mind and soul

How should I start my day?I keep my mind thinking something that could took up my time. It makes me relax when I am busy and at the same time good for me. Setting in the couch the whole day,hard for me. I feel more heavy of my whole body.

I gain 10 kilos!and I am in my weeks 24. Not much as I compared to somebody maybe? being pregnant feels extra warm also. So I let the balcony wide  open and even the rest of the window. Fresh air is coming in and I started my vacuum cleaning and etc.

But it takes a lot of time,because I relax once in a while and gotts not so easy. I have a heavy stomach now!.  

back home..home sweet home

Thanks God we arrived safe after a long car trip for a short days.Hmmm motor highways in Sweden is good and wide enough so it's safe to drive. But the camera in every motor highway did my husband crazy,lot of speed limit and it your caught for over speeding it could cost you money and maybe your drivers licence as well.

We was thankful enough that we have GPS (we used to called vera)because she always tell us"observera" Swedish word for English "observe"before the speed camera. It's a big help actually,but my husband drive safe as well thinking that his wife is pregnant.

Stop!here and there,as I needing to pee. Poor my husband!but he understand my situation of course. Warm warm weather continued after the midsummer celebration. Wonderful to have a weather like this everyday,we all love it!Summer is short so people go out and have beach party all day long until the sun goes down. Young adults have their party as well.

Hour 16.00 we arrived Gothenburg City but we visited directly to my mother in law and have dinner together. I felt tired from the trip but we stayed almost 4 hours with her then watch TV together...

a miles trip

Well we're still in our summer trip,now landed in Växsjö. Hour 10.00 this morning we leave Karlshamn and drove on way to Karlskrona. Wow!everything what I've saw was beautiful. A small City surrounded with small canals. My husband told me that canals help them during the war bet. Denmark and Sweden long time ago.

 We was walking along the sea side and we both felt calm. What a pleasant environment, fresh air and no people screaming around just a silent!

From the other side where lot of summer houses build. Norwegian,Danish family and some from Germany are here and spend their summer. I love looking at them with their kids,swimming and enjoying their time together. European people love to sun bathing heh heh opposite in my home country. We are tired of sun shine so we need to have umbrella all the time when the sun is hot.

After eating lunch and satisfied for what we've seen. We proceed to Kalmar and Öland my dream Island. My husband asked me why? I heard that the Island give such another history,view that could feel your outside Sweden.

The bridge connecting the two Island was so long and named the  longest bridge in Sweden.

This trip makes me relax in my mind and soul. Although I know that my husband felt tired because of the warm weather and even me too.

I give him compliment that Sweden is such a good and nice country!I really love here..


Lets see where we landed tomorrow!have a nice reading every one.

trip day 1

Midsummer day and we are leaving Gothenburg City around hour 13.00. We drove Southern Sweden, I have everything with me. Neck pillow,and 2 other small pillow that helps me more comportable sitting in the car. I laugh at my own self but it's life being pregnant. We ate our lunch in chinese restaurant at "Kristianstad"in english Christian City. Then we started to look at some hotel for 1 night stay because tomorrow we are proceeding our trip to "Öland".

After 30 minutes at surfing some hotel,I told my husband to check out GPS much easier for us to check the location as well. We've been checking 3 hotels but felt not ok, then decided to drove to the nearby city "Karlshamn City". On the way I bought "Swedish strawberry"new harvest.

Special fruit for us here during summer season otherwise some strawberry was imported from other country. Swedish strawberry have its special taste "good"and different those who came from "Spain".

We find hotel that located nearby the harbour. We have such a nice view from outside in our room window. From hotel window I saw some  boat owner came from other part of Sweden, stay over the night.

Tired..tired,so I fall a sleep till time 21.00 and my husband asked me if I would like to see around in. We took some walk around the centrum. Most of them are closed since its holiday here but some butique not even open for Sundays. Hmmm I do understand because the labour market here need high salary specially during weekend.







An old building (1899) .

midsummer's eve

Today the whole Sweden have a big party,midsummer eve was just celebrate. Herring or herring pickled in mustard and fresh potato is one common food that serve in the table. Midsummer is just like Christmas day,people go out and celebrate. Some family go to county and stayed their  until midsummer day but those who own a cottage will stay until the whole summer.

As our 5 years wedding anniversary today as well,my husband and I went out for dinner as part of celebration. We choose restaurant that not located  in the city because of the parking place. It's not easy to park private car in the city because it's expensive enough and environmentalism or lets say green politicians have increase parking pay per hour so that  people will not used car and ride public transport instead. According to them good for the environment and so etc.

To make my story short,we ended in restaurant that we never planned of. Actually we would like to have some Greek food this evening but most of them are closed. Yahhh midsummer eve,people would like  off from work  to celebrate with their loving family.

I orderd grill lamb and my husband took another. I am not used to have lamb in meals but goshhh the taste was absolutely good. The sauce is perfect!but stupid me I forgot what kind of restaurant we was with tonight. It's not greek restaurant as I know but better luck next time I will check the name and the owner. The said restaurant offer a good price as well.

The wind rose so thanks I have my summer jacket with me. It's typical weather during midsummer eve,but sometimes we are lucky to have sunshine but not today. It's not raining anyway but the sky shows that somewhere does raining.

Hour 20.00 we drove on the city where the new Gothenburg wheel located. I asked my husband if we could have 1 ride but I felt hesitate after,so it end to home instead.

We have a nice dinner together even if our celebration was simple.

I have my full control

What I did for today,nothing else but keep enjoying my freedom. My husband is not yet taking his summer  vacation he has lot of things to do. Our summer vacation trip will be next week, and as alone in the house I have a feeling of boring.. I decided to went out in the city,summer sale is started and more fun to have window shopping.

This is what I like here in Sweden,sale comes every half way of season. Half price,and some are 70% real saving money. I was with the   signature store and checking if they have a good sale offer price. 50% and some are 30% but hm mm I was not tempted to buy something. I was thinking I have enough things at home and since I am pregnant I don't like to have things that I cannot used in the future.

I was tired and  my foot got hurts after a few hours of walking around. Hour 17.00 I phoned my husband but he is on way to the airport with customer. At home I sat in the couch for a while and watch TV. Dinner?not a panic because we have some left over from yesterday.

But I was not so hungry because I ate Thai food in the city. Fruits for dinner is what I have think of,and have some yoghurt.

meat stew for dinner

As mom to be I train myself to be in the kitchen all the time. I like to learn more how to cooked delicious food on our meals. As I am at home and have summer vacation from work so this is the perfect time for me to start. Swedish people are good in cooking foods and even baking. After 4 years of living here I learned how to used different kinds of spices that I never known before.

I now understand why their foods taste more better. Well,woman like me growing without a mother(mom died when I was 6) is not easy you know. I am more busy earning money when I am in my country than being in the kitchen all the time.

I want to have a change in my lifestyle, show to my husband that I could cooked delicious food in every meal since it's him who cooked food most of the time. My life cycle will soon change into a mom. I am sure that when time comes I am ready for the new chapter of my life.

Internet,cook book and magazines helps me find some interesting menu. Today's dinner is another discovery!I am proud before I did it  succeed again.  

I made beef meat stew for our dinner mixed with tomato puree,chili sauce,parsley,red pepper,chervil(for the first time used),Russian tarragon (also first time for me using this).Then at last I add cooking cream and yes it taste delicious as I can recommen to others. Spices tarragon and parsley give more special  smell and taste.

My husband love it!we did enjoyed our dinner this evening.

home

I woke up in the morning alone my husband is on his work as usual. I am not planning something special,so I take it easy. My first day of my vacation, hm mm I feel wonderful at last I don't need to think much pressure from work. The sun continue shining and we have a nice weather today. I am thinking to go out for window shopping "baby things"but suddenly I change my mind.

I chat my brother from Philippines so I feel no fancy at go out. At the same time I am checking in YouTube for "baby music"and find so many download video's of some mother about their pregnancy. It draw my attention to watch more and yes I did enjoyed. It makes me laughed and laughed alone while at the same time my "baby"in my stomach keep on moving.

I am week 23 of my pregnancy and day by day I could noticed that my little one inside me kicked more than last month. I talk to myself often now since  "baby"could hear mother's  voice around this month. I do listen calm music and read some child books. Wow!soon I hold my "baby"in my hand....I cannot explain about my feeling this time.Lot of exciting!situation.

Brake day

Work work work, rutin of our life we need to work in order to live. Sunday,I am not been in church for how many months now,more than year I think. Inspite of I keep on believing "Him"in my whole heart and mind. I do rosary at home but honestly not everyday. God is really good I know,and no one of us can repay about all things He did for us and in the whole universe.

I am thinking that people are always complaining things big or small. I always heard that rich people having trouble and not satisfied of what success they have already in life.Money,power,material things they have everything but yes still seeking more.Hungry for something,vacation here and there.

Summer vacation is just started here anyway.Schools are closed but not in health care,because otherwise what would happened to the patient who needs care. Finally this is my last day of work today,I have my summer vacation (1month)start tomorrow. We are planning to have car trip to some Island here somwhere South west in Sweden.I heard that the place is beautiful and one of tourist spots in the country. It's our 5 years wedding anniversary this 25th of June so we would like to spend it in other way.

One way or another that I could relax and enjoy more my pregnancy.One month brake from work before I have my 1 year maternity leave.It can give me time to think and ready myself for my big day.Giving birth is not easy as I could imagine but I will try my best. Go out and take at least 30minutes a day as advice by my midwife.

I look forward to have a good summer this year,and to you all...

the new prince of Sweden

June 19 2010 Swedish television and other TV company from other country of Europe are busy preparing for the big day. Today we have a new prince of Sweden,Princess Victoria will  married today and his man will be announced  Prince after church ceremony.

I woke up at hour 10.00 and then prepared breakfast or I'll say brunch. Some TV channel have already started covered the royal family and talking for the big day. Lot of tourist travelled to Stockholm and even some royal families in other EU country.

I have a plan before to visit the capital city to see in person and I wanted to take a chance then experienced the Princess wedding. Hm since I am pregnant so much better if I stay  home and watch the ceremony in TV instead.More safe for me and  my "baby" because you may don't  know what could be happen in the street. Besides I need to work tomorrow my last day before my 1 month summer vacation from my work.

At the meantime I did some house holds things while waiting . Hour was almost 15.00 when the wedding ceremony started because the royal guest was so many and it  takes  time to  them and pose in front of camera before getting inside the church.Everything is cultural (Swedish tradition) royal wedding ceremony.

This is my first time that watching live(even in TV) the royal bride and groom exchanging vows and I saw them crying too. Swedish church ceremony is almost the same in Catholic style but they are shorter than Catholic wedding mass. Everything is perfect and watching them both deeply in love each other gives me some joy. I have even my flash back memory during my own wedding back June 25 2005.

The bridal couple after church ceremony,then announced that Swedish have new Prince Daniel(officially). After this they have horse riding inside the city.

picture under from right Princess Mary of Denmark and Princess of Netherland.

All picture was taken of myself from our TV screen. Have a nice weekend every one.

before the big day

The wedding of  Princess Victoria and Daniel is talk of the town and people cannot wait for tomorrows big day. Sweden is a monarchy country but the King has no longer have his power to control the country. The royal family now a days is a representative to perform official engagement and ceremonials duties of the state.

I could even not imagine that "fairy tails"coming true sometime. The Princess of Sweden will married to an ordinary guy,that not even rich as them. True love concured everything and the royal family accept Daniel as their new member of the royal family. How wonderful it is thinking that the two of them spend their time and wait for how many years and now tomorrow the story end.

I have no idea what will be the next ipesode of their love story but I wishing them the best.Congratulation both the  of you.

so that you know

I just started talking to my husband about mobile telephone. Lot of phone  operators offers different kind of service for instance  you like to pay  per month(included cell phone ) or you just have load type. But here in Sweden to subscribe a mobile phone is a common type, with a few months or years contract.

At first I prepare to subscribe than to have load style because of some emergency reason. If ever something happened bad because we may not know. I have no idea that EU have laws that emergency number could be still dial(112) even if you have no load. It could even dial if your phone have no Sim card? For my 4 years living here I just know it today. Ohhh what an ashamed but its not easy to know everything right away.Lot of rules and laws I still need to know about.

This information amazes me,and yes it was good to know that everything could possible here. I don't know if if could possible to dial emergency number(cell phone, with load or without).

done for today

Well if off duty from work I rather stay at home and fixed things. Early in the morning hehehe(joking) woke up at almost 10.00 just relax in bed. Preggy makes me lazy sometimes, and anyway nice to be not on hurry. I really not so sure at first of what things should I need to fix first. After my breakfast , I was watching MTV movie award first then started to thinking that maybe I could repaint something in the bedroom.

White paint!should I need I remember that we have little "white paint" left after I change wallpaper in the hallway. After all I found out that it smells not good in the whole apartment even though the window is open. Smells paint!so I decided to bake!I am not so good of doing things in the kitchen because I let my husband cooked food (he cooked better than I do).

Carrot cake with Mandel nuts!and yes I succeed!it was delicious.Chatting my family in the Philippines was I did after just in short time because time is almost 10 in evening there. Since alone my husband is still working I entertain myself by watching "Twilight"the latest film. I sew my husband pants ( the new one I bought ) because it was long so I decided to cut it and sew by myself. Saving little money for the labor!

One day but for me I did a lot of small things. I am satisfied and fully relax at the same time.

thinking by

I wonder how could life be without challenge? and how could our society be without "bad people". The other day social welfare office located near by where I live was burned. Yesterday 2 private car burned down, suspect no other that "gang of youths". Sad to say because most of their members have immigrants background. I am tired of hearing it every time they made silly things. It only cost money for all tax payer here in Gothenburg.

Most of them are in free foot because they are under age(means below 18). The law here is for nice for "young ones" how I wish the politicians realize that it's time to change and have hard punishment in spite of the age. I do feel ashamed sometimes because I am also an immigrant thinking that people make general conclusion. Racism is punishable here in Sweden but I understand why others thinking bad against immigrants.

We cannot ignore the fact that crime start at home. I do hope that parents will give more time to their children and let them teach good values and manners. Crime is the biggest problem whole over the world,and nobody knows how to stop them. They are everywhere, society now a days is not safe to live.

weekend brake

Saturday again summer...summer here in Gothenburg. Gothenburg city have "Rally Sweden" car racing for different kind of cars and Prince Philip(Sweden) is here to celebrate. A big street party also celebrate  not far in the City. Bargain sale and even 2nd hand things sold ouside that will going on until hour 22.00 in the evening. I am planning to have some look for a while but not so sure if my husband would allow me. Lot of people coming and sure young adults too will have their wild fest,quite dangerous for pregnant women like me.

Weekend brake for today,I woke up at hour 9:30 and vacuum cleaner at home. I asked help from my husband to change curtain,it's not so easy for me to move and feel pain if I strech my stomach. I have still my christmas curtain hunging in the bedroom that I think time to have another pattern.

Take the chance of a nice weather we plan to barbecue again at my mother in law. I like to have corn my husband have been to. different grocery just for "corn"it's not season yet for (corn) here since summer is just started. Corn  came from another country and quite expensive also. He bought 3 pcs and good for us 3 because we also barbecue pineapple and have potato salad as usual.

I continue enjoying my day..after dinner the 3 of us watching Swedish tv program. Have a nice weekend.

half way to be mom

Friday again and the sun continue shining almost the whole weekdays. It could be nice weather until weekend as shows in weather report. Unfortunately I need to work evening shift today but I have a good time schedule that will end hour 20.00. Still light during this time and I am happy to be home early.

My stomach is getting bigger and bigger as I observe, I am on way to my 21 weeks. I had experience 2 times strong cramp in my legs in the middle of the night. Cramp is quite common to all pregnant woman, gushhh so painful.

I send my(2 months before delivery)  pregnancy leave to insurance authority and hopefully I could get their answer before August as I requested. Working in health care have such good policy that can apply in regarding pregnancy situation. My manager had check all the papers and seems no problem at all about my request. Soon I am 1 year off from my work since here in Sweden the mother should have 1 year maternity leave in order to take care of the child. They have this kind of policy that I think good for both sides(mother and baby). Husband have also ( father leave) about 4 months I think(not 100% sure) how many months but it sounds really good. Thinking that Nanny is not trend here because of the high tax and expensive payment required.

Good day to all and have a nice day!hear from me soon. Thank you for reading..

the ocean

Tuesday first day of June,bye bye month of May. Work summer brake is absolutely  near( week 25) and I have 1 month straight holiday. We also celebrate our 5 years anniversary soon this June 25 so I keep on thinking for positive things and hope we can spend our special day without hassle.

This morning and I say the whole seems not my good day at work. Maybe the warm weather made me tired or maybe because I am in my 5 months pregnant now. It's getting heavier in my stomach that sometimes hard to bend down directly.

This month I have more possibility to read child books and even could communicate my "baby". More interesting right?which I feel more and more that being a mom is so special in spite of the strange changes of my body. Everything is worth!and thinking that I carried a new life inside me.

Today as escape stress after work my husband and I decided to have dinner in the beach again. The weather was nice 23 degree warm. We bought barbecue chicken and salad potato since we have no time to marinate meat. The ocean breeze bring my mind to somewhere that I did forgot that I had a tough day today. Watching my husband fishing and observe every moment when he catches 3 garfish. A kind of fish that Swedish people don't mind to eat because of the tiny bone in it. "Bawo" as we called it in my dialect that I used to cooked with soap or grill in the oven. Delicious!