Continuation of Goodbyes

Leaving Wednesday - Petra, Austria
Leaving Friday - Jana, Czech Republic
Leaving Sunday - Sara, Sweden

Wrong, I was.

I was absolutely wrong to say that I wouldn't fall ill in Sweden. And I was wrong to say that if I did fall ill, it would be mild. Absolutely wrong.

I did realise how bad it was until I awoke this morning to find out that I lost my voice.

The initial nagging feeling that I would fall sick, starting from last week with a slight change in my voice and the runny nose, has become a full blown cold, with fevers of 38.2C and a horrible sore throat. I feel weak and tired. Perhaps it's due to the Panadols that I took to suppress the temperature.

And what do you know... I'm back at work even though I feel like hell. And I'll be going for a weekend trip with my corridor mates tonight. Goodness gracious me.

I'm a wuss when it comes to being sick. I like being pampered and sleeping. Basically doing nothing but watch TV, sleep and eat. I can't do that here... Work takes priority and fun comes next. Rest can take a back seat.

Looks like I'm going to be medicating myself over the weekend to have some semblance of fun.

Unwanted Medication

I've claimed that the fresh air in Sweden is wonderful, and that one will not fall ill because of this.

Well, I'm partly right. One falls ill not because of the air but the temperature. It has been chilly the last week, with temperature in the range of 5 to 12C. And it doesn't help that my bodily system is not as strong as it should because of self-induced stress and very likely stress induced by others as well. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that I've fallen sick. For the second time.

Oh well... Gives me an excuse not to do anything but rest.

But the amazing thing is, it has been rather mild. Both times. I do not need to medicate. Just plenty of fluids and rest. Thank goodness.

Perhaps it's not the weather, but stress related tiredness, illness. Good thing the coming week is a short one. Thursday is a holiday and Friday is an unofficial holiday as well. So, my weekend starts from Thursday.

If I'm not updating as much as I should, I'm either still sick, or busy with stuff.

Death Wish and More

The temperature dipped again. Good thing I have a jacket that has some warm lining in it.

On the topic of cold weather, although it’s not as frigid as a few months ago, last night’s temperature still dipped to 0C for a while. So it can still be considered cold. Why then, did the apartment management turn off all the heaters in the entire building? The heaters in my room and the bathroom don’t work anymore. I thought that they were spoilt. But the heaters in the common kitchen are cold as well. So are the heaters of my neighbours. I don’t know much about how things work here, but it can get really cold at times. That means I have to keep my windows closed. While my room certainly doesn’t smell, I’d still like to open the windows for fresh air and some circulation. Not possible when it’s cold and the heaters don’t work. SO, why did they turn off the heating in the apartments? To save money? Or do they want to kill us me? Or is it a natural thing to do when it’s spring regardless of the outside temperature? Pray, enlighten me if you know the answer.

Edit: Now, I feel a little warmth from the heaters. Odd. Why did the heaters stop working for the past days?

And so… I had my presentation today. It was excellent, I tell you, excellent. If I presented the very same results to Boss, he would have been very angry and I betcha he’d say, “I expected a lot more from you.” But here, the Prof was extremely excited about the results (or non-results) and she was very encouraging. It really made my day to hear her say that it was good work! And it gave me the motivation to continue with the work despite being frustrated by the lack of progress. After the meeting even PCM clone told me it was a good piece of detective work and another said the presentation was excellent.

Goodness gracious me. One piece of result, and two totally different reactions. If I actually showed that work to Boss, I must have a death wish of sorts. I love being here. I get to explore, and fail on my own accord. I learn much more this way and instead of being focused on the results all the time, who knows I may end up finding out much more.

We went for a picnic lunch this afternoon. It was in a place called Kungsängsleden, a nature reserve where a type of flower grows. This flower only grows wild on this field in the whole of Sweden, I was told. And it was brought there by the father of botany, Carl Linneaus. Coincidently, the field is also the battle site between the Danes and the Swedes some 700 more years ago. And the red/purples represent the Danes who died there, while the white ones represent the Swedes. Needless to say, there are much fewer white ones than there are red.

The green leaves. Beautiful scene, isn't it? The light green leaves slowly turn a darker shade in time and then to the autumn colours. After which they fall and the process begins over again. You'll never see this in the Little Red Dot.

Field of flowers (Kungsäng)

In memory of a fallen Dane

In memory of a fallen Swede.

I’m told that once spring is here, the weather will turn warmer. Hmm... Most parts of the day were below 10C and the wind, which brings about the shear factor, was rather strong. I’m also told that once spring is here, the Swedes, regardless of the weather, will dress for spring. That means thinner clothes, short sleeves, shorts, and so on. “We bought all the nice clothes for spring, so we have to wear them.”

Er… death wish?

It is beautiful. When dressed appropriately, I don’t feel the bitterness of the cold that badly. And I really enjoy being out in the open, enjoying the fresh air (and the smell of dung fertiliser) like I did today. This is one thing I would never do back in the Little Red Dot. We have to beat the heat, by staying indoors in air-conditioned comfort. And fresh air? You must be joking. Although our air quality is rated good, it’s just clean, not pure nor fresh. Have a whiff at the air here, and you’ll know the difference. Good thing I’m not allergic to pollen.

Ah… Fresh air smells so good.

Some things I miss or will miss

Let's start with some things that I miss right now. Other than the usual; family, friends, and food (especially laksa), I miss reading.

Yes. Reading. Oh sure I've been reading research articles, but I've not been reading for leisure ever since I came to Sweden. Oh sure, there are public libraries, but they are not the NLB. I've never really realised how well funded the public libraries are back in the Little Red Dot, where you can get the latest releases and almost any genre available. Even our second hand bookshops that rent out books have so much to offer. The library here is a little disappointing, in my opinion. Oh sure, there are bookstores, but they are not Kino, or Borders. I miss holding a book in my hands, smelling its scent (I love the smell of new and very old books. Call me weird if you want. I am.), and devouring its contents.

I miss reading.

I miss the comfort of being in my own room, my own bed, doing things that I know so well. Heck, I think I miss the routine I had in the Little Red Dot. Yes, I know routines are bad, but they are comforting.

These are really material elements. What I really miss are still my family and friends.

Moving on to what I will miss... friends...

Weird isn't it. I miss the friends back home. And I'll miss the friends I made here when I return, actually more so since I know I'll probably not be seeing them much ever again. Friends back home are like a constant in my life. They will never disappear, but the friends here...

The first of the friends I made here is leaving this week. Grace, the Australian of Korean descent, is leaving. I'll certainly miss our weekends together, her crazy jokes, her kewl Aussie accent, and her larger than life personality. Lucy and Mitchell, both Aussies as well, and Angela (Columbia) will be leaving next week. Jana (CR), the week after. Lucie (France), Herbert, and Mattias (both Germany) in less than a months' time. And so on...

My world in Uppsala has started to get smaller, bit by bit.

It's paradoxical. I miss my friends at home, I miss the friends I made here. I can't have the best of both worlds. Knowing that this time, we will really be going in our separate directions to all corners of the world. No matter how we try to keep in touch via emails and such, the lack of physical closeness will kill the friendships built here. Perhaps that's why it's more difficult to see them go, one by one.

They've given me so many happy moments. When I was feeling down, cheered me up. When I was happy, celebrated with me. I will certainly miss the times we spent together.

Perhaps this time, the friendships forged here will continue despite the distances the separate us. Maybe we can set a time a place each year to meet. Perhaps it can be a different country each year? But deep down, I know this will never be possible.

I guess, at the end of the day, I miss and will miss personal relationships - the emotional element. I'm a social animal afterall.

Why...

... is everyone offline (from MSN) so early today? There was virtually no one from the lab online from my contact list. Why? What's up? Did something big happen? Even PY who lives in the lab wasn't around. Weird...

... does the MacDonalds here sell doughnuts? Just like ours used to sell chicken porridge and kaya toast. For goodness sakes, I go to MacDonalds (occassionally) to indulge in fast food; burgers, fries and the like. Not porridge and toast.

... does my work seem to meet so many obstacles? Frustrating, especially when I can't complain or scream. Hmm... the Flogsta Shriek seems to be rather useful at this point in time.

... does Boss have to use a third party to ask me something or pass a message? He actually asked PY's lab bf, ES, to ask if I'll be attending a conference in June. Odd, isn't it? Why ask him to ask me? In any case, I don't even know of this conference. I only know about the one that will be held in the Little Red Dot, not here in Uppsala.

... does the flute seem so foreign to me now? It's sad, isn't it? A few months of not playing the flute, and already my fingers feel stiff. What about me and my clarinet? I have to start practising when I return. Perhaps I should come to the office during the weekends for a few hours to practise, so as not to disturb any of my neighbours. Wonder if my access card works in the weekends now? In any case, the weather is fine enough for me to stroll back if it doesn't.

... is the weather so odd? I can feel both hot and cold at the same time. On my right, I have the warmth of the sun on me, while on my left, the wind is blowing towards me and the temperature is below 10C. How is a person to dress in this weather? Cut my clothes vertically in half, and cover the part that is cold?

... am I subjected to so many burdens? Life is hard enough as it is. Life of a Christian is even more difficult. Don't ask. It's personal. Sigh...

... am I doing what I'm doing?

... why, why, why...

12 May 2006

12 May 2006 - Vesak day; a public holiday back home.

12 May 2006 - The day my family left Sweden for the Little Red Dot.

12 May 2006 - The day the families and friends of the Czech girls came to Sweden.

12 May 2006 - The day I tried sealing the channels. Goodness, I hope it works...

12 May 2006 - The day I had my first Flogsta Shriek. Rather fun. At 2200hrs, the residents of Flogsta start screaming. Why? I don't know but it's a tradition. I believe the first time it started, they wanted a world record or something.

12 May 2006 - The start of the Music Festival. Bands and orchestras from all over Sweden's nations and other organisations come to perform, play, and get drunk. It's held in Uppsala every second year, and the other years are at Linköping. Jolly good fun. I wish I were in a band again.

12 May 2006 - A day of many emotions.

Farewell, and See You Soon

Bye Mum; bye bro; bye Dad. By this time, you should be at the airport, checked-in and waiting for the departure of your flight. It was a real treat having all of you here in Sweden with me, a real treat.

Singaporean women often say that Singaporean men are tied to their mothers' apron strings, but while I'm not reliant on my mother for anything now, I appreciate spending time with her and my family. If that means being tied to the apron strings, then I'm guilty. But in my opinion, being tied only means that you have no means to survive without that person. It's not a crime to be close to your family, and I'm not embarrassed to say that I'm close to my mum and bro. Perhaps those women who condemn men for being close to their mothers should reflect and think if they would like such a relationship with their sons in future.

I digress.

My last meal with my family in Sweden yesterday was great. While I would not be raving about the standard of the food back in Singapore (Amazing Thai in Uppsala, Sweden. Very reasonably priced. Huge portions. Food is generally rather tasty, but their Pad Thai is not up to standard. Not even for a street-side stall in Bangkok.), somehow it tasted so much better than any meal I had before. Perhaps it's the company. Perhaps it's the conversation. Perhaps it's just me.

I'm going to miss them. Home is not what you make of the place you are staying. It is where your family is, and where your heart lies. No wonder those who live away from home always love it when they are able to return, even a short time and the weather notwithstanding.

I should be glad that C and J will be returning to Uppsala in a weeks' time before they leave for home and JY, YX and his girlfriend will be coming in June. Friends from home are always good to have.

Bye Mum; bye bro; bye Dad. Have a safe flight home. Thanks for everything! And I'll see you soon!

Water Purification in Uppsala

During my trip to Gamla Uppsala, I stumbled across how drinking water is purified in Uppsala. It's done in a place called Tunasen, which I think is simply a big hill-like structure, on which I took a walk. It was pure chance that I came to the point where the source of water purification begins.

Basically, I can summarise it to three main methods.
1) Mechanical Filtration
2) Biological Trickling Filter
3) Chemical Removal of heavy metals and humus

All are explained in the sign below.

Sign explaining how water is purified in Uppsala

Water is pumped up and allowed to slowly seep into the gound which acts as a mechanical filter.

No wonder the water is so hard. They don't soften the water.

No wonder the water tastes so bad in Uppsala. No doubt the water quality makes it suitable as portable water straight from the taps, but the taste leaves much to be desired.

They ought to properly purify and soften the water before distributing it to the townsfolk. It's amazing how good the water back home tastes as compared to the one here.

Mixed Feelings

I'm really glad my family and friends came over, and am looking forward to mid June when another group will come.

But the small progress I made in my work here is irritating me to hell. Stagnation really. The baby steps that I'm taking seem to lead me nowhere or in circles. I can't figure out what to do next. I'm really at a loss of what I should do. There are so many things, so many options, but none seem like the right move. I wish I could figure things out. I've been praying everyday before I leave the apartment for some advances to be made in the work, and I'm tired. In fact, I do not look forward to get to the lab every morning, knowing fully well that the day will end up with me accomplishing nothing.

Presentation on the coming Tuesday. What can I say? Seminar reports and semester reports to write. Work to be done. Plus the possibility of PY fed-exing me some work, which I had previously recommended to be done but the Idiots did not heed my advice until it was too late.

No wonder these days, I find Simple Plan's song 'God Must Hate Me' so appealing. Even though I know real well it's far from the truth.

-----

Last night
I just wanted to have fun,
to go out with my friends

I took my dad's car
I never thought he would find outbut
I crashed in a wall
Man I'm dead

I guess it's no use,
I'm screwing up every little thing
I ever tried to do
I'm born to lose
Yeah yeah yeah yeah

God must hate me
He cursed me for eternity
God must hate me
Maybe you should pray for me
I'm breaking down
And you can't save me
I'm stuck in hell
and I wanna go home,
I wanna go home

Last night
I had to study for this test
I forgot and man I'm dead
and now my brain is bursting out of, my head
I can't think I can't breathe
once again

I guess it's no use
I'm screwing up
every little thing I ever tried to do
I'm born to lose
Yeah yeah yeah yeah

God must hate me
He cursed me for eternity
God must hate me
Maybe you should pray for me
I'm breaking down
And you can't save me I'm stuck in hell
and I wanna go home
For what in the world
am I supposed to do?
I never did anything to you
So can't you find something else to do?

God must hate me
He cursed me for eternity
God must hate me
Maybe you should pray for me
I'm breaking down
And you can't save me
I'm stuck in hell and

(I wanna go home
God must hate me) x6
You can't save me
God must hate me now

-----

Back in Uppsala

Tired, but happy.

Thanks C and J for coming down! The Stockholm break for me was excellent, especially since it was done with my family, with whom I have not been on an overseas holiday since Secondary 2, more than 10 years back.

I love having you all here. My family and friends. I realise what I'm really missing here in Sweden even though I have a pretty good life here as well. Home is where your family and closest friends are.

One and one-half days in Stockholm was grossly insufficient to experience all the city had to offer. Too bad I couldn't spend more time than that. I have to spend at least 3 to 4 days at Stockholm next time. When? I don't know.

Tired, but happy.

Exhausted

I really am; physically and mentally.

You can actually spend almost an entire day (from 1000 to 1500hrs) in Gamla Uppsala walking around the moulds, seeing the exhibitions and etc. Goodness, and this was with parts of the place still closed because it's not the tourist season yet.

No updates for the next 2 to 3 days. I'll be away without internet connection. See ya soon!

They Are Here!

My family and friends are here! And with my flute too! Excellent!

We went to a few places today and passed Angstrom. I found a totally new area near Angstrom that I had no idea about. There is actually a forest-like park, 15 minutes walk from the place. Wow! I didn't know that. And it was so easy to actually walk back through that park. Amazing!

Will be heading to Stockholm in the weekend with the guys. Don't expect too many updates in the coming days!

Happy Birthday and More

Happy Birthday Sara! It's her 26th birthday today and we had a simple celebration with traditional Swedish cake. This is my second time eating such a cake. I have to say... I like it. A lot. For the most part, the cake is very similar to the ones that I'm used to - sponge base, cream and fruit fillings. But the best part of the cake is the marzipan layer on top. Excellent stuff. I wonder if we can buy marzipan in Singapore. I haven't seen it. This is the same stuff that is used to make the cream puffs, eaten just before the start of Lent, that I had at my first Marieudd trip.

Ben has finally left for home (two weeks back home and off to the land down under) after two months here and eight months of travelling around Europe. But of course, he didn't spend two whole months in Uppsala. I think one will go out of one's mind if one had nothing else to do but travel in Uppsala. He went to different parts of Sweden and Denmark. Actually out of the two months that some of his luggage has been here, he only stayed for a grand total of not more than two weeks in my room.

Not that I didn't enjoy your company, Ben. But I'm glad your clothes are out of my room. My nose is a little too sensitive to odours...

Anyway, I really envy his year-long hiatus. To take a year off work or school, and travel just to see the world, gain experience, knowledge and perspective. I'm very sure doing such a thing will in fact benefit any company in the long run. Green with envy. I'm seriously planning on doing the exact same thing after my studies. I hope to be able to do that. But of course, travelling by oneself seems really lonely. Especially for such a long period of time. A mate for a few months here and there would be good. Any takers? Sign up now!

And it certainly doesn't hurt to know people from all over the world. Then you can have some one to show you around or to put you up when you are in their area.

One door closes, and another opens. Mates and family are coming over on Wednesday! Can't wait.

Too bad spring is a little late this year. The flowers are only just blooming and the trees are only just showing minimal signs of budding leaves. And although the temperature is higher, it actually feels colder than it was in February and March. It's so difficult to predict the weather. On the one hand, it may look nice and sunny but a thick jacket is a necessity because of the wind. On the other hand, nice and sunnny may equate to being hot in the same thick jacket. How does one dress for this weather, I wonder.

I know the IKEA supermarket back home sells Swedish meatballs but I wonder what the quality is like. And I wonder if it sells Kalles, marzipan, and the hard bread as well. I have to make a trip down just to the food section when I return to scout for these delicious stuff. Remind me.

To a good day tomorrow and a great holiday with friends and family. Cheers!

Valborg Pictures

Not Valborg, but... Easter tradition in the Czech Republic. Boys are supposed to get young branches from trees, plait them together and beat girls with them, while saying a rhyme. This is to wish the girls health and luck for the coming year. And the girls in return give the boys sweets and chocolates. Elsewhere in Poland and Hungry, boys throw water at girls for the same reason. Picture from postcard Maru received from her grandmother.

30 April 2006 - Sunrise; 0530hrs.

30 April 2006 - First Valborg Boat. If you draw an imaginary vertical line down from the boat, you'll see Mattias, a German I met here in Uppsala. Next to him in the green jacket is Mary from Finland.

30 April 2006 - Banana Boat Throwing Bananas to the Spectators.

30 April 2006 - No man is an island.

30 April 2006 - Boat Fight!

30 April 2006 - Piranha?

30 April 2006 - Carrying the cross.

30 April 2006 - The 'King and Queen' of Sweden.

30 April 2006 - Last Valborg boat to come down the river. The detachable raft. The sides are too high for the boat to pass under bridges, so they remove them when nearing bridges and place them back when they have safely passed the obstruction. Pardon the signboard. I wanted to make a video of them passing under the bridge.

And the poor boats, upon reaching the end, get chopped up into little pieces and thrown away.



30 April 2006 - Crowd walking towards the cap waving ceremony.

30 April 2006 - Cap Waving (Public).

30 April 2006 - Cap Waving (Important University People).

30 April 2006 - Distinguished Looking Nation Members at the Cap Waving Ceremony.

30 April 2006 - The Famous White Cap (Modelled by Eleanor).

30 April 2006 - Valborg Crowd at the Hat Waving Ceremony.

30 April 2006 - Trash, trash everywhere. On the slopes leading to the Castle.

30 April 2006 - Choir wearing the white hats.

30 April 2006 - Bell Tower and Banners at Castle.