Easter is a weird phenomenom. We celebrate the death of this Jesus fellow with eggs. The connection here to be honest baffles me, ok may be it's the 'resurrection' thing, with (re) birth and eggs or something. Whatever, probably it's my ignorance of religion, more in the 'I don't care' kind of way. If the World decides to give me 2 extra days off (well almost- I had to go in on Friday and will tomorrow!), then so be it.
Easter is some what bigger (and different) in Sweden than England. Massive chocolate eggs are not given as gifts: Instead, cardboard eggs (empty) that split in half are stuffed full of pic 'n' mix, then given to the masses. It's awesome because all these sweeties are pretty much half price for this week : )
The Swedes also seem to really use this week (where the kids are off) to go skiing. And yes, we were a slave to the system: Ok, not for a week, just yesterday actually- and wow what a day it was. Swedes also love decorating everything with feathers and chickens etc, and do a version of trick or treat, as they munch on scarily similar food to Xmas; meatballs, herring etc.
Like most places, the weather has taken a turn for the better: the last 2 weeks have been pretty immense. Today and yesterday were at least 15 plus: we went to the coast today in search of a sandy beach at Alvkarleby. What was truelly a first for me was seeing sand (as promised by J)......easily impressed right? But this was no ordinary sand- it had snow/ice on it!! I was, how to put it, erm confused. It's not an easy association to make, sun, sand, sea and snow.....
Yesterday (yes my chronology is off slightly I know) was awesome too: I've had acute (viral) bronchitis for at least the past 2 weeks and suffered pretty bad. My chest hurts like shite and was coughing nicely, meaning I havent been doing much of, well, anything. Never the less, we decided to give boarding once last go, as it was officially the last weekend of the season : ( We took it kinda easy, but it was truelly awesome: there was no-one there, was literally shorts and t-shirt weather and the snow was soft and fluffy. The good news was I survived, the bad, well, I smelled like shite because I sweated so much, erm.....all in all was fantastic. Just have to wait 7/8 months for the next time : (
Occasionally I get these amazing feelings inside, basically of how great everything is. Those times for most people are usually few and far between, but when things come together and everything goes for you, you know it. This weekend has given me that feeling. It's not really even because it feels like a holiday in the strictest sense: I was the last person to leave the lab on Thursday, I had to go in on Friday for a few hours, I will no doubt check my little punk cells tomorrow when everyone is off, and it will 'start' again on Tuesday, but this is in no means a deterent. I've just had an 'I appreciate everything' moment, which is not something I have enough of (probably applicable to most of us).
Anyways, enough of me yacking. We watched Bedtime Stories (completely legally, ahem), which despite being a Disney film, having a slightly tacky/cheesy ending, wasn't half bad. Whatever your thoughts of Russell Brand are (if you even know who he is), he's pretty funny in it, so have a watch if you get a chance.
p.s. Thanks Pinocchio for your Custom board, was a nice ride : ) Oh yeah, I'll wax it for free to show my appreciation.
p.p.s. I'll also do your Custom X for free too
p.p.p.s. I'll also take care of your boots, bindings, helmet, coat, bottoms, goggles, gloves, socks, neckies and board bag- seriously, no problem, I won't wax them though.
p.p.p.p.s. Do you like the picture? Another first: on a swing, on the beach (with snow!) with a view....what could be better?! Oh yeah, it was sunny, warm and oh yeah....it's not in England : )
Easter is some what bigger (and different) in Sweden than England. Massive chocolate eggs are not given as gifts: Instead, cardboard eggs (empty) that split in half are stuffed full of pic 'n' mix, then given to the masses. It's awesome because all these sweeties are pretty much half price for this week : )
The Swedes also seem to really use this week (where the kids are off) to go skiing. And yes, we were a slave to the system: Ok, not for a week, just yesterday actually- and wow what a day it was. Swedes also love decorating everything with feathers and chickens etc, and do a version of trick or treat, as they munch on scarily similar food to Xmas; meatballs, herring etc.
Like most places, the weather has taken a turn for the better: the last 2 weeks have been pretty immense. Today and yesterday were at least 15 plus: we went to the coast today in search of a sandy beach at Alvkarleby. What was truelly a first for me was seeing sand (as promised by J)......easily impressed right? But this was no ordinary sand- it had snow/ice on it!! I was, how to put it, erm confused. It's not an easy association to make, sun, sand, sea and snow.....
Yesterday (yes my chronology is off slightly I know) was awesome too: I've had acute (viral) bronchitis for at least the past 2 weeks and suffered pretty bad. My chest hurts like shite and was coughing nicely, meaning I havent been doing much of, well, anything. Never the less, we decided to give boarding once last go, as it was officially the last weekend of the season : ( We took it kinda easy, but it was truelly awesome: there was no-one there, was literally shorts and t-shirt weather and the snow was soft and fluffy. The good news was I survived, the bad, well, I smelled like shite because I sweated so much, erm.....all in all was fantastic. Just have to wait 7/8 months for the next time : (
Occasionally I get these amazing feelings inside, basically of how great everything is. Those times for most people are usually few and far between, but when things come together and everything goes for you, you know it. This weekend has given me that feeling. It's not really even because it feels like a holiday in the strictest sense: I was the last person to leave the lab on Thursday, I had to go in on Friday for a few hours, I will no doubt check my little punk cells tomorrow when everyone is off, and it will 'start' again on Tuesday, but this is in no means a deterent. I've just had an 'I appreciate everything' moment, which is not something I have enough of (probably applicable to most of us).
Anyways, enough of me yacking. We watched Bedtime Stories (completely legally, ahem), which despite being a Disney film, having a slightly tacky/cheesy ending, wasn't half bad. Whatever your thoughts of Russell Brand are (if you even know who he is), he's pretty funny in it, so have a watch if you get a chance.
p.s. Thanks Pinocchio for your Custom board, was a nice ride : ) Oh yeah, I'll wax it for free to show my appreciation.
p.p.s. I'll also do your Custom X for free too
p.p.p.s. I'll also take care of your boots, bindings, helmet, coat, bottoms, goggles, gloves, socks, neckies and board bag- seriously, no problem, I won't wax them though.
p.p.p.p.s. Do you like the picture? Another first: on a swing, on the beach (with snow!) with a view....what could be better?! Oh yeah, it was sunny, warm and oh yeah....it's not in England : )
