Saturday evening. Home writing for you. Valentine´s day has not existed for so long time in Sweden but it is very cute. A nice gesture. No flowers or goodies for me today 🙁 so I had to buy my own goodies.

At this very moment I think of my family. And life.

I have previously told you that I am grown up in the countryside. My parents are getting old but are still going strong. My brother had a terrible accident a few years ago and now he feels much better. He has Aspergers syndrom and Autism. Difficult diseases to understand. I have read some and it is interesting to note that the view of Asperger has changed a lot during only a decade. Most probably due to research that has given us a better understanding for proper help.

Being sister means a lot of work.

My father is traditional. He is not so happy that I am not married. When I go and see my parents he often says that I should go skiing or walking to keep up in good shape. But that is good since I like sport. My mother still go skiing.

I suppose this is a very old conservative spirit in Sweden. At least in the countryside that you should get married and have children. And of course I would like to. When I was little I was told that it is good to have an education before having a family of my own. My mother is a nurse and she has also an education from “husmoder skolan”. I do not know if that exists today. That was a school for women training for having family. They learnt how to cook good food.

My life has not turned out the way I wished. I have been badly hurt. And therefore I am very careful. I have spent a lot of time helping my parents and my brother. My mother has Alzheimers disease and that is a huge challenge. However, she is in good spirit and health now. Most probably I will write my next book about Alzheimers disease.

I like writing a lot and I have learnt very much from writing. I get very close to the characters in the book. I get attached to them. Sounds funny but that is the way I feel.

A few years ago I met evil.

That made me talk to my parents about what I was going to do with my life. Should I stay in Sweden or should I go abroad again. Since my brother is not interested in living in the house we are grown up in we decided that I was going to take care of the house. That is how it works in Sweden. One of the children in a family continues to live in the house. It is also a way for my parents to secure their retirement. To have a happy life.

This might be difficult to understand for other cultures but this is Swedish culture. Or countryside culture. Or village culture. I don´t know. But that is the way it is. Every country has their own culture and traditions.

I will now continue a to write my book. It will be a happy ending 😉

Lots of love

Anna

Early morning in Stockholm – again. And again, a new week. I have some pain from this weekend´s workout.

I put a lot of energy on exercise. Something I have always loved. You challenge yourself. You get new energy. A lot of good things, happen in your body when you exercise. It increases the strength of your immune system. Your brain function increases. Several studies have shown that school children who exercise achieve better results.

Furthermore, small amounts of the body´s own morphine system responds by increasing endogenous amounts of various endorphins. That makes you feel good.

However, the body needs recovery to increase strength.

During training it is important to have water balance so your heart have something to work with. Homeostasis. That made me think of this song.

Have a nice day!

Anna

Have you ever noticed how fast a day passes? And a week. And a year. One of life biggest challenges is to make the most out of your time. My project is to write. And to exercise.

But sometimes it is good just to do nothing. Unfortunately, I have been hurt by previous friends so I am very careful with whom I spend time with. A friend is somebody I can trust.  Not easily found. So I spend quite a lot of time by myself. Tonight I spoiled myself by making cinnamon rolls and bread for breakfast. Even though I try to think of what I eat I must have some sweeties sometimes.

I talked to my parents today and they told me that there is a lot of snow in the countryside. So I better see them soon to go skiing.

Sweet dreams and all the best,

Anna

Early in Stockholm. Dark. But that is February. You just have to accept this dark episode of the year. I am still writing my book so I try to find inspiration from various occasions. Right now I am writing about childhood. And, of course, that reminds me of my own childhood. I used to watch “Little house on the prairie” with my little brother. We made jokes. He was Carrie and I was Laura. I especially remember the intro. Do you remember?

Have a nice day!

Anna

Home writing today. Cosy. Read the newspaper and it tells a lot about Sweden’s dark history in Uppsala.

I have thought a lot about it during many years. And I have not been able to put it into words. Maybe because there are many Swedes not knowing about their own history. Therefore, it is not easy to tell. This should be handled by Swedish government.

Personally, it is difficult. I am grown up in the countryside in Sweden and I don´t know much about my Indian background. I have spent quite a lot of time in the north part of Sweden when my grand mother was alive. My brother and I went skiing a lot. So I know the mountains by heart in Tärnaby. Especially, rather difficult and challenging, Ingemar backen. I remember the view from the top was wonderful. Ryfjället.

Swedish government has more or less neglected the people in the North part of Sweden. However, a first step was initiated by establishing a parliament for the lappish people. Maybe, at that time, that was the best decision. A way to acknowledge.

Decades have passed. Time has changed. My wish is that Swedish government will work for integration.

For me it is difficult since I am not grown up in the lappish culture. I know a little. The photo above shows were I am grown up. I see this his fine piece of history every time I walk the dogs at my parents house.

Ok. All for today. Wishing you a relaxing Sunday. I made some bread. Always nice to have home made cooking, don´t you agree?

Lots of love from Anna