It's been 14 days since we loaded ourselves and our 15 bags of luggage onto the plane in Ottawa to begin this journey one-quarter of the way around the world.
Since then, there have been moments of confusion, sadness, frustration, excitement, wonder and happiness. I have no intention of focusing on the negative aspect of this adventure, only to say that, even though it feels like a dream at times, it is still really only just "life" with it's inherent ups and downs.
The two weeks have passed in a sort of blur. The children started school immediately after arriving and so their days have been full. They received a very warm reception at school from other children eager to meet the new arrivals. Now it is up to them to forge ahead with new relationships. While this has been relatively easy for both Graeme and Elise, Renee's quiet nature with new people has made this a bit of a challenge for her. Kris and I are trying to encourage her to show her wilder side, realizing that this experience will certainly strengthen her people skills!
Kris barely had time to get his tie on straight before he was off and running up the corporate ladder. He has gone through a trial by fire consisting of non-stop meetings, for which he has had to forgo weekend activities with the family to prepare for. I am assured that this will not be the case this weekend, as a briefcase full of brochures arrived home yesterday! Now we are watching the weather forecast and planning accordingly...will it be a day spent indoors at the Aquaria Vattenmuseum or a stroll around Gamla Stan, the Old Town?
My days here so far have been both quiet and full. We are still awaiting the arrival of our container from Canada, so the nest is not yet feathered! Learning how to operate the mini-sized washer and dryer took up the better part of a morning. I think I have it figured out, but it still takes about 3 & 1/2 - 4 hours before one small load of clothes is clean and "mostly"dry! I have made frequent trips to the local grocery store, the ICA, located just down the hill from us. It offers a small selection of most things we need. And small is the word! Package sizes are at least 1/2 if not less than what they are in Canada. Hence the need for frequent trips! The local library houses a modest sized English section and they were kind enough there to let me use their computer to check my email when our Internet was not yet connected. I have gone for a run or walk every day here. The hills and icy sidewalks have given me quite a workout but the charming scenery keeps me going!
The house is situated in a lovely green and hilly neighbourhood called Stocksund. Judging by the tracks in the snow in the morning, we have an abundant wildlife community as well! It is comforting to look out the window and see Chickadees flitting about in the bushes. We are a 5 minute drive to the school and the highway that connects us south to Stockholm and north to the mountains. The house is a charming grey clapboard set upon a rocky site. I see that there are lilac and rhododendron bushes that will bloom in spring, periwinkle and lavender as well. Inside we have three levels for living. The basement has the laundry room and a mudroom and is conveniently accessed from outside. This is the entrance we use most often. The first floor has the main rooms for living, the kitchen, study, living room, dining room, bathroom and 4th bedroom, as well as the second entrance. Upstairs we have three bedrooms, one bathroom and a play area for the children. I can hardly wait for our furniture to arrive so we can put our personal touch on this blank canvas!
Since then, there have been moments of confusion, sadness, frustration, excitement, wonder and happiness. I have no intention of focusing on the negative aspect of this adventure, only to say that, even though it feels like a dream at times, it is still really only just "life" with it's inherent ups and downs.
The two weeks have passed in a sort of blur. The children started school immediately after arriving and so their days have been full. They received a very warm reception at school from other children eager to meet the new arrivals. Now it is up to them to forge ahead with new relationships. While this has been relatively easy for both Graeme and Elise, Renee's quiet nature with new people has made this a bit of a challenge for her. Kris and I are trying to encourage her to show her wilder side, realizing that this experience will certainly strengthen her people skills!
Kris barely had time to get his tie on straight before he was off and running up the corporate ladder. He has gone through a trial by fire consisting of non-stop meetings, for which he has had to forgo weekend activities with the family to prepare for. I am assured that this will not be the case this weekend, as a briefcase full of brochures arrived home yesterday! Now we are watching the weather forecast and planning accordingly...will it be a day spent indoors at the Aquaria Vattenmuseum or a stroll around Gamla Stan, the Old Town?
My days here so far have been both quiet and full. We are still awaiting the arrival of our container from Canada, so the nest is not yet feathered! Learning how to operate the mini-sized washer and dryer took up the better part of a morning. I think I have it figured out, but it still takes about 3 & 1/2 - 4 hours before one small load of clothes is clean and "mostly"dry! I have made frequent trips to the local grocery store, the ICA, located just down the hill from us. It offers a small selection of most things we need. And small is the word! Package sizes are at least 1/2 if not less than what they are in Canada. Hence the need for frequent trips! The local library houses a modest sized English section and they were kind enough there to let me use their computer to check my email when our Internet was not yet connected. I have gone for a run or walk every day here. The hills and icy sidewalks have given me quite a workout but the charming scenery keeps me going!
The house is situated in a lovely green and hilly neighbourhood called Stocksund. Judging by the tracks in the snow in the morning, we have an abundant wildlife community as well! It is comforting to look out the window and see Chickadees flitting about in the bushes. We are a 5 minute drive to the school and the highway that connects us south to Stockholm and north to the mountains. The house is a charming grey clapboard set upon a rocky site. I see that there are lilac and rhododendron bushes that will bloom in spring, periwinkle and lavender as well. Inside we have three levels for living. The basement has the laundry room and a mudroom and is conveniently accessed from outside. This is the entrance we use most often. The first floor has the main rooms for living, the kitchen, study, living room, dining room, bathroom and 4th bedroom, as well as the second entrance. Upstairs we have three bedrooms, one bathroom and a play area for the children. I can hardly wait for our furniture to arrive so we can put our personal touch on this blank canvas!
