Sowing Stuff July 24, 2009

So, I unpacked my mum’s old sowing machine. I’ve cleaned it up and gone through the manual with it. I am completely fascinated by all the stuff that can be done with it!

All the stuff it's supposed to hold....

...And there's the stuff it does hold

Ok, so the reverse button is stuck (which I thought I’d try to fix that today) and the “tool box” looks mysteriously empty (which I’m gonna raid the summer house for when I get there next weekend), but so far, it’s all very cool. I really like the fact that it’s my mum’s old sowing machine although I can’t imagine she used it very much!

My brains going into high drive for all the clothes I can finally fix and all the half-interesting things I could give my own Maina touch to as well making things I’ve seen in stores that I love but as I have the opposite body shape as the apparent norm, I can’t wear. (Yes, there’s a risk I’ll end up looking like a hippy) The great stuff it’s all relatively easy stuff… at least it seems like it. My point is… I can’t wait to get started.

The fact that I got about 2000kr more this month than I thought I would, makes it possible for me to put a little money into getting the stuff I want. *awesome*

First of all though, I’m off to jog of the very tasty moose kebab with and deep fried camembert cheese I had last night. (Helsingborgs festival kicked off yesterday). Yay for all the gross sounding yet so yummy foods that gather during this period!  (I thought I’d try and find a crêpe stand that might try and make my very strange cheese and chocolate crêpe.)

Sweet fascinated kisses to the lot of you!

Bounce! July 16, 2009

I don’t know why I’m so tired all the time but atleast I’m getting things done again. Granted, I slept until 11.30 (went to sleep aroung 00.00) but have washed clothes, gone training, made myself a nice healthy lunch and fixed my train tickets that I initially thought I’d lost. I’ve also started a training diary of sorts to keep track of my weight and size so to say. I bought a measuring tape a while back because I felt that just weighing myself is a crap way of keeping track of my fitness, so this is going to be interesting. I am going to get skinny one day. I promise myself that. (Can you tell I got my bounce back? )

Not too bad for about 4 hours I feel. I made myself a little list of things I wanted to get done last night before going to bed, I think that helped. Apparantly I need a list of the things I’ve thought about doing to remind myself of the things I can do before I get bored (not just the boring stuff). On this list I’ve written everything, from the little things that take about 2 sec to do, to the bigger projects that I’ve been thinking about and hopefully can become a hobby. So much to do! Now I just have to train myself into thinking that it’s fun to do stuff all the time, instead of thinking of them as more boring than wasting away in front of the computer watching series all day (I mean, what was the point of getting rid of the tv?)

Well, I’ve got some stuff to look forward to none the less.  A friend’s coming by on friday before he moves back up to Stockholm, The Bear and I are watching a comedy show on monday, and the festival’s in full swing next weekend. Next weekend I also finally get some cash inflow which’ll be much appreciate for my dried out economical well. Yay for the end of the month!

It’s funny though, I’m torn between wanting september to come along so I can get started with school because that automatically gives me something to do, getting a driving licence, and having more money (government loan plus extra job has that effect). On the other hand, I really don’t want summer to end because I hate the winter, or atleast, that’s how it feels now.

Oh crap, I’m of to work!

Kisses to all!

Stupidity June 27, 2009

Seriously, the more I read the newspaper, the more I think that people in general, are very stupid. I’m not classing myself as highly intellectual, or even higher than average, but come on…

Maybe I’m just having a bad and irritative day, had a bad start of the day after all.

On a positiv aspect I can now apparantly run 3 km without getting a heart attack.  Althought this is on a running machine, I have a feeling it’s a little easier to do 3 km on one of those than free style.

Kisses to all.

Legalising “drugs” June 27, 2009

I just read an article on hd again that made me want to have a discussion with the writer. For the non-swedish readers, it’s basically a politician worried that denmark has “given up” in the question of canabis use and therefor legalising it.

Ok, first of all, he never brings up why it’s a social problem, and thus why we should worry. I mean, we’ve all learnt that cannabis drugs and that drugs are bad. But why?? Alcohol is worse for us than canabis and yet alcohol is legal. Some scientists even compare the addictiveness of canabis to coffee. I myself used to be a regular user and decided after a few years of usage that I was over-using it and quit.

Ok, your argument here could be, “well if it isn’t dangerous, why’d you quit?”. I’m sorry to say that that argument just doesn’t cut it. I decided to quit tv because I’d started “using” it too often, shall we make tv’s illegal? (tv is btw harder to quit than canabis) How about coffee which is something I try to stay away from because I don’t like the effect it has on me. Or the classic one: alcohol? …The addictiveness of which is by the way compared to cocaine.

Just like with alcohol it’s something most people grow out of as lifes responsibilties catches up with us and the ones who don’t grow out of it, wouldn’t have been effected by a little law none the less. Most people, believe it or not, actually have a sense of responsibility, and as “drugs” like canabis aren’t physically addictive the way so many drugs like even alcohol are, I just don’t see the point.

I’m not sure myself where I stand in te debate of legalising canabis but articles like this make me so tired. Tired of arguments based on ignorance. And tired of the idea that society has to  be protected from itself. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Society is like a kid. The harder you hold on to it, the more it’s going to rebel, and the more incapable the kid is going to be in taking care of itself. After all, why should it take any responsibility when it’s got its authorities to rely on to take over its responsibilities?

Cheers

Music and Growth June 23, 2009

Funny how ones taste in music can change to such extremes while growing up. 

The first stuff I listened to was bad stuff like all 4 one, mariah carey, mc hammer.

A few years later i was into hard stuff like pantera, nine inch nails, marylin manson, korn.

Now, almost 10 years later it’s mellowed and although I still like most blasts from the past, I also find myself listening to things like empire of the sun.

For so long I’ve been embarassed to share my taste of music, but here in Helsingborg I’ve found people who respect my, both good and bad, taste in music. I remember having so much respect for my mum for liking everything between tool and take that, because she just didn’t give a damn what people thought. 

…And if there’s one thing I like about the Bear it’s that he’s got that same quality, and it’s rubbed of on me, and it’s such a relief! After all, isn’t music supposed to be personal? How can it be personal if it defines an image? Personally, I think sticking within the frames of an image isnt flexible enough to keep up with the dynamics of personality.

I’d rather have a personality than an image, but that’s just me, and I’m glad to be free of my self-made frames.

Kisses to all.

My High Horse June 19, 2009

An article in the newspaper (HD) a couple of days ago gave me proof of why 1) I left the ideologies of social democratic party behind me and 2) why I’m so glad that we have the party(ies) in power that we do. What the article was about? A couple complaining about how unfair the welfare system is now days because they weren’t compensated for everything that was in their robbed storage room. One example of the unfairness was that they weren’t compensated for their winter boots, because winter boots were apparently considered a luxury. Aw. Poor baby.

Ok, I’ll try not to be patronising because yes, it must be a horrible thing to have all your things in the storage room stolen from you and winter boots are good to have, but it’s not like Helsingborg is known for their hardcore winters, and I’ve survived many a winters without winter boots, even further up north. My conclusion after reading the article? Yes, winter boots are a luxury… and no, I don’t feel sorry for you. 

I’m so tired of a government that’s enabled people to complain because things aren’t’ just given to them. Before I get a bunch of angry comments about how people who need help, should get it. Yes, I agree, they should, but the way the system has looked for very long now, (which I know the party in power now is trying to change) is that if you knew how, the government could be used to live quite comfortably without having to work for a dime of it. My proof? An old acquaintance who admittedly worked hard to not have to work, and thus got more money than I ever did working my ass of for a low paying job. How on earth is that supposed to make people want to work?

Ok, I got a little of subject. I just mean to say that why oh why, should my tax money pay for a pair of (not that necessary) winter boots for a couple when I don’t even have the money to pay for a pair myself? Get a grip.

London June 9, 2009

I have, without a doubt, had one of the best weekends.

Since Friday, I’ve been in London for the first time. The first day, I was walking around, getting stressed by the rush people were in, worrying about my ignorance, worrying that someone was going to either play me for a fool or steal my wallet. I realized that the two years I’ve spent in the lovely little town of Helsingborg has turned me into quite the small town girl. The next day, the old, big city girl in me started re-emerging and I relaxed, and have since then, been enjoying it to the fullest.

I can see India in London. I can see now where they get the chaos, the strange form of eat or be eaten point of view, the decadence. (We’ve had many conversations about the meaning of that word and I’ve come to the conclusion that the way it’s used is very personal, so it’s up to you how you want to interpretate the former sentence.) I’ve been drinking in all the sounds, the experiences and the people of this place. For all my life I’ve thought that the whole of Europe was just different variations of Scandinavia, and thus never been interested in visiting Europe with the same passion I’ve been interested in travelling around Asia, South America and Africa. Ah, the naiveté.

It’s the strangest city, in the sense that people look great and the fashion is wonderful, but then the buildings lack central heating and the doors are the least functional I have yet experienced. It may be a first world country, because they have the economy for it, but behind the façade, the place is falling apart. Quite surprising.

I don’t mean any of this negatively though; it’s a different culture, which makes me love it. The chaos gives it character and variety. I love variety. 

It was the perfect trip with a little bit of culture, a little bit of drinking, a little bit just hanging with friends, a little it of shopping, a little bit a nice trip to do with a loved one and a lot of good food! I’ve realized how much the Bear and me has grown, together and apart. I’ve realized that despite all my happiness lately, I have to stop wondering how others perceive my behaviour because this weekend I haven’t bothered, and I’ve felt great. 

I’ve returned home to Helsingborg loving the trip and London as a city, at the same time loving the fact that I live in a smaller town like Helsingborg. I’ve returned home re-energized and ready to face my challenges again. 

Couldn’t be better.

Sweet kisses to all.

Life is Good! June 1, 2009

(I’ve got a cat behind my laptop as I write this, and all I can see it is a furry stomach and a pair of curled up paws. Adorable.)

My parents have been in town for 3 nights and I have to say that it was one of the most pleasant stay overs I’ve experienced with them. For one, my mom was in a good mood, which was a first for her while in Helsingborg!

Other reasons? The apartment is as clean as it can be and we’ve eaten good food throughout the weekend. 

Friday: 
Ribs 
Halloumi salad

Saturday:
Mum’s lamb *yum!*

Restaurant food, where the quality of the food and company was as high as the price that came along with it. *Poor dad*

Sunday:
Bears tandoori chicken and best potato salad ever! Why? Because it was the first one I’ve tasted without any of that awful dill! 

Caesar salad a’la Maina

Monday:
Bears home made meatballs – always a winner.

…Can’t get much better.

On top of that my parents have a wonderful habit of giving us the monetary means to refill our fridge and freezer to our taste when they visit, so more good food to come!

I got to see a completely new side of my mother-in-law on Saturday as well. I got to meet a very relaxed and happy woman who could kick back once the responsibilities were of her shoulders. Wonderful to see.

I even got my first summer sunbathing done!

Now, I just need to sit down, get started, and send off my final paper for this term so the Bear and I can fly to London next weekend with a clear conscience! (Good thing my parents have done such a god job of scaring our cats half to death all weekend that they’re now quietly recuperating.

Sweet kisses to all!

Bad Habits May 24, 2009

Three nights in Sthlm and I’ve learnt a few things about myself.

1) I can’t handle being around people non-stop for more than one day, even if they’re my good friends from ages ago (15 years).

2) I’m a bitch when I’m tired.  

3) I actually like this little town I live in (Helsingborg).

4) …And I like the friends I have in this little town.

For so long I’ve been comparing everyone to the ones in Sthlm, or atleast, the idea I had of the ones in Sthlm. Don’t get me wrong, they’re good friends, and I don’t know anyone that knows me better than them, but they’re human, just like the ones around here, with their strengths and weaknesses, just like me (although I probably have more weaknesses). 

As for Swedens lovely capital… It’s a nice city, but Helsingborg is my new home. 

I have long been the kind of person to think that things were better before, or could be better than they are. I thought I had moved on from that infuriating habit but after having been in Sthlm this weekend I’m realizing I had not. Maybe this trip will help me move on.

I’m a martyr and there’s a chance I’m alienating my friends during this little process of finding myself I’ve been going through these past few months/years. I hope not though, instead I hope that whatever friends I have at that end will have a Maina that treats them a little better than I do at the moment.

Kisses to all. Both new and old.

Minister of Defence May 9, 2009

Yesterday I came home late, thinking that I can finally stay up late and wake up when I want since, you know, it was Friday. At around 2 am though, I realized to my dismay, that I had signed myself up for a political meeting today. Heh. Oh well, I’ll have a second chance to sleep in tomorrow morning.

None the less. The meeting was a kickoff in preparation for the upcoming Swedish EU election in June and the speaker was the minister of defence. Very interesting to be honest. I didn’t think it would be. The ministry of defence has for me been based on misconstrued one sided information, giving me the impression that the ministry consisting of military-loving, power-driven overweight men much like the ones we see in the movies.

Today I instead got to hear discussions of how the ministry of defence can more effectively be of help in big situations like the tsunami and other smaller situations like the bombing in Bombay. Interesting to hear is also how almost all help organisations begrudgingly need the help of some kind of military to get the chance to be able to actually help in the first place.

I realized in a naive kind of way that discussions like these are so very important! By being scared of discussing them just because the military is involved and we all like to think that peaceful people “like us” don’t need them, there’s a risk we’ll loose the aspect of how authoritarian organisations like the military can actually be of help.

In the end, I came to the conclusion that like it or not, the military is a part of the worlds society as a whole. It’s up to us to keep the discussions open so it doesn’t turn into the power-hungry men from the movies I mentioned earlier. Much like the subject of sex, the matter doesn’t take care of itself because parents and teachers don’t like to talk about it. By having zero tolerance for a subject that’s also a part of the worlds society in some way or another there is misconceptions of how it works, how to protect oneself, what it’s all about and how it can actually be something good. In many cases the lack of information can actually cause more harm – like pregnant teenagers and no help being able to be given because there are none of those resources to be given.

It seems that the more I learn, the more I interested I get. In fact, for the past week /few days I even started playing with the thought of actively working towards being a politician. After the meeting today though, I realized that although my interest for politics has in no way diminished and despite I’m still going to try and be part of as many meeting as I can… I’ve realized that becoming a politician is no longer a goal that I want to pursue.

Although I don’t consider myself stupid (it’s been a long and frustrating road to reach this conclusion) I find myself to be quite slow-witted. Give me time to think and write so I can formulate the words in my head and I’m ok, but a quick verbal par is not my thing. Not a hit within politics I think.

Also, even if I like the Swedish liberal party and will be voting for them in the next election and most probably will be voting for a representative from the same party for the EU election, I’m a strong believer of the need for conflict (within limits of course). The social democrats do have some valid points as well, as do many other party which have the right to be aired and taken seriously. Without it, the different layers of politics will all agree with each other and never be faced with other point of views. Or atleast, not often enough. There’s one spot I actually want the social democrats to have the majority seats of.

Ok, I got completely of the subject so I’ll just leave it there!

Sweet political kisses to all.