Linda Bjork

Reconnecting, a year later!

2010-07-08T13:05:00.000-07:00

Hi to you all

I am starting my blog again, and now on more professional basis. The name behind my blog, genderbalance, reflect what I emphasizes on, both in private and professional field. It is important to gain balance in all levels and placed in order to get peaceful and fruitful world.

I will write my blog, approximately once a week, and give an insight to my personal and professional approach to balance, equality and peace.

Until next time
Take good care,
L

Summer vacation

2009-07-09T05:51:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Summer vacation has started, with endless sleep - wake up at noon every day - damn good man!! Yesterday I cleaned the house and went through some boxes (books and stuff). We manage to give away a lot of things we never use, so a bit of cleaning here and there;) I discover over and over again all the un-necessary things we collect... gosh!! That's what we learn by moving all the time;o)

I am having my parents over for dinner tonight so I better get my head into what to cook... haven't decided yet!

Tomorrow is the last day of work for Sóley (teen work), so we will have one week together before I start work again.. the time goes toooo fast!

Anyhow - hope you are well - we are!

Take care
In peace - L

July news

2009-07-07T17:56:00.000-07:00

Hi - today is my first day of two weeks summer vacation. I'm still pretty tired, will probably take some days of recovery before I can start enjoying my time off at work. I planned to travel to Belgium this week, but things changed so I'm here, at home watching MJ memorial.. having good time though and planning a weekend in Belgium, hopefully soon...

I've confirmed one month vacation with my daughter in Costa Rica, in December. We will leave Iceland 10 December and return 9 January. It will be a complete relaxation, long-wanted. My job contract expires by that time so I will probably be on a cross-road again, looking for jobs and a new route - the story of my life, right??

Iceland is not the ideal place to live in today, the financial crisis is hitting us too hard and we still don't know how hard it will be. It is estimated the winter will be rough... we'll see!!

This is it for now - take care and see you soon.

In peace - L

The summer is finally here;)

2009-06-24T14:23:00.000-07:00

Hi all - the summer finally arrived, with sunny days and fairly warm.. it's never really warm here, always breezy wind... but it's Iceland, far far in the north, so nothing more to expect!!

I had a one week vacation last week - it was actually too short for resting, despite turning off my phone and not connecting with the subject "work" for days... in 10 days I will have two weeks vacation, and hopefully get some space to take my mind away from the practical site of life... I'm planning a week vacation in Belgium, expect to be there in about two weeks from now, and can't wait to disconnect for a while.

My job is the most consuming thing I've ever done, but all coming to an end, in December. I haven't got another job yet, but not worried - something will come my line, or I might create something and look for funds.... optimistic, it's the spirit of economic crisis, right!!

Today I and my daughter were preparing her for a five days training camp with the rescue unit. I had to buy rain gear for her, for 15.000 ISK... it's robbery - the prices here in Iceland are far from being ok, or realistic. I wonder how it will develops, it's most likely that Iceland has not reached the bottom of the economic crisis, so it will be tough for the coming years... but as I said, optimistic and don't think to far ahead... the surviving method;)

Otherwise, we're well and happy
This is it for now - see you
In peace - L

The first sunny day and the first sunburned - the perfect harmony;)

2009-05-17T15:03:00.000-07:00

Hi all - today is a time to celebrate... we got the first hot and sunny day of the year, and the first sunburned - oh yeah... what a great day!!

During the weekend my daughter had her friends over, for two nights. The house was full of life and we watched the Eurovision song contest together... it was a blast. We had very good time and of course enjoyed the results;) It however crossed my mind that it might be a bit frustrating to raise triplet, three teen-girls; the room was a mess, but they had a lot of fun, which justifies it all;o)

I am becoming a bit frustrated myself - I am trying to plan a trip to Europe during summer vacation and it's horribly expensive, just the plane ticket... we need to give the Icelandic krona a boost, at least while I buy the ticket;) As things are at the moment I will spend my holiday feeling sorry for myself and eating my bottom big... I want to believe things moves soon into the right direction, but it's a wild guess!

I let go off the car and use public transportation now... I decided to leave luxury, live cheep and try to put some money aside. My contract expires in January 2010, so I better be careful. I will ride a bike during summer and see how things develops in the autumn.

Anyhow - for the coming weeks I will plan the summer vacation and see if I find a loophole somewhere for a plane ticket overseas - that would be a blast!!

Until next - take care and be well
Peace - L

summer vacation

2009-04-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

Hi - now it's time to organize the summer vacation.. I have been looking at trips to Europe, but because of the drop of the Icelandic currency it's insane to travel abroad - have to pay twice the price... it a kind of sucks! ... so, the situation is, I'm working on trying to find a travel route for reasonable price, for me and my daughter... lets hope for the best - I need to get away for a while.

Yesterday I went to a great concert... three choirs and a band... it was an amazing event! Today I went to Reykjavik, an invitation at my cousins house... great people and good food;) I'm really not ready for work tomorrow, which indicates the urgent need for a travel and a vocation;)

This is it for now - take care
In peace - L

Easter Holiday

2009-04-10T03:31:00.000-07:00

Hi folks

I'm finally having some days off at work. I turned off my cellphone and enjoying every minute of peace and quietness. I am in the process of job applications, as my contract expires in December. It will be a hard battle to seek another job, at least here in Iceland; the employment rate is rising dramatically. I'm not worried though, not yet;-)

Enjoy the holiday and see you later
In Peace - L

The notion of Spring;)

2009-04-04T04:16:00.000-07:00

Hi all - I'm good now... writing two posts the same week....

It's the first day we can feel the notion of spring... it's relatively "warm" and sunny.... I'm going out with the dog... for a loooong walk;)

See you
In Peace - L

Does anyone visit my blog anymore?...

2009-04-01T12:33:00.000-07:00

My dear friends... sorry for my absence... last time I wrote I said happy new year - I'm super busy with the refugee project and no time for private life:(

My focus is more or less around my work since I began this project... for most of the time I'm exhausted and collecting energy for the next day...

The refugees are settling in slowly, but that's how it's suppose to be, if taking into account their past conflict/culture aspects of life. The project is half way through, and finishes in September. I'm already in process of applying for jobs:)

Soley is doing very well... taking care of the dog and doing good in school. She has good friends and is a happy bee... Birkir is doing well too. In May he is finishing the first level of his study. We are all living together in Akranes, but next summer we will move apart, where me and Soley might move to Reykjavík (depends on job situation) and Birkir will hopefully get student apartment.

The economy crisis is hitting all people quite hard. All prices are sky-rocking and little or no space for quality life... people are loosing their jobs, houses and cars... many people are leaving the country for jobs abroad... We are ok... not too bad;)

I try to keep you updated more often... take care and be well

In peace - L

Happy New Year

2009-01-03T13:45:00.000-08:00

Hi all and happy new year!!!

The holidays have been great - I´ve had massive sleep... Sleeping Beauty;-) and eating like I haven´t seen food for months!!!! Now I´m done with eating - have to renew my relationship with the gym, fruits and vegetables - no more meat, cream and candy.

I went to the bookstore today and bought a cooking book - healthy Indian and Arabic food - that will be my mission for this year.. eating healthy and staying fit!! I also went to the supermarket and bought spices for tens of dollars... as it sounds, I will (hopefully) stay in the kitchen for the next months, experimenting - sounds good, right!!!!

New Years Eve was very good - we went to Reykjavik, had dinner with friends and good time - new years day was spent at home, in pajamas, I didn´t even look out - it was a complete day off!!

Tomorrow is the last massive-eating-day of the holidays. We have a big family dinner. We all bring some food - and I am preparing some Arabic food;)

Im not writing much these days - nothing much happening, live a kind of routine. I am waiting for a respond on application for speaking at a conference in New York in March... hopefully I get an answer soon!!

Until next time - take care and be well

In peace - L

Sleeping through Christmas

2008-12-26T05:28:00.000-08:00

Hi - Christmas has been great, so far. I got my parents and my sister for dinner on Christmas Eve and slept until 3pm on Christmas Day - how great is that!!!!

On Christmas Day we were invited to dinner in Reykjavik, and so is the plan today and tomorrow... busy time.. Otherwise we are doing good - watching TV, reading books, eating chocolate and sleeping a lot. I can´t say that I look forward to go back to work - would appreciate few weeks off!!

I´m tired and not really in the mood for writing, but I will take some time off soon and put in pic...

Take care and enjoy the holidays

... in peace - L

Almost Christmas ;)

2008-12-20T04:45:00.000-08:00

Dear friends - if I were to write about my project I would write many pages every day... it´s incredible how many difficult issues we have to deal with. This job is highly energy- and time consuming.

Sóley finished school yesterday, and is officially on a Christmas vacation. Birkir finished work three weeks ago and will get back to school in January and finish the first part of the degree.

I will have a good time off during Christmas, which I will use to relax, watch good movies, read books and eat delicious food... sounds good???

Now it´s time to do some Christmas shopping, make some cookies and clean the place!!!

Hope you all have a blasting time - Happy Christmas

Take care,
in peace - L

Things are moving..

2008-12-07T15:29:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Things are moving a bit forwards - we, the little family, are getting into Christmas mood and looking forward to the holidays - we have already found space for the Christmas tree in the living room... so its just to get into the forest and cut a tree ;-)

I got a visit from the UN headquarters today - a woman who is a President for the US federation for Middle East Peace. She met the refugee women and spent some time with them. She offered me to come to New York in March and give a talk about my project at a conference... of course I said YES.. just have to find some money for it ;)

I have been offered to be a President in Iceland for WICO (Women´s International Coalition for Culture of Peace, Non-Violence and Empowered Women). I accepted this offer and am extremely excited to start on this panel. This NGO is operating all over the world, and is a great forum to contribute to peace.

It is snowing today - very very cold and slippery outside...

It´s time for me to go to sleep - almost midnight

Take care and be well
In peace - L

Hola...

2008-12-01T12:23:00.000-08:00

Hi folks - it´s been a while.

I´ve been busy as usual, my job is really time- and energy consuming. In one week we finish the first quarter of the project; I´ve already began working on the first progress report, which I have to hand in before Christmas break.

The project is going very well - the school children are settling in well, happy in their classes and getting along with their Icelandic class mates. The Kindergarden kids are doing well too, already beginning talking Icelandic. The eight mothers are incredibly strong and hard working. It´s not easy to being forced to leave everything behind and move to another continent, totally different culture and deal with it all, together with being a mom... but their great!!

I´ve already started looking for jobs, but this one will finish in September next year... time flies so I have to be awake and keep on searching. I´m sending my CV around, so if any of you guys know about a job that suits me, let me know ;)

We are doing well here in Iceland, despite the financial situation. Sóley is doing well in school, except she talk too much while classes... I guess it can be dealt with, hopefully. My son will start school again in January, after one semester break, and I will hopefully start the new year with new ideas and opportunities. All is good, and we all long for happy Christmas;)

I hope you all are well - this is it for now - speak later

Take care - in peace
L

News, or not!!!

2008-10-19T14:40:00.000-07:00

Hi

I have not much to say at this moment - working like mad, but slowing down a bit. The social worker started to work with me last Monday, and I must say it was a huge relieve. I have been taken care of her obligations for two months now, alongside with my job, and some teaching in between.

The refugee children are doing better at school, and the kindergarden kids as well. It has been quite a hassle, but all coming together now. I have few things to tide at the high school level, but hopefully it works out soon.

I´m aiming at finishing the financial plan this coming week; it will give me a lot of space to work on other things when I have handed in the document. It´s big and complicated plan, which I have been working on, partly, for the last two months.

It´s getting cold here, windy and white - a sign of winter. It´s time to collect warm clothes and turn up the radiator;)

We, the small family, are healthy and happy - trying to discipline the dog, with no result, so far:)

Take care and speak to you soon...

In peace - L

Peace and quiet

2008-10-12T04:56:00.000-07:00

Well - everybody know about the financial crisis Iceland is going through right now... luckily I´m not inside this mad circle. I have a good, well paid job, my bank is good, and I´m not investing... so no inconvenient surprises to come, for me. Many people however are already in deep trouble, loosing their savings, jobs and even houses. The Icelandic government is trying to work out some rescue strategy... lets hope it leads to restoring of the economy and peoples lives.

My little family is good - I went to the movies on Friday and saw Coen brothers, Burn After Reading.... and you must see it - its hilarious.. incredibly funny. Today I´m going to Reykjavik, buying some clothes for my daughter.. its getting cold here, so its time to do some winter clothes shopping;)

My birthday was last Wednesday, and I got a gift from one of my translator, a day in the Blue Lagoon www.bluelagoon.com it´s amazing place.. I might go there next weekend;)

I´m off to Reykjavik now, hope all of you are well

Speak to you soon...
in peace - L

One month later....

2008-10-03T13:19:00.000-07:00

Hi and sorry for my lazyness - haven´t written for a while.

I travelled to London, receiving the refugees on 8 Sept. I travelled together with two representives from the Red Cross and a translater. We arrived in Heathrow at noon, the refugees arrived at 4pm, and we had a flight back to Iceland around 9pm. It was a long and tireding journey, but everything went well.

Today the refugees have been here for almost four weeks, and it´s been the busiest time of my life. I haven´t been much at the office, running between places, organizing and planning. The basic practial things have passed and now all are into a program, they have to participate in for the next year.

The children have started school, the small ones at kindergarden and the mothers are already in Icelandic, and society learning course. Things have running smoothly so far, but it´s been exhausting period!! I´m looking forward to a break I will have soon:O)

Sóley is doing great - taking care of Uri, our dog and making friends at school. She is very happy and enjoying life.

At his moment I´m sitting at home, relaxing (which is a luxury), after a great dinner and a glass of wine - I finally have time to do nothing;)

This is it for now - take care
in peace - L

It´s getting closer....

2008-09-02T13:57:00.000-07:00

Hi - now when it´s getting closer to the arrival of the refugees from Iraq, I am getting busier than ever. I know now that we are getting 8 families, not 6 as planned, and they will be 29, not 21. It makes a difference when preparing their arrival. I needed to arrange two more apartment, which I managed to do today... unbelievably lucky!

I will go to London within a week towards them, and follow them to Iceland. I go along with people from the Red Cross and a translator. I am looking forward to getting them here, finally - but it´s crazy now, so much left to do, and everybody is claiming this and that.... but I guess that´s what we call, being in charge, and the one to count on and to blame - but its all worth it;)

Well - gotta run... see you
Take care
in peace
L

things goes well......

2008-08-30T14:20:00.000-07:00

hi all - things are going very well, we are settling in fine. Doggie is growing and learning to behave (slowly though, very slowly actually), but he´s cute cute and good. Sóley is doing fine at school and making new friends. My job is becoming more creative every day, as it gets closer to the arrival date. I´m entering the stage of working day and evening until my refugees arrive.

It seems like the media is super-interested in my project, and they keep calling me; at work, at home, and at my cell phone between. it´s ok though, so far they have been fine. Today I was interviewed by the national TV station, at the news, and after that I had to show up for a photo shoot, by newspaper that will publish an interview with me... the newspaper have been calling me regularly for the last weeks and asking about this project, and I guess they will continue to do so; it looks like I am and I will always be on duty..

The project is going well, and things have run smoothly so far. Lets see how it goes;)

Hope all of you are well

In peace - L

A lot..

2008-08-23T07:17:00.000-07:00

Hi - life is pretty good these days. the first news is that I have got a car, Subaru Forester; it will carry me through the winter without complications;) it´s a good car, easy to drive, and it consumes A LOT of petrol:( but drive sensibly and everything will run smoothly.

My son also bought a car, a great one - so it looks like we are on the right track. He moved to us one week ago, so the family is joined together again.... it´s great, we´re gonna have a great time here in Akranes.

My daughter will start school on Monday - she already got the schedule, so we can go shopping;)

I´ve got a day-care for Uri (our dog), a young couple with a baby. They will take care of him while I´m at work and Sóley at school. It´s such a relieve, it would be impossible to leave him at home, alone, for the whole day.

My job is really great - and the environment at my office is fabulous... the whole staff met in the conference room on Friday, to watch the Icelandic handball team in the olympic final. We had pizza, wine and great spirit - the handball team won, so tomorrow (Sunday) we will fight for the gold;)

All that is to say is: ÁFRAM ÍSLAND

See you soon
In peace - L

My new job rocks!!!

2008-08-06T14:44:00.000-07:00

Hi all - it looks like the anxious moments, and months of waiting for the right job was worth it... my job is really great. You can read about it here: http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/4897030c4.html

I am moving to Akranes on Friday, it´s only 40 minutes drive from Reykjavík, so it´s good... it´s a nice, small town of 6.500 people, and my clients will live there. I have found apartments for all of them, so things are coming together. I will travel to Europe at the beginning of September, receive the refugees, and fallow them to Iceland. I will travel together with represent from the Red Cross and a translator. I´m very excited and looking forward to their arrival - it will though be busy, busy time ahead!!

I am looking for a car these days, and expect to buy one during the next days, hopefully!!

Me and my daughter got a new dog two days ago - it´s a Beagle, five months and his name is Oriol - we call him Uri;) He´s incredibly cute and soooo good - very relaxed and well behaved. We are looking forward to the move to Akranes, and our new life there.. I´m sure we will enjoy living there:)

This is it for now - I write again when we are settled in!!

Until then, take care
in peace - L

Finally moved south

2008-08-01T03:20:00.000-07:00

Hi there - I am in Reykjavík now, finally finished with work in Húsavík, and it feels good!!

I had planned to move south last Monday, but got a phone call few days before and had to be in Reykjavik on Monday morning for a radio interview at the national radio, channel 2. So, I had to catch a plane on Sunday evening, right after work, which caused me unnecessary problems, as I had to rush to the airport in order to catch the last plane!!! boooooooooooooooooo

The radio interview was at 7:30am..... and my brain was not awake - I think though I did it without a shame;) In the evening I had a meeting, together with the Red Cross, where we gave info to the people of Akranes about the refugees, and the project. It went well, despite I didn´t have time to prepare - but it´s becoming a habit, rushing between places unprepared!!!

I am in Reykjavík now, driving to Akranes for work, but it´s only 40 min. drive. I love my new job, it´s designed for me. I hired a translater yesterday, and other things are coming together as well... I will get my flat next Friday, 8. August and then life will be more calm, hopefully - but my job will keep me on the move, so maybe the wish of calm life is just an illusion;)

I am at the moment sittin at Kaffitár, drinking good coffe and chatting - it´s time to move on, roadtrip to Akranes for work;)

See you later - take care
in peace - L

Working like crazy...

2008-07-24T12:23:00.000-07:00

hihi - those days I was in need for a job are gone - I have been working like crazy since 1 June, and now I have two jobs, one in south and the other in north Iceland. I have been traveling between places by plane for two weeks now. I am driving to north tomorrow and I will finish my job there on Sunday. On Monday we will move to Akranes, where I have got a one year contract.

I am very tired, the last two months have been exhausting so I will leave you now and come back when I have got some rest and my spirit back!!!

Take care - in peace
L

news!!

2008-07-11T12:25:00.000-07:00

Well my dearests... Finally someone liked me enough to hire me... yayaya.... I´ve got a job for the next two years, and a nice one!

I have been hired by the town of Akranes in Iceland, as a project manager for Palestinian refugees that Iceland is receiving from Iraq. It´s a dream job for me, this is what my education was about, and my interests!! You can imagine the relieve for me and my daughter, I thought actually I would be in the application process until my retirement...

I went south for a meeting yesterday and it went very well... I like the job, the people and the place - so it´s perfect;)

I will work in both places (whale watching and refugees) throughout July, but hopefully move to south at the end of the month and do only one job!

I´m very busy those days, working at the moment - so speak to you soon.. take care and be well..

In peace
L

It´s a bit warmer, but not enough!!

2008-07-05T10:34:00.000-07:00

Hi - finally we got the sun shining in Husavik - thanks, a lot!!!

I had a day off yesterday, and now I´m back to work. I will be at work, more or less until 14 July, but the second half of July will be more relaxed for me, fewer working days. I got paid yesterday, for the first time in years - and it felt good, apart from the fact that almost all my salaries will be put into balancing my account up to 0... so no fun yet.. just work, work, work!!!

The Icelandic currency is very low now and it´s not wise to study in England, but it was one of my plans for next year. I think I can put that behind for a while. I still have the option for PhD, and I will work on my proposal in July and hopefully get some response in August. However, I am expecting an answer about a job interview I had 10 days ago here in Iceland. They will give me an answer on Tuesday next week. I am still waiting for an interview from UNIFEM, regarding a job in Sarajevo. I was told by the Foreign Ministry that they would do the interviews in July, and the job is to began in late-August.

As you see, I have few cards on my hand, and I´m sure I get what I want the most.... which is?????

Sóley is good, enjoying the multicultural environment in our house, and working with other teens...

I hope you are well, and I will let you know on Tuesday whether I am hired or if I can erase one thing from my list of opportunities!!

Take care and be well
See you soon - in peace
L

I´m still alive, but frozen!!!

2008-07-01T03:35:00.000-07:00

Hi there - if you are complaining, please stop because you have no reason to... I am still stuck in the cold cold north and almost losing it!!! I am not supposed to be dressed in many layers in July, it´s just not right!! It´s foggy, windy and rainy - how bad does that sound??

I am though optimistic, we are expecting some sunny and warm days at the end of the week.. yeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhh..

I am sharing apartment with 5 people, including my daughter. Nuri, the Spanish one is expecting her mom today, and she is planning to stay with us for one or two weeks. When she told me her mom would come she looked at me and said: "my mom will feed you and make you fat.. you are a mom, and a mom is not suppose to be thin like you.. yes my mom will stuff you with food". I am already planning to work 20 hours per day while she is staying and hope for the best.. if she is going to stuff me with food, she has to buy me new clothes too - duh!!!

I still don´t have any news about next year, I´m waiting for response to my applications here and there!!

Hope you all are good
See you - in peace
L

IT IS COLD.....

2008-06-19T03:11:00.001-07:00

Hi - just to let you know, it has been snowing her... hell yes!!! We did a whale watching trip last night, and at first it started to rain, ice-rain, and then it just started to snow... how bad is that????? I am seriously thinking south, far south now....

I envy you light-dressed people in the sun - duh!!!

In peace though - L

Not bored but tired!!

2008-06-18T06:45:00.000-07:00

Hi there

Life is rather simple here in Húsavík. I have been working 13 days of 15, 12 hours a day, and am in urgent need for a break. I had one day off yestarday, which I had to spend in lundry and cooking.. but I could sleep until noon, which I did ;) and yesterday was the Icelanic National Day - but I didn´t notice it.. nothing special going on in this small town!

Last Monday I went to Akureyri to pick up Lia (her name is Alexia). She is a Swedish girl who is working with us this summer. She is only 18 year old, but very mature and nice. When she arrived in Iceland she arrived in the land of her dreams, and she was the happiest person I have been with for a long time... very positive and mature for her age. It was nice to speak Swedish again, haven´t spoken it for 13 years. I was amazed, I hadn´t forgot anything - I could speak fluently... a nice one!!

I am working for three days now and then I will have a one week off, which I will use for planning next year. I have been offered a job at a research institute adn a PhD posistion... it´s super exciting position so I will consider it carefully for the next weeks;)

Sóley began working at community work this morning - the first job;) and it was rainy and windy, blowing from north, horribly cold - but she didn´t complain.. it was good for her to meet the old friends again and renew the friendship with them! She will work 4 hours a day for one month, and make money of course, which is the main goal!!

This is it for now - see you later

In peace - L

I´m bored!!!

2008-06-09T12:32:00.000-07:00

Hi - I have nothing else to do than write here... so that´s what I do!!

I have been working like crazy, seven days in a row, 12 hours a day... I took one day of yesterday, and now I´m back to work until Friday. Last week was great, we had nice weather and whales in the bay, but today it´s rainy, the sea is rough and it´s cold.. we only did one trip this morning. I´m a bit bored at te moment, but hopefully the weather gets better - I need some tourist company!!!

I am settled in the house, with my new bed... and Oh My God what a good night sleep I have had.. I will take this bed with me wherever I go (sorry Birkir!!).

Soon, soon, soon I will go home, have my late-dinner and relax..

I sent an application for a scholarship at the University of Essex - and they will let me know before the 27 June whether I get it or not!! Exciting....

See you soon - if the weather continues like that I will write a lot;)

Be well
In peace - L

News from northern Iceland

2008-06-02T11:42:00.000-07:00

Hi - lazy me, yes I know!!!

Well, a lot of news now - I finally got the grade for my thesis, and I didn´t write a master piece, but I would have preferred highter grade. But I´m happy it´s done and I´m finally graduated.... yeahhh

I moved to Husavik, in northern Iceland last Saturday and yesterday I began working for the whale watching company I used to work for during sommers while I was studying http://www.gentlegiants.is I think we will have a great time here, but I will work throughout August. My daughter will come on Wednesday, but she hasn´t finished school yet.

I bought a bed today - a good one and I can´t wait to get it and a good night beauty-sleep... I think they send it to me tomorrow. The weather here is excellent, sunny and bright. The job is not difficult at the moment, but I know that July will be crazy...

I have one week off at the end of the month and I am planning to travel a bit with my daughter... it will be a nice change for us to travel, right!! or not!!!

At this moment I am finishing my shift, but I work 12 hrs per day, 15-19 shifts a month.. it´s a lot, but money talks...

I hope all of you out there are in good shape and well. If you want to do whale watching, island journey, bird watching or fishing just come and visit my cozy cottage and book a trip;)

I will put in some pic next weekend...

See you and have a good summer
In peace - L

UPEACE, work and Eurovision

2008-05-22T14:46:00.000-07:00

Hi - I received my final grade for my thesis today, from the University for Peace - so now I am officially finished with my MA and the diploma on its way. It´s incredibly good to leave upeace behind and start a new chapter of my life - no more talk about upeace!!!

In one week I will move to the northern part of Iceland where I will work for the next three months. It will be great to bring in some money:) I am expecting a phone call in the next three weeks, from unifem in New York. I have exciting months ahead and a lot of things to look forward to.

I watched the Eurovision song contest tonight, together with my daughter and sister - and we are into the final.... good work guys...

See you soon
Peace - L

We don´t have cockroach in Iceland

2008-05-20T03:53:00.000-07:00

yes it´s true, we don´t have cockroach in Iceland, it´s too cold. However, I found one in the bathroom last Saturday. it was a brown one, a kind of nice color, but an ugly creature, looked like a Costa Rican one, a baby! when I opened the closet I saw it immediately. I looked at it carefully and wondered what it was, it looked familiar - soon I realized it was a cockroach, one of my "friends" from Costa Rica. We don´t even have insect at this size here in Iceland. Actually we don´t have insects in Iceland.

The procedure of killing it was a bit violent, as cockroach runs fast - but at the end I smashed it and and throw it in the bin. Now the question remains, are there any more of them, and how did it get here?

The most likely answer is yes, there should be more of them, and it is most likely that I had some eggs in my suitcase when I left Costa Rica, and they are hatching out now when it gets warmer...

Nice surprise!!!!

I will have some quality time for the rest of the week, turning the apartment upside down and looking for cockroaches... any volunteer out there who offer to help? It could be an experience to remember;)

Peace - L

Maybe I´ve got mews!!

2008-05-19T14:03:00.000-07:00

Hi - I received an email from New York and I might get some answers from UNIFEM later this week... well, they say later this weeks, which could mean in two weeks... their sense of time is not exactly the same as mine!!! unfortunately...

My daughter is having an exam week, so she is very busy, a good student and is therefore doing great in school.

It´s not much more to tell at the moment. See you later

Take care - in peace
L

DPKO - UNIFEM, LLM

2008-05-17T16:41:00.000-07:00

Hi - I am not doing well here, right??? I just don´t find the spirit to write.. I think I emptied my brain on my thesis;(

I have some news - and no news!

Still nothing heard from the University of Akureyri, but it´s ok. I got a phone call from the DPKO in Iceland and they sent my CV to UNIFEM in New York on Friday, in regards to a job in Sarajevo, Bosnia. It´s super exciting position, but the DPKO sent CV from 5 applicants. In 2-3 weeks UNIFEM will interview us, followed by hiring one. Pleeaase all of you, cross your fingers for me;) The lady at DPLO told me I should not worry if I don´t get this job, they have a lot going on and I would get a job soon!!Nice one;)

This UNIFEM job is my plan A - and I have a plan B

I have been admitted to, and I have accepted an offer form the University of Essex in England to enroll in LLM, International Human Rights Law 2008-2009. Personally I look at this as plan A, but practically it´s plan B... financially I need to work now for some years, but LLM at Essex is damn good!!

My conclusion is this, if I haven´t got a job at the end of August I will go to England and do LLM for one year and rock my life up one level...

What is happening now is that I and my daughter are moving to the northern part of Iceland at the end of May, where I will work during the summer - for three months. It will be a nice change for us and good to get some money into my account - we lack financial resources drastically;(

The future is exciting, what I hope is that the weather will be exciting as well - it´s really unnecessarily cold those days....brrrrrrrrrr send me some warm wind and sun please!!

I will try to write soon.... I am afraid that no one visit this site anymore... if you do, don´t lose your faith.. I will write more when things start moving forwards...

I send you love and peace
L

One month later...

2008-04-30T10:24:00.000-07:00

Hi - it´s one month since I wrote, and I´m just soooo lazy, after all the hard work.

Last Sunday was my daughter´s Confirmation day - the ceremony was secular and she gave a speech in front of 1000 people. She told about her experience of living in Costa Rica, and she did absolutely great... just like an experienced speaker!

We had 50 relatives and friends coming over to celebrate with us, and it was fantastic. Everybody had a great time, the food was good and the spirit up! Sóley got great gifts and had the best day of her life.

On Monday, I went to an interview at the Foreign Ministry, the Department of Peacekeeping Operation, but they called me on Wednesday last week and need someone who has worked on gender equality. UNIFEM is looking for a worker in Sarajevo and Belgrade. It is possible that my name will be sent to UNIFEM in New York, and they will interview me thorough phone-line. I will have more info next week when the lady who is in charge of this post will be back to work, but she has been sick the whole week.

I had a phone interview today, regarding a job at the University of Akureyri in Iceland. It is a marketing job - I will know in two weeks if I go for the second interview.

I´m very busy applying for jobs - it´s becoming really boring and tiring process, I must say!!

I am confidence that I will get a great job within few months... where and what I don´t know, but I´m excited about it!!

Take care and be well
In peace - L

Good days ahead

2008-03-29T16:19:00.000-07:00

Hi - I am going away for few days... it will be good to change the environment for a while. My friend Victoria wrote a book which will be published soon and I will spend some time reading through it and give her comments, if it´s something to comment on... but she is very professional so I expect the book to be very well written. Her daughter, the cutest baby ever Hermine has been very sick lately, I hope she recover fully soon and get enough energy to keep her mom busy;)

I will be out of internet connection for three days, so see you again on Wednesday

Keep up the good humor
L

Do you have a job for me??

2008-03-28T08:01:00.002-07:00

Hi - I´m not writing much these days... nothing much to say... I´m getting horribly bored in this situation of unemployment, it never occurred to me that I would face such a difficulties with finding a good, well paid job - actually I thought I had a lot of employers, waiting in lines to hire me - but no, here I am sitting in a chair, which is getting the shape of me, after a long period of sitting and eating my nails. I have gone through three job interviews, but I was overqualified for all of them.

It is almost April now and still horribly cold outside, the temperature is below zero. It´s not feasible to stay outside longer than 2 minutes at the time...brrrrrrrrrr

I have a plan B, if I don´t get the job I am seeking - I´m not ready to tell you about it at this stage, it´s not activated yet;)

I will contact the UN in New York late next week if they don´t contact me, and see how my job applications are doing. I cross my fingers and toes for that one. Yesterday I applied for a job at UNESCO in Costa Rica, I don´t expect to get it, but you never know... at this moment I prefer to work in a warmer climate than Iceland... who will blame me...duh

This is it for now - maybe, maybe next weekend I have something to say - you never know!!

Take care - in peace
L

No flu and no job

2008-03-16T14:20:00.000-07:00

Hi - my daughter Sóley is well now... recovered from the flu. I cross my fingers and hope to skip the flu this time; I take vitamins and exercise at the gym, it´s the best flu-preventive-measures one can take ;) well, it works for me!!

I am working on a secret project... I tell you about it when it reach the level of being a reliable information;) I spoke to my best friends from my undergraduate studies, Embla and Charda; Embla is in London School of Economics in England and Charda is in Guelph in Canada. Both of them are completing graduate studies this year. We are planning to meet in Cambridge, England for one week in July... take a swing by the river with couple of beers and a nice chat - sounds great!!

At this moment I am looking for a summer-job; it gives me some time to find out what I really want, and what my options are...

It is getting closer to Sóley´s Conformation, it will take place 27 April - so I have to start organize it, I guess!! She will invite around 60 people to celebrate with her - it will be one of the greatest day in her life...

Next weekend is the Easter - we have already bought the Easter eggs and looking forward to eat all the chocolate and the candy... yeah

This is it for now...
Take care and be well
L

Waiting for the Spring!!

2008-03-11T14:12:00.000-07:00

Hi - still no news about job!!

My daughter has caught a flu - fever, cough and bone ache... I´m free from flu so far, and hopefully will be. I went to the gym today, exercised well and afterwards I went to the swimming pool and melted in the hot water for a moment... Our swimming pools are the best of all the best... amazing!!

I guess that will be my daily routine while I´m in Iceland. The weather today was beautiful - clear sky, sunny and a bit chilly... nice!!

I´m still applying for jobs, in Iceland and overseas - it is about time to get s job, but the job market seem to be a horribly competing market, overloaded with highly educated people with years and years of experience..

I´m optimistic though - still enjoying life and not frustrated yet!!!

Now I´m waiting for the Spring;) it should be here any moment...

Take care and be well
In peace - L

News

2008-03-08T14:53:00.000-08:00

hi all - people have been complaining about my laziness in writing.... since I handed in my thesis I have been relaxing and collecting energy. I will give myself one more week to relax before I put my mind fully into considering my options for my next move.

I´ve had amazing time now and I am preparing my daughters Conformation which will take place late next month. We bought a very beautiful dress last week and today we bought shoes... incredibly fancy lady-shoes, golden with glitter on one side and high heals. My girl is becoming a lady:-)

My son has had a flu the whole week... I hope me and Sóley skip the flu this time... we don´t really need it - but who does??

I write more when my brain is back on track...
Take care and see you soon
Love and peace - L

No news.....!!

2008-02-24T16:29:00.000-08:00

Hi - no news are good news, right!!!

I went to visit my friend yesterday (Saturday), together with my daughter. We borrowed a car and left the capital for one night. It was amazing relaxing time. I´m getting in touch with myself again, recovering from what I thought would be "the endless writing thesis" and ready to move on.

I´m waiting for a respond regarding a job application at the Foreign Ministry, and tomorrow I will call a friend in New York and check the status of my job application there. It´s incredibly boring process, and actually there are too many educated people on the market.

The coming week I will spend at the Icelandic swimming pools and hot springs.. soften up my body and mind. I will emphasis on relaxing and prepare for job-interviews I expect to take place in the coming weeks.

I hope to have some news for you next time I write - ;-)

Take care and enjoy life
In Peace - L

The former student

2008-02-20T15:16:00.000-08:00

Hi - I know I´m a lazy writer, but I´ve done nothing but writing for the last months, co I´ve had my share for a while:)

I submit my thesis last Friday, 15 Feb. and it was approved by the University last Monday, so officially I´m not a student anymore - and it feels damn good. I´m so hyper and tired, it would be a good idea to make a hiking trip to get me down...but I´m really not a hiker...

I´m doing full time job-seeking now, and it´s really boring... I will praise the day I get a job, and the first pay-check will be the biggest celebration of the year...

... as you hear, I´m in need for a counseling after this traumatic education hehehehe..... I believe though I recover soon... actually, I´m violently happy these days and enjoying the freedom...

My daughter is still staying with her aunt, but she will move back to me at the end of the month... that will be great - we miss each other a lot.. She is doing very well in school and coping well with all these changes. But it´s time for stability again...

I am trying to get a job in several places, including Iceland - I give you update when I have some news... so if you don´t get any new post here, nothing is happening.. now I will sit down and work on my resume.. make it more attractive and professional..

Take care and see you
In peace - Linda

Update

2008-02-08T14:27:00.001-08:00

Hi there - I finished my thesis yesterday so now it´s just to celebrate my freedom and go to full-time job-search. I have applied for several jobs, but none of them is what I really am looking for, so the job hunt might go on for a while. Iceland has been cold and busy since I arrived, so I will try to enjoy some easy time ahead, until hard work began again.

Hope all of you are doing well and keep in touch - I write more when I have something to tell and when I have got my spirit back.. I´m horribly tired these days... so..

see you soon
In peace - L

Still in Iceland

2008-01-30T07:07:00.000-08:00

Hi there - I´m a kind of stuck here in Iceland for now.... still finishing my thesis, but my thesis adviser found my paper too political (how can anyone be too political) and she required more legal analysis.. how boring that sounds.. but I´m in that process now and will probably send her back my second draft on Friday... so I can expect relaxing weekend;) wwwiiiiiiiiii

I am waiting for some responds in regards to jobs I applied to... few here in Iceland and some abroad... no news yet.

Keep you updated
Take care, keep in touch and stay cool
In peace - L

Iceland

2008-01-19T02:50:00.000-08:00

Arriving in Iceland was cold cold cold, but good in a way - it was great to meet family and friends. I have been busy with finishing my thesis catching up with TV shows and films hehehe

I gave a talk at the university, regarding my thesis topic and had an interview at the National Radio Station. It was great, got good questions from the crowed, which helped me got clear picture of my thesis. Now I am waiting for job interviews at an Icelandic Development Agency, the Foreign Ministry and the UN in New York... cross your fingers and toes for me... see you soon

Take care, in peace
Linda

We were happy to be together again after 6 months separation;-)

Welcome to Iceland

My last day in Costa Rica

2008-01-19T02:42:00.000-08:00

I left Costa Rica on 14 December. I miss all my friends, the nice warm weather, the green nature and the bright light - but now I´m in transition finishing my 5 years study and ready for the battlefield of job hunting....

...and here I go - good bye UPEACE

Ready to leave Costa Rica

Birta, an Icelandic girl doing internship at UPEACE, and me

Back in Iceland - after troublesome travel

2007-12-18T10:56:00.000-08:00

Hi there

I arrived in Iceland on Saturday morning after rather busy trip. When we were about to leave San Jose a woman got sick on the plane and was put off (it took time though!!). It delayed us a bit. When we were about to arrive in Atlanta we had to circle around for 30 minutes before landing, for some reason (and I didn´t really need that, I had connection flight). So we arrived late and when I came to the immigration desk the guy was TOO interested in my study and even though I tried to tell him I was about to miss my plane he kept me chatting... incredible....

I had my computer bag on my back, with tons of books, horribly heavy - carrying two full paper bags, a purse and my neck-pillow.

I took the train and run to Gate T7, which was on my ticket, and when I arrived there I was told my flight had been moved to Gate B3 - I had to run back, take the train to B3, and when I arrived there they had closed. I was told to catch the next flight which was to leave in 30 minutes, from Gate T7 (can you imagine, I had to go back to the gate I left). I had to run because the time was limited, and when I arrived to the Gate I was so sweat and thirsty - I saw blueberry-ice-crush and decided to get one for cooling down a bit. With all my belongings I added the ice-crush and walked to the check-in-desk. When I arrived to the desk I dropped the ice-crush (I had white T-shirt on and you can imagine how it became) over my self, my bags and purse, the desk and the floor. I stood there and could not move. I asked for napkins but the lady at the desk answered rather irritated that she didn´t have any. Finally, when I had stood there for a while, without moving, a handsome guy handed me a bunch of napkins.

I was told I was number 10 on the waiting list.... the weather in New York was very bad at that time so we had to wait for two hours. Finally when the check-in began I had to wait for the valid-ticket-people to check in. Then the waiting list began its process. It was a place for 9 people on the plane.... can you imagine, I was number 10. The woman number 9 was very irritated and decided not to go, so I was next on the list. I was very very happy because I was getting a bit tired of all this mess. I walked at the entrance of the plane and was told to wait. Then the lady told me that some mistakes had occurred and I had no seat, I had to take the next plane. I decided to wait there until the plane took off, I was not enjoying this process. When all the people had got on the plane, two couple came out, looked at me and said they were going to give me their seat for a Christmas present. WHAT A HAPPY MOMENT. I hurried in, before someone changed his/her mind, and I arrived in New York 90 minutes later.

New York was fresh, cold so I hurried to my hotel for the night. At the hotel I payed for internet access, but never got the access.... it was rather cheap hotel, but not that cheap!!!

The next day I had a flight scheduled to Iceland and the weather in Iceland was very bad, the flight the day before had been canceled, and so I was mine, until in the afternoon. We took off short after scheduled time and from there everything went well.

Now I am freezing, trying to get used to the dark and the cold...
Be well - L

The student-life is coming to an end!!

2007-12-02T13:46:00.000-08:00

Hi all - sorry I haven´t been here for a while, very busy working on my thesis and trying to plan something sensible for the future.

For the last two weeks I have been working almost every day on my thesis, well, some day I am more productive than other - today f.ex. I didn´t do a think... haven´t open a book. I went out for a lunch with one of my friends. We went to a nice restaurant in the forest and had great food, a glass of vine and had a nice chat... it spices up the life a bit;)

I am trying to find the "right" thing to do, but it´s hard - so many ways to go from here.... so if any of you have some advise, please shoot!!

According to the situation today, I will leave Costa Rica on 14 December and go to Iceland: stay there over Christmas and New Year. And then, I don´t know!!! I will put my thesis away for two days this week, and try to figuring out what I want to do when I grow up!!!!! It´s about time, isn´t it???

Otherwise, I´m getting tired and in a need for a break and long-time rest....

Hope all of you are well and have a joyful Advent
Take care - in peace - L

News

2007-11-17T13:08:00.000-08:00

I am about to finish a chapter in my thesis, so I´m in progress, I guess. I had a dinner-meeting last night with one of my former lecturer at the University. He is working at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, where I am trying to get a job. He offered me to introduce me to people at the Headquarter in January - so next step is to make a trip to New York in January and hope for the best.

I also gave my CV to a woman who works in Guatemala, for Save the Children - she will pass my CV around to institutions and organizations in Guatemala - and then it´s just to see what and if that leads to something.

It is unbelievable difficult, time- and energy consuming to search for a job within international organizations, so when I finally get a job I will stay there for a while.

I bought a plane-ticket to Iceland 14 December and am planning to stay there over Christmas and maybe few months - I need a job while I am looking for a job... sounds a bit weired, but that´s how it works...

Hope everything is well and send me a line or give me a call - I´m a kind of far away from everybody!!!

See you - in peace, Linda

Halloween Party

2007-11-17T12:45:00.000-08:00

Hi there - sorry I haven´t been an active reporter, but now I´m back;)

My friend Victoria is back from the Middle East and I, of course was very happy to claim back my freedom - I have been working like crazy on my thesis and believe me, it´s very difficult to stick inside the box of international law... leave history and politics out... gosh - if I survive this project, I´m a hell of a survivor!!

We had Halloween party in late October, at Thomas and Estibaliz’s house in the forest. It was great and amazing costumes...

The Little Pumpkin

The Suer-Mom, the Arab and Palestinian

Not a baby-mom any more - my freedom is back

2007-10-26T11:13:00.000-07:00

Hi - I´ve had a hell of a week - on Monday I had to take Hermine to the pediatrician, which declared ear infection and a running nose, so we went back with a bag of medicine... later that same day Fidel vomited on the floor and I just managed to pull him outside before he vomited again... on Tuesday he still had diarrhea so we had to make a visit to the Vet... and Fidel got two shots and medicine for 5 days... what a family I got into.. but all went well.

On Wednesday I decided to drive to the airport and pick up Victoria - I took Fidel with me, as I wasn´t into driving alone in the dark and not knowing exactly the direction. I looked at a map on google and the road to the airport seemed rather direct forward.. drive the highway, one turn and from there direct to the airport;) I was happy.... why did people complain about the complexity of driving to the airport???

We went, late afternoon, and the darkness slowly arrived, well not slowly, it suddenly becomes dark here, without any notice, and the traffic was horrible (gratefully I took off in time). I drove the highway and did my turn and happily drove my direct road to the airport. Suddenly I arrived to a crossroad - it was not on the map g.dam.it - I stopped the car and asked for the direction to the airport... and yes, turn right and continue direct to the airport, no more turns... I kept on until I arrived to another crossroad - again I went out and asked.. the same answer, turn here and its direct, no more turns.. huh - I didn´t believe that, I realized that direct in Costa Rica means only few turns and either you´re lucky or not to make the right one, because they don´t bother put up visual signs to guide foreigners like me. After several turns I arrived to the airport and received Victoria - and man, Fidel was soooo happy to see her, and of course she him - we went into the car and the first thing Victoria does is to step into a vomit on the floor in the passenger seat... poor Fidel had been carsick and vomit during one of my jumps-out on our way to the airport... and I didn´t notice it - all I could say was "Welcome home Victoria"

The drive back was easy, as I had a driving expert by my site and we all arrived home safely - and poor Fidel was not well at all... it was a bad idea to bring him...duh

Now I´m back to my thesis, full time and it´s great - I love it.. cold think of being a student for lifetime...

It´s a Halloween party tomorrow and I have to figure out what to were - I have no idea... but we´ll see.

Hope all of you have a good weekend
Take care - in peace
Linda

Yo:-)

2007-10-21T17:40:00.000-07:00

At a café at Plaza Florencia

Well, I´m going out.. so how do I look?

My four legs friend and his two legs sister

2007-10-21T17:34:00.000-07:00

Hermine

Hermine

Fidel on his fancy sofa-chair

Three more baby-mammy days...

2007-10-21T17:22:00.000-07:00

Hi - I have been a baby-mom for almost three weeks now and it´s almost over for now;) but Hermine (the baby) is really great, she laugh, smiles and sleeps - easy to take care of, very good girl.

Fidel (the dog) thought he was very clever yesterday - I made lasagna yesterday and had to throw a piece in the bin... Fidel run very fast to the bin, grabbed the piece and swallowed it. The problem was, I put a lot of chili in my lasagna. Early this morning I woke up with him, scratching the door and crying, he desperately needed to get out... I took him out (otherwise he would have scratched himself through the door), on my pajamas and he run.... first then I realized the consequences of my lasagna; he had diarrhea and released in front of two houses (incredible bad choice), but it´s not allowed. We have special places where we take the dogs, but he just didn´t make it... hehehehe, it was really funny, but I sneaked home and pretended I didn´t know this dog!!

I think Hermine is getting sick, she has not been enjoyable company today - so I must take her to the doc tomorrow...have her checked out.

My thesis work is going slow at the moment, but will get into full speed at the end of the week, when the mammy thing is over;)

Hope all is well for you out there - see you hopefully soon
Take care - in peace
L

My driving adventure in Costa Rica

2007-10-12T18:37:00.000-07:00

Hi all - I´m not bored anymore, got my spirit back, back to the gym and progressing on my thesis.

I have to tell you about my driving-trip today.

I had to go to the Mall, which is just outside San José, the capital of Costa Rica - it´s a simple way to drive there and I don´t have to go into the city, which is crazy in all ways. When I got close to the Mall I saw the entrance I used to drive in was closed, some road-reparation, so I had no other option than continue. The traffic is fast on the main road and I didn´t have much time to think, so I just kept driving and hoped for a way out. When I got closer to San José I realized I had no other option than to go into the city, and just hoped for a roundabout - it´s so simple.....

I followed the cars into the city, and no roundabouts in sight, I decided to stay on the same lane and not turn into some side road, then I would completely loose my ability to find my way back - so I just continued on the same road and thought, "well, there must be somewhere, by some traffic lights I can turn around" - I passed traffic lights, but the road system here is really strange and I never new if I was allowed to turn or what... very confusing, so I just kept on driving.

After a while I had concrete blocks between my lane and the lane back, so it was no way to take illegal round and turn back - I realized that I was actually on my way out of San José, but into the wrong direction... I drove and I drove, until I entered the toll, where I had to pay to leave the city (which I didn´t meant to do). I payed and continued. In about five minutes I saw the airport... I was actually on my way to the airport (The most sensible thing was to jump into a plane and leave this mess).

By this point, when I had been driving for 45 minutes (luckily I filled the car with fuel before I left home) I saw a change for me to turn around (illegally though), and I did - I drove back violently happy (had to pay again) - and when I entered the Mall the "fucking" road was open - if I just had waited for 30 minutes at home I would have skipped this painful time-and fuel-consuming situation...

Now I´m home and didn´t find what I was looking for at the Mall - it´s even worse....

Well folks, hope you had a good day too;)

See you
Take care - Linda

It´s raining and I am bored.......

2007-10-10T15:23:00.000-07:00

Hi there - the weekend was very busy, I took Hermine at 2pm on Saturday and the nanny came back at 7am on Monday, so meanwhile I did nothing except taking care of her; she is so good but I had forgotten how busy those little people are.

It was my birthday last Monday, 8 October and no one seems to remember anymore.... so sad, but I guess I should be glad, at this point birthdays are no fun any more;)

I have had good and not-so-good nights, mostly good though. I have to wake up early, early in the morning so my bed time is early early as well.

The weather is horrible, it´s high rainy season and its raining when I wake up and when I go to sleep, and it rains a lot I can tell you. So now I am about to be bored to death, stuck inside with my books. I am working on my thesis during the day and its going very well.

Well, I am out of spirit for the moment so I write you more when my spirit comes back

Until then, take care
In peace, Linda

I survived the night;)

2007-10-04T12:02:00.000-07:00

Hi - I survived the night as a baby-mom, and Hermine did not pup.... good girl!!

Actually the night wasn´t as calm as hoped, I woke up at 2:30, she was making noise in her sleep, but she didn´t wake up. Then she woke up at 4, and because I am not allowed to feed her at that time I put her to sleep again (took a while though) and went to sleep again. Then she woke up at 5, smiling and happy to see me (well, at least one of us was happy) and no more sleep for me. Now I am sitting at my desk, trying to work and horribly tired. I might visit my bed for a while and prepare for night number 2...

See you
In peace, Linda

New life for three weeks

2007-10-03T19:19:00.000-07:00

Hi - my friend Victoria left this morning on a trip to the Middle East, where she will work for three weeks in several countries - very exciting work. I am at her house, with her 5 month daughter Hermine and the dog Fidel. Yes, and the Nanny of course. So my task it to look after Hermine and the dog from 7pm-7am weekdays and during weekends. Hermine is a durable baby, she sleeps, eat and laugh, she never cries and she is always happy and calm.

It´s been a while since I handled such a small individual but it´s just like running a bike, it all come to you when you need it.... we are pretty good actually... so from being alone by my self with my computer, books and clothes I now have a house, a car, a baby, a dog and a Nanny.... what a change!!

I asked Hermine this evening not to pup from 7pm-7am weekdays and never during weekends... lets hope she understood - her parents speak French, the Nanny speaks Spanish (and our communication level is really really low, my Spanish is though relatively better than her English, which is zero), and I speak English to her, I cannot add Icelandic to her vocabulary - first then she would make trouble, be confused and unhappy... and we don´t need that...

Otherwise I´m doing well - my daughter and son are doing well in Iceland and I´m enjoying my work, so what else do I need...... eh, a job maybe, soon!!!

Today we had just a little rain, pretty good, but that means hot hot hot.... and I like the heat so I´m good..

Hope all of you are doing well and keep in touch, some of you are horribly lazy people duh.....

Take care and see you
In peace - Linda

The steak was goooood.....

2007-09-29T10:17:00.000-07:00

Hi - Today is Saturday and I am sitting at my desk working on my thesis. I went out last night with Victoria and we had a BIG real steak and a glass of read vine.... it was delicious - however I woke up this morning violently hungry... maybe I am growing.. huh

It´s very very hot these days - I had a walk to the fruit market at 7:30am and sweat and sweat... and now it´s a wait for the rain;) same procedure as usual...

I am reading undeliverable good book on torture, well, a bit disgusting but excellent source for my thesis - so this day will be spent on torture and maybe I go out tonight and see some people;) how about that!!!!

Hope you are all doing well
Take cara - In peace
Linda

The last day of ham, egg and oatmeal....yeah

2007-09-27T15:22:00.000-07:00

Hi all, now the week of ham, egg and oatmeal is coming to an end. Well, it doesn´t mean that it wont come up again, but for now I am saying goodbye to my single-track food.

For breakfast I have had oatmeal since Sunday morning. For dinner I have had omelet with ham and bread; fried egg, ham and bread; boiled egg ham and bread; omelet, ham,tomato and bread and tonight I will have omelet with ham, tomato and olives. I finished the bread yesterday.... so pretty good... if you need any advise how to use egg and ham, just send me a note...

I have been working on my thesis all day, my eyes are about to leave their place in my head and I have a bit of a headache - so I guess it´s time for the gym.

My daughter went on her first teen-ball this evening, in Iceland. She is great, just look at photos of her further down, I downloaded while ago.

I would appreciate if you could celebrate my delicious dinner tomorrow, eat something juice and have a glass of wine with me, wherever you are.

I leave you for now - speak to you very soon
Take care
In peace, Linda

My daughter going to her first teens-ball...

2007-09-27T15:19:00.001-07:00

Tuesday 25 September

2007-09-25T17:47:00.000-07:00

Hi - I have been working on my thesis all day long and am becoming a bit dazed. Now I am running a bit short of money so I must be very careful with my shopping. I went shopping on Saturday, and because I am a bit tight for the rest of the month I decided to be very practical in my grocery shopping. I bought oatmeal for breakfast and ham and eggs for dinner, fairly cheap. Now I have had oatmeal for breakfast, for 4 days and omelet with ham for dinner, for 4 days.... believe it or not, it´s not as tasty today as it was last Saturday... gosh, hens and pigs will not be on my favorite list for years to come.... lets hope all this is worth it..

I applied for a job in Afghanistan two days ago - it´s only 4 months post in Kabul at UNDP. I have the perfect education for this job but no experience, so I will probably not get it, unless on one else was crazy enough to apply!!!! wopppsss

We had a lot a lot of rain this afternoon, yes I know it´s no news, but I am really getting tired of all this rain, and the strange thing is that Costa Rica lack water... huh.. I see too much water, they seem not being clever enough using their resources falling from the sky.....hmmmm

Now its 7pm and time to leave the computer, get connected to the TV and dream about my coming breakfast, OATMEAL....

Hope you out there get good breakfast and a juicy steak for dinner
My time will come

In peace - Linda

thursday

2007-09-23T10:12:00.000-07:00

Hi there – today is Thursday and it’s raining and raining like never before, actually it has been raining horribly since I came back to Costa Rica.

I spend the days at the University working on my thesis; I wake up around 6am, go to the university at 8, take the bus home at 3pm, go to the gym at 4pm, back home around 6pm, make light dinner and in bed at 9pm, totally knocked out. I am very organized and rather boring at the moment….. and for sure I don’t have a life….will get one soon, hopefully, when I have finished my thesis.

I had horrifying breakfast on Thursday – I was poring the Cheerios on my plate smoothly when one cockroach fell out of the packet and on my plate – it run fast of cause, apparently didn’t like my company and I chased it and caught. So it went well, but I lost my appetite and the Cheerios wasn’t very appealing to me anymore. On Friday I took the Cheerios again and opened it – the first thing I saw was a cockroach, staring at me like he was saying “please close the door, I am heaving my breakfast here.” The Cheerios went straight to the bin and the kitchen was vacuumed…animals with more than 4 legs do not belong to the kitchen, thank you very much….

On our way from school today we saw a big snake – it was very pretty, seen from the window with the door closed hehehe – it’s the fourth time I see snake since I came and this was the biggest one… so no walks to the university…

This weekend will be work and work, on my thesis. Last weekend I spent on job applications, and believe me, it’s really boring and time consuming. It’s a lot of work to be done on my thesis and I am becoming a bit tired of it – need to finish it as soon as possible and get some stability and fun in my life – eh….

Otherwise, I am good

See you hopefully soon
Linda

Thesis and job search period....

2007-09-16T08:15:00.000-07:00

Hi all - some people complain about my lazy-writing.. try to be more active from now;)

I had to give away my dog, but luckily I found her a good home. It gives me more flexibility in job-searching not having to worrying about her and I could not bring her with me anyway... too expensive and complicated.

I got some comment on my thesis from my adviser and he found it too philosophical (well that´s my mindset), so I must put more legal approach into it, which gives me more work as well. Otherwise things are pretty relaxed at the moment. I spent 6 hrs searching for jobs yesterday and will spend other 6 hrs applying today - it´s really BORING process - gosh, people don´t get too much education it just makes life more complicated.

My daughter is in Iceland, doing excellent in school, even though she missed one year she is above her school mates - I´m proud of her, she is very clever and good girl. My son is in school and working as well - he started Boot Camp training last week and barely could move without pain the whole week... hehehehe - but it´s fun and good training.

I am working on my Spanish, not progressing fast, but slowly slowly... I must be able to communicate with the nanny who is working for my friend Victoria, who I live with, but Victoria is leaving for three weeks and I will take care of Hermine (her daughter) during evenings and nights for three weeks - then I must be able to communicate with the nanny (eh, start with knowing her name). The cleaning lady destroyed three clothes from me last week when she washed them and I was told it´s very common here.. so my favorite clothes will be washed by my self!!!!

Now it´s time to return to job application process... no relaxation - actually I am ready to leave Costa Rica and start earning money... do you have any job for me out there?????

Take care and keep in touch
In peace - Linda

News of the day

2007-09-08T15:25:00.000-07:00

Hi all - I am sitting at a restaurant in Ciudad Colon in Costa Rica, drinking fresh pineapple juce (la pina) and listening to barging dogs and cockcrow. It has been very humid and hot during the morning, but wet in the afternoon - the raining season;)

I am searching for jobs at the moments and the focus is all over the world - so a bit confusing. I will get my darling dog Fönn today and put in pictures of her tomorrow - she has grown big big while I was away, only for three weeks though.

We´ll see how the first evening goes in the reunion
Hope all of you are well
Take care - in peace
Linda

New start but still unclear future...

2007-09-07T13:23:00.000-07:00

Lot has happened since last time I wrote – people have been complaining about my lazy-writings, but its past, from now I will give report, at least every a week.

I went to Iceland on 7 August and stayed there until 29 August, where I left back to Costa Rica. Soley stayed behind and started school one week before I left. She will stay with her aunt for this semester while I finish my thesis (the never ending story) and develop some secure future plan for us.

On 29 August I went to Copenhagen and visited my brother, his wife and two dogs for one night. It was lovely to see them and great to visit. Early next morning I had a plane to catch to New York and had 9 hrs flights ahead. I slept most of the time. In New York I had to, as usual go through highly detailed and boring security check and wait 5 hrs for my flight to Costa Rica. It was amazing to step on the plane to Costa Rica, just like being home again – hear the Spanish again and see all the colorful people – I missed that in Iceland.

When I arrived to my friend Victoria in Ciudad Colon (our lovely town) I was very warmly welcomed by her and Fidel (the dog). I was destroyed by the time difference but happy.

The day after my arrival I went downtown and met the family I used to live with and people around – everybody hugged me, kissed my and welcomed me back.. it was amazing.

Now I am living in a small space, working daytime, gym at 4pm and early sleep at evening. Tomorrow afternoon I will go and pick up Fönn, my dog and get her prepared for meeting Soley on skype on Sunday, but Sunday 9 September is Soley´s birthday – she will be 13…. Big girl – hopefully she can join us soon, wherever we end up.

Take care and see you soon
In peace
Linda

Costa Rica/New York/Iceland

2007-06-22T21:27:00.000-07:00

Hi all

I went to New York with my daughter and now I am back in Costa Rica (working on my thesis) and my daughter in Iceland. We spent four days in NY and it was great - apart from all the walking and sore feet.

It was really great to be with my daughter in NY - she kept repeating "I love it." She was looking forward to go to Iceland and was very happy when she arrived and met the family and friends. After one week in Iceland she wanted to come back to Costa Rica - Iceland is cold, everything is so expensive and people aren´t as warm as in Costa Rica... but students finances do not allow much travel expenditures so she must wait until I finish and return home. She is now in Akureyri, the town I did my undergrad and enjoying life with her best friends, so all is well with her.

I am working on my thesis and it is a lot. I must submit before 20 July - and actually I will try to submit before the 6 July and travel for one week, before heading to Europe. I haven´t got a job yet - no time to apply actually, so we will see what happens when thesis work is done.

For now, I hope all of you are doing well - probably relaxing in summer vocation - duh.... no such luxury here:(

Take care and I speak to you soon
In peace - Linda

New York was great

2007-06-22T21:05:00.000-07:00

Who doesn´t want to visit M&M store on many floors... mmmmmmmmmmm

Times Square on Friday evening was colorful and full of life - we loved it;)

We walked a lot and good food and wine at Hard Rock Café was not bad...

On Friday evening we went to Hard Rock Café - and it was great...

In Iceland it is essential to have a hat - always fresh air....

This is the General Assembly - just like a theater.....

One of my teacher at UPEACE, Narinder showed us around - this is the Security Council

The United Nations headquarters - I look a bit lonely on the bench, don´t you think?

We arrived late to New York and woke up late - so it was breakfast in bed;)

On the plane to New York - it was difficult to say good by to all the friends in C.R.

United Nations in New York

2007-05-29T12:53:00.000-07:00

Hi all

I am going to New York, the city of fun, tomorrow with my daughter. I wrote an email to one of my teacher who has been working for the United Nations for 30 years. We will visit him at the Headquarters of the United Nations and he will show us around... it´s excitement moment for both of us... well, me now and hopefully my daughter later...

We are packing all our things because I will move when I return on Sunday...

Be well and enjoy life
In peace - Linda

At Embla´s request....

2007-05-26T13:17:00.000-07:00

Best friends;-)

2007-05-26T12:58:00.000-07:00

Upload...

2007-05-26T12:30:00.000-07:00

Oh... please give me some space to wake up before I start the model business....

My daughter bought herself a flute - but she has studied flute for many years in Iceland and misses it a lot

This is my best friends daughter, born 27 May 2007. I was present during her birth - amazing experience..

My daughter with some of her classmates

My daughter together with the two granddaughters of my Costa Rican family

My daughter has had a good time here in Costa Rica, even though it has been difficult from time to time...

Finished classes....

2007-05-26T12:04:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Well - I have claimed my freedom, all classes finished and "just" thesis work to finish. The last two weeks have been rather easy, little work and a lot of rest - I think I needed that.

My daughter is going to Iceland on 2 June and will stay there until I finish my thesis work. We will go to New York 30 May and stay few days - I need to travel with her to get her on a plane to Iceland. When I arrive to Costa Rica I will move to an apartment up the hills and work on my thesis in the forest among animals and plants;-) quite good...

I am beginning to look for jobs and its a jungle. I am focusing on Europe and the application process is a full day job... so that´s the process I am doing beside my thesis work. Hopefully it gives some results before the end of the summer.

I hope all of you are doing well - and it would be good to hear from you all...

Take care
Linda

2007-05-13T19:44:00.000-07:00

My host family has a dog which is rather wired - she like sunbathing...

Fönn uses all opportunities to take Soley´s teddies - she can be really teasing..

Fönn like our shoes VERY much..

2007-05-13T19:40:00.000-07:00

My dog takes me out for a walk 3-4 times a day;)

My family

2007-05-13T19:36:00.000-07:00

My dog is growing and still keeping me busy....

My daughter is entering the teenage period - rather cool these days...!!

Hi

2007-05-13T15:22:00.000-07:00

Hi all - finally I managed to log in to my blog, but blogger changed the system so I couldn´t log in with my old login and password.. finally I forgot my password and have been struggling with this process during the weekend - but here I am;)

This term has been very busy - study from morning till evening and most weekends. I finished school a week ago and began serious work on my thesis yesterday - I must say that I am looking forward to finish this work period.

A lot of things has happened since I wrote last time, but I don´t remember much.... sorry

My friend Victoria gave birth to a baby girl two weeks ago and I was with her during the birth - it was amazing experience and both of them are healthy and happy... her boyfriend is based in another continent so he is not around much...

Sóley finally got into a good school (expensive as well) in February and is enjoying it. It is a relief for both of us. She might go to Iceland in 2-3 weeks, but I have to stay until mid July, finish my thesis and graduate:) what a day that will be....

Fönn is growing like a horse... she is still a puppy but huge... eh, I don´t know how big she will be but I hope she stop growing soon..

We are all well and happy and looking forward to return to Europe.
See you soon
Cheers - Linda

Happy New Year

2007-01-02T06:27:00.000-08:00

Dear all

I hope all of you had a joyful New Year’s Eve, and you are well. We moved on 31 December to our new home and you can imagine how comfortable it is to have someone to take care of all the practical housing things and get the food served on the table… amazing how it suits me well;) maybe I should get a Nanny when I move from here!!

New Years Eve was quiet for us, we had dinner with a professor at the University, a good friend of us and we had a good time – it was quite different from the traditional New Years Eve in Iceland, but a good change.

On New Years Day we had lunch together with the family we live with, but they invited their relatives for barbeque and drink in the backyard… it was great and we had a good time.

We are planning to make a daytrip to the beach tomorrow, but Birkir, my son is leaving on Thursday; we have had a great time.

Well folks, this is it for now – I am going to work on my thesis…

Take care and see you soon

All the best – in peace
Linda

Christmas Eve

2007-01-02T05:59:00.000-08:00

On Christmas Eve, one professor at the University invited some students to their house for celebration. We met at 3pm and sat out in the backyard, eating, drinking and chatting for hours - really nice event.

Birkir surfing

2006-12-26T19:58:00.000-08:00

Sóley surfing

2006-12-26T19:38:00.000-08:00

The beach

2006-12-26T19:22:00.000-08:00

The sunset was really beautiful...

The waves are very strong here in Costa Rica and it's really fun to play with them, whatever your age is;)

The restaurant.

The view from our room.

Tamarindo beach in December 2006

2006-12-26T19:13:00.000-08:00

The hotel park and the restaurant.

The beach, seen from the hotel

The hotel and the pool

Sóley at the beach the first day.

Marry Christmas & Happy New Year

2006-12-26T19:11:00.000-08:00

Dear all - I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I finished school on 15 December and was absolutely exhausted, after long working days and evenings for the last weeks. The term turned out really well with unexpectedly good grades, so I am pretty satisfied and ready for a relaxation period. On 18 December I went with my children to the beach, Tamarindo in Costa Rica. We strayed there for 5 days and had a good time. This area of Costa Rica is really beautiful and the beach amazing. Sóley and Birkir took surfing lessons, but Costa Rica is one of the most popular surfing places in the world. They did very well and Sóley is determined to take more lessons in the future. I did not any surfing lessons, as I tend to injure my self in sport activities; it was not an exciting idea of entering my hometown in a wheelchair or by an ambulance….

We left our house before leaving to the beach and today we stay at our friend’s house, but they went to the US over Christmas and New Year. We stayed at home over the Christmas holidays and rested, but we will move to the new place next week.

We are planning to go to some place over the New Year, but nothing has been decided yet. I am still tired and need endless sleep, so I write no more for now and speak to you again soon.

I wish you all a good holiday and hopefully I hear you soon…

Take care - Linda

Sóley & Fönn

2006-12-03T16:18:00.000-08:00

so I sent them upstairs to sleep - but where am I supposed to sleep??? it's my bed!!

And it worked ;)

Sóley fell a sleep on the sofa and Fönn didn't like it at all... so it was just to find the right way of waking her again.....

Fönn is becoming gigantic and we can barely hold her any more..

We have some news - Fönn is loosing its puppy-teeth, one is gone and another one is on its way.. just like a baby,,,!!!

2006-12-03T09:24:00.000-08:00

Fönn is digging a hole in our backyard and is doing pretty well....eh.. maybe not a good idea..

Hi - I'm alive and well;)

2006-12-03T08:23:00.000-08:00

This bed is becoming too small for me!!!

This is my special place - my throne....

Fönn and Fidel are very good friends - and soon Fönn will be bigger than Fidel...

Hi all – sorry for the laziness. I haven’t been writing in my diary for a long time… but we are alive and well.

Since last time I wrote the summer has arrived, with wind and falling leaves. We had a storm two weeks ago that uprooted old trees. The electricity went off and later the water – but we had to be without water more or less for 5 days because the pipelines had to be cleaned. Things are coming together again and we have water. The electricity is though not stable, it went off last night so I am going to the Apple store today to buy a protector for the computer, the adopter went on fire few days ago – probably because of to much strain.

I caught flu 10 days ago. It started with by stomach; it went out of balance – when I was out of water, of cause. If followed with headachy and high fever for 3-4 days, and during that period I had to do one presentation and deliver two papers. When the fever was out of my body I got cold; coughing days and nights – my fellow students are becoming very tired of my barging.. but today the coughing part is over and I think I am back to normal – and I better be, because I just started two weeks intense course in human rights, which require a lot of readings and participation. When that course is finished I enter the Christmas brake, the 15 December until 8 January;)

My son, Birkir is coming next Saturday and he will stay with us one month. We are going to this beach http://www.tamarindo.com/ on the 18 December for 5 days and after that we will do short tours, but it is very expensive traveling in Costa Rica during December and January.

Sóley and Fönn are doing well – Fönn is turning into a lion she is growing so fast, but she is very good and learns fast.

I have decided to do some changes in January. We will leave the house and move to a family, a elderly couple close to where we live now. We will get a big room with bathroom and private entrance. I will have 2 meals per day and Sóley 3. The lady will clean the room and take care of our laundry. She will be home when Sóley finish school, give her lunch and help her with the study – so I basically can focus on my study, Sóley and Fönn, and leave all those boring practical things, which take too much time. I also save 400-500 dollars per month. Very good….;-)

The school has been going unexpectedly well and I am very pleased with my work so far. I must began organizing my thesis, but I have no idea what issue I should choose for my thesis… I’m waiting for it to drop from the sky, into my head.. hopefully soon…!!!

This is it for now – I must go on reading human rights – I have a great teacher from Egypt who is introducing to us the cruelty of the real world we live in.

Take care and speak to you soon
All the best – in peace
Linda

I'm done...

2006-10-25T16:21:00.000-07:00

Hi folks

Finally I have 4 days off - I just delivered my paper.. a legal case study criticized out of philosophical arguments... I'm not sure they like this philosophical approach, but this is my passion and that's it...

I will have a discussion with my daughter tonight regarding our short vocation, but it is either going to the beach with my class or staying at home and doing day-tours to the water park and tivoli....

So tonight it will be dinner-out and a compromize..

Speak to you soon
All the best - in peace
Linda

Three more credit done... and two more on Wednesday..

2006-10-23T17:25:00.000-07:00

Hi all

I had 90% exam this morning – the exam from hell… I think I did ok, but not more than that. Now I have a paper due on Wednesday so I better keep on working – exhausted with empty head…. Well – it doesn’t look promising…

The Christmas vocation will soon be here – all academic books will be locked out and the country discovered from bottom till top;)

All the best – in peace
Linda

The new family member...

2006-10-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

Yes I am getting big - soon I can climb on the sofa and get all the interesting stuff there :-) hehehehehehe

ufff what a treatment - I'm finished....

ah that's goot - but I don't like to be wet.......

No - nothing to eat, but I like it....

But she was a bit curious about this bottle - is it someting to eat??

She need to take a bath - to begin with she didn't like it and tried to climb out of the tub.....

Fönn really want to help me with my work - but we don't agree about the methods used... I want to read and she want to eat..

She like the toilet paper and she eats everything - if we take the eye of her, she eat whatever is in front of her - the other day she ate a balloon, and delivered it few days later - yesterday she ate one of Soley's earings and this morning she ate a paper... I wonder if it was some of my academic work......!!

The first weeks Fönn didn't know how to walk up stairs - when she found out how to go up, she got into trouble going down..... it was a whole different story - so she a kind of got stuck there.....

Continuing-process with the cable-internet company...

2006-10-22T07:35:00.000-07:00

Where did I get the idea from that my relationship with the cable-internet company was over??

When I signed the contract I chose to get the bill through e-mail... in early October I began to wonder about the bill, it hadn’t got any.

One morning few days ago I was at school, as usually and I phoned home to my daughter during the morning – she was in trouble, as a man from the cable-internet company arrived and claimed money – monthly fee for the internet. I asked her to bring the man to the phone so I could speak to him, but he didn’t speak English – of cause. She tried to convince the man about the REAL situation in our life – I am at school during morning so nothing will be paid at my house during morning. As I was on the phone, with my daughter on the other side, was trying to transfer messages between me and “my friend” from the cable-internet company, our neighbors arrived and intervened in this process. My daughter run between me at the phone and the people in the doorway, and all this communication process was beginning to get on my nerves – what is wrong with these people, they should know that I am at school in the morning, I have told them million times, and I was to get the bill through e-mail. So what was this guy doing?

Finally the guy left and I was supposed to call him in the afternoon. When I came home I went to the bank and paid the internet bill – I was told by my neighbors that these guys try to fool people, get money from the “rich and stupid” foreigners and put it in their private pockets. I never called the guy and he never came back or contacted me.

Yes – we call it adapting the existing culture;-) and play the game according to local rules.....

Cheers - Linda

Time goes and I grow....

2006-10-11T06:22:00.000-07:00

It is good to have someone to crosscheck my work before I hand it in - and those two took it very seriously....

My daughter's cake looked delicious and tasted well, but it was a bit like glue got stuck in our mouth between the teeth - Fönn found the cake interesting but was miffed not getting any...

On my birthday I woke up, went out of bed and had to argue with Fönn about my clothes - for her everything is toy...

They are best friends...

Isn't she cute....

Hola

Well - I am one year older than I was last time I spoke to you - last Sunday I “celebrated” my birthday - my daughter baked a cake for me and we went out for dinner. Otherwise the day was pretty much dedicated to paperwork I had to deliver on Monday – legal writing.

Fönn (the dog) is gorgeous. She is growing very fast and always hungry. We have a closed backyard she can stay in while we are at school and one of my schoolmate know a carpenter who might be able to make a small-house for her… very cute ;-)

She is just like a small baby, sleeps all the time.

In Costa Rica it is getting chilly during the evening and night, sweatshirt weather. We are now in high rain season, which will end in late November. The dry-season is around the corner; warmer, windier and sunnier. It is the time the beaches urge you to come ☺ but students usually don’t have much time for such luxury…

Well – time for school
Speak to you soon
Take care

In peace
Linda

It is always a light somewhere.....

2006-10-05T18:14:00.000-07:00

Hi - the last two weeks have been rather tuff, as I am striving for understanding in international law; my hair is turning gray and the face covered in wrinkles. So far, my life has been characteristics with headache of international law and bug-battle. Rather exciting life I have….!!!

Today I saw the light – I found a gym and went to a spinning class – the guy who run the program was the most beautiful guy I have seen for long; perfectly fit and pretty – what more can I ask for today? This is just what I needed – From now, I will spend the afternoon at the gym and watch the trainer (eh, maybe do some training too), which will be the spicy part of my life, and it will give me energy to face the next morning, the dry part of my life… so, I’m pretty optimistic now and ready to seek unknown knowledge ;)

This is it for now – must go to work
In peace
Linda

Lovely morning with coffee and quietness

2006-10-03T06:22:00.000-07:00

The puppy was relaxed when she woke up this morning and played with her toy until we went out of bed, and she didn't pee during the night - good girl....

This morning was a bit disturbing for those two friends - Soley was not fully awake when she went feeding the puppy and dropped the food on the floor – they picked it up together – cooperation is a key word for a good relationship;)

This lovely spider was in my laundry last night when I went out - isn't she pretty? If you doubble klick on the picture you can see it more clearly - it's even better. The one we got inside our house was twice as big as this one.... Have a good day;)

Now it is a moment of relaxation with my coffee and the computer. - no unpleasant animals, just me and the puppy. Soley is already in school. We took the puppy to veterinarian yesterday and she got one vacination and went through a health check. Now she's got a health cerificate like us - and we have to bring her again in three weeks. She is really smart and is getting used to us. She didn't keep me awake tonight so I am in a better mood today then yesterday - I need my sleep and I need my coffee before dealing with unpleasant things....

Well - the coffee is finished and time for school
I must bring the puppy with me today - maybe she will learn something useful at the university...!!!

See you later
In peace
Linda

My house is an animal planet....

2006-10-02T05:54:00.000-07:00

Hi

The weekend was dedicated to the dog (Fönn). She is beautiful and nice little puppy. She is so young and misses her mother – she was crying all Saturday and during the night, so we didn’t get much sleep. Yesterday was a bit better – she was playing and is getting to know us. We had to wake up several times during the nights because she had to pee – just like a little baby – hopefully it will change soon, I need my sleep….

We woke up at 5:30am this morning, as Soley has to be at school at 7am. We had only been awake for few minutes when Soley screamed and run down the stair and shouted: mammy, there is something in your closet, to big for the spade. I really hate those moments, when she sees something ugly and too big, especially early in the morning before I have my coffee. She saw a cockroach again – and when I had got my heart rate stable and got enaugh courage, I went up stairs and killed it… I really don’t have a nerve system for those kind of incidents. Maybe I should get a roommate who takes care of those things…..

Well – must go to school

See you in peace
Linda

Court and spiders

2006-09-30T14:21:00.000-07:00

Hi

Yesterday (Friday) I went to the Inter-American Court and listened to a case: kinsfolk of victims against the State of Peru. In 1992, 9 university students and one young professor were kidnapped, tortured and killed by the army of Peru. They were believed to be terrorists. Some remains have been found but others not. The government has admit the crime and paid some restitutions to the next of kin, but not apologized, but the victim’s relatives haven’t got back their lives or the victims names been cleaned. We listened to relatives' statements, which were quite emotional and statement from the represent of the State and the defenders. It was very interesting to get to know the practicality of what we are learning now, and gave the dry-readings more value – so it will keep me going for the next weeks ;)

I also got a nice and itchy spider-bite on my leg yesterday – rather bad one, but not poisoned. I was a bit worried to begin with as it contained some liquid and looked bad, but it’s ok. I am seriously thinking of wearing socks day and night while the wet-season and the humidity passes by….

Otherwise we're ok – it will be study and more study for me the next months.....

In peace
Linda

A dog is found....

2006-09-30T11:20:00.000-07:00

Hi - we finally found a puppy - a sweat little 6 weeks old. She is female, a mix of labrador and something else, but she has blue eyes and pink snout, otherwise she has the labrador look. She probably left her mum this morning because she is frightened and quiet. Here are the first pictures - first day at home....

A complaining post....

2006-09-28T20:39:00.000-07:00

Hi all

This week had been quite rough – the international law part is killing me and I have to spend all my time in readings, without much success. Law is dry, uncreative, basic and rather boring I must say. It is though a tool, which I can use (later) in a creative work – so it is basically to hang on and look forward to finish this dry part and get access to the spicy one.

My daughter and me are still looking for a dog, we haven’t found any yet, but we will search the market during the weekend.

This evening I faced two big insects – a big spider taking a walk around the bin and far-too big fly inside the house – very nice incident before bedtime…. In a day like that I wish I were in a cold and snowy environment; how can people get used to these creatures. The mosquitoes like me more then ever and I got three new bites on my legs last night; itchy, uncomfortable and not very smart ;-(

This post is a complaining one - Lets hope for a brighter one next…..

Tomorrow I will visit the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in San José and follow a case pleading. I don’t expect it to be fun – but hopefully informative.

In peace
Linda

Promises must be kept....

2006-09-25T08:07:00.000-07:00

Hi – now is Monday morning and I just arrived to school and realized I have no class until 1pm – I could have slept few hours more…… damn

Last Friday our professor invited us, the students in International Law division to the National Theatre in San José. We listened to classical music and afterward we went to a Club, had few drinks and chat – smashing evening.

The weekend was mostly dedicated to academic readings – I have around 150 pages to read each day, and not an easy stuff….. yesterday I went to a pet store, looking for a dog for my daughter, but three years ago I promised her a puppy when I finished my study and she would reach twelve years. She is twelve but I haven’t finished my study – so we have been debating about the dog-thing for some time. Now it’s time to fulfill the promise– we don’t give our children a promise we can’t keep, we are their guides.

I will look at a street-dog today (it’s plenty of them here) and maybe I bring her (it’s a female) home – she is four months old…. I let you know

Cheers - Linda

Today's news

2006-09-19T17:38:00.000-07:00

Hi – I am beginning to realize that I must increase my knowledge in Spanish if I am to survive the year.

I haven’t been able to get a cell phone because I can’t find a shop in my village that sells them. If and when I find a phone shop, I must take the phone-receipt to the phone company and get a number – this is the only way.

I haven’t found the post office either and can’t ask anyone (have to find out how to say post office in Spanish) – so I still have the letters I wrote 3 weeks ago in my bag. Sorry about that…!!!

I went today to get extra keys of my house. I knew what direction I was to go and that’s all. I went into a shop and asked in ‘spenglish’ where I could get a copy of my key. The woman in the shop told me to walk twenty meters down the road, and then she said something I didn’t understand. I decided to go and buy milk about 5-10 meters up the street and asked a person there as well where I could get a copy of my key. I was hoping for more precise information. The lady told me to walk twenty meters down the street. According to previous information I should go 25-30 meters, but I guess that in Costa Rica, 20 meters is +- 10 meters. I walked down the street and asked in every second store where I could get a copy of my key until I came to the one ‘20’ metes from the upper-street. I got a copy of my key and walked back home in the thunderstorm, happy.

The staff at the University announced for two students to work with them in marketing the University. I replied and luckily got the position together with a guy from Nigeria. It was the perfect way to overload my self, and the beach is out of sight…. It will be very interesting to work with those people; they are extremely clever and have the passion for UPEACE. So I will enjoy it and also benefit from it.

This is it for now

In peace
Linda