Tag Archives: #blogg100

#worldcolors Green

If you’ve followed my blog you know I like photography. That’s why I immediately joined #worldcolors when I stumbled upon Naomi’s blog post. According to it March is all about Green! But is it really? Well, in my part of the world it is fairly grey right now; cold, winter and no snow at all. If you read my blog post the other day you know I’m more than ready to welcome spring and green colors into my world again.

For the photo project #worldcolors I first planned to go through old photos to find the lush green ones, filled with memories from all over the world. Then on Friday I spent a few hours outside in the biting cold and decided to make #worldcolors Green a real challenge. I would look for green objects to shoot during the day – outside. And yes it was quite a challenge, but a fun one! Below are my green finds! Please feel free to join the #worldcolors! You still have a couple of weeks to find your take on green!

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Hello mailbox – where have all the postcards gone?

Don’t you just love getting proper mail? I’m not talking about the data filling up your e-mail inbox. I’m talking about crisp letters you can actually feel in your hands; slowly tear open to reveal its content. Proper letters and postcards are special. Magazines are fine too. Bills and flyers are what mostly greet me when I peak into my mail box though. Sad. But I have to admit I don’t send many cards myself by postal service (unless it’s Christmas). And letters – almost never. Most of my postal mail exchange is with expat friends, or friends I got to know during my expatriate adventures. Sometimes I also send letters to my Swedish conversation students, containing articles from magazines and newspapers to read and work with.

The other day I stumbled upon a cool project on swapping postcards. You send 10 DIY postcards and get 10 back. Problem solved :). Follow the link here to read more on iHanna’s blog! Hurry to sign up and get crafting! Be sure to visit the blog to see Hanna’s wonderfully colorful creations!

10 Quick tips on how to plan your stay when living abroad or traveling

Living abroad or traveling – tips for exploring and sightseeing

When I arrive in a new place I’m always eager to explore the surroundings. Sometimes I already know what I would like to see, sometimes I don’t have a clue. One thing I know though is that I don’t want to leave feeling I have missed out on places and things to discover simply because it “just didn’t happen”. This is an advice I always share with expats getting ready to leave for a new destination; do not go back without stories to tell, and memories to savor!  We all know that time flies so start planning your stay abroad! Below I’m sharing some of my tips to help exploring a new location. They are not only valid for living abroad but work for traveling and vacation too!

10 Quick tips on how not to miss out on places to go when living abroad or traveling

Here are a few tips for your inspiration
on planning what you want to experience in your adopted country and to get you going!

  • Start right away
  • Try apps such as Stuck on Earth or let Google World Wonders Project inspire you.
  • Stock up on guide books – still my favorite source for inspiration, and excellent to save as memories. Notes in them makes it more personal!
  • Ask people for tips – in person or on internet forums.
  • Local papers – ads and what-to-dos sections can provide ideas even if you don’t master the language.
  • Don’t limit yourself to searching the Internet – there are lots of accounts on
    Twitter providing tips on cities and regions. Facebook and Google+ works too! Instagram needless to say offers travel eye candy!
  • Take into account how long your expatriate / travel adventure is planned to last.
  • Make a list of want-to-sees, top priorities first.
  • Schedule trips and visits for your stay. Actual dates are great but “in May”, “by end of summer” and “3 things off the list in a month” works well!
  • Be realistic! Don’t overdo it but make sure you do do it! Happy discovering when living abroad!tips for expats on living abroad and traveling

Gothenburg Travel Fair a Sign of Spring

Winter is about to lose its grip of Gothenburg. A sign of spring is the annual travel fair TUR. As a kid I went to collect stickers and candy. Exhibitors still give out stickers but who collects them theese days, honestly?

Later I went to collect information about travel destinations abroad and to be inspired to travel.

Nowadays I visit the fair to discover more on Sweden, the country to which I have returned after expatriate life.

The fair opens to the public on Friday March 22 and closes on Sunday. 500 exhibitors, more than 90 countries and regions represented make sure there is something for everyone to discover. There are usually great offers and packages too. See official website here – in Swedish.

My tips to you
– comfy shoes
– backpack for the catalogues

My pro tip
– lightweight cabin bag with weels. The best. Particularly for bookfairs.

Happy hunting!

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Ok, done with winter!

I’m waiting for spring. I’m waiting for green colors to enter my world again. This winter has been a normal winter in the region I currently live; fairly cold, windy and grey – not much snow at all. I like snowy, cold winters. The world is white. The cars are clean and you only need to wash snowsuits once in a while. This winter however I have seen enough of grayish pale tones. Come on spring; bring it on!!

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Why I love my coffee cold.

This time of the year us Swedes grab our mugs,

sit outside on a bench,

wrapped in blankets,

faces turned to the sun like sunflowers,

enjoying the first warm rays of light.

We are all probably side by side in a row,

pressed against a house wall sheltering us from the wind.

The coffee is long cold.

It doesn’t matter,

as long as we can take our fika outside we are happy!

Soon the grill will be out too.

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Fika the Swedish way

Fika is the Swedish soul.

Fika is coffee/tea/juice/whatever-except-alcohol.

Fika is our daily excuse to savor cinnamon rolls/pastry/cake/cookies.

Fika is a daily routine at our work places. Twice a day actually.

Fika is when Swedes are not taciturn.

Fika is #fika on twitter.

Fika is at home. At the office, at a café.

Fika is at the playground, in a park and in our gardens.

Fika is for business and pleasure.

Fika can be just a cuppa.

Fika is always right.

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Inspirational talk on children/parents and digital media

Two days ago I participated in a seminar on social media. Again the discussion on kids and the internet arose. It probably does with every new phenomenon. I read somewhere that it was the all same when radio started to broadcast. The discussions and fear of ruining the young were just the same. Of course we see it differently today – how could radio be harmful? The internet is an exposure on a whole different level. Not only personal safety is on the agenda but also the impact on health issues. We as parents are faced with new challenges compared to generations before us – we are the first generation to have absolutely no clue about what the future for our kids will hold.

To give you some food for thought and hopefully insights you can visit the open free lecture arranged by “Föräldrar emellan” in Kungsbacka. Micke Gunnarsson will talk about our changing world and digital media, and the impact hereof on children and their parents! The lecture is in Swedish. No need to sign up.

Thurs March 21st, 18.30-21 se link to Föräldrar emellan for details. Also in Swedish.

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