She was there thrice, ten minutes for each lesson. It was actually a 30-minute lesson, but she got tired easily. Or probably restless and bored?
It was fun to see her though with other little ballerinas. In this video, she was 2,5 years old.
30 Dec 2010
Tuwa's ballet class
For a period, Tuwa liked ballet. So when we were in the Philippines, we tried to find a class for her. We were rather late in the registration, so it was actually difficult to come in. But because my sister and mom insisted and begged the school, we made it!
Nothing to be ashamed of
I am feeling pretty low today. Can it be middle-age crisis? So I am going to remind myself of my little achievements to remind me that I am not doing bad.
1982: Graduated valedictorian in my batch at St Paul School Makati, was president of the student council, got the highest school award, the Paulinian award. I even won a popularity contest in Guadalupe Nuevo parish: Little Miss Guadalupe.
1987: Passed the test and got into one of the best (if not best university in the Philippines) - University of the Philippines.
1992: Out of thousands of applicants, I was chosen one of 40 to represent the Philippines in the 1992 Ship for Southeast youth program, which is sponsored by Japan. I travelled and learned about the difficult cultures in asia, went from land to land through a luxury ship called Nippon Maru.
1993: Won the local youth elections and became chairman of the youth council, Sangguniang Kabataan in Guadalupe Nuevo.Was even elected vice president of the SK Federation in Makati, with Jun-Jun Binay as our president. Jun-Jun Binay is now the mayor of Makati and his dad is the vice president of the Philippines.
The Binays liked me in the beginning. But then I fell from their grace because of my critical attitude.
1995: Had the opportunity to run away from my political frustrations. Ended up in Malaysia.
1998: Got my dreamjob- to be a reporter. At Oman Daily Observer, the then biggest news daily in Oman. I was quite celebrated - being the only foreign girl in the editorial staff.
Got my driver's license - my way to freedom!
2002: Achieved my goal of getting into the hard-to-get and prominent Journalisthögskolan, now called JMK, under Stockholm university. And what makes this achievement fantastic? Because many people didn't believe that a newly-arrived foreigner like me can make it to this school. There were a thousand who applied, 120 who was given the opportunity to take the entrance tst, and only around 30 passed. I was among the lucky ones, and the only one who is a pure foreigner.
2004: Through JMK, I had the chance to reach yet another dreamjob - to work as reporter for the prestigious Radio Stockholm under Sveriges Radio. I worked here for two years. What makes this worth remembering? Because it is damn hard to get a job here, moreso for a foreigner like me. It's a swedish-speaking station!
2005: Bought my very own apartment in Stockholm.
2007: Prayer answered. I had been thirsting for a permanent job and I got it at a less prestigious, but important local newspaper, Sigtunabygden.
2008: Prayer answered. I finally get my own family. A family to come home to in Sweden. And I got my dream man. Together we bought a bigger and modern apartment.
2009: Desire fulfilled. I wanted to be a culture journalist. So I asked for the job and am now culture editor of Sigtunabygden. It was difficult to begin with, but these past few weeks, I'm beginning to get "warmer in my role".
2010: Restlessness silenced. We bought a condo unit in the Philippines to stop my bugging thoughts of moving to another country.
Forgiveness has also helped me move forward and feel...happy!
I do feel rich in terms of the hard work I went through - and how it all paid back well. For after all, I live my dream of traveling and writing - and hopefully for the rest of my life!
1982: Graduated valedictorian in my batch at St Paul School Makati, was president of the student council, got the highest school award, the Paulinian award. I even won a popularity contest in Guadalupe Nuevo parish: Little Miss Guadalupe.
1987: Passed the test and got into one of the best (if not best university in the Philippines) - University of the Philippines.
1992: Out of thousands of applicants, I was chosen one of 40 to represent the Philippines in the 1992 Ship for Southeast youth program, which is sponsored by Japan. I travelled and learned about the difficult cultures in asia, went from land to land through a luxury ship called Nippon Maru.
1993: Won the local youth elections and became chairman of the youth council, Sangguniang Kabataan in Guadalupe Nuevo.Was even elected vice president of the SK Federation in Makati, with Jun-Jun Binay as our president. Jun-Jun Binay is now the mayor of Makati and his dad is the vice president of the Philippines.
The Binays liked me in the beginning. But then I fell from their grace because of my critical attitude.
1995: Had the opportunity to run away from my political frustrations. Ended up in Malaysia.
1998: Got my dreamjob- to be a reporter. At Oman Daily Observer, the then biggest news daily in Oman. I was quite celebrated - being the only foreign girl in the editorial staff.
Got my driver's license - my way to freedom!
2002: Achieved my goal of getting into the hard-to-get and prominent Journalisthögskolan, now called JMK, under Stockholm university. And what makes this achievement fantastic? Because many people didn't believe that a newly-arrived foreigner like me can make it to this school. There were a thousand who applied, 120 who was given the opportunity to take the entrance tst, and only around 30 passed. I was among the lucky ones, and the only one who is a pure foreigner.
2004: Through JMK, I had the chance to reach yet another dreamjob - to work as reporter for the prestigious Radio Stockholm under Sveriges Radio. I worked here for two years. What makes this worth remembering? Because it is damn hard to get a job here, moreso for a foreigner like me. It's a swedish-speaking station!
2005: Bought my very own apartment in Stockholm.
2007: Prayer answered. I had been thirsting for a permanent job and I got it at a less prestigious, but important local newspaper, Sigtunabygden.
2008: Prayer answered. I finally get my own family. A family to come home to in Sweden. And I got my dream man. Together we bought a bigger and modern apartment.
2009: Desire fulfilled. I wanted to be a culture journalist. So I asked for the job and am now culture editor of Sigtunabygden. It was difficult to begin with, but these past few weeks, I'm beginning to get "warmer in my role".
2010: Restlessness silenced. We bought a condo unit in the Philippines to stop my bugging thoughts of moving to another country.
Forgiveness has also helped me move forward and feel...happy!
I do feel rich in terms of the hard work I went through - and how it all paid back well. For after all, I live my dream of traveling and writing - and hopefully for the rest of my life!
Goals 2011
1. To continue writing my Swedish book.
2. To continue my english blog.
3. To write better, do better lay-out, and take better photos! All these through better research and planning.
4. To save money for 3707.
And for the first half of the year, these are my plans:
1. Learn to ski.
2. Try to make candles.
3. Try to cook japanese.
4. Philippine trip + Amsterdam + ?
5. Bring a relative to Sweden for summer!
2. To continue my english blog.
3. To write better, do better lay-out, and take better photos! All these through better research and planning.
4. To save money for 3707.
And for the first half of the year, these are my plans:
1. Learn to ski.
2. Try to make candles.
3. Try to cook japanese.
4. Philippine trip + Amsterdam + ?
5. Bring a relative to Sweden for summer!
Things to remember 2010
1. BURNOUT. Now this isn't very nice to remember, but I should. It will always remind me to take it easy, not go too fast or I can hit the wall. The trip to the Philippines woke me up and Marcus. We want to enjoy life, and not just work to death.
2. PHILIPPINE TRIP. This is a beautiful reconciliation with my family. The past has been taken up, I have cried out my pain, and I am moving on. The ones I love, I keep. That's what matters. I am empowered by the warmth, joy and hospitality of my Filipino family and friends. And i think this is one of the main reasons that I am now energized with positive feelings.
3. TUWA TURNS SUPER NICE. Tuwa had tantrums for some ten minutes every day before we came home to the Philippines. Now she is just super smart and sweet. She's fantastic! Every moment the family spends with each other is bliss nowadays.
4. BOUGHT A CONDO UNIT. I was so restless. I felt like I have been living too long in Sweden and wanted to move to another country. But being this old, it wouls surely be difficult to adjust myself once more. So we bought a condominium in Serendra instead. A modern apartment in a nice area, with pools and other amenities. It will be ready by 2015. I can hardly believe it, we bought a second home.We didn't even plan about it, we just bought it. This condo unit is now my motivation for hard work and focus. I think this is my biggest achievement for the year.
5. PEACE OF MIND. Marcus and I are doing super. We are best of friends. And from this I get security. I have also poured out my feelings and thoughts to people concerned, which freed me from anger. Now I am moving on...
6. RADIO STOCKHOLM. When I was feeling unappreciated this spring, my old employer, Radio Stockholm, made me feel special by hiring me for the summer. You see, a lot of people would like to work here. There were over 200 applicants, and I was one of around ten who was handed the job. That is something to be proud of.
7. NEW KNOWLEDGE. I feel like I am getting better at work. I am beginning to comprehend the new systems - Doris, Eddie, Edge, Fotostation. And I am now in the experimenting stage. It was tough in the beginning, but it worked out all right in the end. Now getting better at work is an ego-booster for me.
8. TATIT CAME. Yup, My aunt came back to Sweden to visit us. And that was really something worth remembering!
9. BOOK AND BLOGG. Better late than...later. I promised in the beginning of the year that I'll be better at remembering happenings by writing them down. Never happened! Not until these past few days. I started blogging my feelings and thoughts out (And God knows if that's bad or good), and I started writing a chapter of my book. Hope I can continue!
2. PHILIPPINE TRIP. This is a beautiful reconciliation with my family. The past has been taken up, I have cried out my pain, and I am moving on. The ones I love, I keep. That's what matters. I am empowered by the warmth, joy and hospitality of my Filipino family and friends. And i think this is one of the main reasons that I am now energized with positive feelings.
3. TUWA TURNS SUPER NICE. Tuwa had tantrums for some ten minutes every day before we came home to the Philippines. Now she is just super smart and sweet. She's fantastic! Every moment the family spends with each other is bliss nowadays.
4. BOUGHT A CONDO UNIT. I was so restless. I felt like I have been living too long in Sweden and wanted to move to another country. But being this old, it wouls surely be difficult to adjust myself once more. So we bought a condominium in Serendra instead. A modern apartment in a nice area, with pools and other amenities. It will be ready by 2015. I can hardly believe it, we bought a second home.We didn't even plan about it, we just bought it. This condo unit is now my motivation for hard work and focus. I think this is my biggest achievement for the year.
5. PEACE OF MIND. Marcus and I are doing super. We are best of friends. And from this I get security. I have also poured out my feelings and thoughts to people concerned, which freed me from anger. Now I am moving on...
6. RADIO STOCKHOLM. When I was feeling unappreciated this spring, my old employer, Radio Stockholm, made me feel special by hiring me for the summer. You see, a lot of people would like to work here. There were over 200 applicants, and I was one of around ten who was handed the job. That is something to be proud of.
7. NEW KNOWLEDGE. I feel like I am getting better at work. I am beginning to comprehend the new systems - Doris, Eddie, Edge, Fotostation. And I am now in the experimenting stage. It was tough in the beginning, but it worked out all right in the end. Now getting better at work is an ego-booster for me.
8. TATIT CAME. Yup, My aunt came back to Sweden to visit us. And that was really something worth remembering!
9. BOOK AND BLOGG. Better late than...later. I promised in the beginning of the year that I'll be better at remembering happenings by writing them down. Never happened! Not until these past few days. I started blogging my feelings and thoughts out (And God knows if that's bad or good), and I started writing a chapter of my book. Hope I can continue!
28 Dec 2010
At Sturehov
Also called Sturehofs slott. The caste was built in 1780. We were here at 2 pm. And it was quite cloudy and dark. But we had fun!
............
We even saw two deer running free!
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............
We even saw two deer running free!
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Tuwa "dances ballet" in Sigtuna
It happened suddenly. Traditional music was played in Sigtuna marknad (summer 2010) and Tuwa just liked the music. She went onstage and danced her own version of ballet. The people near the stage looked at Tuwa.
My aunt even overheard someone say that their own child should soon go to a ballet course.
That's when I felt that perhaps I should let Tuwa go to a ballet course.
She did - in october this year in the Philippines. But being the "rebel" that she is, she only stayed for the first ten minutes of the class. She would come to me and say: - Tuwa tired, mama.
My aunt even overheard someone say that their own child should soon go to a ballet course.
That's when I felt that perhaps I should let Tuwa go to a ballet course.
She did - in october this year in the Philippines. But being the "rebel" that she is, she only stayed for the first ten minutes of the class. She would come to me and say: - Tuwa tired, mama.
27 Dec 2010
About computers and Deng
Damn, I'm really getting better with other computer programs (besides the tools we use for newspaper and radio).
Learning Iphone and useful applications, blogging, Microsoft outlook. I mean I've been using Microsoft outlook since the program started in 1997. But I never really learned its other finesses.
I have to say that I am an "autodidakt" - self-learned - in terms of computer. But once at it, I'm quite gooood!
Anyway, the first time I went to a computer course was way back in high school, on my fourth year at St Paul College of Pasig, 1985-86.
The funny thing was that it was a computer course without computers! The only students who could practise what they had learned where those who had computers at home. I didn't.
So I was one of those who tapped keyboards made of paper that had a drawing of keyboard and its buttons. Then I write in my notebook:
If you push X button, then y will happen.
So you can understand why I didn't learn a thing. I thought that computers were bullshit and useless. It was like learning democracy - without actually seeing what it means.
I got a very high grade for a computer project though. But mostly because I made a fantastically creative poster - with the help of my family. But mind you, we used colored papers and pens. Not the computer!
I bought my first computer in 1993, thanks to my neighbour and friend Deng Babasa, a computer whiz.
Deng studied IT at a time when IT was still a complex branch that hardly anyone was pretty good at. He was ahead of his time in the Philippines, I dare say.
Anyway, he convinced me to buying a computer that cost around 21 000 pesos that time. He helped me choose the computer, helped carry it and install it at home.
This is how I will always remember Deng - my friendly neighbor who revolutionised my way of working. And I also dare say that Deng is among neighbors I have high respect for. He is always decent, careful, good and wise.
Anway, the computer was the second expensive thing I ever bought in my life. The first one was a camera I bought in Japan in 1992.
Other things that revolutionised my life? Cars, laptops and Iphone. I just can't work without these...
Learning Iphone and useful applications, blogging, Microsoft outlook. I mean I've been using Microsoft outlook since the program started in 1997. But I never really learned its other finesses.
I have to say that I am an "autodidakt" - self-learned - in terms of computer. But once at it, I'm quite gooood!
Anyway, the first time I went to a computer course was way back in high school, on my fourth year at St Paul College of Pasig, 1985-86.
The funny thing was that it was a computer course without computers! The only students who could practise what they had learned where those who had computers at home. I didn't.
So I was one of those who tapped keyboards made of paper that had a drawing of keyboard and its buttons. Then I write in my notebook:
If you push X button, then y will happen.
So you can understand why I didn't learn a thing. I thought that computers were bullshit and useless. It was like learning democracy - without actually seeing what it means.
I got a very high grade for a computer project though. But mostly because I made a fantastically creative poster - with the help of my family. But mind you, we used colored papers and pens. Not the computer!
I bought my first computer in 1993, thanks to my neighbour and friend Deng Babasa, a computer whiz.
Deng studied IT at a time when IT was still a complex branch that hardly anyone was pretty good at. He was ahead of his time in the Philippines, I dare say.
Anyway, he convinced me to buying a computer that cost around 21 000 pesos that time. He helped me choose the computer, helped carry it and install it at home.
This is how I will always remember Deng - my friendly neighbor who revolutionised my way of working. And I also dare say that Deng is among neighbors I have high respect for. He is always decent, careful, good and wise.
Anway, the computer was the second expensive thing I ever bought in my life. The first one was a camera I bought in Japan in 1992.
Other things that revolutionised my life? Cars, laptops and Iphone. I just can't work without these...
26 Dec 2010
Stuck in the snow
Our car failed to drive up a snow-covered hill. We got stuck instead. Lars-åke was there to help.
Above you can see that besides the snow, the ground is also covered in ice.
Tuwa Understands now about cars getting stuck in the snow. This is our second time. The first time was a few days ago from our parking space in solna.
Anyway today I realised that one really should not underestimate snow. In february this year we were near a tragic accident when the car glided on snow during a snowstorm in Finland. We were in a hurry then to get to the boat back to Finland. It was 7am so luckliy, there weren't many cars out driving in a snowstorm, because our car swerved sideways left and right. Lucky that there were no cars meeting us on the road, or we could've collided head on.
I really got scared then and shouted oh my god, o my God for as long as our car was out of control...
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Above you can see that besides the snow, the ground is also covered in ice.
Tuwa Understands now about cars getting stuck in the snow. This is our second time. The first time was a few days ago from our parking space in solna.
Anyway today I realised that one really should not underestimate snow. In february this year we were near a tragic accident when the car glided on snow during a snowstorm in Finland. We were in a hurry then to get to the boat back to Finland. It was 7am so luckliy, there weren't many cars out driving in a snowstorm, because our car swerved sideways left and right. Lucky that there were no cars meeting us on the road, or we could've collided head on.
I really got scared then and shouted oh my god, o my God for as long as our car was out of control...
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Tuwa versus snow
Tuwa helped mama brush away the snow today. Mama used the blue brush/scraper while tuwa used the pink one.
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Annandags jul
Marcus is taking photos for istock. So am i, but for my blog.
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Christmas day
Just taking it easy on christmas day. It's very cold in Grängesberg. Here is Harriet's house in the background. We are staying until annandags jul, 26 december
And below are pictures of the winter garden.
Then marcus, tuwa and i took a short trip to sunnasjö.
Later that day, i tried to skype with wawi but failwd. Something wrong with skype connection. Pity because tuwa dressed up - as ginger bread girl - for the skype date.
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And below are pictures of the winter garden.
Then marcus, tuwa and i took a short trip to sunnasjö.
Later that day, i tried to skype with wawi but failwd. Something wrong with skype connection. Pity because tuwa dressed up - as ginger bread girl - for the skype date.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
24 Dec 2010
More Christmas pictures
The man in the foreground (below) is Claes, Marcus' brother. He's playing in a hard rock band called Icon.
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Waiting for santa
Donald duck lasts only one hour. Swedes call it donald duck - but it's actually different 5-minute
clips from walt disney like cinderella, snow white etc. The mainshow though is donald duck.
Now we're taking it easy as we wait for santa claus to come.
Cozy by the fireplace.
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clips from walt disney like cinderella, snow white etc. The mainshow though is donald duck.
Now we're taking it easy as we wait for santa claus to come.
Cozy by the fireplace.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Dalarna
Donald duck 50 years
3 pm time for swedish christmas tradition - donald duck! Marcus and basti have for instance watched this every year since they were kids.
The tradition is 50 years old this year. It starts the christmas celebration in every family in sweden.
- Posted using
BlogPress from my iPhone
The tradition is 50 years old this year. It starts the christmas celebration in every family in sweden.
- Posted using
BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Dalarna
23 Dec 2010
Tuwa missed Pinas
The first night after we received the packages from the Philippines, Tuwa woke up at around 4 am screaming "Want money, want money". She wanted to go to "the Mamu's house". She wants to see the whole family.
I comforted her saying that's why we all have to work hard. And that she has to work hard in dagis and study. So we can always have enough money to go to the Philippines.
I am so glad that she likes Pinas. I have heard from many Filipinas that their children do not like the Philippines at all. So sad.
Tuwa in a newspaper ad
We were in Amsterdam when this Ericsson ad was published in the newspaper Metro, page 18, November 4. We were lucky that good old friend Noc saw Tuwa's picture. She happened to keep a copy and gave this to us.
It was Marcus who took the picture.
It was Marcus who took the picture.
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