Rookie at HLK

Dear blog,

Today UnlimitedRoads began her first term at HLK in Jönköping. That’s to international readers read as: School of Education and Communication, Jönköping University. :)

It was -10 degrees celsius as I stepped outside the house this morning, however, I was so thrilled and happy to finally start studying again that I didn’t mind Mr. Frosty biting my nose off inch by inch.

I arrived safely in Jönköping and then headed towards the school. There were already a lot of people about so I decided to try and get my HJ-card which is a special card for students at this school. A pass if you wish to perhaps borrow a book at the library or gain access to one of the closed classrooms etc. Although I had enough time to spare before my lesson started I ended up in a LOOOONG que which turned out NOT to be in my favor of time. I simply had to walk away hoping that I would manage to get my card next week instead.

I then walked to the HLK building and tried to find the classroom but didn’t manage so I asked some nice girls which way to go. Good thing I did, otherwise I would have ended up at the top of the building completely lost. Finally I found it. Overjoyed of not being late I went in.

There I was met by several happy faces greeting me. WOW I thought. What positive energy! University IS really cool! :)

I also met a new girl named Emma. :) I hope we’ll get to know each other even more in future.

So – this was my day and guess what? I already have an exam THIS MONDAY! :D Vocabulary, grammar and such… Exciting!

For the next lesson we have been assigned to read Janet Frame “You’re Now Entering the Human Heart” ( which I finished on the train home) and W.B. Yeats, me and my mother’s favorite poet. This will be extremely exciting! Can’t wait.

I better cut this short now. Got some studying to do. Just wanted to tell you all what a wonderful day I have had!

TTFN!

HLK

ps. I also learned today that having an open mind, open heart and a happy face does bring you joy and good feelings and fortune! I would never have had such a wonderful day or met nice people hadn’t it been for my positive soul. haha. mymy, I got some poetry in me after all I think…

Day out

Remembered I just got pics from Jesper from last weekend. We went to Skövde for a day out and just some shopping. It was fun. We went to Wayne’s Coffee for lunch. Jesper’s treat. It was lovely. This weekend will be spent studying. Jesper with his last assignment for Uni and me beginning with my new course. :)

Enjoying my sandwich, coffee and chocolate covered cupcake

 

Q

Hi,

An interesting question arose when I was talking to Jesper the other day about placebos….

Do you think life is all made up of placebos? Of course metaphorically speaking but don’t you think we all tend to even “act” as a placebo?

Feel free to comment! You are always welcome with some brainstorming. Knowledge doesn’t weigh much as you know.

The placebo of life?

What do you see?

I had an epiphany: what do we actually see in our rearview mirrors?

The past - the present or the future? Do we choose what to see?

The Invisible Man

I am sure you have heard of him however, I had never seen his exhibition IRL but now I got the chance.

Jesper and I made a quick visit to Lidköping Vänermuseum where his work of art would be (for a short period of time) displayed to the public. I was so excited. I had seen some pictures on the Internet but one ones that the real experience is far more intriguing and exciting.

We were not allowed to take pictures which is completely understandable and so this type of art will be a part of my memory and a new deposit into the Elizabeth Art Bank. (ok -admit that was a wee bit creative yes? haha)

So – back to Mr. Liu Bolin. It said that he wished to portray his devastation, aggrevation but also sympathetic point of view of how cruel the Chinese government was at the time. He shows different life epochs in his art which he is always a part of as the now well-known name: “The Invisible Man”.

I kept wondering while observing his art that one does wish one could be invisible in many ways. It doesn’t have to revolve around negative things all the time but also positive things in life. However, we humans tend to stick to the negative and a somewhat pathetic life experiences… it may sound harsh and I am but only stiring the pot here. I tend to fasten myself on negative thoughts and feelings as well. Who wouldn’t? We are humans of good and bad, weather we like it or not… we shouldn’t have to hide it, deny it or reject it in any way.

This is one of the main reasons why I love and cherish art so much because it portrays and pictures life, your life the artists life, the world’s life, other people’s lives… anything! There are actually PICTURES/PAINTINGS that can show feelings! It’s amazing. It’s like a breathe of fresh air.

Although there are various kinds of art and styles it still tries to push through to anyone patient enough and willing enough to give it its patience needed, and try to explain, forgive, forget, love and hate.

The focal point of art to me is that it tells a story of truth, simplicity and beauty. A painting is never obvious. It all depends what kind of person you are and art should never (to me that is) be interpreted as either right or wrong. It’s both. Life is love and hate, happiness and sorrow – all the opposities all the time. Why should one judge a painting or an artist with what is right or wrong?

Interesting thought right?

When it comes to the Invisible Man I think he manages to send a message of everything. That life happens, it just happens. Even if we wish we could go back in time, what good would it actually do? To us or others? We never stop to think about that… Bolin knew there was nothing he could do, and even if he could what WOULD he do then with that power? He was present in all of these different stages of life in China, its culture life and people. That is what matters but it also sums up that this is what I believe he thought… :)

Art is limitless.

Civilian and policeman

New Years Eve 2011

Hi!

I’ll simply say ENJOY – we really did that evening. Our wonderful friends made the best New Years Eve ever! :) We had a great dinner and Jesper and I were the ones responsible for the dessert. I’ll let the pics speak for themselves.

All gathered around the table. Salmon dipped in lemon-lime sauce as appertif and then oven-fried potatoes with stuffed chickenbreasts served with alcohol free white wine. Then our dessert, which was a complete surprise! (Emil next to me, he is studying law in Linköping, then we have Niklas on the left, Philip on the right and Jimmy (his apartment) in the sofa. Jesper was the assigned photographer this evening. Oh - and little me! :)

Ready with the surprise :D

Philip (left) and Niklas (right) were the first ones who saw me coming from the kitchen so they immediately took pictures. Jesper was already ready with his camera as you can see. :) It was so much fun shocking them with this!

:)

SURPRISE!! It was delicious! A chocolat and vanilla filled ice-cream "cake" shaped like a champagne bottle! Couldn't be any cooler than that!

Before midnight Jesper wanted to take me up on top of a high hill overlooking the city of Jönköping. So there we were, wrapped up in war quilts, tea in a thermos and watching the fireworks perform their beautiful and breathtaking performande. It was truly romantic! All of it completely Jesper's idea!

If you look closely you can almost see the ice forming on our upper lips, haha - just kidding but BOY IT WAS COLD UP THERE!! :D

The last picture of us before the clock struck 12 and we wished each other a Happy New Year!!!! :D

Happy New Year to ALL of you from Us!

May this year become even GREATER than the previous one eh? :)