... Celebrating Christmas and getting ready to leave!

Happy Christmas all!

Yes, I know its rather late, but I have been rather busy doing the whole family thing and packing and sorting everything out for my big move to Sweden on Friday...yes, 2 days left!
Christmas in my household is always a really fun occasion, I have a pretyy big family and we all go round to my parents for a Christmas lunch and general day of family activities. So this year there was 9 of us for lunch (me, Mum, Dad, big sister, brother in law, 4 year old nephew, big brother, his wife and my little sister) which was very nice indeed! I really do enjoy a good roast with all the English trimmings...I think that is one thing I will miss in Sweden, so I guess I will just have to learn to cook my own properly. :)

Christmas day always seems better when there are kids involved in some way, so having my 4 year old nephew there really adds a sparkle to the day..present opening is much better when they just love everything, no matter what it is!

Here he is looking rather evil...he isn't really!

We don't really do lots of presents in my family, we instead by a gift for one person for a set cost (names pulled out of hat, which is much more complicated then it seems when couples aren't allowed to get each other...) and put the rest of the money we would have spent towards buying things for 3rd world countries...like pigs, a well, some trees...you get the idea. I really like this idea, feels much more like what I think Christmas should be. I also don't really need presents, I am the type of guy that buys things when I want them, so trying to come up with a Christmas list is hard!

Last night I went out for the birthday of one of my Uni mates (Happy Birthday Finky) and had a very merry night...

This was after we had been to Ali's for a few, then to the pub to watch the football (I am English, so REAL football...) and this was on the way to the Chinese take away. I do have to say thank you to the lady who owns the Chinese, as she let us in even though they had just closed.. so thank you lady!

I have also been trying to sort out all of my personal things for moving to Sweden on Friday...and think I have done quite well really. I have spoken to my phone company, bank, car insurance, phone insurance (I didnt even know I had it until I looked!) and a whole number of other people, and think I am now ready for Friday...other then I still haven't finalised what I am taking with me now, and what is being couriered. Things also keep adding themselves to the list to be taken, I now have a few bottles of spirits to come and keep me company for the first few nights while I await and build my IKEA furniture :)

But its getting very close now, and is finally starting to feel like I am leaving. But in a good way...I haven't got all sad yet, but I am sure that will come soon enough!

Things I have learnt this week :
Christmas is much more special when there is a child around
Planning a big move is harder then anticipated
I have lots of really good friends who I am going to miss very much

Oh, and I also met a Princess recently, that I have to say hello to :)

... ill

So this was my last week working in my current job...so what did I do? Spent most of it ill in bed! Now normally you would think that this is maybe a good thing...but I actually wanted to work this week! I flew down to Southampton on Monday, and felt a little poorly with flu like symptoms, but thought I would just sleep it of...but no. So I spent the next day in bed...and then Wednesday I got sent home as I was just getting worse, and there is not much worse then being ill in a hotel room all on your own.
So I missed my goodbye drinks in Southampton, I missed my London office Christmas party which would have been my last chance to say goodbye to lots of my work colleagues, and I missed my night out in Sheffield on Friday too, as I still was not good. So all in all a very very poor week!
On the plus side though, I have now finished...and can honestly say it is a nice feeling not knowing when I will next work a day in the UK. I will of course miss all my work mates, but I am really looking forward to a new challenge...and one that I think I will be very very good at.
So this week coming...its Christmas! I only have a little Christmas shopping to do, so that shouldn't take too long at all.
In my family we don't do big presents for everyone...we do a draw of names, and just buy 1 person something for around £30, and the rest of the money we would have spent we spend buying pigs and trees and water for third world countries. I actually really like doing this! I am the kinda guy who buys what I want when I see it...so I generally don't have a very big wish list at all at Christmas, so I really don't mind not getting things I wouldn't use anyway.
This year I am expecting some cookbooks and bits and bobs like that for my pressie...I need to be able to survive on more then my basic knowledge once I get to Sweden. (although I do make a VERY good lasagne with chillies!)
I have also decided I really need to start the tidying and sorting and packing process...mainly so I know what I want to take! I know there is not lots...my clothes, TV, PS3, Golf clubs..but I am now thinking of buying the basic things I will need there too...like toothpaste and spare hair gel..not because I don't think they will have it, I think I will just feel better knowing I have a supply in case I don't like what I do find.

Things I have learnt this week:
Being ill in a hotel is really really boring
Always make the most of the opportunities you do have with people...you never know when the next one may be
I really really don't want to have to sell my car as it has special memories attached to it too

... back in the UK...and cold!

Well first of all I will warn you...this blog will have nothing really to do with Sweden at all!
I have been back in the UK and working in Southampton for the last 2 weeks (hence not much blog action!) and its been REALLY cold! Well ok, not as cold as probably most parts of Sweden and several other places round the world...but I am English, and we aren't used to this! Plus we complain a lot...so its my turn :P
I think its been made worse because I have been working on a new store build...which is basically a construction site so there is no heating at all, and all day we are working in a cold building.
However, I have actually had a really fun couple of weeks! The team that I work with on the store builds are a really good bunch, and we generally have a very good time. I have eaten really badly though, and have put on weight even in just 2 weeks...plus it is Christmas soon so I will no doubt just be eating badly for a few weeks to come too!
So I have 1 more week of working in Southampton, and then that is me done in the UK! Wow...scary. 3 days of work to go...
Got lots of leaving do's this weekend too...Wednesday, Thursday friday and Sunday nights are all full of them...good job I have next week to sleep!

Things I have learnt this week:
Life goes very quickly
Whenever you decide to leave somewhere, you find a reason to not...

... picking an appartment, and then getting to know my job

Hej,

Well I have picked an apartment, and went for the one with a balcony :)
Now I just have to plan what furniture to buy in order to make it look like I want it...why is it so hard to get your imagination down on paper??

A bit of advice for anyone wanting to come to live in Helsingborg (or I guess Sweden anywhere...) have a good look around! I viewed lots of different places, all different sizes, shapes..some with furniture some without. But with this one it just felt different, I could see my self living there. So I had a good walk around the neighbourhood and checked to see what I thought of that too..and it was a combination of it all that got me. It isn't the biggest, it isn't the cheapest, but its the one that makes me want to live there.

Also this week I have been spending more time getting to know the guys in my new job, and trying to learn more about the job itself. And have had a really fun time! Been for a few beers with some people I think will become good friends, and had a really fun team night out...which is always important! Shows we work well together in and out of the office.

I actually got so into the job and the place that I was a bit sad to come home, even if it is only for a month! There are so many ideas I want to try and things I want to learn that I was kinda looking forward to just getting started with it. Oh well, gives me more time to think about it. I guess.

So at the moment I am in Southampton, helping build a new store...and its freezing! It actually feels colder then it did in Sweden when it was snowing! Crazy English weather!

So anyway...what I have learnt this week :
I am really looking forward to decorating (and I never thought I would say that!)
Southampton can be colder then Sweden
I often forget to blog..! lol

... looking for apartments

Hej (hello from Sweden)
Its about time I started blogging from Sweden I guess, as this blog is meant to be about Sweden! So I got here on Monday, and had my first piece of 'wow-ness' on the train...I asked the guy next to me if he was from Malmo as I wanted to know if the train I was on was going to Helsingborg or stopping...and it ends up that he was actually from Helsingborg...and gave me some really good advice, and knowledge...and a business card so I can get in contact for a beer or something. Wow.

I also have been at my new work this week, getting to know the people I will be working with and getting to know as much as possible about my job. Its been really good!

Also been having a good look around Helsingborg, and liking it more and more all the time. Well, apart from the cold, the wind and the rain. Whoever it was who told me Sweden isn't very windy was lying..bigtime! But today has had some sun, so its not all bad.

Anyway...appartments. I have had a look around a few now, and have narrowed it down to 2..wierdly across the road from each other! But I am having a hard time deciding...so please please add your opinion!
First one:
1 medium/large bedroom, pretty big dining room, large lounge (TV room, den..whatever you want to call it) Kitchen is ok, not massive, and not new.
Second one:
1 small bedroom (double bed, and a wardrobe or two...thats about it!) 1 medium bedroom, kitchen is brand new and has enough space for a 6 person dining table. Lounge is a little thinner, but a little longer then the other one. Oh, and it has a balcony :)

Its hard to decide! I want the 2nd bedroom for when people stay, so they can feel like they have there own space and not just living in my lounge...and I like the balcony...but the 1st one is really nice too!
So I need opinions please...how important is it to have your own space when you go to visit someone for a few days??

Anyway...what have I learnt this week:
My job is going to be lots of fun
My job is going to be lots of hard work
Flat choosing is hard
I love Helsingborg

... trying to say goodbye

Well I now have 3 full days left in the UK...now that is scary! I haven't even decided what exactly I am taking yet. How is that for organised??
I blame all my friends though, as they have taken up my 'free' time making me say goodbye and making sure I have a few drinks...how rude! But its been good fun.

My friends Ali and Paddy have also been trying to make me promise that I would sign up for W.O.W. when I get to Sweden..and after playing it in a somewhat hazy state for a good few hours this weekend I relented and said I would...its actually quite good once you get started!

I also have to give a mention to the very good night I had in London last night...thanks Chris and Roland for intorducing me to Lowlands and the Porterhouse, both of which serve a very good selection of ales and beers that you wont find many other places...I actually had my first Strawberry beer! Not so much beer...but very sweet and very very nice. 1 pint was enough though...

So this weekend is also going to be very full...tonight I have a Poker night with the guys from my old work, Friday I am going for leaving drinks with people from the Ashton branch of my new work, Saturday I am round at a friend from Uni's new house for a goodbye night with my uni friends and Sunday I am having some sort of family thing. So all in all not a lot of time to organise myself!

Also this week I have been looking at my personality profile, and other clever things that will hopefully enable me to be a better manger/co-ordinator and also just give me confirmation of what I am good at, and what I need to watch out for.... turns out I am an ENFP ... if you are interested (its quite good!) you can do your own here : http://www.careerfulfillment.com/questionnaire/questionnaire.htm
And once you have done it, this site gives a more in depth description : http://www.personalitypage.com/portraits.html

Its wierdly accurate...but I guess thats the point!

So what have I learnt this week:
I like strawberry beer
I don't plan enough in advance
I have lots of very good friends that I am gonna miss (so you better all come visit!)

... celebrating a British F1 Champion

Its happened...and about flippin time too. We Brits have managed to churn out another world champion...and this time its with a British team too.
Well done Lewis, although in the end it was a bit too close for comfort. I was sat at home comfortably awaiting an easy afternoon of Mr Hamilton plodding around nice and easy in 4th place...yeah right. My heart was pounding by the end of it, and on the last lap I was pretty much ready to throw my remote at the TV. But he got there in the end. Well done.

So now we just have to wait and see whats going to happen with all the new regulations next year....lets just hope it is and exciting as this year has been.
Feels weird thinking that I will be watching the races next year in my own house in Sweden...hmmm. At least I won't be competing for the remote!

... trying to translate Irish

Amongst trying to sort out when I will be moving to Helsingborg, I have also been having to get on with my current job, and so had the great pleasure of going to Dublin for the week. How lovely...I thought!

Firstly, my flight last Monday was at 7:55am, so after a rude awakening at 5:30 by the alarm I waited for a LONG time for my taxi (it broke down) and ended up getting to the airport at 7:15am. I ran to the gate, and was very politely told that they had stopped check in at 7:10. Bum.

So I then started one of the strangest Mondays I have had for a long time... 6 hours in Arrivals (the only place that sold tea(6 cups)) 2 hours in departure lounge, an hour or so VERY bumpy flight to Dublin, a 10 minute Taxi ride that cost 20Euro, and an arrival at my Hotel. All in all a pretty shoddy work day.

I have to say that Dublin was not all that impressive. Yeah, it was quite pretty in places, but not somewhere I personally would want to live. However, I was very impressed by the local ladies, the combination of the Irish accent and very friendly personalities...ideal!

Oh, while I think about it, did you know that you don’t need to pass your test to drive in Ireland?? I didn't...until after I had had a few lifts with a very cute girl who then told me. Strange.

Anyway, I did my work in the Dublin store all week, and then went to fly home on the Friday. Well, when I say home, I was going to visit my Grandpa and Auntie, Uncle and 2 cousins in Kent, so I was flying to London City. However, there was a bomb scare, so I ended up going to Southend airport and having to drive from there! Oh well, at least I can tick another place of my list of places I don't really want to visit.
But I did have a very nice weekend, and it was really nice to spend time with everyone.

It was also my big sisters birthday this week, and my 4 year old nephews birthday last week, so we had a family meal on Tuesday, which was very nice indeed. But no jelly and ice cream....very disappointing.

Sheesh, I really need to learn to keep these blogs shorter, or no-one will read them!

So...Helsingborg! I have sorted a date...I start on the 17th November! It is rather complicated though, as I am doing 2 weeks in Sweden, then coming back to the UK for December to help with some projects I have been overseeing, and then start officially on the 1st Jan in the new job and hopefully new flat.

So things I have learnt this week:
Always leave lots of time to check in before a flight
You can drive without a licence in Ireland
There are lots of cute brunettes in Dublin
I only have 17 more days of really living in the UK!

... accepting a new job!

So its finally official, I have accepted a job in Helsingborg, Sweden. So all I need to do now is negotiate a starting date, hand in my notice and leave!
Unfortunately, its not quite that simple...! My current job have asked my new boss (I am staying within the same company, just moving abroad) if I can stay long enough to finish some of the projects I have been doing, but obviously my new boss wants me to start as soon as possible...oh the fun of negotiation!
At the moment it looks like I might end up going to Sweden for 3/4 weeks, and then coming back for a few weeks and Christmas, and officially starting the new job in January. Ah well, I guess things will work out right in the end.
On top of this I keep thinking of other things I need to do before I leave....
1. Sell my car (Honda S2000 anybody??)
2. Sell my TV (39" LCD anybody??)
3. Go to my bank and have a talk about keeping an English account open, and transferring all my money to Sweden once I have an account there
4. Try and fit in enough leaving do's and drinks that I can see everyone I want to before I go
...and the list just keeps growing!

One nice thing about preparing to leave is how many people tell you that they will miss you...and as of now I haven't had anyone saying that they wont (no, now is not a good time to start thanks!) Its strange how you don't really think about all the people and things involved in your life until you decide to change it....

So the plan for the blog:
I hope to write in here quite often, and keep anyone that is interested up to date on my plans and happenings, partly because I am lazy and it saves telling everyone individually, but also because I hope that this will be at least partly useful to other people who want to move to Helsingborg/Sweden/generally abroad. I can't guarantee that it will be of any use at all of course, but I can try.
So if you want to know anything, or want more detail on anything, just let me know, and I will try my best to accommodate :)

I guess as time goes by you will learn more about me (those of you that don't know far too much already!) but I guess its probably a good time to start the process...

I am a 27 year old from Stalybridge, a smallish town about 6 miles east of Manchester in the UK, and I work in IT for a pretty well known Swedish furniture company. I am not however a typical Manc, I was born in Chester, moved to Saudi Arabia when I was about 6 months old, moved to Hong Kong when I was about 2, and then moved back to the UK when I was about 11... so my childhood and schooling are not all that common! I think I can safely blame part of what I have decided to do on that background, I am getting itchy feet from staying in the same place for so long, and know just how big and different this world is, and want to experience some other parts of it!
Why Sweden?? Well...I guess that Sweden was kinda a default for me, if I wanted to stay with my company (which I did) Its the headquarters really, and the best place for me to progress my career, and hopefully develop me as well! Plus I have always liked the idea of that part of Europe...I find it really pretty and like the laid back lifestyle. Not sure how well I will cope with the cold, but at least I am in the very South of Sweden so its about as good as I am going to get really! Oh, and I also really like ski-ing, so it makes sense to move to a country where I can do that...often!
Why now?? I think I have just got to a part of my life where I am ready...I finished my degree in IT a few years ago, and have built up a good knowledge base in the jobs I have done since. I have also come to realise I think I am best suited to be in some sort of management role, and there aren't that many opportunities for them in the IT structure of my company in the UK. Its been a very hard decision really, I know I will miss my friends and family, and one of the hardest things has been knowing that I will miss a lot of my nephews growing up. But I think I have grown up enough now (finally) to be able to cope with it, and start a new life in Sweden. Don't ask how I know...it just feels right. It also helps that I am single, and don't have all that many worldly possessions to tie me down...I only have to think about me when making my decisions.

I don't even have a house yet, but I am going to use this as the first of many times that I extend a pretty much open invitation to visit (provided I do actually know you....!) I plan on getting a house big enough to accommodate a few visitors at once, so if you do fancy a visit to Sweden, just let me know when you want to come!

So what have I learnt this week...
You don't always know what you have until you decide to leave it
I am capable of making hard decisions
I put far too many exclamation marks in my sentences!