"Perhaps if we never veered off course, we wouldn't fall in love, or have babies, or be who we are. After all, seasons change. So do cities. People come into your life and people go. But it's comforting to know the ones you love are always in your heart. And if you're very lucky, a plane ride away." -Sex an the City

the "bye shannon" sign the girls made, that hung in Camillas apartment when I walked in! My sweet girls.

Hi Dearest Readers! First of course I have to say thank you for reading my blog these four months I have been in Sweden. I know that sometimes I ramble, sometimes I say things of little value, and rarely do I use correct English. That being said, I hope that maybe you enjoyed it. If you enjoyed just one of the blogs that I wrote then I feel like I accomplished something. I haven’t ever taken a writing class or anything so don’t judge me too hard. Anyways…



The going away bash last night was great. The girls did a great job planning it and I had such a great time. I am really going to miss them. They have made this trip so much more fun and I am so blessed to have them. I am so excited for them to come to America and visit.


I think I am feeling a little shocked that four months passed, and that tomorrow I will be on plane back to the home land. I am so blessed to have this opportunity. The good part about all of this is that its hard to leave, and the reason I say that is good is because I am so fortunate to leave such amazing people behind, but I am just as fortunate to know that I am going home to great people as well.


I think my trip here I have learned more than I ever have in my life. I learned more patience, I learned how to be more understanding, how to adapt, how to “deal with it”, how to meet people. The biggest thing I think that I leave Sweden knowing that I can be alone, and I can accomplish so much by myself. I spent a lot of time alone here, and I really enjoyed myself. Not to toot my own horn. I learned things about myself good and bad that cant be taught, and sometimes if you never branch out you may not ever realize. I know im stubborn, I know im hardheaded, selfish at times, and difficult to please. These are all things I knew about myself, but when I was alone here I didn’t just act this towards other people, I realized that I witnessed it firsthand. It annoyed me when I was stubborn because I would have to deal with my own stubbornness…does that make sense? I know it sounds weird, but I think that I grew a lot here, and that’s what traveling is all about. Experiences.


The family and friends I leave behind here will be a part of my life forever, and when I said my goodbyes to all the girls I acted like I was going to see them tomorrow. Truth is, I won’t. But it feels good to know that I could call (more like email) on any of my Swedish friends any time and from across the world they would do anything for me and vice versa. That is kind of neat.


I don’t know where my next adventure will be, I am crossing my fingers for something in NYC. I have seen the city, I have been there, but I can’t stop thinking about the first time I went there, and said I wanted to work there one day. I want to follow through. I wont be blogging any more, so im sorry that I wont be boring you with my “daily lessons” or things I figure out about life and decide to embellish through my blog. HA. But I can promise you that when I begin my next adventure I will be back!


I hope that all of you readers have enjoyed this, and I also hope you know that you have inspired me to think a little deeper, experience a little harder, and enjoy the ride with more risk! These are three things I really tried to do while I was here because I had nothing to lose. I enjoyed coming back to this lap top and letting yall know how good I am at rollerblading, how great I think saving money via lack of air conditioning is, and of course I loved sharing how much I love America’s school system. Ha, no but really…sitting down and writing really makes you appreciate family, culture, home, traveling, and everything. It put life in a different perspective for me. So try it! I started writing a book in college…and I threw it away a few weeks ago, because I went back and read through it, and it was just like every other book. I want mine to be different. I have some new idea’s, and maybe one day I will come through with something. I promise I will pay someone to check my spelling and grammar. I will be back to blogging when I figure out where I can adventure to next, I don’t think I am ready to give up my nomadic life style, but for now I am really excited to sit in my Dad’s recliner, complain about my dog barking, text on my American phone, and get haircuts with my mom!


I leave the greatest family in Sweden, and come home to the greatest family in America. Pretty sweet I’d say. I have started every blog with a quote, and I think I will leave this blog with a few lessons from me. Maybe not quotes but short things I like to keep in mind in order to keep myself in line. Ha


Remember that risks are not always about reward, but sometimes about the ride. You take a risk, and maybe you wont see some huge reward, but you experience something unimaginable. Also remember that you can’t smile and laugh enough, it is the one thing in life that is universal. No matter where you go in the world a smile means the same thing. Remember to keep an open mind, because differences between people, things, and places are what make it all great. Don’t forget to laugh too hard, wear high heels on a bike ride, read a book in a different language because you can make up your own story, buy a hot dog in any city you travel to because every place has its own idea of the “right dog”, meet people you don’t know, don’t be scared to eat unwashed berries from the forest, and lastly; make plenty of places feel like “home” but remember where you came from, and never forget to call “home base” at the end of the day.


The world is beautiful because you’re in it, so allow yourself to let people know that! I have enjoyed writing and I am so glad you were here for some of my 4 month Swedish bike ride! I have put all kinds of things in my basket, some that I will take home with me and some that I have to leave here, but nothing that I will forget or don’t appreciate. I love you guys!


Xoxo,
Puss och Kram
“work hard, play harder”
Signing off now,

Shannon the Cannon
#1 on the field, #1 in your heart

"Later that day I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous.”-Sex and the City

I realized after I wrote this blog that it has no real topic, so I just picked this quote because I think it is good. I also found this video I made for my parents my sophmore year in college in my very own stuido (bedroom) in maryland. :)

Top of the morning! Ha. My dad always says that. When we were younger and Taylor and I played Summer ball (my fondest memory/past time to date) we would play in these tournaments. College look, round robins, you name it we played in it. And let’s say, for example; we played 5 games on Saturday (sometimes more), then we would go home, mom washed the uniforms, Taylor and I pass out. Wake up at 5 AM because we had the 8 o’clock game on Sunday. Meaning we get there at 6:30 before the gates to the field are open (I guess we thought the first team waiting outside the gates was getting ahead?-not sure on that theory), so we left the house at 5:30 to arrive there at 6:15 because God knows if coach Brian told us “girls, be here at 6:30”, Dad heard “Girls be here at 6:30, except Shannon and Taylor you girls please be here at 6:15 with your cleats on.” Ha-ok back to my story: So inevitably I always had to pitch the 8 o’clock game, after waiting fifteen pointless minutes, the rest of our team would arrive…Dad always had his coffee, one cup from the house (freshly brewed) and one cup from Starbucks because we always stopped on the way. Why he had two cups and mixed them…no clue, none the less, everyone else was still in “sleep mode,” and Dad was always ready to go in his Rapid Fire hat, matching outfit, always looked put together...and said “Top of the morning” to everyone as he walked by. He was the only one awake enough to go check the bracket, tell our coach who we were playing and of course he had scouted them the previous day. After his rounds of “top of the morning” to everyone, he would come to me, and tell me all about the team I was playing. “Throw high and inside, when you get ahead mix it up, no walks-they always kill you, cover as much ground around the mound as you can they are going to bunt, and read the defense when you are hitting.” Haha…so now that I have written half a page- you know why I said “Top of the morning.” After a few of my teammates and I noticed his routine EVERY weekend, we started to hate when he didn’t come until game time. Sometimes he would sleep in when we got older and we would drive ourselves to the game (still arriving 15 minutes early out of habit) he would sleep in a bit and then come at 8 for the game. We missed our “TOTM” greeting (I got sick of typing the whole thing-lazy) as well as we missed knowing about the pitcher we were facing and all other opponent team stats.



OK-anyways…yesterday was kind of boring, but not too shabby either. I woke up, went for my run and work out, came home showered, cleaned the kitchen, and coached the small girls at 5, and the older girls at 6. It was my last practice with the older girls, so I gave them a little speech at the end, and went on my way. I think the biggest problem softball has in Sweden is commitment. The girls aren’t committed, so I challenged them to show up to every practice from the day I leave until they are done playing. I told them that it wasn’t impossible but it is hard. We will see. I told them if they don’t feel like going to practice, email me, and I will give them some words of wisdom. So I gave my hugs and went on my way!
 Then we had homemade pizza for dinner. It was good, and Mom made my favorite Swedish blueberry pie. Made with fresh blueberries! When we ate the pie the family gave me a necklace…It was so sweet. They got me a necklace of a four leaf clover for good luck! So nice of them, and unnecessary, so I am so thankful. I am wearing it right now.


I went for my run this morning and made it around with my IPod. First time in my life. I am not sure if I like the IPod while I run or not, but it didn’t bother me much. I need to get an arm band, because carrying it my hand is annoying.


Well this is my last weekend here. Last night we had to clear out the kitchen because we are getting new ceilings in the entire upstairs. The original ceiling is no good Micke says. It is not strong enough or something and eventually will fail. So this morning at 7 AM came the workers to rip it down. When I got back from running the electricians came, and much to my surprise one of them was my good friend Camilla’s boyfriend. I have come very close to Camilla and him as well. They have an apartment down town. So he and his boss will be installing the new lighting.


Today when My gets off work she wants to go get some hair color because before I leave she wants to die her hair again. Mom is home sick today, she has a sore throat. So we just had a banana and tea together. We were texting each other from our rooms when we were still lying in bed. Ha-


Well I think that is it for me. What has everyone else been doing? I am going to make a grocery list for my Mom, I can’t wait. My teeth are killing me from whitening them. When I use the whitening the way I am supposed to it causes no problems, but sometimes I put the whitening on and start doing something… an hour later I remember, and then…my teeth are ringing...OUCHHH!!


Alright I will talk to y’all soon. Sending all my love and hope y’all have big white smiles on your face because it is almost the weekend….NO WORK! Ha….


Xoxo
Puss och Kram
“work hard, play harder”
Shann
#1 on the field, #1 in your heart

“A mother is a person who see's there are only four pieces of pie & five people, then she promptly announces she never did care for pie.”-Tenneva Jordan

FIRST AND FORE MOST: Happy Birthday to the greatest woman that walks the Milky Way! MY Mom. The great part about being a kid/some ones daughter is that they gave you the best gift you can ever receive….LIFE ITSELF! And yes, I am 22, and 100% of me still considers myself a kid. I am their kid. I am the youngest, I am the one that worries about everything, I am the one that freaks out when my mom didn’t put my hair in a PERFECT pony tail when I was 8, the one that gets anxiety when we went through the car was when I was little (and on a bigger note: anxiety when I am the passenger in the car driving through a thunderstorm still to this day). So on that note… I am a kid still. Birthdays when you are older may not be that exciting. When you are young you celebrate yourself. Do you realize that? You don’t really celebrate your day of birth, you just celebrate the fact that all eyes are on you when you blow out the candles and open up gifts that your parents tell you before the party “no matter what you open up, you have to say thank you and act surprised.” When you are older though, you celebrate life! And I think that my mom has so much to celebrate today…she raised 2 kids and a husband. Which, I have to admit; all three of us are a full time job. I always needed something, it became 2nd nature for my sister to roll her eyes, and my dad likes fresh ground coffee in the mornings and enjoys salmon, caviar, and crackers for snacks on Saturdays. I mean we weren’t easy to please. Mom’s are the middle man, they take the blame, they tell Dad to “take it easy, she’s only ten” after softball games. They are team moms, they are room moms in elementary school, and they convince Dad that we “need” the suburban with a TV screen, Nintendo, and recliner chairs. They take you out to eat when Dad’s out of town, they let put ice cream in your cereal for breakfast, when your dad kicks you out of practice they come pick you up, they paint your toes, they rub your back, and they let you call them Mom! So…here’s to my Mom! Happy birthday Woman! You’re the best!



Nothing really has been going on. I get this anxiety sort of feeling when I leave anywhere. You could ask anyone. When I leave home to go back to college, I always get a stomach ache the night before, I get slight depression, and I have constant sweaty palms.


Today my sister My told me, “mom hasn’t been herself in so long, until you came. She is always happy now, and we are so worried to see you go.” And it made me feel so good. I don’t know what I am going to do without this family. My Lindervall/Tornblom last name will stick with me forever. I say that I am “Shannon Linderblom” when I am here. Half of Micke’s name, half Karin’s name. Mom told My that she was going to put my name on the list for the English college in Vesturas. (the college town next to Enkoping) She told My she was going to do it without telling me. She is just so sweet/good to me.


I talked to my Dad today. This is so Randy/Shannon humor you are about to hear about. So he calls me on Skype right…and I am like “hey dad”, but of course something isn’t working with skype, so he writes on white printer paper with a sharpie: “HOLD ON WHILE I TRY AND FIX THE #$%^&*@ SOUND” Ha! I was dying. Then he turns the paper over, and writes: “CAN YOU HEAR ME.” Ha. It was hilarious. I mean, between the two of us there is over 1 thousand dollars in technology, and we can’t get some simple sound? Complete conspiracy, but gave me some good entertainment. The lesson he taught me today was “An internship isn’t just going to walk in front of you or show up in your inbox (well not one that is worth anything)” his exact words. So I guess I can stop wasting my energy looking for walking internships with value when I am out running, or shopping and things. Good to know I can focus on other things while I am out in town.


Tomorrow I am going to bike into town after my run and just relax. Thursday I might go back to school with Karin because it’s something to do and she really enjoys it. Friday I told Pontus I would take him to get candy before he went to his Dad’s house because that is kind of our thing. I always sneak him candy.


Saturday the girls are throwing a going away party for me, Sunday I will spend my day freaking out/shoving clothes in bags with sweaty palms…and Monday I will BE IN AMERICA! I can’t wait to see all of you! Just a few more blogs and you will not have to read any more of my nonsense. Ha, but don’t say I didn’t warn you the first post I wrote!


Ok I love you guys, and I will write again soon. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM.


Xoxo
Puss och kram
“work hard, play harder”
Shann
#1 on the field, #1 in your heart

"Too many people spend money they haven't earned, to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like." - Will Smith

Wilma and I

Hello guys and dolls! I hope y’all are excited for this week. I know Monday’s are kind of a drag, but today is the one week mark before I head back to America. I am excited, happy, nervous, sad, scared…every emotion = what I am. I am so sad my adventure is almost over. I think in my life I thought I had accomplished some pretty cool things, and not to take away from ANY of the things I have done…traveling and living abroad tops everything. Between scholarships, degree’s, college parties, awards, living across the country, and traveling with my family…the only thing I can say that very few American’s get to say is that I lived abroad. I did it! There is billionaires, famous people, owners of companies, big time college athletes that do a lot, and travel abroad, but few American’s live abroad. And I am so blessed that my family supported me while I was here and I am blessed that I was allowed an opportunity to come. So leaving is really just a shock to me, because I feel like it was all a dream or something.



Anyways, this weekend was nice! Friday I just hung out, Saturday My and I went to Stockholm. We walked around and shopped all day. We had rings made that say sisters engraved on them. Have I told you about these in a previous blog? Well they say sisters on the outside and good game on the inside. My’s says all of this in English, and mine says it in Swedish. “Good game” is kind of our thing, so that’s kind of hard to explain. None the less, the rings look great, and it’s something that can last us both a life time.


Then when I came home we had fondue for dinner. It was great! I was so full though, and afterwards I just hung out. I got to sleep early because I am almost positive that My and I walked about 8 miles through Stockholm. To be honest I was kind of tired. Plus…if you guys know me, I get so stressed out when I spend money. I could buy something for one dollar, and in my head I always think about opportunity cost. Like; is there something more I could get for this dollar. Here I say, “Is there something more I could get for these 10 crowns.” It’s crazy. I remember when I went to New York with my family, and we go into Tiffany & Company…I mean this was like a girls dream! So my birthday was approaching, so my dad says, “Shann, you love jewelry, why don’t you pick something out for your birthday.” I was like pinching myself I was so excited. So of course I could only find 397 pieces I liked. I finally got it down to about 3, and then THE ONE. And my dad is about to pay, and I’m getting sweaty palms, I mean basically having an aneurism over this. And my dad is like, “relax it’s not even your money.” Touché Dad. I always get nervous when the discussion of money comes up, or buying something, or just value and worth of things. It is weird. Anyways….so the point: I slept good after shopping all day.


Sunday we played a game of brend ball at the softball field, it is very Swedish. I won’t explain it is kind of…confusing I guess you could say. Then we had ficka, then came home and I hung out all day. I took a nap, and just relaxed. Last night we watched Mama Mia. Such a cute movie.


I just got back from a 5 mile run, and it was so easy today. I am going to yoga tonight with Matilda! Dad signed me up for LA fitness and I am so excited. I have never been a part of a big gym before. Isn’t that hard to believe? All these years of being an athlete, and never paid for a gym membership. But I am excited to get my (LA) fitness on! Tomorrow I am going to the school to help Karin again in her class. That should be fun and something to do.


I am making a grocery list of things I like to eat at the house upon my mom’s request. I can’t wait to get home, and blast my IPod on my Apple speakers. Have y’all ever seen the clear speakers from the Apple store? They might be old news, but I think they are the greatest things ever. I think they look cool, I think they sound great, and they make me feel like a kid again. I don’t really know why. My dad bought them for me and my Grandpa and Dad set them up for me. At first my Grandpa and Dad spent about an hour in my room playing their music and messing around with them. I think they thought they were more hip than I did, but then I REALLY grew into them, and now…I like them. So Apple: you now owe me some money for advertising your speakers online. I will accept checks to my parents address. It is in your data base under Randy Johnston due to the amount your IPods that break, we then replace, and have to buy accessories for. (It’s a conspiracy) None the less…look R.Johnston up, you will find my address.


Ok so that is all for me now, I miss y’all and I will see y’all soon. If anyone can get a hold of an Enkoping sweatshirt my dad wants one…size extra large. No one in Sweden seems to be helping me. Oh another thing, I got my mom and dad the coolest gift, but as I was frantically searching all of Stockholm and Sweden for a Bridget kind of gift (you know… not a magnet, or t-shirt) I was thinking, “Oh I’ll get her something for the kitchen.” Come to find out, my mom owns EVERY utensil, pot, pan, knife, kitchen gadget possible. Ha, but I found the GREATEST thing, and I can’t wait to give it. I am so excited to hand my small gifts out. (Notice I said small, but I thought very hard about all of them-LOL)


Ok talk to y’all soon.


Loves to everyone,
Puss och Kram
xoxo,


Shann
#1 on the field, #1 in your heart

"I swing big, with everything I've got. I hit big or I miss big. I like to live as big as I can.” -Babe Ruth

This is me teaching the girls how to pitch. Hysterical to watch them.

Hi my loves! How is everyone this Friday? Excited for the weekend? I am, finally no work! Ha…totally kidding. I like to embrace the fact that I am still young, and though stressing about an internship, this life I live in Europe is so beautiful. Not to rub it in y’alls faces or anything, but damn I’m lucky!



Ok anyways, I spent all day yesterday at the school. I spoke in front of My’s class, and Fanny’s class. Karin is Fanny’s English teacher, so it was her class as well. Everything went very well. Karin had her students write up questions to ask me when I was done presenting, and she said that all their questions I covered during my presentation, so that is good! My’s class had questions as well. Some of them were really funny. Like: Is all food fried in America? Are French Fries a vegetable? Is everyone a Christian in Texas? What is “Track and field”? My favorite one: Do you like milk? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA- I was kind of thrown off. Did I walk in the room and give off this “I hate milk look”. After speaking about the US school system for an hour, the kid was wandering if I liked milk…maybe I didn’t do as hot as I thought. Haha. But Karin’s class asked me to come back on Tuesday to help them because they are all assigned a state in the US, and they are making brochures. So I will help them look up information, and talk with them about researching. I don’t know how much they want my help with the project, but they are fascinated to hear an American speak American English, because it is more common to hear British English here.


Today I am taking Pontus shopping. He wants some new jeans and a couple of shirts. He asked me to take him because he hates everything Mom picks out. When we went to Stockholm Karin got him a shirt, and she told me to give it to him and tell him I picked it out. She said if he knows she bought it, he will say he hates it. Kids are funny. So I am taking him today to Vesturas. Mom left the car. She came in my room last night and also told me that Pontus asked her to ask me if we can go to the music store so he can get a guitar pick. So cute! I just love that kid. I am so glad I have a brother now. Around the house he is so shy to speak English. I think it is because he is intimidated because My and Karin and Micke speak fluently, but when it is just me and him, he will try and get the words out, and I can understand him. So that is kind of cool too. Knowing me I will probably buy him candy and a cool hat or something as well.


Tomorrow I am going to Stockholm with My. I am taking the train there, but I meet me in Bolsta because that’s where her dad lives. She will hop on the train in Bolsta and we will ride the rest o the way together. I am sad because it might be my last train ride, and last trip to Stockholm. I love the train.


The other day the little girls had softball. Louisa told me (in Swedish-like I can understand her) “Do you know why I am so good at this?” (My translates) I ask why, and she responds with “Because I love softball, that’s why you guys think I am the best.” Haha. She is so funny. On the way home she stuck her head out of the window and sang…the entire way home. It was really funny because of course when kids sing it’s kind of amusing, but she wasn’t singing a song, she was singing a commercial off the radio. She was so into it, like she was Beyonce or something, but IT WAS A COMMERCIAL. Haha. I have it on video.

 
This is Louisa hittin a "home run". She is such a stud!
I think that is all I have for now.  I will see y'all in a couple of days.
Sending all my love!
xoxo
puss och kram
 
Shann
#1 on the field, #1 in your heart

“We choose to go...not because [it is] easy, but because [it is] hard, because that goal will serve to measure and organize the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win.”-John Fitzgerald

Well, well, well…it’s me again! Yesterday and today I have spent my time giving presentations and talking to kids in school about the American school system. It has been going well. I was very nervous, but as soon as I get in front of the kids I just talk! I don’t think I say funny things, but they laugh a lot, so maybe that is good as well. It is like pitching to me. I like to be in front of people speaking on things that I know about. I like feeling educated. When they hear me talk they look at me like I am foreign, and that is kind of cool as well. So that has been going good. My presentations have been about an hour long. Longest speaking solo deal I have ever done. So this is a cool experience for me, and is helping me with my speaking skills. Hopefully this will contribute to me racking in the big bucks one day, and I will buy us all my favorite Cold Stone ice cream. (You can have as many toppings as you like)



Anyways, it’s been pretty quiet around here lately. The kids are in school, no softball, mom and dad work. I have been staying busy with getting these presentations ready, and actually being at the school to give them. I hope y’all had a great Labor Day. Man, I sure did. I was off work and everything. Ha!


My eye infection is getting better day by day. Just making sure y’all weren’t at home feeling sorry for me or anything. I know my Dad is probably worried sick. TOTALLY JOKING!


I caught up with my Aunt Bernadette the other day, which was so great. We always talk so much, and it’s so refreshing. I also got to catch up with my cousin Amy, emailed with Aunt Lee, emailed with dad, emailed with my sister, Kristin (basically my other sister), my very dear friend Andy and I Skype chat a lot which is so good for me, saw Stephy via Skype, and today I caught up with my mom and even Mrs. Nix! Mrs. Nix used to be at Hebron on Wednesday’s, so when I talked to my mom on Wednesdays, I always got to chat with Mrs. Nix, but since she has not been there in a while, I have missed her. But I got to see her bright shiny self today! It is so great to talk to all of y’all. Oh, my friend Joey has also been keeping me sane. I have trouble sleeping these days, and because of the time change he is still awake when I lay in bed tossing and turning. So he keeps me company on his new I phone 4. (jealous) Anyways, he does a good job at making me feel better on shitty days I have, and we get to talk a lot which makes my days go by faster.


So, I have 13 days left here. Not that I’m counting, I just want to make sure y’all are prepared. Ha. Of course I am so pumped to get back and see my family, but a lot of me is sad as well because my journey is over. I love spontaneity, adventure, adrenaline, risks, and most of all change. My biggest down fall is that when I get bored, I become very uninterested. (Hint as to why I never thought school was that much of a thrill) I think I am scared because I don’t know when/where my next attempt will be. Since I was 18 every year I have experienced something so completely different from the year before. When I was 18 I moved to Maryland and lived in a dorm, then I moved to an apartment (uh oh big girl), then I got a new apartment and chose a major, then Sr. year I actually got a little bit bored, but I was still doing the college thing, after that I moved to Sweden. What now? I’m scared. I need a new change. I think that my way of challenging myself and testing myself has been moving and living this nomadic life style. I love home, and I can’t wait to get back, but I can’t wait to move again as well.


Taking these opportunities has made me grow in a way that I never thought I could. I never thought I would grow out of being a brat. Ha, for a second you guys thought I was going to say I am totally over being a brat didn’t you? WRONG. I’m the baby of the family what do you expect? Of course I am still a brat, but it’s a different brat now. I can’t explain it. It’s so great.


My Mom’s birthday is coming up on the 14th people, make sure to give her a birthday hug; she is celebrating her 9th anniversary of her 21st birthday! (So she is the BIG 30) Ha Ha. ;)


Well I think that is all for tonight, I will go toss and turn and try and try and fall asleep!


Love you all to the stars and back
xoxo
puss och kram
"work hard, play harder"

Shann
#1 on the field, #1 in your heart

"The delicate and intricate pattern of competition and cooperation in the economic behavior of the hundreds of thousands of citizens of Stockholm offers a challenge to the economist that is perhaps as complex as the challenges of the physicist and the chemist."-George Stigler

I still pinch myself when I say "This is where I live", But seriously...this is where I live.

Good Morning! Wake up---You people have a Blog to read! Ha. How is everyone? I am not so hot. I have a terrible eye infection, my muscles are aching, I think I have a fever, and my nails are too long. I have to say that waking up Sunday feels so weird this Sunday. I have no wins/losses on the weekend to think about, and I didn’t wake up with anxiety about which ribbon to wear. Crazy!



My Mom told me last night to put an ice pack on my eye. Since there is an absence of ice in Europe, I had to settle for a cold rag. I actually didn’t do anything at first, until I woke up in the middle of the night, and couldn’t bear my eye ball anymore, so I stumbled to the bath room and gave in to the “mom remedy.” Slapped a cold rag on my face and slept for a couple of hours I think. I woke up and my eye was feeling 50% better. Moms know everything. I have not seen a doctor in 5 years due to health. I have been for MRI’s and things like that, but not for health. When I got sick in college, I went for a run. I just despise going to the doctor. One time I was talking to my Grandpa on the phone (probably a Sunday, we always planned via daily emails to catch up by telephone on Sunday’s) and I sounded sick, so he told me to take a hot, hot shower, put some warm socks on, and drink some juice. He said that the Doctor thing is “a conspiracy”; haven’t been to the doctor since. Needless to say, last night I took a hot shower, followed by a cup of appelsin (orange in Swedish) juice, got my socks on, and hopped in bed! I thought about my favorite guy…What a good Doctor!


Well Friday night we had a team party to say good bye to Kristen and I. It was really for Kristen though because she is leaving tomorrow. It was so nice for everyone to show up. We had ficka, and enjoyed each other’s company. The team gave me a stone that says “puss & kram” and also a candle holder made by a famous Swedish glass company. I will show and tell when I am home.


Saturday Mom, Dad, and My took me to Old Town Stockholm. It was gorgeous. I have a lot of pictures, so I will show them as well. They are on My’s camera though because mine died. I don’t have them uploaded on to my computer yet. We saw the changing of the guards outside the King and Queens castle, and everything else there is to see there. It was so fun. I love Stockholm; it’s so busy and much different than normal Swedish life. People are actually on the move, and have urgency, they get things done. Then I came home and relaxed in the dark because my eye was bothering me, My, Amanda and I watched Devil Wears Prada. I have to stop watching that movie. I want to be in New York so bad. I love that place. It’s so “Shannon”, its so chick! Gosh, I want to be there, I can’t say that enough. I would sell some of my jewelry to be able to start a life there. (That’s saying a lot for me) Then once I had made it, I would fly my family there, take them to a Broadway Show, (God knows I owe my dad tickets) and eat at Carnegie Deli off of 7th and 55th Street. (My Dads favorite sandwiches) Isn’t it crazy the tiny things you remember, yet I can’t make enough note cards to remember the definition of some intense vocabulary word for business marketing. Well anyways, enough about New York.


Today, Maria and Camilla asked me to join them for lunch but because of my eye, I think I am going to skip out. As much as I would love to see them, I don’t want to irritate my eye any more. So hot showers and socks is on my agenda today! Ha.


I think that is all I have today. Maybe if I am bored I will come back tonight!

Love y'all
"work hard, play harder"
xoxo
Puss och Kram,
 
Shann
#1 on the field, #1 in your heart

"Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first." -Ernestine Ulmer

Hello lovelies! How is everyone today? I am doing well. I just applied for a couple of internships, nothing too huge. I definitely wouldn’t count on me purchasing the families Christmas nutcracker or anything this year yet, but Rome wasn’t built in a day. Ha. Anyways, I don’t have much to write about, but I can’t sleep, so what better thing to do then write?



Since the last time I blogged, I haven’t really done anything that special. I helped Maria pick out her wall colors and such for her new apartment that she just recently signed papers for. I also got to see the apartment, which by the way, is so fabulous. It is going to be so cozy for her. How exciting!


Yesterday I went to the school and helped Karin’s English class. It was pretty cool to see how their school system and class works. Strange to sit in a class with 15 year olds, and think; was I that immature? I’m sure the answer was yes, but I know when I was 15 I was still rocking bad ass jewelry (Which is clearly what matters. Ha-I’m ridiculous) Anyways, after helping at the school, I helped My, Wilma, and Fanny with some softball skills. We worked on footwork (what I think is most important) and staying low when working in the infield. After that, I took Wilma to horse riding lessons. My and Louisa rode with me. I am so curious to how all of that works so I went in with her, saw the horse she took care of for two weeks this summer, as well as the horse she was going to ride and work with that day. Then My, Louisa and I went to the store. I bought My a new makeup compact. As we were passing the “godis” isle (godis=candy in Swedish) of course Louisa was begging for some and I was trying so hard not to give in, but then…out of the corner of my eye I saw this Buzz Light year PEZ candy holder. Do y’all remember PEZ? My dad used to always buy Taylor and I those when we were small. In fact, I get one every year for Valentine’s Day from him still and I am 22. So of course I got it for Louisa. She loved it though, and I felt kind of cool buying it for her because it reminded me of my Dad. We went to pick Wilma up and watched her ride a bit, then made it home!


Today, I had the car, so Kristin and I went to Vesturas. It is a town not far from Enkoping. We really just walked around. I didn’t buy anything, but it was nice to get out. We helped the small girls practice today. There were only three people, but they love to practice. Louisa told her mom that she couldn’t go to school today because she had softball practice tonight, and she didn’t want to risk missing it. When I picked Louisa up from school today she was so surprised that I was not Karin. She ran up and jumped in to my arms. So cute!


When I was reading articles and jumping around on the internet, I was reading about jobs and such and rich people in the world. (I don’t know why I read about that stuff, I could do it all day, but you couldn’t pay me to read a college book) None the less, I remembered what my dad told me years ago, “Shann, you need to find a job where you get paid if you show up or not.” So, because I had some extra time, I went to Google and typed in; “in need of a job where I get paid if I show up or not.” Nothing came up. Oh well! No loss there, I figure it’s just not listed because few people get it. It will take more work, but if I ever get that job, I will write a book about it, and then when people Google search it, something will pop up; my book! Ha.


Maybe I want to get my real estate license, but then what would I wear on the sign in home owner’s front yards? You know that big sign with the picture of the agent on it? Definitely something to consider. (Both the license and the outfit)


Well anyways, I think that is all I have for tonight. I love y’all.


Puss och Kram
"work hard, play harder"
xoxo,
 
Shann
#1 on the field, #1 in your heart