Maypole fever

We were at Skansen yesterday enjoying some fine Midsummer Eve celebrations.
There were quite a few people there picnicing and dancing. We took the bus there in the afternoon and stayed until around 20:00. The sun was still high in the sky at this point. Just wondering how it will be in the winter. We did some dancing around the maypole to a catchy tune about a frog or something. There were also traditional folk dances that we watched. The longest day is over and now they're getting shorter. Sunrise is at 3:30 and sunset at 22:10.


Saniya particularly enjoyed a bubblegum flavored lollipop. She also embraced the Swedish tradition of wearing a wreath of birch leaves and daisies. A big hit, as it was last time, was a place where binkies go when they are no longer needed. The story is that they are given to kittens. There are hundreds of them strung in trees. A good way to break the binkie habit.
Today we're headed to the beach. Brunnsviken is a beach pretty close to us and we'll walk there later. Saniya is excited to go swimming but we'll see if she likes it. Last time she was tickled by the fish and didn't like it too much.

I am off to France on Sunday to work for a couple days and collect some data. Should be an interesting time for Yaz and me as well. I know she'll be fine though since both kids are always angelic when I'm gone.



Rowan at home in the kitchen

The rest are from Skansen.






Rob

Only the Lonely

I have had that song, "Only the lonely" stuck in my head all morning. I thought it was by Pat Benatar, but my google search just informed me it was 'The Motels". What a name for a band, huh? Anyways, that is my mood for the day. Other than Rob and the two offspring , I am alone. Not to say it is horrible. It reminds me of when I first moved to Seattle, when Rob and I were first together. I was not working and had lots of money from working in Alaska, but I knew no one except for Rob and his family. I did live in a basement apt with three other interesting characters, but it was a lot like it feels now. Remember that, Mary? I know it will pass, but today is sooooo my day for old hits from the 70's and 80's about being alone, or more precisely "only the lonely".

Our apartment will be great. It has a balcony and is in a complex built in 1984. It has hardwood floors, normal bathroom with bathtub, room for Saniya and Rowan, big open area with living room and kitchen extends off of it, then the master bedroom. They will leave everything we need from a highchair and crib, to all dishes and appliances, even toys for Saniya. She will use their dollhouse and dress up clothes and play pram (stroller). She's psyched. Also, they have skis we can use and she said when it snows people ski around the city. She said that Saniya will love skiing around the courtyard and along the water on the path. I didn't ask, but I bet they have bikes we can use as well.. It seems like everyone has a bike here. Rob just bought a used one for almost nothing.

There is another holiday this weekend. They love the holidays here, I guess. It seems like every week there is a holiday. It is called Midsummer. They celebrate it all over Scandinavia and in the Baltic States as well (we were looking up going to Estonia last night and saw it was a big holiday there too). It is a pagan holiday that celebrates summer solstice, sun and long days of summer. They actually string flowers and hang them on a maypole and dance around it. Then they do this dance that parodies a frog jumping. Hmmm.. Should be interesting. I am a bit foggy on the real details of the holiday, we'll let you know after this weekend. I do know it is a time when people go into nature and stay up all night and dance. We are going back to Skansen for their "Midsummer's Eve" (Friday). It is when children make the garlands and string them up and start the dancing. Then they have festivities for another 2 days. Saturday is actually "Midsummer", and Sunday is the last day of the festivities.

Yaz

More Pixs

This is the bridge crossing to the island of Langholmen. It is a mile or so from our new apartment along the water. Langholmen is where we went walking last weekend and where they housed the largest prison until it closed. There are canals, and their respective bridges, like this all over the city.

This and the next three are all at Milles Garden; the residence of Carl Milles.

The sculpture garden at Milles Garden. It is over looking the bay and the docking point for cruise ships. There are 100 cruise ships per year that dock here (don't hold me to that statistic, but I think that is what I heard).

We spend alot of time walking through in transit of just hanging out in this incredible cemetary by our apt. The swedes definitetly take care of their dead. It is huge, huge huge and beautifully cared for with lots of birds and ornately groomed trees and shrubs. Lots of people kind of cruise around and hang out here, which is a little wierd I guess. But, the point of the pic is to show that people come and care for their family / friends' plots, and plant flowers on the grave. Throughout the cemetary there are areas like this every 50 yards or so that have water, watering can (what are those called with the spout to water flowers?), shovels, and pitch forks. They are always put back and no one would ever steal them or not put them back in their area when finished using them. It is so different than in the U.S. where I could see all of the tools missing and some wierd graffiti all over the watering bin. Theft is so non-existent here. Rob just bought a bike and it sits in front of our apt. not locked. People are really into being honest. This is a very important trait for the Swede.

Last pic is of a typical stair case. This one is in Skansen, but they are like this on every stairway; in the subway, buildings, everywhere. It is for strollers and wheelchairs. Amazing how many strollers there are in Stockholm and how they really do go everywhere. It is so great to know that every place is kid friendly and stroller accessible.

The last bit of news is that we are going to take the aptartment I spoke of before. It is great, great, great. I will tell you about is later. But, it feels like the best thing to do. We move in Sept 1. So, we will extend where we are now for an extra month.

Yaz

Some Pictures

Some pictures headed your way. The first is Saniya driving her purple car at Skansen. It was such a hit.



Next we have the Swedish kryckling.

Yours truely with Rowan on a 2hr boat trip around Stockholm waterways.

The city from the water

Yaz and the little one

A typical grocery shopping day

Drottningholm Palace

Messy eatin

Having lunch at Stortorget in Gamla Stan. Location of the Stockholm Bloodbath of November 1520.

Chillin at Sergels Torg

apartment and travel

It is really tenative and we are still considering if it is the best idea, but we found an awesome place. The catch is that it is really expensive. It is through Rob's boss and the family is going to Florence, Italy for a year. The have a flat the same size as our house in Eugene and it is in an area that is prime in the city. It is on the island of Sodermalm. This is the SoHo type area of Stockholm. It is a block from the water and near lots of greenery and parks and swimming and schools for Saniya. We think we are going to take it as the thought of competing to find a place with the rest of Stockholm and the two little ones being... little, is so unappealing. Rob also applied for housing in a really cool area. It is subsidized housing for researchers. There is a 12-14 month wait list for these, so we could maybe move there after. It is all very ify and we go to see the apt. on Monday. We'll keep you updated.
Also, Rob has 2 weeks in July off as the institute closes for Summer holiday. So, if we are not looking for a place to live then we are considering a trip. We are looking into St. Petersburg, Russia. Perhaps Moscow as well if we get ambitious. There is an overnight boat to Helsinki, Finland and then a 5 hour train to St. Petersburg. I guess the boat is a party atmosphere and the Swedes take it to go to Finland to drink. Alcohol is tightly controlled here and very expensive. We buy 3.5% beer in the store. For a normal beer or bottle of wine you have to go to a state run liquor store. Anyways, there are also really cheap flights to Lithuania and Northern Poland. We'll see!
I bought batteries and want to share some pixs of our latest events:....pixs will come later, for some reason they will not upload right now.

Yasmiene

Time Out Central

This is officially the capital of Time Out Land. I think we had 50 time outs today. We had double and triple time outs. I think we need something different. But what. That is the question of the day. Or is this being three and testing every minute. Today, we were going to go and discover an area of the city with lots of thrift stores and some bilingual schools, separate "butiks" or places, I hope. But we never made it out of the house, or little abode, as I refer to our shoebox. I am feeling great about the city and overwhelmed that we came here with such labor intensive offspring. I CAN'T WAIT TO FIND A SCHOOL. And I think Saniya feels the same way.
Anyways, the weather is perfect; warm and sunny. Yesterday we walked along the waterfront of a lake and Saniya swam. We were searching for a beach, but it was too far by the time we stopped many times for the assorted needs that just can't wait and have to discuss why we can't wait to get there to have it. But, then when we didn't make it to the beach before turning around, then we spent the rest of the day talking about why we didn't get to the beach and when are we going to go again.

There are walking and biking paths everywhere. It feels like Eugene in that respect, except city size. We went to an island in the middle of the city this weekend that had walking trails along water around the entire island. It used to house Sweden's largest prison. It was closed in the 1990's and their maximum capacity was 620 people. Quite different from the American prison system. It is the island of Langholmen, if you are ever in the neighborhood.

We also went to a place called Milles Garden. It is the house and ground of sculptor; Carl Milles. An impressive garden with his sculptures around the fountains and patios. The grounds and house are overlooking the water. Really beautiful.. Great on a sunny, warm day. Rowan recommends the yellow garden hose he played with for over an hour while hanging out in the garden. We'll send pics when our camera gets new batteries. Another thing to buy.

I have been really stressed about finding an apt. There are lots of horror stories. But, then Rob tells me that it is exaggerated and we'll be fine. Let's hope for the best.

Lots more to say, but can't think of what else right now. I am walking tons as we are car-less , and happy to be so.

Yasmiene

Yum! Köttbullar

I guess the question of the week would be...

How is the job?

I've worked a total of 5 days so far I think it will be good. It is much more technology oriented than I am used to but I'm ready to get out of the stone age. The project is a challenging one so I'll definitely be busy. When I first saw the equipment I would be using my jaw hit the floor. Very new and exciting stuff. The people are very helpful and friendly as well. We've already had champagne twice to celebrate structures solved and it seems as if there is some other celebration to be had during the day.

It has been difficult to get back into work after having a half a year not working. I know Yaz is missing the support she had in Eugene. We've found a place to go walking nearby which happens to be a huge cemetery. Very groomed and nice to stroll through.

We're still looking for apartments and hopeful we'll get something. Did I mention Rowan is sleeping through the night? Even if I did, it is worth mentioning again. It was like dealing with a newborn all over again that first week. How are the newborns anyway?

Rob

Just checking in...

I have had quite a few emails wondering how we are all doing? So, here is the skinny. We are reasonably well. We have a plan for assimilation which consists of some major and many minor factors. We applied last week for a "person #" from immigration that will allow us to open bank accts., and do any business. We are looking for an apt. When we have the apt. and Saniya is in school, then we plan to take language classes and we will be feeling much more functional. I think it is all coming together as it should. It is a process that is slow, but we moved here to understand the process of other cultures, so it is really what we asked for. Rob just had a four day weekend and the highlights were a boat tour around the islands. We took it to entertain Saniya and to try to understand where everything is and where all of the apts. are that we see on the internet. The city of Stockholm is on 14 different islands; so different neighborhoods = different islands. The boat tour was great and now have a much better sense of where we are. What a beautiful city this is! I really can't get over it. The architecture of the buildings, the history, when wandering it is one beautiful bay (as there is water and island everywhere) after another, the green forested preservation and their environmental consciousness. It seems standard that wherever their is a trash receptacle there are bins for glass, plastic, and paper as well. Anyways, the other highlight of the weekend was (besides the downer of Drottngholm Palace) was going to Skansen (their living outdoor museum) today, which is National Swedish Day. It has original dwellings and recreations representing communities from the last few centuries. There was one house dating to the 13th century. So, they have an entire working village from a certain era and you go into the houses and settlements or manors and their are people there that are dressed in the attire from that time. Also, there was a zoo of the nordic animals. Saniya loved that. As it was a holiday, there was traditional dancing and music. The king and Queen stopped in, but we weren't there to see them. Anyways, hope everyone is well at home. We are good and ok and worn out all in one.

Yasmiene

What's up with that? Maternity leave in Sweden

What's up with the fact that Swedish family leave for the birth of a child is 480 days. This is split between both parents as they choose. That comes out to about 16 months. All of this is paid, with a guarantee to return to your position, and continued health benefits (which is nationalized). This leave can also be extended if one wanted to come back part-time or flex hours in that respect. Rob's co-worker is having a baby in a week and will begin 8 months of paid maternity leave. Then her partner will take another 6 months of paid leave after she returns to work. This policy is thought to benefit the child, and the parents by not putting to much burden on one parent. Also, they say it assists women to remain competitive in the workforce by not having significant work gaps from quitting a job to stay at home and care for the kids. It all sounds great to me.

Drottningholm Palace was ok. Weren't overly impressed as palaces go. The gardens we great for Saniya who brought he favorite ball to play catch.

Rowan is sleeping more. The issue seems to be separation anxiety and if we sit with him until he goes back to sleep then he doesn't cry the entire night. This takes about an hour or two and he usually wakes upset around 11 to 1 am. Lovin' it. Also, he is crawling now and really getting around. He is 8 and 1/2 months. Time flys!

All else is going well. Saniya is definitely challenging right now. But, she misses her house and her friends. What can I say.

Yasmiene

It's all in the formula

Can it ever be easy? Oh, we moved to a place where they speak, act and interact differently. Of course the baby stuff would be different as well. Rob and I bought Rowan swedish formula and mixed it up and realized a day later that Rowan was sucking on the bottle, but not getting any food. We realized it is so thick almost like a soupy cereal. Then we thought it wasn't formula at all. After a long internet search we realized we had no idea what it was. So, while at work Rob got the skinny that it is their formula and they make it so as the baby gets older, the thicker the consistency. Kind of different. We need new bottles and nipples now. But, Rowan is kind of taking to it. So much energy on the formula issue! Another mystery unraveled. We are off touristing tomorrow. We go the Drottingham Palace where the King and Queen live. It is similar to Versilles. Built around the same time and very Rococo. The website is:

www.royalcourt.se

there is an icon with a british flag to read the website in English. I am hoping Rob writes about his job soon. Hint, hint. It sound like he is happy about the position and the cultural norms around work here and all of the holiday and vacation days.

Yasmiene

Krav: Ej husdjur, ej rökare

You are in for a treat tonight! I found the camera, dusted it off, and uploaded some pics. I'll start things off with some of our moving pics.

Rowan getting packed up

.

.

.

Final cleanup

.

.

.

SUV packed

.

.

.

Leaving Eugene

.

Shower and toilet

I've got some more but I'm running out of time. I'll also comment on the job later but it looks pretty nice. I'll have a 4 day weekend starting next week. It seems that if you have a holiday that falls on Tuesday you also get Monday off. Sounds good to me.

We've also started looking for another apartment. Hence the title. The translation would be Requirement: No pets, no smoking.

Rob