What I Learned Today

I realized today that in any city in any part of the world you can find 'your neighborhood.' The neighborhood that you would probably be most comfortable in if you lived there. The one you would probably live in. I found that neighborhood in Stockholm today. You walk around it and you just feel like you could live there, make a home. I love the idea that a home is about the community not necessarily the place. You can feel at home at any place in the world if you have a good community, great people, a good place to live or at least sleep at night. I understand now that this stuff means so much more to me than location. Why I am so content in where I am now is because of the people I have. I do love the location too, but the people are what make it. Home is about the people not necessarily the surroundings.

Half Way Thoughts

I am at the 1/2 way point of my trip today and am reflecting a bit on my trip so far. It has been good...very good. I love staying with people that live here because I get to experience a bit more of Swedish culture than if I was staying at a hotel in downtown Stockholm. Went to a party last night and got to talk to some Swedish people which was interesting. After the glassworks I educated myself on the Swedish postal system at the Post Museum and learned Swedish history on the island of Skansen. The thing I am realizing is that traveling alone has its positives. You get to do whatever you want whenever you want. Yet I think that I have discovered that I enjoy traveling with others more. I'm glad I did this by myself. It is something I needed to do. Part of it was proving to myself that I don't need someone else to navigate a city for me. Yet you don't get to share the sights with someone else when you are alone. There is no one to titter at the funny little things you see with. My conclusion...travelling is better with someone you really like to be with.

The Adventure Continues..

We drove south to Koska, the "Kingdom of Glass" yesterday. It was fantastic watching the artisans blowing the hot glass into pitchers and plates. Absolutely fascinating!! The best part, though, was getting to blow my own glass item. They didn't let me handle the large iron rod with very hot melted glass on the end, but I did get to shape it with wet newspaper and a wooden block as well as blow it into shape. Then at the end I got to form the top and pull a spout out of the melted glass. It was a great process and left me wanting to do more. Maybe an internship at Kosta Bota in Sweden next summer?

Stockholm!

Indeed I am in Sweden just outside of Stockholm. I have settled in and had some very good talks with my friend that I am visiting which has been great. She has an American phone line and we talk often when I am home, but in person is so much better than phone. I've had ficka, which is like Swedish tea time, but with coffee. The coffee is so wonderful and strong. I love it!!! I've met some Swedes which has been good. I try not to ask them a million questions, but I secretly want to. :) The weather is great, temperature perfect ( though the Swedes have told me its too cold) and massive amounts of sunshine.

I made my first solo expedition into Stockholm today. I had been down yesterday with my friend, but today I had to navigate the train system that is in a language I am completely unfamiliar with alone. This resulted in my thankfulness that I have lived in Chicago. I can't imagaine having to navigate a foreign train system without the basic understanding of public transportation. For example knowing that the train will display the name of the last stop on the line. Alas I spent the day wandering around Gamla Stan which I think is Swedish for Old Town. On this island, Stockholm consists of a number of islands connected by bridges, is the Royal Palace, a variety of sounvenir shops, and the Nobel Museum. I honestly just spent a lot of time aimlessly wandering and seeing whatever I saw. Wanted to go to the Post Museum, but I didn't plan my time well so another day. After all I do have many more. Glassworks and camping tomorrow!!

Two in One Day...Can You Believe It?!?!?!?!

I've been at this conference in Canada since Wednesday and we keep singing this song that just amazes me every time.  I don't know if this is a result of where I am with God right now or that these lyrics are so beautiful.  I suppose it is both.  So enough of my chatter here they are.  I have only included the first two verses and one chorus because those are the parts that really got me.

How He Loves

John Mark McMillan

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realise just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

Pre-Chorus:
And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us so

Chorus 1:
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

Verse 2:
We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss,
And the heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets, 
When I think about, the way…

The Cheesy T-Shirt Company

So I think I could start a cheesy t-shirt company.  I've taken to sewing felt onto t-shirts and this picture is of my first creation.  If you're confused Kucejko is their last name.  See if you can catch the pattern. ;) Next project Just and Married t-shirts for my roommate and her soon to be husband by request.