tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19992465841705994792024-02-21T03:50:02.478+01:00Cas i SverigeCassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999246584170599479.post-24696520551879549902009-08-12T14:27:00.005+02:002009-08-12T14:45:01.694+02:00I want to be an actionaid blogger!<span style="font-style:italic;"><br />'<a href="http://blogs.actionaid.org.au/toto/2009/07/01/hello-world/#more-1">ActionAid Australia</a> is searching for an energetic Australian to be our next outreach blogger, to help give poverty a voice'.</span><br /><br />I would love to be the next ActionAid Outpost blogger! The aim of the game is for ActionAid to find a suitable candidate to travel to one of their program countries and assist/teach the locals to use social media to enhance their human rights & give them a voice (ie Facebook, Twitter, blogs and the likes). Considering I am studying a Masters in Communication for Development, and the module I am studying right now just happens to be Social Meida and Development - How much more perfect could this be for me?<br /><br />If you feel I would be right for the job (cause I certainly think/hope I am the perfect candidate!) then I would love for you to leave a comment supporting my request to be the next blogger! <a href="http://blogs.actionaid.org.au/toto/2009/07/01/hello-world/#more-1">see here</a>. <br /><br />Why not follow Actionaid on Twitter. Hell, why not follow me on Twitter (Casisverige), Tweet me, RT my request to vote for me, add me on facebook (Cassandra Doyle), Do it however you want - just do it!<br /><br />While your doing all this, you might as well check out ActionAid's site & hopefully lend your support - they are doing some fab things all over the world!Cassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999246584170599479.post-68433752833884935992009-08-07T06:24:00.003+02:002009-08-07T07:07:29.058+02:00Clean drinking water for all?Whilst enjoying all the yummy goodness of <a href="http://www.5thelement.com.au">5th Elements</a> Tapas menu with friends last night, <a href="http://www.libinlondon.blogspot.com">Lib</a> decided to share a little more than the last herb crumbed goats brie with me. She (and subsequently myself) has become hooked on a website titled <a href="http://www.ted.com">TED: Ideas worth spreading</a>. Now I would have liked to have thought I was reasonably up to date on developments which could enhance AID work; especially ones which could potentially allow the meeting of one of the <a href="http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/">UN's Millennium Development goals</a> - and yet I had completely missed the ball on this one (lets blame it on a year upheaval, uncertainty and travel!) For those who are interested check out this potentially revolutionising invention by Michael Pritchard which turns filthy water into drinking water! It's titled the Lifesaver water-purification bottle. <br /><br /><object width="446" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"></param> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/embed/MichaelPritchard_2009G-embed_high.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/MichaelPritchard-2009G.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=613" /><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgColor="#ffffff" width="446" height="326" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/embed/MichaelPritchard_2009G-embed_high.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/MichaelPritchard-2009G.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=613"></embed></object><br /><br />While granted there are a few flaws in Michael's argument re: money already being spent on Aid; I'm not really interested in opening a debate on that. I am interested in hearing if anyone has seen these devices being used in the field, or if you have heard of any drawbacks to the system. And if not, why the hell are Governments and NGO's not distributing them, especially to agencies working in disaster zones?Cassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999246584170599479.post-65271875418419002032009-08-07T06:20:00.003+02:002009-08-07T06:24:30.292+02:00Back to the start.....It's been a while since I posted on Casisverige. Mostly because A) I'm no longer in Sweden and B) I have been a little confused about whether or not I really am 'Casisverige' anymore (as a blogger).<br /><br />I've decided that I am Casisverige, despite my location. I wont be writing about my experiences as an Expat, but I will be writing about my life experiences, and interesting developments in the world!<br /><br />Currently I'm focusing on finishing my Masters Degree in Communication for Development, and enjoying life. Join me if you will....Cassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999246584170599479.post-82715798317758149312009-02-13T11:50:00.005+01:002009-02-24T04:36:29.538+01:00MateshipIn 1999, Australia held a referendum asking the people if they wished to become a republic or not. Leading up to the vote, much of the debate surrounded the use of the term 'mateship' in the preamble, rather than focusing on the nitty gritty of what a republic would mean for the average joe. At the time, I felt the exclusion of the word was a positive thing. Mostly as I felt the world was far to 'folksy', also as many women believed the word had masculine connotations. After the events of the past few weeks, I would now question if that term should have remained in the preamble (despite the fact Australia voted No to a republic).<br /><br />Most people would be aware that Victoria has recently experienced the worst bushfires known to have occured in Australian history. What many may not be aware of is that the northern parts of Queensland have been dealing with torrential rain and subsequent flooding over the past 6 weeks. Despite what this says about the diversity of the Australian climate and landscape it is the support of the Australian public to both these events in the midst of a financial crisis which has made me rethink the term 'mateship'. In excess of $50 Million dollars has been raised for the bushfire victims with the most notable dontations coming from Northern Queensland flood <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487237.htm">victims.</a> A government grant was issued to people living in areas affected by the flood waters, which many of these reciepents then donated on to bushfire victims. I can't really think of a word which embodies this type of national spirit or generosity in the face of such adversity other than 'mateship'.Cassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999246584170599479.post-78395619495045182602009-01-13T02:55:00.007+01:002009-01-20T09:14:25.044+01:00Maximo, Maximo, Maximo!This poor little kid has been labeled a drama queen since the day he could reveal his personality.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cassyroe75/3166790250/" title="Australia December 08 204 by cassyroe75, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/3166790250_50a7301ef1.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Australia December 08 204" /></a><br />In fairness he is. He has a wonderfully 'dynamic' personality, he is ridiculously intelligent - he speaks like a 3 year old, he's taught himself to count to 10 (yes himself - from listening to his older brother) . He knows his ABC's, his colours, and he generally doesn't like a single thing about being anything other than a 'big boy'! <br /><br />He also knows how to top anything anyone does!<br /><br />For instance, I recently mentioned I had had a hospital visit - which resulted in a fair bit of attention being focused towards me for a few days. It would seem that Max decided to see me my hospital visit and raise me, I don't know, one of the most frightening experiences of his parents lives! Max begin last Thursday having what we now know were 'drop seizures'. His poor mother assumed that he had a middle ear infection (as who would suspect that their perfectly healthy child was suddenly having drop seizures?).<br /><br />This lead to a suspected 'febrile convulsion' that evening (despite Max not having a temperature). This particular seizure lasted more than 7 mins and left him unconscious for almost an hour afterwards. Long story short - Max was released from hospital 2 hours after waking, despite having no obvious source of infection (a prerequiste for febrile convulsions). Funny enough both the drop seizures and the 'grand mal' seizures reoccured the next day - culminating in approx 30 seizures in 3 days (and a 6day hospital visit!). <br /><br />While this was as horrible as horrible can be - and something I wish upon no parent. What I can take from it (my blog is MY ego) is that firstly, it made me realise that what is going on in my life is quite insignificant. Secondly, we were forced to face the reality that, while this is horrible and scary and many other emotions in between, we are actually very fortunate. Things could be so much worse. One of the obvious reasons for the onset of seizures is a brain tumor - and while we don't have the confirmation that it is NOT a brain tumor, we all feel in our heart of hearts that Maximo the drama queen is around to stay for alot longer than a few years!<br /><br />However, we don't know now, and we may never know what causes these seizures, possibly he will have them whenever he is unwell. That's also ok as well - we just have to make sure we all stay well, and don't share our germs with him! <br /><br />2009. Can only get better from here! Just you wait and see...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cassyroe75/3203027145/" title="Maximo goes RARRRR! 03.12.08 by cassyroe75, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3496/3203027145_b4f9d372de.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Maximo goes RARRRR! 03.12.08" /></a>Cassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999246584170599479.post-1458540311780727952009-01-13T02:23:00.003+01:002009-01-13T02:55:42.187+01:00January - off to a bang!Happy New Year!<br />Or happy crappy start to 2009 - which can only mean things are on the rise!<br /><br />2009 - wow where do I start?<br />I decided to end 2008 in hospital. I mean the only way to top the crappyness of 2008 was with a life threatening experience, right? <br /><br />I have always had a crappy neck and back - and on my second or third beer on new years eve i decided to 'crack' my neck to relieve the tension. Needless to say it was a BIG mistake. Long story short my C1 (very top bone in your neck) was already out of place, and I made it worse = migraine = tension = pain = me feeling like my head was going to explode. <br />Which it turns out it almost was!! <br /><br />After a couple hours I became fairly concerned as, although I hadn't had a migraine for some years, I knew they had never felt like this one. Being New Years Eve, I walked myself to the hospital (you try getting a cab - and I am a nurse - I would never call an ambulance for a 'headache') Natty escorted me and we were both astounded how seriously they were taking a migraine! Something tells me in hindsight that I looked pretty bloody terrible - terrible enough to have me in a hospital bed with a doctors undivided attention within 20 mins of my arrival to the hospital (Remembering this is one of the busiest emergency departments in Australia). <br /><br />Long story short the pain was exacerbating my blood pressure which in turn exacerbated the pain (and so on) which lead me to have a blood pressure of 197/123 (for those who don't know what that means - high enough to have caused a stroke or a vessel to burst in my brain)<br /><br />So after this little event, 2009 is going to be about limiting stress, looking after myself and learning to be completely happy again. Oh and staying near my family! Cause they are the ones that are there when we need them!<br /><br />Happy New Year everyone, 2009 is going to be exciting to say the least! xxCassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999246584170599479.post-88100044304108807352008-12-29T11:53:00.005+01:002009-01-04T16:06:01.907+01:00Time flies when your unorganised :D(Whoops... I forgot to post this earlier)<br /><br />It really really really does!<br /><br />First of all - God Jul/Merry Christmas!<br />Although almost a week late, I hope you believe that the sentiment is no less sincere. I had forgotten how busy life can get in Brisbane - luckily I caught up on sleep while I was living in Sweden. I'm going to need it!!<br /><br />I had some Swedish friends here the week before Christmas <span style="font-style:italic;">or Jul!</span> Linnea and Fredrik are friends of Nettan's whom I've adopted as my own. It was GREAT to spend time with them, although I probable wasn't the best host for them! Between being back at work at the Mater (which feels like 1 million steps in the wrong direction) the stress of not being able to complete an assignment and the plain <span style="font-style:italic;">weirdness</span> of it being the week that Håkan should have arrived in Australia - I was a little off my game. Nothing major, but I just feel I could have showed people 'my Brisbane' better than I did that week! (Sleep deprivation is a bitch!)<br /><br />Speaking of <span style="font-style:italic;">my Brisbane</span> I have been slowly reintroduced to the local culinary delights of Brisbane - of course I've been enjoying this with my foodie sidekick <a href="http://libinlondon.blogspot.com">Lib</a>. (Hopefully she'll forgive me now I've given her a mention - she felt somewhat neglected after I failed to mention her in my first Australian blog post!) As foodies go we're difficult to please, and to be honest I haven't eaten anything in Brisbane that is worth mention so far (except for Tandoori King - expect more on that later). I'm not sure if this is a case of me having creating a world of exceptional brisbane cafes in my head over the past two years, or if we've just been plain unlucky. <br /><br />I'll leave you with a couple of photos I've taken since being home. One day I will get Fona to teach me to edit them properly, however as it stands now I only have a lap top and photoshop causes laptops to CRASH regularly....<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cassyroe75/3166021585/" title="Maximo 2 by cassyroe75, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1333/3166021585_ae350b23d7.jpg" width="500" height="339" alt="Maximo 2" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cassyroe75/3083963784/" title="Fona & Maximo by cassyroe75, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3177/3083963784_2a236f7dd8.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Fona & Maximo" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cassyroe75/3166947780/" title="Australia December 08 225 by cassyroe75, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1187/3166947780_cb9164f745.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Australia December 08 225" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cassyroe75/3166128753/" title="Sambo by cassyroe75, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/3166128753_20ef3f649c.jpg" width="500" height="304" alt="Sambo" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cassyroe75/3166969434/" title="Australia December 08 305 by cassyroe75, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1028/3166969434_0276e4b668.jpg" width="500" height="337" alt="Australia December 08 305" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cassyroe75/3166977554/" title="Australia December 08 242 by cassyroe75, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1006/3166977554_b02f6a7fde.jpg" width="500" height="368" alt="Australia December 08 242" /></a>Cassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999246584170599479.post-22061252964841957812008-12-05T02:45:00.007+01:002008-12-05T04:13:59.951+01:00Home is where the heart is....Apparently. I'm not sure if I am convinced it's where my heart is, but it's certainly where the hearts of my loved ones are! I arrived home on Monday, with the gorgeous Sambo literally pushing his little brother out of the way to get to me. Poor little Maximo (who is not quite two) took a little while to come to terms with me not being inside a computer. He certainly knew who I was - he whispered to his Mum 'It's Aunty Cas?' With a very confused and puzzled look as if to question why there would be a real life version of me! <br /><br />My comming home 'treat' was <a href="http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/">Cirque De Soleil</a> - I had never been to Cirque De Soleil before, so I wasn't sure what to expect exactly. I had seen one or two of their performances on TV -so I knew to there would be Dance, Theatre, Acrobats, Music - I wasn't prepared for the level of comedy nor the element of suspense! This particular performance is titled 'Dralion' which claims to be a fusion of the ancient Chinese circus tradition and the avant-garde approach of Cirque du Soleil - <span style="font-style:italic;">'<a href="http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/world/en/au/shows/dralion.asp">Dralion</a> derives much of its inspiration from Eastern philosophy with its perpetual quest for harmony between humankind and nature</span>'. <br /><br />It's safe to say that all of the performances certainly met their mark! I could not fault anything - other to say than some of the more tranquil and delicate acts saw me almost slip into a jet-lagged coma - so possibly not the best idea to an evening performance with jet lag! The performances were so well executed that had it not been for a few minor mistakes (possibly life threatening) I imagine I would have forgotten exactly how remarkable and difficult most of the movements were. Needless to say I think CDS meet their goal of "to entertain, uplift and enlighten audiences the world over."Cassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999246584170599479.post-20538755593880316772008-11-19T15:56:00.004+01:002008-11-19T16:29:37.756+01:00and the countdown... it begins.In ten days time I shall be on my way to Australia, full of uncertainty and quite possibly even more anxious than I already am. I guess I will no longer be 'Cas i Sverige', I assume I will just be normal old Cas again. (Although I was told recently, that I wasn't really of domestic quality; I was much more of the 'export' quality.... so who knows).<br /><br />The begining of goodbye drinks and dinners have begun (to my mortification with my current fringe debacle!) and it feels strange. For so long I was looking forward to moving home to Australia, which was primarily based on my own feelings of inadequacy. I had no goals, dreams or aspirations here, and of course now I have finally found the life that I had craved - it seems it's time to go home. Please don't get me wrong, I am very much looking forward to spending time with my family and friends again, it's just that this feels a little like a cruel twist of fate. And of course this blog allows me to express my true inner emo!<br /><br />On the plus side there will be daylight! As i am writing this the sun has all but set at 4pm, so the thought of sunshine and heat is fairly exciting right now. I am also looking forward to improving my english skills - to re-include complex structure when speaking; and to use adjectives other than those of awesome, good, nice, great and cool!Cassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999246584170599479.post-85536453765807199582008-11-19T10:49:00.003+01:002008-11-19T11:00:18.047+01:00When bad hair happens to good people!I have always had crazy sleeping patterns when I'm dealing with tranisitions in my life. So it came as no suprise to me that as I am preparing to uproot myself <em>again</em>, that sleep is becomming a rare commodity! Monday night I decided to do something productive with my 'awake time' i.e the midnight to 2am time bracket. I decided to redo my hair. Which included cutting my fringe.<br /><br />I've done this 100 times before - there shouldn't have been a problem. Of course there was. I stupidly cut my fringe at the length I wanted it to sit.... while it was wet! Roll your eyes people - it's just one more ingredient in this #!@*cake I seem to be baking... (Maddie's metaphore not mine!).<br /><br />I have a 60's party to attend on Saturday night - which Håkan will also attend - so I am desperately searching for a wig to wear - as we all know your hair makes or breaks you - and right now it damn well breaks me!<br /><br />I will post about Stockholm and Paris before the end of the week!Cassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999246584170599479.post-33867025382783012792008-11-06T10:33:00.005+01:002008-11-06T10:52:13.470+01:00All the leaves are brown.....All the leaves are brown<br />And the sky is grey<br />I've been for a walk<br />on a winter's day<br /><br />I'd be safe and warm<br />if I was in L.A<br />California Dreamin'<br />on such a winter's day......<br /><br />Technically, it's not yet winter, and the leaves aren't brown - they have all but disappeared.<br />Cycling is no longer fun at this time of year, and it's dark at 1630hrs!<br /><br />In 3 weeks and I will be hot hot hot... So why do I feel sad about that?<br /><br />Perhaps it's because there will be no chance of snow.<br />No snowboarding in Chamonix. No making snowmen. No snow angles.<br /><br />There's always a trade off... <br /><br />And I'm sure when I'm swimming in the salt water, with the harsh Australian sun tingling my skin and eating watermelon with my nephews; falling down slopes with a snowboard attached to my feet wont seem that great :D Will it??Cassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999246584170599479.post-27484067839260244352008-11-05T12:13:00.004+01:002008-11-05T12:56:35.752+01:00Well someone likes a "Classic"Apparently so!<br />After several emails and an embarressed phone call - I have discovered that apparently someone decided that the "Classic" Nokia was worth keeping.<br />Now they haven't used my account (which is locked anyway) but the phone is not at the bar. Even after I remembered where I left it!! Soooo.... there you go - apparently there are some people worse off than me in mobile phone land! <br />For them perhaps the classic was an upgrade???<br /><br />hahahahaha! Hilarious. I caved and decided to order another SIM.<br />I will be contactable by the end of the week I would imagine.<br /><br />For now I'm just <em>looking</em> at iPhones! I had intended on buying myself a new ipod for christmas (and not just because my current ipods inscription sucks!)- but I decided that i might get an iphone, working on the basis that if I actually LOVE my phone, I'll possibly be a little more careful with it! <br />You know I've been carying around my favourite lipgloss since January 2005 - cause I LOVE IT!Cassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999246584170599479.post-31238227706243545012008-11-04T15:00:00.003+01:002008-11-05T10:23:39.291+01:00Today - I wish I was American.I really, really do.<br />Never before have I contemplated that those words would pass my lips.<br />Not only do I wish that I was an American who could vote; but an American who could vote and who lived in AMERICA! This has to be one of the most exciting periods for Americans this millenia.<br /><br />Imagine contributing to voting for someone who will potentially be the first black President; Now consider a black president ruling in an era where Paris Hilton took mainstage for at least 2 days during the presidental campaign! (for those who live under a rock see <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo4cH991pVo">here </a> <br /><br />In an ideal world, celebrities and politics would never be mentioned in the same sentence - but we dont live in an ideal world do we. Obama is absolutely a celebrity which is actually one of the reasons that I hope to god he is elected today. I do believe that his representation in the The White House will signify change and reignite hope for Americans at this very cruical time. And that is certainly the message that his communications staff are sending out through Facebook!<br /><br />Whichever way you look at it we live in a narcissistic identity obsessed world; A world where any old person, with any old thing to say, writes a blog (:D); checks their analytics daily to see how many people in which part of the world are reading it; checks their text messages, emails and social networking platforms almost constantly; and 'enquires' every so invasively (via these tools) into other peoples lives. <br /><br />The majority of the world has been negatively looking at America through the eyes of 'Bush' for some time. America needs a leader who knows how and why people are pissed off. Unfortunately John McCain doesn't seem to know how many homes he owns; so I doubt he undestands what it is like to loose your home in a recession which is vastly contributed to a war that barely anyone agrees to. So Obama - facebook as many people as you want. It's 2008 - you would have my vote if I could give it to you. And if it just so happens that you become the first social networking black president in the world - than DAMN I'll be smiling tomorrow :DCassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999246584170599479.post-67016917852665841512008-11-03T14:45:00.006+01:002008-11-03T16:48:48.605+01:00Do you know I really believed I'd grown...My slightly older and possibly wiser sister claims that I have self fulfilling prophesies which force me to loose everything! A form of self-punishment if you will. eg. If i dont put those "wallet/puffer/smokes/keys" etc in spot X I will loose them. Of couse I dont move them, and I "purposely loose them" just to punish myself!<br /><br />Unfortunately, I tend to agree with her, so much so that lately I have been telling myself over and over 'I do not loose things'. Really I recite this in my brain up to - well a few times a day. Even the sticky note on the sidebar of my computer says <span style="font-style:italic;">"I don't lose things anymore!"</span>. This has been working fine for me, that was until I broke the cardinal rules of drinking!<br /><br />Generally I have 3 rules that I <span style="font-style:italic;">like </span> to follow when drinking....<br /><br />1) dont drink on an empty stomach<br />2) dont emotional drink unless your with good friends (preferably really good friends)<br />3) dont drink when exhausted.<br /><br />[maybe I should add 4) NEVER EVER drink if you fall into all three categories!]<br /><br />Saturday night I drank a bottle of wine on an empty stomach with virtual strangers when I was extremely sleep deprived. WHOOPS!<br /><br />Long story short - I no longer have a phone.<br /><br />My friend kindly described my phone as a "Classic Nokia" as I drunkenly tried to convince the bar staff that in fact, no-one had stolen my phone, I just couldn't remember where I left it. <br /><br />I suggested that if they were to have a good look after the bar had shut they will probably find it. Pleeeeeeeeaaaaaase take my number - whoops - her number and let me know if you find it. <br /><br />This was met with a mixture of looks which I felt described the following emotions:<br />1. "Why would I look for a phone after I finish work - I have mine right here in my pocket thanks?" <br />2. "Why is this drunk Swedish girl slurring in English"?<br />3. "Why is this drunk Swedish girl trying to give me her phone number (which she doesn't have) - this is a gay bar and I'm male!"<br /><br />Oh the humiliation. To make it slightly worse - the two girls I was with come from Copenhagen and Stockholm respectively - had offered accommodation to Mads and I next week when we are visiting. I'm really a little bit frightened to see if they suddenly withdraw their offers after my stupidity :(<br /><br />Hold you thumbs they dont!Cassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999246584170599479.post-13684266034062071342008-10-31T17:17:00.004+01:002008-10-31T17:33:37.350+01:00Tim Tams make me smile! Oh yes they do.I am feeling incredibly spoilt today.<br />My twin sister has just sent me a box weighing 1.8kg worth of "things" from Australia.<br /><br />These "things" include BONDS underware and singlets in bright summer colours - which is a great contrast to the grey which currently surrouding me in Skåne!<br />Mint Kit Kats<br />Bracelets - again in very fun, funky and bright colours!!<br />T-Shirts; Stubbie cooler; paintings by two of my favourite artists - Sambo & Maximo Carson.<br />and finally..... TIM TAMS! For those of you who watch '<span style="font-style:italic;">How I met your mother</span>' - Please insert the appropriate 'Awesome' here!<br /><br />Fona also sent me a really cute top - but I'm sorry to say this present trumps anything at the moment!Cassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999246584170599479.post-10281120159917015992008-10-23T14:03:00.006+02:002008-10-23T14:27:49.434+02:00Fun facts about Sweden!Obviously everyone in Sweden is obsessed with the sun.<br />Why wouldn't they be. In winter depending on your location the daylight hours vary between 5 and 0 hours.<br /><br />Vitamin D is obviously lacking - hense what starts as people feeling "fall sick" can end up as terrible depression by the end of winter. I personally believe that those who live in the middle of Sweden get the best deal - a little bit of daylight and a whole lot of WHITE! (Maybe it's just cause I'm Australian, but when I wake up to a white morning I feel giddy like a little school girl! When I wake up to a grey morning, as we mostly experience in Skåne, I want hide under the doona covers).<br /><br />Anywhoo... my point is. Do you what foods which contain Vitamin D?<br />Herring, Mackerel, Salmon, Sardines, Tuna, Egg Yolks (and fortified foods).<br />No good for people like me, nor vegetarians or vegans.<br /><br />Guess what Sweden have an abundance of!<br />Herring, Mackerel, Salmon etc etc.<br />Other than meatballs, these are their national dishes. <br />All you have to do is look at a traditional Swedish 'Jul Bord' (Christmas Smorgasbord)to understand that these are the foods that are eaten in Winter. So either nature has a way of providing what we need in our diet, or even the vikings had better knowledge of what foods they should eat in winter....<br /><br />Hmmmm.... I wonder.Cassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999246584170599479.post-2160893000662196562008-10-22T14:21:00.005+02:002008-10-22T15:04:58.222+02:00Who is to blame. The scardy cat in me - that's who!One of the most difficult things for me, personally, is to approach people, rationally, and calmly, when they belittle me, or treat me like I'm incapable of well, just about anything.<br /><br />Sure, I definately know how to be sarcastic, or rude to them... but to actually stop, look at them and say in a calm voice "Is there a particular reason you are speaking to me like I'm a child or that I am incompetent?" <br />Yeah I'm not so good at that. That requires confidence, and maturity, something I struggle with on the best of days, let alone when someone is making you feel like crap. Correction: When I am allowing someone to make me feel like crap!<br /><br />I realised today that a situation I am involved in professionally - has to come to an end. It's a shame because I enjoy being involved with this project, but for some reason I don't know how to assert my competence in this situation. I allow myself to be pushed around emotionally and I literally sit there while someone <em><strong>over </strong></em>explains a meanial task to me. Seriously - today it was about me extracting an article from a magazine. What is the best way to tear it out. <br /><br />What I wanted to say "rip your own f*#king article out!". <br />But... I just smiled and said "Ok, thanks!"<br /><br />LOSER! (ME!)Cassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999246584170599479.post-47057427898419069572008-10-21T14:09:00.004+02:002008-10-21T14:54:03.810+02:00Milestones... AWESOME!I'm 33 next week.<br />Yep, little ol' me.<br />That part I'm ok about, 33 isn't old. <br />And seeing 40 is the new 30, well really that must make me as young as young can be. Right?<br /><br />Now, as I said I'm 33 next week. <br />Here comes the eeekkk part!<br />Living in Sweden I have managed to burn through all my cash - Rack up a good amount of credit card debt and not contribute to superannuation or likes for the past (almost) 2 years. Well technically I am now contributing in Sweden, but as far as I'm aware, it's not transferable.<br /><br />Crapola! I need to find some financial security for myself.<br />I've been in the work force for 16years - double crapola. <br />I haven't always worked full time, but bloody hell I'm getting close to being half way through my working life and I have nothing to show for it - well days and days worth of great stories of travelling, drunken antics, and good times - but they aren't going to put a roof over my head when I'm 60 are they!<br /><br />So guess who has some SERIOUS sorting out of her financial life to do.<br />2009 is going to be a very big year people.<br /><br />For me at least!Cassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999246584170599479.post-55775043540047521332008-10-16T10:48:00.004+02:002008-10-16T14:12:16.336+02:00The Emo girl in me :DEmo.<br />Emotional.<br />You know how the slagging goes.....<br /><br />I just re-read my blog from yesterday (I know a little late now) and I did not mean for it to sound so... well... so freaking emo. In my head there were positive thoughts comming out about how the new things in your life eventually take over and you get there in the end...<br /><br />I know that's not how it reads :D<br /><br />But it's just that I'm emotional :D<br />emo...tion...al... <br /><br /><br />oh lord... please don't let me be misunderstood :DCassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999246584170599479.post-4353858860142376302008-10-15T15:07:00.008+02:002008-10-27T16:28:11.513+01:00Time... the healer of all wounds....Is it though?<br />I'm not convinced that it's time. <br />I think friends, family, a healthy dose of denial and the ability to forget... that's what heals. <br /><br />I have been doing a lot of Yoga lately, and unfortunately one of the things I find with Yoga, is that while I feel 1000 times better afterwards, sometimes during Yoga I let go of my "defense" or my "strength" if you like. The mechanism I use to convince myself that life is ok. That I am ok. That where I am headed in life will much better without Hakan....<br /><br />Everybody has this mechanism, to a lesser or greater extent, it doesn't make me unique. However, when that mechanism is stripped away, the pain and the hurt that can be felt can be as strong and as fresh as day 1. <br /><br />So this skeptic doesn't believe that time heals all wounds. <br />I do think that denial, forgetfullness, determination and spending time laughing with people who love us, unconditionally.... That definitively heals all wounds. While it may take time to heal - time without those other factors - heals nothing.<br /><br />So for the next 6 weeks I am going to continue enjoying Sweden and it's currently grey weather... then I'm going to come home to those people who do love me unconditionally... and then start to heal my wounds!!!<br /><br />6 weeks... and I'm almost getting sad to leave sweden... but summer here i come :DCassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999246584170599479.post-80095720154904345082008-10-09T10:48:00.004+02:002008-10-09T15:32:48.151+02:00What is one's worth?While I never thought I was worth my weight in Gold... I got a little bit of a suprise when inquiring about my "market value" on the swedish job market.<br /><br />Over the past year or so I have been enlighted - considerably - to the politics of gender equality. I've been made to belive that it's not that women are actually paid less for the same work - it's more to do with the fact that we accept the amount offered and then don't or won't negotiate. Seems pretty straight forward, right? So with this knowledge in mind, and a new job (second job) I was trying to work out - how much am I worth? <br /><br />Now I knew that I had to come up with a figure, my new boss had asked me, and was not letting anything slip re: what she's willing to pay. So while keeping my new found "enlightenment" at the forefront of my mind, I decided to ask a male, rather than female: one who is younger(in the hope of more progressive male), less educated, and in a role that could be considered on the same payscale as mine.<br /> <br />me: "What do you think I should ask for?" <br />him: *considering*.... Hmmm.... maybe 110kr/hr"<br />me: "Is that what you earn?"<br />him:"No - I earn 130kr/hr".<br />me: "Why do you think I'm worth 20kr/hr less than you? I've more working<br /> experience, I have a better education, I am studying a masters degree in <br /> communication, and considering part of my job will be writing - dont you think <br /> that counts?"<br />him:"Why did you ask me if you don't want to know what I think?"<br />me: "Good point - I thought I wanted to know what you think, I guess I just didn't <br /> expect for you to undervalue me...."<br /><br />So guess what I did. I got in contact with a friend I study with. I told her what I was doing etc - ask her what she thought... She said - ask for 130kr/hr. That way it is a low enough wage to ensure you still get enough hours, yet high enough for you to feel valued!<br /><br />So much for the belief that females devalue themselves :D<br />Perhaps it's a male behind the "theory" of gender equality and politics?????<br /><br />p.s. I UNDERVALUED MYSELF! I got offered more hours because she had expected me to aks for 120-130kr after tax. Damn it - that's really what I need isn't it - to work more hours for less pay!!! Hahahaha - I will be renegotiating in the future!Cassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999246584170599479.post-38359344243136054322008-10-08T12:55:00.002+02:002008-10-08T13:11:02.051+02:00Some people never learn...That's right.<br />Never.<br />Ever.<br />Ever.<br />not in their long legged life.<br /><br />I caught a virus on my computer on sunday, it resulted in me having to do a system restore of my computer, which luckily still enabled me to kept the majority of my files, bar recent downloads etc. I knew I needed to back my computer up and then restore the factory settings, but... well... I dont have enough memory anywhere to do this... so basically I didn't.<br /><br />Guess what happened monday.<br />I lost my assignment. It took me 2hours to retrieve :(<br />So my solution = turn on autosave... seeing as my computer is unrealiable.<br /><br />Guess what happened tuesday.<br />My computer crashed and all temp files and recent changes were corrupted.<br />Trust me - i even ran restore programs...<br />Nothing was bringing this file back to life.<br />I even followed the advice of "hack college" who assured me that no file is truely lost... everything can be retrieved. <br />OH REALLY??<br /><br />So as you can imagine I wasted a whole lot of time, and then rewrote the assignment anyway.<br /><br />Guess what - well actually you might have already you guest it.<br />I still haven't backed my computer up....<br />LOL!<br /><br />But I think I wrote an ok assignment! Damn it's harder than it used to be :DCassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999246584170599479.post-54128846466829082482008-10-03T14:15:00.003+02:002008-10-03T14:22:32.258+02:00Nothing to see people!Sad isn't it.<br />I'm newly single, living in europe and I have nothing to report.<br />Damn - how the hell did that happen?<br /><br />Although I can finally attest that the alleged "Australia Community" living in Malmo is not in fact an urban myth - it is alive and kicking, and I have found a way to infiltrate it! Well so to speak. Tomorrow night I'm going to the Malmo AFL end of season dinner. LOL! A footy banquet - in Sweden...<br /><br />I have some photos that I will post soon - they were taken at the filming of Me & Nettan's music video for it's time...<br />When I get a chance...<br />I'm slack slack slack....<br />I'm busy doing nothing you see (or nothing exciting perhaps!)<br /><br />My first assignment is due on Tuesday - as usual I haven't even decided what I will write about. Damn.... wish me luck!!!Cassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999246584170599479.post-36465150952900684412008-09-26T12:29:00.003+02:002008-09-26T12:55:58.239+02:00Nothing like being kicked in the teeth while your already on the ground!That's how today feels. Serves me right - seeing as I had the audacity to feel happy yesterday :D<br />Anywho - enough of the emo whining from me....<br /><br />Just a quick update so people know I'm alive :D<br />I LOVE my camera. Occassionaly i take a photo that looks like I actually know what I'm doing (so dont, but hey that's why you buy a big fancy schmancy camera huh!) And maybe when I can afford internet access at home I'll upload some photos (or when the stoopid neighbour unlocks his network again!)<br /><br />I LOVE studying Communication for Development. It's fun. I dont have a very wide range of adjectives at the moment but rest assure I like it! I even have new friends. I do!<br /><br />I have a decent social life - nothing quite like desperation to get people inviting you to all sorts of places.<br /><br />I have a new Yoga instructor - who is a Kiwi - wonderful and best of all giving me half price yoga classes :D Wiiii...<br /><br />Oh and I went to the Chiropractor - I went to get my jaw adjusted - seeing as most of the time I look like I have lock jaw these days... and well - I will get my jaw fixed one day in the future. For now she concentrating on my coccyx which has shifted to the right (hense the L sided hip pain when I exercise) and the ?10vertebraes which weren't in alignment. Mostly she will be concentrating on my "disgusting" neck! Apparently its not normal to be able to crack your neck simply by tilting you head from side to side. What?? Since when???<br /><br />So as I dust myself off from todays kick in the teeth (no I'm not sharing...) rest assured I will be hanging out with my new friends, taking lots of photos and wearing new clothes that show off my killer abs from all the Yoga :DCassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999246584170599479.post-63765450511347416612008-09-10T23:30:00.003+02:002008-09-11T00:12:28.030+02:00Only By The Night...The new (highly anticipated) KOL album was leaked onto the internet on Saturday.<br />It's possible I have heard it, but I would never "steal" an album... So it's not like I have it on my computer or anything like that. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">First impressions:<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br />It's all about the melodies.<br />It's very polished.<br />It's new.<br />There's no swamp rock.<br />I'm not a big fan of Revelry nor 17.<br /><br />I know I'm biased when it comes to this band, but trust me I've have loved bands before and chucked them for one bad album or one bad performance (can anyone say whingie whiny Adams??). <br /><br />Mostly I appreciate the change. It suitably matches the changes happening in my life. It's not the sound I would choose to hear KOL play, but hey, the life I'm about to start living isn't the life I would have chosen either! In 18months when their next album comes out full of dirty guitars and that raw swamp rock sound (fingers crossed), I'll be ready to dance again... Until then I'm happy with the new sound.<br /><br />p.s. Other than the teasers we had already heard (Sex on Fire, Crawl, Use Somebody) - my other standout track is Notion(and not just because the first 3 seconds sounds like Bloc Party's Like Eating Glass) and Somebody.<br /><br />p.s.s. Yes, it's official. I'm a believer!Cassandra Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14373073650228729470noreply@blogger.com3