Day 30: I Love, I Hate

I've been here for a month now. I've settled down nicely and have found some really nice bunch of friends here. I'm glad.

But today wasn't a really good day. Happy times can't last forever, can they? (Yah, I know lah. In heaven, everyday is a happy day.) The channel layer "looks like shit" (courtesy of Roger, Angstromlaboratoriet, 2006). And I kind of agree. The process didn't work as it should. I'm not an expert in this area, so I can't tell what went wrong. Heck, I'm not an expert in any area.

Plus, I cut my fingers again today. The previous cuts have yet to heal fully, and I have to slice them again. Shoot. Somehow, I seem to heal very slowly here, and get into a lot of accidents.

Take all of that and add to the fact that I fell again this evening. And you can imagine how unpleasant my day was. Oh well, I can only hope for a better day tomorrow.

In the meantime, I'll make a list (incomplete and completely personal) of what I love and hate about this place.

I hate the neverending cold. It was snowing when I left the apartment this morning. No, it wasn't the soft snowflakes that I raved about, but the ice particles that I complained previously. This evening, while walking back, it was raining. Can you imagine ice cold water particles hitting your face? Brr... The ground was in parts wet and slippery, in parts icy and slippery, and in parts slushy and dirty. Not fun to walk back (or cycle) in these conditions. And puddles of water on the sides of the road don't help either. You have vehicles zipping pass you, splashing water all over. So I don't only have to be aware of where I'm stepping on, I have to be aware of any puddles on the road and of any vehicles.

I hate the cyclical shower in my apartment. The hot water seems to come in cycles. Moments of hot, and moments of cold. I can understand it if it were in a gym or something. Just like in the Netherlands, in 2001 when I was there for WMC. The showers in the gym (where we were placed) had hot water coming in cycles. Can you imagine 5 guys jumping in and out of the showers (open concept; totally no partitions) with one person shouting "It's hot! Go!" periodically? It was a joke I tell you. A joke. So yes, I can understand that if it were in a gym. But in an apartment that charges so much? Oh come on. How can this be possible?

It seems like most of what I hate has something to do with the cold.

I hate the lack of quality control in some foods here. This particular brand of yogurt that I buy seems to change every single time. The first time I got it was just perfect. Not too thick, not curdled. The second time, it was thick, thick, thick. The third time, it looked curdled and lumpy. And finally the forth time, watery like hell. What is this? It's the same brand, same type, same packaging, but the texture varied too much. Can have some QC or not?

Alright, I'm done with what I hate. I don't hate this place, so I can't really think of much, unlike some people I know.

I totally love the meatballs here! I really do! The beef and chicken meatballs are simply excellent. I'm already buying the cheap to mid range varieties, and they taste so good. Can you imagine what the expensive ones taste like? Ooo... orgasmic man.

I love the buses and the bus system here. Its punctuality, cleanliness and space. I've said enough about that. You want to know more? Read the archives.

I love the fact that the people here are responsive. You say 'Hej' to them, and they'll give you a smile and a hearty 'Hej' back. Back home, more often than not, you'll be greeted with a surly look, and be ignored. Just like you don't exist.

I love the working attitude of the people here. They enjoy what they do. They really work when it's time to work. And knock off when it's time. Really rest when they should. Life should have time for rest and relaxation. Why are we expected to work like robots 24/7? (Or maybe we are robots, since we don't think for ourselves and expect the government to do everything for us. Including feeding us.)

I love the wide open spaces here. Unlike the concrete jungle I grew up in, this is really beautiful (even with the slushy dirty snow). Snow covered parks, frozen tree branches, etc. This place will really look great in spring. I can't wait.

Oh yes, although this has nothing to do with Sweden, I'm listing it simply because Joakim influenced me to watch it. I love Prison Break. I've only watched two episodes so far and the riveting plot has me captivated already. Excellent show! I urge all of you to watch it when Singapore's Mediacorp starts screening the first season some time this year.

I love, I hate. I wish I can combine the best of both worlds.