The Problem of the Day

One brilliant song that I am listening to every day on my way to work is Alanis Morissette – Hand In My Pocket

"I am lost but I am hopeful, Baby
I am wrong and I am sorry, Baby
But what it all comes down to, is that everything will be fine fine fine…"

 Anyway, nothing unusual going on here. Still hanging out on Starbucks progressing slowly with my Master Thesis while I am sipping my tea and listen to damn good music. I have experience my first, what we in Sweden calls “I-landsproblem”. I need a Swedish hole puncher (hålslagare). And that is really hard if you are in Canada.

Life is so fulfilling right now… or not. At least you learned a new English word.

Calgary

 

 Photographs: Calgary, Alberta

After a cold weekend there is a white layer covering Calgary, which softly began to melt today when temperatures slowly reached above 0 degrees. I do not mind it, there is nothing more beautiful than a winter landscape in bright sunlight.

Seriously...

If I ever was an Oscar’s Statuette, I wish I was Jean Dujardin's…

(Picture from: http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/movies/movie-news/Jean+Dujardin-229521.html)

2012 Oscars

So, I told you. No surprise that Meryl Streep got an Oscar for best actress in a leading role. See “The Iron Lady” and you know why.

And I guess we all have to go and see “The Artist” as well. No problem for me since Jean Dujardin is so extremely handsome J

A Relaxing Sunday,

Chilling in the sofa with a bag of popcorn watching the Oscars Gala. This is one of the treats of being in the same time zone as Los Angeles. So far best dressed are Michelle Williams and Jennifer Lopez.

I  want to go to a fancy part too!

Will be a long evening in front of the TV waiting for the awards…

Butterfly

”Just living is not enough,” said the butterfly.

“One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower”

H. C. Anderson

Photograph: Britt Coffee Tour, San Jose, Costa Rica

Playa Grande

Photographs: Playa Grande, Costa Rica



Happiness Lies In the Small Details,

like watching the snow fall from my office window...

Photographs: Calgary, Alberta

Lyckliga Dagar

"Stanna ett tag, så jag får ta ett kort
Lyckliga dagar rusar iväg så fort
Stanna ett tag, räck mig din varma hand
Lyckliga dagar rinner iväg som sand"

Ur "Lyckliga Dagar" - Ted Gärdestad

Photographs: Playa Grande, Costa Rica

An Evening Out

Every since I woke up this morning I have been longing to get back to bed. Yesterday became a late evening out, as I accidentally met an old friend outside my office with tickets to the evenings hockey game between Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers (yes, that’s how big Calgary is). So the evening was spent on the front seat of the hockey rink watching two Swedes in Edmonton beat Calgary with 5-1 instead of going to Starbucks to finally do some proper research. Anyway, it was great to catch up with C and talk to someone who is in the same situation.

And now I am already tucked down in my bed with a big cup of tea not feeling the urge to do any research at all but to rather watch one of my favorite TV series – Pan Am. God, I wish I was a stewardess in the 1960^th (potentially a prettyone  and hanging out with the pilots). I guess that’s why I have a weak spot investing in SAS even though the stock is not doing too well…

Some inspiring words from Tom Petty – I won’tback down

Live a Little

    "A cynic is a man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing"

                                Oscar Wilde

Photographs: Playa Grande, Costa Rica



Dreams

We all look forward for them to come true...

Dream on until the dream come true 

Photographs: Highway 1, California

Sunset

Photographs: Napa Valley, California



Where Do You Go When You Are Lonely?

You might ask yourself what the hell I am doing on the other side of the globe, and yes, I have asked myself the same thing many times the past week. The truth is that it is about exploration – if you do not try you never know. And as many of you know I hate uncertainties. But at least, now I know. And it is not going to break me.

While many of you spent Valentine’s Day with your love and family, I spend mine at Starbucks. I guess it is a different kind of love I feel for this place. But never underestimate a familiar face...

A more suitable Valentine's song for my part is this one (has to be country since I am in Alberta)

Tim McGraw – Where Do You Go When You Are Lonely ( When the Stars Go Blue)

Photograph: Carmel, California

Friends

"I always felt that the great high privilege, relief and comfort of friendship, was that one had to explain nothing"

Katherine Mansfield

Photographs: Monterey Bay, California

The Iron Lady

Ok, so one of the reasons I decided to go and spend some time in Canada was to experience a beautiful winter wonderland, going skiing in the Rockies and spend enormous amount of time with my camera capturing the beauty of the cold. I could so far not be more wrong. When I landed about a week ago it was war 9 plus Celsius and since then we have barely been below zero. I am terribly jealous of the magnificent winter that has hit Europe (although I do understand it has it disadvantages). But please do me a favor and enjoy it. It is so much better than sitting in a grey Alberta landscape.

Since experience the Canadian winter has proven to be a disappointing activity I have now turned to more indoor activities – Like going to the movies. Today I went to see “The Iron Lady” with Maryl Streep. I am sorry to reveal the news but if this lady does not get the Oscar for best actress in leading role, this world is truly going down. Excellent performance portraying one of the most powerful woman in the UK history. In short: SEE IT!

Lets end the evening with a classic from Sting; Fields of Gold

Photographs: Highway 1, Monterey to Morro Bay, California

It's a Wild Wild World

 

Photographs: Approaching Grand Canyon

The Vow

Managed somehow to go to after work and the movies today although I was not working (and I was going with people I do not work with). Anyway, I must say that the Vow with Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum was an amazing movie. The fact that it is just out before Valentine’s Day does not make it special – the special part is that it’s based on a true story. So for all men that need to learn how to seduce a woman, take a close look at Channing Tatum as Leo. We need more men like him.

The Way to Go From Here

What is freedom? Freedom is the right to choose: the right to create for oneself the alternatives of choices. Without the possibility of choice a man is not a man but a member, an instrument, a thing.

Archibald MacLeish

(Photograph: Approaching Las Vegas)

Canada

Today I was fairly busy  at work and working in syndications with energy companies has proven to be a challenging task. But I like to be challenged and I try to take in as much information as I possibly can. Being busy also allows me to think less on being in Europe and more on being in Canada.

Tomorrow I am moving to my new room, and I will finally sleep in a real bed (Thank God). This is hopefully my final destination before I get an apartment of my own (not in Canada). I will update you on the result tomorrow.

So, my mom and dad probably want to hear about the weather. Well, when I arrived on Saturday it was 9 degrees and fairly warm to be wearing a Canada Goose. But, this morning it was fresh -14 degrees and in the evenings it is fairly chilly as well. But I promise you all to let you know when we reach the -40 region (and yes, we are talking Celsius).

Now, back to my Starbucks hot chocolate

Starbucks

Say what you want about the global chains that crowds out the local businesses...
I have for a long time had a hate/love relationship with Starbucks. But all I know is that is that if you do not want to go home you can go to Starbucks – We did it as Au-pairs in Zürich, I am doing it to avoid my cold room in Calgary.

And there you have the reliable wifi, that makes home seem a bit closer. It is strange how internet has erased the boarders. I am reading the usual blogs, check my email and facebook - and I am almost home.

Transformation

The flip-flops from Costa Rica are exchanged for black pumps.

The cosy sleepwear is dumped in favor of black suit pants.

Morning tee and toast with the family is changed to morning coffee with the colleagues.

The student ID is upgraded to a corporate master card.

Meet the new me.

For now.