Chanterelles!

When Linda and Palle were here to visit a couple of weeks back we all went to pick chanterelles. We didn't find a whole lot though, just a measly few. I did say though that I was going to pick some for Rob before I move across, so today I went to Säter to pick some mushrooms with mum and Hanna. We headed out some time around 13-13.30 and ended up spending about two and a half hour in the woods.

First thing I do when we get to the woods? Slip on a bloody stump.. I was busy laughing at Hanna because Amadeus had pulled her off her feet in the drive way before we left home. Karma, ladies and gentlemen, is a bitch. Of course we brought Amadeus and he thoroughly enjoyed the walk :) First hour he was shooting around like a cannon ball, when he wasn't begging Hanna for carrots (he loves carrots so we brought some for treats for him).

Only 4 days left, really

I just realised it's less than a week till I get on that plane and go to England. That in turn means that it's about 4 days till I leave Sweden! Will probably go to Copenhagen on mon or tues. Me and Hanna really need to sort out our train tickets.... Should have done that a loooong time ago.

I'm nervous.

Love y'all though <3
Saga xx



P.s. I can see people in my statistics, as in what country my blog is read from, but not who reads it - go ahead and leave a comment if you like :) And leave some sort of name on it or I won't know who you are ;) Huggles! D.s.

There should be some real life experience points for this shit!

This weekend has been spent in the sign of the pallet. It hasn't all been work and no play though, not to worry. I needed to finish packing my pallet as it's shipping out today (they just called me at nine o'clock this morning to confirm that I will be around for the pick up) and going to Gothenburg and from there on to England by means of boat. I did finish on time! Even with time to spare, which is a nice feeling. Me and dad wrapped the pallet last night, and what a finely wrapped pallet it is! We both stepped back and thought "Masterpiece".

It started on Wednesday night though, before we went to pick up my furniture in Karlstad. I was talking to dad and saying it was so difficult to find cling wrap (it's basically plastic foil, for those of you who know your way around a kitchen, but the rolls are a lot longer). Dad, ever full of ideas, said why don't you use the wrap off the pallets of pellets we have in the garage? So I did!

Reaping my reward

Yesterday, after a long and emotional day of cleaning out my room and handing in the keys to the next girl (literally - she was standing right next to me in the landlord's office), I deserved some relaxation. So I took a bath. Usually as soon as we start running water in the bathroom the dog makes himself scarce, not so last night though as I decided to bring a small bowl of cheese doodles. From experience he knows cheese doodles are not served when HE is the one taking a bath, so he felt more than comfortable inviting himself into the bathroom... Thankfully he stayed out of the water (but I did worry there for a second as he was looking at the bathtub funny). We ended up sharing the cheese doodles and when he was satisfied he'd gotten the last of them he went to sleep instead. The bath worked wonders for my poor tired body. I have to say I LOVE that mum and Hanna installed a tub and having one of my own is now definitely on the wishlist for future flats and/or possible houses.

Amadeus hoping for cheese doodles :) Bless him <3

My empty room.... </3 Good bye campus...

Have to add I feel quite ok with the move from campus now. I think the turn came after we moved out the furniture. It wasn't "my room" any more, it was just "a room", or at least more so. When I was driving down yesterday I thought about how many negative feelings I've felt and how many of them I've voiced and I realised I have completely forgotten about how this is a dream coming true for me! I've always wanted to move abroad and now it's finally happening. This is the start of something big and sacrifices have to be made. Keeping that in mind really made all this easier for me.

I've got so much stuff!!

You never realise just how much stuff you hang onto until you move... Today we moved the furniture. Not all of it made it back to Dalarna. We handed in my sofa to second hand, and I'm completely sentimental about the sofa now!! But it'll find a new life with someone to love it (yes, I'm talking about it like it's a living thing, no I have not had therapy for that - yet). At least it's better than throwing it away or letting it waste away in storage somewhere.

Tomorrow I'm getting up early to drive to Karlstad again, but this will be the very last time. I'm going back there to clean up for the next girl movig in and hand in the keys after inspection. It'll be a bitter sweet moment. Wonder if I can go to the University afterwards, perhaps, and buy a Karlstad University hoody? I've gots to represent my hood among all them weird, foreign type of people!

For now though I need my sleep as I have an early morning to look forward to.
Yay..........

Saga xx

High points

When Milan first decided to move away from Campus (after an impressive, and only slightly worrying, 10-12 years (he never did tell us exactly how long he lived here for)) this spring, he told me that he had walked past the University library and thought "... all the good times I've had in there..." just to realise that, no, there were no good times in the library. He decribed seeing the University and Campus through rose tinted goggles. I sort of understood what he meant but didn't fully grasp the concept until this summer.

It did get me thinking however. When we look back at (usually) the most recent chapter of our lives we tend to say "Wow, that was the best part of my life." Looking at my own experience though, it's an exaggeration (and often a gross one at that), because nothing is as good as what you can not have back - you don't know what you have until it's gone. Such is the case of mine and Milan's romantic memories of Campus.
It was exactly the same when I finished secondary school/high school, I thought "nothing can top this" (but believe me, everything tops secondary school/high school) and then I started upper secondary school and had the time of my life. On graduation day I cried, because surely, nothing would ever be the same and nothing would ever be better? Enter the University years. I've had adventures here I never thought I would have and met wonderful people and learned so many things... I can honestly say; This has been the best years of my life. However, I can now confidently make the addition so far. Because looking at what has happened with my life that has lead me to this point, why shouldn't I expect the coming years to top this?

Right now I feel like I'm really going to miss Campus, because the time here was "the best part of my life", but when I really get to thinking about it... Initiation weeks will be starting in about 7 days. I hated those. It's all loud parties and screaming and vandalisation, and you need earplugs to get any sleep for the first two weeks here. And don't even get me started on their fascination for torching the furniture...

Anyway, what I'm trying to convey here, more or less successfully,  is that I'm leaving the Best part of my life, only to head into the Best part of my life. Maybe it's not too bad, after all.

Love
Saga xx

Forgot this!

Last night I forgot to add this:

That is the notification of migration that I posted to the Swedish Tax Agency on Friday! Now it's official that I'm moving. It's very official. It's "the-government-has-deleted-me-from-the-census" kind of serious. Maybe not deleted... I am allowed to come back. But certainly removed me. This is an important paper though as it makes it possible for me to vote in Swedish elections ad stuff like that, even from the UK.

Speaking of voting! Rob told me I am now registered to vote in UK elections as well! That's insane! I had no idea I could do that without being an actual citizen. As I said to Rob: I can now vote in 100% more countries than I could before. Not sure I will be utilizing that vote though as I can barely keep track of politics in Sweden - I have no clue about British politics!

As a last thing before I go get my breakfast I'll just show you a couple of pictures from my trip to the forest to find the "Gold of the Woods" with Linda and Palle :)

Linda and Palle from afar. In the back, by the trees there's a sawmill that my grandfather built. Now my father owns the land up here. 

Magical surroundings <3 This is one of the reasons I love Dalarna. 

Squirrel! Or as grandpa used to call it: ickur'n (ekorren). 

This one got turned sideways, and I don't know why... Anyway it's tracks after moose, compared to my hand. Found LOADS of these, big and small. 

And finally, this is what we came for. Chanterelles! Only found a few, but never the less enough for Linda, Palle and Nan to have some sautéed in butter at our BBQ. Will try and pick some for Rob before I come across as I know he likes Chanterelles.

That's all I wanted to add for now :) I really need some breakfast - my tummy is grumbling.

Huggles

Saga xx

Home stretch

I'm back in Karlstad - again - and it's almost the last time I'm here. I say almost because I'll have to come back two more times this week. On thursday to drive furniture up to Dalarna and on Friday to clean it properly and bring the last stuff. My mind is in CHAOS right now as it feels little bit like no matter if I pack stuff down there's just as much left to go... Does it ever end!? Arjan called me a hoarder, and I think he's got a point... I'll just be relieved when it's over and done with. All this coming back here is messing with my head. I feel like the chapter of my life I started here isn't necessarily closed yet, but I also feel like there are other chapters that are more important. Some things need a start more than others need a finish. I'm sure I'm not done with Karlstad yet, not completely. I will be back to pick up my glass apple, for example ;) Whenever that happens.... But that's not the point right now!! Moving on :P

Boxes, piled to the sky!

In more englishy type news I found out yesterday that one of the guys from the corridor, Simon, has applied for a job in Stoke-on-Trent! That's just around the corner from me and Rob! (Provided it takes about 30mins by car to get around said corner.) I hope he gets the job so he can come visit us for a night at the pub and so I can talk some bullshit and be nostalgic :3 Being nostalgic is one of my specialities. And sentimental as well. There are new people moving into the corridor now and I look at them when I meet them in the hallway and I think "I will never get to know you" and it makes me a little bit sad. But the only reason it does make me sad is because they are here now and I can see them and say hi to them, but I can't see and say hi to the people I will know instead. So in reality, I will get to know new and exciting people, I just haven't met them yet. I'm moving abroad - I'll have an entire country to explore! I'm being silly :)

Oooh, and this passed Friday me and some of my close friends got some big, big, BIG news! I can't say what it is though, because I promised not to (but really, who of the involved people, who doesn't already know, reads my blog? ;P). I will however talk about it at a later date, because we were all quite excited :) I'd better go shopping for gifts. Well, for Christmas maybe?
And that same Friday was also the day of my "goodbye"-dinner with some of my closest friends. We met for a meal and talked and had a good time, went for a walk and saw a film together, nothing fancy. But it still makes all that much of a difference being surrounded by people you love and have known for such a long time. I'm a little bit sad Maja and Sofie couldn't make it, but it's not like I'm dropping off the face of the earth. There will be plenty of time to meet them another time. God, I will miss them though <3

Sohrab, ever so smartly dressed!

 Me and Nirvana's sister (is her name Nina? I never really caught her name... :S) on the Red Pepper! A Borlänge classic.

Me and Nirvana <3 

Me, Nirvana, Hanna and Sohrab :) 

Silly faces - can't live without them. 

As Sohrab wisely said;
"Borlänge is one of the best cities in the world.... if you start counting from the bottom."

Here the Cinema and a fountain!

Anyway, that's all you get for tonight. Now I'm calling Rob so we can spend another night talking about what tattoos he should get next ;)

Sweet dreams

Saga xx

Rollercoaster

This weekend I was in Karlstad to pack a few more boxes and move some more stuff home to Dalarna. It was al fine while I was there, met a couple of the guys and exchanged a few words. Got some packing done. But it wasn't until I left Karlstad that things got difficult. I started realising how many old wounds that city opens up, especially as I'm leaving it. I've had some of my best and my worst times there. There has been so much laughter, so many tears, I have met people I will love and cherish forever and people I would rather just forget... Even if I know it's silly, thinking that way, I feel like I'm abandoning all those memories. When I drove out of Karlstad this morning I felt a tinge of emptiness and it opened up everything again. I gained and lost one of my best friends in that town. I don't know where she is now, and as far as I know she doesn't know where I'm going. It's all ancient history soon. Have to admit I shed a tear or two in the car. All that happiness and sadness was overwhelming. I dare not think what'll happen when I pack up the car for the last time... It'll be difficult to say the least.

But after that drive home the day got much better. Me and Hanna went to Långshyttan to try Blacksmithing. The smithy is open every saturday and sunday till the 26th of August for anyone who wants to try it :3 It was so much fun! And sort of hard work too... My smithing arm is sore already xD We got to make hooks to hang on the wall and I am really happy with mine (but I think Rob prefered Hanna's hook - bastard). We were the only ones there though, which I was surprised about. Too bad more people didn't go.

Top one is mine, bottom one is Hanna's!

Don't think I should quit my day job just yet...

I'm no super smith yet, but I would love workig with it as a hobby. Need to get a place with a smithy in the future. Dad told me in the evening that Grandpa used t have a smithy and Nan told me about how he used to make told and sleds for the farmers and woodworkers. Nice to feel a connection to him in something I do now that he's not here any more. Hope he'd been proud...

We invaded a pasture on our way home with 5 horses, 2 foals and a number of cows and calves (which Hanna believed to be Sabertooth Belgian Killer Cows and they were going to attack us - need I say we were a little bit worried when the one with the biggest horns wouldn't stop staring at us??). Even got to say hi to one of the foals as it came over for a fussand a sniff. Both me and Hanna were exstatic I think. I need to get a horse, or two, in the future. They are such sweet gentle animals (if they're brought up right; that makes an important difference ;) ).

Little sweethearts <3

We finished the evening with a "goodbye"-dinner with dad and his family. Went to Athena and had a really nice meal and a god time, rounded off with some Pogo stick jumping outside dad's house before we left. I think I'm talented - Hanna does not agree xD No one else either!

Now I'm off to bed!
Love y'all
Saga xx

Go gairid beidh mé ag foghlaim na Gaeilge! :D

That, Ladies and Gentlemen, is Irish, or Irish Gaelic :) It simply means "Soon I will be learning Gaelic!" Saved you the time it takes to Google-translate it ;) I'm taking a course of Irish this autumn, to keep my head in study mode. I am NOT however taking any loans for that course (it kept coming out 'curse' when I tried to type 'course' - is that a sign?). I think it'll be nice taking Gaelic now that I've already done courses on Celtic history and culture as well as literature. And Rob having family in Ireland as well I thought it would be something we'd both be interested in, even if it turned out his family barely speak any Irish themselves. I could employ some references to my course literature from the Intercultural studies here, but to be honest, its too late and I have no idea where the book is. Lucky for you? So, anyway, Rob will be learning two languages this autumn (since I'm teaching him Swedish as well - no ifs, buts or maybes about it!). I'm considering the good old Post-it method. What do you think? Will it work?

But now... Let's get to the good stuff, eh? I've promised a video of me doing the karaoke, on Facebook. Thought I may as well publish it here! For the dedicated few who read my blog. It's not very good, I admit. Picture is very dark as the lighting was really bad at the restaurant. But at least you can ALMOST hear what I'm singing. My voice was so shaky though - I have a bit of stage fright but I still forced myself up there! :D So enjoy, dear friends! Maybe there will be more coming, who knows?

No nightmares now, ya' hear?
Nighty night ;)
Saga xx

The littlest things

Today I had a text from the girl who's moving into my room in the corridor after me. She was asking me how  soon I can be moved out and it just really hit home that I'm leaving. Someone else is already waiting to step into my place... It's all very bitter sweet really. Something so small still sort of brought me down a bit, gave me a knot in my stomach for a little while. Then again, Ive never been very good with change, and this is a very big one. There's bound to be some strong feelings and anxiety. It's been an experience, to say the least, to live in a corridor again. All the people you meet and the things you do. God, I'm going to miss that. But new adventures await me and I need to make room for the next generation at Trio 4. And I hope my friends from there come visit with me and Rob when we have a bigger place so we can reminisce over beer. Well, no beer for me.

Campus... <3

To make up for the anxiety and very light depression and romantizising about my time in Karlstad I'm looking at the Westfield Merry Hill mall webpage dreaming about the dayme and Hanna are storming the gates ready to shop. It's going to be epic! And maybe watch a film with Rob at the theatre to give him something to look forward to. And I'm definitely bribing him with a kebab!

Mmmm, kebab....
//Saga xx

Double episode of Criminal Minds...

... and some chocolate. It's Saturday, bitch! Yeah! xD

Going to work is hard to do

Just had two days off, spent them doing absolutely NOTHING productive at all except for some creative writing and a bit of shopping ;) I like my days off to be like that. Lots of writing, reading, watching of TV series (2 episodes of Criminal Minds √ ) and some Olympics. Now I'm sitting here trying to write, building on a story I started this spring and to be honest it's coming along, not fine, but ok. I hope I will actually finish this one - I usually run out of inspiration about 3 pages in and end up postponing working on it forever. I think this one is different though as I have spent more of myself in the character. In some ways at least. Wow, all that sounds so pretentious. I'd better make with some results after talking about it like that... No pressure then. But then again, some of my "best work" has been done under pressure.

Got some music on and have just heard Renee Olstead for the first time and I really love her single "She's got your name". She's got an amazing, soulful voice! It's not in my Spotify list :3  I'd post a link to the song, but it's not on Youtube yet... So go find it yourselves! Promise you it's worth it though, if you like Aretha Franklin-esque music (that's the only reference I can come up with, but no doubt there's a hundred people who could come up with just as many other singers she sounds more like, but give me a break, I'm no music critic!!).