Post by Carolyn on May 3, 2004 6:34:13 GMT -5
I'm curious how you see your life in Sweden versus your life in the States. Everybody changes daily, in small ways, but moving here is pretty major in the first place. Most of us here have been in Sweden now several years, so looking back, what do you see as the major changes in your life.
For me, a lot of the change goes to my health. I'm 54 years old this July. When I moved here in 2000, I was not only overweight (and still am), but I was also a total sloth. Living in the West, I spent a LOT of years driving everywhere, even down the street. My husband didn't own a car and so I got on a bike for the first time in 30 years and I thought I would DIE the first time. I could barely make it around the block without wheezing, and the first small jaunt we took, which was maybe a couple miles, I damned near crawled up the stairs afterwards.
Now I adore my bike. I either bike or walk everywhere. Summer bike day trips have been up to 40 km so far and I not only survived, but felt pretty good at the end of them too. No more crawling and hobbling. During the nice months and way into the fall, I do most of my grocery and other shopping on my bike, which means hauling up to 2 bags of groceries on each handlebar (Balance! Remember to balance!)
In the States, I worked a LOT in front of my computer. Being self-employed, I didn't spare much time for recreation. I have taken up crochet, cross-stitch and embroidery again, and am going to learn to do bobbin lace. I've become a pelargonium addict and joined a club and made new friends.
We've bought a dog to accompany us on our long walks, and that will keep me walking during the winter as well.
I can speak, read and write a foreign language. Not tourist foreign language ("How much is that?" "Do you have a room with a bath?"), but real stuff like, "I am thinking of taking this medication, does it react badly with this other medication I'm taking?" And I'm not afraid to answer the phone anymore.
Because I'm far away from people I love, I've taken to writing a LOT and I think my writing is getting better. I've started keeping a journal as well.
I don't think either of us watches TV for more than, maximum 14 hours a week, which time includes the national and local news, my gardening and archaeological programs, and an occasional discussion program Anders likes to watch.
For me, a lot of the change goes to my health. I'm 54 years old this July. When I moved here in 2000, I was not only overweight (and still am), but I was also a total sloth. Living in the West, I spent a LOT of years driving everywhere, even down the street. My husband didn't own a car and so I got on a bike for the first time in 30 years and I thought I would DIE the first time. I could barely make it around the block without wheezing, and the first small jaunt we took, which was maybe a couple miles, I damned near crawled up the stairs afterwards.
Now I adore my bike. I either bike or walk everywhere. Summer bike day trips have been up to 40 km so far and I not only survived, but felt pretty good at the end of them too. No more crawling and hobbling. During the nice months and way into the fall, I do most of my grocery and other shopping on my bike, which means hauling up to 2 bags of groceries on each handlebar (Balance! Remember to balance!)
In the States, I worked a LOT in front of my computer. Being self-employed, I didn't spare much time for recreation. I have taken up crochet, cross-stitch and embroidery again, and am going to learn to do bobbin lace. I've become a pelargonium addict and joined a club and made new friends.
We've bought a dog to accompany us on our long walks, and that will keep me walking during the winter as well.
I can speak, read and write a foreign language. Not tourist foreign language ("How much is that?" "Do you have a room with a bath?"), but real stuff like, "I am thinking of taking this medication, does it react badly with this other medication I'm taking?" And I'm not afraid to answer the phone anymore.
Because I'm far away from people I love, I've taken to writing a LOT and I think my writing is getting better. I've started keeping a journal as well.
I don't think either of us watches TV for more than, maximum 14 hours a week, which time includes the national and local news, my gardening and archaeological programs, and an occasional discussion program Anders likes to watch.
I still talk a lot, and tell bad jokes. I am also still the same "list" fanatic that I was before coming here. I write lists for everything, usually for all the things I need or should do. I really believe that if I write it down it will be done. Anders tells me that instead of writing it down just do it, but he doesn't know what he's talking about. he he. I realized I had a "list" problem when one list sat next to my computer and it had some saft stains on it, so I re-wrote the list on fresh paper, but none of the items on the "to do" list had been done. My current to do list is months old, with no end in sight. I'll probably bring that list with me when we move and add some new things to it. A few weeks ago Anders brought me some post it pads. I was so excited, you'd think I just received roses. 
