close all windows and please leave school

You know when you were little and dreamt and hoped and prayed that one day - one day - you would wake up, open your heavy, tired, red eyes, just to learn that school was off that day due to what ever form of extreme weather force that all of a sudden hit exactly your part of the world. Well. That day finally arrived. Sort of. 

Got sent home from Uni today - at three o'clock though but it still counts. The joy in those hallways! What a sight - like Christmas Eve - everyone rushing home - not to be safe, but to be free. Running through the pouring rain, shouting good byes to everyone, smiling at the stranger scampering along side you, jumping into a puddle the size of a food truck. Speaking of food trucks, I did manage to make a detour to the grocery store. I am not without food. Anyways. The storm should be here in 6 minutes. Coffee is on the table. Welcome Simone/St. Jude.

Translation: Blev bombarderade med mejl från skolan idag. En efter en droppade de ner i inboxen. I stora röda bokstäver blev vi tillsagda att stänga alla fönster på skolan eftersom Stormen var på väg. Därefter att alla föreläsningar efter kl 15.00 var inställda, på grund av Stormen, och att all personal skulle lämna området och hinna hem i tid, eftersom Stormen snart var här. Slutligen att även studenterna borde vända hemåt, innan vädret blev allt för dåligt. 

Wes and his world

You just gotta find something you love to do and then do it for the rest of your life. 

Autumn come

Médecins Sans Frontières

I´m a fan of Doctors without Borders - Médecins Sans Frontières - you should be too. It is one of the organizations I´ve supported the longest on a regular basis. And I am actually thinking of joining the force - contribute with my expertise. 

A lecture was given last week at uni regarding the work of MSF, this engineer came to persuade us to become crew members of the organization - although engineers are perhaps more suitable as the helping hand, and more needed I believe, than architects. But then again, it has always been this dream of mine doing field work, for MSF. Although me not becoming a doctor has, in one small sense, substantially made it harder for me to witness that dream come true - I will not make it stand in the way of my depictured life. I will work for MSF. 

Or I´ll just join Architects without Borders - their meeting is on wednesday...

Translation: Jag är månadsgivare hos Läkare utan Gränser. Bli det du med. 

Just in case you've missed it

Lend me some sugar, I am your neighbor.

Sustainable development. We say the words when talking about saving the world from its rapid deterioration, its high-speed course towards its rupture point, but do not actually address the real meaning of it. What is sustainable development? Environmental, economical and/or social? What´s the core of our problems? - our behavior, most undoubtably. The notion of a sustainable world has stimulated a worldwide debate on the future of our cities and our lives. After years of overwhelming discussions at uni, exchanging dialogues, collecting facts, listening to lecturers, tapping into other disciplines, researching, studying urban and city planning, designing objects - the one thing on my mind, is the house next door…

Where our neighbors at?

Translation: Grannens hus...

Relocating myself

The soundtrack that will tag along, be my companion in the meeting of this new city of mine (I´m moving to another part of the world), consists of 25 carefully selected songs. New peeps, new habits, new responsibilities awaits. Enjoy!

Bling, bling with extra bling

When abroad I´ve taken it to a habit to spend an evening at the cinema. A couple of months ago we did just that - the cause of the visit was the new Sofia Coppola movie The Bling Ring (2013). As always, Coppola has made a real treat for the eyes - fantastic visual candy combined with a splendid soundtrack - just perfect for those hot summer days. But the storyline - unbelievable and off the charts disturbing. 

I was sick to my stomach walking out of there. Seeing how those teenagers acted, how they reasoned with their actions, how they floundered in other peoples wealth was disturbing. But what was more disturbing was that I indeed could understand why and how they ended up doing what they did. No big deal. Would anyone miss that Balenciaga bracelet amongst the other ten Balenciaga bracelets? Or that Givenchy dress way back in the closet from three seasons ago? 
Those images of jewelry, accessories, bags and expensive shoes just laying around in piles got the best of me after 1 hour and 30 minutes. I was nauseous. 

It didn't get better. As we got out from the cinema we entered the exquisite world of the Bling Bling. The cinema was located on the top floor of this huge, shiny, shopping mall. It was ten o'clock in the evening and people were still spending their money - buying the newest attire, the coolest watch, the biggest earrings. There we stood, feeling depressed, with no hope for the future generations. I bowed my head done and a pair of newly acquired sandals covered with tiny sparkling stones caught my eyes. Enclosed was a row of ten beautifully manicured red toe nails. With that came a heavy, big necklace consisting of a dozen different stones and pearls. And it was all worn by me. 

Translation: Soundtracket till Sofia Coppolas nya film The Bling Ring är fantastiskt. Det är bara att dra på på högsta volym och njuta av sommarens sista soliga dagar.

the last days of August

Hilleshögs dalar  - a nature reserve with the most exquisite sight.

Yesterday, my sister woke up with the urge of forcing me out of my peaceful comfort zone - our house - for the sake of a stroll through the beautiful nature reserve we have within a 2,5 miles radius of our home. It was a most wonderful day and definitely the perfect timing for a visit to Hilleshögs dalar. With the sun in our back (yes, we got sun burned) we skipped and hopped through the marvelous landscape setting our target for the little seaside village of Ålebodarna. The idea was to celebrate our walk in the park with something mighty fine once we reached the village - herring sandwiches or a cold beer. Anything really.

By the time we got there our tummies were craving to be filled and our throats dry as the brown grass underneath the burning sun. But there was nothing to be found. What a disappointment! So we turned around - exhausted, without any energy left (no, we did not bring water with us), praying that we wouldn´t pass out from a heatstroke (the story of Tarantino's editor Sally Menke, who died during a hike from heat exhaustion, was a main topic during our effort to get back). But what a day, what a marvelous day! The beauty, the sight was breathtaking. So worth the sore muscles today.

Translation: Systern och jag vandrade genom Hilleshögs dalar i gårdagens varma väder. Sista sommardagen var här och vi skulle prompt göra något värdefullt av den. Och vilken dag det blev. Hade glömt vilken hisnande vacker vy det är därifrån. Som från en annan värld. 

Cody ChesnuTT in town for the night

First time I heard of Mr. ChesnuTT was on Dave Chappelle's Block Party back in 2005. He played along side The Roots, performing their great song The Seed (2.0) - which is a remake of Codys song from his album The Seed. 

Anyways, on that show I mistakenly took Questlove (Ahmir Khalib Thompson) for Cody ChesnuTT (don´t ask me how) and for months to come I would walk around thinking Cody was Ahmir in The Roots. Everytime their songs were played, or their pictures were shown, everytime they were mentioned - I would proudly shout Cody ChesnuTT pointing at Ahmir like a 6-year old just discovering the meaning of the word ball, thinking I was in sync with the great world of hard core music lovers and knowers. It wasn´t until much, much later that my sister (who thought I was playing her a joke all along) finally exclaimed: Are you actually thinking that is Cody!? whilst watching Ahmir on the screen in front of us. I was taken aback. What the...??? 

From that day on, now as a joke, I still shout out Cody when I see Ahmir or The Roots. And when Mr. ChesnuTT finally came to town for a night, I just had to go and see him. And what a fine night it was! 

Translation: Möttes upp av sångerna från Cody ChesnuTT i lördags. Det blev en del allsång, en del dans i publiken - främst jag - och en drös med nöjda miner. Lite besviken över att inga av låtarna jag faktiskt kunde spelades, men mer än glad över att äntligen ha sett herr ChesnuTT live. 

and so they got hitched...

Yes, feet hurt, voices cracked, throat got soaked and a grin was etched across my face through it all - just as I forecasted it. The weeding was one of pure joy and laughter. It was a three days celebration with the presence of live music, dancing in the street, decorating the house, singing, waiters running back and forth to fill our cups, getting dressed, hair did, nails done, face on, ready for the spectacle. All the guest followed as the bride and groom set target for the church. It really was a day (three days) to remember. We danced until six o'clock in the morning (after we had been properly fed), pouring our hearts out on the floor, walking home in sheer daylight accompanied by birds twitter. 

Long live the newlyweds!

Translation: Ännu ett bröllop avverkat. Vi dansade till klockan sex på morgonen (efter att ha fått tillräckligt stora mängder av gott i magen), och möttes av strålande dagsljus när vi steg ut ur bröllopslokalen. Tillsammans med vacker fågelsång bar det så av hemåt. 

Abundant greenery and exquisite scenery

The waterfalls at Papuk Geopark in northeast Croatia.

Last month I spent my days walking about in lush greenery whilst the sun was spreading terror down in the city. I´ve been hiking up a nearby mountain, down another mountain, taking a dip in a lake, killing my legs and as, walking for hours, working up a thirst, enjoying the outdoors, craving for some wine, stumbling upon some insects and woodpeckers, eating a beautifully done pizza (it was the only thing they had on the menu, and I swallowed the thing with great delight), befriended a stray cat (after three days we learned that it was the house cat of our neighbor) and felt the summer holiday come to an end.

Translation: Det har varit en semestermånad fylld med utflykter och traskande upp och nerför kullar och berg. Jag har badat i grönska och fantastiska vyer och njutit av ben och rumpa som fått sig en omgång. 

I´ll get back to you in a month or so

I´m hitting the road once again, heading for the south. Excitment awaits me - another wedding to be enjoyed, another party to excell. Feet will hurt, voices will crack, a tan will be established, kilos added, throat soaked and a grin will be etched to my face all the way through it all. 

Translation: Ännu en gång bär det av mot södern, mot ett bröllop, mot en fest i dagarna tre, mot glädje, skratt, sång och tårar, mot dans, sår, värk och trötthet. Tills dess håller denna pälsiga varelse ställningarna här. 

Naming the baby

So a child was christened and I was asked to impersonate a photographer for the special occasion - mission accomplished and the result quite acceptable. The baby was a natural photogenic little being, easy to shoot, easy to love. Happy parents were pleased with what I had produced, and so was the stranger that developed the photos, and in the end so was I. 

Translation: Ett litet underverk döptes och jag var där för att föreviga ögonblicket med kameran i högsta hugg. Mycket fin dag. 

Bring the noize, M.I.A!

HBO: About Face

Some nights ago, I happened to stumble upon the HBO documentary About Face: Supermodels Then and Now while I was zapping through the TV channels. It's an interesting documentary where some of the best-known models of the past century reminisce about their glory days whilst reflecting on the culture of beauty. Its missing depth though, a depth that would make it far more interesting. A depth that's there - the models touch the subjects you want to hear more about - but they are then lost by the hand of the director. This article, from The New York Times, says it all. 

Anyways, Jerry Hall and Carmen Dell`Orefice!! I want Carmen's hair when I grow old. That is by far the most wonderful white hair I've ever seen, so cool, so perfect, so fierce and powerful - give it to me now and I would be walking on clouds. And Jerry, that woman just gives the impression of so much energy and I love it. 

Translation: För några kvällar sen lyckades jag hamna framför dokumentären About Face: Supermodels Then and Now som gick på TV. Där fanns två saker som jag föll för. Det vita, helt magiska hår som bärs av Carmen Dell`Orefice - jag längtar till ålderns dar bara för att kunna ha sådant hår! Äsch, ge det till mig nu och jag hade varit lycklig. Och Jerry Halls fantastiska personlighet. Vilken kvinna!

The East Indiaman was in town

This construction paid us a visit, in celebration to our 600 year anniversary - Happy B-day Hometown. 

Translation: La fyller 600 år och fick besök av Ostindiefararen Götheborg - replika av en 1700-tals ostindiefarare med samma namn. Jag var där för att skåda verket.

Go Tommy, be brainless, here we are, entertain us

Hold up! Whoa, whoa wait a minute-minute

I found some food along the way

On an evening stroll with my cousin I was informed about the brilliant snack that was hanging all neat and plumb along the small road we had chosen to follow. Both on the left and right hand side bunches of white flowers were handpicked and dropped inside our bag. As far as the eye could see, beautiful Acacia flowers were decorating the valleys and hills that surrounded us. 

Once at home they were dipped in batter, fried in hot oil and enjoyed by all of us. The delicate flavor of the flowers took us by surprise and we literally threw ourselves on the plate after we had tasted the first one.

Heavenly! 

Translation: Himmelskt goda Acacia blommor blev doppade i pannkakssmet och friterade i het olja efter tips från min kära kusin. Vi sprang på dem på vår lilla kvällspromenad förra veckan och förutom en härlig och behövd tur i solnedgången fick vi ett härligt snacks med oss hem. Perfekt tilltugg till våren, perfekt tilltugg över huvudtaget. Och oj så vackert. 

Ocean breathes salty

at Slanica, Murter (Croatia) one fine evening in May. 

Split on a rush

The view from our rented apartment was straight down on the National Square and a visit to the magnificent Diocletian's Palace is mandatory when in Split. 

Had a day with the gals in Split and got blessed with extremely beautiful spring weather, enjoyed tasty food, lovely drinks, great company and fab coffee. Did not loose myself in the world of footwear, which was the initial plan - cause there's always some mad and gorgeous sandals to be purchased when in Split - but time and money were not on my side this time. 

Sitting at a café we were passed by two guys carrying a window across the entire square - like a scene taken straight out of a movie. Sane people would just notice it, if that, and carry on with their own business, like enjoying the breakfast in front of them. My crew and I saw the epic nature in this spectacle and started to photograph the hell out of it. I got to experience two men carrying a damn window - that's historic. 

Half of our gang checked in at the Hostel GoliBosi where they received a book (not a pamphlet or booklet, but a whole book) about the place and Split - filled with jokes surely written at the time the author was high as a kite. 

drop dead gorgeous day

Alltför självsäkert förklarade jag för mina följeslagare, steg för steg, hur vi skulle göra för att inte förstöra den timtals långa sminkning vi utsatt våra fagra ansikten för genom de strömmar av tårar vi befarade bara var några timmar från att inbefinna sig i vårt sällskap. Det här fixar vi, deklarerade jag stöddigt och skämtade om gråtattacker och mascara-ränder varav ansiktet mitt - innan bruden ens hunnit halvvägs upp för altargången - förvrids till den fulaste tänkbara position och jag överrumplas av de högljuddaste snyftningar kommandes från mig själv. Jag bryter ihop, den första och den enda, i skakningar medan mina vänner och syskon förvånat ser på. Då de graciöst sveper bort sina eleganta tårar, blir jag utsatt för värsta gråtattacken och gör allt för att lyckas stoppa snoret som droppar från näsan samtidigt som jag gömmer mig hukandes bakom kvinnan framför mig. Resten av vigseln sitter jag med ett stenansikte - totalt uttömd emotionellt. 

a wedding day

I just got back from a marvelous escape to the sun - a phenomenal and special week spent in the presence of all of my peeps celebrating our dear F and her, from now on and forever more - hubby.  

Translation: Återigen på hemmaplan efter att skickat ut vår vackra F i den stora vida världen som gift kvinna, som hustru, som D:s eviga kompanjon. 

Released

The Jewelry ™

The Jewelry ™

Longing for this beauty to be placed around my neck and then stay there for ever more - well, at least for the entire summer. 

Translation: Snubblade över detta lilla smycke i morse och ville omedelbart ha det i min ägo. Det skulle kunna pryda halsen väldigt vackert under denna händelserika sommar. 

I think that I'm throwing, but I'm thrown

I´ve been, to my surprise, hearing a lot of Lisa Loeb's song Stay from 1994 lately. In one episode of Girls you can hear it quietly being played in the background during a dinner party that Hannah throws. The same week I happened to tune in on an old episode of SNL where the song was sung in a sketch. 

Now, that song - Stay - is the very, very first song, well pop song if one needs to be correct, that I learned by heart. Every word, every pronunciation was carefully repeated and rehearsed so that I would sound exactly like Lisa. I especially loved that fairly fast part that starts at 1:10 - I was six, English is not my mother tongue and I loved singing it. Till this day I know it. Would you wake me in my deepest sleep - I would still know it and own it. 

Translation: Lisa Loebs gamla dänga från 1994 Stay har under den senaste veckan återuppstått i min vardag, som en hälsning från ett tidigare liv. Jag fick höra den spelas i ett avsnitt av Girls, för att några dagar senare stöta på den i en sketch på SNL och så var man återigen hooked. Stay var den allra första låten, på engelska, som jag lärde mig utantill - varje ord, varje uttal. Den sjöngs om och om och om igen. Och jag kan den, till perfektion, än idag.

4 months 3 weeks and 2 days

A couple of nights ago, instead of going off to bed (to rest my pretty head on a pillow), I planted myself in front of the TV and got completely mesmerized by this picture - 4 months 3 weeks & 2 days written and directed by Cristian Mungiu. Stunning storytelling with a capturing of the communist era so spot on, so perfect, down to the last detail... The way the hotel receptionist arrogantly starts to talk about her miserable life over the phone with a fellow worker - whilst the guest in front of her quietly waits for their problem to be taken care of. Spot on comical! Have had that done to me before, a numerous amount of times. Anyways, see it!

Translation: Såg 4 månader 3 veckor och 2 dagar för några veckor sedan. En väldigt bra gjord film av den rumänska filmskaparen Cristian Mungiu. Jag utlyser behovet av fler sådana här filmer, tack! 

Red

Last year at Wanås.Can´t wait to get back. Planing a trip in May. 

School picture in want

I wish I had a school picture like this - with me doing the genius pose that Jason Segel strikes on the left side. Here as Nick in Freaks and Geeks. I made an attempt in the ninth grade, but had a strange woollen cap on and a facial expression that did not read "I couldn't/wouldn't/don't give a shit" as Jason's does, instead I just look miserable - all in all, the photo is nowhere close in looking as brilliant as this one. Just adding on to all of my other disappointments.

Translation: Jag önskar jag hade ett skolfoto som detta på Nick (Jason Segel) i Freaks and Geeks - han till vänster då alltså. Så perfekt! Gjorde ett försök till det i nian - exakt samma pose, men med ett helt annat resultat - inte lika slagkraftigt med mig som modell med andra ord.

What is this I'm feeling, Pharrell?

Drake keeps delivering lyrics - all love themed, packed with deep life observations... Have a listen to this one with James Fauntleroy! Because girls love Beyoncé. 

Whilst Pharrell is back, providing us with some sweet sound once again - accompanied by no other than - surprise, surprise - old Daft Punk. What is this I´m feeling? Damn Pharrell - your voice - that just hits the nail on the head of what my soul feeds on.

 

Translation: Pharrell får mig i gungning medan Drake slår en homerun igen tillsammans med James Fauntleroy! Missa inte att fylla öronen med detta ljuva. 

and then it was off to London

not the place where I had my fish'n'chips, and mrs. Thatcher was with us during the whole weekend. 

I spent two lovely days in London with the two most amazing friends. W is now living in London-town, whilst B wanted to celebrate her birthday there - I just tagged along for the fun off it. 

paid a visit to Borough Market.

very, very low tide.

walking along the Thames, we were accompanied by some rock'n'roll... bursting out from the actual river. 

Ate some pretty nasty fish'n'chips - complete and utter disappointment it was. Thought I would relive that amazing culinary experience I'd had in Dublin a while back ago, but I was miserably wrong. Haven't given up hope yet, though. 

I missed out on the opportunity to eat some heavenly (one can only imagine this time) mexican street food along the Thames, but it´s on my list for my next visit - I am obsessed with mexican street food.

Went to Shoreditch with my peeps on Sunday. The sun was shining (from behind the grey clouds) and we were met by the view of hundreds of ladies and gents (actually mostly men) standing in a colorful queue waiting to get in to the Crepe City Sneaker Festival where they were ensured to find the best and rarest trainers from all of their favorite brands on sale that day. 

We, however, spent the entire day on Brick Lane where we had some epic laughs and a great time together. My gosh, the amount of eye candy we had on our disposal - beautiful, gorgeous people where ever our heads turned - and our heads did turn!

On our last evening together we decided to hit a Comedy Club. Actually pre-booked and pre-paid our tickets online only to, later on at the door, find out that the show was on for free. Well now, wasn´t that strange!? We got our money back, decided to spend them on beer instead - watching the show for free. And the comedy? Yes, we did laugh!

Translation: Två dagar i London med två godingar! Det blev en del fotografier, en del promenader, en del "tube"-åkningar, en del prat med främlingar - som lite senare blev vänner med en på facebook, en del skratt, en del sura miner, en del dans på stora klubbar, en del sightseeing, en del sena nätter, en del mys.