Ceasar Sallad

I guess because sallads are not common in India,  this Ceasar Sallad was a big deal for me. During my year in India, I've had sallads twice...one time at an Italian restaurant and one time in our own home. 

There's a Gelato (Italian ice cream) place in my sisters house.  Starved as I am on really good ice cream,  I've had it every day since I got here.
Normally,  I'm not a culinary person,  but it's no fun writing about all the stress and boring things I've done during the week so....

Bitter taste

This visit to Sweden has been totally characterized by a very bitter sweet tone.

Sweet is meeting my mom, sisters, and friends,  having a cheese burger,  doing some baby shopping. ..but sister time is the best!

Bitter because so many administrative things to take care of in short period of time. ..ie stress with not much space to really enjoy myself.  Add the fact I miss my own family beyond words!!!

Megasale

Half off half off. ..that's a sale where I'll buy some things for Lil Baba.  Do you remember "plastisock"...well it's some sort of it.

Long overdue haircut

This is loooong overdue.  A haircut!  Since getting pregnant and afterwards,  I've kept my hair in a ponytail. ..never styling it really.

So this is my extravaganza during this visit to Sweden. ..to get it done professionally.

Funny neck pillow

I bought the weirdest looking neck pillow I could find. Actually,  it was the one that felt most comfortable. 

It's like 2am and I'm on my way to Sweden.  Tired is what I am and my eyes are small, red and itchy.

Indian vs Swedish phone "rules"

Indian

- Starting at 10 am, it is ok to call as many times as you want at almost whatever hour.
- If the person does not answer...call 4 times in a row just to make sure
- People call you until like 10 pm, Saturdays included
- Everybody picks up the phone!!! no answer machines here. If you don't answer...something seriously wrong with you.
- It is ok to just hang up anytime during a conversation especially if you're a sales person and is beginning to feel uncomfortable with for instance speaking English
- If you don't want to waste your own money or just say like "I'm here" or any other predetermined reason, dial a missed call
- Speak really fast
- If you don't know English, speak your own language even if I have no clue what you're saying (ok, I'm taking Hindi classes now because I want to adapt and learn)
- Any business you come into contact with bombard you with SMS and phone calls. (This morning I received 7 calls and 5 SMS from one hospital...within 1 hour)

Swedish

- Never call on Friday night or Saturday unless you are good friends or it is something important. 

- Don't ever call people like 4 times in a row...they'll think you're weird

- When calling any doctor or hospital,  expect to be greeted by an irritating voice mail speaking extremely slow. Usually there is only ONE hour each day where you can call.

- Everybody has voice mail with their phone service

- Even children have the latest Iphone version cus few Swedes pay their phone cash. The phone is included in the postpaid plan that is designed to make Swedes "believe" they are not paying for the phone. ...which of course they are AND with interest

- People talk diffently with friends, people they don't know and officials. They use different phrases and "thank you"

Beautiful like a rose

I bought this bouquet of roses when I went to the market to practice my Hindi. They use food color in the water to get the roses blue and green.

The market made me philosophical.  Like life itself, there's ugly and beauty. Good and evil. I showed you the garbage, and then there was an ocean of gorgeous roses....garden of Eden.