of my University from Argyle Street (?)
Tweed River and pasture from Abbotsford.

I hope this makes you happier Aunt Teckla :) this is all I really have. :) :)

[I would also like to point out Obama's shout out to Native Americans in his speech last night made me cry.]

<3 <3

embarrassing moment.

2008-11-03T20:36:00.003Z

I'm not as depressed as I was yesterday. To what/whom do I owe my gratitude?

1. My family, for telling me to get into the park and into nature.
2. Daniel Haddad for his video dance off to cheer me up (as it always does)
3. my 2 hour conversation with Laura (was amazing)
4. Heloise posting funny pictures from halloween

5. Jonas Brothers.

I'm such a tool sometimes (read 5). But it's true. It worked. I can't help that sometimes ridiculously happy go lucky cheesy pop puts me in a good mood.

Don't judge me.

:)

<3 <3

Halloween and Ashley's Visit...Photos!

2008-11-02T17:37:00.005Z

Ashley and I attempting the Fist to Blades like our old boss Melanie asked us too...this is at St. George's Square in Glasgow (I kinda sucked at the fists..)
The Aftermath: Kitchen
The Aftermath: Living Room
Being poked by Edward Scissorhands..and laughing about something
Cecilia, Me, and Agnete. I called Agnete my little stereotype the whole night (she didn't know that Dad is Native American). I thought it was cute.
Heloise and I being silly
Heloise was a flapper
Fredrik (Edward Scissorhands) and I. I got to do his makeup!
Girl's Night with Ashley!

Halloween and Ashley's visit

2008-11-02T13:35:00.002Z

Hey Lovers,

Ok, so I have been super bad about updating and everything...sorry about that. It's been crazy busy here for me..and it's starting to drain me hardcore. It's Sunday early afternoon here, and I've decided that the next couple of days are going to be strictly me time. Ashley was here all last week and I am extremely grateful for her visit. She came at the perfect time, and I loved having her here. We had a great time together as well. However, I can feel myself getting off. It's been a highly emotional few weeks for me and very stressful. Right now, if I was at IU still, is when I would go home and cut off communication with people for a few days. Skyping with my parents will have to do. However I know a part of me is home right now..they have a baby hawk flying around, and my mom and i said at the same time that it was probably just me. (only understood if you're weird like me..i guess)

With everything that has been going on here, that I'm not really going to get into on here (some of you know, some of you dont', but it's not a huge deal anymore..but i'm still in recovery mode). I'm just emotionally exhausted. I've been learning a lot, especially about myself I think. The past few weeks have been incredibly educational and difficult. I hope it's just mercury is in retrograde, because it seems that everything is just off...and I want things to go back to normal. ( i have no idea if it is in retrograde or not...)

I need to get myself back though. I can feel myself losing my energy. I've been putting out so much...I feel like a shell.

I had a really interesting realization though, when I was talking to my mother the other day. She said something that I have been thinking for a long time, and she just kinda nailed it on the head. Even though I never really thought my mother and biological father's divorce really affected me that much (especially since mark and I don't have any sort of relationship, and my dad is Jim who is actually my stepfather, and Jim has raised me..). My mom and I think that maybe it has..plus I think I have some PL issues that are still haunting me that I need to work through as well. But I have a huge fear of losing people...especially "mates" (term my mother used...i think it fits...I like associating humans to the animal relm.. i feel like it's more "real"?). I'm terrified of being divorced when I'm older first. But I think I just crave unconditional love...with my past relationships, i've always been the one who put in the most effort. I believe in unconditional love, and I think sometimes I might be the only person who believes that... I know that all I ever really wanted is to just have someone that loves me for me...quirks and faults and all.

This quirk about me can be considered kind of odd I guess. Seeing as how I prefer to be single instead of casual dating (or maybe that's just a way to protect myself from getting attached.?) Also, I think being single is easier. I can be selfish and only care about myself, and I don't ever really disagree with myself (ha)...

it's amazing how much you don't know about yourself until someone says it to your face i guess. i'm glad mom and I had that talk...I had good cry when we were done...because it was finally out in the open.

I need to stop worrying so much. I know everything always works out for the best, for a reason, and how it is supposed to.

I bet this post makes no sense to most of you out there..it's fine really...I'm just kinda venting on here.

Halloween was good. The party was fun....Fredrik looked ah-mazing as edward scissorhands, and heloise was such a pretty flapper (kinda hate how all my old clothes look amazing one her. :-P guess that's what happens when one of your closest friends is a pretty petite french girl). Even though the party was fun, I was in the middle of a lot of serious conversations. Some were expected..some where not. I ended up telling fredrik about an issue of mine that a lot of you all know about, but he didn't..I hadn't felt like it was the right time, and then at the party (with liquid influence) I let it out (it's a drawn out story, that involves other people so I don't want to get into it on here again), but I wasn't able to explain it very well, and so I'm going to have to tell him everything ..i guess.. when he gets back from his highland road trip. My stress level has been very high, and it was seriously affecting my issue...Heloise noticed, and Fredrik noticed without realizing it...

I'll post pictures of the party and ashley's visit later... just in a seperate post.. I don't feel like incorporating them here...I just felt like writing and venting.

I can't believe it's november.....sheesh.

<3 <3

Lady Emma Hamilton a Couple Portraits by George Romney

2008-10-21T12:04:00.003+01:00

George Romney, Lady Hamilton as Circe, 1782

George Romney, Emma Hamilton, 1782

spelling.

2008-10-21T12:01:00.002+01:00

and apparently for being a post-grad at Glasgow University, ranked in the top 100 Unis in the world, I can't spell pictures.

Sheesh.

Picutres from the Botanic Gardens, and Random Thoughts.

2008-10-21T10:28:00.005+01:00

Alright,

So yesterday turned into an interesting day...I don't want to go into it on here...but I have a feeling I'm going to get a little loopy for a while...everything works out for the best though, as it always does. Just gotta trust in the universe...

The next couple of weeks are going to be very busy for me it looks like. Ashely is coming to visit starting Next Monday (so so so incredibly excited to see her, even though we became friends this summer, I've missed her like crazy and can't wait to see her and have her around for a week). Plus next Friday is Halloween (i'm doing it easy...just a pirate. I have my corset, I have the boots...curl my hair...wear lots of eyeliner...pretty sure i've been a pirate almost 3 years running..minus the one year i was a gypsy (same difference) Yesterday I turned in my Decorative Arts Room Project Proposal, and I decided I was going to do a room for Emma Hamilton who was a mistress (rumored prostitute), lady to an ambassador, friend to the Queen of Naples, Actress, Muse, etc. Very cool woman, plus she seemed really pretty too, with a good sense of fashion and fun about her. I also figured that she would give me some creative freedom to create a bedroom that was eccentric and eclectic. I found her in a book of Mid-Late Georgian Portraits, and there was this little blurb about her in the book. I figured, ok, so she had Admiral Nelson's kid, no big deal, married Sir Hamilton. Got it. Check. Didn't think there was that much written on her, ya know? I hadn't heard of her even though some of her portraits look familiar.

So in class yesterday Pam asks, "who are you doing your room over?" (She knew i was looking fora portrait), and I go, well I found this portrait of Emma Hamilton, and I read this little blurb about her, and I thought she would be fun to create a room for with her in mind.

Then my professor, Sally Rush (love her), chimes in alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of this information about her, along with Pam (apparently I was a bit out of the loop with this Emma lady) And, no joke, for the rest of the lecture and study session, it was Emma Hamilton this, Emma Hamilton that, I felt like such an idiot. I had no idea there was this much information on her, and I really wanted it that way so I could have some creative freedom...now I feel like I'm going to get forced to accurately create her exact room, which is not what I had originally intended...I wanted a chance to get creative...i hope that it's still there. Even though it was great how interested Sally Rush was to tell me where all sorts of information about her is....just a bit overwhelming at 10 am.

I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening on campus till after 7. The weather was miserable and I needed to try and get some studying done. Fredrik met me at the library around 4. Then we went back to my place so he could pick up his stuff that he bought from Ikea (and left here), headed back home, and I had dinner with Heloise.

Whenever Heloise and I have one on one time, she never ceases to surprise me. The things she tells me, I never expected to hear come out of her mouth. Let's just say we have a great deal in common than one would expect (Mom if you catch my drift), and I am actually able to talk about the side of me that I seem to keep hidden away a lot of the time. Originally I only thought Kelly would be the person I could talk to about those things, but it seems Heloise has somethings to say as well. She was telling me how well she remembers her dreams...and I was a little envious when she told me...I mean, she has focused on remembering her dreams her whole life basically, and now she can remember all sorts of details. She's also able to do some lucid dreaming which is really cool as well.

There is a store called Opal Moon that is past Byres Road, on the way to Fredrik's, that talks to me everytime I go by it...maybe today I'll actually go. I feel the need.

So I wanted to post some pictures on here that I took at the botanic gardens when giulia came to visit! So I'm gonna stop rambling and start posting a string of some of the pictures I like the best (i guess?). It was fun to preten I actually have some sort of artistic talent when it comes to photos (even though I have no idea what I'm doing...I figured it was good to practice on plants) :)

and finally, I wanted to throw in this picture I took of myself at Hopetoun. I really liked the clock that (still works) is in the shot...it's myspacey...but i thought it was a bit fun to do a "myspace self-portrait" in a house hundreds of years old. Speaking of working clocks...I feel as though the houses talk (whoa hold up abby's getting weird...hold on tight skeptics) to me when I'm there. I've noticed that it seems every room I go into, a clock (mostly 18th century ones) immediately start chiming. Of course, there is everyone else in the room as well..but I've never been treated to so many beautfiul songs walking into a beautiful old home. I don't really know how to explain it, but I really feel like the houses are welcoming me back, and saying hello. It scared me the first time it happened...but I feel like it's a little joke between the homes and I.
When it comes to houses being "alive" or not, Hopetoun was pretty dead...of course the family still lives there in one half of the house...but it was no where near as happy and alive as Dumfries was..I could have stayed in Dumfries forever...of course it was basically in my favorite period ever. Just an extremely well-loved and happy home. Beautiful without a doubt as well. I would love to throw on a Riding Habit and ride the 2000 acres. Scotland has to be one of the most breathtaking places.

Another thing I wanted to share, that I think you lovely readers would appreciate is the invention here in Scotland known as "Ha-Ha's" (not kidding). They are sunken fences for sheep! It's hard to explain unless you see it, but it's absolute genius both for design and for practicality. Instead of having fences place above ground and ruining the views around the beautiful country homes (which would have been a tragedy during the 18th century). Robert Adam (I think..not sure...correct me if wrong) either took this idea from Europe or came up with it himself, dug trench like areas into the ground. One side is gently sloping while the other side is at a 90 degree angle or so. This way, the sheep can move all around the pasture, and down the sloping side, but they can't get out because they're blocked by the 90 wall in place in the ground. Also, as I'm writing this, it was probably good for keeping the sheep safe as well...it would have detered any preditors from getting to them at least for a while I would imagine. How they recieved thier names is a trip too..one obnoxious socialite writer (can't remember his name) wrote about these fences and called him Ha has because when people would stroll the grounds and they fall off into the ha has, people would point and go HAHA! :-P thank you 18th century sense of humor.

Alright, I'm feeling better in my blogging department especially since I've been miserable about updating for about 2 weeks, and I don't want to stay behind in that sense.

Oh, I've downloaded tons of Christmas music...and I'm really excited about it. Today is the 21st. It'll be 2 months till I'm home for Christmas. How bout that as a mind trip? 61 days or so.

<3 <3

i suck at updating.

2008-10-20T09:27:00.002+01:00

hey lovers,

ok so i'm going to try and keep this as brief as possible since I have to go to class like..really soon.

Anyways, life has been busy and not busy here...if that makes any sense at all. I've been busy with school work and going places for there. We went to Dumfries house (hour south of glasgow) and it was absolutely my favorite place i've been so far. We spent all friday there, and it's out on 2000 acres...so Kelly and I were very happy to be out in nautre and in the woods. Ironically I saw my first California Red Wood...in...scotland...the family had them transported to their estate back over 100 years ago.

the house was neo-classical design and fabulous. I loved every second of that tour. Plus, the ticket includes tea, cakes, sandwhiches etc at the end of the tour which was very lovely.

I pulled a me on the tour, and volunteered myself and my gown to any charity/fundraising functions they might have at dumfries house. I really liked the curator and I just gave her my little bit about Colonial Williamsburg, my gown, etc. :) Hopefully I will be able to do something there...I just wish my gown was silk instead of linen/cotton blend!

Social/Love life is going well. Fredrik and I have been dating over a month now (for those of you at home keeping track). It's been fun getting to know him better and seeing what we have in common (sense of humor and stubbornness...we're both tauruses) and what we are learning from eachother..it's been fun..bar fights and all. ;) Heloise is doing well too..her flatmates suck at life and they're not very nice to her at all, but she and I have a blast when we're together!

Giulia's visit went well...that was a crazy week in general, and I think she enjoyed herself well enough... we went to the botanic gardens here in glasgow one afternoon and i had a great time taking pictures of the plants...they're on my flickr page www.flickr.com/photos/abbyelyn because facebook is being lame at life.

Ashely McClure has finally corssed the pond and I get to see her on Monday! On the 30th we're doing Tea at the Willow Rooms in the City Centre that were designed in the early 20th century by Mackintosh (famous glaswegian artist/designer), and it's still exactly the same as he designed it! I'm super stoked to see her!

Ok, I need to go to class!

<3 <3

Really? Did that Really Just Happen? Holy Hell.

2008-10-12T09:53:00.003+01:00

Hey loves,

So i haven't posted like...at all this week because Giulia has been visiting from Italy, so I have been busy hanging out with her. It's been pretty chill....a lot of trips to the city centre for shopping, etc.

I have a crazy busy day tomorrow with class/trip, I'm going to Hopetoun House and it looks like a Conservation studio as well..hmm...interesting.

the most interesting event from this weekend was definitely friday where Fredrik, Markus and I got into the most ridiculously random bar fight. ever.

here is how it happened. I get furious thinking about how stupid this is...so bear with me.

Fredrik, Markus (not Mark from Canada, but Markus, a friend who is also from Sweden and pretty good friends with Fredrik) and I go to Cheesy Pop at the QMU. We were meeting Heloise there and Giulia was supposed to meet us there but due to mobile phones being stupid as hell, it didn't happen. --anyways-- The three of us started the night at Fredrik's house where we were drinking and playing guitar hero (some college activities are always the same) and around 12:30 we decide it's time to go to Cheesy Pop. So we go, meet up with Heloise and just hang out dancing around (trying desperately to get ahold of Giulia...no such luck) and whatever. Having fun.

Around 1:30 or so Heloise decides to go home and off to bed. I pout, per usual, but let her go. Fredrik decides he wants to go into the main crowd of the dance floor. (why I don' t know. I don't really like it...but he's so freaking tall I don't think he gets how many bruises I can get from that...plus most of the time it's so cramped I can't really move/dance) But, anyways, it wasn't miserably crowded, so we work our way through. We find a spot and not 20 seconds later there are these 4 incredibly drunk boys with their arms around eachother, stumbling around....to the point that they just..fall over. no one pushed them or anything...they seriously just fell over. not kidding.

they stand up....and I've come to guess that because Fredrik is so tall, and all 3 of us were staring, the 3 drunk boys decide that it was Fredrik's fault they fell over...? (i told you this was stupid.) So this one guy is just screaming at Fredrik, and Fredrik (who, admittedly was not...sober...but that's not the point) just started screaming back (what would you do if some random person just started cussing you out for no reason? You'd get pissed off as well i'd imagine) So Markus is trying to get the other guy to back down, and I'm screaming at Fredrik to pay attention to me and not to him. I get his attention, remind him that I'm there, and he turns to walk away from the argument. I want to reiterate this: Fredrik walked away. He was not violent at all. Then, apparently, (the rest of this is fuzzy to me..it happened really fast and I got scuffed up in it as well...not badly.) The friend of the guy that was yelling at Fredrik, decided (as Fredrik put it, like a coward) to jump on Fredrik from behind (yeah..cause that's the badass way to do it) and starts hitting Fredrik. This happened really fast, and since it was from behind he couldn't get Fredrik really well...but he did get him enough. Security finally does something (really irritated that they were slow to act) and I guess (assume) the guys got taken out. Fredrik is lucky to not have a black eye, but he's banged up pretty bad on his face...the guy drew blood and Fredrik said that his face was really sore yesterday. I got knocked in the lip, and I have a bunch of random bruises, but I don't really know where they came from exactly...

I realized that I always seem to put myself between the threat and my friends/loved ones. Fredrik is a foot taller than me, ex-army, completely able to take care of himself, and me, his 5'4" girlfriend conciously put herself between him and the other guy. I know this is why I got knocked around, because the other guy was not paying any attention at all, and was completely unaware or ignoring the fact that I was between them. Mom says I come by that honestly...that she's the same way. I'm not surprised...I don't exactly think that our family is known for just letting others deal with things...I can't imagine Paw Paw or Mamie for that matter not being protective of their friends/loved ones...and I know Teckla would be exactly the same way. Dad too...the only difference is dad would have followed the guys out of the bar, and jumped them in an ally. ;)

I'm goign to cut this shorter than planned...giulia has gotten up and it's time to get the day going...i don't know what's going on...all i know is i need to study..bad.

where did my weekend go? :(

<3 <3

Italian Invasion

2008-10-08T19:55:00.002+01:00

Giulia has come to visit for a week on very short notice, so that means I probably wont be blogging for about a week or so...probably next tuesday...which means it will be a hella long blog.

sorry....

I'm fine. I'm happy. Life is good.

<3 <3

:)

Simple Weekend.

2008-10-04T23:56:00.003+01:00

So this weekend has been a super chill one so far...Fredrik is off spelunking (UKish=potholing...) in England somewhere for the weekend, so basically this is kind of the first weekend I've spent without having Fredrik around...which just sounds incredibly bizarre to think about...on many levels.

It's weird to have people refer to him as my boyfriend, and also for me to hear the term boyfriend again, meaning my boyfriend. Fredrik and I don't really call eachother boy/girlfriend yet...mostly because even though we spend all of our time together, we haven't been together for that long, and also I guess they take the term "boyfriend/girlfriend" a lot more seriously than we do in the states? Anyways, everyone else calls us that, but we don't really call ourselves that yet...only on occasion (aka when this random girl kinda creeped on him (hardcore) asking him to go out with her that night and it was a, "no I'm with my girlfriend" because saying "the girl i'm dating exclusively but yet to call her my girlfriend because it's still too soon" is a little lengthy. :)

Anyways...I guess this is just a bit of a reflection post. It's just weird to be seriously seeing someone again..I really haven't done that since Mario and I broke up over a year ago. Going from being in such a committed relationship to being so incredibly single is a big change...and I'm surprised by how use to being single I was...I sometimes feel like I'm learning this dating/relationship thing all over again (maybe a slight cultural awareness as well? probably). Back to my point, tonight Heloise's flat (even w/ those flatmates) had a party, and of course I was invited, and of course I went. However, I now remeber why I am so greatful to have a...err..partner (?) in those situations...being a girl and not having a guy around makes you really vulnerable...and it gets irritating. I mean...with differences in cultures (aka most compared to america) getting stared at is really unnerving. Some guys just got too close for comfort, and even though I had met some of them before the party, or that some were aware that I'm not available for dating...sometimes a few of these guys just got really too close...and I was totally having "ugh I wish Fredrik was here so I didn't have to deal with this" moments.

So I left the party after only being there for a couple of hours because it was far too crowded and loud. I never do well in parties like that (i'm sure most of you know) and I just was feeling really clausterphobic and wanted to get the hell out of there. I felt bad leaving Heloise...mostly I think because I knew she wanted to leave with me as well...I don't think she was really enjoying herself either (being the only person who cares about the condition of the flat in the morning does that do ya). It was just not a party I wanted to be at for very long...plus people kept trying to get me to drink, and I just didn't want to tonight...I have a paper to write tomorrow and the last thing I want is to be hungover. Blah.

Today was domestically productive. I finally cleaned and put away all of my laundry! You can acutally see all of my floor now...which hasn't been possible really since I moved in. I even vaccuumed as well. Plus I was on such a clean kick I vaccuumed the rest of the common areas of the flat, and ironed some clothes.

(completely off topic, my friend dan just skyped me and we're having a hilarious video conversation right now...omg. serious lols)

He's so freaking special.

So I was really productive today, and I had a wonderful conversation with my flatmate Ige who is from Nigeria. We talked about all sorts of random things from dating to racism..and it was just so amazing the things that came out of his mouth...I mean it was just fascinating his perspective over things like slavery, inter-racism, and the n-word. He was really great to hang out with...plus i taught him how to cook up ground beef...which was hysterical.

yesterday was chill as well..i went to a lecture about jews in pow camps in world war 1 (was led to believe ww2...incorrect) but i fell asleep during the lecture. (oops) then I went over and met up with Heloise at Lydia (girl from germany)'s flat for dinner. I got to meet a bunch of newpeople and talk to them. Lots of people from Poland, spain, germany (always), Scotland, Ireland and America. I got drilled about America and American culture, but it was in a postive sense...a lot of them seemed really curious about what it was like in America etc etc. I went to bed after that and allowed myself to sleep in today...which was nice.

Tomorrow. 1500 word paper to write, and no room/laundry to clean and distract me, but I do believe Heloise and I are getting lunch at the Goat tomorrow (pub next to flat). They have good burgers. :)

<3 <3

un petit post

2008-10-02T16:15:00.002+01:00

I don't know why I decided to title this post in french, but whatever, I'll blame it on the fact I spend the vast majority of my time with Heloise and French is rubbing off on me (not that she ever speaks it...just her being French makes me feel more French...I get assumed French now whenever people talk to her first...then they ask me if I'm French and I laugh. hehe. :]) ok, well that was a lovely little sidetrack story..

Back to actually posting something other than nonsense...it is Thursday which means my weekend has basically started... I only have classes Mon-Wed, and so Thursday and Friday are study days. So today I spent most of the late morning/early afternoon in the Heatherington Research Club (Post-Grad club ONLY! makes me feel special..but i'm definitely the youngest there!) Heloise and I were there first, then Pamela (from my MLitt Program) ran into us for lunch, and Fredrik texted me so he came by as well. So we all ate lunch at the Club, and then Heloise and Pamela left for class/study and Fredrik and I chilled for a while longer...and I showed him how I have the coolest laptop ever (it's a tablet which means you can write on it, etc cool things like that). Then we had this massive group of older..slightly awkward girls come and sit at our table....and all I heard was awkward conversations about bathing, dieting, children, and children with B.O. I think it took a lot for Fredrik and I to not laugh. (speaking of, he and I had the BEST "Overheard" moment ever...we were walking across campus and all we hear when we walk by these 2 guys is, "I smashed someone's head into a wall once..." I died...I couldn't stop laughing the moment I heard that.) Eventually Fredrik and I left so he could go to the bank, and I could get information for my homework assignment that's due tomorrow and to finish up typing the notes to the readings for my dec arts class on monday (which i also have a 1500 word paper due Monday...blah i hate papers)

This past week was spent going to class and just relaxing for the most part. I studied all day yesterday as well before and after my 10-12 lecture. Then yesterday Fredrik and I decided it was his turn to cook us dinner, and of course Heloise joined in as well! it was very good (even though I did the bacon and Heloise did the pasta...but whatever..;])

The other night we had dinner at Heloise's flat and she cooked this delicious baked savory cake thing with rice and salmon. It was really really good..and then we had wine, cheese, and cheesecake to go with it. (apparently in france it is part of the meal to have a strictly cheese course...I knew I loved France for a reason..). The night got interesting though at the end. Heloise's roommates (mainly the guys/guy in particular/3 out of the 4) have been giving Heloise a hard time. The night before she had told me about how they had zero regard for her belongings, her feelings, and made fun of her accent (I'm sorry, but an Italian should not be making fun of a French woman's accent...that is just stupid.) Plus, his English is miserable. He tried to tell Heloise that she was "jealous with her things". Anyways, she was upset the night before, and the night of our dinner, guess what happened? One of her glasses had been broken, and it wasn' her that did it. She was upset, and I was pissed (we all know how I get protective of my friends...). They used her glass, didn't take care of it, and the reason why she didn't want it to be used in the first place is exactly what happened.

Well, they show up at the end of dinner, and Fredrik and I were there. I had told Heloise before, that I had zero issue being there when she confronts them, and I'll personally do it if that's what she wanted. Her roommate (the italian guy) is the BIGGEST ASSHOLE I have EVER met, and for 23 probably one of the most immature 20-somethings I've ever met either. He made fun of her, blamed the broken glass on her, and basically told her she was stupid and selfish. Clearly after it was apparent he was just pushing her around, I stepped in. Then he and I got into it (with Fredrik standing behind me a little wide eyed I believe..). He wasn't listening, and got a serious attitude with me (or tried too...anyways...). Then he made the biggest mistake of his life, and called me baby. I flipped my shit. [I told Fredrik later that if we had been in America, and I didn't risk deportation, I would have slapped that guy right there.] It took everything I had not to slap him acutally. Anyways, I got extremely angry and said, "the only person in this flat who is allowed to call me "baby" is standing behind me." Then Fredrik stepped in, and being 6'4"+ (italian guy only like 5'8") the guy started to listen to reason plus he told me later that he thought Fredrik was going to "kick his ass" [which again, is funny, cause Fredrik is one of the most laid back guys ever. Even though I heard how angry Fredrik was in his voice...which was eerie.] Anyways, after Fredrik got invovled...amazingly the jerk started to calm down and played nice...kissed up to Heloise and tried to kiss my ass (didn't go over well). Trying to say, let's all go out and be friends etc etc bull bull bull, i'd prefer never to see him again. thank you very much.

I had not been that angry in ages...I mean, I was entering the scary black out angry... but I hope the encounter will help Heloise with her situation with them (knowing they can't bully her around) and I'm proud of her for standing up for herself too...I know how scary that must have been for her...especially once I met the guy and how just ignorant and self centered he was.

That has basically been my week up until now, and tonight is Boston Legal night with the girls, and then going to The Primary for International Student night (Fredrik will be meeting us there with Markus [other swede] and I imagine a lot of my other friends will be there as well!)

Yep, that's my un grand post...so much for it being petit. :-P

<3 <3

Edinburrah oh Edinburrah (aka Melinda has demanded an update)

2008-09-29T19:44:00.009+01:00

hello lovers,

I had a wonderful weekend here in Scotland. For the most part it was pretty chill, with some adventures mixed in...

So ok, Friday was an easy day for the most part...I was in a bit of a funky mood...and I am thinking it might have been a touch of homesickness that manifested itself in a weird way. I was just in a bad mood for most of Friday and going through a very very very unusual "i'm fat, ugly, I can't believe I'm here, I'm gonna fail, the economy's gonna die, my family is gonna be broke cause we just spent all this money on my education, and other things etc etc" (ok soooo not normal, like my other half was going, "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!?!?!??!??!?!??!!" who knows...maybe i need some more sunshine (we've been getting a lot lately...though) Eventually I snapped out of it after having a study meeting with Pamela who is a Dec Arts & Collections PostGrad in my class. We did the presentation over Baroque art today and we were discussing our game plan on Friday...

So i felt a lot better after I got to talk about art for about 45 minutes....

After that I met up with Fredrik (after hitting up the grocery store for food) and we hung out and made dinner (side note: I made dinner for him 3 times last week...what the hell has happened to me? I did a good job though). we had pasta with meatballs (i just cooked the meatballs they were prepackaged and very delicious). We ate all 12 meatballs like we were starving to death, and then he left to go back to his flat to get ready to go out for the night.

So, Heloise came over and I finished getting ready, and we headed down to ashton lane (similar to kirkwood/bardstown road...but better...can't beat cobblestone roads and strictly bars and restaurants...hehe). Well, Fredrik's phone had died earlier that day, and so apparently he went on this grand adventure looking for us at the Queen Margaret Union (where we were going later that night) and then on Aston lane. He ended up in the library looked up my mobile number on facebook, and asked a guy to borrow his phone, called me and found us. Personally, I was very impressed. He used his brain. After Fredrik found Heloise and I, we went to Vodka Wodka (has a lovely...lovely...lovely vodka selection) and we got drinks and hung out.

Then we headed over to the QMU for Cheesy Pop...it was kinda lame...which is disappointing, cause I've always heard good things about it, but there was one amazing moment...for me anyways. The DJ played Sweet Home Alabama, and for all of you Sellersburg/Borden/some Btown readers out there...this song...is like an anthem for Southerners...in my high school, this song would make everyone go nuts...and you just can't help but to love it...so of course, when i heard the first riff i went totally bonkers and was screaming and carrying on [oh god and american...blah! haha] and had a great old time dancing with the song and embarrassing Fredrik. Not too long after that we headed home...we were going to Edinburgh, and so we all wanted to make sure we got enough sleep.

So that brings us to Saturday (huzzah!) and the trip to Edinburgh. Tons of my friends were going, and we were all really excited about it, but I do have some bitching to do in regards to the planning. First off, we arrive in Edinburgh at 11 am. (left at 10 takes 1 hour to get there), and then we are told that we have to be back at the bus by 4:45 pm! That was not enough time at all to do hardly anything in the city...and then after they tell us that they try and herd us all to Edinburgh Castle which is a good 15 minute walk...and a 15 minute walk with about 90 people becomes a huge hassle...especially when you're dealing with inner city traffic. So I was suffering from planning irritation and hanger (hunger induced anger)....I ran into a starbucks (Heloise knows me so well now she's always pointing one out to me in case I need a fix) and I grab my tall skinny vanilla latte and a pain au chocolat (yum-o). This helps satisfy my hunger and curb my anger, but then we had to wait on Fredrik and Mark to finish at subway (why they went to subway i dunno...but whatever). So from there we hike up the royal mile to Edinburgh Castle. It was really nice and sunny, and there was a wedding going on at the cathedral, and some bagpipers playing for some coinage. (and a road cone on a statue of a philosopher's head).

So we meander our way up to Edinburgh castle, and it was crowded (per usual) and there were a bunch of asians feeding a squirrel from their hands. Absolutely disgusting. Can we say RABIES? Blah. Gross. Ok, so I had a decent laugh about that...but it grossed me out. Anyways, Mark and Fredrik decide they want to see the castle. I have already seen it a couple of years ago, and really had no desire to pay the money to see it again, and Heloise wanted to shop (always fine by me). So the boys went off to be boys and Heloise and I slowly started shop hopping throughout the royal mile. Not 20 minutes later I get a text from Mark asking us where we were....apparently it cost 12 pounds to get into see the castle...not worth it...sorry...especially when you don't have time to really go through the castle carefully....

So Heloise and I complain about being hungry. Mark and Fredrik "were not hungry" and of course we gave them crap for getting subway! Anyways, since we're women and we got our way (plus I don't think Mark and Fredrik wanted both me and Heloise to have a severe case of Hanger.) So we find this little italian cafe called Rocco's and they had a pretty good lunch special. I got bruchetta and a pizza for only 6.50 quid. Fredrik who, "wasn't hungry", got the special too. Mark ordered broccoli. (haha)...and then ate half of my pizza. :) Anyways, it was a nice lunch, and from there we decided to go to the National Museum of Scotland.

So, basically that was Saturday. We got back to Glasgow, and Fredrik and I decided to just stay in for the night....Edinburgh was kinda exhausting... so for the 3rd meal I cooked him, was burritos. Which amazingly, with the difficulty of finding decent mexican food around here, turned into a great success. (they have "lightly salted" doritos aka tortilla chips...kinda tripped me out). Then we just hung out at his house the rest of the night, and I showed him and his roommates videos on youtube of Jimmy Buffet (tried to explain that when I think of God...I think of Jimmy Buffet...weird I know..), Reining (to explain what Mom does with the horses), Barrel Racing, Bull Riding, and Mutton Busting (little kids riding a sheep and holding on for dear life..)

Sunday was Heloise and Abby day in the city centre. So we went to lunch at Zizzi's (italian...delicious). We had a lovely starter of bread with goat cheese and carmalized onions, and then a pizza with smoked ham. The main waiter guy ended up giving us free shots of ameretto liquor (at 1 pm in the afternoon...wooohoo) and it was delicious. :) then we went on a hunt to find soft american style cookies (which was successful). We did some shoe shopping (I needed black flats) and then I got a new sim card with a new phone company (I text way too much and keep having to top up with my pay as you go account...so I needed to do something new. and just hung out around the city centre.

Today (monday) i had a long day.. At 9 am i had a meeting with Liz Hancock (incharge of program) to discuss a few things invovling my degree etc etc, and it went really well. From 10-12 I had lecutre/gave my presentation over Baroque art. Again, I think it went over well..but the other 5 girls in my class didn't really participate as much as I think Sally (lecturer) wanted them too..but I think she was happy with what Pamela and I presented...which is good...apparently that was worth 10% of our grade! (totally didn't have any idea)

Then we went to Durmaling (sp) castle which is an hour and a half outside of glasgow... I got to see some amazing scottish country side (oh my lordy was it beautiful) and we got to have a private tour of the castle..which was built in 1680s. What is odd is that it is still a privately owned home by a noble scottish family (with a surname of Scott...I am sure we're related..) and it was lived in until just recently. I believe the woman giving the tour was highly irritated that the current Duke chose to live in another house and not the one we were visiting. I really did feel like I was invading someone's home though..and i was irritated at them for using 17th century furniture like it just came from lazy boy. blah.

Side Note to CW readers: Totally had a portrait of 2 boys 1780s, and next to the portrait had the jackets and the guns that were seen in the portrait...I thought of Neal and Mark....and everyone else..

After the tour we took the bus home, went to the grocery, made some dinner, skyped with Fredrik, Mom, and talked to Heloise who just left.

ok. I think I'm finally done now...sorry this is such a long blog....and Melinda...I hope you're happy. ;)

<3 <3

You can tell school has started...

2008-09-25T10:58:00.002+01:00

hello loves,

I really have nothing to update, as it has been a fairly quiet week. Classes have started, so it feels like everyone but me has been busy going to class and getting an education. This 3 classes a week thing is gonna be interesting...I know that the free time is actually supposed to be designated for independent study...but I really have nothing to study at the moment! So ... I don't really do much of anything it feels like. Anyways, I'm going to go to campus and do some studying here in a few minutes for class on Monday...maybe run some errands on Byres road later..who knows.

Tonight is Boston Legal night and we might also stop in at a pub called the Primary where it is International Student Night...so we get a discount and there are going to be people we know there as well.

Tomorrow is Friday and my course is supposed to have a weekly trip..but I don't know if we are or not...I don't remember them saying anything about it, and I haven't recieved an email about it either...so I don't know what I'm doing tomorrow! :)

Saturday Me, Fredrik, Heloise, Mark, Meri (?), Karin, Sarah, Selma, and many many others are going to Edinburgh with the International Society for only 7 quid. It was a good deal, and it should be fun running around a new city with my friends. Plus, I think most of them have never been to Edinburgh before, so I'll probably play tourguide. Which will be loads of fun. Ya'll know me, I can talk people's ears off. Also, I think there is an Italian Renaissance artwork exhibit at Holyrood House (where the queen lives when she's in Edinburgh) that I would really like to see.

So that's all I got for now...Just wanted to update for you all..

<3 <3