One Year In Sweden!

June 21st, 2021, marks our one year in Sweden. 

It went by in a blink. It went by in a haze. 

I give you our year in pictures....

Explorations 

Despite Covid restrictions, we did manage to discover lots of interesting parts of southern Sweden, particularly in Skåne, the province we live in.

We bought a car in September which made it possible to go more 'off the beaten track'.

You can read my previous posts about what it's like to move to Sweden during a pandemic here, how our move to Sweden actually went here, our first impressions of the country here, our holiday on the Göta canal here, our first 3 months in Sweden here and my impressions and thoughts regarding Covid19 here.

Traversing the Göta canal in a charter boat. Here we are moored along Vadstena castle for the night. Aug 2020.

The dramatic cliffside at Kullaberg Nature Reserve. Aug 2020.

I couldn't resist jumping into the sea at Kullaberg.
Wild swimming: my happy place :) Aug 2020.

One of Ven Island's many beaches. Aug 2020.

Trying out tandem cycling on Ven Island. Aug 2020.

Getting back to his Viking roots at Foteviken's open-air museum. Aug 2020.

Climbing fun at Kungsbygget Äventyrspark.
Guess who's the only one in our family to make it to the top? Sept 2020.

Ziplining at Kungsbygget Äventyrspark! Sept 2020.

Luge ride at Kungsbygget Äventyrspark. Sept 2020.

We made a lot of campfires, this one was at Skrylle Nature Reserve. Oct 2020.

Making lunch at Scouts Camp: dig hole, cut wood, make fire,
build tripod, cook food. Oct 2020

Blindfold activity in Scouts Camp forest. Oct 2020.

Swedish Scout Camp includes a bastu (sauna)! BEST thing ever! Oct 2020.
 

During höstlov (autumn break), we explored Göteborg and surrounding islands. Oct 2020.

Hönö island. Oct 2020.

Riding one of the many ferries connecting the Gothenburg islands. Oct 2020.

Tour of the18th Century living ship, the Göthenborg. Oct 2020. 

Bjärekusten nature reserve at Hovs Hallar. Nov 2020.

Stenshuvud National Park. Jan 2021.

Lund's outdoor skating rink. You can borrow skates for free
and skate to Christmas music. Dec 2020.

Covid-safe Christmas present to the kids: one hour of uninterrupted skating bliss!
Dec 2020.

God Jul (Merry Christmas) and Gott Nytt År (Happy New Year)

Cozy candles, hanging stars, decorated tree, fireworks and... COVID19! Yup, we all contracted it but have been lucky with no long-lasting side effects. I was by far the worst one affected and did nothing but sleep and sleep for one week. 

The kids showed no symptoms whatsoever and basically ran the household. On Christmas day they heated up some IKEA meatballs and potatoes for themselves while Matt and I lay in bed. Definitely a memorable Christmas!

Our first time chopping our own tree down.

Getting into the holiday spirit.

Monitoring my oxygen levels.

Luckily the kids are old enough to entertain themselves, not to mention cook and clean.

There was a lot of Minecraft too!

New Year's Even fireworks seen from our flat.

Matt was feeling better by then and they went to the highest
point in Lund to watch the fireworks.

To shake off the Covid cobwebs, we walked one section of the Skåneleden, a beautiful 1300 km walking path that passes through Skåne's coastal towns, forests and lakes. Jan 2021.

Outdoor lake skating. SO Swedish (and Canadian too, I guess). Jan 2021.

Skating on the sea! Now that you can't do in Canada! Jan 2021.

During sportlov (sports week break), we went skiing.
Tai declares this as the best thing about our first year in Sweden.
Isaberg Mountain Resort, Feb 2021.

Our AirBnB had an ATV to rent. We hardly saw Matt for the day!

The same AirBnB had a massive hot tub/pool as well. I was in heaven!

For Easter break, we went to Gotland island and stayed on a family-run farm.
The kids got to ride and take care of Gotland ponies. April 2021.



Gotland's famous limestone rauks. April 2021.

Gotland's capital, Visby, is a great place to stroll around the old city wall. April 2021.

The farm had canoes to hire. Happy to report nobody fell in :) April 2021.

If you ask the kids, the best thing about Gotland was being allowed unlimited
access to drive the farm's electric golf cart!! April 2021.

Built 1400 years ago, Ales Stenar consists of 59 massive boulders arranged in a ship outline. Still a mystery today. May 2021.

Sankt Hans Bakar, Lund. May 2021.

Lund University. May 2021.



Botaniska Trädgården (Botanical Garden), Lund. May 2021.

Nimis, seaside artwork by (controversial) Lars Vilks with a mazelike jumble of rickety towers & tunnels made of driftwood. June 2021.

Midsommar smorgasboard: lots of pickled sill (herring), dill, potatoes, 
gräddfil (sour cream) and gräslök (chives), köttbullar (meatballs), 
prinskorv (prince sausage), ägg (eggs) with mayo and prawns.
Finally, snapps and tons of jordgubbar (strawberries) and cream to finish off! June 2021.

Making flower crowns and then dancing around the Midsommar fertility
pole is a typical Midsommar tradition. June 2021.

"Skål!" (cheers)

Quintessential Swedish summer, where the sun shines until it's way past your bedtime. June 2021.

What have we been up to?

Aila started learning the ukulele (and even had a handmade uke made just for her from Uncle Martyn in Shaftesbury, UK!!) 

She participated in weekly gymnastics classes and during the spring term, joined a local girls football team.

Practicing "I'm Yours" for her ukulele concert. May 2021.

Quick and fierce on the pitch, Aila has since worn a sports headband after this match was played. Now she can actually see the ball!

Tai continues to teach himself the piano, usually songs from the most recently-watched/played movie or video game. I have so far resisted correcting him too much! Proper lessons will start in a few months with the LIMUS music academy in Lund.

He has joined a local innebandy (Swedish floor hockey) team where they practice twice per week. 

He has also been bitten by the cricket bug. Multiple weekly practices and weekend matches has taken over his life (read: our life).

Surprise (secondhand) cricket gear for Tai's birthday!

Tai graduated from the Primary Years Program this year at school.
A Big Deal in the International Baccalaureate world. June 2021.

We have decided to move the kids to a local Swedish school next year. It was not an easy decision to make, however we feel strongly that in order to integrate and be part of the community here, being able to communicate in Swedish is essential. 

The international school is taught all in English and although we love the IB curriculum, there is only Swedish language class a couple of times per week. We have hired a tutor for the last several months and the kids have been attending Swedish activities but it is still not enough to be fluent.

After a lot of research, we have enrolled them in the local Waldorfskola just a few miles from where we live. We feel the creative, outdoorsy nature of the school will provide the best environment to learn Swedish in. We have already met their teachers and some of their soon-to-be classmates. 

Matt has slipped back into the work groove with Qlik and has pretty much worked from home the entire year. 

He plays badminton regularly and will be one of the volunteer coaches for Aila's football team next season! I don't know who's more excited, Matt or Aila! 

Home office

Supporting England during the EURO 2020. June 2021.

I (Bonnie) volunteered with EOS Cares helping to organize and facilitate their social integration programs for newcomers and refugees. It meant a lot to me to do similar work as I did back in Ottawa but I also got to benefit as a newcomer myself!

I found work teaching part-time at Lund International School as a Primary Years Program teacher. It was great to be part of a team, teaching kids from diverse backgrounds and implementing the IB curriculum. We were lucky and school has always been in-person in Sweden. Besides some modifications and restrictions, school pretty much carried on as normal.

Yoga is my saving grace and I've moved my practice to online classes.

How's our Swedish?

Learning svenska is a slow process. With both of us working in English and everyone speaking perfect English (and wanting to practice with you!) we have to deliberately make time to learn and practice every day.

Matt and I attended SFI (Swedish For Immigrants) for several months before we put a pause on it for various reasons (online classes not so great for language learning, increasing work and extra-curricular commitments, catching COVID). 

We plan to enroll again, likely in the fall. For now, we listen to Radio Sweden, watch SVT television with subtitles and do our best to converse with neighbours and the parents we meet at our kids' sport matches.

The Business of Setting Up In A New Country

Ask any newbie in a foreign country and they'll tell you there is a lot of admin to do that first year. Besides the obvious language barrier (thank you Google Translate!) things in Sweden are actually extremely efficient. 

Once you have been granted the magic personnummer (personal identity number), setting up a bank account, buying home insurance, filing taxes, seeing a doctor, buying a car and just signing up for a library card or getting a points card at the local supermarket is super easy.

Sweden doesn't recognize non-EU driving licenses so both Matt and I had to do our driving tests from the very beginning (even though we both had British licenses before!) We are only allowed to drive for one year on our Canadian license so there was added pressure of a deadline. Besides the astronomical cost, we had to take 2 mandatory classes, pass a written test and then pass the practical test (and the average pass rate is 47%) - eeek! Everyone told us to concentrate on the most important parts of Swedish driving and we'd be fine: roundabouts, eco-driving and the right-hand rule. Result: we both passed everything first time round. RELIEF.

I was dreading tax season this year but we managed to complete both our Canadian and Swedish taxes without going totally insane. Keep in mind we were on our boat last year so this makes things a bit more complicated. 

I do have to say that filing your income taxes in Sweden is super easy. Everything can be done by mobile phone through an app. After going through a very thorough security log-in process, the Skatteverket (Swedish Tax Agency) will tell YOU what you owe in terms of taxes, or how much you will get back. Basically, it is all tracked through your employer and all you have to do is review the form and press 'confirm.'  I was absolutely blown away with how simple it all was. 

Next year will be exponentially easier because we'll only have Swedish taxes to do, except for declaring the sale of our Canadian property. But that should be simple, she says with utmost optimism...

Homeowners Again!

Yup, we sold our Ottawa home in January and bought a 3-bedroom apartment in Lund. I'll spare you the details of how challenging finding secure housing in Sweden is. At the end of the day, we decided that buying something of our own offered the security that renting long-term could not. 

Selling a home whilst living abroad is not simple, especially with a 6-hour time difference and everyone working from home. Thanks to a good local realtor, my dad and sister who helped sort and pack away our items, we managed to help our tenants find a new home, get all our possessions out and into a long-term storage facility, and sell the house in one week for over asking price. 

We moved into our new place in early June and have settled in nicely. Visitors welcome!

Aila has her own desk now and spends most of her time crafting.

TV-dinner in our new lounge watching EURO 2020.

Our kitchen, a quiet peaceful oasis, with views out to the farm fields and surrounding trees. Sometimes we see horses trotting by!

Balcony overlooking the other villas and apartments, all dotted with playgrounds, gardens and benches. It's all pedestrian/bike-friendly with no roads. Indoor/outdoor parking is a short walk away. This a very common setup for community buildings in Sweden where the emphasis is for a safe, inclusive and accessible neighbourhood.

We bought a second-hand dining set and it was only a short walk away!

We made 4 trips to IKEA in one week.
I think we can safely say we're IKEA'd-out.

Things We Have Learned to Appreciate

Cycling Culture

I've said it many times over the course of this year but for me, the best part about living here is the cycling culture. Travelling by bike on scenic bike paths to go shopping, to work, to activities, or just because it's so darn enjoyable is simply THE BEST. 

We should've kept track of how many kms we covered this year. The kids have cycled every single day to school (3.2 km each way) and if you had seen them one year ago with their wobbly sea legs you wouldn't have believed it was possible - they certainly didn't! 

Our balcony-turned-cycle-workshop.

FREEDOM! Aug 2020.

No need to traverse major roads when there are cycle underpasses everywhere. Sept 2020.

Setting off in the dark 8am winter morning. Jan 2021.

Even though there's only really an inch or two of snow during winter,
studded tires are a must. Feb 2021.

Ready to ride winter-style. Feb 2021.

Smartly dressed for his graduation, Tai did have to stop and change into shorts
halfway to school because his suit trousers were "too tight to cycle in." 
June 2021.

Recycling!

It takes a bit of organization but once you start doing it, sorting all your plastics, cardboard, metals, etc. is really easy and just part of your everyday.

Thou Shall Know How To Recycle!

The Tube Packaging

Cheese, mustard, dill sauce, even caviar... it all comes in a handy tube.

The Cheese Slicer

A mandatory kitchen tool in every Swedish household. You'd be hard-pressed to find a can-opener but a cheese slicer? There will be one or more in every Swedish kitchen drawer.

It took us a while to perfect the exact angle and pressure to cut The Perfect Cheese Slice.

Cheese is sold in humongous blocks here. The variety is mind-boggling. 

Fika Treats

Cakes, tarts, cookies, kanelbullar... Too many to name and describe. Suffice to say my palate AND waistline have lovingly expanded thanks to these ridiculously rich and tasty delicacies. It's not like you can have fika and NOT indulge in a sweet treat. Well you could but I don't (or can't, or won't; haven't decided which one it is yet).

Swedes take their sweet treats seriously. There are certain pastries that are for certain celebrations and then there are certain pastries that have a day named after it. For example, March 25th (Matt's birthday) falls on National Waffle Day!! 

Luckily we bike so much, it certainly lessons the guilt!

Semla Day, always on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent. It is absolutely sinful.

National Delicacies

Say the word "surströmming" to any Swede and you will most likely be met with a face of disgust and repulsion.

"But WHY would you try surströmming?" was the reaction I got multiple times.

I had heard about this fermented fish delicacy before arriving to Sweden and curiosity got the better of me. Could it really be THAT bad? Was it so disgusting that even dogs wouldn't eat it?

I had seen enough YouTube videos to see that the majority of people who did try surströmming didn't enjoy the experience. However, upon doing a bit of research, I also realized that most of those people on YouTube videos did not eat surströmming the way it was meant to be eaten.

You are meant to eat it as a sandwich or wrap with chopped onions, crème fraiche, potatoes and dill, all washed down with snapps. 

So in the autumn we held a little surströmming party with some friends, locals and internationals. It was an experience to say the least, and I think I speak on everyone's behalf that we won't be repeating a similar party again. But hey, at least we gave it a go!

And Finally.... The Lagom Mindset and Lifestyle

Not too little, not too much, just the right amount.

That describes lagom. It permeates Swedish mindset, work culture and just everyday life. 

Being adverse to confrontation or disharmony, the aim is to have as little stress or pressure as possible whilst taking pleasure in the simple daily on-goings. Like lighting a candle for a meal and having healthy potted plants to create a peaceful and happy home.

I have remarked to friends back home that life is easy here, predictable and (for the most part), efficient systems are put in place so that you can live Your Best Life. 

Whether that's taking time off for yourself and trying a new business idea with the guarantee of being able to return to your old job if things don't work out, using up your very generous parental (16 months!) or holiday leave (starts at 5 weeks!), making use of a government stipend to start a new club or hobby in your neigbourhood, attending post-secondary education for free and so much more. 

But possibly my favourite by far is the free, hot, healthy lunches provided in every single school and daycare. Enough said.

On that note, I'll end here. I think that's enough for a one year recap! 

Tack så mycket Sverige for embracing us and making our first year a real joy. We have made new friends, learned a lot and feel ready to dive into our second year with renewed energy, curiosity and excitement.

What's Your Reality?

 

I came across this picture today and boy, did I need to see this! It's given me the motivation and fuel I need to dream my next reality. 

Sitting idle and rudderless is something I am not good at, but have had to get used to lately.

As we cross the one-year mark of living with Covid19-related restrictions around the world, I need to remind myself there is something bigger that I can control. I can still have dreams that become reality in this weird, wacky, distorted world. 

So set some time aside today to think clearly and objectively: What Is Your Reality?

This Side of Covid19

 

For a while now I wanted to write about living in Sweden during the Covid19 pandemic from a Newbie perspective.

I hesitated doing so publicly for fear of being judged, criticized and shamed.

If I am completely honest with myself, at the root of my wavering is a simple and obvious reason: guilt.

As I read about and hear firsthand the experiences my friends and family are going through around the world, I feel grateful that I am in Sweden. Grateful because, selfishly, I still feel like I am living a somewhat 'normal' existence despite Covid19 wreaking havoc worldwide.

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As we all know, Sweden has taken a different approach to dealing with Covid19. Some would say all of us living here are in an experiment. Some would say the rest of the world is in an experiment.

Whichever side you believe is doing 'the right thing', we can all agree that the world is going through Covid-fatigue at the moment and that nobody knows if, when or how it will end.

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I follow the news from Sweden, Canada and around the world very carefully. I read various sources of information to gather a well-rounded scope of truth.

I know of some people firsthand who have contracted Covid19 and recovered. I know a handful of people whose relative or friend have died from it. 

I chat with friends and family around the world to see what firsthand experience they are going through. I formulate my own opinions but they remain that: my own opinions.

It is hard to convey to our friends and family who are not in Sweden what it is like to live here during these pandemic times.

We are like any other suburban family: school and work during the weekdays with weekends dedicated to chores, relaxation and getting out to explore a bit. 

However, I feel the difference is we do that with the same level of comfort and ease as we have done pre-pandemic times. I do not feel there is an air of anxiety when I step outside. I don't cross the road when I see another person approaching me on the sidewalk. I don't hold my breath when I pass someone close at the store. I don't wear a mask.

On the other hand, I don't want to make it sound like we don't take precautions either because we do. Instead of shaking hands or giving hugs, we will wave to one another as we stand apart. Instead of dining-in somewhere, we will do a take-out or delivery. Instead of inviting people over to our apartment, we'll organize a park get-together and have a bonfire. 

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It is easy to judge, condemn and criticize from whichever angle you look at it, especially when the other person is engaging in behaviour which you find unsafe and reckless. 

But one can never know what it is really like for someone else because they are not living his or her reality. 

Until I had my own children, I thought I knew what parenting was all about. I used to say I was the best parent before I actually became one. When I would see other people disciplining their children in public, I would secretly think to myself, "Why are they doing it that way? I would never..."

And then I had kids of my own and that promptly shut me up and shoved me off my high-horse. Parenting is a dynamic role with intricate nuances and forces at play. Today I would never assume I know best how to parent another child because everyone's situation is different. Also, I would never assume anyone else to know how to parent my own children because they don't know my entire situation either. Yet it is still so easy to fall into the comparison mindset, to weigh up the similarities and differences, and judge accordingly.

In a way, I feel countries around the world are acting in a similar manner. Each country is so different, in makeup and mindset, that to compare one country's response to Covid19 with another country is as useful as comparing my child's development to my neighbour's child next door.  

Numbers don't lie and the increasing infections and deaths are facts. However, the why, how and most importantly, response to the situation, varies drastically from country to country.

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Having moved to Sweden during the height of the pandemic in June, I went from living in complete lockdown for a couple of months in Canada to suddenly living with a new set of boundaries created by the Swedish government. I would be lying if I didn't say it felt like a huge weight was suddenly lifted off my shoulders. My family and I were still cautious and vigilant, but the contrast was unbelievable. It was not really about schools and businesses still being open, nor was it about the lack of masks around. It was a feeling that was in the air, one that wasn't heavy with anxiety and fear. 

I came to realize after a few months of living in Sweden, that the feeling I was experiencing was one of lagom. Lagom is the Swedish term to describe something that is 'not too much, not too little but just the right amount.'

Upon reflection, living in Sweden has taught me the essence and importance of approaching things with a lagom mindset, which I feel extends to dealing with Covid19 today: don't ignore the scientific facts and government recommendations but also don't overreact and cause undue stress upon yourself or others. Take control of what you can take control of, like washing hands, physical distancing and staying home if you're sick. But don't let it overwhelm your everyday life. 

Bottom line: be sensible.

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Having come to terms with only being able to do stay-cations and modifying my family's social plans is minor compared to many around the world who are in lockdown once again. Therein lies the guilt. 

The Swedish government has only ever issued recommendations (not laws) and due to the drastic increase in infections in Skåne recently, the latest recommendations are to: work from home, avoid indoor environments where there is a risk of crowding, avoid socializing with people other than those they live with or see on a weekly basis, avoid public transport if possible and avoid participating in sporting events for over those over 15 years old.

It is not a huge effort to shift our behaviour towards these recommendations with a lagom mindset. Think sensibly and consider the well-being of your family, community and country. Weigh up the risks and benefits for yourself in your own situation and take responsibility for your actions.

After all, this is a marathon not a sprint and as winter approaches, a balanced and healthy mind is what we need to see us through the dark months. 

3 month reflection: Get Out, Get Involved, Get Cozy

I've been in Sweden for exactly three months now, and it's starting to feel like home. It's gone by at incredible lightning speed and although I am still very much a newbie to the country, there are certain elements that are 'normal' now.

Moving to a new country can be intimidating and scary. However, it is also an exciting opportunity to stretch one's comfort zone, meet new people and develop new perspectives. 

To ensure a smooth transition to a new country, my motto is: Get out, Get involved, Get Cozy.

When I think back to what my family and I have done over the last 3 months, the people we have met and the places we have seen, I can say that trying to balance new things and keeping a routine at home has been the secret to our steady integration. 

Get Out

We live in Lund in Skåne and there are endless activities and destinations for a fun-filled daytrip.

Look at the map, pick a place and just go! Don't have too many expectations and you will be rewarded with some long-lasting memories and amusing stories by the end of the day. 

Remember, you don't need a car; we spent the first three months in Sweden using public transportation and biking around. It will actually make you more aware of all the transport links and fantastic bike paths. Plus there is more opportunity to meet more people and strike up a conversation!

Some fun day trips from Lund:

* Explore the island of Ven by bike. Just a short ferry ride from Landskrona, you can bring your own bike or rent one on the island. Swim at the beaches, play mini-golf, visit the Tycho Brahe museum, sample whiskey at the Spirit of Hven Backafallsbyn, learn about alpacas at Hven Alpacka, ride the horse-drawn wagon or simply rent a kayak and enjoy discovering the little coves along the coast.

https://visitskane.com/classic-attractions/visit-island-ven

https://www.landskrona.se/se-gora/kultur-noje/museerochkonsthall/tycho-brahe-museet/

https://www.backafallsbyn.se/en/

https://hvenalpacka.weebly.com/

* Step back in time and visit the Foteviken Museum. Stroll through the open-air Viking village where 23 buildings have been reconstructed using materials and techniques of that time. Get up close to a Viking ship and dress up as a Viking soldier preparing to go to battle. The place is a living museum where you encounter animals and community Viking villagers, volunteers who bring the village to life. 

https://www.fotevikensmuseum.se/d/home

* If you're looking for something wild and majestic, look no further than Kullaberg Nature Reserve. With incredible views, ragged cliffs, and endless hiking paths, there is something for everyone's tastes. Climb to the top of Kullen Västra Lighthouse, clamber up the rocks or jump into the refreshing sea. Bring a picnic or use one of the many BBQ pits. 

http://www.kullabergsnatur.se/sv/pages/default.aspx

* If you've ever wanted to ride a bike on a disused railroad track, then dresscykling is a must. It is fantastic for the entire family or with a group of friends. You can take turns peddling the old inspection trolleys as you take in the scenic views. Bring a picnic or fika as there are many picnic tables along the way.

There are several dresscykling routes you can try out in Skåne. 

https://visitskane.com/family-fun/trolley-cycling-skane

* Learn about sea life and ocean conservation at Natures Öresund in Malmö. Free to the public, the centre provides a hands-on opportunity to engage in local nature experiences. You can snorkel, explore the shoreline and identify sea animals with the help of enthusiastic staff members. Come with your questions and curiosity, leave as an expert on marine life!

https://www.naturumoresund.se/

Get Involved

Swedes have a reputation of being a bit reserved and difficult to get to know. From my experience so far, I feel that they are actually quite warm and open but you have to be the one to initiate. 

I'll be the first to admit it isn't easy to take the first step, but you never know what doors may open because of it.

Take a deep breath and strike up a conversation with your neighbour. Take a few extra seconds and try your Swedish with the cashier or café waiter. Forget Google Maps, ask someone for directions instead.

For me, being involved in my community is very important to becoming integrated. But what can you do if you don't speak Swedish? Lots actually!

* If you want one-on-one-Swedish practice, sign up to Nya Kompisbyrån and get matched with a local volunteer. The aim is to meet up, online or in person, and get to know one another and practice Swedish. Basically it's like a match-making service for making local friends. I got matched with someone my age who happens to live 3 minutes away and who also has two children! We decide when we meet and what we do based on our interests and availability.

https://www.nyakompisbyran.se/

 

* Choose a hobby or activity that you want to do, and find a class or event in Swedish. For me, I love yoga and need a good stretch at least once per week. I found a local yoga studio that teaches in Swedish. Not only do I come out of a class feeling super relaxed, I'm also learning the parts of my body and how to count in Swedish! 

* What are you passionate about? Find an organization and see if they need volunteers. Volunteering allows you to understand the local culture a bit more as you contribute to a greater cause. 

I didn't think the process and manner of how Swedes work was very different to what I was used to but I'm beginning to see little nuances on how they think, how meetings are conducted, and how decisions are made. 

* Involve the whole family. Everyone needs to feel like they have something to belong and look forward to.

Besides several extra-curricular activities, we put our children into the local Scouts group because we liked the philosophy of the Scout movement but we also wanted them to be immersed in Swedish with local neighbourhood children. We know it will take a while for them to feel completely comfortable in a new environment in a foreign language, but so far the fun activities and outings are keeping their interest and enthusiasm high.

Get Cozy

Feeling at home in a new country means making the place you live in now a home.

What makes a home warm and inviting to you? What aspects about your home screams comfort and relaxation? It could be a pair of slippers, a favourite coffee mug, or just some scented bath salts.

Get busy cozy-ing your house/flat and you will start to feel that this is the home you have always wanted and that this new country is the one that was intended for you.

One thing I have embraced here is the collection of house plants that are now proudly displayed on every window sill. It makes me happy and calm to see healthy, thriving plants every direction I turn.

Recently, I bought a small bottle of Canadian maple syrup at our local ICA. Even though the cost caused me to have a mini heart attack, the moment I had a bite of fluffy pancakes drenched in the syrup, it was all worth it. 

It's only small things. But the small things make up the big picture.

Home means different things to different people. It can mean the place where you were born. It may be the place where you grew up. It may be where you have citizenship.

For me, home is where I am today with my family. Home is what you make of it, and the more you put into exploring your new surroundings, making new connections and creating a cozy abode, the more it will become the home that you have always dreamed of.

Bring on the next three months - and more!

Journey On the Göta Canal

 

Click below for my 3rd entry as a guest blogger for The Newbie Guide To Sweden:

Journey on the Göta Canal

First Impressions of Sweden

Three weeks in Lund. More personal observations:

1. Things are built to last here. There is little evidence of cutting corners when it comes to construction or building materials. Green alternatives are the norm, not the exception. 

2. Nice ashetics and eye-pleasing designs create a feel-good environment which makes people happier and calmer. Good urban planning + entwining nature with man-made structures + simple, functional furniture = life that is easy to navigate and pleasant to inhabit. 

3. Silence is ok. In day to day interactions with locals and friends we've made, there can be moments of complete silence within a conversation and that is absolutely ok and not at all weird. It may feel uncomfortable at first but if you learn to embrace the silence, you shall be rewarded with a more meaningful conversation and not just fluffy words to fill the airspace.

3. 90 square metres of living space is more than enough for our family. After unpacking our bags, we still have many empty cupboards, drawers and closets ... and absolutely no intention of filling them. 

4. Buying milk is not so simple. It can result in purchasing sour yoghurt which will only be discovered the moment you have your first sip of morning coffee. You have been warned.

5. Fika is serious business. Sure, everyone has hectic schedules with kids, work and the usual obligations of life. But never, ever mess with fika. It is like an institutional right to have coffee and cake every afternoon. A kind of national pause in the day to reset and regroup with friends. 

6. Cheese. So. Much. Freakin. Good. Cheese. All at affordable prices. That is all. 

7. Sweden is made for kids. We have found free summer activities all over the county for kids, from boardgame clubs to outdoor concerts. We literally live within a couple of minutes to a dozen playgrounds. The selection is mind-boggling.

8. A city that has good, reliable public transport is a city worth living in. Public transport is excellent here. We never have to wait more than 10 minutes for a train or connecting bus. Allowing citizens to move freely and easily creates a sense of freedom and ease so that we can focus on the more important things, like buying the right kind of milk.

9. Do your own thing, it's your right. People mind their own business and won't usually question something slightly unusual if it doesn't hurt/bother them or greater society. People are friendly and curious but they won't over-share.... unless you ask. And I'm a good asker.

10. Personal space. People respect each other's "bubble" and won't enter that sacred sphere. I guess physical distancing was already happening here before it was mandatory around the world.

11. Rumour has it the healthcare is excellent in Scandinavia. I now have first hand experience to tell you that that is absolutely true. Tai had a mysterious allergic reaction which resulted in full-body hives, non-stop sneezing and a puffy face. We called the National Heath Line where you can talk to a nurse to help you diagnosis whatever it is. The next day it wasn't better so we went to the hospital. They were professional, competent and we hardly had to wait. A shot of cortisone and some antihistamines later, Tai is fine again.

12. Getting your personnummer (PN) is essential. We were lucky and received our PNs within 2 weeks after applying. Basically it's your identity in Sweden and after you have your PN, you exist here and will be able to access all other services. Best thing is, all your information is in one central database. No more filling out multiple forms for various things. Want to sign up for summer camp or register for a night course? Want to get a library card or get a points reward card from the grocery store? Are you moving and want to inform all government authorities so they know? Just give them your PN and nothing else. Too easy.

13. Bike and road safety. Learn it and join the masses on the paths. I had no idea how much I would love cycling here. If I had to choose one thing that I love most about Lund, it is the cycling culture. We actually choose places to go to just so we can bike there. 

Well, that's it from me. I've been enjoying an extended fika by myself at the local cafe while Tai's at sailing skola. Time to pick him!

We made it to Lund!

What's it like to relocate during a pandemic?

To be honest, today was one of the most pleasant journeys we've made as a family.

We hit: 4 airports (Ottawa, Toronto, Frankfurt, Copenhagen), 3 flights, 1 train (from Copenhagen airport to Lund Central) and 1 short taxi ride with three actual taxis in order to fit all our suitcases in.

By the end of it, the kids were so confused with having transited 4 countries with 4 different languages and 4 different currencies, they were just glad to be in Lund!

The journey went super smooth. We had so much help from all Air Canada employees since there were so few travellers and they all wanted to help!

We got to stretch out on every leg of the journey and there were more than enough seats in the terminals and on the train.

There were handwashing stations everywhere, 95% of the travellers and staff were wearing masks.

It was the best time to travel in the worst time in history.

Once we got to Lund, we met our gracious host/landlord, Andrea, and then we walked to get some food and groceries.

It felt like just finishing an epic passage on our Anjulia Sue: relieved, tired, hungry and accomplished.

The kids were asleep by 4:15 pm local time.

I'm not far behind.

Tomorrow we explore the town and get some bikes!

PS. Happy Father's Day! Might try and stay up to watch the Liverpool game with Matt. Maybe.

Getting our fill of poutine before we leave Canada was absolutely mandatory.

DIY luggage trolley to get us from Ottawa to Lund. But that's only about half our luggage

Thanks to all the friends and family who came to see us off from a safe distance at Ottawa Airport. It meant a lot to us to see you all there.

Goodbye at Ottawa airport.

Final wave!

I found This Is Us Season 4 on the airplane entertainment console.
Only 4 episodes but I'll take what I can get… In other news, the kids
played chess with each other on their personal screen.

Just a little selection of hand made masks that were gifted to us by friends.

Found this little card burried in our suitcases, given to me by Guy last year.

Lots of room and no need to fight for a window seat.

Empty rows of seats.

Got some Swedish Kroner at Toronto Airport.

Every passenger on every AC flight gets this little hygiene pack:
mask, gloves, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, bottle of water, ear phones.

What I missed about Europe was their awesome delicatessens
and bakeries... Even at the airport, they're delicious!

Minecraft, quarantine style.

Made it to Copenhagen! Now we have to get this lot on the train, hope it's not crowded!

Buying train ticket to Lund from Copenhagen/Kastrup airport.

Our life in bags.
TOP: Moving from Canada to Sweden (June 2020)
BOTTOM: Moving from England to Canada (May 2014)

Ready to board the train.

Going over the Øresund Bridge which connects Denmark to Sweden.
If you've ever seen the drama-thriller The Bridge, you'll know exactly
what I'm talking about. If you've never seen it, get on it! Really good.

Managed to get all our bags, on and off, within 90 seconds.

LUND! We found Lemon Fanta. Mind blown.

Pizza dinner. The kids are hiding.

Linonberry jam!!

Look what Matt found in the local Coop here! Like I said, we
only bought the essentials at the store today.

Stadsparken in Lund. Playgrounds are open :)

Our view out of our short term rental apartment. Taken at 10pm!
Summertime light definitely takes some getting used to!

Moving to Sweden During a Pandemic

So I wrote a thing.

About a month ago I was Googling "moving to Sweden" and

The Newbie Guide to Sweden website came up.

It's a great, comprehensive website that helps newcomers to Sweden navigate many settlement questions, from looking for work and accommodation to making social connections.

It also features guest bloggers who write about their experiences in Sweden as Newbies.

So over the next few months I'll be writing about my version as a Newbie in Sweden.

Click here for the first one.

Share your thoughts and tell me what you would like to know about my experiences here. Gathering ideas for the next blog....

At Lake Simcoe during our 2 week quarantine when we arrived back in (chilly) Canada.