Stockholm is great, it's a slow process breaking down the shy bubble of security these swedes have, but it's worth it as I'm experiencing the best new friendships. In saying that, other things are complex.
My visa is running out in a few days, so I took a trip to the Permit Unit to sort out an extension. After a 3hr wait, the officer was short of a sense of humor. She coldly told me I have been in the country past over my visa, and whilst crapping my pants I had to argue to try and avoid getting thrown in the slammer! Turns out she sucks at maths, and I have until 10th on June. An extension should be approved, will find out this week.
How is life? let me tell you what's up!
Stockholm is great, it's a slow process breaking down the shy bubble of security these swedes have, but it's worth it as I'm experiencing the best new friendships. In saying that, other things are complex.
My visa is running out in a few days, so I took a trip to the Permit Unit to sort out an extension. After a 3hr wait, the officer was short of a sense of humor. She coldly told me I have been in the country past over my visa, and whilst crapping my pants I had to argue to try and avoid getting thrown in the slammer! Turns out she sucks at maths, and I have until 10th on June. An extension should be approved, will find out this week.
Noticing my Swedish progress is the drive, with everyday a new word entering the ‘lexicon’ (dictionary) of my vocabulary. The confidence battle is defiantly a drawback, and choosing who to speak with in practice. My mate Joel cannot be thanked enough, with the now common expression he utters “Nu ska vi bara prata I svenska!”
Noticing the girl sitting next to me in the train, while Joel is encouraging me to describe my day in Swedish is a little bewildering; I can see her listening to my words like they are cute. Not a manly situation, but knowing that I am being understood lifts up my cheeks to produce and organic self satisfied smile.
Upon entering the glass door, the scuttled cluster of thought would be replaced with a fresh crisp smell of ground coffee beans. Wearing shirts labeled “who is urban?” the barista’s will draw attention from a new customer. An inquisitive person can only grasp the reality that his time standing there staring had distracted his thought. He was surrounded by an atmosphere that separated his mind from reality. With an array of artistic pictures cut out from magazines being presented against the wall. Cantering across the shop, whilst curiously reading the faces of all the patrons, he advances to the counter. Little did he know that his meddlesome behavior had drawn the attention of a ‘Charlie Chaplin’ resembling fellow. This man has cocked his brimmed hat down and began to twitch his moustache, like he was sweeping his lips with a broom. With both eyebrows lifting slightly before they drop. His attention was a constant stare at the newest arrival to the café. All awhile flipping open a notebook, and retrieving a pencil from which had been used to slide into his shoe to scratch an itch on his foot. ‘Charlie’s’ heavy breathing had apparent distraction to a young uni student, who's impulsive knee would bounce. Quietly waiting for perhaps some friend, her attention would verve between the un-mechanical wheezing of the man’s drowning breathes of air, and the animated search for the ‘friend’ from thru the window…
Våren är hit! Tonight markes a traditional time for sweden. The swedes have endured a long frosty weather, with snow hithered winds, taunting the people to stay inside their winter prepared Ikea homes. The boys would all ask 'where have the girls all gone?' and the men will respond.. 'be patient.. they are in hiding untill the sun shows.' well boys, after tonights Bonfire, a new season will appear! Now we can play in Liljeholmens fruit JungleGym, run thru the parks, and freak out on Stockholms Street Art! This years summer will be the best ever!
In a world of talent, many have found the art of snowboarding. In a world of snowboarding many have found talent. I however have not been bestowed with a rats squeek of talent. But if an accomplished Aussie NRL team jersey came to the frigid acrtic mountain slopes of Sweden... well I credit a recipe of savvy success!
Lets go the mighty broncos! and show the world how to rip open a can of kick a$$!
An auspicious 5min walk from the cottage in Åre, Sweden to the kabinbanan(chair lift) at the base of our menacing mountain. We have snowboards, goggles, Burton beanies, and a cut lunch, as look up to the surly clouds, we only wonder what lies above.. Only Magestic beauty! here is a picture of what we have scaled today, only to cut open the powdered snow by boarding the hell out of a 2km slope. With a pro finish of the day with a trip to the 'System bolaget' (bottlo) to be able to throw down a few cold brews while in a hot swedish sauna!
Last snowboard for the season, a four day trip. Up closer to the Arctic Circle than I've been, it's easier to see the northern stars here in Åre. Arcturus the brightest star of them all inspired us to use the star app on my tablet pc, and learn some northern astronomy. Last night caught us on the mountain in the middle of a snow storm, this last snowboard was a little extreme, but an epic experience. I felt like we were a migrating Arctic family.
Why my story starts with shoes, is because I havent put any on yet! No trip into the days adventures can begin without appropriate shoes. I bought these shoes last week on the Vikingline cruise to Mariehamn, because they have personality. Every person in Sthlm has a pair of converse, but I feel a green pair will take me on a walk that a black pair cannot. Perhaps a walk with more bounce, pehaps with more character!
Allow me to introduce myself. I'm a 26 year old Australian who believe's he can come to Sweden and learn swedish. My swedish is broken and ridiculous, but I hope you will observe my blogg transform.
Please get a glimpse into the life of a delirious ambitious man who thinks he can! This is my dream, I'm sure you will laugh at me...
