hurricane Sweden

my woolly hat!

(note that the pictures are taken before the storm - when people still were happy)

The day started perfect. I had the best night's sleep ever and I never wanted to leave my comfy, warm bed. Eventually, I did though...around 10.30 am. -.- Sis and I was going to meet mummy at East City (so we haven't ditched the place totally!) for a family lunch 12.45 pm. Thank God, that I went up early, because I had the worst what-to-wear panic ever! It took me like 40 min and 6 changes before I was ready...^^ That even surprised myself! But smart enough, I decided to wear my self knitted woolly hat :P.

So anyhow, Vicki and I took a walk downtown in the 2°C Swedish fall. My legs were so tired after the 82 lenghts at Centralbadet yesterday, but with sushi on my mind I managed all the way :). We had a great lunch (stuffed) and a lot of laughs (rolling out of there), let's just say that having a Gan in the company never is boring (at least most of them aren't, haha^^)...and now there is three - always a successful lunch! Afterwards, we went doing what we are really good at - SHOPPING! But hey, I was a good girl only bought one top...mummy and sis however, the should be ashamed. Haha...

Then the bomb dropped from the sky. Rain. What the hell, it wasn't just rain it was a hurricane! But I wasn't surprised. Sweden's weather is like that...When I was bycycling home I couldn't feel my legs, my jeans were all wet and frozen and nor could I see anything in the freaking storm! And my poor, poor white woolly hat! First time I used it and it had to go through all this trauma...

I looked like shit when I got home...haha...I'm not leaving this house now. This peaceful, warm, joybringing home. No need to go out in the fall that Sweden offers, no need at all...

cold cold cold

Sitting here looking at some old Top Model episodes...They are in Thailand! And all I can think about is that I'm soon out the door to swim a couple of lengths in Centralbadet. It's -0.4 °C outside, but I'm not postponing this time -.-...

a little smile

Haha, here I am sitting. Smiling at what I am reading. You always found something funny when you are reading notes you wrote down in the past. At then, you were of course very serious but when you read them a couple of years later, you just laugh. However, this one is kind of cute and it isn't that old. Ok, maybe two years but still.

We were supposed to drop a few lines about ourselves, since we were practising on describing people for our upcoming novel(btw. mine totally kicked ass :P). It is from one of Jérémie's Swedish lessons, so I had to translate it.

I talk a lot and I think too much. (1)
I like to be around people that makes me happy. (2)
I am mostly happy but if I am sad or irritated, it is shown. (3)

I am quite shy but the people that know me say it isn't true at all. (4)
I am a perfectionist and quite dominant. (5)

Still, I am very good at adapting to others. (6)
I can be a bit egoistic sometimes. (7)
I have to sides; the nice Sandra and the bitchy Sandra (8)

(1) Still do...

(2) Who doesn't? x)

(3) Working on being happy always!

(4) They still say ^^ haha...

(5) That quality can be good sometimes...right? :)

(6) This one is a good quality of mine!

(7) And this totally ruined my good qulity above! -.-

(8) LOL...just for your information I am getting rid of that bitchy part, because a bitch ain't getting nowhere in life. Being humble is the key for success!

CIS

The postman just arrived with the mail and I've got a letter from CIS (Center for International Studies). I've always wanted to study abroad someday and when I saw this ad in my student calendar we got from school, a while ago I decided that I just wanted to know more...so, today I got the info. =) Still though, I am not sure whether or not I will really go. At least now when I have all these stuff going on in the IB already, but I am going to check it out with a nice hot cup of tea later and read about their opportunities to study business in the US, Chinese in China, marketing in London etc. :P

Haha, it is quite funny when I think about it actually. How much I want to do in my life at this moment. I have this long list in my mind, and they are kind of bumping in to each other on the way to fulfillment. Like, I want to continue my studies directly after the IB, but I also want to travel, be a volunteer, try working and all of that...But on the other hand, I will then be postponing my studies even further and that I don't want, but I still want to experience the world...^^ See what I mean, hahaha. I am too much of a thinker, I think. =)

Sunday

Gosh, the day has just disappeared in a snap, but still in a good way. It was a nice Mummy'n'Sandra and it feels like I am getting a lot of those, these days, haha. Sis went to her friend for a night with Singstar and partying? Me, however had a quiet and nice day with mum, LOL x). Wouldn't want to trade it, or perhaps a slightly bit of it just to get an oppurtunity to meet Tobias...He is like the drop dead gorgeous guy in my sister's class and oooohhhh, God he's hot! Hehehe...:P

Tomorrow I have decided to really have a study day. I mean like, fish most of my stuff so i don't have to do them all in the last minute. That is often what happens when you have one week's holiday like this, you postpone everything and all the sudden you realize that school starts tomorrow - and you panic - which is no good. So a study day for me is compulsory, but I will have my breaks, like to watch some One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl that I missed today, because of the dinner at Burger King...mmm, that Whopper was good, haha. =)

Yeay, going to crash in front of the TV soon and watch that movie, 40 Year Old Virgin to see if it really is as funny as everyone says. I think it kind of will though, considering my humour. Sandra laughs at almost everything. xD

//Nights!

I want the hug

What if all dreams actually were true? Then, both Winnie and Magnus would be studying at Katedralskolan without my knowledge. I would just had met Winnie in the corridor yesterday, and we would had gone up to the school's library - that didn't looke like our school's at all - and there they were having some kind of Indian guy visiting. He had built up an empire of stingers all over the place, and all the students were trying them out. Not to mention the fact that, they were put up in slopes! So, I don't really know how why they were trying such a thing...Anyhow, after spending some time with my little friend we said goodbye outside the library and somewhere there, in between I met Magnus. All the sudden, back to the library. I guess the library is the new it-place to be at, huh? We hung out for a while, just like I did with W an then there was time to say goodbye again...We did not hug, but I really wanted to. It was cmplicated somehow.

When I woke up I still believed my dream for a moment, but isnce we got the schools' catalogs yesterday I knew it was not true...just a dream. I just wish that it would be, and I wish that I should have hugged Magnus more times!

Happy Birthday Mother !

So another precious birthday has come and gone, however this one is someone's that I always have close to my heart - my mother. The school day never wanted to end, perhaps because I knew what yummolicious things that was waiting when I got home...However, this post is all dedicated to my precious and lovely mother who had her _____ birthday today (note; you should never tell a woman's age without her approvement even though she might be a drop dead gorgeous 50 year old, and by the way my mum is not 50 ! Hehe...).

So mum, I love you so much and I have no idea what I would do without you and your support. I don't even think I would know who I am, still I don't exactly know who I am completely but you have helped me realise the important things life has to offer for the ones who want it. You have thought me that receiving isn't always the key to happiness and that you sometimes have to go through difficult moments to become a strong person. Also, you have given me the most important gift ever, which is how to be a good person. Maybe, I still have those times when I don't want to be a humble Dalai Lama and just punch the biatch right in the face but patience is what makes you successful, so I am trying to do like Dalai Lama instead x). Ok, I can go on and on about how great you are as my mother but let's make this short for everyone's sake...I am blessed to have you as my mother.

Pizza at the new it-place (?) Forno Romano (I have noticed that we are totally ditching town these days. Gränby Centrum is so much better, haha).

The beautiful cake for a beautiful person, inside and out =)

Yeah, and then there was another cake as well...LOL...

because I am worth it

When I am finished with physics, maths, and hopefully my Ellen Foster essay I have decided to give myself a treat. I am going to have a SPA day. xD Ok, not an actual SPA day that many may thing of with candles, massage, and a bath full of roses...I am going to have a Home-SPA day ! Using all the benefits my own house have to offer and make the best out of it. At this point I already have a list of what I wish to have a given myself before this day has ended:

# A refreshing scrub (St. Ives apricot scrub is sacred, and is something that should be compulsory for every home).

# A facemask (leaving the skin soft and smooth which is a must after a deeply purified scrub).

# A full body treatmeant á la très simple (scrub away all damaged skin and then use a bodylotion/-butter [Strawberries and Champagne from Victoria's Secret is highly recommended] and just but butter yourself. x)

# A nail makeover (I never have time to fix my nails and that really sucks, because nails are as important as anything else...literally, hahaha).

need some time to be Sandra

I am free this Friday evening until 05.00 pm. tomorrow, according to my mento Christina. I have to have a break, she told me. HA, yeah I am free or I have to give myself freedom sometimes but until 5 o'clock tomorrow...not so sure ! Anyway, it was nice to have PTS (parent-teacher-student) conference today. I got to ask the questions I wanted to and Christina was so kind and said that if I ever just wanted to ask something or just talk with someone in general, I could go and see her. =)

Then mother wanted some alone time with Christina and I had to leave. Went downstairs and found Christoffer (a very sweet guy in class) and we just chatted until mum came down from Christina's office. I introduced Christoffer and mum said, "I've heard so much about you !" Christoffer was lloking suprised at me and mum continued, "...From all the girls !" Oh dear, Christoffer was like, "Ahaaaa...", laughing and I was just like, "Oh mummy !..." Sometimes I have a hard time understanding her way of thinking...hahahahaha...

Thursday

OMG, these past few have been awful to put it simple and I have no idea whatsoever how I am going to pass the physics test on Tuesday -.-, just feel so insecure with all those wires, formulas, units and definitions...and then we have all those set-up problems where you are suppose to find the missing current, potential difference and resisistance :S....Lalalala It Will All Get Better In Time, right ?

Why is life so tough at some moments ?

random

Today really sucks. I mean really, but I am not going to go on about that because if I write about it I will just remind myself of how much this day sucks and then it might suck even more...-.-

Ok, some joy this day will bring: One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl - after one another ! YEAY ! =) I have always been this girl that is obsessed with all those series but I actually have given up one that I thought I never would give up - Desperate Housewives. I know right, how can you give up Desperate ? Easy, I have to choose of doing my homework that never end or watching Desperate that never seems to end either. So future or present ? Future. I am thinking about giving up Grey's Anatomy too, since it's all the same as well and I hate Meredith, she is just sooo full of stupido issues - just love Derek and you will end up happy OKAY ! And the same about Prison Break - how long time does it actually take to get out of a prison (just watching because Wentworth Miller is so gorgeous at this point). But the ones I will never give up are Ugly Betty, Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill xD. There is always an excuse to watch One Tree Hill...:P

Ok...now some happy pictures from the week that might give me a happier face today, hehe...

Cake from Thursday, been home 8 weeks and my A in economics x)

A happy Sandra, haha

wish, wish...

Aaargh...sitting by aunty Katherine's kitchen table right now with uncle Peter's laptop infront of me. Emma's computer did not work at all, Anna's laptop obviously had a non-working internet at the moment, so I just had to borrow uncle Peter's ~ which doesn't have MSN when I want to have it -.-...

Why didn't we just bring our own pink wireless broadband ? That is the real question. ^^

100 % correct ~ A ++

Iiiiiiiihhh !!! I know that is a 14 year's old expression when a guy she thinks is soo hot passes by, but I am still going to use it in this situation :P I got my first A today ! And it is not just an A, it an big fat A ++, I scored 26/26 in economics. The one and only in class, even better than Pawel and Nicklas ^^, so I guess my brain is functioning quite well anyway in some areas xD LOL...

Ok, have a great night little blog, sure that I'll have it :)

Effective Organization- Oxymoron?

Can you think of any really large company, or civil organizations that you would deem effective when compared to the results of passionate and disciplined individuals either one on one or in small groups? If so, I'd like to hear about it. If an organization is even close it is likely because of the individual contributions and accountability of its members, not because of some grand organizational strategy or even a profound, heroic, leader. More often than not, the organization tends to do more harm than good.

I am struggling of late because I have so little faith in our government to accomplish much of anything effectively. I am indeed angry at the "government" but I'm also angry at myself and my fellow Americans for expecting so much while contributing so little.

We have so much to do and have failed for so long that we have accepted a spirit of complacency which is at the root of ALL of our problems as a nation. I am amazed at my own rhetoric, when I think.. "what if everyone just did their part?". I am at a loss, and can only wish and hope. Not great strategies for change. I'll grant you.

I am doing my part to make a difference in our world, for musicians, people, and communities. Da Capo is something I am proud of... Success or failure in the end is unknown, but at least I'm doing something.

Kanelbullens dag

Godness, it feels like a decade since I last had a peek-a-boo in my blog. Mainly because my fight against time but at the weekends I am allowed to give myself a break. That is a least what my family and friends tell me to. I think I am starting to become a workaholic, oh no - a schoolaholic !

However, I can't say that I really gave myself the biggest break today, heading to Centralbadet to swim a couple of lenghts, 90 actually ! I wanted to do 100, since I am such a perfectionist and wants even numbers, and 90 is even but not EVEN, hehehe...okay, I am a freak. :P So, after I finished I went into the steam sauna and then to the sauna before heading home, which was like the worst thing that happened to me today. Saunas always leave you so blur and extremely exhausted ! Biking home was like the worst pain ever -.-...I was like "Where am I ? Oh God, I am so tired. Wonder if anyone would care if I just lay down on the street and take a nap..."

But then I got back to my lovely home and ate a kanelbulle (cinnamon bun), or actually it was a pistachio bun, since it today is Cinnamon bun's Day...but already ate my first-ever-tried Tosca bun yesterday(just so that you know---they are to die for xD)...since I am like inlove with buns, haha...

No money, no choices

Fed up? me too. The combination of the rhetoric of the past weeks from all levels of government and candidates has finally pushed me over the tipping point. Am I still going to vote for McCain Palin? Yes, because I believe they are the right choice. BUT, and there is always a "but" I no longer think either candidate will be able to make much of a difference. The government is overcommitted financially and in the real world when you overcommit your resources, you limit choice and flexibility.

There is no magic formula to fix the world. Economic prosperity comes from investment, innovation and free market enterprise. The juggernaut of the engine for the US is small business and the entrepreneurs not federal regulation, controls, and oversight. The market regulates itself and punishes itself.

NEWSFLASH: the government IS a big corporation in every sense of the term, except of course.. The directors don't get fired for incompetence, and the administration and ineffeciency doesn't have to compete, so it doesn't have to change. I understand and accept the need for the newly titled "rescue plan" but the philosophy is rotten to the core. OUR government can't work efficiently because of its very design. That is the nature of democracy. It is inefficient but it is correct and freedom is the goal. That is also why the government needs to be as small as possible. The bigger it gets, the worse everything will get.

This same theory applies to the church. Effective ministry and social impact is best accomplished one on one. The bigger the institution of the church gets, the less effective it becomes. In its inefficiency and self preserving bureauocracy it loses sight of its mission. A little at a time is all it takes to get really off course after time.

Musicians long ago figured out that a benevolent dictator is the most effective way to create and generate great music. The orchestra and choir are not a democracy. They do what the conductor says, and a great conductor leads in such a way that he/she is able to get out of the way almost completely and trust the community. This gets messy sometimes and requires shaking up, but it is unquestioned in its ability to generate efficiency and excellence.

To everything there is a cycle. Life, Death, Resurrection... and then do it all again...