4

I'll do a copy of Ali

4 TV shows I watch:

1. CSI

2. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

3. CSI New York

4. Criminal Minds

4 Things I have done today

1. Bought some face products on line

2. Worked

3. Bought music on line

4. Been to the gym

4 things I long for

1. My upcoming vacation

2. A good nights sleep

3 Regaining my focus

4 A happy new year

4 things on my wish list

1. A new dining room table

2. A trip to New York

3. This dress

4 Dinner at Mathias Dahlgren

A Woman of very little colour

that would be me. I looked at myself in the mirror the other day and realized that I was dressed in black and grey. This on a Sista' - don't think so. So I made a descision that as of now I will wear a lot more colour every day. So today is my blue day...
Tomorrow, being Friday I think I will go for red or pink.
It's November and the winter is upon us. Dark and cold - I wish there would be snow, that lights up the days a bit.

Looking around my office most people actually wears black. I wonder if it is typical Swedsih to wear black in the winter and white in the summer... Could be worth looking into.

Xmas we are spending in Egypt. Mr S found an All inclusive in Hurghada he liked. I didn't.
I found a hotel in Barcelona I liked. He didn't.
We agreed on a hotel in Luxor - Mr S gets his fix of sun and I get my fix of fine wines and culture- the Sofitel Winter Palace. We both liked it!

They have a "swim up bar" you know a bar in the pool. Mr S spent a day with a friend at a bar like that in Dubai. In the afternoon the staff had to swim out and get them. They were to drunk to swim. I would have loved to see that.
Of all the times I have been drunk out of my head I have only once (1) needed help to get home.
But that time I was totally wasted beyond anything.
Now thinking more about work and less about play - better get back to work.

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: Just a Dream - Nelly

"I travel

therefore I am"

If you want to be ahead of the rest go to Tel Aviv this year.
According to Lonely Planet Tel Aviv is the third hottest place to travel to in 2011, New York is number 1. Since I was in New York already in 2010 I must be really it?!?!

Honestly, Tel Aviv doesn't really do it for me. I'd rather go to Tangier wich is number 2 on the list.
I suppose Paris and Rome are totally out.... for me Paris and Rome always works.

This Xmas Mr S wants to go all inclusive in Egypt and I want to spend a cava drench Xmas at a design hotel in Barcelona or a super luxorious long week end at the Hassler in Rome. They offer a harp concert. I have never heard a harp concert live - how cool wouldn't that be?!?!
And they serve 5 o'clock tea. I have already decided to wear my pink Prada cashmere sweater and black pants, while I sip a cup of Earl Grey and read a book.
I would spend all 3 days in this glorious hotel and never leave, unless to visit my lover Salvatore on Via Condotti.

I feel a bit bad about leaving town for Xmas as my parents will be all alone this year. Sis is going to spend Xmas with her boyfriend, his brother and family. I wonder what that'll be like. I'd love to be a fly on that wall during Xmas Eve.

What are your plans?

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: Hang with me - Robyn

A week end away

Spent a long week end at Södertuna Slott for some good food, relaxation and photo opportunities.

The room we got at first was quite small but Mr S charmed the receptionist so they gave us another room that was lovely. An old fashioned bathtub and a big bed.

The food was really good, got some cooking inspiration for our future dinner parties.

On Saturdat the weather was great so I went out to take some pics. Sweden on a sunny fall day is one of the most beautiful things you can see.

I'm still here

even if it has been a while.

I work (a lot), I go to my tap dancing classes on Sundays and I spend time with husband and friends. That is about what my life is like now. I do enjoy tap dancing, it really hard but a lot of fun.

Work is crazy at the moment - there is always something that has to be done. Ans usually I have to do it. I lost that joy I felt this spring and I am trying to get it back.

Yesterday Mr S and me went to dinner at 19Glas, a lovely restaurant in the old town. It is really a favourite. If I would own a resaurant it should be just like hat one. It is small, only 20something seats and very informal. Graet food at great prices.

Mr S is still on the look out for a house and I tag along. We found one that was really nice, but it is located south of town so it is to far away from everything. I am not really sure if I want to live in a house or not. I love my apartment but I would also like more space... We'll see what happens.

Was invited for dinner at sis' place last week end and met with one guy (or a sad excuse for a guy) who admitted to having voted for SD (Swedish Democratic Party). He was just a pathetic figure, and this was not only because of his political views even before he told I thought he looked like a sad case. I mean this is a guy who sits down with a black woman (me) and a gay guy (D) and happily admits to being an SD supporter. Sometimes I am amazed that the human race has survived this long...

And it is of course a great thing that I am always a cool, calm and collected lady who never looses face ;)

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: One - U2 feat MJB

A House or not a House

Mr S wants to move and buy a house. I don't.


He wants a garden where he can grow things (potaotes, herbs and berries). I grew sunflowers on our balcony this summer and may I say was very succesful. I had 7 sunflowers growing and blooming. Unfortunately we were away most of July when they where blooming the most but my neighbour enjoyed them very much.


I also have 2 olive trees, no olives though, and 2 poinsettias that are slowly becoming the plants from hell.... They just don't stop growing.





On the upside it means a bigger place to live, possibly two floors, bigger kitchen and a even bigger wordrobe. On the down side a garden, snow showeling, weird neighbours who BBQ and have strange parties, houses are expensive so less money - less shopping - less travelling.


And the location: I refuse to move somewhere where I can't go down town in 10 min or less on the subway.





I admit there is a certain charm in living in a house. I should know I grew up in one but I like living in an apartment.


And if we moved in to a suburban house area we would become the outcasts since don't have kids.
I intend to ends up a fierce old woman living in St Tropez, drinking cosmos for breakfast and driving around my much younger lover and myself in a Maserati.
Mr S will be fine - I'll hire a hot nurse for him ;)

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: Just the way you are - Bruno Marsh

Back in Blue

So the Allince won, as I hoped but on the down side. the Swedish democrats made it into the Senate.

Sweden is getting colder.

I had hoped that the other parties would have opened up and invited them in to the debates. Monsters bursts in the light of day.

I usually don't endorse violence but some people just bring out the evil side of me.

But we'll see how they act in civilized company - it's not really their scene, is it??!?

On the upside New York was great. Shopping, street life, good food, cool people - loves it!

We took a helicopter ride over Manhattan which was fierce. I saw the WTC/Ground Zero. We actually left on Sept 11th and I spent that day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

I never went to Moma since it is opposite of the Manolo Blahnik store - a girl has to prioritize sometimes.

Now bedtime. I need my beauty sleep

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: AIn't leaving without you - Jaheim

Oh Wow

Long time and no updates.
I have been a busy bee.
Once we came back from holiday in Italy I just did some laundry and repacked and was off to Italy again for a conference trip with work. We went to Milan and Lago Maggiore. Stayed at fierce hotels and partied and some nice places.
Star Rosa Grand in Milan and Hotel Iles Borromes by the lake.
It was very nice. A co worker and me (we both love our shoes) managed to do the enitre shopping street of Milan. She picked up a fabolous pair of Jimmy Choos and I found a Prada knitted sweater. When in Milan - buy Prada.

And now to save money I am officially not shopping. I haven't bought any clothes, shoes or make up since I came back from Milan on Aug 1st and I am not allowed to buy anything until we go to New York.

We did however buy a new bed since it was a special offer and the old bed is not comfortable any more.
Eventually we decided to buy a Jensen bed - it is supposed to be very good for the back. They buidl it on demand which is cool so it will be delivered once we are back from New York.

I have booked 2 really nice hotels in New York The GEM in Soho and the Alex. I also booked us dinner at Riingo, Marcus Samuelssons restaurant - will be fierce. Loves it she does!

Now I should get back to work. I have to arrange a herring plate for one of our bosses from Paris. I am not only a PA I am also a cook and a waitres. Love my life sometimes....

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: Airplanes - B.O.B

Things I've seen pt 2

Won’t believe some of the things I have seen during these days.

Paradise was Villa Capovento, it’s a Tuscan house turned into a hotel with only double rooms. Dinners are not included but it is so worth staying there for dinner. We used the Villa as a base to go wine tasting.

They are very friendly and generous in Chianti, tasting are usually for free as long as you buy a few bottles. With the new flying rules they also ship wine all over the world. We have stocked up, some bottles to save and some to enjoy right now and then some to give away. We bought among other things 12 bottles of Prosecco and some Amarone, some I will give to sis some I will save.

While staying at Villa Capovento we did several one day excursions: San Giminiano – where they have the worlds best ice cream and I am not the one to argue, Siena – to hot, Perugia – we watched the football game: Spain – Germany and I got a parking ticket.

After Capovento we drove to Florence – one of my favorite towns. We stayed at a hotel, Hotel Bellichini, right next to the river Arno and more importantly minutes away from my temple the Savatore Ferragamo store on Piazza Sta Trinità . As I was wondering around Florence on my own, Mr S was getting his hair cut. This Italian guy walks up to me and asks for directions. It turns out that he has lived in Sweden for a while and wants to buy me a cup of coffee. Ok, I suppose it was meant as a compliment but seriously some people don’t know when to stop. He asked for my number and to get off easy I gave him a faked number. Fortunately I didn’t run into him anymore after that.

Just like last summer we had Bistecca Floretina at restaurant La Posta. It was just as good as I remembered it. We met some friends from Stockholm so we had dinner with them, J&J and their two kids.

It was nice to meet them but when they left I was so glad that I don’t have kids.

Then we drove on to visit Mr S’ gorgeous Italian friend J-P and his family in Modena. We ended up staying at he Best Western Libertà for 4 nights. One morning as Mr S and JP went to check out cars (and I mean CARS: Lamborghini and Maserati) I stayed in at the hotel and ended up watching old episodes of Tyra’s show on YouTube.

I had no idea of the level of insanity there is in the world we live in. People who claim the preach the words of God who loves all but they hate some many things and are just so consumed with hate that they don’t just see how stupid they come of.

Why some are so in to what other do in bed it’s beyond me. I don’t care what you want to do in your bed if I’m not in it (and of course consenting adults etc etc) If it be one person or ten: to each his own…

After Modena we turned back to Rome, stopping one day in Civitavecchia for a last swim since it was really hot, some day almost 37 degrees Celcius.

We stayed at the Sun Park hotel. The room was great, nice swimming pool but the restaurant was a bad joke.

I ordered grilled tuna with zucchini and onions – simple and easy, or at least so I thought. It was probably the worst I have ever taste. Just looking at the plate was a nightmare. I know my sense of proportions some times is a bit off but to ruin a perfectly fine tuna steak like that should be against all laws. The tuna was grey, the zucchini was gray and the onions were gray. There was no real way of telling what was what.

And then the head waitor asked if I enjoyed my meal and I answered no his reaction was OK and that was it.

I am going to send a mail the management of the restaurant….

Then we drove to Rome. I drove but I refuse to drive in the city. I did drive in Florence, against all better judgement. This time it went quite well, the GPS helped

Once in Rome we checked in to the hotel and then dropped the car off at the rental place at the airport.

Rome was really hot, around + 35 degrees. We went sightseeing and shopping.

The last night we had dinner at the Imago at the Hassler. It’s a luxury hotel located above the Spanish Stairs. The food was absolutely fab. And the view is amazing. If you’re ever in Rome the Imago is well worth a visit, expensive but great.

All in all this has been a very good vacation, but expensive so now it’s is detox both physical and financial. We are after all goint to New York in a month and I still havenät found a place for us to stay.

In paradise

I believe I have found my paradise: Tuscany - the Chianti area. At the moment Mr S and myself are waiting for the soccer final to start after a very nice dinner at the Villa Capovento

It is truly amazing here. We have so far seen San Giminiano, fierce little village that is a world heritage site several vineyards where we bought a lot of wine. With the new flight rules, no liquids, they offer to ship the wine to your home so we have bought several cases of differnt wines and some grappa for Mr S.

Today we spent the day in Siena. They are getting ready for Il Palio a horse race in the center of Siena. The different quarters compete agains each other and it is dead serious.

In San Giminiano we found a fierce store Essentia Arte, owned by a Swedish woman and her Italian husband. She makes clothes and he is an artist, a sculptor.

Tomorrow we are moving on to Florence and the Salvatore Ferragamo store - my temple of bliss.

Now the game is on. I have no personal favourite this time but the WC finals is lwayd the WC finals.

And I will drink my daily prosecco while I watch them run

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: Defeated - Anastacia

Getting rested

Got up at 4 in the morning (please note: got up) to catch a flight to Rome. I hate lowprice carriers - don't get me wrong I love their prices but I hate everything else about it. No service, flight filled with screaming kids and their weird parents. Had I had the mum that was in the row behinds us, I'd benn screaming too...

Arrived in Rome and it was hot, +33 and sunny. Loves it!

Picked up the car and we were on our way. First stop is Relais Villa d'Assio where I am now.

I forgot how everything is closed in Italy on Sundays so our first lunch was chinese. It was good chinese food served by a very nice guy. Just as we got back to the hotel or villa th rain came and then the hail.

I went out and got some really nice photos of the rain.

Once it stopped Mr S was asleep so I took a walk around the premises on my own and got a few more really good photos. I still havn't quite worked out how the camera works but I managed to balance the light fairly well.

Once I have a faster wifi-connection I'll upoad some more photos...

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: For once in my life - Craig David

And finally....

The princess got her Prince and I am sure they will live happily ever after.

I mean how can you not adore a guy who gets up in front of royalty from around the world and explains how much he loves you :)

I think even Mr S got a bit misty eyed.

I've been busy... almost too busy. Work is quite hectic but I have some things to look forward to.

Next week my vacation starts son next Sunday I'll leaving on a jetplane for Italy.

We are flying to Rome and then I don't know. Since we are a modern family we share the work so I booked (and paid for) the flight tickts and Mr S has(n't yet) booked and paid for the accomodation. He sais he has a few options. He refuses to tell me what they are so I don't know if I should worry or not...

I know he wants wi-fi, I want a nice bed, good food, good location, no kids, clean, comfortable, at least 3 stars, a decen cocktail bar, a good chef, nice service and some hot Italians to look at. As you can tell: I'm easy to please ;)

And then of course New York in September....

Take care/Love E

Song of the day: Fembot - Robyn

Tap tap tap

Mr Henri and me are taking tap dancing lessons. And it's safe to say I am not very good in spite of the fact that I used to dance. I took dancing classes from the age of 7 until I was about 20 and injured my knee.
Tap is a lot more difficult than it looks. Our teacher makes it look so easy and when I do it... let's just say it doesn't really look as cool.
But it's fun and I don't give up so I have signed up for another 10 lessons.

I have been looking into hotels i New York and all the ones I like are really expensive so I am thinking about renting an apartment for a week. I suppose renting an apartment will feel more like I am actually living there. I wonder if I'd get away with acting like a New Yorker?!?!
Mr S is in Atlanta at the moment. He called me today and told me that I wolud love it. It is a very "black" town and not in a ghetto black way but in the fierce and succesful black way. I like that.

I met up with a friend on Saturday and... well she has way to much time on her hands. Apparently there is a conspiracy involving the Illuminate, the music indusrty and almost every one else in the world. I thought that the Illuminate was made up by Dan Brown but apparently not... They exist and according to some they are about to take over the world.
Well, it will be interesting to see what happens. I personally don't believe it but it's like with anything: some do and some don't.

Friday I am going to sis' place and she and her man are treating us to champagne :) I do look forward to the champagne but not really to see her man. He is so not the prson I would chose to drink champagne with on a Friday night. I hope they have stocked up: it's Miss Ingrid, Mr S and me and when it comes to champagne there is really no bottom.
Saturday we are having Mr S' friends over for dinner and on Sunday I hope I can go to the movies and watch Clash of the Titans. No great reviews but how can you not love the line "Release the Kraken"? And hot Dane Mads Mikkelsen

Now back to work

Take care
Love/E

Song of the day: Timbaland - Can You Feel It

Poems

in secret we met

In silence I grieve,

That thy heart could forget,

Thy spirit deceive.

If I should meet thee

After long years,

How should I greet thee?

With silence and tears.

George Gordon Byron,

When We Two Parted.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Elizabeth Barret Browning

Photo opportunity

The Matias church

At Gerbeau coffee house

By the Danube river

The old Statue Park

Street dancer on Vaci Utca

Lunch by the castle: Goose liver with apples

Statue by the castle

View for the Buda side

Easter in the East

Am now back from Budapest whishing I wasn't. I really like that town. It reminds me of Paris - just a bit more rough around the edges. We arrived on Thursday morning after a short lay over in Vienna. Took a taxi from the airport to the hotel, Intercontinental located just next to the Danube and the Winston Churchill square.

As an extra up - simply because we are worth it- Mr S joined the Club Intercontinental so we could hang out in the lounge i.e Happy hour on everything between 6 pm and 8 pm.

Amazingly enough I only bought one thing: a pair of sunglasses, Roberto Cavalli.

I found a few things that I liked but I stayed strong and resisted my urges thinking about my future shopping in Milan and New York.

The food was great! I possibly had the best desert I've ever had: White chocolate cake with coconut, strwberries and chocolate honey cream. It was amazing. I wish I hadn't been so full - I couldn't finish it. The restaurant DIO was really great - money very well spent.

On Sunday we rented a car and drove to Szentendre and visited the studio of Margit Kovacs - famous hungarian artist. Her work is really emotional and beautiful.

Monday, Easter Monday most of the town was closed so we went to the Hungarian History Museum and had lunch in the castle area on the Buda side.

The Hungarians know their goose liver so I had some every day :)

I also found a very good wine store where I picked up a few bottles of Tokaij and Furmint (local Hungarian grape). The same person who ran the wine store also owned a restaurant - Tigris - where we had dinner. I had an amazing grilled tuna with goose liver and Mr S had cat fish.

As soon as I can get my hands on Mr S' computor I will post some photos. I brought my Nikon camera along.

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: Say Ahh - Trey Songz

Away we go

This is what I am looking at right now: Nail colour by Depend no 170

I'm spending Easter in Budapest :)

Haven't been there since 2001 so it will be great to go back there. I have found a few restaurants and shops I want to check out. A few tips are welcome!

This Saturday we are going to have dinner with sis and her new hubby. The first time I get to see their apartment - will be interesting...

We weren't invited to her birthday dinner last Saturday, she only wanted parents, both his and hers.

Spring is in the air

Winter seems to be losing the battle. The snow is melting and the sun is shining. Yesterday I took a walk on the ice, possibly the last one this year.

Now I have booked the flights to New York and all I need now is a hotel. Any ideas? I want to spend one night, probably the last one, in a horribly luxorious hotel. I think my husband is worth it.

I am also checking out some restaurants to visit. I'd love to go to Aquavit and 21 and of course go shopping. My shopping partner H is joining :)

Asked sis and her man F is they wanted to come. She said no since that week F's son is staying with them. And since she can't (or won't) go she wrote the whole thing as a bad idea thinking that no one would want to join...

I don't like that about her: the selfishness. And it hasn't improved since she started living with F. In that way they are very much alike...

They did one thing that is completely unbelievable. He went on a one week skiing holiday with his soon to be ex-wife and son. I would not like it if my boyfriend went away with his ex.

Well is it not my problem, my problem, and a very nice one, is to find plan a nice stay i New York.

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: Telephone - Lady Gaga feat Beyoncé

Proud owner of a Nikon F4

Some of the photos I've taken:

Spain

Salvatore Ferragamo

United Nudes

Spring is coming.....

A feeling of spring

Still winter

White White White

t has been some really nice couple of days. Absolutely freezing but sunny. The combo is fierce.

On Monday all public transports broke down due to the extreme cold, -22 degrees Celsius. I had to walk to work, but what the hell. I have really been that devoted to my GI. Diet so a 30 mins walk just did me good.

Last week I was chewing gum and suddenly half of a tooth fell out. I wonder if I am getting old or maybe I am just in bad condition. So I spent 1800 sek on the dentist – money I could have spent on a new bag instead… Shit happens.

Mr S and me had dinner at Matbaren right after my visit to the dentist. Half of my face was paralyzed and I could barely chew but in spite of that it was one of the best meals I ever had. I do believe they have 1 star in the Guide Rouge.

Now, when it comes to Mr S’ birthday- the Big Five-0, I have decided to surprise him with a trip to New York, possibly tickets to the Met. I am now trying to get some friends together to join in. Either they will show up as a surprise at the Arlanda or at the hotel in New York.

What do you think?

And speaking of white: I have decided to take a white month, or at least I will try. But I do enjoy having a glass of wine when I come home on Fridays…

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: Rihanna – Rude Boy

White nights

I'm thinking about doing a serious detox and go 30 days without any booze.

I suppose it is not the best timing, I'm invited to 3 different parties and events and I have made reservations at a really lovely restaurant for Mr S and me next week.

But maybe if I start in April...

April is usually a good month. It's before all the spring After Works start and it's a good time to clean one self up before summer.

This morning I went out and dug out the car from the snow. We haven't used it since before Xmas since the heating system broke down. This Friday I have to take it to the auto shop and get a price for fixing it. I ahven't decided yet if we are going to get it fixed or if we shoudl buy a new one.

Mr S wants a Mercedes B - or C-class and I want a Peugeot 309 or this - well, a girl can dream...

Now I have to go and make some tea for my ill husband

Take care and stay healthy

Love/E

Song of the day: I Made It - Kevin Rudolf

The Big 50

Mr S will be 50 in Augst and I have already now stared to think about what to get him for his birthday.

I have a few scenarios:

1. Send text message to have him meet me at Arlanda with bags packed and then surprise him with a trip to New York and tickets to the Met.

2. Same as above but trip to Verona and tickets to the opera there.

3. Rent a fierce place and invite all our friends for a blow out party

4. Invited only the closest family to a very nice dinner at a place like Esperanto or Mattias Dahlgren

5. A luxury cruise with Seabourn

Scenarios no 1 and 2 means just him and me, no 3 would be great fun (only the small detail that Mr S does not like birthday parties) and no 4 means spending time with the family something I don't mind doing for about 5 mins - then I have had enough.

So what do you think??

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: Pimpin' ain't EZ - Snoop feat R Kelly

New insight

"I am happy, I am healthy, I am great" is my new mantra.

I actually read it on the back of a pack of Yogi tea but I thinks it's working.

Speaking of working - work takes up way to much time theses days. I can't believe that one month ago I was in Spain. It feels like it was a year ago...

Winter has come back with a vengeance. On the upside this time I might actually get around to take some nice winter pictures. I have been coming home so late everyday so that it has been almost pitch black.

I have also tried to stop eating candy during the weeks and stop complaining about things that are out side of my control. i think the key is to see the upside of thing and eventually everything will feel better.

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: Great Escape - Kevin Rudolph

GI me

So, after Xmas and New Years indulgences I have decided to try a Low Carb-diet.

My project started yesterday by making a cauliflower and broccoli soup that I had for lunch today. It was good and to my surprise I was hungry again until sometime around 5.

So as of now it is no candy, plenty of water and once this artic cold gives way for spring I am going to start walking home from work.

Last week we saw Avatar in 3D. I was completely taken by it, lovely film.

3D is the new black according to me.

On Saturday we saw Sherlock Holmes, it was entertaining but I kept thinking how cool it would have been in 3D.

But it was quite good - some serious eye candy: Robert Downey Jr (yes he has been working out) & Jude Law.

Now Mr S is planning to go to Washington DC...

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: Carry Out - Timbaland feat Justin Timberlake

A decade of me

A new year and a new decade, new opportunities and hopefullt happy endings.

2000:

Lived in Årsta, south of town in a 1 room apartment. Broke up with abusive boyfriend and tried to find myself again. Instead I lost myself to the party scene in Stockholm.

Travelled to Italy with friends for the first time and rented a house in Tuscany and had a wonderful time.

Left the invesment bank where I worked and started as a horribly under paid consultant.

2001:

Joined a internet net work and met some of my dearest friends. We dressed up like crazy, met in different hotelbars and drank champagne. Travelled to Spain and rented a villa with friends again.

Braided my hair for the first time and read Malcolm X that influenced my a great deal.

Met R and we dated for about 6 months. Broke up but stayed friends. I was there cheering him on when he met his present wife.

9/11

2002:

Still a consultant still badly paid. Spent more time and money than I want to think of partying with friends but we sure had a good time. Kept the braids and bought my first real designer bag. Worked on my taste for champagne and fashion.

This year friends and me went to Malta. The trip included flat tires, 10 000 year old ruins and a lot of sun

2003:

Left my consultant job and Stockholm for school "Eventmanagement" and an apartment in Nyköping. Discovered the joys of finer wines and decided to become a sommelier.

Travelled to Budapest, one of the most beautiful cities I've ever been to.

Anna Lindh was murdered.

2004:

Back to school in Nyköping and did my sommelier degree at the same time. Spend every week end at sis' apartment in Solna, after that we didn't speak for a while.

Summer was spent in Portugal: both Lisbon and Porto. Met Mr M and travelled to Champagne together. Started working at Berns ant at Hufvudsta confrence center.

2005:

Finished school in June but started working in May already. Landed a cool project at an agency that hanles big events. Project ended after 6 months and I went back to working in the restaurant business and started working nights. Bought an apartment in Huvudsta and loved it. Repainted the kitchen green and the sleeping area orange.

Dated a huge number of different men and had some really great times (M - the model) and some really bad (K - the stalker). Met Dr C.

2006:

Kept working in the restaurant business and kept seeing Dr C, had an intense relationship that ended on a very friendly basis.Went to France and travelled on a boat on the Loire river. A wonderful trip I'd love to do again. Met Mr S, moved in together and got engaged after 3 months.

2007:

Started working at NH. Kept two jobs, planned a wedding - quite a stressful year.

Spent the summer driving around Greece. Bought a new aprtment

Got married!

2008:

Landed a huge power job at a big international company. 6 months of renovating our apartment, had to stay with mum and dad - not great.

Moved back to my place in June and went to Istanbul. Possibly one of the coolest towns ever.

Worked hard all fall. Went away for the first time ever during christmas: on a cruise in the Mediterranean. It was fun and possibly something I'd do again.

2009:

Kept working and living with my husband. Sis met her man and they are moving in together in Feb. Worked almost too hard, not really any time for anything else. Spent the summer with husband and husbands son driving around Italy, Germany and Austria - wonderful vacation.

We spent christmas in Spain and New Years with old friends.

That was my decade

How was yours?

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: Hard - Rihanna