Archive for March 2012
God Påske!
Posted on: March 30, 2012
I was so confused when people started saying “Happy Easter” already yesterday.
Easter isn’t until next weekend, i thought. At least not in Sweden. In Sweden, Monday to Wednesday are usual workdays and if you’re lucky you work only half of Thursday. But Norwegians seize every opportunity to take time off and go to their cabins, so here, the Easter weekend lasts 10 days.
Our hotel is open during Easter although I have understood that most of the city will be closed and quiet.
Today I got an Easter egg and lovely note from my manager and a sweet gift from mom.
Happy Happiness!
Life’s assignment
Posted on: March 30, 2012
I just got back from a two days Kick Off Conference at Clarion Hotel Post in Gothenburg with my new front desk manager, Karoline. It was two intense, really inspiring days with Nordic Choice - as usual. We spoke about the future of Nordic Choice, service and oratory skills , web- and mobile solutions, organizations-structures and challenges (with Torbjörn Nilsson – Swedish coach and former professional soccer player). And we had a lot of fun.
I was excited also because my best friend Frida was staying at the hotel with her family so we had a chance to meet up quickly and I got to have breakfast with her wonderful children, Mio and Minna – the day after I had been hanging out in the bar until closing time. I wonder what people must have thought…
Clarion Hotel Post was just as impressive as I had expected, not because of its luxury; the 1 million Euro pure Orrefors Swedish crystal front desk, the roof top pool (which I unfortunately never had the time to visit) the huge beauty salon, the SPA or the 75 000 kronor suite…BUT for it’s genuine character and Gothenburg spirit; the mix of old and new, the well-preserved 1920′s post office look, the laid-back average-worker approach with cheap after work-beer and hot dogs-menu, simple but classy “sharing” food and a “living-room concept” that doesn’t feel snobby or pretentious.
As owner, chair-man and entrepreneur Petter A. Stordalen said in his inauguration speech:
I want you to have your first date at Post, celebrate you wedding day, make babies at Post, make history!
Below are some film clips from the grand opening. You can see that Clarion Hotel Post isn’t your average hotel, just as Nordic Choice isn’t your average hotel chain, and Petter Stordalen, certainly isn’t your average leader.
Here’s if you want to visit Clarion Hotel Post
Michael Kiwanuka
Posted on: March 22, 2012
I only just discovered this guy today, but it’s one of the best discoveries in a long time. With a classic soul and Motown sound, a voice like Bill Withers, Otis Redding and Al Green singing in chorus, and the fact that he teamed up with Dan Auerbach from the Black Keys lately, I am completely hooked!
“…and everything is going to the beat – It’s the beat generation, it’s be-at, it’s the beat to keep, it’s the beat of the heart, it’s being beat and down in the world and like oldtime lowdown and like in ancient civilizations the slave boatmen rowing galleys to a beat and servants spinning pottery to a beat…”
Jack Kerouac – from the Beat Generation
Johan Eriksson – Idol Norge
Posted on: March 22, 2012
Yesterday I ran into a guy from my home town on the streets of Oslo. He was just hanging out, leaned against the wall, soaking in the spring sun waiting for his girlfriend. Although we don’t actually know each other that well, a hug felt completely at place, since anyone from your home town becomes a buddy when you’re anywhere outside of that home town. Anyway, we have a lot of friends in common and our paths have crossed more than once.
I asked if he still played music and he said he was trying to get some gigs but that it wasn’t so easy. When I got home, I found out that he was on the last season of Norwegian Idol.
Makes me wonder if maybe I should get a TV.
Göteborg – Oslo
Posted on: March 19, 2012
I’m on a “Bus 4 You” from Gothenburg to Oslo. 3,5 hours ride in a bus with big comfy leather seats with foot- and armrest, cup-holder, electric socket, wireless internet, free magazines, snacks and refreshments. Not bad for 189 kronor!
I had an amazing weekend with my little sister and promise to upload some pics. But I need to rest a little now. I’ll be in Oslo 2.45 p.m and I start work at 3 p.m and don’t finish until late.
Happy Monday!
I’ve been battling a cold for almost two weeks now. Every time I’ve felt better and started working out again, or drinking less ginger tea it’s come back threefold. Yesterday I woke up with a swollen left tonsil, making it a pain to swallow and my left ear aching. So I stayed home from work and stayed in bed and got back to drinking plenty of tea, water and soup. In the evening I felt a lot better and even had some normal food and sweets, which probably wasn’t the best idea as it had me coughing all night.
I want to get well because I’m going to visit my little sister in Gothenburg this weekend. I haven’t seen her since Midsummer last year which is insane but I guess with her studies in Gothenburg and my work in Oslo we just haven’t had any time before now, although we live less than a 3 hours train ride from each other. In fact I’m going to deliver her Christmas present…although it’s actually closer to her birthday now.
The weather has been completely unpredictable lately with sunshine and 15 degrees one day and temperatures just above zero the next. No wonder we get sick.
Alright, I need to get packing, and I need to get well.
Have a great weekend, people!
Love n’ Light,
Helen
#40. Deportees – Islands & Shores
Posted on: March 16, 2012
Artist/Band: Deportees
Album: Islands & Shores
Released: 19th of October 2011
Country: Sweden
Web: Deportees Website
Favourite songs: Islands & Shores, Doctor In Me, A Heart Like Yours In A Time Like This, Medicate It Right, Warpaint, Carry No Blow, A New Name To Go By, The Wild In Me, When Buildings Sleep, Future Shocks ( = all!)
Each season there is an album that stands out from the rest. Veronica Maggio’s “Välkommen in” captured the essence of those bright Scandinavian summer nights, Ben Howard’s “Every Kingdom” kept me warm and happyhearted in the fall and Deportees’ “Islands & Shores” shed light on the the long, dark winter days.
The album received great reviews and awards in Sweden but they are still an unknown band to the rest of the world. It wasn’t until Lykke Li tweeted about the collaborating song “A New Name to Go By” that media caught interest.
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Islands & Shores is a profound album. It’s heartfelt without being emotional. It’s complex without being complicated. It’s got depth but instead of dwelling in it, it’s basking in the sunlight, hopeful and reassured.
From the first, doubtlessly most catchy track “Islands & Shores” via the love-drenched “A Heart Like Yours In A Time Like This”, through steel-drums, strings, percussion, choirs and multi-layers arrangements to the delightful love celebration of “Future Shocks”, the album tells beautiful stories that I find myself listening to over and over again.
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So much beauty in the world
Posted on: March 14, 2012
It’s hard to stay mad, when there’s so much beauty in the world.
Sometimes I feel like I’m seeing it all at once, and it’s too much. My heart fills up like a balloon that’s about to burst…
And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain and I can’t feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life.
From the movie “American Beauty”
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