Books and Films 2015 and 2014

Maybe not of any interest to my readers (if there are any left out there..?) but a good way to keep a record for myself.


Read Books 2015

• "Bakom ljuset" by Åsa Nilsonne
• "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer
• "En spricka i kristallen" by Cecilia Gyllenhammar
• "Kaffe med rån" by Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg
• "Expeditionen: Min kärlekshistoria" by Bea Uusma
• "The Sex Life of My Aunt" by Mavis Cheek
• "Murder in Mesopotamia" by Agatha Christie
• "Döden på en blek häst" by Amanda Hellberg
• "Den brinnande flickan" by Mark Billingham
• "Den sista frestelsen" by Val McDermid
• "Död joker" by Anne Holt
• "I stundens hetta" by Viveca Sten
• "In Persuasion Nation" by George Saunders
• "The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil" (novel) by George Saunders

Seen Films 2015

• The Bridge series +++++
• The Intern ++++
• Wall-E ++++
• The Intouchables ++++
• Tucker and Dale vs. Evil ++++
• Paddington ++++
• The Imitation Game ++++
• Jurassic World +++
• Survivor +++
• Get Hard +++
• Keeping Mum +++
• The Interview +++
• Home ++

Read Books 2014

• "Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden" by Morgan Spurlock
• Could not finish "Don't Read This Book If You're Stupid" by Tibor Fischer
• "Livet efter dig" by Jojo Moyes
• "Utslag av oro" by Mark Haddon
• "Strandsommar" by Anita Shreve
• "Till min dotter i Frankrike" av Stephanie & Barbara Keating
• "En man som heter Ove" by Fredrik Backman
• "Mr Rosenblum's List" by Natasha Solomons
• "Ludmila's Broken English" by DBC Pierre
• "Ok, amen" by Nina Solomin
• Started "Analfabeten" by Jonas Jonasson
• Started "Martina-koden" by Martina Haag

Seen Films 2014

• Sherlock Holmes series +++++
• The Grand Budapest Hotel +++++
• About Time ++++
• The Grand Seduction ++++
• Begin Again ++++
• Frozen ++++
• Gravity +++
• The Boy in the Striped Pajamas +++
• Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit +++
• The Other Woman +++
• Lucy ++
• The Signal ++
• 22 Jump Street ++
• The Wolf of Wall Street ++

2015 in Summary

• Did you do something in 2015 that you have never done before? Experience the joy of having lice (Isolde and me) and pinworm (just Isolde but all of us had to take the medicine for preventive purposes).
• Did you push through any major change? Potty-training Harald, if that counts :)
• Did any of your friends become parents this year? Our best friends here in Brussels had number 3 now in December and Peter's sister with family had their no 2 earlier in the year in April. And our friends who moved from Belgium to Wales last October had twins in May this year. And several other friends and acquaintances here in Brussels had babies.
• Did someone close to you die? Peter's grandmother passed away at the beginning of the year. Always sad to lose a close relative but she was 93+ and not in a very good shape so I think it was a relief for her to be able let go.
• Which countries did you visit? Sweden (as we live in Belgium), Wales, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, France (twice), England and Luxembourg.
• Best purchase: A new car with 7 seats so that we can do more sightseeing when we have visitors. A new sofa as well although I think I like the style of our old one better, but we really needed a new one.
• An important date/day: Peter and I had our fifth wedding anniversary on 1 November 2015 and it was ten years since we met around the same time.

Excursion with the cousins' boat in August 2015

• Did something make you really happy? The news that my friend Jenny who has lived in Brazil for the last four years was going to move back to Europe and Sweden.
• Do you miss something during 2015 that you would like in 2016? More visits from family and friends.
• What do you wish you had done more of? Slept more, mainly gone to bed earlier in the evening. Read more books, travelled more locally where we live (Belgium and surrounding countries), exercised more, gone to museums and exhibitions.
• What do you wish you did less off? Losing my patience and yelling at the kids.
• Favourite programme on TV: Bron (The Bridge), The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, Julkalendern, documentary about Astrid Lindgren, documentary about the oldest Swedish blogger (103!)
• Best book you read this year? "Expeditionen: Min kärlekshistoria" by Bea Uusma
• What was your greatest success at work in 2015? Contribution to the country analysis on Sweden (mainly labour market chapter) and adoption of two funding programmes for Sweden. And that I managed to take French lessons as well.
• Greatest mistake: Not something really bad, but I wish I would have slept more and done more exercise, i.e. taking more care of my own health. Then maybe I wouldn't have a stiff back now and needing to go to the chiropractor (though it is mainly due to bad work environment - not being able to stand up and work in particular).
• Were you happier or more sad this year compared to previous years? Not much different from earlier. I'm pretty happy most of the time, but perhaps that there's not enough time for everything I, we, want to do. And I'm worried that Peter is not as happy here in Brussels as I am (mostly because he doesn't have a job and colleagues, etc.).
• What did you spend most money on? A new car, but otherwise, in terms of running costs, rent (for a marvelous house we really like) and Harald's crèche fees.
• A wish that came true? Not my wish but my mum had wanted to go to Chelsea Flower Show for a long time and I made that happen (her 60th birthday present from last year but the trip was this year).
• A wish that did not come true? A job for Peter and more travelling.
• What did you do on your birthday? Went out to dinner with Petra and Arielle and celebrated at home with Peter and the kids.
• Is there something that would have made your year even better? A job for Peter, more sleep and less work (in an ideal world).
• What made you feel good? Time with my family and friends, and work (when it is not too hectic).
• Who did you miss? All our family and friends in Sweden, and friends in other near or faraway places.
• The best new people you met? New friends here in Brussels, especially an American family who is moving to Stockholm next so hopefully we will overlap there eventually as well.
• Describe your style during 2015? Work wear - trousers with a cardigan or a jacket, skirt and cardigan or blouse. Black or blue trousers or skirts and more colour on top.
• What made you laugh? All the funny, silly and intelligent and ingenious things the kids say. Books and movies.
• Lessons learned about myself over the past year? Not something I really understood about myself this year - I have known it for a while - but I let it guide me more. So I'm not going to prioritise going to the gym, especially not right now when the kids are still little. Instead I need to enable exercise at home, hence I bought a cross-trainer during the autumn. Admittedly it hasn't been used that much, maybe 5-6 times in the beginning, but I will make a new start now.
• Did you learn something new in general? Not completely new but I improved my French a little bit.
• Most proud of: That Harald stopped using nappies. We took it slow and let it take its time during autumn - starting in good time before he'd start school in January (where they have to be potty-trained, except for la sieste - and after 1-2 months he (with our help) had done it. He's still in a nappy at night but 6 out of 7 nights it is dry in the morning, and he doesn't want to wear it so we put it on after he's fallen asleep.
• Greatest wish right now: That Peter finds a job soon so that we don't have to move to Sweden just yet.
• What will you do different next year? Prioritise more, maybe take a break from the French lessons this spring as it brings a bit added stress to the work week.

The kids throughout the year

I never get around to doing a annual accounts post every year but I did one for 2013 and a half-year report in 2012 as well as a full-year report for 2011.

Summer in Sweden in Bullets

• one tic (Harald)
• two wasp stings (Isolde)
• many, many mosquito bites (Peter, Isolde)
• temperature in the lake: 26
• sleeping temperature: 27
• 40 mm rain in one night during one of the many thunder storms of the hot summer
• one child-free evening (well, Peter had two more with friends, but I also had the ten days in Brussels on my own before coming to Sweden plus one evening in Stockholm)
• 2 pair of shoes purchased, otherwise no shopping unfortunately (but Peter bought some running shoes and I had made some online shopping for the children that was delivered as we arrived and also bought a few further items for the kids, including books)
• 25+ friends plus family and relatives seen
• one art exhibition
• one climber in the family (Harald) and one talker (Isolde - no stop to it sometimes!)
• so many, many laughs when reading old "letter books" between my childhood friends (still my friends) and me after I had cleaned out the my part of the attic at my parents (so many funny memorabilia discovered!)
• one doll and one doll bed as well as lots of doll clothes and other little toys moved from my old attic to Brussels
• one wedding - they sort of eloped but we were able to surprise them with a little "honeymoon package" in their hotel and we continued the celebrations when they arrived home!
• tons of fruit and berries in Harald's tummy
• one work badge returned (goodbyes saved for later), as I resigned from job in Sweden
• flat in Sweden sublet, so don't have to worry about that for a while
• two vaccination shots (Harald both)
• one visit to the child health centre for 18-month check-up (Harald) and doctor's appointments (ear problem for Peter and routine check-up for me)
• three babies on the way among friends in the next few months
• three haircuts (all except Isolde - though Harald's was a homemade, improvised one)
• 20+ swims from the jetty to the raft (Isolde with one or two parents)
• two new Marabou chocolate flavours tried (Bisquit and Oreos)
• one batch of new potatoes harvested in grandpa's greenhouse (Isolde)
• some not so good karaoke singing (me)
• swimming in three lakes and the sea
• one day of work, as I was called in for some meetings
• one visit to Tom Tits science museum with grandma (Isolde)
• two big bags of random stuff we cannot find in Brussels purchased, ranging from minipacks of raisins to dishcloths
• zero episodes of Midsumer Murders watched and not a single movie either
• four summer knees and many bruises and scratches (the kids), just the way it should be! And summer feet!
• hours and hours of play with the neighbour girl at mormor and morfar's (Isolde)
• and much, much more!

A Non-Year in Books

A total of five books. A miserable year as far as reading is concerned… (well, unless children's books count).  I guess that should be my 2013 resolution; to read more.

• “How the States Got their Shapes” by Mark Stein
• "Icons of England"
• "Det dyrbara" by Linn Ullmann
• "Gravidchock: reporter erkänner" by Belinda Olsson
• "Ketchupmamman" by Karin Lindell

2012 in Films

I didn't read much in 2012 (shame, shame, shame) but I watched quite a lot of films (though very few in the cinema).  A list, with the best ones at the top, in case you're looking for tips.

5

Hur många lingon finns det i världen

My Sister's Keeper

4

Safety Not Guaranteed

What to Expect When You Are Expecting

Hamilton - I nationens intresse

Unknown

Safe House

Le premier jour du reste de ta vie

Tower Heist

Eat, Pray, Love

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

3

Nativity!

Friends with Kids

How Do You Know

The Five-Year Engagement

Animal Attraction

American Reunion

Nanny McPhee

The Way Back

Bottle Shock

2

TED

The Campaign

Puss in Boots

1

The Adventures of Tintin

Elizabethtown

Read Books 2011

Not even worth a post but...

Best - "Hundraåringen som klev ut genom fönstret och försvann" by Jonas Jonasson
Next best - "Himmel över London" by Håkan Nesser
Third best - "Luftslott" by Sheila O'Flanagan
Useful - "Att möta förlossningssmärtan" by Gudrun Abascal

Seen Films 2011

If anyone is looking for film recommendations.

5+
Never Let Me Go

4+
Contagion
Crazy.Stupid.Love
500 Days of Summer 
Friends with Benefits
Bridesmaids
Paul
Source Code
Just Go With It
The King's Speech
Fair Game
 It's Kind of a Funny Story
Easy A

3+
Cashback 
Hangover 2
Adam
Super 8
Horrible Bosses
Harry Potter 7
Burke & Hare
The Adjustment Bureau
Limitless
Taxi 3
Unstoppable
Anchorman
Due Date
Tangled
Rallybrudar
The Joneses

2+
Take Me Home Tonight
Did You Hear about the Morgans?
Rango
Rio
Love and Other Drugs
Megamind
Forces of Nature

1+
The Green Lantern
Where the Wild Things Are 

2011 Recap

Happy New Year!  A bit belatedly perhaps but I haven't managed to post a new year blip until now.

This year's...
...happening
Becoming a mother

...project
Moving before the summer and renovating the kitchen at the end of the year

...song
Blinka lilla stjärna (Twinkle Twinkle Little Star), Trollmors vaggsång, Sov du lilla videung, which are the three songs I sing to Isolde every night

...trip
Nice, France in April and the US (Delaware and Florida) in October

...hip hip hurray!
My grandfather turned 90, my dad 60, my cousin 40 and we attended one wedding (Anna and Richard)

...person
Isolde

...toil
Giving birth!

...garment
Nursing top

...best book 
Read a grand total of four book :(  But of those, I enjoyed "Hundraåringen som klev ut genom fönstret och försvann" by Jonas Jonasson the most

...worst book
Not applicable

...purchase
Our new car, a dark blue Passat 140 TDI, which runs on diesel and is a green car according to the Swedish definition

...TV moment
I follow very few series except for sitcoms so difficult to choose a moment.  Maybe the British royal wedding?

...change
Becoming a parent and being home with a baby instead of working

...film
Never Let Me Go was the only one I gave a 5 (list of all viewed films coming)

...daily joy
Waking up to baby babble and laughter

...gratitude
To have a healthy baby and as a bonus, a very content baby that is seriously one of the happiest babies I've ever met (I don't lie when I say that she very rarely cries)!  And I'm grateful every day for my little family.

...greatest expectation
Isolde's next development leap as well as moving to a new home

...greatest disappointment
Can't think of anything.  Perhaps that I had planned to change jobs during my parental leave but time flew and I didn't even try.  But when I did return to work, I had the opportunity to do almost 100% new stuff so going back didn't end up too bad after all.

...greatest joy
Isolde and Peter as a father

...greatest "I wish more had happened this year"
Before I went on maternity leave I had great plans about how to spend the leave (besides taking care of the baby); I was going to bake sourdough bread, plan our wedding [party], scan all my old photos, etc. but I have done none of that...

...most wonderful weekend
Maybe not wonderful as such since it involved 30 hours of gradually increasing pain...but the Saturday and Sunday of 8-9 January when we were about to become parents is probably the most memorable weekend.  It was such a fascinating experience and despite the pain (which I have in many ways forgotten - it's so true what they say) I have only good memories from the delivery room and especially from our room at the ward afterwards.

...ponder
How come time flies?

...restaurant
Pontus (like last year) where we had a big dinner the evening before I went into labour

...hardest and saddest
My grandfather and two friends still having health issues.  I also still think a lot of a friend whose mother passed away in 2010 already - my friend had a baby this year and I think about the fact that her son doesn't get to meet his grandmother and my friend doesn't get to share what I do with my mum.  But she has her dad of course but becoming a mother is perhaps a time when one's mother becomes extra important.

...best party
We haven't thrown any parties this year except for Isolde's christening but I promise that next year we'll finally have our big wedding celebration!

...gadget
The iPhone.  Still.  Again.

...personal greatest success
Being the best mother Isolde could have! :)

...memories
So many, especially with Peter and Isolde of course.  The birth feels like it just happened and at the same time so far ago.

...forgot to do (deviance from normal behaviour)
Didn't hug and kiss Peter as much as I should.  It's like you're both so pre-occupied with the baby that it's 3 o'clock in the afternoon before you realise that you haven't said "good morning" to each other yet!

...greatest lesson
Carrying around a baby builds really good arm muscles and you can't really complain about not sleeping when you should have really gone to bed when the baby did at 8pm instead of at midnight when you ended up going...

...spending
Buying and renovating a flat, buying a new car, baby clothes...

...new people
The mothers and babies of my "mummy group"

...most romantic of the year
Peter continuing to make me breakfast every morning - during my maternity leave when he got up to get ready for work and now when I'm the one working he gets up and makes me breakfast while I shower and get ready even though it should be me making him breakfast now!

...New Year resolution
Even though I lost all the pregnancy weight I still have some excess around tummy and thighs which will need to go this year.  So go to the gym (that I'm actually paying for every month)!  And read more books!

Who Are You?

Readership questionnaire found over at Skolfröken's.

1. How old are you?

2. Do you have a blog? (address/url?)

3. Have we met IRL?

4. When did you start reading my blog?

5. Do you remember how you found me?

6. Which (what kind) of my posts do you appreciate most?

7. What would you like me to blog more about?

Time to reveal yourselves!

Another 2010 List

Found another New Year's list over at Marie's.

1. Did you do something this year that you have never done before? Got knocked up. And got engaged. And got married :) Also, flew with a small plane (four PAX), as passenger, and went to Gekås in Ullared.

2. Did you keep any of your New Year Resolutions? Don't think I made any promises... I wrote the following on the blog in January 2010: My hopes and wishes for 2010 are private and personal but it ranges around the usual stuff of love and happiness and a hope that all my loved ones will stay healthy and happy.

3. Did anyone you know have a baby? No close friends (except some of Peter's)

4. Did anyone close to you pass away? Yes, my grandmother in October

5. Which countries did you visit? The Maldives, UK (England, Scotland and Wales), France, Italy, Belgium, Denmark

6. Is there something you missed in 2010 that you want in 2011? A new home, maybe a new job as well (towards the end of the year), visit by or with friends I haven't seen for a while

7. What date will you always remember? 5 April, our engagement day, and 1 November, our wedding day. I guess I should say 10 May too, which is when we found out we were pregnant, but as I had to double-check the date I'm not that great at remembering it :)

8. What's the best thing that happened to you this past year? I'm a bit repetitive...but our engagement, wedding and the pregnancy! And going to the Maldives, such a fantastic place!

9. What was your biggest mistake? Nothing really, except accidently getting pregnant, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise! :)

10. What was your best purchase? My red Hunter wellies or the (also red) Bugaboo pushchair

11. What did you spend most money on? Travelling

12. What made you most happy? Every day was another day with Peter

13. Have you been ill or injured yourself? Nope, except for a couple of colds and the stomach flu in November-December. Pregnancy affected my immune system, is clear.

14. What songs or artists will make you think about 2010? John Ossi (only band I saw in concert this year I think), otherwise Robyn

15. Did you feel better or worse during 2010 than previous years? Same, or happier in many ways, as Peter and I took "the step", but that doesn't mean I was unhappy before that

16. Is there anything you wish you had spent more time on? Baking, embroidery, scanning old photos and other "home projects". And reading books!

17. Is there anything you wish you spent less time on? Procrastinating

18. How was your Christmas? Nice and relaxing. Will post some photos soon.

19. Did you fall in love? Yes, with a little unborn life.

20. What television programme was best? Modern Family, or Sveriges skönaste familjer featuring our neighbours

21. Do you hate someone you didn't hate before? I don't hate anyone. Ever. Not worth the effort.

22. What was the best book you read this year? "At home" by Bill Bryson

23. What was your greatest musical discovery? Don't know, I'm so bad at remember artists and bands' names

24. Did you wish for something that you got? Commitment

25. Did you wish for something and didn't get it? Another election result

26. What was the best film of the year? One of these at the top of the list

27. What did you do on your birthday? Was treated to a surprise day by Peter

28. Who were the best people you met? Reunion with friends at James and Jill's wedding

29. How would you describe your dress style? Last few months, maternity, but otherwise no different from previous years

30. What made you feel well and happy? Peter, our unborn child, family and friends, work

31. Which celebrity do you have a crush on? No one in particular this year

32. Who did you miss? All friends I didn't see enough

33. What was your best month? Can't choose between April, May, July and November

34. Is there anything you could have done better? There is always room for improvement!

35. How will next year be different from the last one? Three in the family!

A List for Marianne

10 FAVOURITES
Colour: Unisex
Food: Indian (Östermalm now has two Indian restaurants and this one is the best!)
Band: Blank
Film: Don't have an all-time favourite but of the most recently seen, "Salt" (usually don't like Angelina Jolie but the film was actually much better than expected)
Book: "Home" by Bill Bryson, or anything by him really
Sport: Football
Season: They all have something special (I know, boring answer but it's true!)
Day of the week: Friday (when the weekend is still ahead)
Ice cream flavour: Anything with chocolate
Time of the day: Either just when I have arrived home from work or, if I'm still at work; after lunch when I'm most productive

9 JUST NOW
Mood: Hungry
Flavour/taste: White nectarines
Clothes: Black skirt (yay, it still fits!), pink top and jacket in brown scotch pattern
Backdrop: Notice board with random work papers
Nail polish: Remnants of white/transparent one from weeks ago
Time: Lunch time!
Surroundings: Corridor and offices
Source of irritation: People who don't return my calls

6 HAVE YOU EVER
Dated one of your friends: No, though I have met someone, known that person for a while, and then dated, but we haven't really become proper friends before we started dated; i.e. I have never started dating someone who has been a long-term friend
Broken the law: I have kicked lamp poles so that the light went out and once or twice climbed into a building under construction - does that count?
Been arrested: No
Skinny-dipped: Yes, but last time was probably 3-4 years ago
Been on TV: Once interviewed about women's football, getting questions I couldn't answer even though I was playing footie myself at the time (to my defence I was only 14(ish) years old)
Kissed someone you don't know: I like Nilla's answer; "you don't know each other that well in the beginning..."

3 PERSONS
You can tell everything to: Peter and a few close friends
You like: My blogging friends
You don't like: Election campaigners with indecent methods

2 CHOICES
Coffee or tea: If I could just pick one for the rest of my life it would be tea but I would miss coffee desperately
Spring or autumn: Autumn

1 WISH
That the little one inside me is strong and healthy

Show & Tell: The Meaning of Life

Vanity Fair, one of my favourite magazines*, has a regular feature called "My Stuff". Famous people list their favourite things within different categories. I could of course write a serious post on Helena's last topic, about family and friends, love and companionship, children, religion, the universe, etc., but I thought I'd list some wordly things instead. Because in the end we live a life where "stuff" do matter to us whether we want to admit it or not. Unfortunately I cannot access my photos right now so this post will be image-less, unless you click on any of the links of course.

INSPIRATIONS
Favourite discovery: The blogging community
Who inspires you: People like Aung San Suu Kyi who goes to extremes for their cause
Necessary extravagance: Travel and good food
Favourite film: It used to be The Sound of Music for many years - this list also made me think of the song Favourite Things from the musical :) - but nowadays I don't have one
Favourite hotel: I hardly ever return to the same hotel so if I had to pick one where I've only been once but would like to return it would be the B&B we stayed in on our New England roadtrip in 2008
Favourite charity: Save the Children
Favourite place in the world: Stockholm, especially right now in the summer
Favourite design shop: Plan ett

Thanks Helena for being our inspiration in June by the way!

HOME
Where do you live: Gärdet/Östermalm, Stockholm, Sweden
Favourite artist: Alexander Klingspor
Sheets: Himla
Luggage: Samsonite
Stationery: Bookbinder's Design
Glass: Line from Kosta Boda
China: Diné from Rörstrand
Pets: Don't have one but would love to have a cat or even two!
Favourite gadget: iPhone
Car: BMW 525 Touring but want a Toyota Prius or Passat Bluemotion
Favourite neighbourhood restaurant: Halv grek plus turk or the Thai kiosk in our street
Favourite cocktail: Anything from Brasserie Godot

CLOTHES
Jeans: Acne - had a great pair that broke and have been looking for a replacement ever since!
Underwear: Victoria Secret microfibre
Trainers: Nike
Shoes: Don't care as long as they are pretty! (says the shoe-o-holic)
Dress: Milagro de Nahrin or Twink
T-shirt: H&M
Favourite designer: No one specific
Sunglasses: My new white Guccis I haven't worn yet

BEAUTY PRODUCTS
Shampoo: Herbal Essence (which seems to be discontinued, what do I do??!!)
Moisturiser: Oriflame
Perfume: Currently CK Summer
Toothpaste: Pepsodent lime & mint
Soap: Molton Brown
Hair products: Only use hair spray once in a while and then Boots' rock hard spray
Where do you get your haircut: Ahead, Nybrogatan 34

I invite you to copy the questions and list your own favourite things!

* It's become a tradition that Peters gets me a subscription for Christmas.

Wanted! Show & Tell list of themes

Last year, I think it was before the summer, Annika and Désirée compiled a list of two year's worth of Show & Tell themes, which was supposed to be forwarded from one host to the next one. Does anyone know what happened to the list because it seems to have got lost? Whoever had it last*, please send it to me! Thanks! Oh, yes, forgot to mention that I'm taking over February! :)

P.S. My dream tea post coming to a blog near you soon!

* Asked the last two hostesses but they had not received it??

I Did Much Better with Films!

Films seen in 2009, and their "Anna marks":

5 +
Gran Torino
Slumdog Millionaire (best of the year!)
Inglourious Basterds
In Bruges
Duplicity
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Taken

4 +
Caché (Hidden)
2012
Flickan som lekt med elden (The Girl who Played with Fire)
Up
Män som hatar kvinnor (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo)
Donnie Darko
The Hangover (pleasant surprise!)
Maman est chez le coiffeur
Knowing
Changeling
The Dish
Angels & Demons
Nothing but the Truth
Defiance
P.S. I Love You

3 +
He's Just Not That Into You
Office Space
Out of Africa
Becoming Jane
The Time Traveller's Wife (the book was much better!)
W
Hoax
American Dreamz
My Life in Ruins
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince
Ocean's Eleven (1960s original version)
Arn
Marley & Me
The Reader
Gone Baby Gone
Death at a Funeral
27 Dresses
Ma Vie en Rose
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Made of Honour
Bolt
Låt den rätte komma in
How to Lose Friends & Alienate People
Butterfly On a Wheel
The Jane Austen Book Club
Stardust

2 +
Adventureland
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Shopgirl
Australia
Bride Wars
Disturbia
The Accidental Husband

1+
The Day after Tomorrow

-
I Love Huckabees

Book Count

Did not reach my goal of reading 20 books in 2009; only made it to 16... This means I will stick with the number 20 for my 2010 book target. Need to be realistic.

So, how did the books, or the authors rather, fare? This year's (i.e. 2009)...

Crime writer: Inger Frimansson (Mörkerspår)
Juvenile literature: Den absolut sanna historien om mitt liv som halvtidsindian by Sherman Alexie
Non-fiction: Fishing in Utopia by Andrew Brown

Chic lit: En liten hattaffär på hörnet by Marita Conlon-McKenna and Ralph's Party by Lisa Jewell
Holiday literature: Julie And Julia by Julia Powell
Quick read: The Mistress's Daughter by A. M. Homes

Tragicomedy: Two Caravans by Marina Lewycka
Feel good: Extra Virgin: Amongst the Olive Groves of Liguria by Anne Hawes
Girl power: Familjens projektledare säger upp sig by Gunilla Bergensten

Best: Låt den rätte komma in by John Ajvide Lindqvist
Pleasant surprise: Grundläggande genetik by Mikael Fant
True story: Ut ur mörkret by Linda Caine & Robin Royston

Nobel laureate: J.M.G. Le Clézio (Afrikanen)
Debutant: Jens Liljestrand (Paris-Dakar)
Author: Bill Bryson (Shakespeare)


Inspired by Västmanländskan

Show & Tell: What Three Things Would You Take to a Deserted Island?

A bit late, but here it is, my first Show & Tell theme for October. Erica is our hostess this month - see the list of October's theme in one of the right-hand columns.

If I wanted the easy way out I would of course bring a boat, a GPS and a satellite phone. But I guess that's not the point of the exercise!

So I would bring...

1) Some kind of bean but not in a can but in the form of seeds so that I could ensure a protein diet, at least until I've learnt how to kill animals with my bare arms. Hopefully there would be fresh water to drink and leaves or other vegeation to eat.

Image from fettdieten.se

2) I don't have one yet and I'm still a bit sceptical... But I'm sure eventually I will get one and on a deserted island I would definitely need something where I can upload A LOT of books since it might be years before I get off the island.

Picture from the themediawonk.com

3) Company! Preferably someone from the opposite sex so I can have some fun too, for procreation reasons only of course! Maybe the reason why I'm on the deserted island is that the rest of the world doesn't exist anymore, imagine that! ;)

Image from escapefromamerica.com

I also googled on "what three things to take to a deserted island" and found a post (looks like it's some sort of theme post as well) about what 20 movies you should bring to a deserted island.

I also found one listing what snack to bring and one about what blogs this person could not live without, not even while stranded on an island (maybe an idea for those who still haven't written their post).

And this is a great idea! A Deserted Island Swap! Anyone up for it?!

Show & Tell: Empathy/Compassion

Empathy, which literally translates as 'in feeling', is the capability to share and understand another's emotions and feelings. It is often characterised as the ability to "put oneself into another's shoes".

Compassion is a human emotion prompted by the pain of others. More vigorous than empathy, the the feeling commonly gives rise to an active desire to alleviate another's suffering. It is often, though not inevitably, the key component in what manifests in the social context as altruism. In ethical terms, the various expressions down the ages of the so-called Golden Rule embody by implication the principle of compassion: Do to others what you would have them do to you. Ranked a great virtue in numerous philosophies, compassion is considered in all the major religious traditions as among the greatest of virtues. *

Most of us show and act on feelings of empathy every day, in the little things, but some also have the means to do it big scale. These men (most, except one or two are men) have all donated at least 1 billion dollar to different charities and caues. 3 out of the 14 people on the list** have donated so much that they are no longer on the rich people's list the selection was originally made from!

5. Eli Broad. 2 billion dollar. Has made his money in real estate and insurance and has donated 600 milluon dollar to a gene research centre at M.I.T., among other things.

4. Warren Buffet. 6,7 billion dollar. The world's best broker originally planned to give his fortune away after this death but in 2006 he changed his mind and promised to give away 30 billion dollar over 20 years to his friend's Bill Gates's foundation.

3. Gordon Moore. 6,8 billion dollar. One of Intel's founders. Donated 6 billion in stocks in 2000. Supports environmental projects, research and nurses' training.


2. George Soros. 7,2 billion dollar. Supports a lot of different projects, from clean needles for drug addicts in California to research in Russia. His trust Open Society Institute gave away 540 million dollar last year, mostly towards the development of democracy around the world.

1. Bill Gates. 28 billion dollar. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, founded in 1999, is the world's largest foundation and donates around 3 billion dollar annually, mostly towards research about diseases such as HIV, malaria and TB.

For no 6-14 on the list, look here.

You could probably say*** a lot about this crowd, things that are negative about them and/or the company they started/run, how they made their money, etc., but you have to give them credit for what they have done for humanity. I don't think they do it to sell more computers or what have you; that is not their motivation.

I also read an article about people who seem to lack empathy or compassion. I cannot understand how anyone would want to hit a child (and spanking is included in my definition of hitting), but spanking a disabled child is even worse.

* Definitions from Wikipedia

** Images from Scanpix

*** Like that the vaccine against the new influenza is a big evil plan by Bill Gates to kill most of the people in the world to bring down the global population to 500 million - one of the many conspiracy theories out there

Time for a List

Too tired to blog about anything substantial...

1. How many suitcases do you own?
Five, one of which is cabin size

2. Would you rather take the picture than being in the picture?
No, I like taking pictures but I'm also very photogenic, or so they say!

3. Has anyone ever called you lazy?
Peter, all the time. He thinks I just sit there with my computer when I should be cleaning the flat or something :)

4. When did someone last come onto you?
It must be a few weeks ago when the guy who works at my local 7Eleven was trying to weave in "gift" (married) into the conversation, evidently trying to find out if I were married or whether I was up for tying the know with him or something (I was just bying a tea so it was not a straight-forward conversation).

5. What did you eat for dinner?
Some Thai food with chicken, potatoes, pineapple and peanuts

6. Do you use hooded sweaters?
Not very often but I have two I think

7. Who called you last?
Helena, just before we left work, to ask when we were leaving for the cinema (we saw "Duplicity")

8.What is your favourite ride at an amusement park?
The octopus at Gröna Lund or a rollercoaster, but an old-fashioned one, not these crazy "almost-kill-you" rides they have in the US or the UK

9. How big is your nearest shopping centre?
Fältöversten probably has about 40 shops plus supermarket, shoe repairer, etc.

10. How many siblings do you have?
One brother

11. How many chairs do you have at your kitchen table?
Six. The kitchen table doubles as dining room table.

12. Do you have a desktop or laptop?
Laptop(s)

13. Do you want to get a tatoo or piercing right now?
No, I hate tatoos! And I have pierced all body parts I want to pierce, i.e. my ears!

14. What do you bring when you go to the cinema?
Company, popcorn and a drink, or sweets

15. Do you like to fly?
Prefer afterwards, when I have arrived, but I'm not that scared. But I liked flying more when I was younger.

16. Do you care about the calory count in what you buy?
Not to the extent that I read on each package but I try to avoid some things I know have a lot of calories.

17. How old will you be next time?
34, but that's not until next year fortunately!

18. Do you like to hug people?
Of course!

19. Do you have any allergies?
Maybe some slight allergy in the spring, but hardly. Grass sometimes gives me a rash.

20. Do you like your living quarters?
Yes, a lot! But I'm still dreaming about a new place; something new to decorate, a garden and a walk-in closet à la the Heineken commercial - both for clothes and beer!

P.S. Can't remember where I found the list so can't give credit where it's due!

Missing Link

List going around at the moment - I first saw it over at Strandmamman's and Marianne's.

1. How old are you in five years? 38
2. Who did you spend at least two hours with today? My colleagues
3. How tall are you? 168 cm (I used to say 168,5 cm but now I don't bother anymore :)
4. What was the last film you saw? "Beck" on TV; haven't been to the cinema for a few months now
5. Who did you last call? Helena, a friend, to tell her about my excellent results from the health check I did a few weeks ago
6. Who last called you? Peter, about what to do for dinner
7. Do you prefer to call or send text messages? Text messages as I'm not a phone person, but it depends...
8. Are your parents married or divorced? Married since 1974
9. When did you last see your mum? Last week when I stopped by to drop off some gifts from the Canaries and to help her with her computer

10. What colour are your eyes? Blue
11. When did you wake up today? 7.45, a bit later than usual as I didn't have to go to work before my 9.30 doctor's appointment
12. What is your favourite Christmas song? Don't know
13. What is your favourite place? In my boyfriend's arms, otherwise Stockholm archipelago
14. What is your least favourite place? Don't know, maybe the dentist's but I don't mind it that much
15. Where do you think you are in ten years' time? Stockholm or some exciting city somewhere. Hopefully with some kids running around, my own that is
16. What scared you at night when you were a child? Everything
17. What made you last laugh? "Two and a Half Men"
18. How big is your bed? 160x200 cm (180 gets too big; I want to be close to my man!)
19. Do you have a desktop or laptop computer? Ancient desktop at work and about 4 laptops at home (or maybe just 3 now; we're trying to slowly discontinue the slow and old ones)
20. Do you sleep with or without clothes? Usually a little tanktop or similar, and socks because my feet are always cold!

21. How many pillows do you have in your bed? Two, one each, and decoration pillows for the rare occasions the bed is made up
22. What countries have you visited? Sverige (duh), Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland (if you count changing flights at the airport), Estonia, Russia, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, UK (England and Wales), Ireland, Spain, Italy, Malta, Turkey, USA, Canada, Bahamas (Turks & Caicos), Hong Kong (and Macau), South Africa
23. What cities/places have you lived in? Södertälje, Pittsburgh, Uppsala, Dover (Delaware, USA), Stockholm, London, Oxford, Brussels
24. Not on the list
25. Are you social? Yes, maybe too much hahaha!
26. What is your favourite ice-cream? Banana with real bananas
27. What is your favourite dessert? Crème brulée or ice-cream
28. Do you like Chinese food? Prefer Thai and Indian
29. Do you like coffee? Yes
30. What do you drink for breakfast? Tea and juice

31. How do you sleep (side, back, stomach)? Side or on my stomach (I twist and turn a lot!)
32. Do you know how to play poker? Yes, Texas Hold'em
33. Do you like getting cozy/cuddling? Who doesn't?!
34. Are you an addicted person? It depends what it is. I'm addictive as well ;)
35. Do you know anyone with the same birthday as you? Yes, Irina and Anna
36. Do you want children? Yes, two or three
37. Do you know other languages than English [the language you are writing in]? Swedish (mother tongue), French and Spanish but the latter two I wouldn't brag about
38. Have you even been in an ambulance? Nope, and I hope I never have to
39. Do you prefer the ocean or a pool? What kind of question is that?! The ocean of course!

40. What do you prefer to spend money on? Travel, houseware and design
41. Do you own any precious jewelery? Yes, not super expensive but very valuable to me personally, for example the Bismarck bracelet I got at my christening. I also have some beautiful jewelery given to me by Peter.
42. What are your favourite programmes on TV? "How I Met Your Mother", "Bing Bang Theory", "Heroes", "Bones" and all interior design programmes
43. Can you roll your tongue? Nope, that gene isn't a dominant one in me (my mum can, my dad can't)
44. Who is the funniest person you know? I don't know, maybe one of my British work collegues
45. Do you sleep with cuddly toys? Nope
46. What is your mobile phone ringtone? Don't know what it's called, something subtle
47. Do you still have any of your baby clothes? Yes, my first shoes and some other stuff in my parents' attic
48. Dog or cat? Prefer cats
49. Do you flirt a lot? No, have never been good at it
50. Can you change the oil in the car? Maybe, though these modern cars are so hightech they probably don't let you (ours is from 2001 so it may let me)

51. Have you ever got a speeding ticket? Nope
52. What was the last book you read? Look to the right (English translation "The Family's Project Leader Quits")
53. The best book you have read? Oh, so many! But if I had to choose, perhaps something with Bill Bryson or Jared Diamond's "Collapse"
54. Do you subscribe to a weekly or monthly magazine? Yes, Economist and Vanity Fair
55. Do you dance in the car? Don't understand the question??!
56. What was the last radio station you listened to? P3 or something at the weekend
57. What was the latest you wrote down on paper? To do post-its at work today
58. When did you last go church? Can't remember, think it was the Christmas Day (early morning) service back in December
59. Who was your favourite teacher in 7-9th grade ("junior high")? Didn't really have a favourite, maybe our Maths and Physics teacher
60. How long have you camped in a tent? I can't remember ever sleeping in a tent!

A Challenge, Literally

I've been challenged by my cousin Emma.

Rules: This is harder than you think! Each answer must begin with the first letter in your name! All answers must be real; don't make up words! If the person who tagged you have a name that starts with the same letter as yours you cannot give the same answers as he/she has. You are not allowed to write the same answer twice or use your name as an answer (except for the first question of course)! Good luck!

1. What's your name? Anna
2. A word with four letters: Able
3. Girl's name: Aurora
4. Boy's name: Amadeus
5. Profession: Accountant
6. Colour: Atracit grey
7. Clothing: Anorak
8. Food: Artichoke
9. Thing in the bathroom: Antiperspirant
10. Place/city: Arctic
11. Reason to be late: Accident
12. Shouting: Act now!
13. Film: Apollo 13
14. Drink: Amarula
15. Band: A Camp
16. Animal: Abyssinian cat
17. Street name: Artillerigatan
18. Car: Alternative
19. Song: American Pie
20. Activity with more than one participant: Arguing

It was indeed harder than I thought! I challenge whoever wants to give it a try!