Mmmm... Semla

Mmmm... Semla! Yummy!

This is a Swedish pastry called "Semla".

Usually, we should eat Semla only at Easter. But the traditions have changed. Now the cafeterias sell Semla every day from New Years Day until Easter. That's ok with me, I like to eat Semla.

But some people don't like the changes of traditions, they want the Semla to be eaten only during Easter. Well, this new tradition of selling the Semla from New Year until Easter is here to stay, whether they like it or not.

Vlogging

Should I start vlogging in sign language? I'm thinking of it... My friend who is deaf asked me to start vlogging, and I asked her back why she doesn't start vlogging too? She has so much to write about, she writes in her blog almost every day, so surely she should have a lot to talk about in her own language, the sign language. But she said, she is waiting for someone else to be the first to vlog. She doesn't want to be first. Just like me then!

There is almost no deaf vlogger in Sweden...

Actually there IS one deaf vlogger, she is the first and the only deaf vlogger for now. I enjoy reading her vlog almost every day, she talks (signs) about a lot of subjects like everyday life, her school, her deafness etc. And I was thinking, who will be the next vlogger? Me or someone else? Hmmm, I'm still thinking...

Brrrr, cold today!

The weather today:

Today it is really cold! It was -24 C (-11 F) this morning. I wasn't in mood for going to work today, but I had to go there anyway. So, all I had to do was to wear warm clothes and go to work as usual. They said on TV weather, it will be this cold or colder this week and maybe next week. I´m longing for a warm summer!

Update: I read in the paper, it will get warmer in the weekend. That's better!

Missing books

Yesterday I borrowed some books at our new library in town. I found some nice books, and walked to a librarian to register for a new library card. But she couldn't register me in the library database. She tried and tried but failed. Why? She let me take a look at her computer screen, and now I understand why.

Before, almost 6 years ago, I borrowed some books, and didn't return them. Oh, I had forgotten about those books!! I never returned them? Ouch... embarrassing....
Anyway, the librarian managed to win over her computer, she removed my old books from the database, and then she could register me. I didn't had to pay the book fines. Very nice of her.

Six years ago, I lived in another town and then moved to this town where I live now. When I packed all my stuff, the books must have been packed in the boxes too, and I didn't noticed and then forgot all about them. Now I think the books must still be in the attic.... hmmmm



Here are some of the books I borrowed last night. Books with sign language on cd:s. There are more and more books with sign language now, that's very good. This time I promise to remember to return the books back to the library in time!

The Christmas is over now for this time

Today I have taken down all my Christmas decorations, so the Christmas is over now for this time. Here in Sweden most people take the Christmas decorations down on January 13, as this day is the last day of Christmas. Some people leave it until January 20 or so.

When do we start decorating our homes? Most people start decorate with Christmas Tree and other decorations on Advent (3rd Dec 2006).

I celebrated my Christmas with my family, mum, sister and my nieces. We celebrate our Christmas on Dec 24 in the evening, not Dec 25 as in other countries. We had a traditional Christmas with dinner, watching Donald Duck on TV and then in the evening opening our presents. But first! The Santa visited us at home and he gave presents to us all. After Santa had left, we opened our presents.

One untraditional thing was introduced to us this year: a turkey. Mum wanted to try something new, so she bought this turkey for our dinner. It was the first time I eat turkey, and it was not bad, it tasted good. Well, it's always good to try something new!

visiting the deaf club

Recently, about 2 weeks ago, I was to my local deaf club, I go there every week. A deaf man, who hasn't been there for 6 months, visited the club today. When he saw me, he asked me who I am and if I am new here? He also asked me if I am a new guy visiting here?

What? We have talked to each other so many times before, and now he suddenly doesn't know who I am? Oh, that's because of my new hair, I have cut it short. So he thought I was a boy! Hmffppp!!

Hmmm... I walk like a woman, I sign like a woman, wear typical female clothes and a handbag. That's ok if he doesn't remember me, but surely he should see that I am a woman even thought I have short hair! That was a confused guy!

Later that evening, he came to me and said to me "You are cute". Thanks but too late!! Hmmppff!

Before (when I had long hair), he was trying to flirt with me, but I didn't care. Now I am glad we didn't get together! He he!

2007

Happy New Year 2007!

The weather today

- 13 C cold today and the snow is still on the ground.

Christmas cards

Ok, I have to send my Christmas cards today, because today is the last day for sending Christmas cards (with special Christmas stamps). I have finished writing all my Christmas cards, but no stamps yet.

Yesterday I got my first Christmas card for this year, a card from Newcastle. Very nice!

Snow and space

Ah! Finally snow! It's been boring weather with raining for almost one month, it's so much better with snow! It was -3 C this morning, but it's not that bad.

Yesterday night, Christer Fuglesang has walked in space again to fix some electrical problems. His 2nd time. Maybe he have to do a spacewalk again, his 3rd, to do some work on the solar panels.

Tonight, the Swedish TV will interview Christer in live broadcast, and of course I will watch it. I hope the interview will be subtitled tonight.

Christmas presents

On Wednesday, I will go to a Christmas party at the Deaf club. We will all bring a Christmas present and give to each other.

But last week at the deaf club, one woman told us all: "No chocolate boxes as Christmas presents! I'm so tired of chocolate! Chocolate is such a boring gift! Don't buy chocolate!" she said angrily to us.

Hmm... Now I'm thinking of buying a chocolate box and give as Christmas present at that party...

Fuglesang's space travel

Tonight maybe Christer will travel to space? I hope so!

I will stay up all night until 2-3 am and watch it live on tv. It´s space-fever now in Sweden!

Christer will be the first Swede in space, and I read he will take gingerbread and moose meat with him. He wanted his astronaut friends to taste some of Swedish food. Interesting!

I'm holding my thumbs for him! "Hold my thumbs" is a Swedish saying for "Cross my fingers".

Closed hospitals

Today I was supposed to go to the yearly medical check-up.

But yesterday, I read in the newspapers that some hospitals had to close for some days or longer. Visitors are not allowed to visit these hospitals.
Why? It's because many are sick in the so-called "vomit disease" right now. I don't know what it's called in English, but this is how we say in Swedish.
The "vomit disease" is an extremely contagious disease. That's why visitors are not allowed to visit the hospitals.
There are not enough nurses to take care of the patients, because they too are sick! So the hospitals want to save both the patients already in the hospitals and the visitors.

So I called my doctor to cancel my appointment and changed it to an another date. I don't think I want to visit any hospital right now! Better wait until later... The doctor (or really the receptionist) said it was ok and I got a new appointment in about one month. I hope things are better by then!

Weather Diary

It has snowed a lot last night. I took this photo in the morning when I walked to the city centre to buy flowers and a cake for my dad, it's Father's Day today.

Santa Claus in pink

My favourite candy! Pink Santa Claus. Yummy!

The day after the storm

After the storm - a lot of snow in city of Lulea

Pic of the day

Usually it starts snowing in November, but this year the snow came early. It started to snow a couple of days ago, but I don't complain. The snow makes it brighter outside.

Yesterday, it was very stormy. The weather forecast had warned of very strong winds coming from Scotland, but this wasn't that bad. Here in Lulea, we are used to strong winds, because we live near the ocean. So, the yesterday's storm was manageable.

T-blog

Everytime I see my pics of the sheeps, I always think of this video...

Crazy man!!

Pic of the day

It's autumn here in Lulea. Took the pic with my mobile phone.

Our excursion

Me and my work staff made an excursion to Hägnan, outside Luleå.
Today we didn't have to work, but enjoy the day.
It was a beautiful autumn day and no rain today.
We were there all day and had lunch there.

Some sheeps greeted us when we came there.

Our boss lighted a fire. Very cosy.


This is the place where we went to. A very nice place.

Hägnan is an open-air museum, where you can experience what a
small Swedish town was like during the 16th to 19th century.