Calgary Airport

Last time I was here I went to Toronto, proud I had made it through one of my first professional experiences. I am not holding my head as high this time.

Special thanks to A, for driving me to the airport.

“Real friendship is shown in times of trouble; prosperity is full of friends”
                                                                                           Euripides

 Best cover ever: Walk Off the Earth – Somebody I Used to Know

 See you in Europe in 24 hours

You Live - You Learn

One of the most fascinating experiences when travelling is the people you meet. After a tough start in Canada I am astonished by the warm-hearted people I met and that in times of crisis are there for you although they barely know you and you them. You my friends, are the memories I will bring back to Europe. You are the people that give me hope and the courage to travel again by myself some day and I hope to see you again.

It is also when you travel you might meet the worse of people. Who sees you as an opportunity to exercise their power, to humiliate and tear you apart. These people shape you – but they also never become a part of you. Because you are so much better than them.

Thank you Canada for this time.

Alanis Morisette - You Learn 

St. Patrick's Day

Yesterday was all about no boundaries, to live in the present and not to worry a second about the next days or weeks, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with new friends and old friends. As a result of this new spirit there was a pre-party, an actual party and an after-party and rum, whiskey, tequila and cider. There was dancing to an Irish live band and arm wrestling with nice people from Newfoundland. There was the obligatory night snack at Mcdonalds and cheap taxi fares between clubs.

When I took the bus back “home” again 6 am this morning I felt for a second as I was 18 again. And for a slight moment I did not have more worries in the world than that my feet were hurting from my new shoes.

Live.Life.More.Simpler

Of course, there is the substantial hangover to live with today. But sometime that feels damn good.

What Happens On Wall Street

Today you can find an interesting article in the New York Times written by Greg Smith – “Why I am leaving Goldman Sachs”. I am pretty sure this will be an interesting story to follow. My supervisor came and put the article on my desk. I guess my reputation succeeds me.

“Lunch meeting” today in one of the skyscrapers in downtown Calgary with a view over the Rockies. Looks like there is still tons of snow despite the past days of global warming. Potentially a one day ski trip on Saturday and I have recruited another lonely soul at the office that will join me.

Anyway, in order to remedy the stress problem daily exercise has been prescribed – today walking “home” from work - tomorrow swimming – Saturday skiing.

Current State of Mind - Fishing For Some Compassion

Found an interesting list online regarding stress (unfortunately it’s only in Swedish) that pretty much summarizes my current state of mind (and I am sure, others):

Stress -Tydliga tecken och varningssignaler:

·         Du känner dig trött på dagen även när du har sovit länge och ostört flera nätter i rad .˅

·         Du är likgiltig och struntar i vad som händer omkring dig, eller känner dig nedstämd och orolig. ˅

·         Du reagerar på ett helt nytt sätt på vardagliga händelser.

·         Du blir lätt irriterad och otålig över småsaker. ˅

·         Du får ont i magen, spänningshuvudvärk eller hjärtklappning. ˅

·         Du har svårare att koncentrera dig och glömmer lättare bort saker.

What could have possible released this state of mind?

1.       Work

2.       New male tenant is moving in together with me in my basement (I have never met him)

3.       My university refuses to answer my emails (for two weeks) and my supervisor just abandoned me

4.       My Master Thesis

 Sorry for a depressing post, but sometimes that’s the way it is

Sunshine Village

Today I had the privilege to join a few friends on a one day ski trip to Sunshine Village Ski Resort in Banff National Park. While I have been longing for the snow ever since last weekend I was a bit anxious that most of it had melted away (yesterday we had 14 degrees Celsius here in Calgary). Lucky for me the snow was still there and Mother Nature decided to fill up on the storage during the afternoon.

Sunshine Village offered great slopes but to my disappointment they were all not groomed. Probably a dream for all snowboarders (which most of the people are here) but a hell for a skier – felt like I was going off-piste several times.  I even encounter a slope with a warning sign for avalanches (that’s who ungroomed the slopes are!!!).  At one point I was sliding down the slope rather than skiing and that does not happen often (or maybe it’s a sign I need to take a ski class or not go in the dubble diamond black slopes).

Relaxing the rest of the evening with a cup of green tea and my new favorite TV show (while my other favorites are on hold) – Ringer.

Good Morning Europe!

Friday

Okay, so the self pity is over. I first tried to solve it with some shopping at H&M and the new Marni Collection but with limited success (I bought a scarf but somehow the designer thought it would be neat to cut it in two pieces, so I returned my half scarf). Not too impressed by the collection, and I am still amazed how humans can behave like animals for fashion (well, I guess it is the new religion) and buy up many pieces and sell them on the second-hand market. It’s outrageous that H&M does not impose a quantity limit on each purchase.

I realized that what I need is not psychological attention through shopping but a physical challenge so tomorrow I am heading up to the mountains with my friends – this time for skiing. The mountains are the ultimate freedom and one of the reasons why I am here in Canada. Time to utilize them a bit better.

Black & White

 There is a lot going on right now… Take a deep breath and exhale.

But as they say; “Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive”

Photograph: Calgary, Alberta

To Ski Or Not To Ski

 

I had the opportunity to join a few newfound friends up in the mountains when they were going skiing. I heard that the snow quality has been bad this year so I was a bit reluctant to rent all the necessary gear and buy some equipment just to enjoy the snow for a day.

So I stayed in the cottage while the others were out plowing the new fallen snow powder, and I was green of envy (or maybe white?). Not even my great book (“Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts" by Lucy Dillon) and my warm chocolate could substitute the skiing experience. But with one month left of the ski season and without a car it seems a bit distant for me to go skiing… I guess I just have to avoid the mountains and pray that the new fallen snow melts fast so we can do some proper hiking instead. Meanwhile I should probably focus on other more important things.

(Judging from the pictures you notice that the weather was not that great… and yes, the ski facilities in the Rockies can get crowded too).

Photographs: Lake Louise Ski Resort

Snow

Photograph: Lake Louise Ski Resort

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.

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…

Happiness Lies In the Small Details,

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

Photographs: Calgary, Alberta

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

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

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

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.

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.