Penultimate Day

This was my penultimate day in Sweden... I can't bear to leave this place, yet I can't wait to leave either. The complex plethora of feeling I'm feeling after six eventful months simply cannot be put into words.

I must have walked at least 30 kilometres today, from the apartment to Flogsta, down to St. Johannesgatan (to send Maru off), then to Gamla Uppsala, back to town, to Angstrom, and finally back to town again. I just wanted to visit all the places that will forever be etched in the deep recesses of my memories and remember all the good times I had with so many people during this stay in Sweden.

Goodbyes are difficult when you know you will not be seeing them again anytime soon. The parish in Uppsala has welcomed me into the fold, I got to know so many wonderful persons. The priests and nuns, and the laity; their love and openness have truly shown me the wonders God can do. I remember when I first came, I felt so lonely, so homesick. It all boils down to me not knowing anyone. But over time (two weeks maybe), I slowly (but surely) met and made friends, one at a time. Now that most of them have left for home and/or are away on a summer holiday, I thought I would feel lonely. Not true. The memories of my time with them have kept me from feeling lonely. Memories are such wonderous things...

This is my last night in Uppsala. My room has been cleaned, my bags packed. I went down to my favourite and meaningful places one last time. I went to the Gustavianum Museum one more time. I had a full, tiring, but really fulfiling day. I'm going to miss this place. Just one more night...

Karlstad Photos (Part 1)

Eleanor's home (Her neighbour's actually. The photo was taken from her front porch.) Picking for Strawberries (Wonderfully sweet!) View from Ski Slope near Eleanor's Home Klaralven River Statue of King Karl Gustav (from whom Karlstad got its name - Karl's City) Statue of Sola (from whom Karlstad got its nickname as the Sunbeam City)

Karlstad Photos (Part 2)

Sweden's Longest Stone Bridge

Karlstad Domkyrkan (background)

High Altar of Karlstad Domkyrkan Locked in a prison cell Stadstragarden (City Garden/Park) Sun-bathing along Klaralven River Varmlands Museum (The Museum of the Year for 2005)

Karlstad Photos (Part 3)

Lake Vanern

Klaralven River at night

Karlstad Water Tower

View of Lake Vanern from the top of Water Tower

Yellow leaves at this time of the year?

View of Lake Vanern from Hammaro

Karlstad Conclusion (20 to 23 July 2006)

It's the end of my travels in Sweden. I made my last trip to Karlstad in Varmlands from 20 July to 23 July. It was decided on the spur of the moment, since Eleanor so graciously invited us, and Maru and I were expectedly free.

The bus journey took a little more than 4 hours each way and each time we were in the bus, the weather was simply perfect. Dark, cloudy and cold. But upon reaching our destinations (Karlstad or Uppsala), the sky cleared. It seemed as though the sun shone specially for us.

I have to extend my grateful appreciation to Eleanor and her family for so graciously opening the house to us and for their hospitality. Most of our meals were provided for and the family took us around.

It was on our first morning on 21 July that we went around the city to learn about its history, and see the sights. While we took the second morning to cycle up to the water tower to see the view of the city. The view was absolutely spectacular. And it was equally amazing that the city actually rents out bicycles to tourists without charge! I really loved the bicycle ride, going up to the water tower from the city, then down to Mariebergskogen and later to Hammaro. It was simply an enjoyable and relaxing way to see the place.

Our afternoons were spent by a beach in Hammaro and a rocky outpost near Karlstad. We were relaxing by Lake Vanern, the largest freshwater lake in Europe (or Western Europe in some guide books). The combination of just lying on the beach, taking a dip in the lake and talking about everything in general was the perfect way to end the wonderful time I had here in Sweden.

Perhaps autumn is here slightly early this year. Some trees have started to turn a magnificant shade of golden yellow and earthy brown. I guess I'm just lucky to have been able to see this transition. No doubt it will only be autumn will only arrive in the end of August and be in full force only in September, this bit of autumn-like colours was icing on the cake.

It has been six months. How time flies. I'm really going to miss this place and the many wonderful friends I made here. I've had an excellent time, thanks to all of them. But all good things have to come to an end. Next stop: Home sweet home - Singapore.

In case you are wondering...

...why I haven't been updating the blog for such a long time.

I've been busy enjoying what's left of my time here in Sweden. Basically by cycling to my favourite places and taking mental pictures of those special places here in Uppsala. It's been such a wonderful stay. I've been truly blessed to have been able to come and meet so many beautiful people, to experience first hand such different cultures and work attitudes. It's been a real miracle that this actually happened.

I've finally said my goodbyes to the last large group of people - the long-timers in Sweden at church. Robert (Poland), Sumi (Japan), Zerit (Etheria), Lucia (Italy), and Rika (Hungary-Sweden). They will go for their holidays and will not be around next week for Mass. This meant that this morning's Mass was the last time I would be seeing them (for the time being only, I hope). Goodbye all. I will certainly miss the times we spent during the many Sunday Fikas we had together.

I'm certainly going to miss this place...

Watch and Read

It's summer. Europe is famous for her summer comas and yes, things have slowed down dramatically especially after Midsummer. Everyone, or almost everyone, is away for his holiday. A holiday vacation that lasts for one solid month or more! How I envy them.

And so, I've been taking time off to read and enjoy myself. In fact, I even bought two books (English, of course) for my personal entertainment. I finished Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt. For a book 426 pages thick, it certainly took me a loooong time to read it. Two whole weeks. If I were reading it at my usual pace, I'd have completed the book in nothing less than a week. In fact, given that it's quite an interesting book, I should have completed it in 3 days or less. Oh well...

Anyway, it's a free book I picked up at the airport, along with a note asking me to pass the book along to another person when I finish with it. Certainly. I'm officially part of the Pass-it-on group. People who leave good books at train or plane terminals for others to read. All I have to do now is to find a good place to leave the book. Not in the open but neither should the book be taken as trash. Hmm...

I've watched a lot of tele these days too, in the evenings. I can't wait for Rome to start. Full frontal nudity... Sluurp... Hahaha... Seriously though, I've always been interested in the great Roman empire and the gladiators. Of course, it's not going to be a solid, factual documentary, but for an entertainment program set in that era will be just as interesting. The costumes, the scenes. And of course the frontal nudity. Hahaha... Definitely can't catch this in the Little Red Dot though. It would be pointless to censor the nudity out. If they did, the entire show will be in pieces.

Back to my novels!

An Afternoon Off a Week (on a Weekday)

Lately after the weather started becoming warmer two months ago, I started take at least one afternoon off each week to simply get away from technology; to sit out in the open, usually a nice spot where I am under shade but not too far away from the sun; breathing in fresh air, enjoying sounds of nature and the occassional sound of vehicles passing along the highway a kilometre away; and read, read journal articles, novels and/or religious books.

It's wonderful. The benefits, I feel are manifold.
1) I get out of the office, and am able to enjoy fresh air, not stale recycled air.
2) I'm making full use of the sun and get my dose of Vitamin D.
3) Getting VitD certainly does wonders for my skin. And of course it doesn't hurt that I get a tan at the same time.
4) Getting away from the office, from the computer and therefore the internet, allows me to focus on my readings. I don't get distracted by my constant need to click on something. I know I have a mild internet addiction, so this activity allows me to have some time for myself and my readings.
5) Being out in the open like that, I'm also motivated to get some exercise done at the same time. I mean, since I am already in the sun (somewhat), what's there to stop me from jogging at the end of the day?

See. No matter how I see it, I become a healthier person because of that. I hope I'll be able to continue this when I'm finally home again. I just have to find some place nice and quiet; away from traffic but not too far away from a shop where I can get drinks and such. It was only after many tries that I managed to find the perfect place here in Uppsala. Now that I'll be returning soon, it's time to start on another search. Perhaps West Coast Park will be a good place to start. Not too far from both home and school. I just wonder if there will be many people walking past and disturbing my peace.

Anyone has a good place to recommend?