Stress

I couldn’t get to sleep last night. I didn’t feel too well yesterday and I was really tired, but it still took me a while to get to sleep. I guess I’m a little stressed. Sometimes I feel like I have the wedding thing under control, and sometimes I feel so overwhelmed. I’m basically doing everything, all planning, everything, myself since I live overseas. Unfortunately I haven’t made too many good friends over here who I can ask for help…I get plenty of advice from collogues at work, but advice isn’t planning. Anyway, I’m feeling a bit stressed today, but I’m sure it will pass.

I am considering going home for a week in the spring though. The tickets from Europe to the US are pretty cheap in April. It might be worth it just to go home and get some help with some stuff, plus I would be able to hit some stores…. I sure miss Michael’s and Target!

We’ve now decided not to go to Bali. I did a little bit more research and found out that it’s not necessarily the safest place. I knew about the nightclub bombings, but the ”kidnapping and poisoning” that the State Department warns about sound pretty serious. The decision became final when I realized that Indonesia has been hit pretty hard by the bird flu. Now we’re thinking Thailand (like everyone else in Sweden.)

I think we’ll be going up to Bengtsfors this weekend. I have some serious wedding planning to do.
I hope you all had a nice Valentine’s Day! I didn’t get to see my Valentine yesterday due to miss-matched work schedules, but he did leave a beautiful bouquet of long stemmed roses on the table for me!

Far to go before I sleep

The skies are clear, the sun is shining, and the air is cold! So much for our unusually warm February! Yuck, I hate being cold! At least it doesn’t seem like it will snow. (Knock on wood!) Snow doesn’t belong in a city. It becomes slushy, dirty, and a real pain to walk in. As the Swedes say, ”Shlaskit!” (phonetic spelling.)

Other than the cold spell, things are going pretty well up here. I expanded my position at work by taking over for girl who went on maternity leave. (BTW, maternity leave means at least 1 year off in Sweden.) Anyway, I now have loads more to do. I feel that having more to do actually motivates me a lot, and helps me to be more efficient. I’m really happy with the extra work load; I feel so needed!

Earlier this week I was very excited to hear that people are starting to book their flights to Sweden! My mom will arrive on June 7th, and then my dad, sisters, and my sister’s boyfriends will arrive on the 17th. One of my best friends T, (also my MOH) and her boyfriend are planning to book their tickets this week. (They may have done it yesterday.) Also, my brother and his wife hope to finalize their plans by the end of the week! In case you’ve lost count, that’s 10 people from WA state. I am also expecting my Aunt and Uncle from Rhode Island, and possible my grandmother from Mass. I’m also hoping for representation from DC for a total of 15 Americans. Looking to Europe I am expecting friends from Scotland, France, Belgium, Austria, Spain, and Germany. The Swedes will be out numbered!

I can’t begin to explain how excited I am that people are coming all this way for P and me. I will definitely need to buy some waterproof mascara!

Anyway, speaking of wedding stuff, I am now dealing with the problem of finding a DJ. …oh and ladies, potential bachelorette party in Gothenburg on June 21st. I will help T to plan it (it’s tough for her since she’s not from here!) and then she will get in touch with you. It is so crazy to think that many of my very good friends, all of whom I met during different parts of my life and in different cities (or countries) will all be in the same place at the same time!

Hope to see you all in June!