So the below post was my test to figure out how to post YouTube videos on my blog! And I did it! Hahaha....yeah yeah, I know, stop laughing at me. But the reason I am really excited is because you guys are all scattered across the globe and i miss you all and I keep moving around and would like to share some of my experiences. Now that I have figured it out I will most definetly be posting videoclips now and then, so keep checking in!
Love you all!
Friday, December 15, 2006
Friday, November 24, 2006
Götene
Some pics from Götene county, the place where I am working right now - preparing for the International Youth Exchange which will take place here in april, may and june next year. These were taken early november....see the potential for beauty?
Have to add that it gets dark at about 4 in the afternoon and stays dark until somewhere around 8 in the morning, if even that early. One reason why I cant take Swedish winters anymore....the many hours of darkness....
Älskade Gloria!
Tack för din kärlek, din styrka och din omtanke! Jag beundrar dig av tusen orsaker och är oändligt tacksam att du finns i mitt liv! Love you!
Another congratulation!
Together with Cecilie at Maria's wedding. Here she was pregnant, expecting her first born who has now actually joined us all! A beautiful baby boy named Elliot O'Toole! Yet again I am auntie to a boy, Mikael being the first and now little Elliot! The weird face to the right....do we know you? Hahaha....the infamous Mr Johnsen!
Sunday, October 29, 2006
New Horizons
As of october 23d I am employed by CIU of Sweden. For more information check out www.ciu.se (and yes, there is an english version as well).
My job runs until July '07 and I will be working as a projectleader for an exchange between Sweden and Thailand. The job is partly in Stockholm, partly in Götene (a tiny area in southwestern Sweden) and partly in Thailand!!!
My job runs until July '07 and I will be working as a projectleader for an exchange between Sweden and Thailand. The job is partly in Stockholm, partly in Götene (a tiny area in southwestern Sweden) and partly in Thailand!!!
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Beloved Nilo
Around 10 years ago I moved to Stockholm and became part of Bonian and Kristinas family, with their two daughters Nilo and Gloria. Since then we have been close, sharing our lives. Almost two years ago Nilo fell ill and has fought the cancer growing in her body. When I returned to Sweden this september, the doctor told the family there was no return, the cancer would take our Nilo. Her response was then "vi skall fira den dödliga sorgen" ("we shall celebrate the deadly grief"). Despite her pain she was continously joking, teasing, laughing and always caring for others and sharing her love and generosity, never complaining! She passed away the morning of october 12th, only 19 years old. Photo's are from the pajamas party we had at the hospital last weekend. Thank you Nilo!
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Two months later...
...And I am back in Scandinavia and so much has happend since I last posted to this site. Sorry!
I will be updating with pics soon, but let me just brief you on my activities since beginning of august. Went to ABS conference in San Fransisco, drove the whole way in my little Honda, and had the joy of meeting several friends there! Went to Mendocino with my father and Ayla and Carmen for a few days, also a roadtrip! We stayed in a cute house and did lots of art work and enjoyed this old coastal town. End of august I flew to Sweden to visit my mother, then to Norway to help my best friend Maria organize her wedding on 23d september.
Since I came back to Sweden much of my time has been spent with my sister Nilo who is in the hospital here. Had issues with my tenant, who moved out late, left the place in a total mess and has of yet not paid me. To say the least, it has been a disaster. But I am keeping my calm in all these adversities happening, doing my best to keep my calm and positive outlook on life. But this is a thing I hate about Sweden- people are so negative and cold and it rubs off on you.
Have decided to take a job I was offered, think it will bring me towards my goal of working on an international level. The organisatio is called CIU (www.ciu.se). The job is 8-9 months and I will be partly in Stockholm, partly in a small town southwestern Sweden and 3 months in Thailand. See why I am taking it? :)
I ADORE Thailand! Being my new job 23d of october. So, thats all from me at the moment. Will get back with some new pics real soon.
I miss you all!
I will be updating with pics soon, but let me just brief you on my activities since beginning of august. Went to ABS conference in San Fransisco, drove the whole way in my little Honda, and had the joy of meeting several friends there! Went to Mendocino with my father and Ayla and Carmen for a few days, also a roadtrip! We stayed in a cute house and did lots of art work and enjoyed this old coastal town. End of august I flew to Sweden to visit my mother, then to Norway to help my best friend Maria organize her wedding on 23d september.
Since I came back to Sweden much of my time has been spent with my sister Nilo who is in the hospital here. Had issues with my tenant, who moved out late, left the place in a total mess and has of yet not paid me. To say the least, it has been a disaster. But I am keeping my calm in all these adversities happening, doing my best to keep my calm and positive outlook on life. But this is a thing I hate about Sweden- people are so negative and cold and it rubs off on you.
Have decided to take a job I was offered, think it will bring me towards my goal of working on an international level. The organisatio is called CIU (www.ciu.se). The job is 8-9 months and I will be partly in Stockholm, partly in a small town southwestern Sweden and 3 months in Thailand. See why I am taking it? :)
I ADORE Thailand! Being my new job 23d of october. So, thats all from me at the moment. Will get back with some new pics real soon.
I miss you all!
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Respectfully
In honour of my mother, with love and respect! At age 5 she took me pioneering to the cold north of Finland and Norway, all on her own, for the sake of the Bahá´'í Faith.
Another year...another day...
So at beloved friends request I am making an entry in regards to my birthday today. First of all, I want to honour my parents this year, who show me great love! Second,let me also congratulate Harrisson, who's birthday is also today! Third, I appreciate all the attention I have been given from loved ones across the globe, it has warmed me! Without you all, I would be miserable! Thank you!
Here is something which has inspired and assisted me during this year:
"We ought to show something greater than forgiveness in meeting the cruelties and strictures in our lives. To be hurt and forgive is saintly but far beyond this is the power to comprehend and not be hurt. This power we may have...acceptance without complaint and it should be associated with our name. We ought never to be known to complain or lament. It is not that we would "make the best of things," but that we may find in everything, even in calamity, the gems of enduring wisdom. We ought never be impatient. We ought to be as incapable of impatience as one would be of revolt. This not being so much long-suffering as quiet awareness of the forces that operate in the hours of dark or years of waiting and inactivity. Always we ought to move with the larger rhythm, the wider sweep, towards our ultimate goal, in that complete acquiescence, that perfect chord which underlies the spirit of the faith itself." Bahiyyih Khanum Baha'i World, Vol. V, p. 185
Roadtrip to Seattle
Over the weekend I made a roadtrip to Portland and Seattle. Purpose was business and visiting Richard & Rebecca McLaughlin, Farshid & Neda Sedghi. Both lovely couples I served with at the Bahai World Center in Haifa. It was wonderful to see them again! My stay was longer in Seattle, so all pictures are from there. Neda brought me to the famous Pike Market, adoring the flowers and laughing at the fish! What do you think of the random three asian guys on the phone???
My favourite waterhole
Sharps Creek, or Emerald pool, as me and my sister renamed it years ago, is my absolute favourite spot to go here in Oregon when it gets really hot and I need to cool off. A 15 minute drive out of Cottage Grove, into the forest mountainrange, this creek is surrounded by giant trees, crystal clear water, so clear you can see the fish swimming and smooth rocks and stonebottom...years of rocks poring by in the winter has smoothed it out to the extent where I can lay down in the shallow creek and the clear water cascades around me as I enjoy the smooth surface I lie on and the water cooling me off.
I go as often as I can. Wether alone, or like here with Papa, Carmen and her friend Grace!
University of Oregon
The campus area in Eugene is well known for its beautiful parks, buildings and just plain cool atmosphere. Sometimes I go there just to feel the international scene, I miss hearing a mix of languages and seeing people from all over the world. Campus provides all that. Just walking around there, taking pictures, having coffee at Café Roma and being inspired in general is a good thing.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Another day in Paradise
You never know what will happen here in Hickville, Oregon.
Take yesterdays adventure for example...
I am out of Cottage Grove, about 20 min by car, enjoying the sunshine at this beautiful spot on earth called Sharps Creek. After hours of water and sun I head back home, only to run into fierce smoke, a branch has fallen atop the electrical wires and has caught fire. Big fire HAZARD! Forest fires are dangerous around here. So I speed to the next area of houses, brake hard into the driveway of the first house and head for the door. Seeing a young woman on the street nearby, now heading in my direction, I face her asking if she lives there. Her reply is no, something is odd about her, but I am on a mission!
Knock on the door, no answer. I look around, desperate for quick assistance to call 911. I see some people at a house further down, so I walk back to the road and this woman is still looking at me weirdly.
"There is a branch over the electrical wires just up the road, a fire has started!" I say.
"What?" She says, with an odd expression on her face
I repeat what I have just said, real fast this time, have no time for people being weird when I am on a rescue mission. I run to the next house, tell them whats happening, they are on the phone straight away and call it in. People are being dispatched as we end the conversation. All is good, I head back to my car....and this is when the adventure REALLY begins...
"Hey you! Come over here!" The woman calls to me from up the street.
"Whats your name?"
"Rebecca"
"You are not from around here are you?"
"No, I live down in Cottage Grove"
"Uhhuh...really. Do you know Chris?" Suspicious
"Chris Huebner?" I am all questionmarks by now, is she talking about my brother Christen??
"No, Chris, red hair!!" She is all up in my face now, aggressive, short blond hair, black pants, white tank top, tattoos, chains around her neck.
"No" I reply, eyeing her up and down, wondering what the heck is going on
"You didnt come up here looking for Chris? You didnt go up to that house, looking for Chris? Did you??! Agitated, sort of desperate and angry. Eyes all wild, real attitude problem.
"No, serioulsy, there is a fire down the road!"
"Oh there will be a fire allright! If I find out that my old man is fucking around with you!" She shouts
By now I have turned away from her, heading back to my car, thinking I dont have time to deal with this, laughing inside at her rampage right there on the road in the middle of nowhere.
"You better come back here, lets just finnish this here and now! You fucking hore, you cunt you!!" Shouts are echoing off the surrounding houses, neighbours must be watching.
I am laughing, walking to my car and I dont even stop. No time for a freak on meth or better yet, a mental case. Better to get out of there before she jumps me and I will have to seriously injure her.
I figure she was stalking around this place, some issues going on inside her mind about this guy Chris, sees me pull up from nowhere and makes this story in her haid, totally disregarding the issue of a fire happening. It was all about her!
Anyways, I see the firebrigade come around the corner, follow them back to the fire and watch them put it out. Happy to have saved the world once again from evil forces!
Take yesterdays adventure for example...
I am out of Cottage Grove, about 20 min by car, enjoying the sunshine at this beautiful spot on earth called Sharps Creek. After hours of water and sun I head back home, only to run into fierce smoke, a branch has fallen atop the electrical wires and has caught fire. Big fire HAZARD! Forest fires are dangerous around here. So I speed to the next area of houses, brake hard into the driveway of the first house and head for the door. Seeing a young woman on the street nearby, now heading in my direction, I face her asking if she lives there. Her reply is no, something is odd about her, but I am on a mission!
Knock on the door, no answer. I look around, desperate for quick assistance to call 911. I see some people at a house further down, so I walk back to the road and this woman is still looking at me weirdly.
"There is a branch over the electrical wires just up the road, a fire has started!" I say.
"What?" She says, with an odd expression on her face
I repeat what I have just said, real fast this time, have no time for people being weird when I am on a rescue mission. I run to the next house, tell them whats happening, they are on the phone straight away and call it in. People are being dispatched as we end the conversation. All is good, I head back to my car....and this is when the adventure REALLY begins...
"Hey you! Come over here!" The woman calls to me from up the street.
"Whats your name?"
"Rebecca"
"You are not from around here are you?"
"No, I live down in Cottage Grove"
"Uhhuh...really. Do you know Chris?" Suspicious
"Chris Huebner?" I am all questionmarks by now, is she talking about my brother Christen??
"No, Chris, red hair!!" She is all up in my face now, aggressive, short blond hair, black pants, white tank top, tattoos, chains around her neck.
"No" I reply, eyeing her up and down, wondering what the heck is going on
"You didnt come up here looking for Chris? You didnt go up to that house, looking for Chris? Did you??! Agitated, sort of desperate and angry. Eyes all wild, real attitude problem.
"No, serioulsy, there is a fire down the road!"
"Oh there will be a fire allright! If I find out that my old man is fucking around with you!" She shouts
By now I have turned away from her, heading back to my car, thinking I dont have time to deal with this, laughing inside at her rampage right there on the road in the middle of nowhere.
"You better come back here, lets just finnish this here and now! You fucking hore, you cunt you!!" Shouts are echoing off the surrounding houses, neighbours must be watching.
I am laughing, walking to my car and I dont even stop. No time for a freak on meth or better yet, a mental case. Better to get out of there before she jumps me and I will have to seriously injure her.
I figure she was stalking around this place, some issues going on inside her mind about this guy Chris, sees me pull up from nowhere and makes this story in her haid, totally disregarding the issue of a fire happening. It was all about her!
Anyways, I see the firebrigade come around the corner, follow them back to the fire and watch them put it out. Happy to have saved the world once again from evil forces!
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Hiking up Mackenzie River
Some of the best things about summer in Oregon are the amazing hikes we go on! I love the nature here! It is so pure, lush, green and clean...can it get any better? There are more pics from this hike if you click on this pic....
4th of July
So for 5 days I am at my uncles place in Brookings, right.... at the beach, right...and I have packed accordingly - summer, beach, sunshine, right....and the entire time it is gray, overcast and cold! The sunloving beachperson as I am, it is an understatement to say I was disapointed. With a gigantic garagesale to tend to we were busy enough and come 4th of july invited to the best view in town: Brookings old lighthouse, situated right above where the fireworks are set off. Downside....the party consisted of about 50 people with one foot in this world and one in the next world, all above their 80s, halfdeaf and wabbling around....hahahah...hilarious actually as I became everyones target of curiosity, being a foreigner and a young person. Some old geezer was trying to hook me up with his 45 year old son who wasnt even present! Hah!
Monday, June 26, 2006
Meditation
A two day camping/servicing our mine-plot in the Bohemia mines area. An hour or more east of Cottage Grove, way up in the mountains. Check out the rest pf the pics by clicking on this one...
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Blooms
My favourite time of the year...summer!!
There are roses everywhere in the garden, the bees are happy, the air is heavy with the sweet scent and I am picking them and decorating the bathroom, the kitchen, the livingroom and our bedrooms!
There are roses everywhere in the garden, the bees are happy, the air is heavy with the sweet scent and I am picking them and decorating the bathroom, the kitchen, the livingroom and our bedrooms!
Ayla's Birthday
My wonderful sister Ayla turned 16 years old on June 8th!
In celebration I took her to the Pizza Research Institute for the best slice of pizza in the world, then to the movies and finally finnished the evening off with DDR - Ayla's favourite recreation!
She is growing up to be an amazing young woman, artistic, loving, embracing all kinds of people, full of laughs...but best of all - my sister!
I love you Ayla!
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Pilgrimage
9 day pilgrimage.... It was wonderful to be back!
To visit the places which Bahá'is hold dear to their heart, as sacred and holy historical sites. In addition I was blessed to have many friends still serving at the Bahai World Center and it was a joy to see them all again! Another blessing was being in the same group as close family friends since childhood, the Kragh family from Norway and Joakim and his wife Ellie from Norway/Peru.
What can I say but that it was days of spirituality, friends, love, food, laughter, craziness and an intense schedule!
Thank you to all who made it all happen!
To see the album of photos from pilgrimage go to:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25994266@N00/
Monday, May 08, 2006
Moonlight Wisteri
An evening walk in Eugene ended at McMennamins Grill. Moonlight above, as well as strong, fragrant wisteria!
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Breakfast by the River
So in honour of my brother Jason,
my father and I cooked up a storm last sunday!
Fresh yoghurt with even fresher strawberries and walnuts.
Scrambled eggs with basil and garlic!
Bacon and freshly baked bread from old italian stone-oven-bakery,
with pastrami, swiss cheese, olives, pickles!
Hot brewed tea and peach pastry to top it off!
What a morning! Forget breakfast in bed
when you can have breakfast by the river next to your house!
my father and I cooked up a storm last sunday!
Fresh yoghurt with even fresher strawberries and walnuts.
Scrambled eggs with basil and garlic!
Bacon and freshly baked bread from old italian stone-oven-bakery,
with pastrami, swiss cheese, olives, pickles!
Hot brewed tea and peach pastry to top it off!
What a morning! Forget breakfast in bed
when you can have breakfast by the river next to your house!
Friday, April 28, 2006
Brookings Weekend
Had a nice roadtrip last weekend. Drove 4 hours south, small town of Brookings - right on the border of Oregon/California. My uncle Michael lives there and my grandmother was over for the weekend. Needed to spend some time with her, and the weekend was a lovely one filled with sunshine, sandy beach, various workers comming to remodel the house, dogs running around and wireless Internet!
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