Beautiful Saturday

AWWW, it is starting to feel like spring again after a pretty cloudy and cold week. I almost had to break out my dad's parka - ugh! That thing is so warm, but did I tell you it weighs like 10lbs?!? Anyway, today we decided to enjoy the sun and warmer temperatures and play with Reagan outside. We ventured over to the daycare and played ball with her there. Then, I decided it would be fun to go for a long walk in the forest. Since the snow has been gone for a while now and there hasn't been too much rain, I knew the grounds wouldn't be too wet. As we started to walk through the forest on the little trails (not the one they maintain for runners and cross country skiers, uhhum), Anders and I decided we would try and let Reagan run around off leash. We had brought THREE tennis balls to lure her back, if she decided to run away. And would you believe - it worked?!?!? Unbelievable, but then not really if you know my dog at all. She LURVES her some tennis ball - absolutely obsessed about them. She is a total nut and at her happiest when she gets to play. So we through the ball for her a little, just to wear her down a bit more, and proceeded to walk through the forest with her being able to run around. It was sooooo much fun and I am really happy we did it. We even were able to keep her off leash when another dog came up because - you guessed it - she had her tennis ball and could have cared less.If you look real close, in the center of the picture is Reagan standing behind the tree. I have to say, that all three of us had a little bounce in our step on the way home. It felt good for her and for us that she was able to run around and be off leash!!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!!
Monica

The Kids

Poor babies, they "almost" starved to death tonight....

Pringles and Swedish

Have you seen these in your grocery store? I just discovered these yesterday when I went to mine. They are GOURMET pringles. Isn't that an oxymoron? Anywho, they are pretty good. They have 4 flavors, but my store only carried the sea salt/black pepper and sweet Thai chili/lemongrass flavor. I am not much into sweet like potato chips, so I opted for the sea salt/black pepper version. And yes, I did pair it with a nice Merlot just like this ad suggests!! HA! I am dying to try the steak and grilled onion version - man, that's a meal right there. They should make a version with smoke salmon and cream cheese too - I could serve those as appetizers. Delicious!! (Click on the picture if you want to read about them)

I also wanted to let you all know that I no longer need to attend my Swedish classes as I managed to talk to two whole strangers in Swedish yesterday. Albeit, it was ordering a grill hot dog (grilled korv) and telling someone "yes, I live here too" (ja, jag bor har ocksa - please forgive me, my fellow swedes, as I do not have a Swedish keyboard and I am too lazy to figure out the character shortcuts). I was feeling pretty good about myself because for once, when I said something in Swedish, the person on the receiving end UNDERSTOOD me. Huge accomplishment - so yep, that's it. I'm done. (cue, Rocky soundtrack).

Later!
Monica

Students, Spring has Sprung

In the words my favorite school principal, it truly has started to blossom here in Sweden. Of course, I'd love to show you pictures but our damn camera is still broken. Actually, there isn't much to look at...yet...mostly just city crews cleaning up the mess they made earlier when it snowed. Right now, they are cleaning the streets and sidewalks of all the gravel (usually with one of those leaf blowers pointed directly at slow moving children, elderly and Texans), wood chipping all the branches they cut down um, at the beginning of the year (has anyone heard of snakes!?!?!) and planting the usual seasonal flower. Do I sound a bit pessimistic? Perhaps, but that's because anyone who even has met Ms. Mother Nature knows she'll slap our hands a couple of times more before she lets us enjoy ourselves.

Naturally, I've been a bit MIA. I realize that a lot of it has to do with that damn camera. I just fill uninspired to write anything without some type of picture to go along with it. But then, I sit my butt in front of this computer and the brilliance just flows!! HA! But seriously, I did do a bit of work last week so I am going to use that as my excuse for not posting for 3 weeks! What's that you say? You have a question about my work? Oh, I thought you'd never ask. ;-)

Last week I went to Switzerland and Holland to recruit international graduate students from hospitality schools to work in the USA as international interns for none other than the good old Hyatt Hotels Corporation! Yes, that's right (my fellow co-workers reading this) - despite your attempts to mark "Not Eligible for Rehire", I slipped through the cracks and they actually allowed me to be the face of their organization (along with a few other poor souls). No, but seriously, all kidding aside. I had an amazing time. I felt so blessed and proud to be asked to help out and it felt REALLY good to work again. Recruiting and interviewing is something that comes naturally for me and I enjoyed the trip immensely. I saw the southern part of Switzerland (who knew there were so many vineyards) as well as the Amsterdam airport (we were there less than 24 hours and the majority of my time, other than recruiting, was spent there)! It was just a one time deal, but maybe with so many other properties opening up, they will be able to utilize me in both the domestic and international side. Keep your fingers crossed.

Aside from that, life just keeps puttering along. I'll update you more in the coming days but I've got to get dinner on the table ASAP. Anders is late, starving and ready to eat!!!