Australian-Swedish??? Is there such a thing?

Over the last few weeks I have been asking myself, what should I write about today? What thrilling tales of adventure can I share.... hmmmmm...
*Evil Cas: the sun is shining don't worry about your blog VS Good Cas: Don't be so lazy go write something hillllariously funny with lots of mental notes!*

So I set myself a tast - I had to go out and actually observe daily occurances. Ones which just over a year ago would have seemed unusual, although now go relatively unnoticed! I had to say, I was a little intrigued to find out how much I had assimilated into the Swedish culture! Was I now an Australian Swede? Or a Australian living in Sweden?

It didnt take long to find some startling differences! After removing my bike from the communial rack infront of our apartment (No. 1) and cycling along the wide tree ladened bicycle path (think width of a car lane - No. 2) to the train station, I got off my bike, and stopped, motionless, staring. There must be 1000 or so bikes on this side of the train station. Then I thought about the other side of the station - the entrance side. Where there is possibly 20 times this many bikes.

Train travel. That's something I don't tend to notice anymore.

Train travel is obviously not exclusive to Sweden, people travel by train everywhere, hell even in Queensland people travel by train! However, the proportion of people who untilise train travel in Sweden, is generally only seen in very large metropolitan areas where travelling by car is almost impossible. Obviously when I lived in London I travel by train and bus, and thought nothing of it. I lived for 3years without a car when I returned from London (But my friends and family assisted in this time). It most certainly can be done. But how often is it?

This morning, the good people at Skanetraffiken were offering me a choice of 4 trains within the next 35mins, which would all take me the 20km to Malmö - a 12min journey. Now I remember catching trains in Brisbane. 2 times per hour from my suburb (which was inner city - 2km from the CBD!) I had to change in the city and it took approx 40mins to travel the 6km to work! The bus was no quicker!

While I internally praised Sweden, and it's people for how responsible they are with regards to transport, and caring for their environment, I wondered how Australia could change with regards to public transport, and more importantly reducing oil consumption? I don't even know where you should begin? Obviously improving the transport systems would be a great start!

If politicans would dramatically change their attitudes and see that there is money to made in renewable energy and not just coal, oil and gas production (with less environmental and health concerns) that would help! Sweden is fortunate that their politicians are extremely focused on creating a healthy "green" environment - so it is much easier for people to follow suit.

But how do you change peoples attitudes if you dont have strong leaders setting the example, ensuring everyone has the ability to live a "greener" life? Trust me I am not guilt free, I often drove to the shop for milk in Brisbane (I blamed it on lack of time - but really I drove because I could).

While I think it is very safe to say I will always be an Australian living in Sweden! One who will not want to take her dancing shoes off when she arrives at a house party (because damn it my shoes are often the highlight of the outfit!). One who will never understand the delights of pickeled herring, nor sil, nor smoked eel. One who will always love to sit outside barefooted, and practice yoga and pilates barefooted (No grippy socks for me!)... I am however, happy to adopt the Swedish practices I enjoy and agree with!

Reducing my carbon footprint is definately one of those practices I intend to continue with no matter where I live! (If at the very least, only to make up for my long haul flying - although I do offset my carbon emissions!)

For those who are interested some more info on train travel and "energy" in Sweden!

* SX trains in Sweden hold up to 1600 people, run 4X/hr between Lund and Malmo in each direction (and on to Copenhagen) from 6am to midnight (1X/hr 24h - 6h) and are generally at least 80%full (often overfull).
* Pågatåg is the regional train company. They run 3-4 X/hr in each direction between Malmö and Helsingborg and carry 500-800 people (approx 40min trip).
(so thats 5 - 8 trains run/hr in each direction carrying up to 10,000+ people!)
* SX trains, Pågtågets and busses are all run on "green energy" i.e. non coal, oil nor gas!
* On top of the already running trains an underground train system is being built which will double the amount of trains running between Lund and Copenhagen.
* For the record, Lund has a population of 100,000, Malmö 300,000.
* Sweden has not increased it's oil consumption in the past 15years - despite the majority of the western world doubling its consumption in the same time period!
* Sweden aims to be world leaders in energy conservation and "END our dependence on oil by the year 2020 and tangibly reduce our use of oil products"* (they aim to be oil and gas free by 2050!)
* Sweden uses three types of power. Hydro, Fosil fuel and nuclear energy (They have relied on Nuclear power since the 60's). Note: They do not rely on gas nor coal! (well other than charcoal BBQ's!)
* Sweden made the decision to phase out nuclear power in 1980, when anti-nuclear protests were at its peak - however, the threat of Global Warming has slowed the dismantlement, as some 80% of Swedes say they want to keep nuclear power as "they fear they will have to import energy from carbon dioxide-emitting coal and gas power plants elsewhere in Europe, as a result of energy shortages". 2 reactors are no longer in use (10 still are)
* An 8BN SEK ($1.3B AUD) wind farm was recently built, which is one the largest wind farms in the world - however this farm only produces half the energy of the Barseback 2 nuclear reactor which was recently closed.
* Families - not just individuals cycle. Remember the picture of Brad Pit cylcing with their clan in New Orleans?? Well just like that, although perhaps with a little less sex appeal??
One shouldnt be suprised to see men and women in business suits cycling to work! Or even dropping their children at daycare on the way to work.
* Fuel costs 13sek ($2.26AUD, $2.16USD, £1.09) per litre. I have never heard anyone complain. People understand that they shouldnt drive needlessly.
* There is a 7+ month waiting list for a hybrid car. They are in popular demand. I imagine most people would be embarressed to purchase a new car which wasnt a hybrid.

Doing a dance, doing a dance... doing a Christmas dance!

Well seeing as that was the "it" song while I was home in January (Thanks Sambo) I felt it only fitting to use that as the title as.....

Finally....

We have....

Booked Håkan's flight to Austraia! We will be home for christmas and new year!

H will be departing London on 20th December and we both will be staying until 18th January (unless there is a super cool BDO line up in which case the 19th!). So I am sure that anyone up for some celebrating (read drinking) on 22nd December - let us know!!! At the moment my flight is booked for 29th November - although I will advise if that date will change at a later date. YAY!!!

Wishing I was there....

As always with living on the opposite side of the planet to where you call home, occassions will come and go that you wish you were able to celebrate/attend, or to simply be there "physically" to support others through their milestones. This week was no exception!

It started with Nat getting her tattoo. While this might not seem like a big deal to most, this is a piece art which Nat has chosen to display on her, for the rest of her life (Yes I know that is what a tattoo is). Anywhoo this piece of art is important enough to her that she will keep it with her forever, therefore it is important to me. I would have loved to have been there to hold her hand - while she was well looked after - I am sure she wouldn't have minded having another hand holder.
art work by Auroel

Tomorrow is the day I most wish I was home. It's a very exciting day in my world. Firstly, Kerry is celebrating her 30th Birthday, AND it is The first "official" day of business for CarsonHall Photography. Fo and Bec Hall have gone into the Wedding photography business (as well as keeping their own family photography buisnesses) and I think despite their nerves, they are going to amaze even themselves away with the magic they will create with their cameras!

Kerry i would love to be there to celebrate, and I'm so glad Jess has organised everything for you! Fona, I wish I could hold your hand tonight and remind you how wonderful you are as a photographer, and to remind you that your only limitations are your nerves!!

Just because I speak a language, doesnt mean I understand it!

It the past several weeks, life in Sweden has felt somewhat easier. One of the biggest changes I have noticed, and which has contributed to me enjoying life more, is that I am more daring. I dare to go to pilates in swedish, I dare to speak swedish (when I have to) even though I know that between my accent and my poor vocabularly, no one understands me... Generally I dare not to care anymore! This has been a very liberating experience in itself - to no longer care how Sweden treats or views me! Unfortunately, (and for those who know me well, they will surely attest to this character flaw of mine) once I get on a roll, I tend to get, well a little cocky, a little over zealous if you will.
.

As I mentioned, I have been attending a pilates class for the last few months, which is taught in Swedish, and I have no problems following the class, as I have done pilates for years, so I generally know where the class is going, or it will only take me a few seconds to work out what move the instructor means (because often I have no idea what she is saying!). So I decided that it was time to bump it up a little. Try something new - it was time to try the abs class (notice I keep taking the classes with english names, somehow I think this will help!). Luckily this class was just like "pilates on speed". I again had NO PROBLEMS following. I already knew all the moves, it was just 10 times faster with really cheesy top 40 dance tracks playing!

So the next day I dared to try something else. I decided that POWER/ABS 75 looked like a good place to start. My zeal and enthiasm lead me to believe that a) I knew what the class was. and b) I could handle it.

You know whats comming dont you.

I thought I would never survive. I did not walk into a Power Yoga and Abs class. I walked into a 75minute boot camp style Power - as in POWER building class. Let me just tell you after the first 15mins of cardio with weights when I felt like I might just vomit - and then I realised the instructor still hadnt taken off her jumper.... Well you can imagine. I am now also very familar with what it must feel like to be yelled at by a Swedish Staff Sargent!! Lets just say it has taken me 3 days to be able to walk up the stairs without wincing in pain...

so now I'm starting to wonder if I am up for another class tonight??



I survived it once, do I dare to try it again???????

Joy can be found in the simplest of things.....

For me, yesterday, absolute joy was found in being outside wearing a denim skirt, singlet and bare feet. That's right I said OUTSIDE! Something I haven't been able to do in Sweden since, hell, I dont know if I have ever been able to do it! (I have, but it was simply to long ago to remember!)

I can not describe the joy it brought to me. To feel the fresh air and sunshine on my bare skin... Listening to the birds chirping, the hares scampering through the garden (we have hares that live in our garden, but they have been very quiet through the winter months) all the while over dosing on the sweet smell of spring wildflowers. Life felt perfect. I could not have asked for anything else (ok, well, maybe to have had someone there to share it with!)

I actually felt as though I had been picked up and inserted in a tourism commercial for Sweden. It was the most perfect moment of indulgence. A day like that confirms my belief that Sweden is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever seen.

I also fell asleep for around 40mins lying in the park.
With no sunscreen.
And I dont have sunburn.
Not even a little!
(And yes Mum and Nat, I am aware I should have had sunscreen on regardless.)

After being rugged up for months and months on end, it is nice to not have to fear the harshness the sun, as people must in Australia. It was certainly nice to go to sleep last night and to not be in pain from my sunburn, nor fearing the possibility of a malignant melanoma from having a day in the sun!!!!

Whilst I am busy singing the praises of Sweden (it's about time!) for those that are interested, 39,805 malignant melanomas were registered with the Swedish Cancer Registry between 1961 and 1995. Compared with Australia's 380,000 EVERY YEAR! Even if you take into account Sweden's population of only 9M, the difference is phenomenal! (I would however be interested to learn what the incidence of skin cancer in expat Swedes is, especially of those living in Australia).

I complain bitterly about the weather in Sweden, however, when I look at it from that point of view, I should just shut it!!