I have very dry skin. Because of this I need a lot moisturizing lotion... which I ran out of this week. So I went to the supermarket and got me some Nivea 'Summer Beauty' lotion, guaranteed to gradually give you a 'summer glow'. Since those things hardly seem to work in Guatemala, and because it smelled really nice, I got it.
Three days later: I am very tanned, fake-tan tanned. Not only that but were the elastic of my gloves and socks go there are orange rings! Truth be told, I've never been this tanned... so maybe its not that bad. What really sucks is that it has some sort of sun block included... which I'm allergic to (I am allergic to all sun block). So not only am I orangy-skinned, but filled with little bumps from neck-to-toe.
Nice. I'm on my way to the supermarket now.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Strawberry shortcake
Last time I went to the supermarket, I got strawberries. I usually don't eat too many of them, but they were so big, red, and nice I just had to. I thought I could make a sugar cake and put them on top... and that was my plan for yesterday. Then, I thought it I should try my hand at a strawberry shortcake.
I've actually never tried it before (baking or eating it), so I thought it could be a fun challenge. I also seemed to have all the ingredients except for the whipped cream and fresh milk. I bought the former one at the ICA and the latter I got from my neighbors.
It was surprisingly fun and easy to do, and the result is a gorgeous cake that is not too sweet and that catches everyone's eye... just to prove it, here's my first ever strawberry shortcake in technicolor!
I've actually never tried it before (baking or eating it), so I thought it could be a fun challenge. I also seemed to have all the ingredients except for the whipped cream and fresh milk. I bought the former one at the ICA and the latter I got from my neighbors.
It was surprisingly fun and easy to do, and the result is a gorgeous cake that is not too sweet and that catches everyone's eye... just to prove it, here's my first ever strawberry shortcake in technicolor!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Today is the day
I've always thought I have a natural knack for languages, and I've always tried to feed that ability with classes, practice, and the occasional travel experience. I also promised myself that I would be fluent in five languages by the time I turn 30. Up til now, I have Spanish, English, my rusty -but once rather good- French and my mid-level Italian.
When I got the chance to come to Umea University to start my PhD, I thought that Swedish could be my last frontier. The months I spent here last year only left me with a vague feeling of knowing how the language sounds, some basic vocabulary and no grammar knowledge. This time around I listen to the radio and find myself recognizing words or even understanding simple phrases. That started a couple of days ago when I asked for directions to Alison's house and then again when I went to the supermarket and while I didn't say a word, I understood how much to pay, that the dude asked me for an extra crown so I could get a bill instead of coins and I thanked him.
Today, while having coffee with Isabel, Erika and Swedish PhD students, I recognized words, understood the main meaning of the conversation and felt very satisfied. So I am very far from even having a basic command of the Swedish language, but I'm marking today as when my learning started!
When I got the chance to come to Umea University to start my PhD, I thought that Swedish could be my last frontier. The months I spent here last year only left me with a vague feeling of knowing how the language sounds, some basic vocabulary and no grammar knowledge. This time around I listen to the radio and find myself recognizing words or even understanding simple phrases. That started a couple of days ago when I asked for directions to Alison's house and then again when I went to the supermarket and while I didn't say a word, I understood how much to pay, that the dude asked me for an extra crown so I could get a bill instead of coins and I thanked him.
Today, while having coffee with Isabel, Erika and Swedish PhD students, I recognized words, understood the main meaning of the conversation and felt very satisfied. So I am very far from even having a basic command of the Swedish language, but I'm marking today as when my learning started!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Went to the bank... came back with a coat.
After two weeks in the land of the blond and blue-eyed folk, I finally got my stipend check. That means that I can finally buy yarn for knitting, get flour to bake and indulge myself and get a new pair of sunglasses (my old ones got left behind in NYC).
As expected, the bank visit took really long but I finally activated my bank account and got some cash. I went into a couple of stores but didn't really find a pair that could match the awesomeness of my old glasses. Then, there it was: a spring coat with 50% off. It was a 36 (or a 5 in the US), so I thought it might be too tight... but I tried it on. Not only did it fit perfectly (which means someone else might think its a bit loose on them)but it looks so glamorous that I had to get it.
So the sunglasses are still on the drawing board, but a coat at that wonderful size and price, who could pass on such a deal?
As expected, the bank visit took really long but I finally activated my bank account and got some cash. I went into a couple of stores but didn't really find a pair that could match the awesomeness of my old glasses. Then, there it was: a spring coat with 50% off. It was a 36 (or a 5 in the US), so I thought it might be too tight... but I tried it on. Not only did it fit perfectly (which means someone else might think its a bit loose on them)but it looks so glamorous that I had to get it.
So the sunglasses are still on the drawing board, but a coat at that wonderful size and price, who could pass on such a deal?
Sunday, April 12, 2009
No Spring for the wicked
April in the north of Sweden is fun: you can still play with the snow, get your feet wet and slip on ice as with the earliest months of the year with the important difference that in April you get sunlight!
Apparently, spring had made its early entrance during the last week of March. However, by the time I got here, it was long gone. But don't get me wrong. I like to see the snow. I like the way everything is white in the morning and like walking home when it's snowing. Winter living is a welcomed ritual of putting on clothes, taking them off, and realizing how much life there is underneath the cold ice. Yesterday I saw grass for the first time since I came and it was green and nice... and in the next few weeks it will keep getting greener and nicer, and warmer. Ducks in the pond will be replaced by the summer birds and the lake is going to defrost.
The night is also on its way out. We get about 10-15 more minutes of light every day and soon we will only have sun... with pretty, deep blue skies and I will start to miss the stars and being able to go to bed at 10pm. For now, though, I'm content with the winter and hope we get a few more gray days before the weather changes!
Apparently, spring had made its early entrance during the last week of March. However, by the time I got here, it was long gone. But don't get me wrong. I like to see the snow. I like the way everything is white in the morning and like walking home when it's snowing. Winter living is a welcomed ritual of putting on clothes, taking them off, and realizing how much life there is underneath the cold ice. Yesterday I saw grass for the first time since I came and it was green and nice... and in the next few weeks it will keep getting greener and nicer, and warmer. Ducks in the pond will be replaced by the summer birds and the lake is going to defrost.
The night is also on its way out. We get about 10-15 more minutes of light every day and soon we will only have sun... with pretty, deep blue skies and I will start to miss the stars and being able to go to bed at 10pm. For now, though, I'm content with the winter and hope we get a few more gray days before the weather changes!
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