Thursday 20 November 2008

... 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

Thursday 13 November 2008

... 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!)

Sunday 2 November 2008

... 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!