The title says it all.
Send me on my way.
In approximately 2.5 hours, I will be running around my house getting everything together, then driving 2.5 hours to the airport where at 8AM, I will embark on my journey to Sweden.
It's been one hell of a ride to get here, but worth it.
Yes, I have been stressing and yes I have exaggerated the process a tiny bit, but looking back, it was worth it. All that running around, stressing, panic attacks and tiring out my shoes, was all worth it. I got new pairs of shoes and I feel a little more relaxed and confident.
Now don't get me wrong, inside, I'm flipping out like crazy and screaming and will be a hot mess on the plane ride from San Francisco to Stockholm, but I know that the moment I step out of the bus and onto Uppsala turf, I will have the dorkiest, biggest smile any Swedish person will have ever seen.
Literally.
People have asked me how I have felt these past couple of days and in all honesty, it's indescribable.
This is how I can explain it.
Imagine the biggest goal, you want to accomplish. Like the biggest goal that lingers in the back of your mind and when it pops up, you go "no, that's too big, it seems impossible." That goal. Bring it out.
Now imagine if you could fulfill that goal. You're given a date and were told "on such and such date you will fulfill that goal" That date seems so far away that you think it will never come.
That day has come. You are fulfilling that goal. It's the night before and you are finally accomplishing it. You get to do that.
That's me right now. I am now accomplishing my goal of going to a foreign country on my own and completely immersing myself in something I have never done. Surrounding myself in a culture that is completely new and stepping out of my comfort zone, big time.
This is my goal and I'm doing it.
So as I leave my home that is California, United States, I leave you with this.
That goal that you have in your head....the one that lingers and seems impossible. DO IT. Activate it and DO IT. Just do it okay? For me. Believe me, it will all be worth it.
Send Me On My Way - Rusted Root
Sight Of The Sun- Fun.
Peace out 'Murica. See you in 8 months.
Don't go too crazy.
August 20, 2013
July 18, 2013
Big Month
It was a big week last post, and know it's been a big month with some notable changes.
It's going to be a long post folks so please keep your legs and hands inside the vehicle during this trip.
1. The change of the blog's name.
Yes, journey to Ikea Motherland was catchy and creative as I am venturing off to the birthplace of the known furniture store, but the title sounded like an abduction to a different planet in space than a different country in one planet.
And also, I have been researching famous Swedish people and found that the author of Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is Swedish and thought it would be clever to play with the name.
And also, I have no tattoos and it is on some people's concern (aka my mother) that I will go abroad and get a tattoo (which I won't, so you can not have a heart attack mom.)
2. My VISA
My VISA application has been turned in and I waited a month until I finally had the results. And let me tell you it was a pain. Making 4 calls to DC and given a different phone number with certain times and dates at 8 in the morning was not the bees knees, but then I got the right person who told me yes, which was a relief, and now I will tell you the story of the most awkward conversation I had.
(Background: It was 8am and I did not have coffee or pop-tarts)
Woman from the Swedish Embassy in DC: I cannot find your control number. Can I have your last name?
Exhausted and coffee-less me: Uh yeah ok :;gives last name::
Woman: What is your ethnicity?
Me: White...wait no American...wait.....
Woman: laughs hysterically.
I should never be allowed to speak before I have had coffee in my system. EVER.
3. (and lastly) I BOOKED MY FLIGHT!!!!!
It's all coming in...literally. Like it's for realz happening.
I'm leaving August 20th at 8am and not returning to America until June 13th.
Holy shit it's happening.
I still can't believe it, like can't. I don't know maybe on August 20th when it comes it will hit me that I'm actually doing this.
All the stress and worry and running around ruining my flats and nail biting all paid off.
Jesus Christ it's happening.
Here's some tunes to put you on hold, while I'm still sinking in the news.
Feel Again- One Republic
Submarines- The Lumineers
Dirty Paws- Of Monsters and Men
It's going to be a long post folks so please keep your legs and hands inside the vehicle during this trip.
1. The change of the blog's name.
Yes, journey to Ikea Motherland was catchy and creative as I am venturing off to the birthplace of the known furniture store, but the title sounded like an abduction to a different planet in space than a different country in one planet.
And also, I have been researching famous Swedish people and found that the author of Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is Swedish and thought it would be clever to play with the name.
And also, I have no tattoos and it is on some people's concern (aka my mother) that I will go abroad and get a tattoo (which I won't, so you can not have a heart attack mom.)
2. My VISA
My VISA application has been turned in and I waited a month until I finally had the results. And let me tell you it was a pain. Making 4 calls to DC and given a different phone number with certain times and dates at 8 in the morning was not the bees knees, but then I got the right person who told me yes, which was a relief, and now I will tell you the story of the most awkward conversation I had.
(Background: It was 8am and I did not have coffee or pop-tarts)
Woman from the Swedish Embassy in DC: I cannot find your control number. Can I have your last name?
Exhausted and coffee-less me: Uh yeah ok :;gives last name::
Woman: What is your ethnicity?
Me: White...wait no American...wait.....
Woman: laughs hysterically.
I should never be allowed to speak before I have had coffee in my system. EVER.
3. (and lastly) I BOOKED MY FLIGHT!!!!!
It's all coming in...literally. Like it's for realz happening.
I'm leaving August 20th at 8am and not returning to America until June 13th.
Holy shit it's happening.
I still can't believe it, like can't. I don't know maybe on August 20th when it comes it will hit me that I'm actually doing this.
All the stress and worry and running around ruining my flats and nail biting all paid off.
Jesus Christ it's happening.
Here's some tunes to put you on hold, while I'm still sinking in the news.
Feel Again- One Republic
Submarines- The Lumineers
Dirty Paws- Of Monsters and Men
June 10, 2013
big week
It's been a big, long week.
Today I am no longer a teen youth, I have now entered the 20 years, or as my mother calls them the "ty" years (I have no idea why.)
And on top of that, I turned in my residence permit/VISA for Sweden. Next stop is to book my flight and then I'm done. All I have to worry about is pack and then I'm off.
It's hitting me as each day goes by, but then as each day goes by I get eager and excited. To help with my eagerness, I made another Swedish cuisine.
Known as Swedish pancakes, but to the public it's crepes.
Swedish Pancakes
8 tablespoons of unsalted butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cup of whole milk
3 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a non-stick skillet. Combine the flour, milk, eggs, remaining melted butter, vanilla, and salt in a blender, process until smooth.
Pour about 1/3 cup of batter onto skillet and flip over until brown.
Eat happily, with a vanilla latte and watch Parks & Recreation and think about my next birthday in Sweden.
The big 2-1.
Song: Lover's Eyes- Mumford & Sons
Food: the pancakes I just showed you....
Today I am no longer a teen youth, I have now entered the 20 years, or as my mother calls them the "ty" years (I have no idea why.)
And on top of that, I turned in my residence permit/VISA for Sweden. Next stop is to book my flight and then I'm done. All I have to worry about is pack and then I'm off.
It's hitting me as each day goes by, but then as each day goes by I get eager and excited. To help with my eagerness, I made another Swedish cuisine.
Known as Swedish pancakes, but to the public it's crepes.
Swedish Pancakes
8 tablespoons of unsalted butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cup of whole milk
3 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a non-stick skillet. Combine the flour, milk, eggs, remaining melted butter, vanilla, and salt in a blender, process until smooth.
Pour about 1/3 cup of batter onto skillet and flip over until brown.
Eat happily, with a vanilla latte and watch Parks & Recreation and think about my next birthday in Sweden.
The big 2-1.
Song: Lover's Eyes- Mumford & Sons
Food: the pancakes I just showed you....
May 21, 2013
almost there..
BIG NEWS!
I have officially been accepted to Uppsala University! (Bahh!!!!)
But I know what you are thinking, "what weren't you accepted before? did we already know that you were going to Sweden? Isn't this the purpose of this blog?"
Well a little minor information that I forgot to mention was that upon my acceptance, Uppsala University (the university I will attend) had to send me an acceptance letter to finalize my acceptance.
I know it seems weird, I have to get 2 acceptances in order to go.
Like, super bummer and unfair for those who get a rejection after getting accepted.
EVEN BIGGER NEWS!!!!
THERE IS A WAFFLE DAY IN SWEDEN! I REPEAT THERE IS A WAFFLE DAY IN SWEDEN!
ALL OF MY DREAMS AND HOPES AND WISHES CAME TRUE AND LIFE IS TEN TIMES BETTER THAN BEFORE.
Like seriously, guys this is bigger than my acceptance. Like you don't even know.
I have found my country, and an apology to Spain but you need a waffle day, it's necessary.
I got excited like I did when I first got my letter.
Waffle Day: March 25th.
And fun part is, is that there is a logical reason for having waffle day, it's not just a day for funsies it's like legit.
REASON AS TO WHY SWEDEN HAS A WAFFLE DAY:
Since 500 years after Christ Christians have celebrated a feast day for the Holy Mary. This day is celebrated nine months before Christmas – around the 25 March. “Our Lady” is “vår Fru” in Swedish and the common belief is that a misconception of hearing among the Swedish people transformed “vår fru” into “våfflor”, which means waffles in Swedish, and suddenly the Swedes had their very own Waffle Day.
^ See guys it's like legit.^
I will be there. I will be making waffle. It will be the biggest waffle apocalypse Uppsala has ever seen. Like ever. I will be famous in Uppsala and my legacy will be "the girl who makes the delicious waffles" which from Google Translate means: "flickan som gör läckra våfflor". (<----that's me)
But anyhow, I have been officially accepted and after receiving my packet, I did three things
1. Watch an episode of The Office (cuz I was in the middle of an episode while getting the mail and had to finish it)
2. Made a Swedish dessert which will be mentioned below.
3. Hopped on my bed and looked at pictures of Uppsala University and rolled around my bed hopping that some sort of Swedish aliens will abduct me and take me to Uppsala now, or time travel to August 20th to the airport to go to Sweden, either one is fine with me.
But neither of those happened, sadly. I was still on my bed, in my PJs at 2pm with pictures of the university still on my computer. And then I stuffed my face with the Swedish dessert I made:
Chokladboll (English: Chocolate Balls)
3 1/4 cup of oats
1 1/4 cup of sugar
6 tablespoons of cold coffee
1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
2/3 cup of butter
6 tablespoons of cocoa
Shredded coconut (or what I used shredded white chocolate)
Mix oats, sugar, vanilla, and cocoa in a large bowl.
Using hands or potato masher, incorporate butter into dry ingredients until the dough has an even consistency.
Add the coffee and mix until incorporated.
Fill a small bowl with shaved white chocolate.
With hands, roll the dough into 1 inch balls.
Chill chocolate balls for at least one hour before serving.
Also here is a picture of Uppsala University.
I have officially been accepted to Uppsala University! (Bahh!!!!)
But I know what you are thinking, "what weren't you accepted before? did we already know that you were going to Sweden? Isn't this the purpose of this blog?"
Well a little minor information that I forgot to mention was that upon my acceptance, Uppsala University (the university I will attend) had to send me an acceptance letter to finalize my acceptance.
I know it seems weird, I have to get 2 acceptances in order to go.
Like, super bummer and unfair for those who get a rejection after getting accepted.
EVEN BIGGER NEWS!!!!
THERE IS A WAFFLE DAY IN SWEDEN! I REPEAT THERE IS A WAFFLE DAY IN SWEDEN!
ALL OF MY DREAMS AND HOPES AND WISHES CAME TRUE AND LIFE IS TEN TIMES BETTER THAN BEFORE.
Like seriously, guys this is bigger than my acceptance. Like you don't even know.
I have found my country, and an apology to Spain but you need a waffle day, it's necessary.
I got excited like I did when I first got my letter.
Waffle Day: March 25th.
And fun part is, is that there is a logical reason for having waffle day, it's not just a day for funsies it's like legit.
REASON AS TO WHY SWEDEN HAS A WAFFLE DAY:
Since 500 years after Christ Christians have celebrated a feast day for the Holy Mary. This day is celebrated nine months before Christmas – around the 25 March. “Our Lady” is “vår Fru” in Swedish and the common belief is that a misconception of hearing among the Swedish people transformed “vår fru” into “våfflor”, which means waffles in Swedish, and suddenly the Swedes had their very own Waffle Day.
^ See guys it's like legit.^
I will be there. I will be making waffle. It will be the biggest waffle apocalypse Uppsala has ever seen. Like ever. I will be famous in Uppsala and my legacy will be "the girl who makes the delicious waffles" which from Google Translate means: "flickan som gör läckra våfflor". (<----that's me)
But anyhow, I have been officially accepted and after receiving my packet, I did three things
1. Watch an episode of The Office (cuz I was in the middle of an episode while getting the mail and had to finish it)
2. Made a Swedish dessert which will be mentioned below.
3. Hopped on my bed and looked at pictures of Uppsala University and rolled around my bed hopping that some sort of Swedish aliens will abduct me and take me to Uppsala now, or time travel to August 20th to the airport to go to Sweden, either one is fine with me.
But neither of those happened, sadly. I was still on my bed, in my PJs at 2pm with pictures of the university still on my computer. And then I stuffed my face with the Swedish dessert I made:
Chokladboll (English: Chocolate Balls)
3 1/4 cup of oats
1 1/4 cup of sugar
6 tablespoons of cold coffee
1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
2/3 cup of butter
6 tablespoons of cocoa
Shredded coconut (or what I used shredded white chocolate)
Mix oats, sugar, vanilla, and cocoa in a large bowl.
Using hands or potato masher, incorporate butter into dry ingredients until the dough has an even consistency.
Add the coffee and mix until incorporated.
Fill a small bowl with shaved white chocolate.
With hands, roll the dough into 1 inch balls.
Chill chocolate balls for at least one hour before serving.
 |
| Chokladbolls. |
Also here is a picture of Uppsala University.
May 17, 2013
...and I'm back..
No I have not ignored you. No I have not given up, and No I am not officially done with paperwork.
But I am done with school and with half of the paperwork, so that deserves a celebratory pelvic thrust, yeah?
Nothing to say much here either than the fact that I have started working to get more moolah for Sweden, plus, which I discovered today, I will be getting money from family members so that's like cool yeah?
But here are some cool swedish facts that I found out:
1. On Easter children dress up as witches and go trick-or-treating. (so it's appropriate for me to dress in a bunny costume and go out in public for once?)
2. The sun rises at 3.30am in the summer. (so I guess I will be a morning person in Sweden)
3. The sun sets at 3.30pm in the winter. (shit.......)
4. According to the International Coffee Organization (ICO), Sweden ranks second in the world after Finland in terms of coffee consumption per person. (OH MY GOD! I'VE FOUND MY HEAVEN!!!!)
5. Parents get a total of 13 months of paid maternity leave and the father is required to take at least 1 month of it. ( this totally blew my mind.. YOU GO SWEDEN! 10 points to Sweden)
So there you go..some facts about the Swedes. I'll get back to you soon
Food: I made Blueberry Crumble Muffins
Song: Buried- Family of the Year
But I am done with school and with half of the paperwork, so that deserves a celebratory pelvic thrust, yeah?
Nothing to say much here either than the fact that I have started working to get more moolah for Sweden, plus, which I discovered today, I will be getting money from family members so that's like cool yeah?
But here are some cool swedish facts that I found out:
1. On Easter children dress up as witches and go trick-or-treating. (so it's appropriate for me to dress in a bunny costume and go out in public for once?)
2. The sun rises at 3.30am in the summer. (so I guess I will be a morning person in Sweden)
3. The sun sets at 3.30pm in the winter. (shit.......)
4. According to the International Coffee Organization (ICO), Sweden ranks second in the world after Finland in terms of coffee consumption per person. (OH MY GOD! I'VE FOUND MY HEAVEN!!!!)
5. Parents get a total of 13 months of paid maternity leave and the father is required to take at least 1 month of it. ( this totally blew my mind.. YOU GO SWEDEN! 10 points to Sweden)
So there you go..some facts about the Swedes. I'll get back to you soon
Food: I made Blueberry Crumble Muffins
Song: Buried- Family of the Year
May 5, 2013
pure entertainment
Nothing new, just here are some jams to listen to.
It's Star Wars day by the way: may the fourth be with you.
Also happy finals week!
Song: She Will Be Loved- Maroon 5
Food: Mac n Cheese at a local restaurant
It's Star Wars day by the way: may the fourth be with you.
Also happy finals week!
Song: She Will Be Loved- Maroon 5
Food: Mac n Cheese at a local restaurant
May 4, 2013
chaotic
I'm back.
But not mentally back.
The only way to describe this past week/ month is running around like chicken with its head cut off.
I'm not kidding.
My body loves me for the exercise for the amount of stair climbing, walking, power walking, and running I have done but my flats and feet hate me.
Who knew that in a small campus that is Sonoma, the campus would feel so big and so long?
I had one week. 10 pages of paperwork, classes to approve for GE and Major all before Friday at 12.
CHALLENGE WAS ACCEPTED.
Well kind of. I did take a day off at one point and didn't leave my apartment until 3 in the afternoon. ( It was needed.)
Aaaaannnnndddd eventually it was finished. On Friday. At 11 AM. In my outfit that I like to call "lack of sleep and no coffee in my bloodstream"
Weirdly enough, as I turned in that whole packet and walked away, some part of me didn't feel complete. I just sacrificed, sleep, healthy food and my sanity for this packet and yet, I wasn't fully done.
I still had tasks to cross off my bucket list, until my departure and even then, I'm not sure if I will feel complete.
It took my walk for coffee for me to realize when I'll actually feel complete.
The time I buy my plane ticket.
It seems weird and un-monumental but when you really think about it, it's like a big deal.
Recently, I had seen my roommate and my good friend book flights for Ireland for a year, and just watching them alone was thrilling. My roommate (who for a picture imaginative mind, is like a 5 year old) held her hand over the mouse, shaking as she pressed "book flight" on Expedia. Hesitation and nerves rushed in and for a simple 2 second task, it was a 2 minute task. My friend on the other hand, took pictures and stood there pressuring her to push the button. And as that finger pushed down on that mouse and clicked those nerves of excitement filled the room and goosebumps rose all over my body. I was screaming for my roommate and I'm not even going to Ireland.
It was just the fact of having the reality of leaving the country in such short time for such a long time.
The idea of leaving for 8 months doesn't hit me but there are little moments in my day that remind me that I won't see this in the upcoming year. It's bittersweet if you ask me.
I distinctly remember one day over Christmas vacation. It was the day after Christmas and I had awoken. As I woke up and got out of the bed, one immediate thought popped up.
"You're not going to be here next Christmas".
I wasn't even fully accepted and yet my mind was telling me something and it was right.
Christmas in Sweden will be forever beautiful and memorable but with a little dose of sadness just for the fact that I will have the absence of my family.
But then I was reminded of a positive factor.
This past Saturday I rushed off to San Francisco State University for a 5 hour orientation on "How to Study Abroad" (that wasn't really the actual title, I just decided to name that myself because it was better and cooler that way). And it was there that I learned that through all those hard hitting moments, it will all be way better than expected. I was told by an alumni that "once you're there, you'll hardly miss home, when you get back, you will miss Sweden 10 times more."
This little reminder and the passion from this alumni that reminded me why I was doing this, why I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off, why I was going crazy and losing sleep and why this was all worth it.
The thought of it is scary and will be until I get there. It's just waiting for it scares me the most.
My paperwork is done and all that is left is to book my flight, get my VISA and figure out what to pack in my suitcase (that will be another long post).
So i'm sorry for the long, weird, chaotic post but like I said this blog is a venting mechanism. I promise there will be exciting posts to come....I swear.
Food: It was Taco Tuesday...so obviously I ate tacos
But not mentally back.
The only way to describe this past week/ month is running around like chicken with its head cut off.
I'm not kidding.
My body loves me for the exercise for the amount of stair climbing, walking, power walking, and running I have done but my flats and feet hate me.
Who knew that in a small campus that is Sonoma, the campus would feel so big and so long?
I had one week. 10 pages of paperwork, classes to approve for GE and Major all before Friday at 12.
CHALLENGE WAS ACCEPTED.
Well kind of. I did take a day off at one point and didn't leave my apartment until 3 in the afternoon. ( It was needed.)
Aaaaannnnndddd eventually it was finished. On Friday. At 11 AM. In my outfit that I like to call "lack of sleep and no coffee in my bloodstream"
Weirdly enough, as I turned in that whole packet and walked away, some part of me didn't feel complete. I just sacrificed, sleep, healthy food and my sanity for this packet and yet, I wasn't fully done.
I still had tasks to cross off my bucket list, until my departure and even then, I'm not sure if I will feel complete.
It took my walk for coffee for me to realize when I'll actually feel complete.
The time I buy my plane ticket.
It seems weird and un-monumental but when you really think about it, it's like a big deal.
Recently, I had seen my roommate and my good friend book flights for Ireland for a year, and just watching them alone was thrilling. My roommate (who for a picture imaginative mind, is like a 5 year old) held her hand over the mouse, shaking as she pressed "book flight" on Expedia. Hesitation and nerves rushed in and for a simple 2 second task, it was a 2 minute task. My friend on the other hand, took pictures and stood there pressuring her to push the button. And as that finger pushed down on that mouse and clicked those nerves of excitement filled the room and goosebumps rose all over my body. I was screaming for my roommate and I'm not even going to Ireland.
It was just the fact of having the reality of leaving the country in such short time for such a long time.
The idea of leaving for 8 months doesn't hit me but there are little moments in my day that remind me that I won't see this in the upcoming year. It's bittersweet if you ask me.
I distinctly remember one day over Christmas vacation. It was the day after Christmas and I had awoken. As I woke up and got out of the bed, one immediate thought popped up.
"You're not going to be here next Christmas".
I wasn't even fully accepted and yet my mind was telling me something and it was right.
Christmas in Sweden will be forever beautiful and memorable but with a little dose of sadness just for the fact that I will have the absence of my family.
But then I was reminded of a positive factor.
This past Saturday I rushed off to San Francisco State University for a 5 hour orientation on "How to Study Abroad" (that wasn't really the actual title, I just decided to name that myself because it was better and cooler that way). And it was there that I learned that through all those hard hitting moments, it will all be way better than expected. I was told by an alumni that "once you're there, you'll hardly miss home, when you get back, you will miss Sweden 10 times more."
This little reminder and the passion from this alumni that reminded me why I was doing this, why I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off, why I was going crazy and losing sleep and why this was all worth it.
The thought of it is scary and will be until I get there. It's just waiting for it scares me the most.
My paperwork is done and all that is left is to book my flight, get my VISA and figure out what to pack in my suitcase (that will be another long post).
So i'm sorry for the long, weird, chaotic post but like I said this blog is a venting mechanism. I promise there will be exciting posts to come....I swear.
Food: It was Taco Tuesday...so obviously I ate tacos
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