Where have all the chubby Swedes gone?

As I’m sitting in the library café, sipping on my latte and eating my brownie with a scoop of delicious whipped cream, I’m thinking: Is Swedish diet really that much better than the American?? I mean, yes, we Americans are known for being chubby and loving our fast food, but the gigantic line at the register that is forming right next to my table (where delicious cakes and sandwiches are being sold)proves that Swedes love their junk food too. They are the biggest consumers of “Goodies”, the Swedish word for candy, in the world. Candy stores are found everywhere and you can chose from chocolate covered raisins, to all types of chocolate and caramel…all formed in bite size, ready for the road pieces. You can choose different types of candy and stuff them in a little bag and start munching. And as my brownie proves which by the way is heavenly delicious, they put a gigantic scoop of whipped cream on cakes, brownies and pies.
This makes me think: Why aren’t then Swedish people as obese as Americans? They are not lacking the McDonald's or Burger Kings and they love their food as much as we do…if not even more! I truly believe that the answer is the fact that they move much more than we do. Since I came to Sweden little more than a month ago, I have traveled by car maybe four times. Every time it was a distance of 100 miles or more, so I couldn’t walk nor bike. Every other destination I have, I can get to by foot or bike. I think that this is how they do it, eating and not gaining weight…by moving!:)Back in the states, there were few times that I walked somewhere. I went to work by car, drove to school and even the grocery store was too far away for me to walk or bike. As I look out of the window here in the library, I can see a bike parking lot that is full. A car parking lot does not exist-or at least I don’t see it! There are lots of people biking and walking.
The other thing is that most Swedish people I know do some sort of sport. I mean even I have started to do shoot-fighting, a type of martial arts. It’s fun, you meet people, get some exercise and avoid being in the house. And trust me; being in the house in Sweden is pretty depressing: You look out of the window and you are consumed by grayness and rain. I am starting to see the phenomenon more and more as Fall is getting closer!

Boooh, beware of the horrors of socialism!!!

So today I had my first experience with going to the doctors here in Sweden. It made me think of the many times I heard Americans (mostly republicans) talk about how horrible the socialist health care is and how we should beware of it! Well, let me tell you, this morning I had the best doctors visit experience ever! I had been sick for about three days (Urinary Tract Infection), and I was trying to wait it out and hoping that it would go away, but this morning I had the worst pain and decided to check stuff out with a doctors. So than Vanja found out that the doctors we are assigned to has open-door visits from 10-11am. Fearful of what I might hear from the doctors, I went to the office. The thing in Sweden is, everywhere you go, you have to take a number and wait for it to be called...even some stores have this system (instead of waiting in line). So I took a number and waited. Then, when it was my turn, I spoke to a lady at a desk and she asked me for my personnummer (that nice little SSN that I waited for for a month :) She immediately found me in the system and told me to wait in the waiting room until the doctor calls my name. While I was in the waiting room I noticed that each doctor that would come out to get a patient, would walk to the patient (if he new the person) instead of yelling their names. I thought that was very nice. Plus, the doctor would help the elderly walk into his office! One more plus for Sweden haha. Obviously, he didn't know me, so he did say my name when it was my turn and introduced himself. When we went into his office, he asked me what was wrong and listened politely while looking at me (instead of scribbling something into his notebook while I talked). Then he drew a diagram of a bladder, urinary tract, kidneys, and explained to me on the diagram what he thought was going on! I didn't feel rushed at all and he didn't seem to be in a hurry to be someplace else. Then he prescribed me some antibiotics and proudly told me that I can go to any pharmacy in the city to pick up the prescription. (I say proudly, because he knew that I was American and he probably knew how the system worked in the US). I was pretty amazed (no physical prescription, no paper). So I went to the closest pharmacy and picked up my prescription which took two minutes (no, I did not need to walk around Albertsons or Target for half an hour until it was done) :). And that was that! The entire thing cost me about $20!!! Yes, the horrific experience I had with the socialized medical system!!! I might have nightmares tonight! :) I'm not saying that Sweden is better in any other aspect, but this was a very positive experience for me...none of that "you have to wait six months to be seen by a doctor in a socialized health care system" That's all I'm saying! Comments/critique is welcome!

First month in Sweden

Hello everyone! Ok so, I'm not the most frequent blogger you know, but I really am trying :) I'd like to tell you guys a bit about my first month here in Linköping.
The first month has actually been pretty amazing. The sun has been shining most of the days and when it rains a bit, the temperature stays high and we can still go out and have fun. The people have been amazing and not at all "cold" as Swedes are usually stereotyped. :)
I haven't gotten my social security number yet, so I'm still not actively looking for jobs. The number should come in this week and that's when I'm going to start applying. I'm also gonna check out what it takes to be a teacher here and will take some additional classes if needed to become one. I haven't gotten my diploma yet, so I'm taking it pretty easy. I'm learning Swedish on my own by watching tv, listening to radio and with Rosetta Stone. I can have simple conversations with people, it's pretty fun :). That brings me to the one and only negative experience I've had here: On my first day here, we went to the "tax office" to apply for my SSN. Vanja and I both went up to the counter, but I started talking to the lady in Swedish. She understood me fine and I was pretty proud of myself. But then she said something which I didn't understand, so Vanja helped me out a bit. Well, from then on, the lady completely ignored me and continued the conversation with Vanja instead of speaking slowly to me...or even switching to English. For about five minutes she was wiggling her fingers at me, talking about me (I understood most of it), telling Vanja that: "she needs to signs here, there...". I was furious. I wasn't used to someone completely ignoring me like that. On top of that, this was my FIRST DAY in Sweden! And THAT was my first experience as a resident! Thanks a lot, stupid bitch at the tax office!!! BAh, I was really pissed that day, but like I said, that was the only bad experience. Since then, everyone has been nice, talking to me slowly in Swedish and trying to make me understand what they are saying.
On a brighter note, we have an awesome apartment that is about five minutes walking distance to city center. :)
Let me know how things are in California!

Still in love with Madrid :)

Well, I was going to post something once a month, but that didn't happen...oops
Life in Madrid is still pretty amazing. I feel like a local here...I know where to buy the best and cheapest groceries, where the best bars are and I know how to get places...by Metro! Yeah!

We just finished the first semester. In the end it was pretty rough because I wasn't used to writing long papers in Spanish while studying for finals. But I did good and am pretty relieved that it's over. Second semester is already underway and I've gotta say so far, so good.

I have started working a little bit to earn some extra cash. I have one group of three girls that I tutor twice a week for an hour. Then I also work with two boys of 6 and 8 and I just teach them basic English. I also work with a 16 year old with whom I have conversation class. All the parents are really nice and I always feel very appreciated. It's really hard for the Spanish to learn English and English (as you all know) is a requirement by pretty much every employer. English teachers are sought after and tutors are much needed and paid pretty well.

I've done lots of traveling since I last posted: I've been to Bosnia and Croatia (with my friend Brittany). That was great, as always. I got to see lots of family and friends. We pretty much went from the north to the south of Bosnia-it was awesome!
I went to Barcelona, Cordoba, Brussels, Paris, and of course Gothenburg, Sweden hehehe. I'll be going again end of March, but this time to Linkoping, where Vanja now lives ;)

The situation in my apartment is not as peachy as at the beginning. I get along with everyone, but the two girls that I live with are moving out. We've had some problems with the heat and some of the room mates don't get along well, but I get along fine with everyone and still love living here. We'll see who moves in next :).

The night life is awesome-bars and clubs are open 24/7. My sister Sladja came to visit me btw...we had a great time. She brought me stuff too. ;)
And the wine...the wine is awesome!!!!

All in all I LOVE MY LIFE in Madrid :)

Ok, I'm going to stop now...and try to write sooner next time; at least before I get back home! :) My flight is on May 30th, so I'll see everyone in about three months. I'll be staying in the States for about two and then I'm moving to Sweden!



Keep me updated! Besitos!

La vida Española

Ok, so now I've experienced some good and some bad here in Madrid...but mostly good! School started last week and I really enjoy it so far. It's an intensive four week course in the Spanish language, culture, history, etc. Our building is pretty old and very different from the California Universities...the school actually reminded me of the school back in former Yugoslavia...with the chalk board and wooden desks. Since this is a course only for our program, we are being thought how to behave with our future professors: Don't chew gum, don't stretch when you're tired, don't ask the professor too many questions (best is if you don't ask any at all) lol, take lots of notes, since there is only one exam at the end...and no re-takes, etc.!!
Although there are no-smoking signs inside the school, some people smoke (a lot of people actually) : ). I don't mind it...YET! hehehe But it's fun experiencing such differences in cultures.
Everyone from the program meets at the cafeteria at break time and we have a "caffe con leche" which is equivalent to a latte. Btw, I once ordered a "latte" and they looked at me like I was crazy! : )
Some of my friends have had bad experiences here. There was a group who took a cab and the cab driver wanted to rip them off. When they wanted to get out he became a bit agressive and my friends had to flag down a police officer who, luckily, was passing by (this was very late at night). Another friend has been followed by some guys on her way home and they were very pushy...asking her why she isn't running away...she was all alone and very scared. She discovered that the neighborhood where she lives is actually pretty bad, so she is going to move soon! : (
I've also moved into my new apartment (piso) which is amazing! My room mates are fun and we get along very well. There are five of us...Bree (american), Ruben (Spanish), Miriam (Spanish), Davide (Italian)...I went out with some of them and we had a blast. Last night we just hung out at our piso, celebrated the fact that we are all here together...and of course we had lots of wine...and once we ran out of wine, we moved on to stronger stuff! Hahaha!

Oh, and last, but not least: I got my ticket to go to Sweden!!!! Vanja, here I come! LOL

Keep in touch guys! I miss you!!!!

In Madrid!

Dudes, I'm finally here and I'm having a blast!!! Last night I went with a group of about 15 people out. We started out at a bar that had awesome sangrias and ended up at a club that played Spanish music-we danced our asses off. But, on our way there some of the people in my group were putting unecessary attention to us. They were yelling, dancing (in the metro), jumping, using the metro hand poles as stripper poles and various other acts of...well, you be the judge. I wasn't too happy about that...but then I tried not to be the party pooper-and I kept thinking if am I being too conservative? Most of the people here are a bit younger than I...
But after that the night was awesome. At the bar they were playing techno music...how cool is that? They also had all kinds of ham and cheeze hanging behing the bar that you could just point to and they served it to you as tapas. The bar closed at about 3, so we started looking for a club. After dancing for a while at the club (which closed at 4 or so) we started looking for another place to party, but everything cost 10 euros...and since we are students, on a budget, we sat on the ground at some plaza and talked. There were random people selling sandwiches and beer on the street...they just walk around and ask if you want to buy a beer! hahaha That was pretty cool. As my friend Brittney and I got on a mission to find a restroom, we found a chocolateria that was open all night! So we went back to get the rest of the group! About 5 am we ate churros con chocolate...it was aaammmmazing!!! Especially when you're still a bit buzzed heheh. At 6 we took the first metro back home! All in all: What a night! hahaha I can't wait for you guys to come so I can show you everything I discovered!!!
Kisses!!!

The night before

Wow, it's the night before my flight. I'm excited, happy, sad, worried, nervous, and a bit more excited! I think I packed everything I need, or did I? Aaarrgggh!!! Scarry!!! But all will be good. It's going to be a fun adventure (writing this as I'm drinking my thirds glass of wine) LOL. Thanks guys for making my last few weeks super fun...taking me out for coffee, drinks, happy hours, breakfast, lunches, dinners...and of course on road trips (San Diego wohooo) ;). I will miss you guys TERRIBLY MUCH! I'll keep writing! : )

jaca