Du gamla du fria ;)

Who would have believed that Stockholm is as hot as Grenoble?!!? Not me! Luckily it is not as humid, which makes it slightly more bearable. The flight home was a true adventure as I had about 18 kg overweight to get rid off. So I ended up with my snowboots on, windpants over my jeans, a couple of sweaters and a very nice hat :) But I ended up with no overweight. Much thanks to my brother who proved to be a very practical young man with excellent logistic skills. All in all, it was a very sweaty and weird-looking me that arrived to Arlanda sunday afternoon. My brother promised to keep it a secret between him and me.. However... I should have been suspicious when he took some photos with his cellphone... My parents picked us up and just couldn't stop laughing at the picture my brother had sent them... I can't really be mad at him though as it was him that made sure I didn't have to pay 300 euros because of overweight.

So this is last post on this blog. It served its purpose. I actually enjoyed going to school in the end,. Not because I got to like the school and the classes, but because of all my friends :) Now I have to new great plans for the future.

1. Move to Mexico
2. Move to Canada

But I also want to go to Spain, England, Russia and Norway :)
I'll let Bailey Tzuke finish this post. Turn and turn again is a really great song and a perfect ending on this voyage.

"Every traveller please come home and tell us all that you have seen"

Girls just want to have fun

Couldn't be more true! Haha! :)

Feelin' love

London calling!!! Got here yesterday. I have done nothing but sleeping. Almost :) Went to a garden party today with a friend and felt posh. It feels like I'm on a spiritual and physical rehab. I should have added Rehab with Amy Winehouse instead ;) I had my last exam friday. Such a relief! But I still don't understand that school is over. My emotions are always a bit slow. I am enjoying the moment instead :P In the meantime that my emotions catch up with me I have celebrated swedish midsummer twice. Once in Grenoble with a lot of Erasmus-students, and once in London. I have had snaps, sung Små grodorna and seen a midsommarstång. Pas mal!

Glad midsommar till alla!!!

Rubber & Soul

23:44. I can proudly say that I have been studying all day. Til now. I am a geek. Haha! Luckily I am not a lonely geek. Four mexicans kept me company studying. I still don't know if they were talking about school or something else :) I don't understand spanish yet. Only really bad words... But hopefully I'll learn spanish. My new-found friend Karen gave me a book called Cien años de soledad. I am going to read it and hopefully learn some spanish :) I really like mexican people, they are so nice :) Yesterday Javan gave me a cool mexican pen/sombrero/thing and today Marifer gave me a really cool drum that makes a really annoying sound. So beware, you might get a (un)pleasent surprize tomorrow morning. Hahahahaha ;)

Well, D-day's approaching! Time for bed! Sweet dreams :)

Ayo technology

The first day of my last schoolweek is almost over, but I still have many hours of studying ahead of me :D I have been looking forward to this week. And I have wanted it to be over and I still do. Because that would mean that I had finished my exams by now and that I wouldn't have to go school here in Grenoble anymore. BUT, that would also mean I would already have said goodbye to all of my friends here. And I don't want to do that!!! With pleasure comes pain. Always. Always, always, always! I should have learned that by now. So I am sucking it up. I continue to study because it means I can still see and hug and love all of my friends here. It means that I can look at a blue sky and were a t-shirt (and still be sweaty!!!). It means that I can have coffee and pain au chocolats in the morning (whenever actually). And it also means that someone wakes me up at 4 am when all I wanna do is sleep... Well, well tough shit. Right Alice ? ;)

Sleeping to dream

So many feelings. I wish I always could feel like this before I fell asleep. As if there is nothing to worry about. There is only the feeling of security. Feeling safe. Feeling loved. I close my eyes. Sleeping to dream.

Come as you are

Oh my, justifying reasons why
is an absolutely insane resolution to live by

Love is my drug

" Call me youngblood, but I ain't wasting no time
Going higher higher, Youngblood
I'm gonna follow my heart gonna walk the wire
Through a minor sky I'm gonna see things eye to eye
I'm a youngblood, youngblood, call me youngblood "

Kokoo girl

Had my last class today in Gestion des stocks (which is the most boring class I have ever had). I am really tired. So I think I'm gonna go to bed early tonight. For once ;) I am leaving Grenoble in less than three weeks. But I still think I have lots of time :) Gaaaaaah! I don't wanna think about that. I hate moving around... Well, well. No need to worry. At least not tonight :) I'll think about that tomorrow.

Today's highlight: I found this cool band :)

Cheerio!

Elephant Love Medley

This is my favorite quote at the moment: "We must feel the feeling as if the prayer has already been answered". Gregg Braden. It is also the philosophy by which I am living at the moment. Although, I think I have lived by this philosophy my entire life, I just haven't been aware of it :)

I just had dinner with some of my best friends here in Grenoble. Tartiflette. Very french and soooo good. Thanks Mitch! And thank you Alice for all the chips inside of my t-shirt :) I have been doing a lot of meditation lately. I really appreciate it now. I didn't in the beginning, it just felt like a waste of time. Now I do it twice a day. I feel like a hippie :) Hopefully, I am still me :P

Today's highlight: coffee with Karen, cherries and laughing with Inma :)

Goodnight everyone and sweet dreams!

18 'til I Die

I found this today. I have a t-shirt and a keyring with little miss giggles. She is amazing. And my idol ;) Haha! I should be studying but my mind wanders. It always does when I need to concentrate. Somehow I have lost my ability to concentrate. But I don't mind, I bought airplane-tickets to London instead, haha.

Ego

Life's to short to not be egoist. So that's my new survival-strategy. I'm going ego! Don't you agree with me Alice?!

I remember

One year passes so fast. My goal this year was to relax. I failed. I have so many memories from this year. And another 27 days to make new memories. Starting as of tonight :)

Hush now

Time to get some sleep. I feel rested. Did some yoga today and then I meditated for a while. Alice did her best to do the same thing ;) I wish that a simple thought could make me feel calm. Normally I try to think about things I appreciate, but maybe I should start thinking about things that make me content and calm. Things that make me stay in the moment. Hmm... One year ago I was out drinking beer with some of my best friends. I felt really good that evening. I felt fulfilled. This song is for Kristina, Vendela and Jonas.

Sweet dreams.

Uninvited

I am like a baby. If I don't eat or sleep regularly, I get really cranky. Some of my friends have noticed this. And they take precautions. I have one friend that brings me chocolate when we are going for a walk because he knows I will get cranky after a while. Bon peu importe. I am writing this because I haven't slept that much this week, which means that I am really tired right now. I have had one of the most fun and interesting weeks in Grenoble. The result? Tired as hell. So that's why I am off to bed. What I am going to dream about? All the people I have met this week, and all unexpected events ;) Sleep well!

Knivhuggarrock

Sometimes, I have moments of clarity. All fears are replaced by pure and simple clarity. I forget about time and space and everyone around me. My tongue acts on its own, and I do things other people normally wouldn't do. I love when this happens. I feel lika a free spirit with no worries whatsoever. The moment doesn't last more than a second, but the effect of it can last for a couple of hours. I had such a moment yesterday. Very much to my own surprise I heard myself pronouncing words I hadn't expected to say. It was hilarious. I laughed for two hours afterwards. I laugh at this very moment when I think about it.

You should let your self go more often!

Callin' U

I don't want this moment to pass. I just want to lie in my bed and listen to music and try to keep this evening and these feelings alive as long as possible. I feel good. And sad. And hopeful. I wish I was enough to reach out to other people. To touch them. To make them feel what I am feeling right now. It is such a good feeling. It isn't a happy feeling, it's peace of mind. Acceptance and contentment. That is what I am feeling.

Valerie

I feel so content. And it feels really good to say it :) Had one of the best weekends so far in Grenoble. We went for another hike in the mountain, this time climbed Chamrousse. Less steep than last weekend and the weather was much better. The weather was so good that I looked like a roasted tomato when we got back to Grenoble :) But it was worth it!

I realized something today (although it might not come as a surprise for you...). I am REALLY impatient. And I can't really make up my mind... I realized this during class today :) And after having admitted that to myself, I felt really content and that feeling has lasted all day :)

Isn't that great or what?!?!

In my secret life

The best thing I know is to not set the alarm and sleep as long as I can. When I wake up I get dressed so I can go to the bakery and buy croissants and pains au chocholat. Then, I go home and make myself a cappuccino, go to my room, put on some music and have breakfast while looking out on the green trees and the blue sky. Simply put, the best thing I know is eating and listening to music :D

This is how I spent my morning. How did you make your morning special? Or did you make it special for someone else ;) ?

Lucky

Today I realized that I could understand almost everything my professor said :) Isn't that cool or what?! I also attended a conference about how you can avoid certain risks when hiking or skiing in the mountains. It was really interesting. Useful as well (I'm going hiking on sunday) ! Now I am off to bed, and I am looking forward to sleep really long tomorrow :)

Goodnight!!! Sweat dreams :)

D-day

I just added another song by Lisa Ekdahl :: På jakt efter solen. It feels like she's singing about me and my life. It's my killing me softly-song :) So this is the 10th and last day of my challenge. Evaluation-time :)

1. Did I participate actively? I most certainly did. I have been thinking about it every day. I even wrote myself a manual with positive and appreciative thoughts :) And I started this blog.

2. How many days did I accomplish? Nine and a half days. I swear it's true!!! I am really proud of myself.

3. How did I do to change a limiting thought into an appreciative one? I kept myself busy, which I have to do to be able to relax :) I know it sounds contradictive but that's the way I am. One thing I found very useful was to start my morning by focusing on things I looked forward to. That way I could occupy myself with those thoughts whenever I needed to. I also kept a diary where I wrote down my highlights and things I like about myself :) Neeeeeeeeeat!

Now the real challenge starts : to keep up with the positive thinking ;) Are you joining me?

Day 9

Today I decided to spend the day at home :) I added TWO songs to the playlist...
Thank you Vendela for introducing me to Joshua Radin! I decided I wanted to make a friend of mine happy, so I sent him a letter. I had much fun writing the letter and I hope he'll find it amusing as well :)

Did you make anyone happy today?

Day 8

I've been sitting in front of this computer far too long today. Added a great song to the playlist. The song is for you Christian :)

Everyone, have a most wonderful evening!

Day 7

I realised something when I read this blog a couple of days ago. I often ask myself the question "why". For instance, if I am feeling distressed about a situation I ask myself: why am I feeling this way? What am I afraid of? What is the worst thing that can happen? I do this in order to release that feeling I am feeling at that moment (if I think the feeling is limiting me). However, I have realized that thinking this way can actually increase the feeling you are feeling at that moment. Since you are focusing on that feeling instead of asking yourself "what you can do about the situation in order to feel better" you are simply going to have more of that feeling. So as from this moment, I will try to ask myself the following questions:

1. How - can I change this situation? can I learn something from this situation?
2. What - do I want to happen? can I learn?
3. Who - am I doing this for? can I learn from?
4. When - can I do this?

I also added three new songs to the playlist (since I didn't update it for two days).
How can you make this day memorable?

Heard it through the grapevine

This was my highlight of the day. Especially when Samuel Ljungblahd 39 minutes into the show sings Heard it throught the grapevine. I am seriously addicted to music. I cannot not listen to music. Which is why I never is going to restrain myself from listening to music. Ever! I also had a great dinner on the balcony, must have been at least 25 degres.

Remember I told you this challenge has made me feel calm? It has, and today was the first time in four days that I have been restless. However, I managed to do something about it. I studied! You don't need to worry though, I'm still me ;)

Day 4

Today, I need to remind myself of why I wanted to study in France in the first place. Studying abroad is a dream I've had since my first year in school. I have the picture of me walking in an alley. It's early autumn so there are yellow, red and grean leaves everywhere on the road. As I stroll down the alley I kick the leaves so they fly around. And it makes me feel great :) I also saw myself in Paris with a beret, a baguette and a bottle of wine sitting in a park with some parisian guy, and talking french ;)

Grenoble isn't Paris and I haven't been able to kick any leaves, but I did learn how to snowboard, and I did eat snails, and I did drink wine. And I did go to Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Munich, London... And lots and lots of other stuff as well. So I really did live my dream here in Grenoble.

Are you living your dream?

Ps. Guess what song I added to the playlist ;)

A star is born

Does one ever get too old for animated movies? I don't :) Just take the song I added to the playlist today, A star is born. It's such a great song. And the lyrics are great as well. I always think of myself when I listen to this song ;) Today's highlight was my first class, Créativité et Innovation, where we are trying to improve an already existing product or invent a new product. Since there are no limits to what we can invent I'm really excited about this class :P

Oh, I have a confession to make... I listened to music today. Only one song though, but I really couldn't stop myself... Just listen to this! Since I am so addicted to music I've decided to allow myself to listen to one song every day. You might regard this as cheating. Well, it is actually. But it's like quit smoking cigarettes. Some people need a nicotine-patch. I need like a music-patch. Once a day :)

Anyways, have a really wonderful night with lots and lots of pleasant dreams ;)

Day 3

The sun is shining and parts of the sky is blue. I'm gonna focus on the blue parts of the sky today :) This will be an interesting day as Im gonna work on two groupprojects. Working with french students isn't always easy because of the cultural differences. But, to make it easier, here's is a list with things I like about working with french students:

• I get to practice my french
• They always look to the overall picture before going into details
• They are very easy going, I never have a feeling of stress or failure when I work with them
• You always take one thing at a time, and don't worry about the next thing until you actually do it
• They have fun!

I added a new song to the playlist. Hope you'll like it (I do!!!) :)
Have a truly fantastic day!

Anything can happen

One thing I've found quite helpful during these two couple of days (in general as well) is having role-models. I have several, and thinking of them when I'm feeling down helps me focus on my "mission" :P Actually I didn't need to think about them today, as I've been feeling great today and calm (which is quite a surprise). But I did it anyway, just in case... It has been a really good day and school wasn't that bad today. I even made my professor laugh :) The best part is that I felt so calm all day. That's is definitely something I want to improve. And I'm going to that by continue to focuse on this challenge of mine. It actually helps me stay calm. Sometimes the best way for me to stay calm is to stay occupied. What was the highlight of your day?

I've added one of my favorite swedish singer-songwriters to the playlist. I hope you'll enjoy him as much as I do :)

Day 2

Slept 12 hours tonight. I feel great :) And I am really looking forward to going to school today... Who yould have figured? This is what I look forward to:

1. I'm gonna meet my friend Julia.
2. I might learn something today ;)
3. I'm lucky that I have a school to go to.
4. It's quite a challenge to take notes in French and listen to the professor at the same time. Today I'm liking that challenge (as I've already written, that way I might learn something).

Oh, one more thing. I've added one thing to my challenge, and that is not listening to music during these 10 days. That will be a tricky but a necessary one. I constantly listen to music (would'nt surprise me if I end up with tinnitus one day ;)).

Have a great day everyone!

10 days

So, I have decided to give blogging another chance. This time in english though, so that my friends here in Grenoble can understand what I write as well:) The reason why I decided to pick up blogging again is that I'm only staying in Grenoble for another 55 days. So I want to make the most of it while I am here. Especially since what I want the most is to go back home to Sweden. That's why I have decided to challenge myself, using this blog, to really make the most of my time here in Grenoble and enjoy every moment. And, since I'll be spending most of my time in school I need to find a way to find school fun and interesting as well. That, my friends, is gonna be a true challenge! But not an impossible one ;)

But, to do this I'm gonna need tools. Writing this blog is one such tool. Especially since I'm only going to write about positive and affirmative things on this blog. I'm also gonna search the web for similar blogs and other tools that can be helpful to me. I have already found one blog with a really interesting topic (in swedish though). It's called "ten days" and challenges you to keep your thoughts appreciative during ten days. In order to succeed on this fearful and challenging task I'm gonna spend the next ten days on this blog writing about my progress :) Isn't it wonderful? Thank you, I'm glad you like it ;) But I'm not gonna write n'importe comment as we say in France ;) I will be using a 4-step process called Appreciative Inquiry that begins with appreciating what is working and what is special in any given set up. If you want to read more about Appreciative Inquiry you can do so here. Practically , this means that I'll be answering three questions everyday on the blog. These questions are:

1. What went well?
2. How can I expand and improve the parts that went well?
3. What other parts can I expand and improve?

Now, my dear friends, this is where the interesting part begins :) So here we go. Fasten you seatbelts and enjoy the ride ;)

I must say that the first couple of minutes of this beautiful day was quite painful. (Waking up a quarter to seven is always painful for me...) But, as I snoozed I realised I wasn't thinking too positively, so I decided as I went back to sleep that this would be a great day and something amazing might happen. When I woke up 15 minutes after, I did actually feel much more positive. I wasn't less tired but I managed to get up and feel good about going to school (which I normally don't :P). And I managed to maintain this feeling throughout my classe as well (I only had one classe today). Tomorrow, I will try to make more specific expectations when I wake up. For instance, "today will be a fantastic day and I'm really excited and grateful that I can be a part of it". Something that I can definitely improve is the efficiency of my writing this blog. I have been chatting with my frieds on msn today, which I enjoyed a lot, but tomorrow I will do one thing at a time :) And I will also try to write one time before and one time after school. That way I can state my expectations in the morning and answer the questions about the day when I come home.

One last thing. I have created a spotify-playlist to which I will add one song everyday. That way I will have a playlist of really great songs at the end of my stay. Just let me know if you don't have spotify, I still have som invites left. All I need is your e-mail.

All for now :) Ciao!