OUCH!

Apparenty playing catch with the dog isn't such a good idea after a few beers... turns out other dogs had been there to predig som treacherous holes for me to trip into. This is, if you were wondering, what my leg looks like just now. Stinging!

Behold, the SUN!!

So, I just thought I'd mention that the sun is actaully shining outside. Saw a glimpse of it while doing a run to the pharmacy on lunch break. Insane how much money can be spent in one so very unexciting place! I'm not liking the general cost of my constant medicating :(

But one day, I have decided I will be medication free! At least I hope... only three weeks of waiting to get my final verdigt - celiak or no celiak. In the meantime my stomach seems to be extremely angry about the whole camera poking around thing. Back to tummy ache after every meal. Very irritating. Ah well, give it a week and things should hopefully be back to normal.

On a VERY bright note - tomorrow is SPA EXTRAVAGANZA with sister. Woohoo!!! Three hours of bliss. Aaah. Happy Friday!

Summer plans

On a happy note - We've made our first plans for Summer! A four day cruise from Stockholm to Tallin and St. Petersburg. Mmm, mmm, mmm. And we get a one night stay at a hotel in Sweden for free for the trouble. And I think we've found the place. And low and behold - it has a SPA! :) Haha, that week end is all set then. Aaah. Now there's something to dream sweet dreams about.

And until then I have to call my sis who's coming for a visit this week end. Saturday we have a super duper day planned. A three hour spa session with facial, full body massage and footwork. Ahh... So glad I don't have to wait all the way til summer!!

Unnateral poking...

One thing is for gosh darn sure - cameras are not meant to be shoved down your throat... This was my second time doing it, and lets just say that I had managed to suppress the memory to the point of it not being all too bad. After this morning I will be the first to say I WAS WRONG!!

The gastroscopy was long (at least longer than I remember) and very uncomfortable! My only consolation now is that hopefully I can get an answer to whether or not I'm allergic to gluten. Not that I'm really sure I want that answer... that would mean having to eat both gluten and lactose free. YUMMY! I have however found myself a slight silver lining (in no way underpinned by any medical info mind you) that since my lactose intollerance was caused by the colitis, maybe eating gluten free, which can theoretically cure the colitis, may also make me more tolerant of milk. Fingers crossed!

Now, you'd think that the worst part of the procedure this morning was having a long tube with a camera on the end shoved down into your intestine via your throat and stomach... but that all passes. What doesn't pass quite as easily is the incredible amounts of air they use to fill your stomach - lika a balloon. Needless to say going to work in an open office space with air coming up and out of everywhere while my stomach was aching didn't entice me. So I stayed home from work today. Call me a wimp, but I decided that today, I was worth it.

I'm thinking tomorrow is back to work. Not all too enticing even without the stomach cramps. Then again, that may well still be around tomorrow. And I used at least some of my time somewhat wisely today. I applied for a job. Now, I know that goes against the whole starting up my own business and all, but there you go. At this point I'm thinking any way out is a good way out.

More uplifting news tomorrow, I'm sure.

Happy/unhappy/schitzo??

Seeing as how I don't seem to ever blog any more, it's rather doubtful if anyone ever reads this blog any more... but what the hell. For those of you who may be intersted - here it goes.

We are loving the new apartment, Pasco is very grateful for his now much more enjoyable weekend walks and we have SNOW! Well, we had snow for about two days. It has now decided to get all warm again, leaving things very grey and melting. :(

Other than that I've started asking myself some major questions. The main one being: is it completely crazy to quit a full time job in the middle of a recession to start your own business?? Probably, but its looking all the more likely. Mainly because I'm really not liking my current employer very much. To the point of feeling ill when I walk in and miraculously better as soon as I leave.

I realise that my situation probably isn't all that unusual, but all the same. It's not making me a very happy puppy, more like a very insecure and weepy puppy. So, despite possibly confirming other's oppinion of me as a part of the 80's generation that don't stick with anything, I think I'm actually going to go for it. Just wish it wasn't so darn scarry!

And you know what the worst part of all this is?? That I've been fed with that horriffic good girl syndrome, which is really the only thing making me stick with the crap I want to get away from. I mean I know that eventually I do what I want anyway, despite what others tell me... just wish I didn't feel the need to torture myself quite as much first...

A very belated update

Well, here it goes. Not a thing written since February... so I suppose maybe I should just sum it up with - a lot has happened.

First I would like to congratulate my dear friend Camilla who recently had a beautiful little baby boy Oliver. And thank god she seems to be on the mend again after a few weeks of bad health after the birth!

Second I suppose I should congratulate my other dear friend Annika who is expecting her first in just a few short months. All these babies!! :)

Third piece of news is that we are moving. Only been here a year but already moving on to smaller yet better things. It's off back into the city for us. And about time too!

I have just spent the past four months working, buying an apartment, selling an apartment and a whole lot of other things I'm sure that just go under the name of day to day life.

The next thing to look forward to is definitely three wonderful weeks of vacation and moving in to our new apartment. Finally!

That's it. Short but sweet. Really must try to get better at this updating thing... sorry folks!

Opera and a Warm Welcome

Sunday. After leaving Pasco for forty minutes to go for a quick work out, we return home to see this:



This is the joy of having a dog... I had prepared to take all the recycling out later in the day. Should have known I was really just giving him something to play with... Get the fealing he doesn't like being left alone.

Later Nicklas and I went to te opera. Sounds so grande! My first time at the opera I might add. We saw "Friskytten" - no clue what the English title would be. A german opera, which had been translated into Swedish. Lets just say I don't think I'll ever be opera crazy. Some parts were good, but I'm just not a fan of the traditional female soprano in the opera sense. Can't here a word they say, and don't even think it's all that pretty. Sorry. But I'm not saying never. Will keep an open mind, and maybe Jonas will manage on his quest to convert all opera antis out there... including me. :)

Happy Days

It's interesting how some days can be just about perfect, and others so profoundly crappy. Yesterday was one of those profoundly crappy ones, but today has really quite made up for it.

Friday morning started with me locking myself out of the "tvättstuga" (common utitilty room) at a little past 8 am. This meant that I had to sit outside the door waiting for the next person who had it booked before I could go anywhere (2 hours later!)... and that was really just the start of it.

Today on the other hand started with a really nice sleep-in and then driving out to Drottningholm. We enjoyed the sun and a wonderful walk while letting Pasco have a play with all the other dogs for a good hour and a half. Then home for a relxed lunch and a nap. I love naps. Then it was off to the gym for a bit of treadmilling before heading home to rent movies and get pizza :) Hehe. What else is the point of working out??

Now we're watching Resident Evil no. 3 - not my choice I might add. Turns out it wouldn't have been Nicklas's choice either had he known it was a zombie flic. So I figure I'll websurf my way through it so as to have something other than zombies to focus on. I have a terrible habit of having some seriously weird dreams after stuff like this...

Other than that I'm just enjoying a little time off before starting the new job a week from Monday. So looking forward to it. :) Not often I've said that about going to work before in my life!

New job... EXCITING!

So, just wanted to let everyone know, that from now on there will be no more panicky entries about job hunting, interviews and all that. I just received the call I've been waiting for - I got a job! Start date is still a little unsure, have to check som stuff first, but soon. I will be the new project manager for www.studentum.com. YIPPEE!

Now, I must pack, eat and get ready for London. Ciaaaooo!

Google me

So, for fun I thought I'd google myself, and see what came up. Turns out I'm a little tricky to find. Unless you know of my alter ego of course... lundiberger. Now google that, and just about every account I ever set up anywhere plops up. Oh, and if you know I have a dog named Pasco, that'll help along the way too.

Too bad I had no clue of the workings of search engines before I went online. Must better that next time. And next time should be soonish. Rigerstered my very own domain the other day: www.monikalundberg.se. Now I just have to finish the website to go with it. Design is done, just have to web it up, and figure out what to write on there... and we're good to go. Until next time. Toodles.

I see the light?

So, here we go for todays take on my life by my somewhat neurotic self. In summation - today would have to be considered a pretty good day.

I have just gotten back from a call-back interview at a place that really sounds quite good. I think the interview went fairly well. Hard to tell, but a little bird whispered in my ear that references are being called up as we speak. I guess that means that it can't have gone too badly. Now I just have to put my trust in these chosen individuals to sing my praise to the heavens! Haha. Not that there can ever have been any doubt about my greatness - of course - but a little help is always appreciated. ;)

And as if these bright news weren't enough, the fun doesn't end there. Tomorrow I make my way to Ericsson for an interview there. This would be a Manpower gig, but the job sounds ok, and I think I'm pretty likely to get it. To top that off Karin called today to ask if she should refer me to a job she interviewed for last week but felt I would be better for. :) And then Poolia called for a job I applied for last week with some extra questions. Can't be bad!

Now hoping I haven't jinxed myself by writing any of the above, I am off to the gym. Unwillingly I must admit. Not really feeling the vibe today, but since London is calling I only have two days to get my two stamps. (Reward thing for working out at least twice a week a the gym...) So tomorrow takes me London, and my parents for a few days of working for Dad, and living in what must be the most high tech house I have ever been in. Not seen it yet, but word has it it's a little out of the ordinary. Must remember to check if the lights come on when you clap!

Just another day

My life seems to go in weekly cylces. One day I wake up and feel all positive about the job situation - especially when I have an interview scheduled. Then I slowly go into this down cycle where I start wondering if I even want this job. Then I go to the interview, get all excited because I would love this job, come out of the interview and realise I gave all the wrong answers - or rather was too darn honest, as usual - and spiral down just a little further.

Now I'm faced with a new day of job hunting, and so not feeling the vibe. The problem is that my self confidence spirals with my moods - or maybe it's just my frustration. Because I'm not really doubting my own abilities - just not understanding what I do so very wrong to not get a job. Then again - as was pointed out to me yesterday... I have only really been unemployed for a week. Never mind that I've been job hunting since October. Ugh.

At least I get to go to interviews. Not that it helps me anywhere. I guess it does tell me that what I really need to work on is my interviewee skills. I'm starting to think I just really need to learn how to LIE without going bright red at the same time. I'm too darn honest. Must do something about that. Any good tips?

All this was brought on by my interview yesterday. A super duper job that I applied for when a friend of mine who works there gave me the tip they wanted someone fluent in English. So far, you'd think I had it all going for me - skills and contacts. Then I get to the interview - which I thought went reasonably well. At least well enough for a second interview - when they tell me they're about to post a second round of ads (didn't find anyone on the first round) and after that I'd find out if I get a call back. Now, to me that's pretty much a, "hate to tell ya, but you're not gona cut it", just in different words. Never mind that I know I could do a great job. Guess maybe I wasn't pushy enough. I just never manage to get it just right. So MAD right now. Poop. I actually think I'm going to do the vacuuming rather than write applications right now. So MAD. Not often I prefer vacuuming to anything...

Eventful Freedom

So, after celebrating our "graduation" on Wednesday, accepting our diplomas in a somewhat hungover state on Thursday and driving way too fast to get to an appointment in Jönköping on Friday, we spent a wonderful week end at the farm. Pasco got so much exercise in the sun today that he is now passed out in his bed. This does not often happen before our bed time. Yesterday both he and I got quite a good walk in too - but that was in the rain/snow coming down hard for the hour and a half we were out... soaking wet and cold. Not quite as nice.

Not much more to add other than that I have an interview on Wednesday. Would be SO nice to finally get that job... Other than that no plans really. Guess I'll be filling my days with applying for more jobs, working out and finally getting on with making my own home page like I've been planning for the past year or so. Think I might head for an early night tonight. Sweet dreams.

Memories of the sun

Just to tempt you all, since I know that's something you all feel you've been missing - here are a few pics from our holiday in the sun. :)



The beach on Samoa Island.



A rooster fight modified for us - no sharp cutting tools were attached to the poor animals' feet. I literally felt sick. Glad it wasn't the real thing.



Some Dominican country side.


My sis. All summery and beachy-like.


Nicklas - looking all cool in his safari hat :)

By Me - About Me

So now that I'm in this whole hell of trying to find a new job - which I know I got myslef into all on my own - I have to write my own praise for a reference letter from Uson. And it is HARD!

I mean, here I am, thinking I've got it all together. I know me, what I'm good at, what I should be telling employers for them to love me. And yet - I find myself more critical of myself than ever before. Not a good thing. Not now. But it is so much easier to think well of yourself when you don't keep getting turned down from every job you interview for. Because then if feels like it's really my own fault. Then it's really me that's not good enough. Ugh. But the thing is I know I am good. I know I could kick most people's asses - until I read the ad that wants the perfect person with twenty years of experience all crammed into one. Then I start thinking the BAD, BAD words of - I'm not good enough. And it makes me so MAD!

The worst part is possibly that I'm starting to feel like I didn't do the right degree in school, that I should have gotten my masters in marketing that I was accepted for, and that I should have found something in life that I am so absolutely obsessed by that I just can't stop. However, truth is that none of this ever happened. I have a degree - a good one at that - just not good enough. And I've never been into just one thing. I like to keep an open mind - is that so bad? Is it really relevant for a future employer if I've done nothing but say, incessantly play soccer all my life? Should that really be the make it or break it of my carreer?? Because it's just not me. It never was. I've aways loved it all. I get bored if I do just one thing for too long. So I guess I have to try to turn that into something positive in all these seriously backward people's minds. I'll just have to wait and see if I succeed.

Maybe I should start putting up post-its all over the house with mantras like - "You are beautiful.", "You rock!", "You are creative!"... but then again that's just about as far from me as you're gona get. So maybe I'll just pull myself together and do what I know I can - kick som serious butt. Becuase I do rock. With or without any post-it notes. There - I think I'm finally in the right frame of mind to write that letter of recommendation now. Toodles! :)

Back to the real life

So we're back. Been back for about a week already, but time flies, and so much to do! This week has been hectic. Good thing holiday was VERY relaxing :) Oh so much beach, sun and relaxing. Mmmm. Sad thing is my tan i alreayd fading. :( Really quite depressing.

The idea was that I would have this entire week to finish of my final project for school... but turns out that after spending Monday applying for jobs, and Tuesday running errands, I ended up at one interview on Wednesday, and the next on Thursday. This all meant I didn't really get going on the project until Friday... and am now feeling a little bit of pressure, and cannot seem to concentrate at all right now.

On the bright side I think the interviews went pretty well... but I'll find out if I'm right during the week if I'm called back to interview no 2 for either job. It would be OH so nice to know I had a job to go to next week or the week after. And if not, it's not like I won't have anything to do. Have a new web site to layout and make, keep applying for jobs, and probably do some work for my ex-job for a little cash.

To all of you I haven't spoken to - Happy new year! I hope you all have a great 2008. As for me, I'm thinking this year is all open. Everything new, bright and shiny. Will try to remember that for the dark grey days ahead before Spring comes. Will make sure to update with a few holiday pics shortly.

Merry Christmas!

I would just like to wish everyone a very merry christmas, since I am hopeless at the whole christmas card thing. To all of you who sent me something - thank you so much! I love getting mail :) Maybe next year I'll actually get around to sending something myself...

And tomorrow we're off. After a very odd christmas, that hasn't really felt much like christmas at all - we're off to the Carribbean. Mmmm... Just wish we could take Pasco along, because it is eating away at my conscience having to leave him... But I know he'll be ok. Have to stop being so touchy. And on that note I'm off to bed. Christmas eve already over. Dominican Republic - here I come!!! :) See you in 2008. Hopefully with a tan, although knowing me, that may sadly not be one of my souviniers... I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I'm sure you're all dying of suspense. hehe. MERRY CHRISTMAS, GOD JUL, and a very happy new year.

Very Loooong Fall...

Long time no blogging...
That can really only be explained by my state of stress extreme for the past month or two. Ugh. As usual everything always descends at once, and this time it was just a little bit too much. But now it's better. Theoretically. If I don't think too much of the reality of it.

Yesterday I finished off my sister in law's homepage for her jewellery business. Quite proud of it myself - not perfect, but good for now. It's been a lot of work and learning along the way - but now it is done. Hopefully up for viewing soon. Just waiting for her photo guy to get me the last few things for her gallery pages.

So now, all that remains is the final project for my web editing course, which is done at the end of January. I haven't started. Was supposed to have done that a week and a half ago... running a little behind schedule... In addition to that, we head for the Dominican Republic in a little over a week. I see now, that I will end up working on our holiday. Poop. Not at all what I was hoping for. I haven't had a proper day off in weeks. I only just started sleeping a few nights ago. This after about two and a half months of way too much sleeplessness.

So then there is the issue of a job. Went to two interviews last week. One I turned down all on my own (not that I know if I had gone into the second round) but the job was horrifyingly boring. The other job I'm still waiting to hear from. They said they wanted to finish off during this week. Still not heard. Slowly losing hope. The crappy thing is that I would do really well in that job. And I thought the interview went really well too. I basically had experience in everything they wanted. But with my luck it'll be back to the CV and letter writing this week end. Why does it have to be so difficult? And my christmas spirit is completely gone. Actually - this year, I just don't have one. Doesn't feel like a bit of christmas at all. No fun. Have to stop with the short sentences. Really need to get going on that final project. *big fat sigh* Toodles.

The Good, Bad and the Ugly...

I'll start with the good. Which is, that I may just have found myself the best guy on the planet. Nicklas turned up at school this morning with a beautiful rose for me. His reason was to apologize for being a grumpy sod, which he had been... But I would have been perfeclty happy for him to just stop being grumpy. Not that I'm complaining! I love getting flowers. Don't think that'll ever get boring. :)
Isn't it pretty? Yay! :)

Also on the good side, is that I think my cold is finally giving up! I'm starting to feel myself again. Took long enough!

Now to the bad and the ugly. Just had a call from the mechnic who is servicing my car today. A few weeks ago, we noticed that the hood on the car wouldn't close properly - or open for that matter. This can't be fixed other than, as I understand it, rebending the metal of the entire front of the car. This would be the bad.

The ugly would be the bastard who must have hit us while we were parked. We are quite sure that we are entirely innocent on this part. I have the nasty feeling that the insurance company aren't going to be all too fothcoming either. But it's worth a try. Don't even want to know how much this is going to cost! :(

Never mind... concentrate on the good for now :)

Flu season is here...

I am now on day seven of my cold. Yesterday I was all happy about feeling better... and then this morning my throat had once again swollen up like a balloon. Turns out half of our class is now in the same boat. Sorry!

And poor Pasco is still wearing the cone. Went to the vet to have the stitches taken out on Friday, but due to his chewing incident, the cone has to stay on for another six to ten days. Seeing as how I'm getting royally fed up with it, I can only imagine how he feels! Poor bastard.

Due to my illness very little has been happening I'm afraid. My internship starts on Monday. Woohoo! Scarry, but so looking forward to it. I really feel like I want to start working now... Being a student is great in some ways, but I find myself actually missing working life. Bet I'll regret saying that in, oh, a year's time or so. But for now - up, up and away!