Phunetics.

When a discussion of variation reduces to ideolectal self report.

Weekend.

This weekend was excellent. Karin was here:

We had some dinner and drinks on the Friday. Saturday was spent mostly walking, second hand shopping and looking at churches. I was surprised at how well I remembered some of the texts and trosbekännelsen. Some things you never lose, I guess?

In the evening we had dinner at Ylva's, which was excellent. And then onto more drinking, some dancing and other fun:

I also wore a Turtles cap for a small portion of the evening. Definite highlight:

Then we did some other stuff, like this:

By the time we got the tram it was morning again so I didn't have to pay the night fare. Then Karin left and all of Gothenburg mourned.

Promises promises.

Yeah, I know. Awful.

But I'm here! It's raining outside (for a change), it's October and my head is so full of words. I'm almost worried about what might happen if I can't find a way to let them out soon...

Work is busy, I'm doing 3 modules at once so not much time to work on my actual thesis, so that's a bit frustrating but it's all stuff that needs doing and for two of them the main assignment is sections that will go into the thesis so all good.

I'm meant to do my pilot study this term but I have no idea where that will fit in. Will find a way I'm sure!

Now - off to clean a little bit, then bed - and tomorrow Karin is coming! I can't wait.

Nightnight.

Moving to Sweden (part 1)

Wow. Ok. I don't even know where to start, have had so many new impressions and met so many interesting people over the past few weeks. So this post will just be about the move and settling in really...

I had my leaving do in York and it was excellent. Sad a few people couldn't make it but I got to see most of them anyway. As for the rest... they'll just have to come visit I guess. I will upload some photos in another post.

On the 30 August I left for Göteborg. Mike took me to the airport (thank god - those bags weren't light... and of course, I got to do the tear-filled, looking-back-from-the-security-queue goodbye you usually only see in films. Ha.) and I eventually landed in Gbg at 7pm. Now, I'm going to have to blame the bags, but I took a taxi. Bad idea, you'd think I'd have realised how much it was going to cost. Oh well - it got me here safely and quickly, and I didn't have to lug my bags on a bus, a tram, and up a massive hill. So worth it.

When I got to the flat, K (who I'm renting from) met me and we chatted a bit. Lovely woman. Look forward to seeing her again when she's back from Spain!

So... the flat. I've not finished making curtains etc. yet (I know, I know... just been so busy...) so you will get pics another day. Promise! But the flat is good, 1 small bedroom and a big living room. Good kitchen (red!!) and fairly big bathroom with washing machine. Oh, and a balcony! And since I'm on the 4th floor on top of a hill the view is pretty great.

The only problem is I'm going to have to get rid of even MORE clothes before Mike moves over, otherwise he won't fit... Boo.

So on the Friday my boxes arrived (good old Fedex! Worked like a charm! More on that another time.) and I unpacked... Phew. Good job the flat has built in wardrobes and 4 bookshelves, is all I can say...

And on the Saturday my wonderful family came down from Stockholm, bringing with them even more stuff... They were upset on the Thursday night that I'd only brought 3 books in my suitcase (there were a few more in the boxes) so they brought a few bags full from theirs. Thanks... (It's probably pertinent to note at this point that I got rid of probably 50+ books in York before I moved and there's at least another 100 there yet to be moved too...)

On Saturday we also went to Ikea. Solid 6 hours (I'm still exhausted!) and I got a bed, desk, shoe shelf and other necessities... Fabrics for curtains, pans, stuff like that.

So, here I am, 2 weeks in, sat on my (well, borrowed!) red sofa listen to Rose tint my world and the washing machine, considering what to have for dinner...

More about my first two weeks and the practicalities of the move to come...

Tomorrow...

So today is my last day in the UK. Hooray (mostly)!

My boxes have just been picked up by Fedex, fingers crossed they'll arrive in 1 piece (well, 14 pieces...) on Friday. I'm sure it'll be fine, and that the fact that Fedex were a 5th of the price of DHL isn't in fact a prophecy of what's to come.

Today I'm mostly sorting through paperwork, doing bits of housework, and packing my bags. And seeing a friend, hopefully.

Should also get some money exchanged but the rates are terrible... but more on this thrilling subject another time. Stay tuned!

Move.

So, just over a week until I move to Göteborg. Life is busy as you can imagine.

Flat is sorted, all I need to do is finish packing & organise the move, contact banks etc to let them know change of address, and say goodbye to people... to Mike (if only for a few months!).

I'll most likely be more active when I start getting busy. Ha.

Good news.

I've been accepted onto a phd. In Gothenburg, Sweden. Moving in less than 3 months.

YAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY!!!!!!

It is sunny

and I wrote something today. I love words. Almost all of them..

Thumbs up for Sue Ryder.

I love charity shops. Partly for the bargains (hello £5 Gudrun Sjödén dress) and partly because it's so wonderful to see that at least some people would rather give away the stuff they don't need than sell or bin it.

But most of the time it leaves a lot to be desired in terms of presentation and atmosphere. Not always, but sometimes. And it's a shame.

I had a bit of time today to wander round the charity shops in York, and went into one I don't think I've been in before, Sue Ryder on Goodramgate. Upstairs there's a 'vintage & retro' section, and it's great. Not big, but full of gems. There's a nice atmosphere, the stuff is well presented and obviously there's a bit more of a customised selection, the stuff that will appeal to a wannabe 50s housewife born in the 80s or 90s.

A quick google tells me that Sue Ryder shops have had these sections for a while - well, a few of them have -  and the one in York has done since last year sometime (I think?). Goodness knows why it's taken me so long to find it...

I did buy a couple of things, gorgeous (late 50s?) house coat with blue roses that would make Betty Draper jealous (no, it won't stay a house coat for long) and some 70s curtains (that won't stay curtains for long...). Will show you another time, promise.

Drivo.

I passed my driving test today! Only 8 years too late, heh. Quite pleased, now I just need a car...

Spring take 2.

Inside this time. Can't have too many flowers.

Spring.

It's spring now. And it's been sunny! Much better than rain. In case you weren't sure.

This is one of the best things about York. Well, about England. Spring comes really early. Everywhere is covered in daffodils! Everywhere.

Retronaut.

I found an awesome website. With lots of great stuff from times past. Photos galore!

This, for example, is very useful advice for the single gal.

From 1938.

Read with your ears.

I went to a poetry reading the other day. Alice Oswald read a condensed version of her 'Memorial'. It was gory in parts, but the horribleness of the gore faded in comparison to the descriptions of the lives of the soldiers. Very powerful.

But that wasn't what I was going to say. I was going to quote something she said after the reading when asked about the rhythm of her poems and the repetition of lines.

Some people read with their eyes and some people read with their ears. Poetry is written for the ears, not the eyes.

Mums mums...

Saw these in ASDA and was reminded that we had these in Bridlington last year. When I say 'had' I mean we made the mistake of buying them, tasting them and then did the clever thing: threw them in the bin.

I do like taking artsy photos.

If I drank wine...

I'd only drink this. Sitting in a window, in Paris. Wearing a red dress with a wide skirt and a boat neck, sleeveless. I'd probably read a novel, in Russian or French. I might smoke a cigarette. My view would be of the river and all the lovers walking hand in hand towards Montmartre. Dusty Springfield would be playing on my grammophone and I would always be running late. My kitchen would be full of mismatched crockery, most of it red. I would sleep until 11 every day and not go to bed until the early hours of the morning. I would never miss sunrise. I would watch Audrey an Katherine in old movie theatres and I would take long walks through crowded streets and see new things every day. I would sleep so close to you every night, with your breath on me and my toes on yours and when I woke up I would make you a coffee and we would sit in our Parisian window until it got too cold and we'd have to go back to bed.

I don't drink wine but if I did...

Happy International Women's day!

If I was in Stockholm someone would have given me a rose in the street by now. Just sayin'.

Here are some links to do with women:

Women work for free in Sweden from 15:51 each day, whereas men get paid until 17:00

Some strong, inspiring women I admire for different reasons.

Sheepish stone age prime minister 'apologises' for 'Calm down, dear' comment (which he originally refused to apologise for). Tries to excuse it, more like. (credit to Mr Clegg for not joining the boy's club and laughing at the very unnecessary comment!)

Should we be celebrating that the pay gap in the UK is now below 10%? or "After all, men's earnings start to outstrip women's from the age of 29 – precisely when Mrs Average now has her first child."

Happy reading :)

Winter

A month ago today. Slight difference...

vår.