Why do my job?

The health inspector just informed us that our lovely (don’t-give-a-shit) boss has forgotten to renew his food operating license and that we are technically not allowed to stay open. Hmm,, I wonder if I have a job to go to tomorrow?

Otherwise, it’s just another Monday. Five weeks left of this semester and it is snowing heavily outside. Knee deep powder up on the mountain. That means an empty college cafeteria. I think I'll go on a little break and get some runs in myself.

Max shuffling the side of our house

Winter again at CMC

That's technical stuff!

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure to help my wonderful Mexican coworker to order a laptop. Now I have the pleasure to teach him the basics in how to use it – including the Internet. Today we had our first lesson. He only wants to learn a couple of things each day so he won’t forget.

So today I started with teaching him how to turn the computer on and off (that’s the kind of level he is at!). However; when the session was over and his brain had had enough, he bursts out laughing and goes:”No Mas!” whereupon he shuts down the computer by hitting the ”on” button. I just love him to death!

Born to ride?

This baby might be mine soon. Stay tuned...

Prozac anyone?

After almost three days of sleeping it is time to go back to work tomorrow. Back to normality. Normality after a sunny relaxing vacation is very difficult to face. It is actually kind of depressing. They should start giving out Prozac at the arrival gates at airports. To people who have been on vacation and have to go back to work.

That’s what I get for not listening

The last day in Mexico I decided to get a massage. Very nice! Afterwards I was told to drink a lot of water to help flush out the toxins in my body. I drank a lot. Mostly Piña Coladas. Not so much water. Apparently all those toxins didn’t get flushed out. I am sick. Sick with fever. Achy. Cold and sweaty. Tired. Very sleepy.

Until we meet again...

Did you know that the horizon in Mexico is crooked?

Rain in Paradise

Yesterday afternoon Max finally arrived and what do we get? Rain. Hoping on better weather our last two days. Otherwise things are great!

It's kind of funny when...

you're on the beach surrounded by Mexicans, Americans, Swedes and Norwegians and you understand what they all are talking about.

The Beach!

Our Hotel - Aventura Mexicana

I heart America!

Not only have I become a caffeine addict, I've also become nearly obsessed by blogging. So I just had to bring my laptop with me and now I ’m at Denver airport waiting to board my plane that will take me to Houston, TX and thereafter to Cancun, MX. I was going through my recent posts here on the blog and realized I have been criticizing America a lot lately. So I just wanted to clarify – I love America! I think I'm always going to consider myself Swedish no matter if I get a U.S. citizenship or not but don’t get me wrong – I love this country and I love living here. Of course there are pluses and minuses with both countries but to break the pattern on my blog I wanted to list my three favorite things with America.

1. Diversity – all the religions, ethnicities, languages, food, landscapes etc. that you can think of

2. Action – this is where everything is happening (maybe not in Steamboat but you know what I mean)

3. The endless supply of everything

Oops! Time to board the plane,,
Brb…

So much for spring

Today it is snowing non-stop. Very depressing after a week of sun and warm temperatures. But soon I get to go home and pack my suitcase for Mexico. In only two days I'm on my way - leaving the snow behind me.

- And how do you want your steak Madam? - Grainy.

Today my dear husband is making breakfast for the superintendant and their weekly meeting. He is cooking steak and eggs.
For breakfast.

His explanation is short and concise: "That's American!"
My answer is short and concise: "No wonder!” Whereupon I take another sip of my coffee and another spoonful of oatmeal. Regular oatmeal that is. Not the kind that has more sugar than oats.
The American kind.

Sip - don't slurp! (and keep the pinkie out)

The super important and extremely humorless Campus Dean is having a tea party this afternoon. A tea party... Do they even have those in England nowadays?

Rewired

During a whole week everybody at work (including me) has been sleep-walking, dragging our feet behind us, sighing and yawning. This, even though it has been warm and sunny. None of us could understand why we were so tired, almost exhausted.

Until now... We have been drinking decaf coffee! Or unleaded as they call it here. I have always thought it would make no difference. But now I know. I'm a caffeine addict.

Som ett vårtecken...

spring is here!
and that I’m sure of
especially when looking in the mirror
at my red nose
sunburned after a day of skiing
winter wonderland has turned into spring wonderland
life is good
yes it is!

That is so country! (Second Edition)

You get aware of that you're not exactly living in the city when one of your employees calls up and says she can't make it to work because her goat is sick...

For the first edition of "That is so country!" click here.

Awesome!

Just when you thought this week couldn't get any worse the tax people from H&R Block called and said we owe $5.500. I get so tired...

Going back to my roots

This morning after I was done with fighting for my rights I went ahead and bought a ticket to Sweden. Leaving in the beginning of May. Remains to be seen is whether they'll let me back in the country or not. Exciting!

When two toothbrushes becomes one

Today my other half left for Mardi Gras and New Orleans. I know it is silly but I couldn’t help but feeling a sting in my heart when we said goodbye. He is only going to be gone until Wednesday but the thing is that we are never apart from each other. ”Together Forever” has become the slogan for our relationship. But one good thing with him not being here is that I don’t have to get up as early in the mornings. Yeah, that’s about it...

I pat myself on the shoulder

I know I said I wasn't going to buy anything else until spring break. However; there are moments in life when you just have to treat yourself. Especially after disappointing events. For example, after visits to immigration offices.

After I made my promise I have treated myself to the following:

1. Trip to Mexico – 5 of 5 on the scale of essentialness!
After all - there is snow six months of the year where we live.

2. One dress and a tanktop – needed some kind of a pick-me-upper yesterday after meeting with that horrible immigration lady. So two thumbs up for those!

3. A Bikini – Yeah why not?!

4. Six pairs of socks – not so essential but the campus bookstore had a sale and I got them for $1.00/pair. So good purchase.

5. Juicer – what was I thinking?
Just a little too early in the morning for squeezing all those oranges, don’t you think?

6. Three bras – extremely essential! For more info., read post "Braless".

Have a Heart!

I am so sick and tired of this immigration process that I am thinking it might be better for me to move back to Sweden. I barely got the stamp in my passport today. I was told I filed the wrong freaking application. I filed the application they told me to file. I paid the filing fee of $370.00. I took off days from work. I rented a car (two times). I drove all the way down to Denver and to Grand Junction. And I got told I couldn’t get a stamp in my passport and that they couldn’t give me a refund because the money I paid was just to process the application. The wrong application. Instead I was given yet another form with directions where to file and I was told the filing fee for this application was going to be $545.00. I was also told that since my green card is already expired I could be sent to court – and maybe even be deported.

I almost started to cry. Right then and there in that stupid immigration office. Where the stupid immigration officers work who are so cruel, and arrogant, and unhelpful. Completely unaware of that they are dealing with real people.

Eventually they decided to give me a stamp that expires one day after the day I get back from Mexico. Tomorrow I am going to send in the other application. I am also going to attach a letter and ask for a refund. I am going to fight. Fight for my rights. For my rights as a legal alien in Steamboat Springs.

Long-winded Blog

Don't you worry. I will never write something that long again.
So keep reading!

Where fries and ketchup are considered vegetables

Last night I went to a seminar about childhood obesity. That made me feel so incredible thankful. Thankful for being born in a country like Sweden and thankful for the way my parents decided to raise me.

American restaurants have special menus for children. The choices consist of hamburgers with fries, grilled cheese, fried chicken tenders, and mac & cheese. That to me is so sad. Why should there even be something like a separate menu for children? Why can’t kids in America eat the same food as adults? I don’t remember ever ordering food from a kid menu. Even worse; working at an American college I know that young adults at the age of twenty still prefer the same kind of junk food as a four year old.

And then there are those brain dead ”All-you-can-eat” Buffets! Five plates full of food for $9.95. Who can resist a bargain like that? And God forbid you leave something on your plate because kids in China are starving. How about smaller portions and stop eating when you are full. I know the endless supply of unhealthy foods don’t exactly make it easy for us poor consumers and sometimes I wonder if you need a PhD in Nutrition to leave the grocery store with a healthy shopping cart. How are we supposed to know that a can of Marinara sauce contain more sugar than the chocolate syrup we put on our ice cream? By reading the label? I don’t read labels and I am far from being a health freak. But how about being something in the middle? Moderation is the key word. To quote Dr. Katz at the seminar: ”Eat food, not too much, mostly from plants”.

I am so happy that I had to walk half an hour to school and half an hour back. I am happy I didn’t have a car by the age of sixteen but instead a bicycle, rollerblades and a pair of skis. I am grateful for the waters I got to swim in and for the forests I got to run in. For the mountains I got to ski and for the trees I got to climb. I am thankful that we ate candy mostly on Saturdays and that soda rarely was seen in our fridge. Instead I am thankful for all the oatmeal, fruits, vegetables and real multigrain bread we ate. Not the kind of bread choices you have here in America, where air seems to be the main ingredient. Air and peanut butter.

Mrs. Cuteness (who has been a bad, bad dog lately)

Braless

Chew, crunch, slurp - and there goes my last bra. Into Chania's stomach. Joining the other two bras that she ate last week. Damn dog! If she only wasn't so cute...

Happy Valentines!

I Love You Maxie...

Donuts with Dad

Yesterday it was “Donuts with Dad” at the elementary school and I helped Max to dip six hundred donuts in Chocolate, Vanilla and Cinnamon/Sugar.

Without eating a single donut.

That's what I call self discipline!

Shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich...

In the car last night:

C: If you want you can put your stuff together with mine in the suitcase that I am bringing to Mexico?

M: Why are you taking a suitcase?

C: Because it will be cheaper - even though I have to pay $15.00 (times two) to have it checked-in.

M: Why is that cheaper?

C: Because otherwise I have to buy all those things down in Mexico that they won’t let me have in a carry–on bag.

M: Like what?

C: Like lotion.

M: They have lotion in Mexico.

C: I know but I need more than just one kind.

M: For what?

C: I need sun block, regular body lotion, day lotion, night lotion, hand lotion, foot lotion, aloe vera...

M: ----------------

C: And then there is toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, other hair products, nail polish, nail polish remover, mascara, lip gloss, deodorant, perfume...

M: Well, I'm bringing all my stuff in this (pointing at his tiny little book bag)

C: Whatever, more room for my stuff then.

LONG PAUS

C: They won’t let you bring razors…