*ahem*

[Vember]

Well it's about time I've spoken up here.

I'm a nomadic American, currently in Colorado Springs to do some "cold weather training" (previously from Georgia and Texas, don't get much snow there!)

I met my Swede Fredrik online in 1998, and we've been fast friends ever since. March of 2002 we realized we were both ready to try something more, and in August of 2002 I was in Sweden ... both to meet him in person for the first time and to see how well I took to Sweden...

the phrase "duck to water" comes to mind Sweden was wonderful for me in all aspects, the best of course being my happiness brought about by our relationship.

I applied for Swedish residency in February of this year and just this month got my permit. I owe a great deal of confidence in this move to this web site, so here I am to say hello and thank you!

Your forums and pages (especially the immigration page, what a comfort that has been!) are all fantastic. Now I'd like to get to know you ladies (and men?) on a more personal level. I'll be in Sweden come January, and I know I'll need some extra support! I've already got questions, curiosities, and am just plain baffled when certain culture clashes arise (not that there's many, thank goodness.)

So... hello! Or, oh my, I should get in the habit now, I suppose: Hej!

[Carolyn]

Welcome to the site and where will you be moving in Sweden? We're pretty much strewn across the countryside, but the majority of us, I think, are in the southern third.

I used to live in the mountains above Durango, Colorado and my husband has agreed if we ever (slim chance to none) moved to the States, it would be to Durango.

I too took to this country, but there will still be days when you wonder "what in the heck am I doing here?", so this is definitely a site to be, since we've all gone through it in some degree.

Feel free to jump in with questions whenever (and run, don't walk to REI and get yourself a set of silk thermal underwear.) So far all the signs are that we're going to have a pretty cold winter this year, as we did last winter.

[Beverly]

Hi and welcome!

I've been in Sweden for almost three years (I also made the move here in the month of January--talk about trial by fire {or "ice," as the case may be}), and I'm one of the few here who lives in the northern third of the country! ;D

I look forward to getting to know you!

[Vember]

Oh right, forgot to say where in Sweden!

Well I'll definately be in the northern 1/3... my beau makes his home in Skellefteå.<br>
Last year the temperature on the date I moved was -30 C heeh... oi! This for a born-and-raised Texan. But yeah, trial by ice is right... good thing I still have a child-like fascination with snow and ice. And good thing I'll have a cozy warm home and pair of arms to welcome me

[Carolyn]

Not only that, but at least 2 members of this board live in your area!

[Beverly]

Wow! How cool! I'm in Skellefteå! ;D ;D ;D

[Vember]

Hey neat!

We're living in Moröhöjden (well, he is, I will be) and I'll be helping his mother in Moröbäcke almost daily, not to mention meeting Fredrik in the torget for lunch daily (assuming SFI allows for that sort of time).

Would be wonderful to meet with you ladies some time, if you're up for it!

edit: I suppose I'll have to get there, first. I'm getting a wee bit excited as it's less than 3 months away

[Beverly]

I'm definitely up for getting together once you get settled in! ;D

Oh yeah, I actually live in Bureå, a little town about fifteen minutes away from Skellefteå, but we're in town pretty often!

[Maja]

Hey, I'm from Skellefteå, and my swede's name is Fredrik too! woo hoo! That's awesome! It would be great to meet sometime!

[Vember]

Small world indeed

This is rather encouraging! Thanks all for the welcomes. I'll keep checking up and be sure to let you know when I get there.