Another rainy day

So far, my vacation has been wet. It's raining all the time! On Monday, Lena came over and we had a good time. We went grocery shopping and made some good food - we always make good food when she's here! Since we ate too much all day, we just vegged on the couch and talked.

Yesterday, I went over to Thomas and Claudia's new home and helped paint. They are renovating their newly bought house and are planning on moving in at the end of July.

Claudia is taking a break while the boys keep working!

Thomas and Claudia's dog - Samson!

The boys are hard at work.

I don't really have any plans today - get some things done here at home and just relax. Anders is in Odense playing golf and he'll be picking me up afterwards so we can eat dinner together... maybe watch a movie or something since it's crappy weather outside!

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Happy Birthday Jonna!

July 6, 2007

Yesterday, Jonna turned 25. I wasn't able to post a birthday greeting to her yesterday because I wasn't near a computer at all so here I am, a day late - but better than never. We actually surprised her yesterday and drove out to her home to meet up with her family and then went and knocked on her door - SURPRISE. I think there was around 15 people at her door step with gifts and flowers (and cinnamon - it's a Danish tradition here. When you turn 25 and you are not married, you get cinnamon thrown at you. When you turn 30 and is not married, you get pepper thrown at you.... it's a fun yet very messy tradition) Anyways, Jonna knew that Brian was planning something but I think she was still surprised to see how many people were also involved. And yes, she got cinnamon.... I wish I had taken a picture because she got a lot and I hardly think she can even save the clothes she was wearing.

Jonna is a great friend and I don't know what I'd do without her love and support - we always have fun when we're together and we both know that we can count on each other when we need it. I met Jonna several years ago - actually before Anders and Brian came into the picture - and we quickly became good friends. She was the BIGGEST "POP-TOESE" (I'm not sure how to explain pop-toese in English) back then. She would wear the most ugliest bright pink high heel boots and she was probably the only one I knew who could actually pull it off. Her hair and makeup was always perfect and she only wore the "cool" clothes... And she danced her ass off whenever we went out to the bars.... Yups, that girl could definitely dance!

BUT, Jonna is just as "cool" today as she was back then because one thing makes her truely special - she's her own person and she believes in herself and does whatever she feels right. Now she's a mom with 2 beautiful daughters and is enjoying her life - without those amazingly ugly pink boots! (I so need a scanner because I want to show the world how damn ugly those boots were!) She's one of my greatest friends and I love her dearly. Tillykke med dagen, lille pige. Du har fandme gjort det godt med dit liv - kig paa dine piger, paa Brian, paa jeres hjem og bare smil til verden. Du har hele livet foran dig og med din positiv indstilling, kan du godt naa alt. Jeg haaber du havde en god aften i gaar og at du hyggede dig med familien (og os!). Jeg glaeder til at se dig igen i naeste uge! Jeg elsker dig, min lille pige. Du er en fantastisk ven!

Life is good here. I'm on vacation and I haven't really done much worth writing about. Anders and I went to the movies Wednesday and saw "Transformers" - it was pretty good. Before we went to Jonna and Brian's place last night, we were at Thomas and Claudia's new home. They bought a house a little while ago and are still fixing it up. Now, we're not exactly the right people to help with the renovations but we are willing to learn and give it a try and that's what we did. Anders was put to work and I did whatever I could to help - that was mainly just staying out of their way! I took pictures so I'll post them once I get them on my computer. Other than that, nothing is going on here. Anders is out playing golf now and he'll be coming here for lunch afterwards - what the plan is after that, I don't know.

I'm running again since I don't really have much else to write about. The last few posts have been really long and if you guys have read through them all, I'm impressed!

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July 3rd...

July 3rd is my parent's wedding anniversary - happy 31 years!

My parents are pretty cool. They do their own thing in Sooke and have a good time doing it! The first picture was from Glenda and Nathan's wedding in Aug. 2006 - of course they were invited since they have known both of them for many years now and plus they pretty much adopted Glenda. The second picture is from my trip home back in 2003 and we were walking around Cowichan Bay - now they have their boat up there!

July 3rd is also the day I left Canada 10 years ago. The one year trip of "discovering my roots" turned into a more permanent stay of 10 years. I remember the day I left as though it was yesterday and I wish I had the pictures on my computer so I could share it with all of you. I moved to a country where I didn't know the language, didn't know anyone other than meeting my family members a couple of times and it's funny to think it was 10 years ago - I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I'd fall in love with this little country and end up staying. I was 17 years old, fresh out of high school and not really sure of what I wanted to do with my life. Now I'm 27, living on my own, working and living life as a Dane. Now I have two homes and it's hard sometimes but right now, I belong in Denmark. I miss my family and friends in Canada like crazy but luckily we have the internet and I'm able to come home for visits so I talk and "see" them quite often.

Lots of things have happened in the 10 years here in DK - I have a better understanding of my parent's and grandparents' background. I've met my family members who live in DK - All of a sudden, our small family in Canada/USA turned into a HUGE international family. I have so many freaking aunts, uncles and cousins that I still get mixed up! I learned the language (ok, ok, I still make some big mistakes now and then - YES, I know I still sound funny sometimes!) I have gone to school here and worked several different jobs (some sucked more than others) and now I know what I want to do with my life. I have made some wonderful friends and met a man I love - they are always there for me and we have had some good times. Lots of laughs and lots of support. Having some really good people in my life has certainly made the transition easier and also the fact that my family and friends back in Canada have supported me 100% in my decision to stay. Yes, I do think about moving back to Canada - quite often actually - but I know in my heart that my life is here. I would miss DK terribly and my future is here.

10 aar siden. Utrolig at taenke paa, synes jeg. Nu sidder jeg her, kigger rundt i mit hjem og kan slet ikke forstille hvordan mit liv skulle ellers vaere. Jeg har det godt her, har moedt nogle fantastiske mennesker og synes selv jeg udviklede mig meget i de sidste 10 aar. Ikke kun fordi jeg er 10 aar aeldre men fordi jeg fandt ud af hvem JEG er og hvor JEG kommer fra. Ja, jeg taenker tilbage til Canada men jeg taenker fremad i Denmark... does that make any sense?

Ok, enough of that. I have to put some laundry over and get my shit together here today. It's my first real day of vacation and I have loads of things to do today. I hope everyone is having a great day, the sun is shining here and I can see blue sky!

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A long, but HAPPY post...

This is probably going to end up being a long post with LOTS of pictures - consider yourself warned!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEIDI! Today is Heidi's Birthday and I hope she had a really good day! I have known Heidi for pretty much 10 years - she's probably my oldest friend here in Denmark and I met her through my old roommate when I was an exchange student at the business school. Heidi has moved away from Vejle and we don't get to hang out as much as I'd like but we always have fun when we do - for example, Conrad lunches, cute DSB guys, concerts in Copenhagen and just walking arm in arm while shopping for jeans and shoes. Soon we'll be able to add a Metallica concert to the list! TILLYKKE MED DAGEN!

November 2006

New Years Eve 2006

An oldie - New Years Eve 2005 - don't ask about the hats!

Here's another happy note - Christa is now officially done with her educaton as a shipping agent and starts her "real" job tomorrow. We were at her place Friday night for a celebration party with lots of beer and good company. Congrats Christa and good luck with the new job! We still have plans to meet up at the gym this week, right?

October 2006 - yes we're drunk and we're having fun!

As I mentioned in the previous post, things have been CRAZY hectic here this past week. Friday, I went to work early to get some things done and we had to get ready for our summer vacation - cleaning and putting things away while still having time for the few kids that were there. After work Friday, I met up with Lise so we could get some shopping done and just hang out before we went to Christa's party later that night. The party was fun but knowing that I was having a party myself Saturday, I decided to go home early and was in bed at 2am. I was able to drag my ass out of bed at a decent hour so I could get things ready - Luckily Lena was able to come to Vejle early and both her and Tine helped me out - A LOT! I am so grateful for those two and really do appreciate all the help - and the great company! THANK YOU! We were able to get everything ready before people started to come and everything went very smoothly. Unfortunately, there were a few who, last minute, couldn't come but those who did were in good moods and I think I can say that the party was a success. Way too much food so no one went hungry and people were able to just sit back and relax. My work was the perfect place for a party. The Singstar Playstation game was a huge success - holy shit, we didn't sound too good but it was seriously funny!

I hope you all had a good time and thank you for the great company and the gifts!

I couldn't have done it without the help of Lena and Tine!

I met Didde back in the days of cleaning the hospital (lots of fun memories!) and she took the night off from being a mom to celebrate my 10yrs with me.

Gitte was also a member of the hospital cleaning crew back then and we've stayed friends ever since. Remind me to tell you the story of when Gitte started working at the hospital and how a certain, very hungover person (the only time I went to work with a hangover!) had to show her the ropes. Definitely a story we'll never forget!

Even though Karin and Ernst had big plans during the day, they were still able to join our "small" gathering.

Ernst was actually really tired but I hope he still had a good time. One of the main reasons for having the party there was so that Jonna and Brian could take their kids with them and here's Jonna with Mathilde. I'm just so glad that they could all come!

Mathilde got a little sleepy!

Jonna and Brian's first daughter, Caroline. It was getting late and I think she was getting tired.

Caroline just doing her own thing!

Gitte learned how to play pool!

Karin, Vibeke and Anders all singing their hearts out!

They all look very amused while the others are singing. Jonna, Didde, Morten (Gitte's husband) and Gitte.

Claudia was definitely the star of singstar and kicked everyone's ass!

It was a group effort! Vibeke, Anders, Gitte, Brian and Jesper.

Yups, I sing like crap but I don't care, we were having so much fun!

Lena and I got our asses kicked in table soccor when we played against Anders and Ernst. (I don't remember what it's called in English and "table soccor" sounds wrong!)

I am now ending this extremely long post. It's now time for me to throw myself on the couch and enjoy the rest of my Sunday evening with Anders. But one last thing:

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!

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just a little stressed....

Things have been super busy here the past few days. We're getting ready for summer vacation at work so even if no kids are there, we have lots to do. I'm going to work 2 hours early today just to get some stuff done (and to get a decent breakfast!). When I'm not working, I've been busy with everything else. Getting my apartment to look at least half decent for when Lena comes over Saturday and getting ready for the party too. At least the party isn't being held at my place but still, lots of preparations to be done. Shopping, planning, cleaning etc. If the weather is nice - at least better than what we've been having lately, then everything should go.

Here are my plans for the party: Lena and hopefully also Tine are helping me with preparations. With them there, they can help me relax and we'll be able to have some fun - drink some wine while chopping up veggies. People are arriving at 530pm and they have been told to bring their own meat while I am providing everything else. My work was nice enough to let me party there so we have a huge kitchen (with an industry size dishwasher!), an area with tables and chairs, a slurpie machine, music possibilities, a pool table, BBQ, grass area for kiddies to play and everything else that is needed while hosting a BBQ. Family and friends have been invited - 21 adults are coming and some kids too. The menu is meat (whatever they bring), pasta salat with the works, tuna mousse, bread, potato salat and ice cream with fruit. I still need to do the last minute shopping and then I'm pretty much ready. I bought vodka for one side of the slurpie machine and whiskey for Irish coffee and I have beer, wine, pop and koolaid (for the kiddies!).... I think I have everything....

Ok, that ended up being a long babble session.... Sorry, I'm just nervous, I have a feeling that I forgot something and also I get nervous when I'm having parties. All the "what if's" are going through my head - what if they don't have fun, or the food isn't good, or if people don't come. What if it rains or if I forgot something.....

Argh, the stress! But I'm sure I remembered everything and I'm sure it'll be fun. I'm glad Lena and Tine are willing to help me out and at least just keep me from going crazy tomorrow before the other guests arrive!

I'll post pictures on Sunday (if I'm not hungover!!!) HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND and to those in Canada - HAPPY CANADA DAY!!

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belated birthday wishes, Germany and glasses....

Ok, here is a "real" post - not just some words of boredom while I'm at work. I'm at home, the music is playing, I have my coffee, the windows are open and here I am!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTINE! I know it was on Friday but I still wanted to wish you a very happy birthday. I hope you had a great weekend and enjoyed your special day. I met Christine quite a few years ago and we were able to hang out last summer when I was home for Glenda's wedding. Christine is super cool and I'm so glad I can call her my friend! These pictures are from last summer - July/August 2006.

Glenda, Christine and Leah - Glenda's bridal shower.

Leah and Christine - they planned Glenda's bachelorette party and we all had so much fun!

Christine and her husband Joel - one of the cutest couples I know!

Things here are pretty good. I've been busy with work but I only have one week left and then it's summer vacation! Yay, me! I actually have quite a long vacation this year - we're closed all of July and I go back to work for 2 weeks, then I'm off for 3 weeks to Canada. I guess I can't complain! Other than work, I've been just doing my own thing. Gitte visited me Thursday morning before work with her daughter, Sofie and we just talked, catching up on each other's lives. Lena picked me up from work Friday and we hung out at my place. Made a really yummy (and super healthy!) dinner, drank wine and had a good, quiet night. Lena is really crafty and made me a cool leather small bag and helped me sew a funky pillow case - I'll get some pictures next time. She has so many great ideas!

I haven't really done much this weekend. Took some extra hours at work Saturday and then hung out with Anders the rest of the weekend. I started a new book - Fast Food Nation - and I'm told that after I read this book, I will NOT want to eat fast food ever again! Anders and I drove to Germany today to pick up beer, pop, wine and some goodies for my family in Canada. When we buy in large amounts, it's cheaper to take the drive down to the border and shop. I'm throwing a party on Saturday for family and friends to celebrate my 10yrs in DK and I needed all sorts of liquids.

I got my eyes checked a little while ago and the verdict was that I needed glasses. Here I am, with my new glasses.... yes, they still need to be adjusted better to fit my crooked head but I'm wearing them and trying to get used to the feeling of having them on. What do you guys think?

That's all I have from here. I hope everyone is doing good and enjoying their weekend!!

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quiet evening

I'm at work and it's pretty much dead here. It's definitely easy to tell that it's summer now because all the kids and teenagers have other things to do - the youth club is open for teenagers and the three kids that were here are now gone. My two co-workers are sitting outside just talking and I'm kinda just wandering back and forth. It's going to be a long night if nobody shows up.

Nothing new to report here. I was at work Friday, all day and all night. I took a 22 hour shift and gained some extra hours for my trip to Canada. I didn't really do much else this weekend. Went to the movies and saw Pirates of the Caribbean 3. Johnny Depp is hot.

Ohhh, three girls just showed up. I haven't seen them before... They'll probably take off again when they see that no one else is here... But I should log off and look like I'm alive just in case.

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another day

I'm at work again... and again there isn't much to do right now, at least not until the kids get here.

This will be a short post because I don't have much to write about, at least nothing all that interesting. Anders is still in KBH and won't be coming back to Vejle until tomorrow evening. I thought I had to work tonight but it turns out that I don't so I'm looking forward to a quiet night at home. Maybe listen to some music while painting - it's been a while since I last painted...

We're having a flea-market/open house here at work Friday afternoon at 4pm. Everyone is welcomed so we are kinda nervous about how many actually come. Hopefully it'll be busy. I'll be staying here overnight with some kids and I'm not sure exactly what the plan is. I guess it depends on who and how many...

Ok, I'm running again. The others are starting to show up....

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just a little update...

It's hot outside! Yups, summer is here, at least it is this weekend. It's been between 25-30 degrees for the last couple of days and yesterday was almost unbearable - I had to go inside away from the sun after a couple of hours because I'm not always best friends with the sun. I don't tan - I burn. I'm still suffering from last weekend - Christa, Lise, Anders and I went to the beach and after 2 hours in the sun, I had my first sunburn this year. I'm not in pain anymore but I'm still suffering because it is so ITCHY!

I've been pretty busy this week. Extra work on Tuesday instead of enjoying my stat-holiday like everyone else but it was either then or on the weekend. We all decided Tuesday was good and even though it was hard work, we were able to have some fun while moving hundreds of boxes from a container to different rooms in our building. I was the only female there, definitely the smallest and not the strongest and I was the one moving boxes. The boys had a laugh over that! But I survived and decided to drop my hour at the gym that day because I had already gotten plenty of exercise!

Wednesday was fun. We had a HUGE water fight at work. Me, one of my co-workers and a bunch of kids went crazy and ended up being soaked. Seriously, it wasn't just with some wimpy plastic water guns - we used balloons, buckets, hoses and whatever we could use to throw water at each other. Anyone who knows me, knows that I do not shy away from this type of "childish behaviour" and since everyone decided to gang up on me, I was just drenched when Lena came and picked me up. Oh well, it's only water! Lena and I had a really nice evening - we did some shopping (after I put on some dry clothes!), made dinner together and just hung out at my place. She stayed the night and drove home after breakfast - it was a really nice, quiet night and I hope we can do that again soon.

When Lena drove home Thursday morning, I went to get my eyes checked. I've been noticing a problem with my vision for a long time but I've been stalling, afraid of what I already knew.... yups, I'm near-sighted with an astigmatism in my left eye.... (ok, I just looked that up in the dictionary because I didn't know what the english word is for "bygningsfejl") Apparently my left eye is shaped like a football intead of a soccor ball which is, along with being nearsighted, causing problems with my vision. Yups, I need glasses. But, I can't afford glasses just yet so I'll have to survive without for a while longer. Oh well, I don't drive so I'm not a danger to society without glasses.

I spent the evening with Anders Friday - he's again in Copenhagen for work stuff lately and came home for the weekend. We just hung out, watched movies, ate icecream and basically had a quiet night. Tine and AK came over Saturday evening - we ordered takeout, had some drinks and just talked. We had originally planned to go to the bars but we ended up being too tired to do much of anything. Tired, not drunk - we didn't drink that much at all. So when they left, I went to bed and slept like a baby!

It's now Sunday and here I am. Anders and I plan on driving to the west coast today and spending some time together before he takes off to Copenhagen again early tomorrow morning. I better remember my sunscreen this time!

Lena and Rie

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at work....

Right now I'm at work and honestly, I have absolutely nothing to do. It's summer weather and we have a holiday tomorrow so all of our kids are out drinking and partying. So here I am, writing a short post and killing time.

The weekend went by way too quickly. I had a party here at work - a BBQ with all my co-workers and that was fun. It was nice getting to know them in a more casual way, without the usual kids running around. Saturday morning, Didde picked me up and we went on a flea market mission, drove around to different markets and second-hand stores.... didn't really find anything interesting but we had fun. Also went out for lunch and walked around Vejle. Saturday evening, Anders and I went over to his parent's place for dinner and saw the soccor game on TV (DK vs. Sweden) - I don't usually care much for soccor but wow, I'm glad I saw this game! With one minute to go, tied 3-3, DK just received a red card - some drunken soccor fan decides to tackle the referee. Seriously! He tried to bodycheck him. Anyways, the ref got pissed off and decided to stop the game, take away the goals from DK and now the Danish soccor league most likely won't qualify for the European Championships.... not because I'm a soccor freak but this incident has definitely made soccor a little more interesting!

I have a nasty sunburn.... we went to the beach yesterday and now I'm burnt. Not fun.

I'm babbling right now but seriously, I have nothing to do. I have around 2 hours left on my shift and I've already done all the dishes, cleaned up around the computers, made dinner and done everything I can do before we close.

July 3rd is my 10 year anniversary. I moved to DK July 3 1997 and I decided that it's a damn good excuse to hold a kick-ass party. And that I will be doing June 30, most likely as a open BBQ for my friends and family. I haven't worked out all the details yet but there is definitely planned a party that night. 10 years in DK - time sure flies by. I remember leaving Canada as though it was yesterday and never imagined myself staying here for more than a year. Here I am, 10 years later, living like any other Dane in DK....

On that note, I'm ending this very odd post. Yes, I'm bored. When I'm bored, I ramble and babble. That's what I do.

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