a swede, a brit, an american, and a love for getting lost in a good book.
a bittersweet ending is approaching fast for me and the lovely friends i have made in sweden. as busy as life can get, we want to stay connected over the long distance, so we decided to start an international book club! all three of us realized we've always wanted to do it, so why not? our book for the month of october was "breakfast at tiffany's" because it is only 99 pages long and we started in the middle of october, giving us only a couple of weeks to fit a novel into our busy schedules (funny story: we all work with kids). thus, the start of our very own book club: the "no name" book club.
the "no name" given title of our book club was inspired by the beloved "cat" in the story. holly golightly is an interesting character in the story that claims she doesn't feel right giving the "poor slob" a name because she feels they don't belong to each other. "belongingness" being one of the many themes in the novel allows the reader to be able to relate to the story in a personal way, especially us women, because we can struggle with figuring out what we belong to. so it was at our first meeting in our favorite cafe that we decided we all at least belong to this new book club with "no name," where we will be able to stay connected and continue developing the existing friendship we share. i am much looking forward to not only being able to stay in touch with new friends, but also deepening my already existing love and knowledge of literature.
"it takes about four seconds to walk from here to the door, i'll give you two."
Friday, October 28, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
coffee before lunch
there are many moments in life, where i feel as if i am either 1. in a movie, or 2. having a moment that will be included in my novel one day. today happened to be novel worthy i suppose, for it had to do with a cup of coffee and a plumber.
now i could keep a conversation going with just about anyone, and usually end up talking someone's ears off...in english. the swedish language, though, brings "socially awkward" to entirely new level. picture this: group of friends that bring a new girl around. the new girl introduces herself and says where's she's from. adn then that's it, she just stands there the rest of the time staring at everyone. if someone tries to ask a question, you only get a "yes" or a "no," and you go home thinking, "sheesh, that new girl was weird." well, that's usually me in sweden when meeting new people, which i will say that after 9 months, the language is coming along. when we need a plumber, though, i am a lost cause. those are words i do not recognize in my 4th grade level swedish. thank goodness jenny was there the first day he came (bengt is his name, pronounced like "banked"), so she could give him the run down of what was going on with our sink and a leak in the garage. shortly after though, she had to go to work, so it was just me and bengt. i pretty much just let him do his job, exchanging only a couple words....whew. he wasn't able to finish in one day, though, so he would come back the next morning.
next morning rolls around and it's just me in the house when bengt shows up. i forgot to mention that he is the cutest grandpa looking swedish man i've ever seen, and he kept winking at me in a grandpa way, so naturally, i wanted to talk to him and find out his story. i didn't want to keep him from work, so i only made small talk and told him if he needed anything to just let me know. he was slaving away while i was doing house cleaning, and i thought it was time for a coffee break, so i asked if he'd like one too. it was just what he needed so we sat at the table and enjoyed an endearing cup of coffee. he drank his black, like a true swede, and so began my cute novel moment. sweet bengt offered to speak in english, but i said no i need the practice, which turned to swenglish. we talked about traveling, family, fun things to do in sweden, what it's like to be an au pair, and surprisingly advantages and disadvantages of both our governmental systems. my swedish wasn't that bad either! he said he could understand everything i said, so that was a relief. of course, he had to get back to work and i had to continue house work as well. after he left for the day, we exchanged "so happy to have met you" handshakes and he gave me a grandpa hug. it was the cutest thing!
i'm so thankful i was brave enough to talk to our plumber, knowing how bad my swedish can be, but he didn't seem to mind. it is amazing the friendships you can make if you just say hello, or maybe offer someone a simple cup of coffee. try it sometime. even if it only lasts a day, it still brings a goofy smile to your face, and that is definitely one of my favorites. goofy smiles and coffee.
and scene.
now i could keep a conversation going with just about anyone, and usually end up talking someone's ears off...in english. the swedish language, though, brings "socially awkward" to entirely new level. picture this: group of friends that bring a new girl around. the new girl introduces herself and says where's she's from. adn then that's it, she just stands there the rest of the time staring at everyone. if someone tries to ask a question, you only get a "yes" or a "no," and you go home thinking, "sheesh, that new girl was weird." well, that's usually me in sweden when meeting new people, which i will say that after 9 months, the language is coming along. when we need a plumber, though, i am a lost cause. those are words i do not recognize in my 4th grade level swedish. thank goodness jenny was there the first day he came (bengt is his name, pronounced like "banked"), so she could give him the run down of what was going on with our sink and a leak in the garage. shortly after though, she had to go to work, so it was just me and bengt. i pretty much just let him do his job, exchanging only a couple words....whew. he wasn't able to finish in one day, though, so he would come back the next morning.
next morning rolls around and it's just me in the house when bengt shows up. i forgot to mention that he is the cutest grandpa looking swedish man i've ever seen, and he kept winking at me in a grandpa way, so naturally, i wanted to talk to him and find out his story. i didn't want to keep him from work, so i only made small talk and told him if he needed anything to just let me know. he was slaving away while i was doing house cleaning, and i thought it was time for a coffee break, so i asked if he'd like one too. it was just what he needed so we sat at the table and enjoyed an endearing cup of coffee. he drank his black, like a true swede, and so began my cute novel moment. sweet bengt offered to speak in english, but i said no i need the practice, which turned to swenglish. we talked about traveling, family, fun things to do in sweden, what it's like to be an au pair, and surprisingly advantages and disadvantages of both our governmental systems. my swedish wasn't that bad either! he said he could understand everything i said, so that was a relief. of course, he had to get back to work and i had to continue house work as well. after he left for the day, we exchanged "so happy to have met you" handshakes and he gave me a grandpa hug. it was the cutest thing!
i'm so thankful i was brave enough to talk to our plumber, knowing how bad my swedish can be, but he didn't seem to mind. it is amazing the friendships you can make if you just say hello, or maybe offer someone a simple cup of coffee. try it sometime. even if it only lasts a day, it still brings a goofy smile to your face, and that is definitely one of my favorites. goofy smiles and coffee.
and scene.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
thoughts provoked by a hobbit and a wizard
Frodo: "I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened."
Gandolf: "So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us."
"The Fellowship of The Ring" was on tv last night, and everytime i watch these movies, something sticks out. there are a lot of great lines in these films. the quote above is the part right before the fellowship begins the journey with frodo to destroy the source of evil that is trying to overcome. frodo is such hope of light for them all, as he is one small hobbit having to bear the burdens of the world. with friends like gandolf, samwise, aragorn, merry and pippin, you think he would be able to carry on. however, the weight of evil he carries with him, takes him on such an incredible journey of the heart and mind, where he is faced with the most difficult decisions of his life, ones he has to make on his own regardless of the faithful samwise.
i'm sure you're wondering where i'm going with this...
i have a dear and sweet friend, a blessing really, that i was finally able to catch up with for maybe the 2nd time in 8 months. it was long overdue, being that this friend is so dear to my heart. it was so good to hear her voice, but i realized that not much has changed for her, except maybe everything. what i mean is, there is always a LOT going on in her life and she is constantly faced with trial, after trial after trial; each trial, though, changing and shaping her heart. have you ever met someone where (excuse me, but) crap just happens to them, over and over and over again? to where it seems as if there is no room for light? well, i have, and i don't know how she does it day after day. i like to think that i'm strong enough to handle a lot on my plate at one time, but it's hard for me to picture myself in her position and being able to make it out alive. though, with talking, or rather listening to her for an hour or so, i was so encouraged by her heart. the heart of a lion. like frodo, i'm sure she wishes she could go through life without having to experience "such times," but she does anyways. what inspires me the most, while wishing i could take all the pain from her, is that for all that she faces, she makes one powerful decision: to trust in the lord and continue to surrender it all in ceaseless prayer. she's like a job: "the lord gave and the lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the lord!" (1:21). this is what she lives by daily, and all the while she might be experiencing more joy than most people get to experience in a lifetime, all because her trust in the lord only brings her closer to him. hallelujah!
i was reduced to tears watching the conversation between frodo and gandolf and thinking about my sweet friend. it is extremely difficult in such an age as today's to wake every morning and praise the god of the heaven, rather than complain about how much life can suck. i am definitely guilty of that one. not all the time, but there are surely days that i have to consciously strip down my pride. james 1:2 says, "my brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." this is a given scripture reminder that we've all known since we were 13, but the word remains as strong today as it did when we were 13, and the day it was breathed by our holy god. it's for us, god's children, when we just wish some things wouldn't happen, most of which are out of our control. "so do all who live to see such times. but that is not for them to decide. all we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." thank you to an amzing sister in christ, frodo, and gandolf, for a reminder to persevere on this journey...life as we know it.
encouraged,
~uncharted
Gandolf: "So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us."
"The Fellowship of The Ring" was on tv last night, and everytime i watch these movies, something sticks out. there are a lot of great lines in these films. the quote above is the part right before the fellowship begins the journey with frodo to destroy the source of evil that is trying to overcome. frodo is such hope of light for them all, as he is one small hobbit having to bear the burdens of the world. with friends like gandolf, samwise, aragorn, merry and pippin, you think he would be able to carry on. however, the weight of evil he carries with him, takes him on such an incredible journey of the heart and mind, where he is faced with the most difficult decisions of his life, ones he has to make on his own regardless of the faithful samwise.
i'm sure you're wondering where i'm going with this...
i have a dear and sweet friend, a blessing really, that i was finally able to catch up with for maybe the 2nd time in 8 months. it was long overdue, being that this friend is so dear to my heart. it was so good to hear her voice, but i realized that not much has changed for her, except maybe everything. what i mean is, there is always a LOT going on in her life and she is constantly faced with trial, after trial after trial; each trial, though, changing and shaping her heart. have you ever met someone where (excuse me, but) crap just happens to them, over and over and over again? to where it seems as if there is no room for light? well, i have, and i don't know how she does it day after day. i like to think that i'm strong enough to handle a lot on my plate at one time, but it's hard for me to picture myself in her position and being able to make it out alive. though, with talking, or rather listening to her for an hour or so, i was so encouraged by her heart. the heart of a lion. like frodo, i'm sure she wishes she could go through life without having to experience "such times," but she does anyways. what inspires me the most, while wishing i could take all the pain from her, is that for all that she faces, she makes one powerful decision: to trust in the lord and continue to surrender it all in ceaseless prayer. she's like a job: "the lord gave and the lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the lord!" (1:21). this is what she lives by daily, and all the while she might be experiencing more joy than most people get to experience in a lifetime, all because her trust in the lord only brings her closer to him. hallelujah!
i was reduced to tears watching the conversation between frodo and gandolf and thinking about my sweet friend. it is extremely difficult in such an age as today's to wake every morning and praise the god of the heaven, rather than complain about how much life can suck. i am definitely guilty of that one. not all the time, but there are surely days that i have to consciously strip down my pride. james 1:2 says, "my brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." this is a given scripture reminder that we've all known since we were 13, but the word remains as strong today as it did when we were 13, and the day it was breathed by our holy god. it's for us, god's children, when we just wish some things wouldn't happen, most of which are out of our control. "so do all who live to see such times. but that is not for them to decide. all we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." thank you to an amzing sister in christ, frodo, and gandolf, for a reminder to persevere on this journey...life as we know it.
encouraged,
~uncharted
Monday, October 17, 2011
phone number worthy
"last friday night..." i didn't dance on any table tops or take too many shots, instead i went home at 1:00, which is pretty early for a single 23 year old in sweden. i did go home a little giddy, though. it was the first time in a liong time that i had actually been out with the girls on a friday night. i never really go to "single-mingle" because i am 100% positive that i am not gonna be bringing any swedish boys home. the cultural differences of me growing up southern baptist are just to different from the swedish ways, and i really don't think they could handle how loud my personality is. truth. BUT, i spiced up my look a little bit anyways, just for kicks and giggles. i mean i even straightened my hair! crazy!
the evening went on as usual, we met at a classy bar for some wine and had a nice sit with great conversation, catching up on the week and aimless wanderings. nearing 10:30 we decided we were a bit tired and should probably head on home.
*sidenote-this is not lame. we are all three working with kids all day and it may not be a marathon, but it's just as mentally exhausting. trust me. end sidenote*
there was something in the air though, and so one of the girls and i decided to stay out for one more drink and people watching. we headed towards the block known for bars packed with a variety of different people. after elbows, puffy jackets, and bouncers, (it's pretty cold at night nowadays...freezing i mean) we finally managed to get inside and snag a beer. typically beer is NOT my thing, but it's alright after a couple glasses of "toscano rosso."
as we were two single girls, we started checking out some of the cuties. i was sad when i saw a group of super cute brits leave, thinking, "dangit, i should've made a move," but making the approach is still not my style. not a lot of effort come from the boys these days, and i honestly don't know what they are so scared of. when a girl is staring at you and smiles, that's your invitation. don't just stand there looking awkward or stare back and not walk over to her. but anyways, we had a good time making up stories belonging to groups of people. then came the yawns. ok, we're lame. let's ditch, but not before seeing the ladies room.
here is my moment: an old dude cuts in front of me and the guy behind him tells him off, and the guy behind me in fact is JOSH DUMAHL!
sike. that was last night's dream. but, the guy behind me did make the old creepy man leave. i simply thanked him in swedish (tack!), and he started a conversation:
"are you from göteborg?"
me-"yeah, i live here, but i'm actually from the states"
(p.s. all of this is in swedish, my other personality i've just happened to pick up on...it's cool because i can be anyone i want!! HA)
"excuse me? you're american? how many years have you been here?"
me-"oh, actually, it's only been 8 months..."
"that's impossible! how can you speak such good swedish?!"
(HA it worked! he thought i was swedish!)
me-"eh, i'm just good like that..." and there was my escape into the bathroom, leaving him no room for a reply, typical hard-to-get move.
and that was the end of that. i talked to one boy. for about 45 seconds. and for the record, he didn't look anything like josh dumahl. he's was blonde with light eyes, from what i could tell in the dim lights. swedes.
so the night was ending for the old gals, and we made our way out the door. a block later, i felt these hands on my shoulder and a "wait, wait, wait" ..........uummmmm...ok first of al..whoah where did you come from?! it was the dude from the bathroom queue!! and he was still in his t-shirt! did i mention it was freezing outside?!! all of a sudden this guy starts telling me that i can't leave, that i have to stay for one more drink so he could talk to me...i reply with: "actually, i can leave, and i have kids to go home to..." (oh, being an au pair, and all of this was still in swedish. impressed? lol). he was so stinking cute about it though, especially when he said, with shivering, praying hands, "please, i'm a really nice guy." i believed him, he seemed nice, but i was still going home, knowing that conversation would just be small talk (and the same story i've told everyone new i meet when i'm out). i really was tired, but he asked if i would be out next weekend and if he could have my number. i mean, the dude chased me down, if he was josh dumahl, it would've been the most precious "meet-cute" ever! i gave him my number, knowing that my phone was broken, and that i would never see him again, but in the moment, it was totally phone number worthy! AND a cute story!
what a great way to end a night! guess i don't have to be disappointed in you boys, after all.
the evening went on as usual, we met at a classy bar for some wine and had a nice sit with great conversation, catching up on the week and aimless wanderings. nearing 10:30 we decided we were a bit tired and should probably head on home.
*sidenote-this is not lame. we are all three working with kids all day and it may not be a marathon, but it's just as mentally exhausting. trust me. end sidenote*
there was something in the air though, and so one of the girls and i decided to stay out for one more drink and people watching. we headed towards the block known for bars packed with a variety of different people. after elbows, puffy jackets, and bouncers, (it's pretty cold at night nowadays...freezing i mean) we finally managed to get inside and snag a beer. typically beer is NOT my thing, but it's alright after a couple glasses of "toscano rosso."
as we were two single girls, we started checking out some of the cuties. i was sad when i saw a group of super cute brits leave, thinking, "dangit, i should've made a move," but making the approach is still not my style. not a lot of effort come from the boys these days, and i honestly don't know what they are so scared of. when a girl is staring at you and smiles, that's your invitation. don't just stand there looking awkward or stare back and not walk over to her. but anyways, we had a good time making up stories belonging to groups of people. then came the yawns. ok, we're lame. let's ditch, but not before seeing the ladies room.
here is my moment: an old dude cuts in front of me and the guy behind him tells him off, and the guy behind me in fact is JOSH DUMAHL!
sike. that was last night's dream. but, the guy behind me did make the old creepy man leave. i simply thanked him in swedish (tack!), and he started a conversation:
"are you from göteborg?"
me-"yeah, i live here, but i'm actually from the states"
(p.s. all of this is in swedish, my other personality i've just happened to pick up on...it's cool because i can be anyone i want!! HA)
"excuse me? you're american? how many years have you been here?"
me-"oh, actually, it's only been 8 months..."
"that's impossible! how can you speak such good swedish?!"
(HA it worked! he thought i was swedish!)
me-"eh, i'm just good like that..." and there was my escape into the bathroom, leaving him no room for a reply, typical hard-to-get move.
and that was the end of that. i talked to one boy. for about 45 seconds. and for the record, he didn't look anything like josh dumahl. he's was blonde with light eyes, from what i could tell in the dim lights. swedes.
so the night was ending for the old gals, and we made our way out the door. a block later, i felt these hands on my shoulder and a "wait, wait, wait" ..........uummmmm...ok first of al..whoah where did you come from?! it was the dude from the bathroom queue!! and he was still in his t-shirt! did i mention it was freezing outside?!! all of a sudden this guy starts telling me that i can't leave, that i have to stay for one more drink so he could talk to me...i reply with: "actually, i can leave, and i have kids to go home to..." (oh, being an au pair, and all of this was still in swedish. impressed? lol). he was so stinking cute about it though, especially when he said, with shivering, praying hands, "please, i'm a really nice guy." i believed him, he seemed nice, but i was still going home, knowing that conversation would just be small talk (and the same story i've told everyone new i meet when i'm out). i really was tired, but he asked if i would be out next weekend and if he could have my number. i mean, the dude chased me down, if he was josh dumahl, it would've been the most precious "meet-cute" ever! i gave him my number, knowing that my phone was broken, and that i would never see him again, but in the moment, it was totally phone number worthy! AND a cute story!
what a great way to end a night! guess i don't have to be disappointed in you boys, after all.
Friday, October 7, 2011
i can't wait until this album comes out...next year
"A Face To Call Home"
John Mayer
I'm an architect
Of days that haven't happened yet
I can't believe a month is all it's been
You know my paper heart
The one I fill with pencil marks
I think I might have gone and bid you well
Little by little, inch by inch
We built a yard with a garden in the middle of it
It ain't much but it's a start
You got me swinging right along to the song in your heart
And a face to call home
A face to call home
You got a face to call home
So glad you didn't see
The nervous wreck I used to be
Never thought a man could feel so small
You never look at me
Like I'm a liability
I bet you never think I'd been at all
Little by little, inch by inch
We built a yard with a garden in the middle of it
And it ain't much, but it's a start
You got me swinging right along to the song in your heart
And a face to call home
A face to call home
You got a face to call home
Maybe I could stay a while,
Maybe I could stay a while,
Maybe I could stay a while,
I'm talkin' like all of the time
John Mayer
I'm an architect
Of days that haven't happened yet
I can't believe a month is all it's been
You know my paper heart
The one I fill with pencil marks
I think I might have gone and bid you well
Little by little, inch by inch
We built a yard with a garden in the middle of it
It ain't much but it's a start
You got me swinging right along to the song in your heart
And a face to call home
A face to call home
You got a face to call home
So glad you didn't see
The nervous wreck I used to be
Never thought a man could feel so small
You never look at me
Like I'm a liability
I bet you never think I'd been at all
Little by little, inch by inch
We built a yard with a garden in the middle of it
And it ain't much, but it's a start
You got me swinging right along to the song in your heart
And a face to call home
A face to call home
You got a face to call home
Maybe I could stay a while,
Maybe I could stay a while,
Maybe I could stay a while,
I'm talkin' like all of the time
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)