Byebye

Bye bye Mommy, Daddy and Willy. I miss you already!

Guess what?

It's snowing!

Unfortunately it probably won't stick. But on Tuesday the weather-prognosis says snow, and on Wednesday the low is -7 so it looks like snowy-season is coming!

Christmas Cats

Thought I'd upload some pictures of the cats from Katthuset! They're so adorable!

Advent with Mormor

Last weekend Grandma and I went to see the Lucia crowning and the tree's get lit for advent. Here's some pictures!

Thanksgiving

So today was Thanksgiving. Unfortunately Swedes have no reason to celebrate, meaning, I was about to be left without that delicious Thanksgiving dinner. That did NOT sit well with me though, so Isaac and I set out on a Thanksgiving-dinner shopping spree and got everything we needed for a basic Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey, mashed potatoes, Broccoli casserole, Rolls, Fruitsallad, Cranberry jelly and Mac n Cheese... that last one was mostly cause I miss Mac n Cheese. But, after what felt like, and probably was, HOURS of cooking we finished our masterpiece...

All the food.. plus Dr. Pepper ;)

My very first Broccoli Casserole. Momma ain't you proud?

My plate... it was DELICIOUS!

All in all a much better Thanksgiving than I thought I'd be having. But I still missed my family and having big Thanksgiving with everyone out in Tyler!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!


My dear nagging Mother, throughout the years you've made a point of complaining about my messy room and me not doing laundry and not doing the dishes and being lazy in general, and I've wanted nothing more than to just be able to hide away from you. But now that you're gone, and aren't here to nag at me, I miss you more than ever. Despite all that "terrible" nagging, you've been a really good mother to me. You always listen to my side of the argument and try to keep everything fair. I know I can tell you anything at all and I trust you with things I don't trust anyone else with. Shopping isn't fun without you, Christmas isn't fun without you, looking for apartments isn't fun without you.... pretty much what I'm trying to say is that I miss you terribly and regret ever wishing to move away from you! I love you so much and I'm so glad you're coming here for Christmas and I can't WAIT to see you!!

I LOVE YOU!

Your Daughter

Seven truths

Well, apparently I'm supposed to post seven truths about myself that you don't already know. I was challenged by my mother, and everyone knows that what mother says goes!

1. When I was little, I wanted to be a hockey goalie.
2. I've always been, and still am, afraid of the dark.
3. I'm never pleased with my hair no matter what I do.
4. I used to like Sweden better than the TX, but now I like TX muchmuch more.
5. I would rather sit at home with a book than go out with friends.
6. I hate cigarettes and think that they're just as bad as cutting.
7. I miss Texas and all my family and friends and pets!!

I don't have many people to pass this onto, since I don't really read any other blogs. But how about, if you read this, do it!

Weekend with Grandma

Today Grandma and I did some cleaning for advent, and took down some advent decorations. I've taken down all the curtains and dusted every surface my grandmother can't reach and changes lightbulbs. Pretty much I must be the coolest granddaughter in the world. Next weekend after the window cleaner has been here we're going to put up all the decorations and maybe bake some cookies? As a reward for my hard work I got some goodies and some christmas decorations which I'm going to decorate Isaac's room with when I get home. I can't wait, I love Christmas!!

In happier news!

There are a lot of exciting things happening despite my depression over the lack of mommy-posts. Three words... Apartment, Christmas, Cats.

Apartment
Tomorrow, after my 3hour long German class (Which starts at 8am?!?!), my supercool uncle is going to pick me up. And where are we going?? To meet my fav. realtor at the apartment at Bryggaregatan. And what will we do there? Have our pre-bidding private showing. And if it turns out to be a good apartment... and we decide to buy it... then maybemaybe, we can work something out with the seller right away, without even going through any bidding!

Christmas
It seeeeeems, but isn't completely decided, that my familia is coming to Swedenland for Christmas! That means, I get to see everybody after like... 6months away from them. Andandand, they can bring me more of my stuffs! Aaaaand, we can have a big christmas with the whole family! Aaaaaaanndd my mom doesn't have to go Christmas shopping alone afterall. Pretty much it's really exciting. And I might have to slap them if they don't come.

Cats
Well I guess this post should be in two parts. First of all, working at the Katthuset has been really fun. I've fallen in love with a few of the cats, but especially Olga, who looks like my cat Randen. My second favorite has to be Jane, a shy little stripy one. And then of course I really likes Falköga, the one with one eye, but he moved to his new home yesterday! Tomorrow everyone who volunteers there is going out for pizza together, which I'm excited about, and next weekend we're having an open house to raise money and so people can see the cats. Hopefully no one adopts Olga though! The other cat news is, that after I get an apartment I've decided to try to move my old cat Randen in there, I'm worried her old self won't make it through many more winters out there in the wilderness... and I'm also considering adopting a cat from the Katthus, probably Olga. Hopefully Randen will adapt to being an indoor cat well, and hopefully she'll get along with Olga. But I'm fairly sure she will, Olga is still a kitten and cats tend to like to "adopt" kittens.

Well, that's all for now. Probably the longest post ever....

Sad little girl

My mommy never writes on her blog anymore. She writes almost as little as me; and that makes me a sad little girl.

How am I supposed to know what is happening over in the Amerikat if my mummy never writes and tells me about it?

Answer is I can't. But my mommy doesn't seem to comprende that.

Still no apartment..

So the apartment at Spolegatan didn't work out either. Sigh. Wasn't too impressed by the one I saw yesterday, but I still have the one Henrik showed me. Plus I have another showing tomorrow and one on Tuesday. Sooo, we'll see how it goes!

Oh I was also at Katthuset today, I know I said I was going the other day but the meeting got postponed. Now I've met all the cats though and I'll have my first day of work on Friday! The cats were all really scared, except for a few. There was one that looked a lot like Randen, and one with only one eye that was gorgeousss, aaand two little stripy ones that were siblings and sooooo pretty! I'm sure this is going to be a fun job :)

Reaching the limit?

The bidding for the apartment at Spolegatan picked up att the worst possible time today... right in the middle of my German class. It got veryvery stressy, texting Isaac and Johny under the table, calling the realtor during break. Then it continued pretty steadily throughout the day, 3 of us are making fairly small raises, one is making big ones. No one has stopped yet, but I'm hoping they will in the morning. We're reaching our limit but we've got a little left to give!

Bidding number two?

Well, I've found another apartment I like and I'm going to put in a bid. I have to be careful with this one though because it can get too expensive much more easily than the last. It's still worth a try though! It's a lot like the last one, an old house from 1904, renovated. Really cozy, feels like home. I have a few other showings booked too, and I've seen one other apartment. So even if this one doesn't work out I have a lot of fine prospects! I'll post as soon as I know something new!

Save the kitties!

Tonight I'm going to an introduction meeting for "Kattstödet i Lund", an organization that rescues and adopts away homeless cats. I figured that since I don't have a lot to do nowadays and haven't found a job yet, I might as well do something useful with my time. So I'm going to help out at the cat house! Maybe whenever I have an apartment and a job, I'll even find my future kitty-baby there! :D

Bumpy ride

So this apartment bidding thing has been extremely up and down. First it seemed like maybemaybe, then like YES, then like "wait what happened?!" and now... like I won't get it at all. *tears* That was my dream-apartment you know. But, I have a few others that I like so hopefully one of them will be perfect for me too! No honestly I'm pretty depresso but the realator for two of the new prospects is pretty much the nicest realator I've ever met so I feel like I should seriously consider his two since he's been so nice and helpful. Then there's one other one who's realator works with the lady who was selling my dream-apartment, I haven't called her yet but it seems like it could be nice too... pray I'll find something I love!

The bidding has begun..

Soon I might have the most beautiful apartment in the whole city. But just maybe. The bidding has started on my part, and ended for one of my two competitors. Now I'm waiting for the word on the second... will he drop out as well? I sure hope so!

Eventful day

Today I moved in to Isaacs house and woow do i have a lot of stuff. I honestly don't know where I'm going to put it all.. I have a feeling some of it is going to have to be put up for sale on Blocket and some of the more summery stuff is going to have to hibernate in a box somewhere.. The cats seem to think all the new stuff is exciting though, they've been sniffing around all day!

The apartment search goes on. I went to see my dream apartment today and it was at least twice as amazing as I thought it would be. Unfortunately, people have already bid it out of my price-range. Damn them. I do have a few new options though, and I've booked some more showings. I figured I'd look at some apartments that were a little smaller to get them in my pricerange and I actually found some really nice ones! With even nicer pricetags ;)

A little more than just a new week...

After today I'll be done with all these stupid exams! That means, no more Fashion History class, and no more Math class, only German left. Which in turn means a lot lot lot of time to lazy around, and everyone knooows there's nothing i love more than lazying around. Except maybe getting new things... I might do some of that too though, I still have around 500kr left of my "Winterwear birthday money", and I'm thinking I might invest it in a knitted cardi. It is awful cold. Not cold enough for snow yet unfortunately but on Friday while I was biking to class I noticed how beautiful it was with all the fall-leaves on the street, almost completely yellow :) I don't know, it just feels like after next week everything is going to be different... moving, only having one class, winter coming... it feels like the beginning of something :) I just don't know what yet!

In other news...

Today I realized quite a few things. First of all, is that I have TWO exams on Friday, so I've got to do some hardcore studying. Second, Thursday is mine and Isaac's 4-month day. That means movies, dinner, and perhaps presents? What should I buy?? Third, Sunday my phone will switch over to Comviq, finally... I'm sick of spending half my monthly income on cellphone expenses. Fourth, Friday also brings CSN-money and the Jojo-kort, which I'm very excited about now that I realized what crap-piles these regular cards are! Lastly, it's almost the end of the month, meaning, I need to hurry up and move to Isaac's asap!

In my opinion, a very exciting couple of days to come!

Moving?

So it seems I am moving to Isaac's house next week. I've thought of it before, but not until recently has it seemed like the smartest thing to do. He always asks me why I don't, and I guess it's just the principle... you don't move in with a guy you've been with for a few months without a backup plan. That's just not how it should happen. But, I've been convinced. I've talked to him and his mom and my mom and my grandma and my uncle.... and realized that it's the best thing for me to do at this point. So, next week, the moving truck (a.k.a. Isaac's mom's car) will roll. I still have to go home and tell Madde..... but I guess it's not too late since it wasn't official until today.

Once I'm all moved in, I'll post some pictures of mine and Isaac's room, which will be even mooore redecorated than it already is as soon as my rent is paid ;)
MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAA

Late Birthday Post!

Late... I'm good at that, I know. But I did have an excuse!
I was in the process of writing my birthday-post at my boyfriends house when his computer tooootttalllly crapped out. So, I figured, maybe it would be better to write it later after I get all my presents anyways.
But, then when I got to my grandparents house, one of my presents from my parents was MISSING! So, I waited for it :) And while waiting I got another present, so it was for the best.
But today I got my present, and here is my birthday-post!

BIRTHDAY
My morning started with..
...breakfast in bed!
And singing by my loverly boyfriend Isaac and his supercool Mommy :)
Theeen came the presents!!

Super cute boots from Isaac and a giftcard to the movies from his parents!

After that I hungout at Isaac's house, moved all his furniture around and chatted a little. Nothing super exciting, but he was in school so I was home alone.

At 4:30pm I met up with my amazing cousin Alexander at the bus station to go to Malmö and celebrate with the grandparents. I had already had my birthday celebration with him and my uncle but I guess he wanted more cake... here are some pictures from my birthday-dinner with them:

My uncle Johny

Me and all the amazing Tapas

My super stylish cousin Alex and his delicious dessert

From Alex and Johny I got 500kr to spend on winterwear, a much needed component in my closet.... considering where I'm living now.

Back to the original story.. almost immediately after our arrival at the grandparents house, Alex and I were sent out to buy pizza and soda (The grandparents just came home from vacation an hour earlier so we decided against cooking.).
Pizza with the grandparents!

Alex always out-dresses me... darn him!

Aaaalllll my presents!

Holding my America-Presents

Delicious Ice Cream Cake :)

I'll just tell you about the presents, because I don't want to post every single picture.
From the Grandparents I got..

• A buscard with 200kr so I can come visit.
• 500kr towards winterwear.
• A picture-holder to put a picture of them in.
• A pair of black leggings

From my Mommy and Daddy..

• 3 pairs of Gilly Hicks undies to match my Gilly Hicks Bra's
• 2 pairs of opaque black tights
• 500kr
• $100
• Some of the stuff I left in the U.S. that I missed.

From my loverly brother..

• 50kr to buy a new beta-fish with, since I miss my benedict so much!
• My diary which I also missed terribly. (Yes I am just as bad at updating it as this blog!)
• A super cute card (Which was from him and my brother-from-another-mother Franz)

I also got a giftcard to Gina Tricot from Camilla the other day, which will also contribute to my new winterwear collection!

All-in-all, a very good birthday!

Thank you everyone sososooo much for everything!

Love,
Charlene

Almost BIRTHDAY!

Om TRE timmar är det FÖDELSEDAAAAAG :)
Jag har redan fått födelsedags-pizza, och födelsedags-Halloj av Isaac; MUMS!
Har även köpt lite Dr. Pepper åt mig själv... smakar 10x bättre när det är svårt att få tag på!
Inte mycket nytt sen igår, men jag skriver i morgon och laddar up bilder av presenter etc!

Kraaamm

So much for making plans...

Well... my plans for today got ALL messed up. I had to have Isaac come to my house and help me with all my stuff because I had to bring my rollie-bag, my bike, my schoolbag, and my purse.. So Isaac walked with me to pick up my books and then took the rollie-bag home while I biked to class. The plan WAS to go to the bank and to vote for the church thing, but I'm going to have to do that tomorrow cause I just didn't have time. I am def gonna make time for that bank visit though cause if I don't I won't get my free money... other than that nothing new. Isaac gave me supah delicious food when I came home from class today, and I've figured out that my German class starts at 11 tomorrow morning :):)

Plans for today... and a few days ahead :)

Well, I usually end up planning a few days at a time, because I mostly live at my boyfriends house, and have to pack for about 3days when I'm home. Tonight I have class (Modets Idehistoria) from 5pm-8pm, but I have som errands to run before that so Isaac is coming over to help me get all my stuff home to his house.

First on the list is voting for the... church council? Or something like that... I got a ballot and both my Grandmother and my "house-mom" think I should vote so I figured what the hell. After that I'm heading over to the gas station(!?!?!?) to pick up my school books (FINALLY!). Theeen I have to go to the bank and register my bank account with CSN so I can get money from the government for studying. After that it's either shop around town a little or go straigt to class... not sure what time I'll get done with all the other stuff. I have to remember to pack my water bottle and some snacks though cause I always get insanely hungry/thirsty in that class..... I guess I'm just used to my mom packing snacks for school :(

Tomorrow I have German class sometime around the middle of the day I think, and other than that I don't have anything major planned... hang out with Isaac I guess, I'm sleeping over there tonight :) But THURSDAY! Thursday is my biirthdaayyyy, so I'm gonna wake up early and have a mini celebration with Isaac, and then chill at his house while he's at school, and then around 4pm I'm meeting my frickin cool cousin Alex at the busstation to head down to Malmo to spend the evening with the grandparent. And we're having my favorite food for dinner, that's right, PIZZA. Yum :):) We WOULD have something "proper" like Fishcasserole but my grandparents are coming home from a mini-vacation around 4:30 so there's not really any time to cook.

That's my plans for the week so far! :D I'm also considering investing in a waffle iron cause neither Isaac's family or Madde (my housing-mom) has one... and I love waffles... but I'll have to asses my economy first. I think it should be fine considering I get CSN money like... by the end of this week I think...

Okay okay, enough for now. I'll tryy to remember to write more later :)

Blog igen?

Me at Kattesund i Lund

Long time no see? Only about 9 months! I could have gotten preggers and had a baby in that time. Well, I said from the beginning I was bad at stuff like this, but this morning I had a sudden urge to post.

I started writing this blog in Swedish to practice before moving over here, but now I'm here and practice everyday, so I figured English would be better since almot everyone understands it.

I don't know how long I'll be able to keep this up this time, but I'm hoping I'll stick with it, and get better with the pictures and all ;) I guess we'll see...

Flood in the classroom!

Fint

I gar var allt isigt :)
Istappar overallt!
Titta....

2008

Lite "New Year's Surveys" :)

1. Will you be looking for a new job?
I'm hoping the one I just applied for will work out...but maybe.

2. Will you be looking for a new relationship?
Don't know yet, maybe.

3. Will you be looking for sex?
Looking for it? Doubt that.

4. What will you do different in ‘08?
Tons of things I hope :/

5. New Years Resolution?
I don't have one.

6. Any trips planned?
Germany and Sweden this summer :) And maybemaybe an Alaska trip too.

7. Wedding plans?
No

8. Major thing on your calendar?
Graduation day :)

9. What can’t you wait for?
Finding out in what COUNTRY I'm going to be living next year!!!!

10. What would you like to see happen different?
Too many things to even go into...

11. What about yourself will you be changing?
Not sure

12. What happened in ‘08 that you didn’t think would ever happen?
I got...a boyfriend...and stayed with him for like...9 months officially. Not sure how long unofficially.

13. Will you be nicer to the people you care about?
I sure hope so..

14. Will you dress differently in ‘09 than you did in ‘08?
Yeah :)

15. Will you start or quit drinking?
I'll probably drink just about as much as I do now, which is hardly at all.

16. Will you better your relationship with your family?
Dunno, I'm moving away from them :/

17. Will you do volunteer work?
If some comes up I might :)

18. Will you be nice to people you don’t know?
I usually am...

19. Do you expect ‘09 to be a good year for you?
I think it'll either be AMAZING or crazy bad.

20. How much did you change from this time last year til now?
Hmmm, a lot.

21. Do you plan on having a child?
Not this year.

22. Will you still be friends with the same people you are friends with now?
Doubt it, everyone is moving away.

23. Major lifestyle changes?
I'll be living away from my family :)

24. Will you be moving?
Yesyesyes :) To Sweeeedenn! (Or maaaaybe Alaska but I highly doubt that.)

25. What will you make sure doesn’t happen in 09 that happened in 08?
Hmmm...I want to say all the bad relationship stuff with Gustav but I know that it's highly unlikely that there won't be more stuff like that this year.

26. Will you have someone to kiss at midnight?
New Years has already passed, and I kissed no one :)

-------------------------------------------------

What was the best part of last year?
Gustav :)

What was the worst part of last year?
Gustav :/

What was the biggest surprise of last year?
Staying in a relationship for almost all (or all depending on what you think counts) of it.

What are you most looking forward to next year?
Seeing where I'll end up after the summer!

Is there anything you are not looking forward to next year?
Leaving behind my family and friends and pets and most of my stuff :)

What was the best song of last year?
Too many to even count... I'm Yours by Jason Mraz.

What was the best TV show of last year?
PRISON BREAK!

What was the best book you read last year?
Marian Keyes series (the one about all the sisters) and all the Jodi Picoult books!

What was the best film of last year?
Ps. I Love You

What change would you like to make to your life next year?
Too many to even count :)

What change would you like to see in the world next year?
Cheaper airfare!

----------------------------------

How old did you become this year? EIGHTEEN!!!

Did you host any parties this year? Nope

Which was your favorite month? I loved most of them :) Jan-August were best though.

Which was your worst month? August-December were all terrible mixed in with some good.

Have you made a new best friend? Yes I did! A few actually :)

Have you fallen in love? I did :)

Have you done something you regret? Lots of small things :(

Did you not do something you wished you did? Tonsss

Did you wish for something that came true? Probably

Did a best friend help you out? Yeah

Did you get in a lot of trouble? Yeaaaaahhhh

Did a friend hurt you? Terribly

Were you in a car accident? Actually I sort of was, just a little one though :)

Did a close relative die? No

Did you change schools? Nope!
Did you sleep in the same bed as the opposite sex? Of course, Gustav and I lived together.

Did you get so drunk that you passed out? I've never been drunk.

Did you wanna say something to someone, but did not because you were too scared? Nahh, I always end up saying it anyways.

Did you cry for no reason? Tons

Did you dye your hair? Yeah once at the beginning of the year.

Did you break any rules? Too many

If you could replay last year again, would you? The first 3/4 of it...

Overall was last year a good year or a bad year? Both, but mostly good :)

Is the New Year...

Going to be better than last year? That would be amazing :)

How old are you going to be when its your birthday? 19

Are you going to change schools? Yess, I'm going to College :D

Are you going to be looking for a new relationship? Not sure

Do you wanna do something different? Lots of things

You are gonna become a year older, looking forward to it? I guess

Where are you going to go on Spring Break? Don't know, I was hoping to go to Alaska but I don't know about that anymore.

Julklappar (Finally)

FINALLY far ni se mina presenter :)


Halsband fran Lillebror

Monopol "World Edition" fran Mammy och Daddy

Min Mandel gava, Ferrero Rocher chocklad.

Bocker fran Lillebror.

Troja fran Aunt Janet

"Reed Diffuser" fran Mammy

Liten planbok fran Aunt Kathy

Fran tjej kompisen Jordan.

Academy giftcard fran Aunt Jan och Sonic fran Mammy.

Seventeen Magazine abonemang(?) fran Mammy och Daddy.

Jeans fran tjej kompisen Lily.

viking troja fran Mammy och resten fran tjej kompisen Kristina (En ar i tvatten..)

Fick ocksa ny BH med matchande trosor fran Mammy, och pengar fran tjej kompisarna Katrina och Hong, Mormor och Morfar, Aunt Janet och Uncle Sonny, och Aunt Dawn.

Lite annat smatt ocksa....

Och KAMERAN ofcourse :)

In with the new?

R.I.P. Rizzo


aaaanndd...

Welcome to the family Itze and Misty!

From left to right: Itze, Misty and on the other side Sandy (Rizzo's sister)

Jag vet att det kanske later taskigt att kopa nya okenrattor tva dagar efter den gammla dog.... men det ar det faktiskt inte. Okenrattor dor av sorg om deras kompis dor, sa det ar bast att kopa nya snabbt som attan sa de blir glada igen :) Denna gangen blev det tva, for Sandy ar ratt gammal sa nar hon dor har Itze och Misty fortfarande varandra :)