Quick update!

Sorry everyone but I don't have time to write and update U on my trip in California. There is just too much to see and do and the Internet connection in the Hostel has been really bad with my computer.
But I can tell U that everything has been great this far. Well, we have had some bad luck but nothing big. I can tell U this: I LOVE CALIFORNIA!!!
I promise to write about everything but when I get back home!!!

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

One year ago...

Today (Tuesday) one year ago, my mum and dad drove me to the airport in Sweden to wave me goodbye when I started my greatest adventure this far in my life. I can't believe it was one year ago I took my first step alone out in to the big world and flew all the way over the ocean to the USA. A dream I had ever since I was a little girl and at that moment, I felt kind of small.

I'm so glad I took that step cause otherwise I wouldn't get to know all the awesome people I now know. I wouldn't have seen all the amazing things I've done and I would still be that little girl with a dream.

In one way I'm sad that my year is over cause now I have to say goodbye to all the awesome people I've met. But on the other hand, I soon can say Hi! to all the awesome people I left behind when I went on that flight one year ago.

But I feel ready to go home. There is nothing I feel I've missed and I don't regret anything and I also feel that I'm done here. I won't develop more as a person, I won't learn anything more so it's time to go home....soon! First I'm going on a awesome trip with Kadda and I'm so looking forward to it. Sunny California here we come!!

Miss U all!

Love Sandra

364 days in the US

Today I didn't have to work cause the kids are going to a kind of day care this week. I didn't sleep too long, I stood up at 9 so the family was still here so I could say goodbye to them. The kids weren't that happy that they had to go but that's always how it is when we are going somewhere.

I didn't really do anything today. I watched some TV, I wrote on my blog, I uploaded pictures at Facebook and I bought the tickets that were missing for our trip.

When the cleaning lady was here I went out and walked around in Kirkland, looking in stores but didn't buy anything cause I need all money I can get to our trip!!

The day went really fast and the family came home and had dinner and left for some ice cream but I didn't go with them cause I was meeting M.

Before she picked me up, I skyped with a tired and maybe drunken Anna (from Sweden) who just got home from a week on Crete. She was as tanned as I am and that just after a week in the sun when I had a whole summer, plus a week on Hawaii!!!

We drove to the Houghton beach here in Kirkland and even though it was really cold wind coming, we jumped in! The water was really nice and we swum to the floating deck and M did some back flips while I stayed safe on the deck ;) She looked really gracious and cool.

When we were cold, we took our towels and went to the hamburger place across the street and had our dinner. It was really nice and we sat outside, cause it was too cold inside with the air condition ;) and watched the sun set behind Seattle. They had these cool, American ketchup bottles as U see in all the movies ;) (Look at the picture)
We talked about the future and how easy it's gonna be to visit each other and that we are gonna be more open minded and social after this year when we had to make new friends and meeting new people.

She dropped me off at home but we didn't hug each other goodbye cause we decided to see each other tomorrow again!

The SAAB is back which is nice cause then I can drive to Kadda tomorrow and we can fix with the luggage and stuff for the trip.

I got a little funny gift today from the Stendahl's, it's two rubber bracelets where it says Team on one of them and Edward on the other ;) Totally hilarious! I'll ware them every day ;)

This morning, my Anna was going to fly home to Germany. I got one last text message at around 5 am and it hurt inside. But apparently her flight got cancelled and she couldn't go until around 10 pm so she had to stay the whole day here. Poor her! But I didn't want to meet her, and she didn't want to meet anyone either cause she didn't want to say goodbye to people again. And I had my down period yesterday so for me she's already gone....I just hope everything works out for her and that she'll get home safe!

Today I've been in the US 364 days!!!!

Miss U all!

Love Sandra

My other half is gone

Today (Sunday) it's a day of sorrow...it's the last day I'll see Anna before she's going home to Germany. I don't know how I'll survive without seeing her everyday, I don't understand how I could do it before I meat her...it's like a piece of me is leaving.

I know that we'll see each other again but it never gonna be the same. What we had hare was unique and I'll miss that a lot.

I'll miss just hanging with her and not do anything. I'll miss traveling with her, complaining about our kids, laughing about our low and awful jokes, being hangover together...I'll miss her.

The girls left my place one by one this morning and I just stayed in bed until like 1 when I had a shower and the waited for Anna to pick me up. Her host family was having a pool party as a goodbye party for her, a welcome party for the new au pair and like a new house party. The theme was "White trash" so I ripped my ripped jeans some more and put on a old, dirty white t-shirt. I wasn't in a party mood so I didn't really care.

The party was OK. I mean, there was food, drinks and cake but it wasn't a celebration for me. For me it was the most sad day this far here in the US. I knew that in the end I would have to leave my best friend....so even though there were some cool people I couldn't enjoy it.

Anna didn't want any goodbyes so I tried to be as emotionless I could when we hugged and said, not goodbye but see U in Europe, but it was hard. M had to hug me for a while when Anna had gone back to the house but I pulled it together until I came home and was in my bed. I felt empty. A piece of me is gone and it's never gonna be the same.

Anna: I love U so much and I had such a great time here with U. I wish U all luck now with your studies and have a extra bed ready for your battle sister cause I'm coming to visit U!!

Miss U all!

Love Sandra

Jonas 40!!

Today (Saturday) I had to drive Anna home in the morning since her car broke down yesterday and I was so tired cause we didn't fall asleep until 3 or sth and we left at 8!!

Today is Jonas birthday and not a regular one, his 40st!! So when I got back I joined the family for breakfast but unfortunately I had missed the song but that was fine for me cause my throat was still sore. He got a new WII and a Lazy boy (a big American chair) from the family. It's so cool! I wasn't ready with my gift so he'll get that tonight at the party.

I went back to bed and slept until 12 sth, that was nice ;) I had a shower and slowly started to get ready with nail polish. I talked with Elin, Ida and Hampus over the Internet and as yesterday, I couldn't hear them so I did the talking and they wrote. They had a little pre party with me cause I started with my wine ;) It was nice and I'm looking forward to when we can have a real pre party together!

Anna, M and Kadda showed up around 4 and we got ready together. Jonas party was gonna be a fancy one at a mansion in North Bend so we dressed up really nice. It was so much fun and we turned out beautiful! We had a little too much fun so we got away too late, but that was OK cause everyone wasn't there yet.

The place was amazing!! OMG what a house!! It looked like a old, fancy, white house with pillars and huge stairs, it was like royal house...look at the pictures.

When we arrived, we got a glass of wine in the BIG kitchen and then we went on a tour through the house and saw all the beautiful, fancy bedrooms and bathrooms. It felt like being a princess for a day ;)

We mingled with all the people and had great conversations about everything while the waiter walked around serving fancy little appetizers.

The girls got to meet Kristina, the women we stayed at when we were at Lake Chelan in May, and they fell in love with her as I did. She's such a incredible person and has just such a nice personality.

There were about 25 adults and 15 kids so there were a lot of people but it wasn't crowded cause the house and backyard was so big ;)

It was also a great place for the kids, there was a cable way that they could ride on and actually so did some of the adults ;)

The kids got hot dogs and ice cream so that when it was time for the adults to eat, the kids went to the huge media room and watched movies and ate candy.

For dinner we had crayfish since it's a Swedish tradition in August and we wanted to share it with all the non swedes ;) The waiter was from Texas where they apparently eat it too but they eat them warm so he was amazed by how we ate them.

The crayfish were really small and U didn't get a lot of meat from them but there were also brad and pie so U could get full anyway. Of course we had the Aquavit to it and we shared all the songs with everyone ;)

As a dessert we had some kind of chocolate pudding with vanilla ice cream, it was heavenly!

This far of the evening, M had had really bad luck (or good luck if U see it the other way) First she got stung by a wasp on her way to my place (but she wasn't allergic) second, we almost got hit by another car on our way to the party (but we didn't) third she spilled nail polish on a pillow in the house (not so much) and last Anna poured water all over her (but it was just water so no problem) A problem never comes alone ;)

Most of the people would spend the night in the house but we wanted to go to Elliotte's party also to say goodbye one last time, so we left after the dessert.

Jonas was a bit drunk but it his party so of course he should have a great time! When we left he was acting like I was leaving for ever and told me that I was the best au pair and that I always was welcome to them ;) Nice! The party was a real success and I'm glad we could be there even if it was just for a while.

M drove us to Elliotte but first we dropped Kadda at my place cause she was working tomorrow. Unfortunately there weren't so many people left at the party, cause it had started already at 7 so most of them had gone home already. But we stayed for a couple of hours and talked and played beer pong. We talked for real for the first time with Elliotte's girlfriend Jen and she was really nice.

I got a bit drunk and emotional so I cried for the first time over that Anna is leaving tomorrow. It's gonna be really hard saying goodbye to her...well, she's not gonna say goodbye but whatever.

We all slept at my place and it was nice having my best friends around me one last time!

Miss U all!

Love Sandra

Last day of work!

Today (Friday) was my last day of work for me, they wont need me next week cause the kids are going to a day care.

I woke up with a sore throat and a running nose witch sucks cause I really, really don't want to be sick now when I'm soon gonna travel. And it wasn't long since I had a cold so why?

Jonas didn't go to work today cause he had to do some shopping for the party so he took Sofia and then first drove Lotta to work and then they went to Costco. I was home with Filip and we built the coolest marble track ever. We used a lot of stuff and in the end, the marble flipped over dominoes ;) Really fun!

Today Jonas' present from Lotta would arrive by truck so I needed to be home to get it but the hard part was that Jonas was home and I think he might have seen the truck, or heard it. But he's not allowed to go in the garage so at least he haven't seen the thing, I hope ;)

I made lunch for all of us and then took Sofia and walked to the Fed Ex office again to scan and send the hospital bills to my insurance company. I hope everything is OK and that they'll pay everything.

I took both of the kids and we went to the pool in Kirkland cause now the sun came out. The sun is always a bit slow in the morning. It always come out after lunch ;) We swam for about a hour and then we had a yogurt before we walked home.

Filip adjusted his marble track and I read for the kids for over an hour, not so good for my throat and nose ;) But it was cozy and peaceful.

When Lotta and Jonas got home, I quickly took a shower and got dressed cause tonight I was going out for dinner and a movie with the girls since it's our last weekend together ;)

Anna picked me up and we went first to Costco to pick up her new glasses, Ace ate her old once ;) On our way back home the car broke down!! I don't understand what's with our cars and the sad part is that they are both Swedish ;)

The air hose to the engine was broken and then there is sth with the oil. A nice man pulled over and helped us. He got some tape and fixed the hose temporarily but he didn't think that was the problem. Anna called Todd (her host dad) and then we just parked the car so they'll get it tomorrow. Why now, when it's the end for us? Tonight the family is picking up the new au pair from the airport, good luck to her ;)

M came and picked us up and we could drive to Seattle. The sunset behind the mountains was beautiful and that is totally sth I'll miss.

We were gonna eat at the fancy place "The Melting Pot" which is a fondue place. It was me, Anna, M and Janet. From the beginning we would have been 8 people but the rest couldn't in the end so now it was just the best once ;)

We started with a cheese fondue where we dipped bread, vegetables, chips and apples. It was really good and I could have eaten so much if I didn't knew we would have other things also. As the entree we had a vegetable fondue where we boiled our own choice of meat. I had shrimps, chicken breast and beef. It was SSOOO good!! To this we had potatoes and vegetables and it's was so much fun! I fell in love with their Teryaki sauce. OMG it was heavenly! I'm not kidding when I say I ate it with a spoon ;)

Of course we had the chocolate fondue as a dessert and we dipped strawberries, short cake, cheesecake, marshmallows, bananas and rice crispies. It was amazing! We had the yin & yang chocolate which was dark and white chocolate, really fancy.

The meal was perfect and although I paid $50 for it I'm glad we went there and I could have a nice, fancy last meal with some of my closest friends!

Chris joined us in the end and him, me and Anna then went to the Seattle center for the movie Inception. It's with Leonardo DiCaprio and I've heard it's suppose to be good and that U need to see it in IMAX. In the beginning it was kind of confusing, we didn't really understand the story but it got clearer after a while and it was really good! Of course there was a hottie in it and it was not Leo. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is our new favourite! He's the young guy in "10 reasons to hate U" withe Heath Ledger. Then he was just a baby but now he's older and SOO hot!! Me and Anna were drooling all through the movie and all the way home, poor Chris who had to listen to us ;)

Anna slept at my place cause now the new au pair, Violetta, had Anna's room and she had nowhere to sleep ;) And of course I opened up my room for her! She gave me a little gift that means a lot to me and the funny thing is that I gave her the EXACT same thing. It's creepy!!

It was very late when we got to bed and then my nose and throat didn't make it easy to fall asleep so I'm gonna be tired tomorrow!!!

The funniest of the day: M when Anna started her car: "Is that Anna's car? I thought it was a motorcycle!" ;)

Miss U all!

Love Sandra

The Tacoma zoo & aquarium

Today (Thursday) Filip had his R practise in the morning so we went there and when we were back home, I packed the lunch bag and then we left to go to the zoo & aquarium in Tacoma. I've heard so much good things about it and Lotta also and the kids wanted to go so I thought this was a perfect thing to do today when the weather was not that great. It was grey and it rained some when we were on the road but when we got there the sun came out.

Before we went there, we stopped at the bank and I put all my coins from my piggy bank on to my account. $50 was the amount and that's from savings through the year, pretty good.

It took us about 45 minutes to get there but I had the Acura, since the SAAB broke down yesterday, so it was a smooth drive. We arrived a bit after lunch time so the first thing we did after paying the entrance was to eat. It was really sunny and warm now so it was nice sitting outside and enjoy some good sandwiches. But the piece didn't last long cause soon we couldn't find Lotta's camera that Sofia had brought. She was responsible for it and we couldn't find it anywhere. She asked me to check in the bag but I couldn't find it and I was sure that she had it last so I was a bit upset on her. Then I looked once more in my bag and found it ;) Sorry Sofia!

We started our animal tour with the biggest attraction for us, the POLAR BEARS!!! OMG, they were so cool. I never thought I would see a polar bear and we stayed there for a while and saw them eat and dive in the water. Filip was the camera man and got some really cool pictures.'

Then we saw the walruses that also were really cool, we saw the seals, the tiger cubs that were so cute!! We saw the new cheetahs laying up in the trees, the monkeys, elephants and the big aquarium with sharks and sea horses. Everything was really cool and we had a great time. We had a snack break where Sofia got cotton candy, Filip a soda and I took a ice cream ;) We went to one of those photo booths where I wanted to have a nice picture of me with the kids and the cost was $5. I started to put in money and when I came to $2 I realized I only had $4 ;) There weren't any cancel button so I couldn't get the money back. Good for the next person ;) Whatever.

We went in to the big budgie cage and bought a little stick with some bird food on and then we got the bird to land on our sticks and eat. They were really cute and it was fun that they came so close.

Before we went home, we went in to the souvenir shop where they had a lot of nice stuff. I bought a little polar bear as a memory from my first meeting with the amazing animal. Sofia also bought a little polar bear and Filip took a shark tooth, we all got a little memory from our great day at the zoo.

It took longer to go home cause it was rush hour but it was OK. We picked up Jonas from work cause they had gone by bus this morning and then we went home and ate dinner.

Me and Kadda needed to book the rest of our trip so she came to my place around 8 and we started to look stuff up and planned some more on our big California trip. I'm really excited and when she left at around 10 we had the hostel in Los Angeles, the car and the Grand Canyon tickets. We want to wait some more before we bye the ticket to Las Vegas in case it gets cheaper but I don't know. The weirdest thing was when I wanted to book the car. We wanted to have it from Enterprise cause it's the cheapest one but when I called the main office the lady told me that it wasn't possible to get a one way rental between L.A and San Fransisco. OK, so we searched for other companies but they were all expensive so I called again to Enterprise just to check cause on their home page they say it's possible. This time it was a guy who answered and he also said it wasn't possible. But he was more helpful cause he gave me the number to the office in L.A and also a number to their daughter company. So I called down to L.A and he said: "No problem!' So weird. But whatever, now we have a car! Now I just have to think how we will do with the tent and all the sleeping bags and stuff. How do we get that on the plane?

I stayed up to around 2 writing on this stupid blog to get U all updated on my life here that slowly moves to the end :(

Miss U all!

Love Sandra

The SAAB is dead, again

Today (Wednesday) I was SO tired when I woke up. I just wanted to stay in bed but I reminded myself that this is the last week of work so I stood up. I don't think it was the medications that made me tired cause I stopped taking them last week and I'm still always tired.

Lotta told me yesterday that I don't have to work at all next week, even though my year ends on Tuesday. They have put the kids in some kind of day care and they did it for the whole week so they don't need me. I offered to drive them there but I'll see if I have to do that.

This morning, Filip had his R practice again so we drove there and were back in like an hour. We had plans of going to the Seattle Center and the fountain, but the weather was too bad that we stayed home all day.

I was still super tired when I got home so I put the kids in front of the TV and then went upstairs and took a nap. Sometimes I wish that I had smaller kids, that took naps, so that I also could do that ;)

I couldn't stay long in bed cause soon Sofia came and wanted to do sth so we went to the store and bought some ingredients so that we could bake muffins. I got a recipe from Anna that I needed to try cause I told her that I didn't knew how to make muffins. It was blueberry/banana/chocolate chip muffins and in the beginning I was sceptic cause it didn't look like the mix was correct, so I called Anna ;) But when we took them out of the oven they smelled and looked delicious.

After lunch we could taste the first once and they were so good! I'm proud of my self that I didn't mess up ;) Sofia didn't like them cause apparently she doesn't like blueberry!

I was really not motivated to work today, cause I was tired I guess, so we didn't really do anything. Filip made a marble track that was cool and Sofia did some arts and crafts. We were out a bit and played and then I read for like an hour while they were playing. This was a slow day and when Lotta and Jonas came home, I went to Bellevue to get a present for Jonas.

The warning light on the car has been going on the hole day but since it's doing that from time to time and U can't see on the display what's wrong, I didn't really care. Just when I was parking the car, the ABS light came on and I felt that the brakes were activated cause it was really hard to get the car to move and it was sounding weird. The stereo also went off and then the air bag light also came on. I was able to park before sth else happened and I thought that it might be OK when I just leave the car for a while cause I still had some errands to do.

I ordered a pizza for the family and then I went to some other stores before I came back and wanted to drive home. There were no sign on when I started but I only reached the end of the parking lot before the same happened again. I was almost on my way out on the road when the brakes hit again. I was able to reverse and then park and then I called Lotta who came and picked me up. She said that it has happened once before but I wonder why everything is happening with me right now? She also told me that there has always been sth wrong with the car the same time as one of their au pairs were gonna leave. Maybe it's sad that I'm leaving ;)

Lotta and Jonas had brought more crayfishes home and were now boiling them so it smelled crayfish all over the house when we got home ;) I'm so excited about the party now but of course there has been some problems. First we couldn't have the house anymore cause the renting lady had double booked the house so we thought of having it back home. That was gonna be crowded but the only thing we could do. But then, Lotta found another house that was free so she booked that one instead and it's really beautiful, looks like a palace!

After the pizza, Lotta and Jonas went to try to get the car to a mechanic while I was home with the kids getting them ready for bed.

They had been able to drive it to the mechanic but it turned off at the entrance so Jonas had to roll down and park it ;) Good thing they didn't need a tow truck. I hope there is no bigger wrong with the car cause I feel pretty bad since it's me who drives it the most. Maybe the mechanics at Jiffy Lube did sth wrong?

I spend the rest of the evening putting together a play list for Jonas' party with some new songs they wanted.

Today I got the bills from the hospitals regarding my bug bite, around $1000!!! It's so much money. I mean, this was just a bug bite, imagine being hospitalized. How can people afford living here? I wonder if there is people without insurance, that can't be possible? I'm glad I have a insurance, just hope they'll pay for everything.

Miss U all!

Love Sandra

The last outdoor movie!!

Today (Tuesday) I went to the Crossroad's Cinema in Bellevue for the free summer movies as we have done now a couple of weeks. Today it was "Planet 51" and we have also seen this one before but it's a good movie so it was OK.

I like this cause when it's over it's lunch time and then there is not so much left of the day ;) And today was also really hot so we decided to go to the beach, AGAIN as Filip says ;)

Before, we stopped at 7 eleven and bought ice cream and Slurpy. The kids were happy ;)

We went to Idylwood Park as we did last Friday and also today there were a lt of people. We took a place and then jumped in the water at once and this time Filip also joined us cause he remembered how much fun he had last time and didn't want to miss anything this time. We played together and I chased the kids and it was so nice in the water. Filip did the swim test so that we could go out deeper when Sofia was at the beach building a sand castle. It was really nice and when Filip wanted to help Sofia, I laid down in the sun and tanned ;) I met Catherine, my area director and she didn't even ask about my wound or the trip to Vancouver or my trip home so I don't think she is a very good area director. But whatever, I'm leaving now so I don't care.

We went home and then I needed to make dinner, for the first time in a long time. Sofia passed out on the couch and that's understandeble cause it's been two long, intense days with a lot of sun. She selpt for like an hour and that looked really nice.

Filip had soccer today so Jonas took him there while the rest of us ate and then I went to Bellevue to leave some clothes that I didn't want anymore at Goodville. Anna also came with me and we went to the mall cause I wanted to find sth for Jonas on his birthday buyt I didn't this time.

We went to the downtown park where we met up M and took our seats for our last outdoor movie together :(

This time Betty, Eric, Rob and Chris joined us so we were a lot on the blanket which was really nice. Anna wanted to party all week long since it's the last one, so we went to Safeway and bought some wine she could have through the movie. To be discrete, she put a straw in the bottle and kept it in the bag, it looked really funny!

The movie was "The blind side" which I think is a great movie and I loved the whole evening with everyone being there and Anna feeding me with candy ;) This is sth I'll miss! On the way back home, me and Anna discussed that now there are so many things we'll do for the last time and it's not the same as when we left home cause then we knew we were coming back. Now it's probably forever!! I hope not but U never know.

Miss U all!

Love Sandra

Goodbye Austin

Today (Monday) I started really slow with the kids. We watched TV almost the whole morning and after lunch we went down to Kirkland and bought a ice cream and were at the water. It was really, really hot so the kids went in the water, even though they didn't wear swim suits ;)

At 3, when the quiet time was over at Anna's place, we went there to swim in their pool. Slater was still in bed but Jay and Lance were there so we all went in to the pool and it was so nice. We had a war over the floating things, Au Pairs vs kids....the kids won. They were so sad when we went out of the water to rest and they were on us all the time to get back in. Ace didn't really know where to go cause he was so excited now when there were a lot of people. Cute but stupid dog. Anna told me that he had fallen in to the pool, reaching for a leaf, and he doesn't know how to swim ;) Anna had to help him out of there but I bet he'll fall in to it again soon ;)

We stayed there for almost three hours and the kids had so much fun, and me too. I wish we had a pool here! Well we have but I would like a bigger one and one U don't have to inflate ;)

Lotta was already home when we came cause we stayed at Anna's place a bit long, but it was OK cause we had to wait for Jonas before we could go out and eat. Lotta said in the morning that it was gonna be hot and that we needed to eat at a place with air condition ;)

We went to a place we think is new, at the Marina Park. It's a Mediterranean restaurant called "Olive You" It's really nice and have a big terrace where U can sit and look at all the people passing bye.

The kids were tired after the long, warm day and also hungry so they were a bit cranky. I had a avocado salad but they didn't give U very much avocado which was a bummer since that was why I took it. Well, well....it was good anyways.

The family went to get a ice cream afterwards but I had a goodbye party to attend so I went home and got dressed instead.

It's Austin, a American guy that I got to know through Elliotte's parties, that are going to study at the University that's 5 hours away from here (forgot the name ;)) I don't really know him so well but there are a lot of cool people coming and I never say no to a party ;) But it's a bit weird that it's on a Monday but whatever.

Chris picked me and Anna up and then we drove to Everett where Austin and Mike lives. The apartment was great! It's big and well planned and I would totally live there if I had the chance.

There weren't so many people there and we didn't know any of them cause they were High school friends of Austin but some of them were nice and funny.

Mike, who was roommate with Austin, had a dog called Harley. It was really cute and so soft and ran around with his toy in his mouth looking for someone who wanted to play with him.

We occupied the spot next to the fan cause it was extremely hot and after a while famous people arrived an joined us.

I had a great evening talking with many of my closest friends which was really nice cause soon I won't see any of them again....:( It feels so weird that when U say goodbye now it's probably forever...my brain doesn't really realize that cause I just say like "See ya" and then it's like: "Wait, maybe we're not!" There are so many people I'll miss and I just hope I can come back and visit them again.

Back home I felt really sad and I didn't want to work tomorrow. I was tired and a bit drunk ;) So I just went to bed to try to sleep my sorrows off my mind...

Miss U all!

Love Sandra

Vancouver on bikes

Today (Sunday) we had to go up pretty early, at 9:30 ;) Cause we needed to check out at 11 and we wanted the free breakfast and then stopped serving that at 10. It was not much of a breakfast, just toast and juice, but it was free ;)

We packed our stuff and left them at a storage room when we checked out cause we wanted to explore the city a bit more before we went back home. The people at the hostel recommended to go to the Stanley Park and we had been talking about how long ago it was since we road a bike so we rented one each and went through the city to the park. It was such a nice feeling to be on a bike again and to go through the city was really cool. At some places it was a bit scary cause we drove together with the cars but it went fine and we had Anna who showed the way so it was no problem.

The park was really beautiful and it's kind of a half island so we always went just beside the water and we could see the downtown skyline and also the north part which was really cool. We passed some beaches and there were a lot of people cause today was also really hot. There were also a lot of people in the park and many were riding bikes, inlines or walking so at some places at the trail it was really crowded.

It didn't even take us two hours to get around and it was a perfect time cause we needed to be home around 4 cause Anna was going to dinner with her host family.

When we went to get to the car we were a bit nervous about how expensive it would be but the cashier was really nice so he gave us the hotel rate and then it wasn't that bad. My great looks helps a lot ;)

The drive home was faster, it only took 3 hours even though we had to wait longer at the border. The officer were really nice and we didn't have any problems at all with our VISAs which was nice.

I dropped off Anna, then M and on my way home I stopped at Subway and got my dinner. It was so hot and as soon as I got home, I packed my bag and went to the beach. First I stopped at QFC and bought strawberries, juice and chips ;)

There were a lot of people at the beach and I had to drive a while before I could find a parking spot, but it was so nice when I finally could jump in to the water and cool off. I ate my food and read my book and didn't worry about a thing. Just a perfect way to end a weekend.

The family wasn't home yet cause they had been camping in Port Angeles this weekend and that was nice cause then I could have a shower and unpack all my stuff without having someone else in the house.

I didn't do so much the rest of the evening and went to bed early so that I could be fit for fight on my last week of work!!

Miss U all!

Love Sandra

VANCOUVER!!!

Today (Saturday) I woke up early. I think it was about 7 or sth and Anna was also awake, we said good morning and then went to sleep again ;) Jason had a cat, Kit-Kat, and I woke up a couple of times of she sneaking around. She also made my nose start running and my eyes itch so I chased her away ;)

At around 9:30 we grabbed some energy and stood up. Me and Anna slept downstairs and didn't want to go and wake up M who were sleeping upstairs, so we decided to go and get the oil changed on the SAAB before our trip to VANCOUVER!!! We wrote a little note to M and went then out to search for a Jiffy Lube, the oil place.

They took the car and apparently they do more than just a oil check. They basically looked over the whole car and also vacuumed, cleaned the windshield and checked the lights. Nice, but then they charged for all that and it was kind of expensive but the SAAB deserved a little spa treatment before the long trip.

Me and Anna started to be hungry so we got a breakfast at Mc Donald's ;) It was good with something sugary and greasy after a party night ;)

M hadn't seen our note so she called and wondered where we were, maybe she thought we had left without her ;) We picked her up and said goodbye and thank U to Jason and Rob, who hadn't left for work yet?!, and then hit the road towards the border!

We had to make a stop at the outlet mall to get a sweater for Lotta. This was the condition for having the car ;)

Everyone was really tired and we didn't really know what we were thinking about when we decided to go to Canada after our own goodbye party, but we didn't give up and although my fellow traveler fell asleep I drove and after 3 hours we reached the border.

It wasn't so bad and it took about 30 min to get through but we were a bit nervous since our VISAs expire soon and there were a couple of people who had asked us if we really were allowed to leave and then come back in to the US. We weren't sure and the officer asked about our trip home and if we had the tickets already and she looked a bit suspicious but let us through. I mean, why not? All the papers are good and we're only staying one night.

It was so hot today and the AC doesn't work in the car (what does? ;)) so we had to drive with the windows down which was very noisy. We were all very happy of getting there and get out of the car cause we weren't so fresh ;)

The hostel was on Granville St which a street with a lot of bars and stuff going on which was good for us ;) We checked in and got our room which had 4 beds and we shared with a Australian guy named Adam. He had been traveling since March this year and was planning to go home in September next year! That's a long trip! He was doing work and travel and had been all over Europe and now was he on his Canada tour.

The room was nothing special, there were two bunk beds, lockers and a fan and the beds were really unsteady and made a terrible noise when U moved. But we were just gonna sleep there so it was OK. The rest of the hostel was pretty cool with international theme. n every door there were a flag, on the walls were comments and pictures of travelers suggesting where to go and other stuff that made it more personal.

We wanted to explore the city before the nights partying so we went out immediately to see what Vancouver had to offer. When we were on the street we realized that it was past lunch time and that we were hungry. So we grabbed a pizza slice at the nearest pizza place and then walked towards the water. It was really nice and I wanted to jump in but the other two hadn't brought their swim suits (?????) and I didn't want to swim alone so we just walked along the beach and also had a ice cream.

I don't know if I think Vancouver is so beautiful as everyone says. I mean, it's nothing more special than Seattle and it feels more dirty here and more homeless, weird people. But here we all can have a beer in the bar so I'm not complaining ;)

We were able to park the car at a hotel nearby but only until 6 pm so we had to move it and find a place to park it over night. This is what I hate with having a car, and I'm not the best driver and have a sense of direction as a rake that it was very hard to find a place. Anna gave me good directions but I was always too late and just stupid.

Finally, we took the parking at the Sheraton and we guess it will be expensive but whatever!

At this time I was a bit cranky since I had been driving for so long and I was tired, hungry, unfresh and in a bad mood thanks to the parking situation. So I needed a shower and a NAP!!! The shower was probably the best one I had in weeks and I didn't want to get out of bed after the nap but my battle sister forced me.

M didn't want to go out with us tonight so just me and Anna got ready for a night out on the party streets of Vancouver!!

First we started with dinner in the Davie Village which is the gay area in the city. We went to a Italian place cause we both wanted pasta. It was a small and cozy place and very romantic ;) We celebrated us being here with a glass of wine (now when Anna was allowed to drink) and then had two pasta courses that we shared ;)

The waiter tricked us to get a dessert so we had a wonderful blueberry cheesecake and then could barely walk out of there ;)

We strolled around to downtown and then back to Granville St and checked out all the bars and tried to decide which one to go to. We went to the hostel to change shoes and say hello to M but we didn't find her ;) Then we went to a Irish pub and ordered a Guinness...it was very dark!! ;) It took us maybe an hour to finish it, but it was nice hanging in the bar and look at all the people and the sport on TV and Anna was happy ;)

Then we felt like we wanted a cocktail since we already had wine and a beer, so we found another bar where we sat down and I ordered a Malibu with passion fruit juice and Anna a Margarita. Mine was delicious, Anna's grouse ;) The bartender was not so nice and couldn't make drinks. We left pretty soon and then just walked up and down the street and looked at all the people and listened to the music. There was one awesome street performer who played the guitar and sang. His voice was so unique and there was so much emotions when he sang that I got goosebumps.

We went back to the hostel pretty early cause we were tired and I don't know if any of us was in such a big party mood. But we were happy that we were able to go out together, legally ;), and we got some drinks ;)

Back at the hostel, M was already asleep and Adam came maybe 5 minutes after us. The room was so hot and M had turned off the fan and closed the window so we were almost dying in there. we put on the fan and opened the window but we still had to sleep without a blanket. Usually I can't sleep when it's too hot but now I was too tired to even bother ;)

Funniest of the day: M when we entered the hostel: "What are we doing? I thought we were getting pizza"

Miss U all!

Love Sandra

Goodbye party fot us!

Today (Friday) it was really hot and I had a lot to do before the weekend so we spend the morning at home and I let the kids watch TV so I could pack my stuff for the party tonight and Vancouver tomorrow. I'm really excited and it feels like it's gonna be a great weekend.

After lunch, I took the kids to the beach and again I had to talk Filip in to going, but finally he came but he said that he didn't want to swim but I don't care, as long as we are outside he can do whatever he want.

We went to the Idlewood park in Redmond. It's a great, big park with a lot of green grass, a beach volleyball field, a playground and a great sand beach. There were a lot of people and that's understandable since it's about 90 degrees!!! (Fahrenheit ;))

Filip went to the shade with his DS and me and Sofia put our stuff in the sun and then jumped in the water. I think this was the best water and beach this far cause there were no rocks on the bottom and no yucky sea grass all over the place. It was clean sand so it was perfect. We couldn't go that far out since Sofia is too young and don't know how to swim, but we had fun anyways. I'm more of a water animal than they are. They are always cold quickly and wants to go up long before I'm done. But then they go and play somewhere and I can just relax and tan in the sun which is not that bed either ;)

After we had been there for about 2 hours, Filip finally wanted to swim too so we all went in the water and had so much fun. we played water tag and buried each other in the sand, and when it was time to go guess who didn't want to....Filip! I said to him that if he comes and plays immediately he'll have fun much longer so I hope he'll remember this to the next time.

I had a soccer game and had to go at 5:30 so Lotta and Jonas came home earlier. They had already bought the crayfishes for the party next weekend so I hope they'll be good standing one week.

I drove to Redmond and played my indoor game. It was fun but we didn't win this time either and I didn't even score. It's not that much fun but it's good exercise and it's soccer!

I hurried home cause tonight me, Anna, M and Kadda were gonna have our goodbye party at Jason's and Rob's place (two super nice Americans that let us borrow their place for the party)

Unfortunately Kadda couldn't come cause she couldn't have the car.

M and Anna had been to Costco to buy all the stuff we needed and after I had took a shower and got dressed, I put my stuff in the car and drove to get them. Yes, I was gonna be the driver now cause apparently Anna's car can break down whenever now so it's a big risk to take it. I'm not looking forward to it but what ever choice do we have?

We came half an hour before the party was meant to start but that was OK cause no one arrives when U say it's starting, everyone come later.

The place is just perfect, it's like a apartment with two floors and it's all very clean and simple, I was surprise that there were two guys living there cause everything was so organized and clean but apparently Jason likes to have it clean around him...hmm, unusual for a guy?!

We had brought pizza cause we didn't have dinner yet and M made the yello shots and this time I'm gonna taste some! I was the driver at the last party as well so I couldn't, but today we are sleeping at their place so it's OK for me to try one or two ;)

We had also bought a lot of beer and alcohol but the guys already had some so now it was a lot, which is good ;)

The people started to drop in and soon there were a bunch. In some way, everyone wanted to be in the kitchen so there it was really crowded. Me and M were at the balcony a while and waved at the Royal Cat that was sitting next to the fence for like 2 hours ;)

Jen, Elliotte's girlfriend, brought a stereo with music which was super good since we didn't have anything like that. Jason and Rob also had a beer pong table so we played that but me and M lost so we had to drink...a lot ;)

They also had a spill hat which ever one had to wear if they spilled until someone else spilled. It was ugly but so much fun...and yes, I had to wear it once ;)

It was a great party with a lot of cool people, many that I didn't expect to show up did and it was just great to be able to say goodbye to most of my friends here, sad but great!

Mike, a American friend, was so sweet to me and Anna. Since we were leaving, he gave us a Sounders scarf each. So considerate! I was really moves and grateful and was totally not expecting anything from anyone...so nice!! And I always wanted to have one so that's just perfect.

The party was a success, we even had a visit from the cops and that shows of a great party ;) They just gave us a warning and if they would have to come again we'll get a ticket. So we just turned down the music and kept on partying.

At around 3 there were only two drunken guest left that didn't really knew how to get home so Chris (another really nice American guy) drove them home so that me, Anna and Jason could clean up. M was a bit drunken so she had fallen asleep upstairs and Rob had to go up early for work so he was also sleeping.

Jason really likes to have it clean around him and he's so nice that he didn't want us to clean up, but of course we said no and helped him until no one cold tell there would have been a party ;)

Me and Anna slept at the couches downstairs and they were so comfortable so I fell asleep fast which is good cause we have a long drive ahead of us tomorrow!

Miss U all!

Love Sandra

Working all day

Today I took Filip to his last tennis session :( He was sad and wants to go next week also but the teacher thought it was full so maybe I have to make that camp on my own....NOT!!
Today I decided that me and Sofia should go hiking, at the Twin Falls in Issaquah/Snoqualmie area. The weather was not that nice yet, but it would get hot today so perfect time for hiking. I packed our lunch bag and then we were on our way. Sofia brought, of course, Maja who's going everywhere. And also a lot of books to have in the car (which was great for me cause then she was occupied reading and didn't talk to me so much ;))

It takes about 45 minutes to get there and I took a wrong turn once so we were there around 10:30. The hike goes along a river and this was the first hike I did here so I wanted it to be the last one also. This time it was with Sofia and not Anna and Kadda, but she was good company also. The hardest part is that she wants to hold my hand all the time and since she's jumping and climbing everywhere, my arm got a bit sore ;)

We took pretty frequent brakes and ate from our good lunch box which had sandwiches, watermelon, yogurt and chocolate balls ;)

At one of the brakes, there were a couple of curious chipmunks keeping us company, hoping we would drop some ;) They are so cute and I just waited for them to stand up and sing as in Alvin and the chipmunks ;) Would have been fun ;)

The weather got much better so it was really hot walking there in the forest, up and down the mountain so I was all sweaty when we got to the first waterfall. There is one more, a bigger if U continue the trail but I felt it was enough for us with just the first, small one so we turned back there.

Sofia needed to go to the restroom really bad so we almost run the last part and when we came to the parking lot, she was almost tackled by a big dog that jumped out from a car. Sofia got scared cause of the surprise attack and it looked really funny ;)

Before we went home we stopped at the outlet mall in North Bend where I wanted to look in the Pacsun store after a shirt I wanted. They didn't have it but I bought three t-shirts instead ;)

We also stopped at the Krispy Creme and bough doughnuts for us tonight ;)

Sofia read for me, before we walked down to get Filip, and I must say that I could never be a teacher cause I don't have the patience. I know that it's hard for them in the beginning when they learn how to read but it's kind of frustrating when they do the same mistake over and over again!!! Glad I'm not a teacher.

Filip got some candy from the tennis so we sat down in the park and ate it before we went home. Even today he was wining and just so teasing. I don't know what his problem is. So after we had played some games, we went to the beach and while he were in the woods playing on my phone, me and Sofia were in the water cooling off. It was really nice and when the lifeguards were gone, we jumped a couple of times before we went home to make dinner.

Since Sofia and I had pancakes yesterday, Filip also wanted that so we made them today as well. This time they weren't as great as last time but they were still good. Both Filip and Sofia helped and we were really hungry when we started to eat. Also this time we had strawberry jam and whipped cream so we were all very full and happy afterwards.

Then the kids were really good and did some homework. Filip did for his R practise and Sofia read for me again. Afterwards, they could watch TV. Their new favourite show is a cartoon called Phenas & Pherb and they watch it every morning and evening. I like it too so I watched with them, and later they got the doughnut.

At the beach today, Filip got some resin in his hair from sitting under a tree. This was very sticky and I read on Internet that U could use butter to take it off so we tried that and then we rinsed it off and it worked! Feel really proud and responsible!

When I had read them a story and put them to bed, I cleaned up a bit and then sat with my computer in my lap when Anna joined me and we watched Americas funniest home videos, ate doughnuts and chips and tried to think about the weekend. It's more clear now but I still have to call the Hostel tomorrow cause we couldn't make a reservation online.

Lotta and Jonas are on a opera tonight, that's why I'm still on in the evening. So my day was now between 7:30-00:00, just 16 1/2 hours - that's nothing!

And bye the way, CONGRATULATION ANNA who got accepted at the university in Germany. Where there ever any doubts? ;)

Miss U all!

Love Sandra

A cool day!

Today (Wednesday) I took Sofia to the bank cause I needed to put back the money on my American account so that we could pay off that damn ticket! We also bought egg and jam so that we could have pancakes for lunch.

Anna came over with Slater and he played with Sofia while we tried to fix the ticket. We called but didn't really get what they wanted from us so we had a conversation over email and it ended up with us paying online and now everything should be fine, I hope!

Me and Sofia made pancakes and this time they were GREAT!! The best ones ever, nothing was wrong ;) I'm proud over myself...and Sofia! We had strawberry jam and whipped cream to it so afterwards we were very full.

This evening, the family would meet the next babysitter for the kids, since I'm leaving soon ;) and Sofia wanted to make chocolate balls for him. So we did and both we and the kitchen was all messy when we were done. I don't understand how it can get out of the bowl so much ;)

When everything and everyone was clean, we hurried to the beach cause it was so hot today and we could swim and play for about two hours before we needed to get Filip. Sofia got a shaved ice again and she sat as a frog eating it, it was cute and fun ;)

When we had got Filip,went back again to the beach and again, Filip was whining about that we ALWAYS were at the beach...well yes, when it's like 30 degrees there is not so much else U want to do. And once again me and Sofie were in the water for maybe 10 minutes and then he came as well and we had so much fun. When the lifeguards left, early today!, I also jumped from the dock with them and it was great!

Back home we just changed and then Lotta called and said that they were on their way and that we should meet them in Kirkland. We didn't go at once since they have to drive from Redmond and then they were gonna pick this guy up on their way. Downtown, when we saw that they weren't there, we walked on the deck and watched all the nice boats that laid there. We wanted to trade one of them with one of our chocolate balls but I don't think anyone wanted that ;)

Well, we waited, and waited and waited. After about one hour they called and said that they were soon there. OK! So me and the kids walked to the Marina Park where they had the Farmer Market today so we checked that out and then waited some more before they came.

The guy's name is Theo and the kids have met him before cause he's a teacher in the Swedish school. Since I had been with the kids from 7:30 this morning and it was now 7, I didn't stay. So I don't know how it went or how he is but I guess he's nice.

I wanted to have a pizza slice at Zeke's but they didn't have any cause it was after 4...bla bla bla so I went home and then drove to Mc Donald's and got a chicken wrap and a vanilla shake...jum! Then I drove to Anna's place to meet here and M so that we could plan our weekend. I just wanna say that I hate when people mess with my food, and Mc Donald's did!!! I asked for RANCH sauce and they gave me some damn BBQ CHIPOTTLE!!! How hard can it be??!!

The planning didn't go so well and we didn't really make a decision, but we think Anna will drive, that we might stay at a hostel and that we need to buy stuff for the party as well...it was fun ;)

I went home pretty soon cause I was grumpy and needed to sleep. This was also the last day I had to take my antibiotics so I hope I'll get more energy now. Or maybe it's just my life that makes me so tired. I told Lotta and Jonas about all my problems and all the stress about the weekend and they just laughed at me and said that it sounded that I have a really hard life....I do!!!

Miss U all!

Love Sandra

Anna has no brain!!!

Today (Tuesday) me and Sofia didn't really know what to do in the morning so we just watched TV, coloured, read and played games before we had lunch and then my stuffed animals joined us with their own plates ;)

It not really the most exciting morning but well well....at around 1 we went to Anna's place cause now the sun came out and we wanted to try the pool ;) Anna thought it was too cold but she's such a pussy ;) This was the first time I was allowed to jump in the water cause my wound is good now!!!! So I just had to make a canon ball on Sofia who were on the floating mattress trying to dry off ;) It felt good ;)

We couldn't stay so long since Filip's tennis camp ended at 3 so we went home and then walked down to get him. The weather was not that great so I suggested that we should go to a park and so we did. We went to "Ronja's Park" and played some soccer for a while but then the sun came out so me and Sofia wanted to go to the beach, but of course Filip didn't want to do that cause he had already been in the water once today...what's that? A kid who doesn't like going to the beach...it's just weird.

But after some discussion he sat in the car and we went to the beach, and of course Filip went in the water ;)

Back home, Filip had to get ready cause he had his first soccer practice today, and again he made a big fuss that he didn't want to go and that he never said that he wanted to play soccer again!! OMG!!! He would rather be at home and watch TV that be with his friends, so boring and it's always the nagging that drives me crazy!!! But Jonas and Lotta said that he had to go this time and then he could see, and of course he had a blast!

Another problem came up today! The parking ticket that me and Anna got when we were on our hike last weekend had to be paid this week and it was Anna's task to do it, and so she did. Yesterday she went to the post office and sent the account information and everything was good, until this morning when she stopped to use her brain. She went to the bank and closed her account!!! Hmmm...wonder if the payment went through before?..dah?!!! So, now we have to do it again, but with my account, so after dinner I had to walk to the bank, get some money from my Swedish account and then put it on my American account. As if I didn't have enough bad luck right now, the ATM I walked to didn't work so I had to walk to another one that was in the opposite direction......aarrgghhh!!! And on this one I couldn't put the money in to my American account, so I have to do that tomorrow. I was so irritated when I walked back home, but it was nice that I had a soccer game so that I could get out all of my frustrations on the field.

This was the first outdoor game in 2 weeks so I was really excited and we started out strong and took the lead but soon they scored so in half it was 2-2. In second half we were really confused, couldn't even get the line up straight and that was kind of how it was the rest of the game. I don't know what the end result was but we lost. I scored but it didn't count cause apparently I did a high kick....whatever!

This might have been my last game cause the next one is when we are in Vancouver and the last one is on the 24th when my year is over so I'm not sure if I'll play since I'm leaving the day after...but probably I will ;)

Miss U all!

Love Sandra