Update

It has been a while now... For the past 2 weeks I have been at home more or less with an unwell child, hence all my time during the days has gone to looking after them. And as a bonus, evenings have been spent trying to catch up on what I've missed at school so really haven't had much time left for anything else...

Now we seem to be back on track again, fingers crossed! Life is, as always, busy. Loads of coursework, but it is fun and interesting :) Next term (autumn) we will have our work-practise. 20weeks of being based in one of our prospective future fields. Looking forward to it. We're now at the stage where we have to submit and talk through our choices in where to go and what field we want to get in to. Though! With my degree you qualify for such a variety and diversity of professions, hard to know what to choose as you only get one placement... Sure it'll be good anyways and so looking forward to actually "doing" what we're reading about :)

Apart from illness and school, not so much going on at the moment. Busy enough anyways. Have agreed to do a few shifts at work over the next couple of weeks as well, always good getting some extra money to save for summer. So, all in all, my prediction for the coming few weeks will be busy busy but it'll all be worth it if my plan works out. And, my grand master plan is: To work my ass of now, and save money so that summer can be spent having loads of time off with the kids. Can't wait til it's summer, or at least spring. Need this snow to go away, need sun. Can't wait!

Age and life lessons...

Age, what is age really? Does our actual age define who we are and how we act? I think the answer is no! I always joke about being only 25 although I may just be a few years older than that... Why, one may ask. The answer to that one is quite simple, I don't feel old. People usually assume i have some sort of age crisis but no! couldn't be further from the truth. I am quite happy being where I am at the moment, I enjoy my life and for the most part I lack nothing and feel content :) As it goes now, don't know if it's because I study with a lot of people younger than me or if it is that I finally dare to not care what people think or expect of me but I feel younger than I have before.

I spoke with a friend the other day, and was asked if I truly wanted to be 25 again-the honest answer would be no. I'd like to be younger yes BUT I wouldn't want to be without all the things I've done, the experience I've gained and all things I have so far achieved. Truth is also, without all my past experiences I wouldn't be where I am today and I like today! All in all, what we do defines where we go and as I am now convinced I am just where I should be, doing what I'm meant to do and going where I'm meant to be headed I could ask for nothing more! I sincerely believe that mistakes aren't bad, this is what we learn from. I view mistakes as life lessons. I would much rather make mistakes and know that I at least dared to try than sit later on in life and regret not trying!

Although I have weeks that are busy, days that sometimes feel tough and things don't always go to plan I love my life today! Still, I'm going to keep making mistakes in life, because I will keep on trying new things! I am not going to shy away when a challenge approaches, because I want to learn more, experience more and move on in life so that I can enjoy, and appreciate every day I get and love my life as much in the future as I do today!

Spring term, term 4!

Was going to post some pictures of our weekend but at the moment it's not working so will have to wait. We've ha a fab and chilled out weekend, 4 day break, lovely! We've seen some friends, my parents and done loads of sledging. Saturday was pretty freezing but gorgeous! Went down to ab -20 I think, during the day it was only around -13 or so... As much as I love winter and snow, right now I just can't wait til summertime though. Need some sunshine!

Tomorrow it's back to real life again and the start of my 4th term at uni. Will be great, can't believe quite how fast time goes by though. Soon I will be half way through, we do 7 terms in total so by the end of march... I think this term it will be some more practical courses thet'll and more geared into our actual profession. After the summer it is time to do one term (20 weeks) of worked practice which means we'll be actually at work in one allocated field of social work and led/taught by experienced social workers. Will be great!

Friends

Just got off the phone with my best friend. We haven't seen eachother for quite a while again now, not strange as we live in different countries. We speak to eachother a few times a week usually. It's amazing that even when nothing happens you can have so much to talk about! I see her as part of my family, the sister I have choosen to have. Miss her dearly!

It's quite strange when you start to think about friends, people you meet and how sometimes you meet theese people you instantly like. People that you are in one way connected with straight away. She is one of thoose that I had that connection with early on. I wonder what makes such feelings happen? The same goes for the opposite, people that you instantly develop a dislike to. Don't have any answers but I am sure many out here will agree that sometimes you just meet someone that without knowing them at first you're drawn to them and feel that you have a common connection. Then as the friendship develops you know it's meant to last. Other people you struggle with getting to know and getting along with even if you try your hardest! This must be one of the great mysteries of life!

Did it!

Exam done, went fairly ok I think. There is always an uncertainty until you get the results but don't think I could've done anything differently though. Handed in with an hour to spare. Finally had the kids home as well tonight, now we have 4 days off, long weekend! Hope we'll be able to enjoy it. My daughter now seems well, only the night will tell if my son has escaped the sick bug or if we're in for another round. Fingers crossed!

Well obviously today has been spent writing so not much more to share at the moment really, just enjoying the fact we have a 4day weekend ahead of us. No major plans, love it. Only our imagination limits what we might get up to or we might just chill out. Not such a bad alternative either when we're usually running around busy with life in general. Let's see shall we :)

Timing is everything...

Tomorrw it is again time to do some exam-writing. A one day at home writing essay style exam, hmmm... The kids are still at their father's house, usually the go there one night a week but last night my daughter came down with the sick bug that has been going round, hence it makes more sense that they'll stay til tomorrow evening when my exam is done. Miss them though, the house is so silent and still when they're not around. Tommorrow evening it'll all be back to normal again :)

Now, should probably head off to bed soon. Have spent all day, well the majority of today, going through books and prepping for the exam, think it is time to try and get some rest. Will be interesting to see what they have in store for us in terms of exam... Wish me luck!

Music & memories

It's amazing how music can bring back memories of places, people and situations. Just one song or line can take you back years in your life and make you re-live your past. Obviously this can have both positive and negative effects but I choose to focus on the good bits!

Sat in the car today, music on loudly and singing along as I was on my own. Then this one piece of music comes on the radio, blast from the past, and made me think of what I used to do back then. We're talking a fair amount of years back, more than I care to count... Made me think of the people I used to hang out with, people that were friends that I now unfortunately have lost contact with. I started thinking of what has happened to them, how they are, would I recognise them if I'd bump into them now. They have had and impact or input in my life, some more than others. I wonder if they know that without them my life might not be as it is, and I wouldn't be where I am. Usually we consider theese people you have around thet are true friends the ones that count, and yes they do have the most impact on your life I gues but... I think that sometimes people are meant to be in your life for a short period only, sometimes it seems that they were there just at that particular moment you needed them.

It also shows that although people enter and exit your life, they make some impact or mark on your life that makes you remember them, maybe not on a daily basis but now and then. It goes to show that whatever we do, whoever we meet, we have a chance and an opportunity to impact them, just by being ourselves. I can only hope that the impact I have had on the people I have met, known and called friends aswell as all the people I have yet to meet will be positive for them when they look back on their life in the future.

To each and everyone who have at one point played a part in my life: I remember you and treassure the time we had, and if it is meant to be, we'll meet again when the time is right! Now I'm going to turn the volume up and listen to some more music that'll bring memories of past times and old good friends!

Back to reality

Tomorrow it's back to uni again, we've had such a lovely break and I could seriously do with some more days off... Or maybe it's just the fact that it is so easy to get used to being on holidays. Nevertheless, tomorrow at 6 am my alarm will go off for the first time in over two weeks. It'll all be good once we get back into routine. On the bright side this means summer is only a few months away, so need som sunshine soon! We've had a fab break from everything though, celebrated christmas & new year, met up with friends and had a few completely lazy days. Love it!

As of tomorrow school will start in style, long day ahead. As it is an inset day over here the kids will spend the day with my parents instead of at day-care. At least they'll have a fun & chilled out day. I on the other hand will start with a seminar on a paper we did just before christmas followed by starting to work on our secong group assignment that needs to be handed in by thursday. On top of that we'll also have a lecture/info on our work practice that will take place in the autumn. Exciting and a little scary to think that time has gone so quickly and I am nearly half way through. Think it's going to be a though spring judging by our schedule for upcoming courses, but it'll work out somehow!

The thoughest thing about being a single parent is that time aspect, you need to do your job/studies as well as juggling everything around the kids, sorting your home and basically be 2 parents in one go. Time can be difficult when day-care opening hours has to match school or when the kids are ill for example. I have to say that I've been lucky enough to in case of emergency have my parents to help but for the majority of time, I sort it all myself. The key to this is planning, hence now it's january planning has begun in order to make summer work so that we get enough time off as well as I get enough work to earn some money. As a student you haven't got an income over summer and planning is  neccesary in order to make life work. So now, new year, time to save up so that we can enjoy summer when it comes :)

4 more days...

That's all we have left of christmas holiday... I have no idea where 2 weeks has gone, but now we're really going to make the most of the last few days. I have managed to do loads of must do tasks over the holidays, quite productive :) All that is left now is enjoying time off so we're just going to relax and enjoy theese last few days!

Today I have spent the day cleaning, well needed and oh so nice now it's done. Have sorted the whole house out, cleared out all clutter, put away old toys, clothes etc over theese past two weeks so now home is a clean and mess-free zone, atleast for a day or two. Tomorrow will be spent with good friends x2! Haven't seen them since last year (hahahaha!!), well a couple of weeks anyways so will be great to catch up :)

Happy New Year!!!

So, I'm now sat here with a glass of bubbly(love champagne, my one and only expensive vice) and the day has come to sum up the year that has passed. Where do I begin...

Let's start with Uni, this past school year has been good it seems. All my studies have gone well, have passed all my exams and student life now seems easier than when I first started. Maybe because I'm now getting in the flow of student life or maybe because I actually love what I do. This past year has made me realise I am in the right place and doing what i am meant to be doing. A good year all in all!

As for home life the kids and I have been well, it's lovely to watch them grow into their different personalities more everyday. They are both at real developing stages age wise(read periods of extreme testing of their mother at times) but that is all part of growing up and learning new life skills :) Last year has also been a bit though, on my son in particular as he's not growing as "normal". Doctors have ruled out any underlying troubles and through loads of tests confirmed this is "only" due to lack of growth hormones. Treatments will probably start next year so wish us luck! We also had a tough time when we lost my cousin unexpectedly last spring. He was too young and it happend suddenly...

Personally I've had a good year. I've learnt a lot about myself and how I react in different situations. I have become more patient and relaxed both when it comes to school and when applied to the rest of my life. I feel I have achieved what I wanted and I've also had some opportunities for fun nights with friends. Over the past year I have made a few new friends and also reconnected with some old good friends with whom i had lost contact. Sadly I've also lost a few, some intentionally others not... Always sad when you loos friends you thought were close but that's life I guess...

Over the past year we have also had my best friend over to stay, miss her so much! Fab to see her, hopefully I'll be off to see her soon :) We have managed to buy a new car, moved house and I managed to win a price in a competition. All good!

As for the coming year expectations are high! My daughter starts school this coming autumn, she can't wait. By march/april I'll be half way through Uni as well.. Also hope all will go well for my son's treatment. On a more personal note I hope for some more opportunity for party and sparkle in my life and maybe a chance to dare to and meet someone special, who knows!

As for New Year resolutions I only ever have one reoccuring one: I promise that I will not give any resolutions as I am not very likely to keep them anyways ;)

On that note I want to wish everyone all the best for 2013 and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Last christmas reflections this year.....

Today I had a lovely, and well needed; sleep in. After all theese last weeks crazieness of getting all sorted for christmas this was really a well deserved treat. Had a great christmas eve with my parents and sister yesterday, not quite perfect though as the kids weren't there. One thing I just have to learn to deal with I guess. First time for me though! That said, me and the kids father have agreed on the terms for "big" holidays as to have them with us every other time. Just as tough on both of us I reckon but a "fair" thing to do for all of us. Focus always has to be what is best for the kids, and therefore this is how it has to be. One big change and progress this year, the fact we actually agree on things :) Hasn't always been that way but as it seems, it gets easier. Hope it'll continue this way as for the kids it really is the best thing if parents can get along and agree on things that concern them :)

Today has been a day of relaxing for me, have almost done nothing! Love it, so needed a break and now for me holidays have started for real. This coming week we are just going to enjoy having time off and doing whatever we fancy! Will be back with updates and more reflection over the year that has passed :)

Happy Christmas!

All that stress before christmas, have spent the last couple of nights wrapping presents and fixing all the last bits of prep and... yes I managed to do it, in time! Today was the big day. As the kids are celebrating at their father's on christmas eve and day we decided to go ahead and do christmas a day early. It has been a lovely day, loads of food, sweets and of course presents. Think the kids got more than what they could've wished for and now they're happily asleep :) Tomorrow I'll be off to my parents after having dropped them at their father's house and then we'll do a "grown up" christmas and exchange presents. Should hopefully be good as well :)

The whole christmas frenzy is rather crazy though. Every year I always think that this will be the year when I don't buy the kids too much so they'll learn to appreciate their gifts. Every year I then get worried they won't get enough presents as I have tried to follow the above... Every year people around my kids give them loads of gifts anyway and it all ends up in a total unwrapping mania of wanting more. They obviously like their presents and yes, they do get necessary things aswell as toys but... always lots of stuff! Not that I deny them that but to put it in perspective it seems so weird that we this end of the world give away tons of stuff when so many people around the globe barely have anything to eat. All this media influence and christmas hype tells us that this is what you do if you love your children, family etc. And yes, I'm guilty of falling into this every year but, isn't the most important thing that you are together with your loved ones? Love can never be expressed fully through pricey presents. Love is being there for, listening to and spending time with the ones you care about. That is something you can do everyday, not just one day a year! My aim in life is that my kids will grow up and not think of me in terms of what material things they've recieved or not, but will feel that I always was at their side, that I always listened(and at least tried to understand) and that I always had time for them, no matter what. That is the true meaning of christmas and how you express true LOVE for the ones you care about!!! On that note:

I wish you all a very happy christmas! Hope you have a great time with your loved ones and that this christmas will bring special memories to treassure forever! HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!

Finally!

I am now officially on holiday! Sort of, will probably be some(maybe) reading over the next couple of weeks but on the whole I  am planning to just enjoy a little time off with my kids and family. Such an awesome feeling to know that we now have 18days of almost no must do's, well that's after we've completed all the must do prep before christmas that is!!

Tomorrow we're(kids and I) off to the city to meet up with my sister and do the final bits of shopping and ofcourse also to just spend some time together :) Then it'll all be wrapping presents and sorting the house out left. Love the excitement of presents, wrapping them and getting to give them away!

Will be back soon with some more updates/thoughts on life once I've rested a little after theese 2 lst weeks of extreme work overload. Have to say my brain is near shut down since I have for the most part survived on very little sleep, all about priorities really and sleep hasn't quite been top priority lately... Plan to make ammends over the holidays now if the kids will let me,

Good Night

Superwoman!

That's what I feel like right now! As I have written previously uni has been extremely manic but somehow I have still managed to sort most bits for christmas and so on... Only last few presents to get and I have 1 week to do it-should work for sure!!! Couple more days at uni now then some well needed time off.

Anyhows, tomorrow it'll be full day at school then time to start wrapping presents, love it! Best thing about christmas is wrapping the presents and giving them away :) Right now all my time revolves around school and christmas prep it seems...

Have also been thinking about this last year and all that has happened. Will do some reminiscing here in a few days before we hit new year. Always a good thing to evaluate and appreciate the good bits and work out what you need to improve next year :) Also, I have added a little LIKE button at the end of every post, so if you like what you read feel free to tick the little box :)

Good Night for now!

Weekend summary

Have had such a fab weekend, well deserved I think since last week was so busy. Friday I went over to one of my really good friends. We had some wine, glögg, cheese & so on, totally fab! Was a bit of a late night though. Saturday I had another godd friend over at mine and we had dinner, wine etc. Yet another late night but great! Have to say I do feel a little tired now though!

On top of having fun I also managed to do a few hours of work on saturday. It was one of thoose days at work when you understand why you do what you do. Some of the kids I work with have improved & started to really improve in so many ways. I have absolutely nothing to do with that but just to be able to see that transformation from how lifee used to be for them to what it is today is such a blessing. It's moments like that that makes my job worthwile :) For you who don't know what I do, I work with disabled children & young people...

We have also managed to get some order at home now in time for christmas. The tree is fully decorated, although decorations have been put up somewhat unevenly... Now just a few bits left before all prep is done and we can enjoy a little bit of time off. 4 days more of uni, then... Can't wait!

Random thoughts....

This has been a week that has made me think alot, both about myself and who I am but also about the people I am aimed to work with once I'm done with uni. We've had a few really inspiring lectures and seminars where we've had the opportunity to listen to peoples life stories and experiences in dealing with some sort of need of help from social services. To get the perspective on their feelings and how they've been treated are such helpful things to keep in mind for the future. Have to add that it was both good and bad experiences. It has also made me think about who I am, and how I act/react in different situations. Something always worth considering in order to grow as a person I guess.

On another note, today was Lucia. Swedish tradition with singing christmas songs, and so on. Went to watch the kids at daycare this morning, they were so gorgeous :) It was very cold though. They always celebrate outside and this morning it was nearly -20 outside..... Tomorrow is yet another early morning, been full on this week and as it looks at the moment so is next week. Then after that, christmas break! Now off to bed, alarm goes off at 5am tomorrow, Good Night!!!

2 weeks til Christmas...

And 2 extremely busy weeks it'll be. Full on att uni, got a group assignement that needs handing in during(!) our so called christmas break and still have full days of lectures nearly everyday. On top of that I have agreed to work this weekend... It'll all be good in the end. Have some nice plans for the coming weekend aswell though, off to a friend's place friday for glögg(mulled wine Swedish style) and then have another friend over on saturday, yay! All good fun and games :)

Can't wait til christmas break now though, will be nice to have some time off, chill out and spend quality time with the kids!

Perfect day!

Today we woke up to the most amazing winterday, sunshine & loads of snow so what better to do than head out for the hills for some sledging! Met up with some friends and the kids(and adults) had a blast sliding down the hills!

The view from our balcony this morning!

 

 

Sliding down in the "pulka"

 

Sledging relaxed style

 

 

In the afternoon we stayed in, made gingerbreads and just relaxed. Couldn't have asked for a more perfect Saturday really!

 

 

 

The gingerbread house, with various tenants

to inhabit the house, choosen by the kids :)

 

 

That was our day in pictures, hope for a yet another fab day tommorrow. Will be back with some more tet another day. Have a good rest of the weekend!





Exam done. Welcome to my very longed for weekend!

Exam done, e-mailed and posted... YES!!! Not that I am particulary satisfied with what I've written, as usual, but at least it is done! Now I can relax and enjoy the weekend before we get started on a new course come monday... This was the las exam of 2012 (hopefully, might be a different story if I don't pass though).

This weekend my daughter has made a long list of things seh wants to do. She has decided we need to make a gingerbread house, make gingerbreads, marsipan sweets, nougat sweets and go sledging :) I have agreed to all of the above! In addition we're also planning a visit to my parents at some point, an easy task as they live litterally across the road from us. I for one cannot wait to go sledging, have been watching all the lovely snow fall all week whilst I've been stuck inside writing. Now I want to just throw myself round in the snow with the kids :) For you guys who don't know we now have at the very least ab 15-20inches of snow on the ground over here!

Have also started to get excited about christmas, finally! Only a couple of weeks away, almost all shopping done and loads of fun things planned in the run up to... Have to admit it has been a bit of a downer as this year the kids won't spend christamas with me. It's their dad's turn to have them and although it's only fair and an arrangement we've agreed on it is still a bit of a low point I guess. We're all(my family) going to celebrate a day early in order to have a christmas together and now that's been arranged it all feels better. The high's and low's of being divorced. When you no longer live together you do end up missing bits in your kids lives, I reckon anyone in a similar position will agree with me when I say that this sucks at times. No parent really want to miss ou anything in their childrens lives!

Some positive aspects do exist though, for one-it isn't viable or healthy to stay in a non working relationship neither for the adult nor the children. I have become a happier and more confident person since the divorce and my kids benefit from having a happy mum. Secondly, as a single parent you get some time to yourself, something that is not always a bad thing. A little bit of space to give yourself the opportunity only to be you is so valuable. It's a chance to not only be mum but also develop your own intrests and do fun things :)

 So... little bits of lots of things, enough with thoughts and reflections for today. Now I will curl up in the sofa, pour a glass of red and enjoy the fact that it is weekend and I have no studying to do or books to read. Happy friday everyone!

Exam...

Not finished yet, not to much left though I hope. My last couple of days has been spent staring at the computer, a book or writing on what seems to be our least clearly defined exam to date. That in combination with lack of good material to build any form of text on has been a struggle. Tomorrow it will be over! Just fingers crossed I manage to fix a few bits tomorrow before deadline. And then fingers crossed BIG TIME that it'll actually be enough. Probably one of my worst pieces of text to date whilst I've been at Uni.

Other than examwriting I really haven't done much. The kids were at their fathers yesterday which gave me a chance to write continously during the day, which I did!!! So I haven't quite had the opportunity to go out and enjoy all the snow that has been falling. Will make amends over the weeknd!