pictures of my first week!

This is a serious picture post. (They're all on facebook) But my grandparents in Ontario don't have a facebook profile so I will post them here too. They are kind of in random order but with Alli, mom and dad distracting me (good distractions!), I have decided that it is more important that I post them will short explanations instead of waiting for a better time.

Talking a walk with mom into town. A guy was practicing bagpipes and wanted to enjoy the sunshine too. That's the water taxi and downtown Victoria.

Water taxi. $9 from downtown Victoria to Hidden Harbour... we walked.

Johnson Street Bridge.

Charlie!

Charlie on the boat!

Mom, dad and computers!

Alex on the table, while we want to eat dinner.

Goofy picture, downtown Victoria through the branches.

The path mom and dad walk every day with the dogs.

Dad is watering the plants in the "backyard".

Hidden Harbour

Hidden Harbour

Dad, flower, wine and the computer.

Mom is on the phone with Biksen.

Me just having some fun.

Mom is relaxing in the sunshine.

Thanksgiving dinner!

Girls' night out! Leah, Glenda and Christine.

Glenda and Christine

Walking into town.

Lance and his new house.

Me and Spencer!

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Canada 2009 - the first few days.

It's been a long time since I last updated my blog so here I am. Sitting at my parent's table, enjoying my vacation on the island - feels good! It's Thursday today and I've been here in Canada since Saturday evening and have enjoyed every minute of it. Well, the journey over here really knocked me out for a couple of days but now I'm over the jet-lag and am feeling very relaxed.

The trip itself was long and pretty much uneventful. Dorte drove me to the airport in Billund and after a early morning coffee, I got stuck in security and was almost late for my flight. Holy heart attack - I thought for a couple of minutes that I was in serious trouble! But I made it and was able to calm my nerves down on the flight down to Frankfurt. Huge airport but I was lucky - the transfer was easy and I just had to walk a million miles from one end of the terminal to the other end. I flew from Frankfurt to Toronto and almost again screwed myself over. When I checked in my baggage in Billund, the guy said that I didn't have to think about it again until Victoria.... so that means I went through customs without even thinking about picking up my stuff. Not until a nice lady at the connecting flight gate area said that nope, all baggage coming from an international flight but connecting to a domestic flight had to be claimed.... which meant that I had to find a nice man who would backtrack with me through customs and find my suitcase. But that also meant that I had to automatically get checked at customs and the guy had to check EVERYTHING in my suitcase...

Anyways, after that little experience, I hung around in the tax-free area for a couple of hours and then hopped on a plane for the last leg of my journey. The last couple of hours were long and I was starting to get misreable. My back hurt, I wanted to see my parents, I was hungry, I wanted to smoke and I wanted to sleep. The last hour just couldn't go fast enough! I booted ass through Victoria airport/customs and walked into the arrival area with a happy stupid grin on my face, excited to give mom and dad a huge hug.... they weren't there. I was 40 mins early. Hmrf. Luckily I know the airport and it's not all that big so when they did come, I was ready to go home (my home here on the island.)

We quickly got something to eat - I was hungry for real food - and then I could finally just plop down on their couch and relax.... 3 minutes later, I fell asleep. I totally conked out. I think I probably snored. So, the trip was long but the end result was wonderful. I could finally give my parents a real hug, cuddle with the puppies and just relax.

Sunday was a quiet day. A morning walk with mom and the puppies down to dad's boat. The weather has been amazing since I landed and I couldn't have asked for more sunshine! We all went for a bike ride into town and did some grocery shopping. Basically a nice, quiet - "hygge" day with my parents. A great dinner and then again, I conked out on the couch in the evening. Woke up to a Glenda phonecall and then things were normal - me on the phone for hours, sitting outside with a coffee and smokes. Some things never change!

Dad and I spent the day together on Monday - running errands and drove out to Sooke to check out our old house. It looks the same. Lunch in Sooke and then more errands before coming back home to take the dogs for a walk. Again - massive amounts of sunshine! I spent the day on Tuesday with mom and we walked downtown and did a bit of fun shopping. Poked around Chinatown and that area, checking out goofy stores and having a good time. Lunch at the Noodle box - amazing yummy food! I ate way too much. Will probably need to go on a diet when I get back to DK but right now, I don't want to think about it. I'm on vacation and really just want to eat everything while I have the chance!

Yesterday (Wednesday), I finally got to see Glenda, Nathan, Aidan and Lance. WOOT WOOT! Glenda picked me up and we went back to her place. Aidan is freaking ADORABLE! I don't really feel comfortable around small kids but he is just too damn cute. How can one not love him!? Glenda's mom watched Aidan so we could have some time alone and just catch up on each other's lives.... Lunch at Romeo's - ended up speaking Danish because the waitress was from CPH... it's a small world. We did some shopping and then went back to her place to wait for Lance and Nathan. Dinner plans changed and we all ended up eating dinner there, and just hung out. Talked, talked and talked some more. It was so nice seeing them again and in some ways, it feels like I've never left. I couldn't ask for better, more loyal friends than them. Makes me all teary thinking about leaving them again.

Today will be a quiet day. Rachel is coming by for a late lunch/early dinner and I can't wait to see her again. Maybe Glenda will be dropping by with Aidan to play at the nearby playground. Again - beautiful weather! Tomorrow, the plan is to meet up with "the gang" at a pub/restaurant and just hang out over dinner and drinks. I only have 3 weeks and I want to enjoy every minute of it.

I feel as though I'm home.

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Summer 2009

Hey guys! Coffee, music, smokes and a computer - that's my Sunday. The last day before I start work again and my plans are very simple. Relax, putter around here at home and just be alone.

Just so you guys are warned, I might end up babbling in this post - I'm in that kind of mood. My brain is mushy after the last few days but I wanted to write a summer vacation post before I hit reality tomorrow. Not that reality sucks - I'm actually glad that I'm starting work again. Four weeks is a long time so I'm ready after my long vacation.

This summer has been different than past summers... Last year, after Bulgaria, I had to deal with a break-up and moving. This time, I got to relax and fully enjoy a summer here in Denmark. No real travelling - hoping that will come at a later date this year - no moving, no breakups, no major issues that causes pain and sadness.... Just a "normal" summer vacation in sunny DK. Well, that part sucked. The weather hasn't been all summer-like at all. Poo on that. Anyways, what I'm trying to say is that I finally had a "stress-free" summer where I could relax, do my own thing and enjoy my time off work. And it was fun.

I visited some old friends who don't live in Vejle - Heidi in Horsens and Arma in Kolding. Shopping, talking, eating, coffee and lots of laughs. Since my work hours are quite different than "normal", I don't get to see some of my friends as often as I would like so it was great being able to catch up with them again.

Rie and Heidi - shopping trip in Århus.

Heidi - summer 2009 in Århus

Rie - summer 2009 in Århus

Another MC trip with my co-worker last week where we went to Juelsminde and ate pizza and drank coffee. And yes, I still LOVE being on a motorbike and seriously would love to get one - In the future as it's not possible just yet. The weather was great and we were able to sit outside all evening, enjoying the view and just having a good time.

Motorbikes - Juelsminde Harbour

Pizza!

We had a good time just hanging out.

Love that view!

A boat named after my mom!

Coffee and smokes in Juelsminde - summer 2009

The last few days of my vacation was spent working at Langelands festival and that was so much fun! Do you guys remember that I used to work at a nightclub/bar here in Vejle a few years ago? Well, my old boss contacted me via facebook a couple of months ago and asked if I would work with him again, this time at a festival on Langeland. Langeland is a tiny island (a bridge goes from Fyn to Langeland) south of Fyn and since I didn't have any plans and I was still on vacation, I said sure. Why not?

So my friend Rasmus and I packed up a tent, sleeping bags and drove down to Langeland Wednesday morning and had a great time. We worked everyday as bartenders, serving beer, drinks and shots to happy festival guests. We were able to dance around, listen to music - many concerts and since our "cuba trailer" was pretty much right in front of the huge stage, we were able to work and still see all the concerts. When we weren't working, we hung around the trailer, drinking and having fun with all the new people we met throughout the festival. We made some new friends and have already planned to meet up sometime here in Vejle. The festival officially ended Saturday night but we drove back to Vejle after our shift Saturday evening since I have to start work again Monday - I needed to get some sleep and find my energy again so I was ready Monday morning. My body is killing me and my brain is mushy. I'm walking like I shit myself because my legs and feet are so sore after standing up all day and all night for the past 4 days. We didn't sleep more than maybe 4 hours pr. night and trust me, I conked out Saturday night in my own bed. BUT - IT WAS WORTH IT!

People were getting ready to hear some music. I think around 20,000 came to Langeland - a little smaller than Jelling festival. A great festival for families since there was lots of activities for children.

It was so freaking windy the first two days. That's our tent and yes, it survived. But we didn't get any sleep at all!

Rasmus with a huge hotdog. We didn't have to live off of hotdogs and burgers the entire festival. Part of our "paycheck", besides a free ticket, was also free food.

Rasmus with two of the "shot ladies".

We could see the stage from our bar.

Rasmus enjoying the festival.

Now I'm home and almost well-rested. Well, not really but that's why I'm playing hermit today and am ignoring my phone. Starting up work again after 4 weeks can be hard so I really need a day away from everything to gather my thoughts and energy. Get some laundry done and basically just relax.

Enough of my babbling - I need more coffee and get some things done here at home before I throw myself on the couch and zone out for the rest of the day.

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Happy Vacation - Woot Woot!

I used to be really good at updating my blog with pictures and just telling my life story.... lately, I suck. I don't know why. I still love to write and I still really want to share my stories and experiences with all you but it's been hard finding the time and energy for a decent post.

Sorry! ;)

But, here I am. It's Monday evening and I'm seriously enjoying a quiet evening after a somewhat long day. I'm officially on vacation! Yups - I am off work for the entire month of July! Ok, not 100%, since I'm still working at the garage but still, I have vacation! YAY!! Can I hear a woot woot?!

Not because I've done much so far. Hung out with my friends, made some new friends, spent time alone here at home, slept, listened to music, drank coffee and all that wonderful good stuff one can do while on vacation. Last Friday, I went to Juelsminde Havnefest with some friends and had a blast. Juelsminde is a little town about 30km from Vejle and they had a little festival/fair thing going. It's pretty much a bunch of hicks and a bunch of "city people" from Vejle that hang out and drink beer. Yeah, Danes like their beer. I behaved myself since I was working the day after but it still turned into a super fun (and very late) night. But I was awake and ready for work the next day. I can be a good girl! ;)

I am meeting up with Arma on Thursday in Kolding and going to Århus with Heidi on Friday. Working Saturday and basically just doing my own thing. I really really really want to go to Ikea soon and do a little mini shopping spree. I have to pick up some things for my wonderful little home - maybe I should add some pictures of my place soon, eh?

Speaking of pictures, I have a few to share. A little mixed - some are new and some are old. Most of them, if not all, have been posted on facebook but since not everyone has a facebook profile, I will also post them here.

Per, Rie and Betina - Per's wife. I work with Per at Jættebo and one evening, he invited me out with him and some.... motorbikes! YAY! I love motorbikes and I totally want one! Next year!

"Hamster" is an old member of Jættebo - before I started working there. I ended up being his passenger for our little "trip" and I don't think I was all that irritating. Or so he says... maybe he's just being nice.

On our way. We ended up being 5 bikes driving together.

We stopped off at Jonna and Brian's place on our way to Juelsminde for a smoke break.

Shit picture of me but a good one of "Hamster". Here we are in Juelsminde drinking coffee and hanging out. Lots of "biker dudes" come out here - guess it's a good place to park and show off their bikes.

Per and me. We had fun and I hope we can do it again soon!

Before Lena took off for her summer vacation - USA with her husband - she came over for coffee. We just hung out and talked all evening. She helped me hang up my lights in my hallway and kitchen so thank you Lena - and Stan.... that's my toolbox ;)

Last week, Jonna (and her little girl) and I met up for a day of shopping and lunch at the park. I ALWAYS have a great time with her and her daughter is a cutie. I think Mathilde is going to be really cool when she gets older - she's already got a fantastic personality!

A fantastic personality and a good appetite!

Me at the park.

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Sweden 2009

I am now relaxed and finished up everything here at home so I can update my blog - with pictures!! I got home last night from a camping trip to Sweden with work. 21 kids for 5 days can sure wipe one out! But it was a really good trip and I think I can safely say that everyone had a good time. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and the campsite was perfect for our needs. The only 2 things that kinda sucked were all the bugs that came out at night and the fact that I didn't get to see much of Sweden. So I'll probably take another trip to Sweden sometime in the future, without kids and see more of the nature and whatever else Sweden has to offer.

On to the pictures!

Here we are in Grenå Harbour, waiting for the ferry. It took 5 hours to sail to Varberg in Sweden but for many of the kids, it was their first time on a ferry. I felt like an old pro!

Yeah, ok.... so I'm not normal. Had to entertain myself (and 21 kids) while we were waiting to board the ferry!

Dorte, one of my co-workers at Jættebo. She's amazing and I'm so glad she came with us to Sweden. She has crazy crazy crazy curly hair and the fresh breeze on the top deck of the ferry didn't help her keep control of her curls!

I knew the trip to Sweden was going to be long and hot so I just put on a headband and my funky glasses. Enjoying the fresh air on the ferry and goofing around with Dorte.

Varberg Harbour, Sweden. We had to wait for the bus to deboard and pick us up.

Jesper, one of our BBQ masters and one of my co-workers at Jættebo. When 21 kids are hungry, they get evil! Just kidding!

Our campsite. We had 10 tents with us for 25 people. The pool is just to the left.

Dinner time. Poul is our boss and knew what he was doing since him and Jesper have been on trips with kids lots of times.

Dorte is just so cool!

To celebrate Canada Day, my co-workers thought we should have a "Canada Day Cake eating" contest where everytime me or the 3 kids involved could answer a question about Canada, we could eat some of our cake. Needless to say, I KICKED ASS!

We took our 8 mountainbikes with us and they were well used during the trip. That's the bus that got us to Sweden. No air-conditioning and only 2 windows that could open. Try a trip in a heatwave - it wasn't all that much fun!

Group shot on the morning we left. Tired but happy kids.

It was super crazy with all the baggage! And that's only half of it!

I was bored on our trip back to Denmark.

The view from the ferry leaving Göteborg.

Goodbye Sweden!

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Happy Monday

It's Monday.... another work week ahead. Not a bad thing but right now, I just can't seem to find my energy for a long day.

My weekend was good. Friday was another danish holiday so no official work. But I helped out my co-worker host a bday party for her son.... so 25 kids had to be fed and entertained. Dorte and I are used to kids so it wasn't a huge deal at all. They had fun, we survived and the bday boy had a good day.

Afterwards, I went over to Karin and Ernst's place - invited myself over for dinner and a sleepover. We had to go to a meeting early Saturday morning so to make things easier for me, I crashed at their place. Good dinner - can't remember the last time I ate potatoes and gravy! My cousin Jesper was there as well, with his two twins - Line and Tobias. Cute kids but holy shit, definitely a handful! I was exhausted after a few hours so I can't imagine what it's like having them fulltime. Parents - you have my respect!

Meeting on Saturday went well but I was exhausted when I got home. Karin and I ended up talking way past midnight Friday night and then getting up at 7am.... I don't do mornings that well. I was tired.

Saturday evening and Sunday was quiet. Talked to the parental units Sunday, went for a bike ride with Lise, voted, studied... kinda boring to write about. Nothing all that interesting. But that's ok, right? I needed a somewhat quiet weekend.

Now it's Monday... I already said that, eh? But yeah, it's still Monday and I still have to work today. Long day.... won't be off until 1030 pm tonight. So I better get some stuff done now while I have the time. Make some coffee, turn up the music and find my energy.

Have a great week!

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