Sweden Update

The past few days have been packed full of so much fun and catching up that I have neglected to remember to post anything! Saturday started with flying from Stockholm down south to Malmo to visit three more of my au pairs; Sarah, Anna, and Emma, plus their wonderful families! After arriving on Saturday we drove to Helsingborg to walk around and see the views. After lunch at a meze restaurant we went down to the beach, though cold it was still beautiful and you could see Denmark!

The beautiful Saint Maria Church

Tower that belonged to the Medieval fort

City Hall

We then drove to Emma's house to drop off my stuff before walking over to Sarah's for dinner to meet all their families. It is crazy to see how big they are!! 

Hide-and-go seek time!

Chocolate fondue

(Leon, Tyra, Andreas, Mio, Tea, Anna)

Emma and her son Mio

On Sunday we headed out to Kullaberg, it is so far west that my phone thought that we were in Denmark!! It was so beautiful, we started out at the coast before driving up and seeing the cliffs. At the top there was a lighthouse and little discovery center where you could touch aquarium animals. We then went off to Vala, one of Sweden's largest malls for lunch and shopping. This is actually the same mall that I went to the last time I was in Sweden in 2002. The mall has changed a bit but the "old part" of the mall still looks just as I remember it!! After shopping, it was off to Anna's for dinner and dessert.

 Old part of the mall

 Teaching me Swedish

They still have the quilts my grandma made for them on their beds!!

On Monday, I got to go to school with Sarah!! It was so much fun being a part of her English class and getting to see what a Swedish school looks like! (More information on this in tomorrows post ;) )
It was hard to say good bye to everyone, but I am so happy that I got to go visit, even if it was for just a short while! I hope to go back soon, maybe with other members of the Owen family!!

Mamma Mia Here I Go Again

Stockholm!!

During my visit to Stockholm today we visited the ABBA museum! It was awesome! Although I was not alive when ABBA started, it was still cool to learn about them since Mamma Mia is one of my favorite musicals. I didn't even feel too out of place sine I knew all the songs, though I would bet that I was probably the youngest one there!

We also found a Dalecarlian horse! Look how much ice grown! Not to mention I have learned to smile a little better! 

Trying more Swedish foods too, this is a coke like drink that is only sold for Christmas and Easter.

Day 1 of Sweden

(The first time I visited Sweden)

Today I was greater by two of my past Au Pairs, Malin and Jessica, as I arrived in Sweden. Arriving in Stockholm was amazing, the airport is beautiful and extremely well laid out. Not to mention it was snowing and boy do I like snow!! We started out the day by doing the touristy things, aka going to ikea. Trust me ikea is much better in Sweden. It was so great to walk around and catch up since it had been so long since I have seen them! We then headed to Uppsala where Malin lives and visited the largest church in the Nordic region. It was next up to the castle to see the bell that is rung for graduations before heading to do a bit of shopping. We then headed to Malin'd to cook/eat an amazing dinner and reminisce on old times, aka when I was a little baby/crazy toddler... We are off to Stockholm tomorrow so after eating way to much Swedish candy, it is off to bed!! Unfortunately not too many pictures to share today but I will be sure to post more once I get back to oxford!!

Remember, Remember the 5th of November

 The Fifth of November

    Remember, remember! 

    The fifth of November, 

    The Gunpowder treason and plot; 

    I know of no reason 

    Why the Gunpowder treason 

    Should ever be forgot! 

    Guy Fawkes and his companions 

    Did the scheme contrive, 

    To blow the King and Parliament 

    All up alive. 

    Threescore barrels, laid below, 

    To prove old England's overthrow. 

    But, by God's providence, him they catch, 

    With a dark lantern, lighting a match! 

    A stick and a stake 

    For King James's sake! 

    If you won't give me one, 

    I'll take two, 

    The better for me, 

    And the worse for you. 

    A rope, a rope, to hang the Pope, 

    A penn'orth of cheese to choke him, 

    A pint of beer to wash it down, 

    And a jolly good fire to burn him. 

    Holloa, boys! holloa, boys! make the bells ring! 

    Holloa, boys! holloa boys! God save the King! 

    Hip, hip, hooor-r-r-ray!

Today, the 5th of November, Guy Fawkes Night is the day to celebrate King James I surviving the attempt of Guy Fawkes and his companions trying to blow him and Parliament up. It is celebrated with fireworks (which have been continuously going off since sunset) and bonfires. It was originally the annual day of thanksgiving for the failure of the plot, and an anti-catholic sentiment. Today Guy Fawkes Day is celebrated much like the 4th of July, with large festivals, fireworks, and bonfires to celebrate the country.