I can't help but check the temperatures, read the latest updates and listen to the stories. I wonder about those I know, those I have met over the years, those who survived, those who didn't. I hardly dare make any phone calls to see if people are ok, to see if the blaze missed them, or if they got out in time.
As the days roll on I am reminded of friends, acquaintances, friends of friends, friends' family members and my family's friends who live in these areas. We will all know people who have been affected, who have lost their lives, their family, their friends, their homes, their pets, their livestock, their cars, their sanity, perhaps even their will to live. Each and everyone of us Victorians will know someone, directly, or indirectly.
I want to get on the phone, but I know how hard it must be to be on the receiving end of those calls - you spend more time answering the phone than picking up the pieces, more time reassuring everyone else than getting on with your life. Instead I scan the reports, the interviews, the photos and try and come to terms with what has happened. For once, this is not some far-away place, this is my home, these places have been my playground.
Here I can turn off the computer, put the paper away, shut down the radio and attempt to get on with my life. We have birthdays to be celebrated this week, work to go to and life to get on with - it needs to be that way.
But how is it there? How can anyone get on with their lives? How do you concentrate, sleep, eat, work, feed your kids, send them to school, how do you get up in the morning? And all the while be reminded every living minute of the tragedy that has so savagely ripped through our country. With fires still raging all around the state it is not over yet. And those who do have immediate family and friends affected can't possibly get on with their lives - help is needed to pick up the pieces, if there are any to be picked up.
And the irony of it all. While the fires still roar in the south, the north, already suffering from floods, continues to endure more rain and king tides. When will it end?
Today's articles in the Swedish press -
Opperation Pheonix to find those guilty
Australian authorities have reacted impressively quickly
The winds increase the danger
Rising temperatures a threat in Australia
Fire disaster is increasing in Australia
Australia hunting a murderer
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
Monday, 9 February 2009
My blogging anniversary
was yesterday - one year since I started.
I love the reading, researching, reflecting and reporting. I love writing.
And I've learned a lot, on many levels.
I am grateful to those who come here regularly, some I know, some I don't. Some check every day, even several times a day - thank you!
I must be writing something worthwhile! :D
And thank you to those who have and who continue to give me wonderful feedback - it is very encouraging.
I love the reading, researching, reflecting and reporting. I love writing.
And I've learned a lot, on many levels.
I am grateful to those who come here regularly, some I know, some I don't. Some check every day, even several times a day - thank you!
I must be writing something worthwhile! :D
And thank you to those who have and who continue to give me wonderful feedback - it is very encouraging.
Sunday, 8 February 2009
Tragedy At Home: hottest city temperature ever recorded, the worst fires in our history?
After last week's record of three consecutive days over 44 degrees celsius, yesterday topped an all time high of 47 C - the highest temperature ever recorded in any Australian city.
I caught glimpses of it last night on the net but didn't realise the seriousness of it until my mum rang this morning with a rude awakening. While it seems none of my family or friends have been directly affected, the fires raged in Bendigo, just 30 mins away from my sister, and I saw my cousin's facebook photos of them wetting down their property in preparation, the smoke and an aerie colour in the sky behind them. Mum's call jolted me from my slumber, to a reality I'd rather not have. Yet to a reality that is pale in comparison to most Victorians' today.
The town of Marysville has been burnt to a crisp, incinerated, nothing is left. Marysville is, or was, a sleepy little town of about 300 or so people, nestled in the mountains. As my sister described it many years ago it is filled with greenies, loggers and local business people, it is the skiers last stop before they head up the mountain, it is a haven for bush-walkers and mountain bike riders, a lovely picnic spot, a gorgeous weekend get-away and has many an authentic craft shop, restaurant and cafe. It is where my sister bought her first property, where she settled many years ago, where my niece was born and spent the first couple of years of her life. It holds many memories for me, countless for my sister.
Today will be a very sad day for them, as she contemplates her own fire plan and sits by the phone waiting for the news. Her oldest, dearest friends are missing. He went off to fight the fires. She stayed at home with their daughter to defend their property in Narbethong. No-one knows where any of them are. I can only pray the news is good. But by every account it does not look good, the tragedy of it all makes me feel ill. (Edited to say they have been found and are safe). Watch this report on the area.
As I look through the photos, news clips, videos and read countless stories the tears well in my eyes and I feel like I could throw up. We Australians know what it is like to have our country ravaged by fire, even if we have not experienced it first hand. We always have family and friends who have. And we have stories of days gone by.
Black Friday - January 13th, 1939. The infamous fires that had widespread impact, not just on people but terrible environmental damage was done which saw the introduction of forest management to aid prevention of bushfires. The old hospital in the Dandeonongs burnt down, supposedly destroying my father's birth certificate, something that would affect him the rest of his life. 1.5-2 million hectares burnt. 75 people lost their lives. It reached 45.6 C.
Ash Wednesday - February 16th, 1983. My aunt's farm was one of the few on her road to survive. She, her daughter and son-in-law faced the danger again on Saturday, 26 years later. A family friend died defending her property. I remember the dust storm like it was yesterday, it was like nothing we had ever seen before. 210,000 hectares burnt in Victoria. 75 people dead in Vic & South Australia. Over 2000 homes burnt to a crisp and the total property damage was reported to be over 200 million dollars. The temperature was recorded in the low 40s.
There have been countless other disaster days, of various sizes. And that is over and above the bushfires that rage every summer in Australia.
And now we have Black Saturday: our darkest day ever. With the death toll currently at 108. I don't look forward to the final statistics.
There will be government support, and fund-raising appeals and events of all descriptions. Australians rally together in the most tear-jerking manner when their countrymen are in need.
But it is not the money that matters, it is the loss of lives, the devestation, the personal tragedies. It is a tragedy for livestock and for the animals of the bush, it is a tragedy for the forests themselves. It is a major environmental tragedy.
For the first time ever I understand what it must be like for people coming from war-torn places, worrying about their family, their friends, their countrymen. Not because I could do anything if I was at home, but because I feel for my country and for my people, in their darkest hour.
Click on these pictures to read more.
This is Brian Naylor, veteran news reporter who spent decades in my lounge room every evening updating me on what was happening in the country and around the world. This Australian icon and his wife died on their property in Kinglake.
My friends have been calling me today to make sure my family is ok (knowing I have a sister in the bush) and I can only imagine how the phones must be running hot in and to Australia at the moment. Sis 1 rang to make sure my mum was ok when she heard the fires were close to them, mum has been on the phone to check up on Sis 2, as well as to my aunt to find out what is happening at their place and how the rest of the family were fairing. The news has all been good, so far.
But there are many heart-breaking reports, there are SO many of them. Watch this incredible tear-jerker from St Andrews, this one from Wandong, and one from Kinglake. Not unkown places in some far-away country, but places I know, places I love. It is a tragedy like no other. I feel so sad for these people.
Finally now, Monday morning the Swedish papers are reporting it, SvD articles and DN articles. And as for mass-murder? Unfortunately arsonists are most often to blame, either that or reckless individuals. Desperately sad, but true.
I caught glimpses of it last night on the net but didn't realise the seriousness of it until my mum rang this morning with a rude awakening. While it seems none of my family or friends have been directly affected, the fires raged in Bendigo, just 30 mins away from my sister, and I saw my cousin's facebook photos of them wetting down their property in preparation, the smoke and an aerie colour in the sky behind them. Mum's call jolted me from my slumber, to a reality I'd rather not have. Yet to a reality that is pale in comparison to most Victorians' today.
The town of Marysville has been burnt to a crisp, incinerated, nothing is left. Marysville is, or was, a sleepy little town of about 300 or so people, nestled in the mountains. As my sister described it many years ago it is filled with greenies, loggers and local business people, it is the skiers last stop before they head up the mountain, it is a haven for bush-walkers and mountain bike riders, a lovely picnic spot, a gorgeous weekend get-away and has many an authentic craft shop, restaurant and cafe. It is where my sister bought her first property, where she settled many years ago, where my niece was born and spent the first couple of years of her life. It holds many memories for me, countless for my sister.
Today will be a very sad day for them, as she contemplates her own fire plan and sits by the phone waiting for the news. Her oldest, dearest friends are missing. He went off to fight the fires. She stayed at home with their daughter to defend their property in Narbethong. No-one knows where any of them are. I can only pray the news is good. But by every account it does not look good, the tragedy of it all makes me feel ill. (Edited to say they have been found and are safe). Watch this report on the area.
As I look through the photos, news clips, videos and read countless stories the tears well in my eyes and I feel like I could throw up. We Australians know what it is like to have our country ravaged by fire, even if we have not experienced it first hand. We always have family and friends who have. And we have stories of days gone by.
Black Friday - January 13th, 1939. The infamous fires that had widespread impact, not just on people but terrible environmental damage was done which saw the introduction of forest management to aid prevention of bushfires. The old hospital in the Dandeonongs burnt down, supposedly destroying my father's birth certificate, something that would affect him the rest of his life. 1.5-2 million hectares burnt. 75 people lost their lives. It reached 45.6 C.
Ash Wednesday - February 16th, 1983. My aunt's farm was one of the few on her road to survive. She, her daughter and son-in-law faced the danger again on Saturday, 26 years later. A family friend died defending her property. I remember the dust storm like it was yesterday, it was like nothing we had ever seen before. 210,000 hectares burnt in Victoria. 75 people dead in Vic & South Australia. Over 2000 homes burnt to a crisp and the total property damage was reported to be over 200 million dollars. The temperature was recorded in the low 40s.
There have been countless other disaster days, of various sizes. And that is over and above the bushfires that rage every summer in Australia.
And now we have Black Saturday: our darkest day ever. With the death toll currently at 108. I don't look forward to the final statistics.
There will be government support, and fund-raising appeals and events of all descriptions. Australians rally together in the most tear-jerking manner when their countrymen are in need.
But it is not the money that matters, it is the loss of lives, the devestation, the personal tragedies. It is a tragedy for livestock and for the animals of the bush, it is a tragedy for the forests themselves. It is a major environmental tragedy.
For the first time ever I understand what it must be like for people coming from war-torn places, worrying about their family, their friends, their countrymen. Not because I could do anything if I was at home, but because I feel for my country and for my people, in their darkest hour.
Click on these pictures to read more.
This is Brian Naylor, veteran news reporter who spent decades in my lounge room every evening updating me on what was happening in the country and around the world. This Australian icon and his wife died on their property in Kinglake.My friends have been calling me today to make sure my family is ok (knowing I have a sister in the bush) and I can only imagine how the phones must be running hot in and to Australia at the moment. Sis 1 rang to make sure my mum was ok when she heard the fires were close to them, mum has been on the phone to check up on Sis 2, as well as to my aunt to find out what is happening at their place and how the rest of the family were fairing. The news has all been good, so far.
But there are many heart-breaking reports, there are SO many of them. Watch this incredible tear-jerker from St Andrews, this one from Wandong, and one from Kinglake. Not unkown places in some far-away country, but places I know, places I love. It is a tragedy like no other. I feel so sad for these people.
Finally now, Monday morning the Swedish papers are reporting it, SvD articles and DN articles. And as for mass-murder? Unfortunately arsonists are most often to blame, either that or reckless individuals. Desperately sad, but true.
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Keeping The Winter Colds At Bay
While on the subject of winter and great remedies I will add one more.
My family all take Olive Leaf Extract once the first signs of a cold appear. They all swear by it but I have never heard anyone else mention it and I have never seen it anywhere but in Australia.
When we were there this Christmas I decided to pick up a bottle, at least for the kids. I'm all for anything that boosts their immune systems, that helps them get over their winter sicknesses faster.
So last week when Makaila showed signs of a cold I fed it to her and to my amazement she recovered very quickly. At least the cold didn't seem to really break out.
And this week we stayed at home Sunday, Monday & Tuesday with Kieran sniffling and sneezing his way through the days, exhausted after sleeping very restlessly at night. By today his cold was almost completely gone - a far cry from how he was on Sunday.
Now I know what you are thinking - and I find it a little hard to believe too. Coincidence? Maybe? I nipped it in the bud by staying at home? Maybe. Strong immune system? Maybe all of those are possible.
What I do know is that I will be trying it again - next time the signs of a cold appear. I also know that many of the kids around them (and adults too) have been suffering from long winter sicknesses this year, as with any other year. It is tough to avoid being sick when everyone else around you is sick.
While it is available here in Sweden (for adults), I don't know anyone who has heard of it. Otherwise try ordering it directly from Australia (or the UK). You can watch the Olive Leaf movie here! I see now there are a ton of sites out there if you are interested.
My family all take Olive Leaf Extract once the first signs of a cold appear. They all swear by it but I have never heard anyone else mention it and I have never seen it anywhere but in Australia.
When we were there this Christmas I decided to pick up a bottle, at least for the kids. I'm all for anything that boosts their immune systems, that helps them get over their winter sicknesses faster.
So last week when Makaila showed signs of a cold I fed it to her and to my amazement she recovered very quickly. At least the cold didn't seem to really break out.And this week we stayed at home Sunday, Monday & Tuesday with Kieran sniffling and sneezing his way through the days, exhausted after sleeping very restlessly at night. By today his cold was almost completely gone - a far cry from how he was on Sunday.
Now I know what you are thinking - and I find it a little hard to believe too. Coincidence? Maybe? I nipped it in the bud by staying at home? Maybe. Strong immune system? Maybe all of those are possible.
What I do know is that I will be trying it again - next time the signs of a cold appear. I also know that many of the kids around them (and adults too) have been suffering from long winter sicknesses this year, as with any other year. It is tough to avoid being sick when everyone else around you is sick.
While it is available here in Sweden (for adults), I don't know anyone who has heard of it. Otherwise try ordering it directly from Australia (or the UK). You can watch the Olive Leaf movie here! I see now there are a ton of sites out there if you are interested.
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
The Primrose Solution To Dry Winter Skin
Winter is hard on me, especially on my skin. It is now finally getting a little colder here and I can tell because my hands have been getting drier and drier as the days go on. When the temperature drops my skin itches more and more, making me want to scratch until I draw blood. My legs and my stomach are worst off.
But that is nothing compared to what happens to my hands. They look like I have been in the garden everyday for the last week. Dry is not an adequate description - they are like sandpaper. My skin peels and I get very painful cracks on my fingers. The first one appeared yesterday.
I have tried every type of hand creme available to man - nothing helps. But by accident I discovered Evening Primrose Oil and it has been my saving grace. Taking large doses of primrose oil heals the cracks in my hands and makes my skin smooth and soft again. It even calms down my itchiness.
Today I dug out my big bottle of primrose oil, brought in Australia. It is much cheaper than I could ever get it here, but I also buy a big tub because I take so much in the winter. In Swedish it is called nattljusolja and I have tried and been happy with Efamol, although there are a number of them on the market.
Time to start taking it again.
But that is nothing compared to what happens to my hands. They look like I have been in the garden everyday for the last week. Dry is not an adequate description - they are like sandpaper. My skin peels and I get very painful cracks on my fingers. The first one appeared yesterday.
I have tried every type of hand creme available to man - nothing helps. But by accident I discovered Evening Primrose Oil and it has been my saving grace. Taking large doses of primrose oil heals the cracks in my hands and makes my skin smooth and soft again. It even calms down my itchiness.
Today I dug out my big bottle of primrose oil, brought in Australia. It is much cheaper than I could ever get it here, but I also buy a big tub because I take so much in the winter. In Swedish it is called nattljusolja and I have tried and been happy with Efamol, although there are a number of them on the market.
Time to start taking it again.
Monday, 2 February 2009
The view from my balcony: sunsets & deer
As we stood preparing dinner last night we watched a beautiful sunset, the time was about 4.15 - 4.30pm.
Ty happened to be on the phone to his mother, who couldn't believe the sun was already setting. Yet for us it seems later, at least much later than when we first got back a couple of weeks ago. We are gaining 5 minutes a day - as you will see on this Stockholm daylight chart. We are pleased to have 8 hours of daylight compared to the six hours we had back in December.
This morning I pulled up the blinds in the kids' room to see a big mother dear standing under the window. As I watched she moved over to the path and stood looking around before moving on. It was only then I managed to call the kids and get the camera. Her little ones were following along behind her. We stood watching, the kids in awe. This young one stood and watched us for a while before it moved on.
Here you see the white tails of the two young ones following their mother. They have crossed the path and are on their way up and over the hill. The forest continues between the apartment blocks and down to the water. It is not that unusual for us to see a mother and her young, even if it is occasionally months between sightings. And to think we are just 5-6 kilometres from the centre of Stockholm!
The tragedy in this is all the building that is taking place. Stockholm City Council are planning two more apartment blocks on our street. How much longer before Stockholm will have changed from the green oasis that makes it so magnificent - to a concrete jungle, like all the other concrete cities in the world?
I'm in two minds - do we take away these pockets of forest for higher density living, or allow the city to grow and spread. Then again, I think Stockholm has a high enough density. And what will our resident badger say when more of his forest has disappeared?
Ty happened to be on the phone to his mother, who couldn't believe the sun was already setting. Yet for us it seems later, at least much later than when we first got back a couple of weeks ago. We are gaining 5 minutes a day - as you will see on this Stockholm daylight chart. We are pleased to have 8 hours of daylight compared to the six hours we had back in December.This morning I pulled up the blinds in the kids' room to see a big mother dear standing under the window. As I watched she moved over to the path and stood looking around before moving on. It was only then I managed to call the kids and get the camera. Her little ones were following along behind her. We stood watching, the kids in awe. This young one stood and watched us for a while before it moved on.
Here you see the white tails of the two young ones following their mother. They have crossed the path and are on their way up and over the hill. The forest continues between the apartment blocks and down to the water. It is not that unusual for us to see a mother and her young, even if it is occasionally months between sightings. And to think we are just 5-6 kilometres from the centre of Stockholm!The tragedy in this is all the building that is taking place. Stockholm City Council are planning two more apartment blocks on our street. How much longer before Stockholm will have changed from the green oasis that makes it so magnificent - to a concrete jungle, like all the other concrete cities in the world?
I'm in two minds - do we take away these pockets of forest for higher density living, or allow the city to grow and spread. Then again, I think Stockholm has a high enough density. And what will our resident badger say when more of his forest has disappeared?
Saturday, 31 January 2009
Spilt tea all over my MacBook
I have this lovely machine which I use every day and naturally have not backed up everything on. Well, the thought had gone through my mind more than once and I wondered what would happen if I ever spilt anything on it.This week I found out.
I tripped walking back to my computer, carrying my tea. The tea went flying - all over my computer. Despite my complete and utter despair I managed to keep my wits about me (not sure how). I tipped it upside down, grabbed a cloth, wiped it off and then pulled the battery out, wiping out the water before putting the hair dryer on it (warm not hot).
A thousand things went through my mind. I turned the desktop computer on and went out on the net to see what to do - thank fully I had done everything right - and most importantly - DID NOT TURN IT BACK ON! Instinctively you want to do that to see if it is working.
The advice online - leave it off for a few days to completely dry out.
So I did.
We've just turned it back on - 3-4 days later. I was nervous.
Everything seems to be in order - sure it could've gone on insurance but that is a big hassle. What a relief! Although time will tell if it is completely unscathed.
Friday, 30 January 2009
Glad we're not still in Melbourne in this heat wave
While suburban temperatures were recorded at about 45 C yesterday, the thermometer on my mum's balcony almost blew the mercury at 47 C! With an overnight temperature of 26 C it was already 36 C by 9am.
Late in the afternoon they relented and finally decided to turn on the air conditioner, only to discover that power shortages had left them without electricity.
Melbourne was today officially in its hottest-known three-day heatwave, after the temperature again broke through the 43 degrees celsius barrier. Today's temperature of 43.8 degrees recorded at 1.52pm (AEDT) marked the first time since records began in 1855 that the city has had three consecutive days above 43.
Read more about the effect of record-breaking temperatures in Victoria:
Photos from around the state.
Vic blaze destroys homes as town runs out of water.
Sudden deaths in sweltering city.
Water supply drops in Victoria as temperature soars.
We got out of there just in time.....
Late in the afternoon they relented and finally decided to turn on the air conditioner, only to discover that power shortages had left them without electricity.Melbourne was today officially in its hottest-known three-day heatwave, after the temperature again broke through the 43 degrees celsius barrier. Today's temperature of 43.8 degrees recorded at 1.52pm (AEDT) marked the first time since records began in 1855 that the city has had three consecutive days above 43.
Read more about the effect of record-breaking temperatures in Victoria:
Photos from around the state.
Vic blaze destroys homes as town runs out of water.
Sudden deaths in sweltering city.
Water supply drops in Victoria as temperature soars.
We got out of there just in time.....
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Sweden's longest road tunnel
has been proposed by the Swedish Road Administration.
Building a road system in any city built on 24 000 islands has to be a challenge. Throw a whole lot of green space into the equation, along with nature reserves, forests and lakes and you have a planner's nightmare. Add to that local residents who subscribe to NIMBY (not in my backyard) and any planner would struggle to make sense of the situation.
Well that is exactly the situation we have here in Stockholm, which is why it has taken Vägverket so long to come up with a solution that will keep everyone happy. On the other hand no one wants to see a continuation of the traffic chaos we have today and some of the busiest intersections would see a drastic reduction in traffic once a solution was put in place.
It was recently reported in the Swedish SvD that Vägverket propose to build the longest tunnel in Sweden - a 16 kilometre tunnel from Kungens kurva to Hjulsta. With a speed limit of 90 km/h it would take a mere 11 minutes from one end to the other - that is from one side of the city to the other! The tunnel would not only protect the recreational areas Lovön and Grimsta Forest but also Lake Mälaren - going 60 metres under the surface of the water, straight through the bedrock. It is estimated to take 8 years to complete.
The proposal is now with the government, awaiting feedback. The group Save Grimsta Forest apparently consider the proposal a victory.
Sweden is not stranger to tunnels with the metro system weaving its way deep beneath the surface of the earth. This proposal does however put tunnel building into a new era in this country with the longest so far being Södra Länken, a mere 3.9km. Our Norwegian neighbours on the other hand have plenty of experience, with their longest tunnel being 25km.
Building a road system in any city built on 24 000 islands has to be a challenge. Throw a whole lot of green space into the equation, along with nature reserves, forests and lakes and you have a planner's nightmare. Add to that local residents who subscribe to NIMBY (not in my backyard) and any planner would struggle to make sense of the situation.
Well that is exactly the situation we have here in Stockholm, which is why it has taken Vägverket so long to come up with a solution that will keep everyone happy. On the other hand no one wants to see a continuation of the traffic chaos we have today and some of the busiest intersections would see a drastic reduction in traffic once a solution was put in place.
It was recently reported in the Swedish SvD that Vägverket propose to build the longest tunnel in Sweden - a 16 kilometre tunnel from Kungens kurva to Hjulsta. With a speed limit of 90 km/h it would take a mere 11 minutes from one end to the other - that is from one side of the city to the other! The tunnel would not only protect the recreational areas Lovön and Grimsta Forest but also Lake Mälaren - going 60 metres under the surface of the water, straight through the bedrock. It is estimated to take 8 years to complete.
The proposal is now with the government, awaiting feedback. The group Save Grimsta Forest apparently consider the proposal a victory.
Sweden is not stranger to tunnels with the metro system weaving its way deep beneath the surface of the earth. This proposal does however put tunnel building into a new era in this country with the longest so far being Södra Länken, a mere 3.9km. Our Norwegian neighbours on the other hand have plenty of experience, with their longest tunnel being 25km.
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Pippi - A Modern Day Role Model
Pippi Longstocking is not everyone's favorite. My older sister remembers her being banned in our household and neither my younger sister nor I knew who she was by the time we reached adulthood.
A few years ago we were watching the Swedish version (compliments of my daughter) and we talked about how controversial she must have been in her day, and how much of a role model she is here in Sweden, even if Astrid never intended it to be that way.
Without doubt you could write an entire paper (or two) about Pippi, about the chicken and the egg theory - did she influence or reflect earlier Swedish attitudes? You could write about her character traits and her attitudes, about her presence in every Swedish child's mind, about women (and men) in Sweden today and their position in the world, in the work place, in society, and in the home. I wonder how many papers out there have been written on Pippi.
And although we have had the 60th Anniversary of Pippi she still continues to influence and to be a role model. Swedish newspaper SvD reported recently on the Swedish Attorney General's letter to her French colleague Rachida Dati. Beatrice Ask's empathy must have been strong for this single mother who refused to name the father of her child and subsequently returned to work just 5 days after giving birth to her daughter. Ask was Minister of Education when she, as a single woman, gave birth to a son, returning to work immediately afterwards.
In her support amidst the controversy and rumors, Ask supposedly wrote: Pippi was an unusually strong and adventuresome girl with a warm heart. I think applies to you both.
Long live Pippi!!
A few years ago we were watching the Swedish version (compliments of my daughter) and we talked about how controversial she must have been in her day, and how much of a role model she is here in Sweden, even if Astrid never intended it to be that way.
Without doubt you could write an entire paper (or two) about Pippi, about the chicken and the egg theory - did she influence or reflect earlier Swedish attitudes? You could write about her character traits and her attitudes, about her presence in every Swedish child's mind, about women (and men) in Sweden today and their position in the world, in the work place, in society, and in the home. I wonder how many papers out there have been written on Pippi.
And although we have had the 60th Anniversary of Pippi she still continues to influence and to be a role model. Swedish newspaper SvD reported recently on the Swedish Attorney General's letter to her French colleague Rachida Dati. Beatrice Ask's empathy must have been strong for this single mother who refused to name the father of her child and subsequently returned to work just 5 days after giving birth to her daughter. Ask was Minister of Education when she, as a single woman, gave birth to a son, returning to work immediately afterwards.
In her support amidst the controversy and rumors, Ask supposedly wrote: Pippi was an unusually strong and adventuresome girl with a warm heart. I think applies to you both.
Long live Pippi!!
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
Things I Love About Sweden - Expat Confessions
There are things I love about life in Sweden, and plenty of things I don't like at all. I often find myself thinking about them - both at home here, at home in Australia and when we are in Canada.
That is the fate of an expat - to compare the way things are, the way they are done, the history, the culture, the way of life. It doesn't mean we don't love the country and culture we come from, or the one we now live in. It doesn't mean we don't get homesick, it doesn't mean we want to stay away forever or alternatively, that we aren't happy living in our new country.
But it does mean we listen, we watch, we observe. We don't take things for granted. We don't accept things just because they are, because they always have been. It also means we have to learn to be tactful, to choose when and where to express our opinions and not to dwell on the negative, the frustrating, the different.
There are tons of things I love about Sweden and I will add to the list, but for starters I'm going to quote two other bloggers-
When daddies take care of kids.
Ten reasons why I am glad I will be in Sweden and not in the USA in 2009.
That is the fate of an expat - to compare the way things are, the way they are done, the history, the culture, the way of life. It doesn't mean we don't love the country and culture we come from, or the one we now live in. It doesn't mean we don't get homesick, it doesn't mean we want to stay away forever or alternatively, that we aren't happy living in our new country.
But it does mean we listen, we watch, we observe. We don't take things for granted. We don't accept things just because they are, because they always have been. It also means we have to learn to be tactful, to choose when and where to express our opinions and not to dwell on the negative, the frustrating, the different.
There are tons of things I love about Sweden and I will add to the list, but for starters I'm going to quote two other bloggers-
When daddies take care of kids.
Ten reasons why I am glad I will be in Sweden and not in the USA in 2009.
Monday, 26 January 2009
Australia Day in Stockholm
While celebrations might be coming to a close at home the day is hardly underway up here in the north. So if you missed the Aussie Footy Federation's do at O'Connells on Saturday night and are looking for somewhere to celebrate our 221st anniversary of white settlement, you have one more chance.
Stockholm's only Australian Bar will be celebrating Australia Day today - and Australians, Expats and Swedes alike are all invited to celebrate. Australian hosts Jo and Nathan will be serving ice cold Australian, local and imported beers all night ensuring you get a taste of that unique Aussie hospitality.
Kick back and listen to the latest Aussie music and old rock classics to celebrate Australia's biggest party day.
Located in Vasastan underneath Bagpipers Inn, the Boomerang Bar has been refurbished and decked out with plush new booths, free pool table, and décor to remind you of the land down under, you're guaranteed to have a great night out amongst the chilled-out beer loving Australians. The fully equipped kitchen serves tasty bar snacks and hearty meals to keep you fuelled all night, and you may find yourself trying some "delicious" Vegemite on toast.
The Boomerang Bar is a home away from home for homesick travellers and Expats, this is also a place where locals love to mingle amongst the English speaking professionals who call Stockholm home. Warm up in the cosy surroundings of the Boomerang Bar and forget about that long lost Aussie Summer.
Australia Day 2009 at Boomerang Bar is sure to be a great night for all those who love Australia.To find your way to Boomerang Bar, please click here for map.
However you spend it - Happy Australia Day 2009!
Sunday, 25 January 2009
A fabulous weekend with an Aussie flavour
filled with friends, laughter, good food and wine!
The plan was to go ice-skating with lunch together either before or after, but the rain, the grey skies and big puddles persuaded us to stay in. It quickly turned into an afternoon at home followed by dinner by the open fire.
Our Aussie-Kiwi-Swedish friends came over Saturday and we were joined by another Aussie friend who rang to see what we were up to. It was a great spontaneous get-together filled with lots of joking around and funny stories.
I threw a side of salmon onto a bed of sea salt, put it into the oven for 20-30 minutes and coupled with salad, rice and a fresh dill, parsley & lemon sauce it was a very simple but delicious meal.
After our red wine and cheese platter we drank coffee and ate little caramel tarts - condensed milk caramel on butter-nut snaps (the Aussies will know what these are all about - YUM, YUM!) The kids watched a movie until ours fell asleep and our friends decided to take their's home to bed. But the night was still young(ish) and the three of us sat talking until we finally kicked our friend out in the wee hours.
With tomorrow being Australia Day I feel like I got my own little celebration with my Aussie friends!
Today more friends rang to say they were coming over and we had lunch together, looked at photos, talked and laughed. Their son is down under at the moment and while we were there we visited with him and his grandmother, who is not too far from my mum. Our other Aussie connection, our adopted family, our good friends - a complement to our Australia Day weekend.
Happy Australia Day tomorrow!
The plan was to go ice-skating with lunch together either before or after, but the rain, the grey skies and big puddles persuaded us to stay in. It quickly turned into an afternoon at home followed by dinner by the open fire.
Our Aussie-Kiwi-Swedish friends came over Saturday and we were joined by another Aussie friend who rang to see what we were up to. It was a great spontaneous get-together filled with lots of joking around and funny stories.
I threw a side of salmon onto a bed of sea salt, put it into the oven for 20-30 minutes and coupled with salad, rice and a fresh dill, parsley & lemon sauce it was a very simple but delicious meal.
After our red wine and cheese platter we drank coffee and ate little caramel tarts - condensed milk caramel on butter-nut snaps (the Aussies will know what these are all about - YUM, YUM!) The kids watched a movie until ours fell asleep and our friends decided to take their's home to bed. But the night was still young(ish) and the three of us sat talking until we finally kicked our friend out in the wee hours.With tomorrow being Australia Day I feel like I got my own little celebration with my Aussie friends!
Today more friends rang to say they were coming over and we had lunch together, looked at photos, talked and laughed. Their son is down under at the moment and while we were there we visited with him and his grandmother, who is not too far from my mum. Our other Aussie connection, our adopted family, our good friends - a complement to our Australia Day weekend.
Happy Australia Day tomorrow!
Swede Runner-Up: Europe's Best Young Entrepreneur
Therese Albrechtson is having no trouble building her brand and is getting plenty of publicity to help her along the way.
Not only nominated but also runner-up for Business Week's Best Young European Entrepreneur 2008 this dynamic Swedish woman founded three companies by the tender young age of 23. While that might be amazing in itself, it is highlighted by the fact that an accident two years ago and a subsequent cerebral hemorrhage put her out of action for 12 months!
Still she managed to make her way back and now spends her days inspiring others.
Not only nominated but also runner-up for Business Week's Best Young European Entrepreneur 2008 this dynamic Swedish woman founded three companies by the tender young age of 23. While that might be amazing in itself, it is highlighted by the fact that an accident two years ago and a subsequent cerebral hemorrhage put her out of action for 12 months!
Still she managed to make her way back and now spends her days inspiring others.
Friday, 23 January 2009
Swedish Geeks' list of 53 new internet services
As the 24hr Business Camp comes to an end the entire list of 53 new internet services is available for your perusal. If you scroll down the live blog you can read (in English thank you very much!) each team's contribution outlining who they are and/or what they have come up with.
There are some great ideas amongst them.
There are some great ideas amongst them.
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Årets företagare - Business Person Of The Year - Stockholm.
While on the subject of business and networks I thought I'd mention Englishmen Jonathan Kirby and Martin Charlton who were awarded Business Person Of The Year 2008 for their Live It Experiences AB.
Their business concept is based on the fact that it is becoming more and more difficult to buy presents for people, so instead of buying someone a thing, you can get them an experience. They have gathered the best experiences Sweden has to offer and when you have chosen, ordered and paid for your gift an attractive Live It box is sent out with photos, booking information and a voucher.
Not only is it a great idea but the award was won by two non-Swedes. Both these guys are love-refugees, married to Swedes, and have been here for 8 and 9 years. Nice to know there is potential for all to be award-winning business people! Well done guys!!! After thier initial start in 2005 they now have 14 employees and have an annual turnover of 40 million SEK - not bad for a couple of English blokes!
Företagarna Stockholms Stad is a part of a national business organisation who present this award each year to a person/people not only for their accomplishments but also because they through their leadership are a good role-model and ambassador for small business people. are able to show extra creativity and are enterprising. They also need to be profitable and the owner/s must be actively running the company (SvD article).
According to the article Stockholm has 50 000 - 60 000 business owners, which makes for quite a few nominations. The winners are now candidates for the title of Swedish Business Person of the Year 2008. I'll hold my thumbs for them (and cross my fingers).
Their business concept is based on the fact that it is becoming more and more difficult to buy presents for people, so instead of buying someone a thing, you can get them an experience. They have gathered the best experiences Sweden has to offer and when you have chosen, ordered and paid for your gift an attractive Live It box is sent out with photos, booking information and a voucher.
Not only is it a great idea but the award was won by two non-Swedes. Both these guys are love-refugees, married to Swedes, and have been here for 8 and 9 years. Nice to know there is potential for all to be award-winning business people! Well done guys!!! After thier initial start in 2005 they now have 14 employees and have an annual turnover of 40 million SEK - not bad for a couple of English blokes!
Företagarna Stockholms Stad is a part of a national business organisation who present this award each year to a person/people not only for their accomplishments but also because they through their leadership are a good role-model and ambassador for small business people. are able to show extra creativity and are enterprising. They also need to be profitable and the owner/s must be actively running the company (SvD article).
According to the article Stockholm has 50 000 - 60 000 business owners, which makes for quite a few nominations. The winners are now candidates for the title of Swedish Business Person of the Year 2008. I'll hold my thumbs for them (and cross my fingers).
Women Entrepreneurs & Networks in Sweden & Stockholm
Went to the Venture Cup Inspiration For Women night last night and was truly inspired. I heard just what I need to hear and picked up a few ideas, some food for thought. The two speakers were Karin, founder of Grooming - Sweden's only grooming company aimed exclusively at men, and Caroline, co-founder of FUNtasi Fabriken whose goal is to bring dance to the people.
It is always interesting and inspiring to listen to others who have started a business and share their experiences - the good and the bad. And with only about 33% of Venture Cup applicants being women the organisation does what it can to encourage more to enter the competition and these women shared their thoughts about the difference between men and women in business.
Karin advised us to be clear in our communication, rather than talk around things as women often do. She also suggested that women are better at building relationships, and that this is something we can benefit from. She then went on to offer three very simple, practical, yet valuable pieces of advice:
There are a ton of business networks and organisations around and while many of them have events aimed exclusively at women, there are also a number of women-only networks around. If you too need inspiration and motivation, want a place to seek advice or companionship or are just curious about what others are up to, check out the following links:
Carpe Competencia - Sweden's biggest network for young academic women.
Driftig - Sweden's biggest online network for women who want to or have started their own business.
Kvinnliga Företagare - online meeting place for women in business.
Shenet - a network for women who want more out of their working life, bringing focus to female stars in business and inspiring others.
Göran - a network for women who want to share experience and advice on how to achieve balance in their personal and professional life.
KvinnorKan - an organisation promoting equal rights, obligations and opportunities for men and women.
It is always interesting and inspiring to listen to others who have started a business and share their experiences - the good and the bad. And with only about 33% of Venture Cup applicants being women the organisation does what it can to encourage more to enter the competition and these women shared their thoughts about the difference between men and women in business.
Karin advised us to be clear in our communication, rather than talk around things as women often do. She also suggested that women are better at building relationships, and that this is something we can benefit from. She then went on to offer three very simple, practical, yet valuable pieces of advice:
- ask questions and opinions and listen to those around you, but most importantly, listen to yourself
- use your own network - talk to the people you know, rather than running around town mingling at different events and building up a very superficial network
- have patience and perserverance. It takes much longer than you think it is going to. Hang in there - it is the same for everyone!
- have plans, long term and short term, but have a long term goal.
- picture a number of potential scenarios right from the beginning and have a plan for how you will deal with them, that way there are no surprises.
There are a ton of business networks and organisations around and while many of them have events aimed exclusively at women, there are also a number of women-only networks around. If you too need inspiration and motivation, want a place to seek advice or companionship or are just curious about what others are up to, check out the following links:
Carpe Competencia - Sweden's biggest network for young academic women.
Driftig - Sweden's biggest online network for women who want to or have started their own business.
Kvinnliga Företagare - online meeting place for women in business.
Shenet - a network for women who want more out of their working life, bringing focus to female stars in business and inspiring others.
Göran - a network for women who want to share experience and advice on how to achieve balance in their personal and professional life.
KvinnorKan - an organisation promoting equal rights, obligations and opportunities for men and women.
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Swedish 24 Hour Business Camp
are the words on everyone's lips at the moment (apart from Obama).
A star-studded list of about 90 guys and gals, divided into 52 teams, are heading out to Hasseludden tonight to spend 24 hours crunching their brains. Each team brings with them a web-based business idea and will spend the 24 hours getting it up and running. At the end of the camp they'll present and hopefully launch their fully working concept.
Amongst them are some of the hottest names in internet-entrepreneurialism, including the founder Ted Valentine, who has a long list of start-ups under his belt. Together they have an even longer list of internet-based services behind them, and in the next couple of days they plan to add another 52!
And the question of everyone's lips is "Why?"
In their own words they say -
To inspire. It has never been so easy to realise a business idea as it is today. All you need is a laptop and an internet connection.
It won't be Ericsson and Volvo who pull Sweden out of the economic crisis that is before us. It will be a large number of small entrepreneurs.
Wise words! Wohoo!!! - GO guys & gals, GO!!
If you want more information check out 24 hour business camp . Keep an eye on their live blog if you want to follow their progress throughout the 24 hours.
It will be very interesting to see what they come up with!!
A star-studded list of about 90 guys and gals, divided into 52 teams, are heading out to Hasseludden tonight to spend 24 hours crunching their brains. Each team brings with them a web-based business idea and will spend the 24 hours getting it up and running. At the end of the camp they'll present and hopefully launch their fully working concept.
Amongst them are some of the hottest names in internet-entrepreneurialism, including the founder Ted Valentine, who has a long list of start-ups under his belt. Together they have an even longer list of internet-based services behind them, and in the next couple of days they plan to add another 52!
And the question of everyone's lips is "Why?"
In their own words they say -
To inspire. It has never been so easy to realise a business idea as it is today. All you need is a laptop and an internet connection.
It won't be Ericsson and Volvo who pull Sweden out of the economic crisis that is before us. It will be a large number of small entrepreneurs.
Wise words! Wohoo!!! - GO guys & gals, GO!!
If you want more information check out 24 hour business camp . Keep an eye on their live blog if you want to follow their progress throughout the 24 hours.
It will be very interesting to see what they come up with!!
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Venture Cup Öst
I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things. We pretty much over the jet-lag and early morning awakenings, the kids are back at daycare, Ty has been back at work almost a week and I'm sitting here saying - where was I?
Thankfully I have a Inspiration Night for Women to go to tomorrow night, put on by Venture Cup Öst. VCÖ is, according to their own website, a business plan competition with the objective to stimulate entrepreneurship and to increase the founding of new companies in the eastern part of Sweden. Anyone with an innovative concept who wants to start a business is welcome to participate in Venture Cup, free of charge.
Just what I need, a little kick-start, enthusiasm and inspiration.
Thankfully I have a Inspiration Night for Women to go to tomorrow night, put on by Venture Cup Öst. VCÖ is, according to their own website, a business plan competition with the objective to stimulate entrepreneurship and to increase the founding of new companies in the eastern part of Sweden. Anyone with an innovative concept who wants to start a business is welcome to participate in Venture Cup, free of charge.
Just what I need, a little kick-start, enthusiasm and inspiration.
Sunday, 18 January 2009
Sunday By The Lake
Last Sunday we were at Lysterfield Lake swimming. It was glorious!
This Sunday we swapped the bathers for the winter gear and walked on the iced-over local lake.
Welcome home to reality!
Still, winter in Sweden is quite magical - but cold!
Lily pads, frozen beneath the surface of the water.
This Sunday we swapped the bathers for the winter gear and walked on the iced-over local lake.
Welcome home to reality!
Still, winter in Sweden is quite magical - but cold!
Lily pads, frozen beneath the surface of the water.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
