Making a move

The search for a new living space has officially begun. I’ve seen quite a few places around campus that I’d love to live in. Only problem is they’re not for rent. I’ve also seen quite a few places that are for rent, but most of them look like trash. Made of trash, for trash and with a bunch of trash outside on the trashy lawn. I’m not looking to rent a castle. I just prefer glass instead of plastic bags in the windows, doors that hang on both hinges, paint you can still see what colour it once was… little things like that.

We want more space, and we want to move to the other side of the railroad tracks. Closer to campus and away from Old Town.

Old Town has been nice in some ways, it has its charm. But it is also home to a lot of not so charming people. I don’t know if it’s any different on the other side, if the grass is actually greener. But we’re ready to find out.

Back- in Orange and Black

No, I actually just realized that I don’t even own an ISU shirt, or any other gear save for pens…
We did New Student Orientation today, me and Sammy. She was dressed up in appropriate patriotic clothing and also jacked up on a quad mocha. I actually did also pay a visit to Mocha Madness this morning, but somehow got so involved in a conversation about uncomfortable flip flops with Rob behind the counter- that I walked out with a Kona Mocha Frappuccino... I don’t think they even have caffeine in them. I was going for my usual double shot soy-caramel-mocha.. but don’t know what happened.

Last night I went to Revive at Five with Bobby(who knows everyone in this town) and Jake(who is taller than everyone in this town) and it was pretty cool. But sleep deprived and over heated, I felt sort of crummy and made it a short night.
Slept better this last night but still need to catch up on some zzz. And make sure I get me some real caffeine in the mornings.

Bye Bye Birdie

Getting ready to say goodbye again. Oh, it sucks. Saying goodbye and unpack bags after trips; hate it. Just my parents are taking me to the airport though, at least I don’t have to do them all at the same time. The little brother is talking about coming over for Christmas. That’d be fun, but money and time rarely seem to work in his favour, so I’m not holding my breath on that one, just hoping.

4 weeks, inexpensive shopping, expensive eating and drinking, 4 kids, plenty of friends and family, 1 terrorist attack to shake the living hell out of all of us, and a feeling having forgot something important….. later. I’m heading back. It’s been good. It’ll be good to be back.

And as for the birdie; we just found one this morning that had drowned in the flower pot.

Home and Away

Finally some sunshine again. Went swimming with my brother, Sandra and their friend. Last night we went out.
My parents are coming back into town tomorrow.
Monday I leave.
It’s been so nice to be home.
It’s still nice.
But I’m also looking forward to going back. Doesn’t seem like we’ll have time to go to north Idaho before school starts though. That really sucks because I miss both the scenery and the people there a lot. But if we make an October trip it just doesn’t make sense to try to rush up there when there’s no real time. I also don’t feel like I can just leave work again having been gone for an entire month. Bummer.

Lesson learned

Things I’ve learned so far from this vay-cay at home

1. I’m a sauna wuss. My sister is the champ and I’m a sweaty spot on the wall.
2. I’m a coffee wuss. Swedish coffee kicks my ass. I keep drinking it but I can feel my stomach crying and complaining.
3. Life without a cell phone is part awesome and part annoying.
4. I miss my cat more than I’m comfortable admitting.
5. I wish I could live closer to my nieces and nephews. Damn those kids grow fast.

A moment

Just got back from the sauna. Me, my sister and our mom.

Rain on the lake and rain on the sauna's tin roof. Hot, hot air. I'm out of practise taking saunas; got over heated and had to jump in the lake over and over.
Lemon water in plastic cups and more water on the hot stones. More water. More lemon water.

Then soap on rough scrubby spounges and red flaky skin. All of us swimming upstream. Floating back. Driving home wrapped in bath robes from the 80's.

I could have been 10. It could have been yesterday. I wanted it to last forever.

when the living's easy

Summer vacation like it is meant to be. Swimming every day. Late and lazy dinners on lawn, BBQ and fresh strawberries for desert. Stick the kiddos in bed and watch a downloaded movie. Last night was "Bridesmaids" Actually pretty funny.

Tomorrow we're heading south for the summer house. I haven't been there forever. Can't wait to hit the sauna.

Family life

Up north visiting my sister and her family. Last night was a neighborhood getogether, BBQ on the lawn, lots of kids running around. Then the kids were put the bed and the parents let loose. A 4am mojito is rarely a brilliant idea. But it was a fun night still. Sunshine today and I'm not sure what we're doing with this Saturday. Probably not a whole lot. I got a whopping 5 hours of sleep. My sister is running on 3.

I took Kasper for a walk. Played cards with Pontus. Sandra is napping and Jennie is at a friend's house. The boys are getting ready for a costume birthday party. Pontus is going as Batman. Kasper can't seem to decide whether to go as a ginger bread man or santa.

this is home

I was a little worried showing my mom my tattoo. Funny since I kind of made it for her. The paradox, right…get a tattoo as a tribute to a person who hates them. Well, my inked brother has surely softened her. Or worn her down. She asked to see mine. I showed it to her. And she said it was nice. It even sounded like she meant it. And I was surprised how relieved and happy that made me.

Being home. It’s something else. We go swimming every morning. Me and mom. All this catching up. There’s so much to talk about. Not just me and her of course.
Last night we went out to a pretty cool dinner with my brother and his girlfriend. Black Rock Grill is what they call it. You pick your meat, I got the tuna, and then each person gets a little stone plate that’s 400 something degrees Celsius. And then you cut pieces of your slab of meat and cook it on the hot stone. And there’s potatoes and onions and bell peppers and mushrooms, breads and all different kinds of dipping sauces. A different and fun way to eat. I really liked it.

Then we went back to my brother’s apartment for coffee and dessert. Sitting around a coffee table with my family, it’s been so long. Love it.

Happy 4th - to those on that side of the puddle

Shitty timing on my part, missing midsummer in Sweden and 4th of July in the states. But with a month free from work, I can’t really complain about missed holidays. Although technically I’m not off for a whole month. I have to work on my CPR training.
Online.
And then go in to the Health Science Department when I get back and prove I know CPR… Good thing the dummy I’ll be saving is dead already.