Earthquake
I love the Swedish newspapers, they're great - just minutes after the shakes over here it was the big news all over Sweden. People really reads the news regurlarly too. So the distance Sweden-USA isn't that small, while the opposite is pretty big. News doesn't work the same way here.
Anyways my first experience of an earthquake. Hard to describe if it's cool or scary. It's a very strange feeling that the whole house is shaking and that the lamps are swinging, not just a room because of some remodeling or similiar. I felt dizzy and I felt like the house was shaking a long time afterwards. Well we survived! Not a too big deal when none got hurt, even M (my middle hostkid) who's at a camp right next to where it was located is fine.
Goodnight :)
Anyways my first experience of an earthquake. Hard to describe if it's cool or scary. It's a very strange feeling that the whole house is shaking and that the lamps are swinging, not just a room because of some remodeling or similiar. I felt dizzy and I felt like the house was shaking a long time afterwards. Well we survived! Not a too big deal when none got hurt, even M (my middle hostkid) who's at a camp right next to where it was located is fine.
Goodnight :)
Looking forward for the weekend
hahaha Linn is coming soo soo soon, Jippiie, Hurray and I will have my two sweethearts in sunny California at the same time. That I can hang out with Jessie, Jason and Josh doesn't make it worse and that Mikaela might meet us up on the beach. Can it be better, then, of course it's also a kind of sad or I don't want it to be sad. I don't know what to feel but that I will not meet my love for one month and then just for a short short visit :S well I'm down for a great weekend!
Picture from the go-away party
Wonderful times
Today I had my Go-away/Bye-bye party. How can I describe the feeling of that so many of the people I've got close to were gathered for me. That's a proof for me - that they really are my friends. You will always be. You're all so nice and I can't find words for how much I appreciated that you all came today but also that you've been around me during my year to make it the best.
I would also like to thank all of you for the different snacks/appetizers/desserts etc you brought that made the party :) and sorry for the abrupt change of theme :) My hostmum changed it while she was cooking so I had no idea ;) I hope you enjoyed it anyways or at least got a new experience or knowledge.
I had the greatest time, to just hang-out, socialize and eat some food was everything I wanted and I fully enjoyed it. Thanks guys, you're a part of my home here. Stay in touch, I beg you!
I would also like to thank all of you for the different snacks/appetizers/desserts etc you brought that made the party :) and sorry for the abrupt change of theme :) My hostmum changed it while she was cooking so I had no idea ;) I hope you enjoyed it anyways or at least got a new experience or knowledge.
I had the greatest time, to just hang-out, socialize and eat some food was everything I wanted and I fully enjoyed it. Thanks guys, you're a part of my home here. Stay in touch, I beg you!
Highlights
There are two things I want to highlight for this evening:
1. The theme for my yoga class was "Disappoinment for leaving something exceptional"
2. My favorite local thai restaurants owner had got the rumor of that I had a boyfriend from the waitresses, makes me feel as a VIP
Highlights for the day:
1. It was my dad's b-day
2. I watched the animated movie "Meet The Robinsons" over and over again with D
Highlights for the morning:
1. My dear calls me 7.11am and needs me
2. I talked with my grandma for a good while and she thinks Danny is a beautiful guy (expressed with the Finnish word for it)
1. The theme for my yoga class was "Disappoinment for leaving something exceptional"
2. My favorite local thai restaurants owner had got the rumor of that I had a boyfriend from the waitresses, makes me feel as a VIP
Highlights for the day:
1. It was my dad's b-day
2. I watched the animated movie "Meet The Robinsons" over and over again with D
Highlights for the morning:
1. My dear calls me 7.11am and needs me
2. I talked with my grandma for a good while and she thinks Danny is a beautiful guy (expressed with the Finnish word for it)
Am I always going to be moving?
My second home
For all of my life I've felt home at the most places, I dive deep into whatever I do and don't rush to leave it. This is different though. I went here after all of my school was done, I built a life here with all the components you can think of which might make you feel home.
I got a home with siblings and parents. In a cozy, clean and big house. I got to be a part of it and come with initiatives. A big part of the way it's organized now has a touch of me. I got friends, both random, spread out, friends I have a space between and friends who I got really close to. I learned the map of Los Angeles in a way most people don't even know after a whole life here. I used not just the car a lot (the most common transportation) I also moved around as much on the bicycle, on my feet, on the buses (mta,culver city bus,santa monica bus,the bus in OC), subways, the amtrak trains and the greyhound buses. I've been to a big number of restaurant and in many of them they recognize me and threat me extra nicely. I can locate grocery stores, fast food chains, 7-elevens, subways, pinkberrys, starbuck's, coffebeans etc throughout the whole city. I've founded some special local places. I have been a member of a big gym and I still feel they see me - I have loved working out there and to follow their improvements such as I've done at some of the restaurants I've been to. I have got a broad network of people in different businessess as well as Swedish residents/students and au-pairs. I've met people from other countries. I haven't been out much at all, but I still know the clubs you should know the name of and where they are. I have been to AREA. I have had my family over visiting me. I have been travelling all over the state. Soon I have travelled all around the country. I have been shopping. I have been studying at multiple Colleges/Universities. I have been Sofia. Will I ever slow down for real?
I have all this and I'm in love with someone who loves me - why, why do I have to leave this? Tell me someone.
I got a home with siblings and parents. In a cozy, clean and big house. I got to be a part of it and come with initiatives. A big part of the way it's organized now has a touch of me. I got friends, both random, spread out, friends I have a space between and friends who I got really close to. I learned the map of Los Angeles in a way most people don't even know after a whole life here. I used not just the car a lot (the most common transportation) I also moved around as much on the bicycle, on my feet, on the buses (mta,culver city bus,santa monica bus,the bus in OC), subways, the amtrak trains and the greyhound buses. I've been to a big number of restaurant and in many of them they recognize me and threat me extra nicely. I can locate grocery stores, fast food chains, 7-elevens, subways, pinkberrys, starbuck's, coffebeans etc throughout the whole city. I've founded some special local places. I have been a member of a big gym and I still feel they see me - I have loved working out there and to follow their improvements such as I've done at some of the restaurants I've been to. I have got a broad network of people in different businessess as well as Swedish residents/students and au-pairs. I've met people from other countries. I haven't been out much at all, but I still know the clubs you should know the name of and where they are. I have been to AREA. I have had my family over visiting me. I have been travelling all over the state. Soon I have travelled all around the country. I have been shopping. I have been studying at multiple Colleges/Universities. I have been Sofia. Will I ever slow down for real?
I have all this and I'm in love with someone who loves me - why, why do I have to leave this? Tell me someone.
Swimmingpools
Soo much swimmingpools this week mostly in such a nice house up in Hollywood hills/Los Feliz/Griffith Park. I just love that house, taste and creativity is the athmosphere. Big, open and calm.
My wish
I don't wish money neither smartness. I don't want desperation or give ups. What I really wish is interest.
Interest in where I'm from, my own special needs, curiousness in what I think and how, my past, my carrier, my weaknesses such as strenghts, my family, my relatives, my environment, my moods, my habits, my view of life such as my picture of the future and me Sofia..
..and an interest for a life where nothing is impossible or too late. No unnecessary bothering.
Even though I want to live in a big house, wanna have tons of money, wanna have a family - none of that makes sense if I don't make sense. Variation and love is what makes me rich.
Ps. That's also what I'm intrested in when it comes to people who means a lot to me
Interest in where I'm from, my own special needs, curiousness in what I think and how, my past, my carrier, my weaknesses such as strenghts, my family, my relatives, my environment, my moods, my habits, my view of life such as my picture of the future and me Sofia..
..and an interest for a life where nothing is impossible or too late. No unnecessary bothering.
Even though I want to live in a big house, wanna have tons of money, wanna have a family - none of that makes sense if I don't make sense. Variation and love is what makes me rich.
Ps. That's also what I'm intrested in when it comes to people who means a lot to me
Why?
Why does time pass so fast,
when our biggest wish is that it will forever last?!
To not stay was mostly my choice,
but I will always miss hearing your sexy voice.
I will miss having you next to me,
but the memories will always there be.
You taught me what a relationsship is,
and I will always always go back thinking about this.
I appreciate everything you've shared,
your culture, parents and friends which do and have always of you cared.
You, all of you, will as a part of my heart and soul stay,
and I really wish all this could keep going in another way.
Whatever happens I hope that you will be alright,
although we won't be in each other sight.
Devoted to Daniel with love <3
when our biggest wish is that it will forever last?!
To not stay was mostly my choice,
but I will always miss hearing your sexy voice.
I will miss having you next to me,
but the memories will always there be.
You taught me what a relationsship is,
and I will always always go back thinking about this.
I appreciate everything you've shared,
your culture, parents and friends which do and have always of you cared.
You, all of you, will as a part of my heart and soul stay,
and I really wish all this could keep going in another way.
Whatever happens I hope that you will be alright,
although we won't be in each other sight.
Devoted to Daniel with love <3
Mum knows how to talk :D
Hahaha Today I got to talk to mammie, finally after two weeks of contact just through e-mail. Oh my, she had a whole lot to share. Felt like she could analyze and describe every single person and place for an hour. I liked it though but felt that it was a never ending speech. Now I want to go to Finland even more. And to Sweden of course. Can we minimize this world a little bit and have cheap public transportation between all places. That would help soo much, don't you agree folks?
Happy happy happy
After a period of depression I can today exclaim I'm happy, excited and on go again. I look forward for that Linn will be here in two weeks, that I will be back in Sweden soon - to give my mum and dad and sister and dog and cat and relatives, neighbors, friends and everybody else a hug. That I will probably study Finnish at the University of Stockholm, study advanced Physics at "Komvux", work on a cruiseship (Viking Line) and do all I can to get in to the Medical Faculty at the University of Helsinki. Before that I will do a trip for a longer time, somewhere, I don't know where, depends on the circumstances, in the beginning of next year. I will also try to get an internship/sholarship at some University in Finland for the end of next summer through University of Stockholm...I wanna know Finnish properly soo damn badly. Anyways it goes on, I'm excited about things like my welcome home party, to wear winter clothes, jeans, to be in my room, the nature, the archipelago etc etc... To go home feels like going for an exciting trip, feels like I won't be there for so long though. Sweden-trip-Finland-Future.
To meet all the Swedish au-pair I've met here in USA in Sweden will be interesting too...
To meet all the Swedish au-pair I've met here in USA in Sweden will be interesting too...
All around the States
Hi everyone,
Miss Happy is talking. I don't think I have really said much or anything over here that Miss Gaulitz and Miss Nevalainen are going to travel all around the USA. Have I? Anyways that's what we're up to almost the whole month of August. So how are we getting around? Train, babes! OMG it will be so crazy. And I will visit Camp Allen, how weird isn't that? We will actually work there for a day. The food will disgust me though. This is what our trip looks like:
Los Angeles-Santa Ana-Los Angeles-Santa Barbara-San Francisco-Sacramento-Seattle-Chicago-Buffalo-Niagara falls-New York City-Boston-Manchester-Washington D.C-Miami-Orlando-Raleigh-Greensboro-New Orleans-Los Angeles
Quite a trip, isn't it? We're heading off August 5th and coming back to Los Angeles August 29th. The 31st we are both flying back to Sweden, Linn after a month, me after 13 months. I am sooo excited altough I leave a big part of me and a part of my heart here. But who knows when I come back - people who knows me also knows that I do what I feel for :) No doubt!
Miss Happy is talking. I don't think I have really said much or anything over here that Miss Gaulitz and Miss Nevalainen are going to travel all around the USA. Have I? Anyways that's what we're up to almost the whole month of August. So how are we getting around? Train, babes! OMG it will be so crazy. And I will visit Camp Allen, how weird isn't that? We will actually work there for a day. The food will disgust me though. This is what our trip looks like:
Los Angeles-Santa Ana-Los Angeles-Santa Barbara-San Francisco-Sacramento-Seattle-Chicago-Buffalo-Niagara falls-New York City-Boston-Manchester-Washington D.C-Miami-Orlando-Raleigh-Greensboro-New Orleans-Los Angeles
Quite a trip, isn't it? We're heading off August 5th and coming back to Los Angeles August 29th. The 31st we are both flying back to Sweden, Linn after a month, me after 13 months. I am sooo excited altough I leave a big part of me and a part of my heart here. But who knows when I come back - people who knows me also knows that I do what I feel for :) No doubt!
Everything...
...within a range to touch is close
Another weekend
The week went smooth, D was at the French camp I found all week and she learned so much French, I will for sure send my kids there for summercamp. Such an investment for life.
Anyways Friday came fast and Jennifer and I had a dinner at Sizzlers and a great bicycle ride around all of Beverly Hills. Quality time, some great conversations and girl talk - you're great girlie :)
And then it was Saturday. My love drove up here and after some cuddeling time we headed to Venice. Twenty-five bucks for parking, no way - we were lucky since honey found a parking spot on one of the side street for free. So we walked from there to the beach and met up Josh and Jason around Muscle beach. After a little while Jason had to leave for work and since Jason went with him, me and Daniel could walk all of the boardwalk to the very end and then walk back on the beach. Barefoot, with the waves breaking next to us. The sun was shining as always. Honey made sure I got to see some tiny cute sand crabs and told me about the waves. Good relaxing lovely times.
For the night we were going to a b-party @ Ida's. So before we went there we passed by Beverly center for some shopping and sushi giftcard buying. I got to show H&M and Danny was amazed of the modern super trendy mall. It's so amazing how you together with somebody else can see everything from different angles. So the time was already passed six when we headed to my place (the party was supposed to start at six) and I called Jennifer & Mikaela. We decided to all meet up at my house and then go there together. Full house, full room while I tried to pack some stuff for Sunday and the night at Danny's. My super girlie girls and Daniel. When we finally arrive, late we're still a kind of the first there..hehe "Americans" or maybe the Californian style. I don't know. Some people here are actually very good with the time too. A sweet party even though my honey probably felt lost with all the Swedish people, cakes and songs. Out of his element was what he said, didn't you honey? Cool mix of people though. I had a good time. After the cake and singing we had to leave though. We were both super tired and needed some sleep.
Sunday, cleaning and some household things before we went to this traditional OC Fair, a great event. Josh went with us and we had a good time - didn't we guys? I really appreciate how all people here share all the events with me - everyone's so nice to me. After the fair I had a hard time to keep my tears away, soon the weekends with you Daniel are over and it's just too soon. For every weekend, for every hard time we have we get closer and then the stupid time is going to stop it all. It's not fair. It's unfair. I will need support when I get back home. Be there for me, I beg you guys.
Later on the same day, today Sunday, I picked up my hostmum at the busstation and I drove a Swedish guy Simon to Westwood at the same time I got to be a guide of Los Angeles. Was nice to have a break from all these deep thoughts, even if they never disappear fully. He's coming over to dinner this week too.
Well the only thing I want now is to be with Daniel, and to spend all week with him in Oxnard. Good what am I going to do next. The following week gotta be all about working out, planning and keeping myself busy and creative.
Anyways Friday came fast and Jennifer and I had a dinner at Sizzlers and a great bicycle ride around all of Beverly Hills. Quality time, some great conversations and girl talk - you're great girlie :)
And then it was Saturday. My love drove up here and after some cuddeling time we headed to Venice. Twenty-five bucks for parking, no way - we were lucky since honey found a parking spot on one of the side street for free. So we walked from there to the beach and met up Josh and Jason around Muscle beach. After a little while Jason had to leave for work and since Jason went with him, me and Daniel could walk all of the boardwalk to the very end and then walk back on the beach. Barefoot, with the waves breaking next to us. The sun was shining as always. Honey made sure I got to see some tiny cute sand crabs and told me about the waves. Good relaxing lovely times.
For the night we were going to a b-party @ Ida's. So before we went there we passed by Beverly center for some shopping and sushi giftcard buying. I got to show H&M and Danny was amazed of the modern super trendy mall. It's so amazing how you together with somebody else can see everything from different angles. So the time was already passed six when we headed to my place (the party was supposed to start at six) and I called Jennifer & Mikaela. We decided to all meet up at my house and then go there together. Full house, full room while I tried to pack some stuff for Sunday and the night at Danny's. My super girlie girls and Daniel. When we finally arrive, late we're still a kind of the first there..hehe "Americans" or maybe the Californian style. I don't know. Some people here are actually very good with the time too. A sweet party even though my honey probably felt lost with all the Swedish people, cakes and songs. Out of his element was what he said, didn't you honey? Cool mix of people though. I had a good time. After the cake and singing we had to leave though. We were both super tired and needed some sleep.
Sunday, cleaning and some household things before we went to this traditional OC Fair, a great event. Josh went with us and we had a good time - didn't we guys? I really appreciate how all people here share all the events with me - everyone's so nice to me. After the fair I had a hard time to keep my tears away, soon the weekends with you Daniel are over and it's just too soon. For every weekend, for every hard time we have we get closer and then the stupid time is going to stop it all. It's not fair. It's unfair. I will need support when I get back home. Be there for me, I beg you guys.
Later on the same day, today Sunday, I picked up my hostmum at the busstation and I drove a Swedish guy Simon to Westwood at the same time I got to be a guide of Los Angeles. Was nice to have a break from all these deep thoughts, even if they never disappear fully. He's coming over to dinner this week too.
Well the only thing I want now is to be with Daniel, and to spend all week with him in Oxnard. Good what am I going to do next. The following week gotta be all about working out, planning and keeping myself busy and creative.
Another days down there
After 4th of July everything was somehow confusing and not that good but everything felt better being with Daniel's mum and her guy @ their place. Chill by the pool, barbeque and a private baseball lesson. I could never had believed that I could start to like it. Now I do. I got it.
Sundat, after a somehow strange night we woke up and went for a nice breakfast @ Ruby's with Danny's mum and Erin to from there head Spectrum to meet up a girl who had sold 4 angels game tickets to Jessie and Jason. We got the tickets (four for ten bucks, such a bargain!) Then we went to D's condo, got changed, went to Jason's place and after that headed Angels stadium in Anaheim where I got to for the first time enjoy a baseball game. The greatest day was it.
Next weekend Danny is coming up here and we might hang out in Venice and on Saturday night go to Ida's 25th B-party. So much fun :) The rest of the week might be pretty good to, hopefully I will not let myself down cause it's getting closer to August. I want to enjoy the rest of my time..
How are you back home - coming to my Welcome home party the night of September 1st?
/Sofia
Sundat, after a somehow strange night we woke up and went for a nice breakfast @ Ruby's with Danny's mum and Erin to from there head Spectrum to meet up a girl who had sold 4 angels game tickets to Jessie and Jason. We got the tickets (four for ten bucks, such a bargain!) Then we went to D's condo, got changed, went to Jason's place and after that headed Angels stadium in Anaheim where I got to for the first time enjoy a baseball game. The greatest day was it.
Next weekend Danny is coming up here and we might hang out in Venice and on Saturday night go to Ida's 25th B-party. So much fun :) The rest of the week might be pretty good to, hopefully I will not let myself down cause it's getting closer to August. I want to enjoy the rest of my time..
How are you back home - coming to my Welcome home party the night of September 1st?
/Sofia
Barbeque
Since I got 4th of July off I headed down to Santa Ana ASAP after a great day with D, how many times do I need to tell everybody that she is the best. She makes my days. Even though she was a bad girl the day before she's just wonderful, super special, mature and soo unbelievable. I found myself realize how creative she is, she's singing all the time which makes you get used to it, but that day (Thursday), I really listened and understood that she, a six year old girl, makes up these incredible lyrics. They're rhyming, they have a read thread and they're inspired of all impressions with an amazing combination of words I didn't even know she'd heard. Her fantasy is beyond everything.
So anyways Thursday, I got off, stressed, ran, waited for the bus and finally raced up to the train track and got there 5.10pm, exactly when the train was supposed to leave to recieve the information of that the train was delayed. My hostma called, there had been an accident and people had got hurt. Next train was going to be first 5.45pm, then 6.30pm and then they put 7pm. And tons of people. But who's not such an angel? Daniel comes and picks me up and I get away from the train station, so appreciated. So we went down to his condo, took showers and then headed a barbeque at Jason place. Such a good time or some little drama, but maybe that's what we need sometimes? We stayed over night, went to Josh's and Jessie's and picked Josh up, went to Danny's and then to a fourth of July church fair with Danny's dad and his wife. Then we headed back to Josh's for forth of July Jippi. A long day of party, chilling out, more alcohol, fireworks, another party, drama, coach, Danny's, wake up, hanging out at Josh's again.
Newport is soo nice, but when you're really there, with people who lives there you get to now the bad sides too - it's not always the dream...as long as you're not super rich. So hard to afford the living. It's hard to tell how bad everything in California everything is for millions of people right now.
Crazy times
My updating is not the best folks..
However, I really want everybody to know that I'm doing well. I'm diving deeper into my life here, I guess that's stupid but for every day now I get more attached to everything here and sometimes it's hard, super hard to find a reason for leaving. I have a great life here with job, "family", Danny, things to do, gym membership, bank account, phone, an adress and so on. I like it, I love it. It wouldn't be too hard to find a job either.. what's back home?
I know what's back home. My dear family, my wonderful friends, a nice and clean city, lovely beautiful Stockholm, my phone, my bank account, my beloved World Class membership, job at a cruise ship, studies and my home.
I really want both, I want to stay with Daniel - or honey, can I bring you with me? I have my home here, I have my home in Stockholm and my plan is to move to Finland for six years. Am I crazy or what, at least I will be. Hanna give me advice, how's home home? How do I deal with it?
However, I really want everybody to know that I'm doing well. I'm diving deeper into my life here, I guess that's stupid but for every day now I get more attached to everything here and sometimes it's hard, super hard to find a reason for leaving. I have a great life here with job, "family", Danny, things to do, gym membership, bank account, phone, an adress and so on. I like it, I love it. It wouldn't be too hard to find a job either.. what's back home?
I know what's back home. My dear family, my wonderful friends, a nice and clean city, lovely beautiful Stockholm, my phone, my bank account, my beloved World Class membership, job at a cruise ship, studies and my home.
I really want both, I want to stay with Daniel - or honey, can I bring you with me? I have my home here, I have my home in Stockholm and my plan is to move to Finland for six years. Am I crazy or what, at least I will be. Hanna give me advice, how's home home? How do I deal with it?
