Christmas

I have had such a great time over the past couple of weeks with my family at this Christmas season, that I don't know where to start when it comes to writing about it!

I flew back to England on 11th December to spend the weekend at the London Temple and some time with family and friends. Then on the 13th December my whole family headed to Centre Parcs for our annual family holiday. It was the first time in a while that my parents had all 8 of their children, and 5 of the 7 grandchildren together, it was so nice to be together, even if a lot of people weren't in the best of health!

We headed home to Poole on the 17th December and the week leading up to Christmas was full of baking, cooking, tidying, cleaning, carol singing, Christmas crafts and visiting, but also lovely smells, the wonderful spirit and excitement that comes with Christmas too.

Christmas has to be my favourite time of the year and I know it is largely to do with my parents and the Christmas experiences they have created for us over the years and I'm so grateful to them for it:) I love spending evenings looking at the Christmas tree and smelling the pine and reflecting on so many Christmases that have passed. I love listening to Christmas music and singing along. I love watching Christmas films, to get me in the mood for Christmas - it doesn't take much, I can even watch really cheesy films.

Last, but by no means least, I love seeing Nativity scenes to remind me of the reason for the season, and to reflect on the amazing event of the Saviour's birth, and what it means to the world, even though not everyone is aware of it.

Every Christmas eve my Father reads the Christmas story from the Bible so that we can focus on what really matters - and that is exactly it - although I am grateful for all the gifts I have received, it wouldn't matter to me if I didn't have any gifts. I am blessed to have been with my wonderful family this Christmas period and to know that Jesus Christ was born and his birth and life are worth celebrating.

Christmas Concert

On Friday night I went on a date, we met up in town then decided where to go. We decided to eat Persian food as I hadn't had it before, then go to the cinema. The restaurant was on the other side of town. We walked through the main part of town and saw all the Christmas lights and there was snow on the ground. The river was frozen over and covered in snow too, it was all so beautiful. On our way to the restaurant we passed Vasa Kyrkan (Vasa Church) and we decided to go in and have a look as it was open. As we walked in we could hear a choir singing and the acoustics in the chapel were amazing. They were practicing, so we asked when the concert was - it was at 8pm that night:) We both decided we would prefer to go to the concert instead of the cinema - you can watch a film anytime! So we went and ate, then came back for the concert.

It was an amazing night, not only was the music and sound amazing - it made me all tingly and I could feel the spirit so much, testifying to me that Jesus Christ was born and that He is my Saviour and Redeemer and that I'm so lucky to have this knowledge - but the company was great too:) I'm so glad that we decided to go to the concert, it made it such a magical night and I hope for more evenings like it with the same company:)

Winter

At the beginning of October I was told that winter has properly arrived when you have 5 mornings of frost in a row. I can now say that winter has properly arrived in Göteborg:) We have had snow on the ground for 2 weeks now and average temps of about -10 and I have been loving every minute of it:) Even if it took me about two hours to defrost the other night after we had been ice-skating!

I have been walking out in the snow while listening to "The Partridge Family Christmas Album" and really getting in to the mood of Christmas. I LOVE this time of year, and I feel sorry for the people that don't feel the same excitement or have the same wonderful memories that I have.

I have been to two Christmas markets and enjoyed the sounds, smells and crafts.

The Anderson's (the missionary couple at the Institute Centre) put on a Thanks Giving dinner for the YSA and I helped out and it get me even more excited, thinking about going home and help my Mama with the Christmas baking, or what's left of it, by the time I get back!!!

Only 9 days left now - I can't wait to see you all "I'll be Home for Christmas" :)

Snow

While it is not the first snow of the year I was still excited to see it start to snow last night:) I love snow and we don't get so much in England.

The world changes with snow, it seems cosier and there is more light, as it reflects off the snow. I find it magical, but can't quite explain how if feels, but hope you understand what I mean!

It was so nice to watch it fall last night and see it untouched as the world slept. It snowed some more throughout the night, and was still untouched at 7:30 when the boys woke up. (Per & Pernilla had a party last night and stayed at a hotel, so I was all alone with the boys and things went well)

Melker woke up at about 4am, but I took him back to bed and all was fine. Then both Viggo and Melker came into my bed at 7:30am. While we lay there for a little while I told them that it was snowing last night and it was so nice to see them get excited about it, even though they usually have it every year. We all came down stairs to get a good look at the snow through the bigger windows in the living room:)

We had a lovely breakfast together at the table - they usually sit in front of the TV eating breakfast, but I guess they were too excited about the snow that they forgot about TV!

They are however watching TV now, as I write this and look out the window at the still untouched snow in the back garden and listen to Christmas music - "I'll be home for Christmas":)

I am planning on going to Liseberg later today with some friends. Liseberg is the theme park just down the road. The rides are closed at this time of year, but they open up again for the Christmas season with lots of lights, Christmas markets, ice skating and lots of Christmassy stuff! I can't wait and now it's perfect with really snow too:) I will take pictures, but I still can't add them yet!!!

The web address to Liseberg is: www.liseberg.se - so you can get an idea of it:)

SoulNite

SoulNite is a tradition the was started in 1989 in Sweden. It is a weekend of fun, good music and good company. I have had a really good time I'm so glad that I went to Stockholm (that is where it is held)

I saw my sister Felicity, who flew in from England for the legendary event, and a lot of friends from Stockholm that I haven't seen for a while so it was really nice to catch up with everyone.

We spent some time at the dance on Friday, but didn't want to get back to late, as we hadn't checked in with our host's yet!

Felicity and I stayed with the family that we both used to nanny for (not at the same time!) It has been 5 years since we saw them! Axel, Harold and Edward have grown up so much - as you can imagine. It is so good to still be in contact with them even if it does make me feel old! ha ha It was also nice to see and chat with Britt:) We stayed up talking with her until 1am catching up on the past 5 years.

We spent the day with them on Saturday, talking some more, shopping and sharing music:) Harold has a musical talent so he and Felicity had fun.

Felcity and I then went to the "main event" - the Saturday night dance, held at "Fryshuset" a night club in Stockholm. They had live performances as well as a DJ that performed at a party for the King of Sweden! There was a lot of dancing, for some people! I danced a bit and had fun, but I spent a lot of the evening talking, which was also fun for me:)

As I used to live in Stockholm my friends there know I can speak Swedish, so I spent a lot more time speaking Swedish this weekend. Most people in Göteborg presume that as I'm from England I can't speak the language so automatically speak English to me. But I found after a while I didn't have to concentrate too much - only when I was really tired! It was fun:)

The testimony meeting on Sunday had 287 people there and there wasn't nearly enough time for everyone to share what they wanted, as usual! It was - despite the distraction of a lot of boys playing games on their mobile phones! a spiritual meeting.

I had a lot of time to reflect on the way home, and I felt overwhelmed by how blessed I am and how happy I am with the way things seem to be going and heading in my life at the moment:)

I am truly grateful to have a knowledge of my Heavenly Father and for His influence in my life and the comfort I get from knowing He loves me and He hears and answers my prayers:)

November

While yesterday was the 5th of November and I did remember Guy Fawkes night, I didn't celebrates it with a Bonfire and Fireworks as many people in England would have.

Instead I spent my evening playing "Innebandy" (indoor hockey) It is quite popular here in Sweden and most people are really good at it, so I wasn't too sure that I wanted to join in and be a hindrance to the team that ended up with me! But in the end I decided to play and did quite well, I was told that I "did much better than most American Elders when they first play" - I have decided to take that as a compliment! lol

Anyway after a fun evening of playing against different teams and getting bruised (6 in total) and thrown around, I was on the winning team:) So I couldn't have been to much of a hindrance!

Although I had fun, I'm quite achey today as I'm not used to it. I should have gone out today, for a walk at least, to get my muscles moving, but instead I stayed in to watch the Rugby!

As most of you know I am a big Rugby fan and I have spent most of the week trying to figure out how I would be able to watch the England v New Zealand game today. Rugby isn't a popular sport here (although I have heard that the country have a team!) so I couldn't find anyone that knew that is was on, or that was watching it. But I managed to sign up to a website and watch it, although the picture was poor and it kept stopping, it was better than not being able to watch it:) I thought, despite the result, that it was a good game and I'm glad that I got to see it:) I also watched the Ireland v South Africa game and enjoyed that too:)

Halloween

So as everyone knows today is Halloween, and with it being a Sunday, people have managed to make a whole weekend of it, we'll we have here in Göteborg anyway:)

We have had a YSA Halloween weekend and it has been so much fun. A lot of effort was put in by many people and it was all worth it. I had some good times with old friends and made new friends too.

As usual with these kinds of weekends I didn't have enough sleep, but as the saying goes " I can sleep when I'm dead"!

The weekend started with a dance on Friday, the cultural hall and hallways were decorated so well and people arrived when they could from all over, there were even people from Norway and Denmark there. I didn't get home until 3am (due to the fact we couldn't find the key to lock up!)

Then on Saturday we had a workshop at the Institute centre which was really good. It was about the church and symbols and how we fit into (or look to) the world, it was funny, spiritual and interesting all at the same time!

Saturday night was the fancy dress dance and it is so fun to see what people dress up as and try to figure out how some of their minds work! lol

There were all sorts of characters and "things" there, from the Spice Girls and Zombies to Chocolate bars and a Packet of crisps! Unfortunately I still don't have my camera cable, so you'll have to see if you can find pictures on Facebook!

Some of the YSA had practiced the Thriller dance and it was so fun to watch (as much as want to learn the moves, I didn't fancy performing in front of everyone!) they had musical chairs too, and a contest for best costume. Since I'm not a great dancer, I helped out in the kitchen with Kiosk,, which is also a good place to meet people, you can talk without the music being to high and I ended up buying a few people food or drink because they didn't have the money and I'm a big softie!

We had to have the chapel clean for church, so we had a major clean up afterwards - the cellar space that the chapel has, to keep all their "stuff" (all in seasonal order) is unbelievable, we need something like that in Poole, we could keep all the Roadshow stuff there! We aimed to leave the chapel at midnight, but it was more like 1am even with lots of helpers! I got home at around 2am, but when I changed the clock back, 1am didn't seem to bad and I was glad for the extra hour.

As it was Västra Frölunda's ward conference today we couldn't change the times of their meetings, so had to start the YSA meeting at 8am, which meant I had to catch a bus at 6:59am so I set my alarm for 5:30am!!!

It was well worth it though, the spirit was so strong and all the Testimonies were really good, some stick out more than others and you can learn a lot more about people from their testimonies, I'm glad I was there:)

I stayed for the ward conference afterwards, which was also really good and well worth staying for.

I got home just in time for pizza with family, then Per and Pernilla went out to a concert and I babysat the boys. They were really good and I managed to put them to bed with out any trouble, and now after catching up on Facebook and Hotmail and my Blog, it is my turn for bed:)

Autumn

I find it amazing how quickly things can change. When I first arrived in Göteborg the morning skies were bright blue, light pink and clear, but this morning when I woke it was pitch black! Autumn has arrived and it is beautiful. I went for a walking this week with Pernilla through the forest at the back of the house and to one of the lakes, and it was beautiful. The lake was still and quiet and the views were breath taking. The leaves on the trees are turning and the forest is full of amazing colours. The leaves are also falling and as it has been dry recently they are crisp and make a lovely sound when you walk through them. I am glad that Autumn is here, I love the season changes, they are each so beautiful in their own way.

It is getting colder too, yesterday there was frost on the grass in the early morning, and I have noticed the pavements have started to glisten in the night lights and I can also see my breath in the darkness as I walk home in the evenings. Today was the first day that the boys wore their hats and gloves to school because thy said they were cold yesterday!

I have been making an effort to be out and about while the weather is still nice (you never know how long it will last!) While it is getting colder, it has still been sunny and dry:)

I spent most of yesterday walking around town and getting to know the city. Göteborg is so beautiful. I can imagine it is at all times of the year, and I will see in its glory through all the seasons. But right now the rivers are quite still and calm with a few random ducks here and there, the leaves on the trees in that city are also turning all sorts of colours and falling, and people are starting to wrap up warmer because of the crisp freshness in the air. I am not a fan of all change, but I am enjoying the change in atmosphere at the moment. I have yet to see a lot of the more of the city and it's surroundings, but I am looking forward to it:) I have my camera with me, but forgot to bring my computer cable with me, so can't transfer any of them at the moment, but I will hopefully sort that out soon.

3 Weeks

I have been in Göteborg for 3 weeks now and I'm loving it. The weather has been so nice most of the time. Blue, blue skies and sunshine.

I noticed for the first time on Sunday that it was cold, not just a chill in the air. Then on Tuesday morning Per had to scrap a very thin layer of ice off the car before he and the boys left, and I could smell Autum in the air:)

I have been cycling nearly everyday since I got here, I collect the boys from school on my bike and they sit in a wagon at the back of the bike. I am slowly getting used to it, and know that it is good for me and saving money on bus fares.

Because of this I have had two major changes in my life, the first being, I am so hot all the time! For most people who know me I am usually cold all the time, so I'm not used to it! But the other major change is that I'm drinking water by the gallons! Well pints, but it's a start! Both good changes that I am adapting to quite well.

I'm thinking that I should go to the tourist information centre tomorrow and get all the information I can and start exploring the city - be a real tourist! That way when people come to visit I can show them round. It will also give me something to write about:)

So, until next time!

Sweden

So I am back in Sweden, working as a nanny for Pernila and Per and their 2 boys, Viggo 5yrs and Melker 3 yrs.
Pernila took me on a bike tour of Göteborg yesterday, the city centre is really close, so I should get to know it really well.
We have come to the summer house for the weekend, which is on an Island called Gullholmen. It used to be a fishing village, but now it is more for hoilday homes.
As the summer season is now over, it is a lovely peaceful place and very quaint with all the old houses. But it is a very busy in the summer with people and boats coming back and forth all the time.
The shop is under new management this year, and has been closed down for the winter season, which is a bit inconvient, it means having to be more organised and bringing food with you.
Per parents live on the Island most of the time, so they have to get the ferry and then bus to the shops now!
I had a tour of the Island this morning and the weather was lovely and sunny.
It has clouded over now, so we are back at the house, but will probably take another walk later.
So far so good :)

Happy New Year!

So I know it's a few days late, but as you can see, it's been almost a year since my last entry and I'm pretty sure that nobody ready this anyway, so it doesn't really matter! lol
I wish everyone the best for the coming year and hope that it is a happy and successful one for you all.
I am hoping that 2010 will be a year of change for me. There are a few things that I need to work on to become a better person and help those around me more. I would also like to get a new job, and I wouldn't mind moving either. I'm getting itchy feet and I think a big change will be good for me. To meet new people and see new things and places, I'm excited at the thought of it, but now I just have to put a bit of work into making those changes, so watch this space............