Swedish own currency must stay

Sweden is one of the Scandinavian country that remain it's money currency "Swedish crown"in english meaning"krona"in Swedish that (krona)represented the Monarchy  type of government. Although the country is in Europe even EU member but they choose to have the same currency,not replace "krona"to  "euro". Before I move in the country I thought that every countries in Europe are using "Euro". I'm wrong!yes "euro"has a big value in my home country but it does not help because living in the country with "euro currency"is more  expensive than living in other country(not using euro).

At first I find hard to understand the difference,but after few years of living here I did realize it would better to remain "krona". Swedish people are satisfied with the current currency,despite of economic crisis the country holds it and manage good. Swedish currency value is not so high unlike dollar and euro but the country's economi is stable.

I was in the other part of Europe last year summer,I had compared the price between euro and Swedish crona. In some items much cheaper,certainly in Sweden.

I cannot explain further more because I'm an ordinary tax payer "immigrant"living in the country. But I am proud,I feel that I am part of the victory. I hope that Swedish own currency must stay forever. I am not against euro but I am more favor to have an affordable cost of living that gives us chance to travel in some other places.

goodbye 50 öre

Tomorrow is the last day that you could use the Swedish copper 50 coin. I wrote in the blog the other  week about the fact of it.  
Today there is around 394 millions 50 öringar in circulation in whole Sweden that have a value of 197 millions Swedish krown(Swedish money).
Wow! what a number?it's really a lot of money.Think if I have like this hmmmmmm I may dream to be a lotto winner. Well,well the first 50 coin(not yet copper) distinguish 1862 off Lea Ahlborn from Stockholm Sweden. After it existed 10 diffirent types of coin. 

This copper base 50 coin come in year 1992 for the reason that, wanted to reduced nickel usage in the country.

family life in Sweden

A family stands for mother,father and kids. In my country parents should be married (especially if your a strong Catholic believer).  Here in Sweden even in other part of EU country family lives are different. A mother or father can live together in one house even they are not married. They called it "sambo"in Swedish meaning "live in together" with kids or no kids. The other relationship called "särbo"meaning parents of the child not living together(they are not divorse either) but they choose to live separately but they have special relationship. Another  type is what Swedish called it "kärnfamilj"nuclear family meaning both partner(maybe divorse) have early kids in other relationship then live in together with the both kids. I don't know how it works but lot of them live happy life in one happy home.

Divorse is not big issue here,open to every one who think that they feel no more  love to his/her partner any more. Single mother is common  as well,they can get help from social welfare(services). Wanted to be pregnant without having contact with guys is even possible through (sperm) donation.

When young adults, have a boyfriend/girlfriend it's not hard for them to introduced to their respective parents (aside from immigrants parents who have strong culture background). Most of them move in together as "live in "partner in the age of 18. The parents,cannot controlled their life since they are in 18 years old or maybe above.

Do whatever they want to do with their life. This is what I observe to a lot of young adults here,going to disco,drinking with friends or with boyfriend/girlfriend. Get some job,what they earn is what they keep it to themeselves. No obligation to give to their parents. Neither not their duty to help their brothers and sisters to send college.

I don't know what to say but there are  lot of different things here,that both good and bad. This is not easy to say negative things about their living styles. Every situation have advantage and disadvantage so it's up to us how we judge them. Nothing is perfect anyway.

dental care in Sweden

When your a foreigner of the country,it's not unsual why we reacted things that we're not used to. Dental care for young adults in Sweden is  one reason why I deeply impressed them. Children and young adults up to age of 21 years old (in Western Götaland region) have free dental care until they turn 21 years old.

A good servise to those parents who have not much money. Going to dentist is not cheap,and it's a MUST for health reason. Taking care of your teeth is so important where mostly of the  bacteria stay behind because it could give us different kind of health problems.

I wish to have this kind of system in my country,where a lot of family needs it. Everything out there cost money,schools and etc.

I have my dental check up twice a year here,aside from immergency visit if necessary. It cost me money and even my husband because we are already adults. But parents who have more than 1-2 kids feel the words"release"spending extra amount for dentist charge.I hope that this kind of system will continue forever.

pictures with memories!



I took tram to the place where I have a lot of old memories during my first year in Sweden. I never thought from the start that life could be conflict, unless I experienced it with myself that language make all the difference. I manage to convince "me"that everything would be fine because I can speak english. It works for a while but in some cases not. 

As I remembered for the first time I ride streetcar here. It was my first winter experienced and never had an idea what's gonna happened on that day. My husband used to drove me to school but for some reason I chooce to ride tram. Unfortunately it did not proceed to the station near my school. The driver gave information as "I heard " but it's in Swedish. I stepped out from the tram and decided to walked!passing through 2 station till I reach my school.

Winter!and cold I have no winter hat with me,because I thought it would necessary(never winter in Philippine). Then gave me  too much pain in my both ears. Old memories  nice to  track back the times,  specially if your a foreigner of the country.

Life is not stagnant, thanks to God. I was blessed that I handled it with care here(inspite of the language differences and the culture as well).









 

"Järntorget "tram station near by my old school



the school where I enrolled in,1 month just to learn Swedish language.My husband cover all the cost.

in the other side of "Järntorget"I used to satt here while waiting my tram, took my coffee brake.

Swedish 50 öre soon disappear

50 öre

March 25th Swedish Parliament decided to take away 50 öre(Swedish coins made of copper). This afternoon I was in Frölunda Torg (centrum near by where I live) brought all the collected 50 öre. I used them as payment for the goods I bought in the store.

 Not so much but since this coming 30th of September is the last day of the said coins,it's rather good to spend it now.

I save few "50 öre" at home as collection, might funny to have some. The proposal came from "The Bank of Sweden" that the said coin should be abolish. After 50 öre out from our wallet,maybe a little bit of the price will change.

 I am hoping that it will  not increase  much as a waited. People will lean on to National Board for Cunsomer Policies for price increase.

I understand that it cost more money to manufacture 50 öre. As one of tax payer here,I felt sad to accept it.

Swedish Election day

Our choice,your voice,let them hear you,which I did today. Swedish election day,first time ever for me!I feel much better, honor to be a part of the change. We arrived in polling station(school ) hour 11.30 as a first timer,my husband help me. I have no idea,what should I do.

Polling station is open at 8.00 till hour 20.00.When were inside the polling station,I understand what a proper voting order they have here. We bring  our social security ID with us and the voting card. The two very  important things you may need with. You don't need to find your name in the list,of what station you may belong because it was written in the(voting card)that was send via post mail at home.

I called it quick voting,we received 3 pcs of envelop where the 3 ballots (voting)paper should enclosed in. You don't need to write anything in the "ballot paper"was ready for every political parties. Pick up each you will vote for,give to the personal(enclosed envelop)show your voting card and ID. Finished!calm and not crowded,although outside shows long lines.

I never see security guard,either police in the nearby..The day shows normal as usual without trouble situation unlike the other countries during election day. This is how it should be politicians  don't need  to fight "bloody" way just to get  the people's vote. I cheer for Sweden in this way!!

Thanks for reading.have a nice day

why we need to think?

This weekend "September 19",big events will happen here in Sweden.Election day an important part for every country history. Who will be the next Swedish Minister?who can make the real change that people wanted too. Every body are tired of paying higher taxes,but as promise with some party that they will lower the tax if they win. Others have the concern of more job,we build Sweden together with consideration of solidarity.

A promising point,like an exciting film that we would wish to watch. Let's wait after then,I come in the station and vote for the first time. Finally,I can shout my right after staying in the country for 4 years. As a new Swedish citizen,I will choose the best among them which I think capable to be in the position.

No need to worry about in the other hand,because vote buying is not in the air. The tactic will not work here,so I am happy for that. Each parties have good intention for the people,and for the country itself. This Sunday we will give Sweden the new journey with the new government.

Vote wisely!

Swedish and Japanese car on top

It was in the "GP" newspaper today that Swedish and Japanese car second hand on top.
These are the Swedish cars

1. Volvo S40,
2. Volvo V50 from 2004-2006.
3.  Saab 9-5 2004-2006.

Here are the list of the Japanese cars:

• Toyota Camry 2001-2003
• Toyota Prius 2004-2006
• Toyota Avensis 2005-2006
• Lexus IS 2006
• Honda Civic 2006

These are the cars that win the test of "The Swedish Motor Vehicle Inspection Co" even test from Folksam"insurance company".

Enjoy reading..

I called it d "hidden"

I would say,"hidden" place,excuse me I just invent the name. We've been in the part of the forest where I caught sight of the military storage or stockroom. Well thought out from the beginning when Sweden fight againt Denmark(during war). Here they keep tinned food for the military,inside is so cool serve as their refrigerator.

I am not sure today if this was still used,but I think so because of the keys outside. Sweden is one of the Scandinavian country(besides Norway,they are not EU member) that became EU member year 1995. War is far behind us,we feel safe here because the country is not alone to go and fight.

But the amount that Swedish government paid just for the membership is such a large sums. Well...well..in turn back of it Swedish citizens could travel along way to EU member country inside Europe without needing visa. No hasle,open door to us people here. We did it once in Germany with car trip,honestly I love it because, nice to get away from the trouble of producing visa.

I wish to have peace in every country today. People needs to move without feeling  frightened in their own sorroundings. Everybody are entitled to have freedom.

lokal flowers in my Philippine home

My outside world!no..no flowers wake up our senses.It gives us inpiration,relaxation because of their special beauty. This year my oppurtunity to visit my family in Cebu did not pursued because I got pregnant. New technology brings me the good update,of things happend there.

Yesterday,I recieved this pictures taken from our garden. 1 year after "our santan flowers"(right)blooms. In left,I am not sure what's the name of these (but I think I heard some called it belong to  kaktus family the one with pink flowers in the center). 

 I have no idea what are the names of these flowers. With curley leaves as you see in the center(we have local name san francisco)but I am not sure if everybody agree with it. Anyway I am happy to see it again growíng good. Thanks to my brother (he planted  all of them and taking care of). 

Our guava ,bearing  fruits my family protect it from insect by using old news paper. Cool to have them!

Thanks for reading and dropping by.have a nice day.

to have a Swedish driver's license

I think I wrote  in my blog before about rules on how to get Swedish  driver's license. I ask forgiveness if I repeat again,but on my way home suddenly it comes in my mind. This topic,specially when I saw this volvo car in  front of us who have "övningskör" Swedish sign for practise driving.

Sweden is the country where you could find the most difficult way to get driver's license.It's not so easy,as I could compare in my home country. At 16 years old you can start practise drive,but you need to under go siminar. If you practice drive with your father or mother(which of course have a license)  they need to be with you during the siminar. If you go to driving school,it cost you money because you pay per hour here.

After all the training,and you're ready to take written test(which you pay separately). Through passing the written test is a MUST otherwise you cannot proceed with the driving test(you pay another one). 2 months after if you did not passed the driving test,then you need to go back to the basic. Meaning written test and driving (another cost to pay).

Expensive right!!I am not exactly sure,but I heard from my husband that here we have so many traffic signs to be memorize. I tell you guys lot of them failed,not only immigrants even Swedish young adults. Take 2,or take 3 some did it 4 or 5 times. If your immigrants here then you have driver's license from home. It does'nt matter,you may show to the National Road Administration that you can drive according to their way of driving.  

green sign practise driving with family member. driving school have their red (practise drive)sign.

let us remember the 9th year after Sept 11 tragedy

We are all aware about Sept 11,remember the day of the unbelievable historic tragedy. Today is the 9th year,the history channel showd all the story of what had happend. We have a saying about "time heals all wounds"yes after all years we forgot all the shocking terrible attack but when I saw it again today.

I feel a sudden, that the time moves backward. I've  never seen it on live news on the exact year of the accident. I was living in Philippines during that year and heard only from the radio because I was working then. But today it's just like I am one of the victim inside the WTC. Watching in my tv screen how the building hits by the plain until it was collapsed did take my breath away.

Thousands of innocent people  lost their lives because of terrorist attack. I am angry with them(terrorist)why they keep on killing innocent people.

Our world is not safe as we thought. Danger is every where,therefore I understand why we have a hard control inside the airport. I rememberd when we travelled to Philippines had been undergo hard control from Amsterdam until the rest of the airport till we reach Cebu.

I understand why people get mad to the people who has the same origin country(to the terrorist people). Thinking what they did in our world creating problems all the time.

Again watching the WTC twin tower collapsed,people panic. It's like watching the world war2,like the world was ended. Totally unacceptable accident because it was planned.

I feel sorry to the victims who never got a chance to say goodbye to their beloving family and friends. Heroes people working in the area and killed during their time of duty.

I hope we could stop the evil mind of the people who will continue distroy our world. A prayer to the victims of 9/11.Amen

Meatballs with the Mediterranean feeling

Swedish meat balls is popular even in USA. But I found out another good recipe for meat balls and tried it yesterday. Oregano is not only a spice for pizza, but even a good in example, Greek meat balls.

You may need the following:

• 600gram ground beef
• 3 tblsp dried breadcrumbs
• 1/2 dl redwine or water
• 1 tblsp chopped  fresh oregano or dried oregano
• 2 egg
• 1 tblsp any meat fond
• 1-2 garlic copped
• 1/2 tsp salt
• blackpepper
• 2-3 tblsp olive oil

Here what to do:

1. Mix the dried breadcrumbs with the meat,add the wine or water(the choice is your)but I recommended redwine. Add the egg and the fond,continue working(mixing) now add the oregano,blackpepper,salt (but I used soy souce) take your choice,then lastly add the chopped garlic.
2. Start to shape meat balls,hot the frying pan (make sure it's rather hot)then down the heat around 10 minutes.
3. You can have pasta to eat with.

Enjoy your meal!as we did.Really delicious dishes try it.

a number of bacteria around us

Lets talk about health today. We learned ourselves our children to wash the hands before and after using the toalet. We are afraid of bacteria because we don't want to get sick. Avoid having long finger nails if your working in the hospitals or related sector.

Some mothers have always alcohol in their bags incase of emergency because we don't let our children be dirty. Lot of stuffs that we will try to avoid. But we have so many things in our home that we forget to clean everyday because we thought it's not necessary. I am one of those!

I was reading daily newspaper today and read the article about the bacteria in our gaggets at home.Mobile telephone,can be the real spot of bacteria. Out of 30 tested mobile phone 7  had a higher percentage of bacteria. The other 6 mobile phone the bacteria is not dangerous ,but it could be the breeding grounds of the nasty other related germs.

The worst  they found out in the most dirty mobile phone is E coli bacteria and salmonella bacteria. The test group (in Uk) even quote that mobile telephone are potentials to carry and spread the bacteria. Things we need to think about! But it's hard, how should we clean our mobile phone by not getting distroy?(each cover). Whewww!hard right,have some body tips?please write a comments. I will appreciate.

picture for the day

Driving 1 hour away from Gothenburg City,our day trip landed in Borås. The City was known because of the animal park,even called as city of textiles. We were in Borås animal park,first visited their tropical animals. Quite scary inside,lot of snakes named it poisonous most of them. Well,my husband enjoy the atmosphere but not really me.

I dare not to take pictures of the other animals specially the snakes. Take just the Iguana!We were both hungry so we decided to eat before we proceed. But we forget the time,closing hour in the cashier is 16.00,at time 16.30 the personnel strated to pick up the animals. I am talking the leon,giraffe,elefant and some more.

It could be stressful for me,so we leave the park and continue the adventure in the other site. Until we reach the mountain and seen this cute stockroom house. Made of wood,with an elegant style and impressive size.

weekend pictures

We are lucky to have a nice weather when I took this picture.We went on fishing and I think this is the last time for the season. Lot of people went on swimming,ignoríng the cold water. After 2 hours spending in the waterside small rain dropping in.

We was on a hurry trying to be inside the car before the heavy rain come. But I have seen this beautiful..beautiful..rainbow in the sky.

Adorable color!red,yellow and blue that placed me decorated in the sky. It makes light up,lot of childrens clupping and jumping on my back. It's different colors gives the lonely skies a live.

I remember something when I was a child if the rain doesn't stop we shouted we need a rainbow! Then we form scissors in our both fingers pretending that we could cut it. Stop!the rain stop the rain!

Swedish style sandwich layer cake..delicious

A home made sandwich layer- cake  made of liver pate,egg,shrimp and black roe. My colleague decorated it with sliced cucumber then a spread of  mayonnaise line on the top.

Another type of sandwich layer -cake with cold cuts(ham)ingredients inside with cheese with olive+green grape,egg,shrimp. Both taste superb delicious it was served during my baby shower party.

This kind of cake become a modern tradition here in Sweden during family occasion like wedding,birthday,confirmation,and graduation day. Even popular during Swedish National day  celebration. Best drinks with sandwich cake is white wine,beer or snaps.

smoking is dangerous to your health

Why lot of young adults here like to smoke? The smoke of cigarette is dangerous to our health but yet lot of smokers ignore the fact. Still they continue their bad habit besides it cost money. I  never see cigarette advertisement in all tv station here which I think is good.

This year health department worry about because smoking among young adults in Gothenburg increasing specially young boys. An alarming sign  for parents,but how could we stop them since young adults have freedom here. I don't know I am just afraid of the future until when they distroy their rights of freedom.

If you asked them why they started smoking their simple reason is because of friends. Most of them believe that smoking is one way to spend time with their friends and be in the group. Smoking is like a fashion trend here,it's common to boys and girls both young and adults.A frightening increase in the number of our society today. Teachers in school find hard to stop their student not to smoke. Their student is not afraid with teachers opposite in my country (teachers pen is powerful) unfortunately not here.

Smoking is a very important question on how to stop them.