Tuesday, February 27, 2007
New Concepts
Apparently the EU is talking about older people's contribution to economic and social development as the so-called silver economy. Maybe it's an old concept and it's probably not the EU that coined it but was new to me! I like it!
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Good Ratings for Sweden
Some good news about Sweden in a new study by the European Commission. The report, a collection of statistics and comparisons of the different EU countries' results when it comes to poverty, employment, lifelength and healthcare, forms the basis for a discussion on European social policy in March.
A sixth of Europeans live below the EU's poverty line, that is, they have an income less than 60 % of the median income in their country of residence. In Sweden 10 % are considered poor by this definition, the lowest share in Europe, to be compared to 20 % of the population in Latvia and Poland respectively.
The number of elderly who works has increased in the whole of the EU - very positive considering the demography with ageing populations across the EU. Sweden has with full measure fulfilled the EU's target that half of the citizens between 55-64-year-olds should be employed by 2010 - 70 % of 55-64-year-old Swedes work. In Italy this figure is less than 33 %.
Sweden is also the country where men are expected to live the longest: c. 78 years, which can be compared with Latvia or Lithuania where the average lenght of life is 65-66 years. The average life span has increased across the EU with three years for men and two years for women between 1995 and 2005. When it comes to women Spain leads and the differences between the EU countries are not as big.
Many of the 16 % poor in the EU are persons and families that do not work - 10 % live in households where no one works, a problem especially prevalent in the UK where this figure is 16 %. 19 % of the children risk living in poverty, also as adults. That is however not true for the Nordic countries, where the poverty rate for children and adults are the same.
Update - A new study by the Swedish Save the Children has found that although within the figures given above child poverty in Sweden has in fact increased. Children of non-Swedish backgrounds living in single parent households have the highest risk to end up poor. In reality they also feel poorer than their poorer friends in other parts of the world - see my earlier post on the status syndrome.
A sixth of Europeans live below the EU's poverty line, that is, they have an income less than 60 % of the median income in their country of residence. In Sweden 10 % are considered poor by this definition, the lowest share in Europe, to be compared to 20 % of the population in Latvia and Poland respectively.
The number of elderly who works has increased in the whole of the EU - very positive considering the demography with ageing populations across the EU. Sweden has with full measure fulfilled the EU's target that half of the citizens between 55-64-year-olds should be employed by 2010 - 70 % of 55-64-year-old Swedes work. In Italy this figure is less than 33 %.
Sweden is also the country where men are expected to live the longest: c. 78 years, which can be compared with Latvia or Lithuania where the average lenght of life is 65-66 years. The average life span has increased across the EU with three years for men and two years for women between 1995 and 2005. When it comes to women Spain leads and the differences between the EU countries are not as big.
Many of the 16 % poor in the EU are persons and families that do not work - 10 % live in households where no one works, a problem especially prevalent in the UK where this figure is 16 %. 19 % of the children risk living in poverty, also as adults. That is however not true for the Nordic countries, where the poverty rate for children and adults are the same.
Update - A new study by the Swedish Save the Children has found that although within the figures given above child poverty in Sweden has in fact increased. Children of non-Swedish backgrounds living in single parent households have the highest risk to end up poor. In reality they also feel poorer than their poorer friends in other parts of the world - see my earlier post on the status syndrome.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
New Look!
Need to fine-tune it a bit but I think I'm pretty happy with it. I wanted to keep the pinkish theme.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Friday Four: Motion
Theme: Travelling & Trips
1) If you could go at least 100 km in any direction, where would you go and what is so good with that place?
At the moment I really want to visit China and am hoping that our trip (through Peter's work) will actually materalise! China has such history and is also entering a new phase as (hopefully) a benign superpower so I really want to go there!
2) Do you any favourite route that you take by foot, bicycle or car?
I like talking walks around Årsta (and Årstaviken) and Djurgården. As for driving I like taking the country roads instead of the motorways, time permitting, for the breath-taking views.
3) What mode of transport is most fun? Bicycle, car, bus, train, boat, plane or your own legs?
Well, it depends where I'm doing of course. If I'm on a plane I'm probably going somewhere fun (and sometimes new) (unless it's on business). Train is nice because it's green and also allows you to see much more than a plane.
4) What's more fun: to go somewhere or to go home?
Both. I love travelling but coming home is also nice, sometimes just to get rid of those creased clothes in the suitcase. Home sweet home or "borta bra men hemma bäst" as we say in Sweden. (Having lived in four countries home can mean different things at different times though.)
1) If you could go at least 100 km in any direction, where would you go and what is so good with that place?
At the moment I really want to visit China and am hoping that our trip (through Peter's work) will actually materalise! China has such history and is also entering a new phase as (hopefully) a benign superpower so I really want to go there!
2) Do you any favourite route that you take by foot, bicycle or car?
I like talking walks around Årsta (and Årstaviken) and Djurgården. As for driving I like taking the country roads instead of the motorways, time permitting, for the breath-taking views.
3) What mode of transport is most fun? Bicycle, car, bus, train, boat, plane or your own legs?
Well, it depends where I'm doing of course. If I'm on a plane I'm probably going somewhere fun (and sometimes new) (unless it's on business). Train is nice because it's green and also allows you to see much more than a plane.
4) What's more fun: to go somewhere or to go home?
Both. I love travelling but coming home is also nice, sometimes just to get rid of those creased clothes in the suitcase. Home sweet home or "borta bra men hemma bäst" as we say in Sweden. (Having lived in four countries home can mean different things at different times though.)
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Feminine and Masculine
I have to reiterate Skolfröken: This type of categorisation and stereotyping can be seriously questioned, but tests are always fun so... :)
My female side
[x] Bought a hairdryer?
[x] Put on make-up for other purposes than to look funny?
[x] Accompanied as fashion advisor on a shopping trip?
[x] Talked feelings?
[x] Thought to match my clothes?
[x] Praised a man for his looks?
[x] Called a person without a specific aim? Well, I'm not really a "phone person" but it happens that I just call for a chat
[x] Thought about names for my children?
[ ] Realised Barbra Streisand's greatness?
[x] Had a Cosmopolitan? I think so, but probably just once or twice
[x] Watched an episode of "Sex and the City"?
[x] Seen two episodes of "Sex and the City"? But not that many more
[x] Felt like a cup of tea? I'm a major tea drinker!
[x] Felt happiness over being given flowers as a present?
[x] Done something romantic at own initiative? Nothing major, but little things
[x] Got angry without reason? Probably
[x] Cried beyond the age of 9?
[ ] Cared about H&M's choice of model? Unless you count from a feminist perspective
[x] Gossiped?
[x] Been angry without letting the person know? Sometimes it's not worth it, but when it's about a close relation I cannot keep it in for long
[x] Hugged a guy?
[x] Danced?
Total: 20 points
My male side
[x] Lied about how much I have drunk?
[x] Eaten a bloody steak? But not necessarily by choice
[x] Read a car magazine?
[x] Successfully used a drill, hammer and various other tools? Not often, but I have
[ ] Promised to call the next day and then haven't? If the question means after a one night stand, no, because I don't do those, but I have been given a guy's number in a bar and then never called.
[x] Been responsible for the barbeque at a party? Occasionally
[x] Read a book by John Grisham?
[x] Read a men's magazine? The Swedish men's magazine King is excellent!
[x] Pounded someone on the back to make him/her to feel appreciated? Well, more for fun
[ ] Felt hungry after having eaten a whole pizza?
[ ] Been to a Bob Dylan concert ?
[ ] Used your hands to hit someone in the aim to hurt this person?
[ ] Seen all Die Hard and Rocky films? Die Hard, yes, but not Rocky
[x] Discussed breasts?
[ ] Did military service? No, but spent a week on a school workplace internship in the military at age 15
[x] Read Nick Hornby?
[x] Felt compelled to beat someone in arm wrestling?
[x] Felt cool by going very fast in a car?
[ ] Only stared up when visiting a urinal?
[x] Repaired something by yourself?
[x] Yelled "go guys!" on a footbll field?
[ ] Partipated in a beer-drinking contest?
Total: 14 points
My female side
[x] Bought a hairdryer?
[x] Put on make-up for other purposes than to look funny?
[x] Accompanied as fashion advisor on a shopping trip?
[x] Talked feelings?
[x] Thought to match my clothes?
[x] Praised a man for his looks?
[x] Called a person without a specific aim? Well, I'm not really a "phone person" but it happens that I just call for a chat
[x] Thought about names for my children?
[ ] Realised Barbra Streisand's greatness?
[x] Had a Cosmopolitan? I think so, but probably just once or twice
[x] Watched an episode of "Sex and the City"?
[x] Seen two episodes of "Sex and the City"? But not that many more
[x] Felt like a cup of tea? I'm a major tea drinker!
[x] Felt happiness over being given flowers as a present?
[x] Done something romantic at own initiative? Nothing major, but little things
[x] Got angry without reason? Probably
[x] Cried beyond the age of 9?
[ ] Cared about H&M's choice of model? Unless you count from a feminist perspective
[x] Gossiped?
[x] Been angry without letting the person know? Sometimes it's not worth it, but when it's about a close relation I cannot keep it in for long
[x] Hugged a guy?
[x] Danced?
Total: 20 points
My male side
[x] Lied about how much I have drunk?
[x] Eaten a bloody steak? But not necessarily by choice
[x] Read a car magazine?
[x] Successfully used a drill, hammer and various other tools? Not often, but I have
[ ] Promised to call the next day and then haven't? If the question means after a one night stand, no, because I don't do those, but I have been given a guy's number in a bar and then never called.
[x] Been responsible for the barbeque at a party? Occasionally
[x] Read a book by John Grisham?
[x] Read a men's magazine? The Swedish men's magazine King is excellent!
[x] Pounded someone on the back to make him/her to feel appreciated? Well, more for fun
[ ] Felt hungry after having eaten a whole pizza?
[ ] Been to a Bob Dylan concert ?
[ ] Used your hands to hit someone in the aim to hurt this person?
[ ] Seen all Die Hard and Rocky films? Die Hard, yes, but not Rocky
[x] Discussed breasts?
[ ] Did military service? No, but spent a week on a school workplace internship in the military at age 15
[x] Read Nick Hornby?
[x] Felt compelled to beat someone in arm wrestling?
[x] Felt cool by going very fast in a car?
[ ] Only stared up when visiting a urinal?
[x] Repaired something by yourself?
[x] Yelled "go guys!" on a footbll field?
[ ] Partipated in a beer-drinking contest?
Total: 14 points
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Picture Time!
At the beginning of January Peter and I spent a short weekend on an island in the Swedish archipelago, Sandhamn. It's one of only two sand islands in the Baltic Sea. Admittedly most people go there in the summer but it was both cozy and interesting to go their in the winter. It's such a pittoresque little village - see for yourself! I wouldn't want to live there - it's a 2 hour-ferry ride from the centre of Stockholm - but I really recommend it for a winter weekend excursion or a summer trip to the beach.
Last weekend Peter had his housewarming party - pictures here!
Last weekend Peter had his housewarming party - pictures here!
Friday, February 09, 2007
Friday Four: Meet the Family
This week's theme: Family ties
1. How far back can you trace your family?
I haven't actually conducted any serious searches but I can at least go back to my grandparents' parents.
2. What is the most interesting or weird you've heard about your family?
Maybe that my (maternal) grandmother's mother (I think, or even a further generation back) was the result of a extramarital relationship with a nobleman. I also think it's pretty cool that my (paternal) grandmother played football in her youth (1940s)!
3. Does your family get together often?
Pretty often. Mostly with my aunt and uncle and my cousins on my dad's side. My cousins have started families of their own now as well, so there are quite many birthdays to celebrate. And we usually have some sort of Christmas lunch or similar together too and sometimes we just socialise without any special reason. But I don't even remember the names of all my second cousins on either side as I hardly ever see them.
4. Does your family have any traditions that you don't want to pass on to your children?
Nothing that springs to mind right now so I guess it can't be that serious.
1. How far back can you trace your family?
I haven't actually conducted any serious searches but I can at least go back to my grandparents' parents.
2. What is the most interesting or weird you've heard about your family?
Maybe that my (maternal) grandmother's mother (I think, or even a further generation back) was the result of a extramarital relationship with a nobleman. I also think it's pretty cool that my (paternal) grandmother played football in her youth (1940s)!
3. Does your family get together often?
Pretty often. Mostly with my aunt and uncle and my cousins on my dad's side. My cousins have started families of their own now as well, so there are quite many birthdays to celebrate. And we usually have some sort of Christmas lunch or similar together too and sometimes we just socialise without any special reason. But I don't even remember the names of all my second cousins on either side as I hardly ever see them.
4. Does your family have any traditions that you don't want to pass on to your children?
Nothing that springs to mind right now so I guess it can't be that serious.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
The Answer You've All Been Waiting For
A few weeks ago I challenged my readers to pick the odd one out from my past. I will now reveal the truth:
Yes, I did go to the same school as Björn Borg, not at the same time though.
I used to iron my underwear during a period of my teens (I know, I was a bit weird).
I have indeed been to (a work) dinner with the Swedish Crown Princess. We were not seated at the same table but there were only about 25 people there so I did meet her, albeit very briefly.
It was very painful so I will never forget when that nail went through my foot!
But, no, I have never met the King but he did help my boyfriend get up after he had fallen on his skis - he was 5 years old when it happened (my boyfriend, not the King).
Yes, I did go to the same school as Björn Borg, not at the same time though.
I used to iron my underwear during a period of my teens (I know, I was a bit weird).
I have indeed been to (a work) dinner with the Swedish Crown Princess. We were not seated at the same table but there were only about 25 people there so I did meet her, albeit very briefly.
It was very painful so I will never forget when that nail went through my foot!
But, no, I have never met the King but he did help my boyfriend get up after he had fallen on his skis - he was 5 years old when it happened (my boyfriend, not the King).
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