Date night

Tonight Shaena invited me out for dinner and a movie after work. She took me to Pizza Hut for dinner and then we went to the movie theatre to stock up on candy before the movie. We decided to go see Wolverine. It was a great movie, so very well produced and it had some really wicked special effects. Well worth the money, especially since I got treated to it! :)

Baby’s been kicking like crazy tonight as well and you can really see and feel him move around. I guess he is running out of space, but it is not that far to go now. T minus 2 months! I can hardly contain myself, it is so exciting!

This weekend coming up is also exciting, but for other reasons. The real estate agent is doing an open viewing of the flat in Stockholm on Sunday afternoon so hopefully we’ll find someone that would like the place real soon. Keep your fingers and toes crossed for that! I would be really happy if we could sell the place just for peace of mind, but of course, if we would make a few extra bucks at the same time, that wouldn’t hurt. I promised my dad I would do something nice for him this summer if the place sold with a profit, so all hands on deck!

Anyone interested in a bachelor pad with potential in a suburb to Stockholm? Starting price is only 645 000 SEK, which converted is like £50.

Prepare for the summer by learning how to spot Canadians

If our Canadian visitors are making an effort to learn Swedish, it is only fair that the Swedes are making a bit of an effort as well to further our inter-continental family relationships. As you Swedes already know your English quite well, this is a useful list that might tell you a little bit about the Canadian spirit. I stole this off some website and from what I know about Canucks, this is spot on!

40 SIGNS THAT YOU MAY BE CANADIAN:

1. You stand in "line-ups" at the movie, not lines.
2. You're not offended by the term, "Homo Milk"
3. You understand the phrase, "Could you please pass me a serviette, I just spilled my poutine"
4. You eat chocolate bars instead of candy bars.
5. You drink pop, not soda.
6. You know what it means to be on pogey.
7. You know that a mickey and 2-4's mean "Party at the camp, eh!!"
8. You can drink legally while still a 'teen.
9. You talk about the weather with strangers and friends alike.
10. You don't know or care about the fuss with Cuba, it's just a cheap place to travel with good cigars and no Americans.
11. When there is a social problem, you turn to your government to fix it instead of telling them to stay out of it.
12. You're not sure if the leader of your nation has EVER had sex and don't want to know if he has!
13. You get milk in bags as well as cartons and plastic jugs.
14. Pike is a type of fish, not some part of a highway.
15. You drive on a highway, not a freeway.
16. You sit on a couch not a chesterfield - that is some small town in Quebec!
17. You know what a Robertson screwdriver is.
18. You have Canadian Tire money in your kitchen drawers.
19. You know that Thrills are something to chew and "taste like soap".
20. You know that Mounties "don't always look like that"
21. You dismiss all beers under 6% as "for children and the elderly".
22. You know that the Friendly Giant isn't a vegetable product line.
23. You know that Casey and Finnegan are not a Celtic musical group.
24. You participated in "Participaction".
25. You have an Inuit carving by your bedside with the rationale, "What's good enough protection for the Prime Minister is good enough for me".
26. You wonder why there isn't a 5 dollar coin yet.
27. Unlike any international assassin/terrorist/spy in the world, you don't possess a Canadian passport.
28. You use a red pen on your non-Canadian textbooks and fill in the missing 'u's from labor, honor, and color.
29. You know the French equivalents of "free", "prize" and "no sugar added", thanks to your extensive education in bilingual cereal packaging.
30. You are excited whenever an American television show mentions Canada.
31. You make a mental note to talk about it at work the next day.
32. You can do all the hand actions to Sharon, Lois and Bram's "Skin-a-ma-rinky-dinky-doo" opus.
33. You can eat more than one maple sugar candy without feeling nauseous.
34. You were mad when "The Beachcombers" were taken off the air.
35. You know what a toque is.
36. You have some memento of Doug and Bob.
37. You admit Rich Little is Canadian and you're glad Jerry Lewis is not.
38. You know Toronto is not a province.
39. You never miss "Coaches Corner".
40. Back bacon and Kraft Dinner are two of your favourite food groups.

The Canadian national anthem: http://www.deezer.com/track/2780188

Prepare for the summer by learning Swedish

Hi everyone! As a preparation for the multi-cultural madness this summer we have uploaded a Swedish course for all of you English speaking family and friends.The course is really easy to use, just click on one of the links below and the lesson will start.

Have fun, and remember, we'll put your skills to the test in 2-3 months!

Common expressions
Common expressions when you need help
Common expressions in emergencies
Common expressions when socializing
The numbers
The days of the week
The months
The seasons
The weather
The colors
By taxi
By underground
By bus
By air
At the airport
At the passport control
Breakfast
Drinks
Renting a car
At the garage
At the bank
At the post office
At the doctors office
At the chemist
On the beach
Entertainment
Excursions
Sport

Not Swedish:


The Swedish national anthem: http://www.deezer.com/track/1233177

Prizes Galore!

Shaena and I hit the town today to buy prizes for a competition I am putting together with my boss next week and man did we find cool prizes or what? Since some of the readers of this blog are my team mates and will be in the competition, I can not divulge what those prizes are just yet, but just you wait and see! There will be some ‘ooo’s’ and ‘aaa’s’ next week!

It sure is fun to go shopping for someone else’s money, just too bad I won’t be able to win any of the prizes, there are a few in the pot that I could definitely find use for. I guess I really shouldn’t complain, and I am not. I have won my fair share of prizes already. Mexico is still fresh in my mind.

Anyone want to purchase a flat in Stockholm!?

Peter's flat is live and on the market!! I've actually found a good translating device so I know what is going on. Thought I would share it with all non speaking Swedish!

Bright and well planned apartment in a very stable compound with a low monthly fee. State can not be better with a sea view from the French balcony and only two minutes walk to the center and commuter train. Large living room with fine flooring, spacious kitchen with dining area for 2-4 persons, bathroom with tub and a large hall with garment House.

Layout

HALL: Spacious hall with laminate flooring, painted walls and large clothing House.

KITCHEN: bright kitchen with laminate flooring, painted walls and dining area for 2-4 persons.

BATHROOM: Floor tiles, tile / painted walls, tubs and lights from windows.

LIVINGROOM: Large living room with fine ekparkett floors, painted walls and a French balcony with a sea view.

The association's name is Brf Kallhällshus No. 1

Shared facilities
There is basement storage and a separate FOOD CELLAR with shelves. Large laundry room is in the gable of the property. The laundry room has two separate laundry rooms. There are also drier and hot mangel. Stroller storage / cycle stores are in port.

Parking
There are various types of outdoor parking options at a cost of 300 SEK - 600 SEK / quarter. Separate queue for all the parking spaces. Garage costs 500 kr / month.

Finance
Requested price: 645 000 kr / courier fee / rent: 1 685 kr / month. The monthly fee includes heat, water and cable TV. Internal repair fund is 970 kr. Proportion of the association is 0.1876%. Property Value 195 855 kr.

Very stable compound with good economy.

TV connected to cable networks. Manufacturer: Com Hem. Internet Connection Manufacturer: Com Hem

The association also has its own website: http://www.kallhallshus.se/

Link to real estate agent: http://www.svenskfast.se/Templates/ObjectView.aspx?objectid=3L1D1ES6KCDRDSK7

Bummer note!

Yesterday John was meant to be here but unfortunately due to a serious accident on the highway to the airport, John was unable to get to the airport and missed his flight! Looks like we'll have to have him over another weekend but how crappy is that and you can't even get your flight refunded as it is not a fault of the airport! Shame!!

http://www.dn.se/sthlm/en-omkom-i-olycka-pa-e4-1.851945

John is coming to town

Tomorrow my brother John is coming to visit for the weekend! Will definitely be fun to see him, especially since I missed him last time I was in Stockholm. John has requested a cold pint in a pub tomorrow evening so I guess we’ll swing by the local for a few drinks and some banter. Think we have to dig out the old Guitar Hero from the closet as well. I’ll be sure to post a few pictures after the weekend.

A date with Arnie

Shaena is hanging out with the girls tonight so I am home alone. Today was one of those really busy but really good days at work. I have had quite a few of those lately, but some days are just plain busy as well. I managed to finish off a couple of small projects that I've been working on with my clients for a few weeks, and today it all went live. Funny enough, two clients completely separate from each other went live with their new Facebook campaigns seconds after each other. Exciting times! (If you are a complete nerd like me.)

Anyway, there are a few half decent movies on the telly tonight so let that be the plan for the evening. One can never go wrong with "Terminator 2: Judgment Day".

"I need your boots, your clothes and your motorcycle."

Ha!

http://www.deezer.com/track/2583004

Dear esteemed family and friends all around the pond:

Today we have done something extraordinary for all of you to prepare you for your upcoming visit to Edinburgh this summer. We have literally gone the extra mile for you. We mustered all our strengths and took a long stroll around the city with our video camera to show you a few of the sights in our bonnie capital. That’s alright, you can thank us later! :)

Featured in the video: The Princes street garden, Edinburgh castle, old town and the Royal Mile, Greyfriars kirkyard and The Elephant House café... and a renegade muffin. We also found some really nice photos from around Scotland that we bought.

Check it out!

It is Wednesday the 15th of April and I have just returned home from another visit at the doctors to hopefully diagnose my mystery ailment. We are still at a loss and I have been referred to the ENT (Ear Nose and Throat) department at another hospital to see if they can help figure out what is wrong with me. This is not fun! So tomorrow I will go see them. Yippee!! Good news is that baby H is still kicking like a mule! He is crazy down there!! :) That makes me feel so much better knowing that he is healthy. He'll have a good laugh at me though if he saw what I looked like right now.

And to think I only have 2 months left until family starts pouring in and then we get to meet the little guy!!! He's gonna be spoiled ROTTEN!

At home on my own

I am on day 5 of this mystery ailment which is not fun! From what the doctors have said and what the internet is telling me is that I should be over this in another few days *Cross your fingers* and that baby is doing just fine. I figure that Baby H has learned how to jump in a star position as I am getting jabs in all directions at the same time. Maybe he'll be a cheerleader :P

So I am trying to keep myself busy so I don't go insane while sitting here. I figured I'll start watching Smallville from Season 1 onwards and I really like it! Oh oh Peter...another addictive series you'll have to sit through!!

I also like to read wikipedia. Normally I read about famous people and see how interconnected everyone in Hollywood is. I couldn't imagine living as a movie star. It is like a big high school and everyone wants to be prom king/queen. Enough of high school! It was enough for the 4 years I had to endure it.

I was also going to try and be creative and put some of my photos up on the blog but right now I can't be arsed! I think I'll just keep doing what I am doing and eventually it will be time for another nap.

Love to you all.

Shae

Another blast from the past

Today I was going through one of our ‘evidence boxes’, boxes we used to use for storing proof of Shaena and me living together, mostly for visa purposes. Now they are mainly used to store other important stuff we want to save for the future, along with memorabilia and birthday cards etc.

I came across a little photo album from my dad that once again brought me back a bit but this trip down memory lane was a little bit more emotional and closer to heart than the last ‘history lesson’.

First, here is another picture of Thores Trio that I mentioned in my story about Båtskärsnäs taken during the traditional midsummer’s celebrations. I remember their songs and the ambience in the park clearly and somehow they always seemed to play their songs like it was their first and most important gig ever and they were always very close to their audience. Very inspiring! I know, I was only like 8-9 years old but those memories are the kind that sticks.

Next is a picture of a couple of blond boys (guess who!) in their Speedo’s. Think this one is from Frevisören, a beach resort close to my grandparents house outside Båtskärsnäs. We used to go there in the summers whenever we had a weekend at my dad’s – divorce kids as we were – and the weather was good. My grandpa used to come with us and swim in the ocean or rent paddle boats. Good times!

Two things I remember from Frevisören was that you were never allowed to swim outside the red buoys because that was where the water got really deep; the other thing I remember was that if you were really lucky you could be offered to go on the waterslides, but I was always too chicken to go. I guess I still have quite a lot of respect for waterslides and I am not really sure why.

These next few pictures are from a birthday party at my dad’s where I used to live in Haparanda. The first thing that strikes me is the ugly clothes all the kids were wearing! But that was just the fasion in the late eighties.

I remember those parties; I always have and probably always will. Those parties were always fun, everyone invited always turned up when they could – birthday gift or no birthday gift- did not matter, just like me and my brother always turned up when we got invited to other kids parties. Usually the invitations were extended outside in the sandbox where we all hung out and played a game called nurkka (corner in Finnish) and hide and go seek.

My dad and my stepmom have always been the kind of people that makes an effort to throw a good birthday party and my stepmom’s whipped cream fruit cake was to die for!

Below is another picture from the living room in Haparanda with me, my grandparents, John, Isabel and Henry. The date stamp says 11.11.90 so that was me when I was eight. Remember that picture in eight and a half years when our little boy is the same age. I am so curious to see what the similarities will be!

My grandparents have always been the kind of people that comes across as fair, calm, easygoing and very happy people with a genuine interest in their grandkids. Grandpa Eskil and grandma Linnéa will certainly be my role models for parenting when baby is born. Obviously, the way you remember your grandparents parenting style is likely to be far from what your own parents remember them as parents when they were kids, but all of the above are still traits I will do my best to mirror as a parent.

Next one is a picture from a trip to the zoo in Finland in the fox’s lair. The trips to Finland and to the Santa Land were always a hoot. It was all about us kids and we got to do whatever we wanted to do. Think Disney World but a lot colder and with a Santa-theme instead of a cartoon-theme.

I might be mistaking on who the boy in the middle in the picture below is, after all it was a while ago, but I think the last time I saw him was on my mom’s lawn in Piteå about 11-12 years ago. The blond hair was replaced with a colorful mohawk and his jeans and sweater were replaced with cut up plad trousers, a leather jacket with spruces, chains and a wife-beater. Punk rock!

Ok, this made for a very long entry. Think I'll save the rest for later.

My, oh my, it is all very exciting and nervous right now!

Remember that I mentioned that I was putting the apartment in Sweden up for sale? After that I have been in contact with a real estate agent and signed all the documents needed to get the ball rolling. This guy seems like a good agent to work with; at least if you are on our side of the fence. He is salesy, hungry and seems ambitious to get results. When I first spoke to him he gave me this whole spiel about how hard he’s working and how he is teaming up with this other real estate agent to move potential buyers between properties.
I thought: ”Yeah, yeah, you can talk the talk but can you walk the walk?”.

It actually seems like he can walk the walk. Everything he’s been telling me so far has been accurate and we are very excitied to see what the development will be in the next couple of weeks. Our apartment should be posted on their website in about 2 weeks and then the viewings will probably start the week after that if all goes well. It might actually even sell before the viewings start if we are really lucky. Cross all your fingers and toes!

Right now this same agent is selling a flat of the same size, in the same area and the building is of the same age as well. Lucky for us he posted this one with a starting price that, if all goes well, could either move a few potential buyers over to our flat or he’d sell this flat and then start our flat off on the same starting price.

To explain a little about how the property market works in Sweden:

An apartment is almost always put on the market with a starting price. This starting price is a suggested price based on the market value of properties in the same area, of the same size and also based on the state of the property. This is not the final prize for the buyer though; unless you decide to sell the property for a fixed price from the start. If not, a bidding process will start straight after the initial viewings.

Anyone who can produce a letter from their bank stating that they are good for a mortgage for the requested price or above can partake in the bidding and the bids are not binding until the actual contract is signed so you can imagine these are nerve-racking couple of days for both the seller and potential buyers!

The cool thing is that everyone can follow the bidding online and the seller has final say as to when the bidding stops and who he or she would like to sell the property to. Time will tell, but if all goes well we might be able to set up a little piggy bank for baby!

Ooh, and guess what?

My brother John is coming to visit us later this month! He will be here on the weekend of the 24th and we are really looking forward to seeing him. John came to visit a couple of times while still in Ireland but this will be his first time in Scotland. Should be a jolly good time! I am sure we will see him again this summer as well when baby arrives.

More on that later.

Sicko today-o

When Shaena woke up this morning her face was a bit swollen on the right hand side, so we called the NHS24 helpline who recommended her to go see our doctor just to make sure, so I decided to work from home today and off to the doctor we went! When you are pregnant you can never be too careful.

The doctor ensured us that the swelling was just a gland-infection and we had nothing to worry about and that this was nothing a dose of antibiotics wouldn’t cure. The swelling was also not related to the pregnancy at all. The doctor was probably the best one we’ve met so far here in Scotland, very calm and reassuring with a soothing voice.

Other possible occupations for Mr. Doctor:

- Bedtime story-reader
- Hypnotist
- Horse whisperer
- The guy that successfully talks people out of jumping off roof tops in movies
- Librarian (however, Shaena says all librarians are evil by nature (not you dad) so that would probably not work for Mr. Doctor.)

Mr. Doctor also prescribed lollies to promote saliva production so after the appointment we went out to the shops to buy a bucket of lollies and a new videogame for sicko. You can never go wrong with a new videogame, eh! Yes, eh!

For the rest of the day Shaena’s been resting at home and I have been replying to emails and writing reports for work. I must say; working from home is so productive, probably because there are no disruptions at all. Anyway, I got loads done!

Right now we are waiting for another Tesco-delivery and once we get our hands on all that tasty food I am going to whip up some Swedish meatballs and pasta. Yum!

Tomorrow is a bank holiday here in Scotland so we are both off work. Shaena’s office is closed and I took the day off. A long-weekend at home is going to be really nice! Usually when we have time off we have plans made up and are off on some trip, but not this time.

Home sweet home!

Hi everyone! Bump here!

I have been to the midwife today and found out that I am a-ok! I am growing, my heartbeat is great and they gave mommy a shot in the behind. After the appointment they fed me ice cream and went home to cook Chicken Korma. Yummy!

Anyway, that was really it. Next check-up is in 4 weeks.

Bump's Calendar

So our family have started to book flights and our calendar of people is starting to come together. This just makes me think how close it is to baby H arriving!!! I really cannot wait to meet him and see what our genes have put together!

Bump's Calendar

"Swish" said the week!

What a week! This week just flew by, like many other weeks recently, but at least it is getting nice and warm outside now. Let’s recap:

On Monday I was back to work in the office again, and as always after being away for a few days, there are lots of things in the office that needs dealing with. I should really try to pencil down how many different things I do on a daily basis just for kicks. I am sure it’ll be a lot! We also have a couple of new and exciting products that we are selling on Facebook, so lots to learn and teach at the same time.

On Tuesday evening both Shaena and I had separate team nights out, and I must say, mine was a blast! I had a lot of fun! We had reserved a table at a Turkish BYOB restaurant in the old town called Empire Café; it was just me and the little team I work in. We had a nice Turkish grill-platter with Mediterranean delicacies like tzatziki, hummous, halloumi and falafel for main course and for desert we all tried some baklava and Turkish coffee or tea. Excellent stuff, and not expensive at all! We then rounded off the night at the famous World’s End bar just around the corner.

On Wednesday as you all know, it was Shaena’s birthday. The morning started with breakfast and her first pressie. I had bought her the book about the making of the Twilight movie. I have also pre-ordered the movie itself, but it is not released on DVD until next week. Shaena also got a surprise-chocolate delivery to work later.

We also met up with our friend Meghan for a quick drink after work. Meghan has just finished her studies and now has a Master of Medical Science. Smart cookie that one!

In the evening we went to see ”Knowing” in the cinema. It was an alright movie, interesting plot but it kind of flipped out a bit too much for my liking.

There has also been some frantic activity going on this week to find a new flat for our guests this summer, as the previous one fell through. That is now all done and dusted and mommy Michelle will still host our international guests; just a block further away from us. Very nice place though!

Today I found out that my tenant in my flat in Sweden is leaving as she got made redundant and can’t really afford the steep rates in the ”Peter Suite” anymore. I am primarily looking at selling the place and have already contacted a real estate agent to find out how the market looks like. Will keep you updated on that one.

Tonight I am all by my lonesome as Shaena is having a girl’s night and a sleepover with her League of Extraordinary Ladies and tomorrow we’ll go hang and play some Wii with Ron, Christine and little Ronnie.

Cheeky time

Happy Birthday to meeeeee! Shaena that is.