the trip!!!!!!

there are so many wonderful coffee shops out there....but when you walk into one and can't stop talking about it ....then you know that you'll be back!!!!!

watching the preparation that goes into your cup of coffee can be such a trip!!!!!

choosing your beans

enjoying the pleasant aromas given off as they are ground down....

                                           and watching the simplicity.......boiling water......

                                                                    a bit of stirring

and then the moment you'v been so looking forward to....a personalized cup of coffee, so tasty made to your liking.......as for the pastry....should i should i not?????

good coffee is just sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo worth the trip and the wait!!!!!!!!

(-: Rhoda :-)

mambo/lambo

relationships are like bread...they come in all shapes and forms....and it all begins with the mixing of the ingredients and then the final product can be............???
back to swedes only because they make things so clear....there is a name for everything....
for instance.... if you talk about your grandparents you will clarify whether you are talking about your maternal or paternal set of grandparents....and the same goes for your relationship status....
here are some examples:
1. gift (married)
2. sambo (cohabitation)
3. särbo (in a relationship but living separately)
4. delsbo (couples who live together sometimes)
5. gråbo (older couple who have moved in together)
6. närbo (in a relationship but living close to each other)
           and then this....
5. mambo ( still living at home with mama until you find a place to stay)
6. gambo (living at home with your mama or grandparents)
7. villbo (couples who want to live together but can't...)
8. cybo (relationship in cyberspace)
and if you really want to go into further detail.....
(a) lambo (lame)
(b) limbo (sticky glue)
(c) rimbo (2 poets living together)
(d) högbo (a couple who is very into each other)
and the list goes on and on and on.........
the beauty about the swedish language is that it is clear and to the point...no mincing words here....in the country of "lagom" just enough....you will never wonder about the status or the nature of your relationship because you will find the answer in one word....very clear and to the point!!!!!!!! nothing confusing here!!!!!!!!

it's all about finding your mix and mixing away!!!!!!!!!

(-: Rhoda :-)

to cope or not to cope??

you know that you are jet lagged when at 3:00am you tiptoe into the kitchen to make yourself

a cup of tea....tiptoe back into bed with your cup of hot tea and a book and then for no reason, your bedside table which seemed quite sturdy no longer supports your cup and ooooooooooooops....tea everywhere....and who wants to change sheets at 3:00am so unless you have small kids and are used to changing beds while sleepwalking....this really isn't funny!!!!!!!!

but on the upside....jet lag is quite an interesting phenomena....it hits you hard but somehow, if you must you still manage to cope with your daily activities.....so is this coping mechanism the same as the one parents of young children have....managing to survive on minimal sleep and still waking up in the morning to go to work, smiling at colleagues and even producing work of quality!!!!!!!

so what is it about sleep....we know we need it but then how is it....that parents of young children and jet lag sufferers cope?? is it possible that we have this wonderful compartment in our brain that stores all that teenage sleep for a rainy day!!!!!!!!!

(-: Rhoda :-)

the way we feel!!!!!!!!!

 when you go out for a meal....presentation matters....whether it is fine dining or eating on the run....food always tastes better when it looks good on a plate...

now what happens in the kitchens of restaurants can be a real mystery....unless you find yourself sitting at a restaurant with the chefs in full view, busy busy busy!!!!!!

so a visit to the facilities...can tell you a lot....

people do seem in a hurry and forget to lock!!!!!

 now floors can be deceiving....how can you tell if the floor is clean when this is what you are looking at.....

 but then if anyone should experiment...then why not restaurants....what effect does green have on you after a couple of drinks and a very rich meal!!!!!! ???????

hence the very clever floor!!!!!!

 but then other establishments go for the more classical, elegant calming experience....here you know that the establishment takes their cleaning and presentation very seriously...

they even have art on the walls to keep you entertained!!!!!

and why not adopt a good idea for those of us who can say it all with one expression!!!!!
restaurants...public facilities....public transport....airlines....etc....quick and easy!!!!!!

oh yes and tidy should apply to all!!!!!!!

(-: Rhoda :-)

mystery solved!!!!!!!!!!

                                                      on a wintery valentines day
                                                      a grounded rose petal froze
                                                     and as my steps crunched across the hay
                                                     the dream of spring tickled my nose

                                                     two birds flocking to the same place
                                                     one with a mystery gift of flowers in a vase
                                                     the other flew south away from winters embrace
                                                     and left me longing for a different place

                                                     a love born of flowers
                                                     on the corniest day
                                                     how to keep sincere the words that you say

                                                     breathing unconfined air
                                                     with pure sight and sound
                                                     love is being close with no one else around

(-: Rhoda :-)

dancing chandelier!!!!!!!

swedes are very considerate people.....

but when they decide to party you better not stand under them.....because things might fall!!!!!!!

(-: Rhoda :-)

top up!!!!!!!!

now there are two things you learn very quickly when you live in sweden....
1. there is no such thing as bad weather....so just make sure you are dressed for the weather and go out no excuses!!!!!!!
2. there is always time for ice cream...come sunshine or snow!!!!!!!
this is viking country....and swedes love ice cream!!!!!
pinkberry is such a fabulous idea, standing in line, choosing your toppings and creating your masterpiece!!!!!!!
what an experience....yum yum yum!!!!!!

sweden needs a pinkberry!!!!!!
frozen yoghurt....this must be healthy!!!!!!
D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!!!!!!!

(-: Rhoda :-)