There comes a time when the update you told yourself you would compile, has been postponed so many times, you are rather unsure of where to begin... Such is the predicament I find myself in at this very moment.
Where to begin? Perhaps with the not so distant past and progress toward the current situation I find myself in.
What to do when you have found home... That place that makes you absolutely happy, where you feel like you belong- you have decided you want to stay for a very long while- but you were born in the wrong country, on the wrong continent. Despite your surname clearly being very "un-Australian," containing eleven letters and ending in 'ski,' having had to endure almost twenty nine years of even your closest friends struggling to both spell and pronounce it correctly, coupled with a childhood of eating salty, smoked herring, being regularly subjected to 90+ degrees heat in saunas- followed by icy cold showers (there's not exactly an abundance of snow to roll in- in Western Australia) AND hearing to a strange language spoken on a daily basis...You do not qualify for European citizenship.
That was the situation I found myself in August (2012) when the immigration department in Finland decided to decline my application for citizenship, which ultimately resulted in my returning to Australia (September 2012) to figure out my next move.
It had been an amazing stint in Sweden and I absolutely could not bare the thought that it may be over- already, after just 15 months. As you may be wondering: "Why the fascination with a country located some 13, 500 kilometers away from family and friends and magical blue ocean and delightful, warm sunlight?" I invite you to browse through the photographs below...
Beautiful flowers that pop up unexpectedly and add colour and inspiration to daily walks...
Lovely Stockholm on a sunny day...
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| View from Sodermalm looking towards Gamla Stan |
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| Statue, Stockholm: Swedish Inventor/ Engineer 'John Ericsson' |
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| Cherry Blossoms in Spring, Kungstragarden (The King's Garden)... |
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| Note to self: Buy new shoes. Telefonplan. |
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| Crossing the bridge: Drottningatan (Queen Street) heading towards Gamla Stan... |
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| Jet stream, Gamla Stan |
Exciting methods of witnessing- and infectious enthusiasm...
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| An important part of our (Public Witnessing) territory: central Stockholm |
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| Literature Stand- central Stockholm. Day before (Swedish) Convention... |
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View from the fifth floor:
A brother & sister conduct a bible study with a woman and her children on a warm afternoon |
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| Invitation Campaign for the 'Safeguard Your Heart' District Convention (Swedish) in Stockholm |
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| Literature Stand, Liljeholmen- Saturday morning with brothers & sisters from the French group |
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| Street Service on Sodermalm (looking towards Gamla Stan- The 'Old Town') |
Beautiful bodies of water which make it just that little bit easier to live without the ocean...
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| The view on my morning walk... |
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| Docked boats, glassy water, fluffy white clouds, blue sky... |
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| Some of the neighbourhood locals: Mother Swan and her three (shy) babies... |
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| Sitting by the dock of the bay: Ulricehamn |
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| Abandoned Beach Bucket |
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| Speedy Speed Boat speeding by... |
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| "How's the tranquility?!" The walk home from the bus passes by this beautiful water front |
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Moon shine over the waterfront close to home (deep inhale/ exhale...) magical.
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Swedish Culture
Swedish Graduation is a big, big deal. It consists of tradition, after tradition, after celebration- after tradition. It has to be experienced to be fully understood. An attempt at explaining the occasion is included below...
The Outfit
A special white cap for both guy and girl. The caps are signed inside and the lining can generally be zipped open- where graduating class mates, family and friends- can insert small bits and pieces. Graduating females wear white dresses.
Springer Ut
On graduation day, the class "springer ut" (run out) of school- one last time, into an ocean of family and friends waiting to congratulate them. They find their family (and friends) by identifying a large placard containing a photo of the (individual) as a baby- or small child- which is generally a cute or humorous/ embarrassing photograph. Once family and friends are found, the graduate is presented with- in addition to a congratulatory hug- small trinkets around his/ her neck. The trinkets (generally on blue and yellow ribbon- Sweden's national colours) range from stuffed animals to miniature bottles of bubbles, roses, bottles of champagne etc... Whistles are blown, drums are beaten, music plays loudly.
Lap of Celebration
Something they would never allow in Oz (OHS)... the graduating class then take to the back of a large dump truck (fitted with giant speakers pumping out loud- mostly pop- music) for an honourary lap (or twenty) around the city CBD etc... The students dance, yell and make noise, blow whistles etc... During the graduation season, you will hear and see this phenomenon all over Sweden in every city and town- on the main streets and on busy roads- even if you wish not to. It is loud and noisy- the graduating class want YOU to know they have graduated- they are now adults.
In addition, these celebrations are followed up by graduation parties (the same day or the coming weekend). The parties are big (to compare: the equivalent of a 21st in Australia) and they also include other traditions: gifts given, speeches, traditional food served etc.
*American graduations are nothing on a Swedish graduation- those (American) robes and hats in no way compare to what takes place up here.
The first summer I was here and was unintentionally exposed to the festivities and traditions of it all, admittedly I was a little shocked. However, last graduation season during summer (Northern Hemisphere) I decided to embrace the tradition by celebrating my (Swedish) little sister Lynn's Graduation, as pictured below)...
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| The Graduate Placard |
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| 'The Graduate' and family... |
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| A congratulatory hug for the graduate from an (Aussie) mate... |
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| The Dump Truck. Music blasting, loaded with graduates, ready for take-off... |
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Mini "Lynny" Cakes: Graduation Party
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Some pretty special people
Family away from family. Dearly loved. I'm keeping them all (in addition to my actual family in Oz).
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| Sweet sisters meeting for lunch, Kungstragarden |
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| Fika, Sodermalm |
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| Circuit Assembly, Ulricehamn |
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| Sunday arvo soccer session followed up with a small BBQ |
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| Swedish hospitality- summer BBQ |
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| I know we shouldn't have favourites... but here are some of mine..x |
One extra cool little guy...
My Swedish language teacher, my walking partner, my play mate, my buddy. A great listener, good sense of humour, full of energy: Shmector the cheeky monkey...
Adventures...
Summer Convention
One double-decker bus, a bucket full of lovely brothers and sisters from English groups and congs. in Sweden, Finland and Denmark, six jam-packed days, one giant road trip. 2012 District Convention, Silkeborg Denmark.
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| The Bus |
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| Jumping for joy: visit to the Bethel home, Denmark. *Now the Branch Office of Scandinavia. |
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| Assembly Hall. Silkeborg, Denmark. |
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| Gentleman |
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| Mumsy visits- plus two stray Aussies... |
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Human Rainbow of Jah's Creation...
Nationalities (L-R): Swede-Indonesian, Swede-Philippino, Swede-Briton, Aussie-Finn-Pole,
Canadian-Japanese, Swed-Indonesian, Indonesian-Chinese |
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| Sun Smart |
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| Beautiful people. |
Leaving all of this behind was rather difficult. However as it was out of my control, I (reluctantly) boarded a plane for Oz in early September. I spent three months in Oz- the first three weeks with my parents and two youngest brothers- and the remainder of the time at home in WA. Admittedly, it was a pleasure to experience familiar surroundings, warm weather plus the wonderful ocean... and it was pleasant to squeeze family and friends again. Here are a few snaps from Down Under...
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You know you're back in Oz when the public transport authorities acknowledge the need to make allowances for surfing commuters
Southern Cross Station, Melbourne |
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| Found cruising in Mum's flowerbed: Blue Tongue Lizard |
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| Proof. |
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| Limestone Coast, South Australia |
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| Broseph: Mule |
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| Miss Moo-Moo & Summer-Sunshine |
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OBS! Svenska folket!
Literally outside the kitchen window: a few 'roos... |
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| Wine tasting: Saracen Estate |
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| The Swedes visit "Down Under" (with Charlie& An) |
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| Gracetown. Pretty. |
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| Sunday arvo session... |
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| OBS! Två kängurur... Relaxing in the backyard |
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| Sunday arvo family picnic |
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| Some locals and some not-so-locals... |
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| A little something I found whilst snorkeling |
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| Gracetown, Western Australia |
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| Preaching along the Great Ocean Road, Victoria |
Due North
In early December I was stoked to jump on a plane headed for the icy cold Scandinavian winter... Perhaps not so much for the cold weather and extreme lack of sunlight- but exciting times lay ahead returning to Stockholm English Cong. and also attending my first Pioneer School north of Stockholm in Uppsala.
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| Shucks. Welcome home note. |
Back to School...
Our class consisted of 41 brothers and sisters from all over Sweden (and one British sister from an English Cong. in Denmark). Many in the class were Swedish, though the mix of nationalities (as always in our incredible organisation) included brothers and sisters from Iceland, Finland, England, Malaysia, Kenya and Australia. Three of us (including me) were attending the school for the first time- some for the third time.
The experience of many in the class contributed to an abundance of valuable suggestions, encouraging experiences and the inspiration to continue in full-time service. The many years spent by some as Regular Pioneers, Special Pioneers, Circuit Overseers and Missionaries contributed to our truly studying "the deeper things" of the scriptures. The school was (to quote Shell de Lace)... mega.
How to express just how amazing it was and how I felt during those two weeks?
I'd be prepared to say it is a character building, life changing experience. What you learn really is of greater value than anything you could ever be taught in the most prestigious of Universities or read in the 'wisest' of books written and inspired by men. I absolutely cannot wait for the next opportunity I have to attend (in approximately five years).
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| Rikets Sal (Kingdom Hall) Home of Pioneer School |
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| Swedish "godis" (lollies) for stamina |
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| Frozen Apple Tree |
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| Uppsala scenery... |
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| Snow-covered playground |
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| Sniper shot: Zealous preaching partner strikes |
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| A-team: Our car group for the duration of the school. |
...Since the school I've been enjoying spending time with the brothers and sisters in our Congregation and have been working hard to apply the practical suggestions from the Pioneer School in the ministry.
In late January, I enjoyed a weekend to Sweden's far north with four brothers and sisters where we had the privilege to preach in refugee camps and visit a small English Group of approximately 20 publishers.
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| Jumping for joy to be preaching in sub-zero temperatures... |
It has been an spectacularly white winter with lots of snow. The abundance of white makes the lack of sunlight much easier to swallow. There's not a bicycle, nor tree, nor car that can escape the snow (I think it's glorious)!
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| Bicycle Snowed Under: 1 |
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| Bicycle Snowed Under: 2 |
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| Bicycle Snowed Under: 3 |
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| Car Snowed In: 1 |
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| Car Snowed In: 2 |
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| Frosty Birch Tree |
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| Crispy cold Flemingsberg -18degrees |
Prior to her departure to the West Indies, Lynny bought me my first "pulka" (or in English toboggan) which we 'broke in' on a snow-covered slope close to home. I was apprehensive at first, but after one or two attempts became addicted to the excitement of sitting on a piece of plastic and sliding down an icy hill. Lynny- born and raised in Sweden- of course is a natural at this caper...
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| Lynny: Pulka Pro |
For the most part, home has been just south of the city with (Lynny's folks) "Mamma and Pappa G" a wonderful, generous couple in the Congregation who have adopted me as their fourth daughter- and I them as my Swedish parents. Cups of tea flow abundantly (Pappa G is a POM), as do warm dishes of food, pancakes and waffles (perfect after a long day preaching outside where it has dipped as low as -18 whilst witnessing).
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| Mamma G..x |
The brothers and sisters here do a great job of preaching during what is a very difficult winter. Months on end of little daylight, (literally) freezing temperatures, long distances to travel to territories- and often long periods of waiting outside in order to reach those inside the large high-rise apartments (only accessible by code or key- neither of which they have. It is up to the good will of residents to allow the brothers and sisters in- and at times, they do not). Despite all of this, with energy levels low due to the lack of light (especially now, after many long winter months) in addition to sickness, they are seldom missing from meetings and are very active in the ministry.
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| Smiling, Happy Preachers |
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| Preaching to people of all sorts |
Now the days are gradually growing longer and the snow has begun to melt. Knee-high boots are replaced with calf-high boots and double or triple layer tights are replaced with one good thick pair. It's not completely over yet, but Spring is in sight.
This week I'll return to Oz once more. I have an exciting offer of employment here in Sweden, though I need to apply for a new visa "Down Under." Once approved, I'll finally be able to reside in Sweden permanently- a moment I am in eager expectation of.
I'm sad to be leaving again- I appreciate living here so much.
I'm grateful for the exposure I have had to brothers and sisters and persons in the ministry from all continents, of all walks of society who share their incredible stories and have given my situation some greatly needed perspective.
I am hoping to live here without the need to regularly return to Oz because of visa requirements- a result that has proved difficult to achieve thus far. But regardless of the outcome I am thankful for the fact that I have a country to return to that isn't rife with war, hunger and generally poor living conditions. I can realistically return to a safe country with family and friends in good health- with sufficient housing and food.
So home in Oz for this next little while will be the east coast- for something different.
I'll be watching the sun rise over the water in the east whilst it sets over the water in W.A.
It will be nice to get a good dose of sunlight and to jump in the ocean again (I hope I haven't forgotten how to swim).
Until I next post and update, I send love& tight squeezes South, West, East and North...
