Tuesday, December 6, 2011

bring it on

I got my winter boots. So now the snow can come and I won't freeze my feet of this year.
I am ready!


Monday, December 5, 2011

work is so much fun

Work is boring these days. Not fun at all.
Not much to do which is the root cause. Then I get so unmotivated.

Good thing I have things outside of work that keeps me busy. At least just a little.
Spent one weekend in Copenhagen with house warming party, friends I haven't seen in a while, lazer tag AND paintball, of course the standard burger at Halifax, cocktails, markets. Really nice weekend in my old town. Miss it actually.

The weekend that just passed was nice as well. A dinner with a good friend on Friday, delicious Indian food and some bars for drinks. Then a nice sisterly Saturday with second hand shopping and deliciously bad fast food...

Also got a few plans for this week so have something at least to take me through the boring work days.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

sigh...

I just feel like screaming. Seriously. Need to get some frustration out. So hence I turn here.

Oh my. People at this workplace. I cannot get my head around it. There is a mentality to take care of yourself and screw the rest. Copy in the boss in every email when you do not get your way.

Thankfully the most annoying people are located in Norway so I do not have to deal with them here at the office. Just through email. Which is plenty, I assure you.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

fun day at the office

Today I feel like: blah...

All thanks to the job and worklplace. The job itself is usually quite ok, but the workplace is not the most optimal and I am happy that it is temporary. Perhaps it has been a bit more calm at work the last few days and hence the 'blah' feelings.

And the restlessness that peak through every now and then when there is a little bit too much free time. That together with the fact that I am waiting to hear about a job that seems so very interesting.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

worst recruiter?

You know the fastest response ever?

That email only said "When can we talk over the phone?" Nothing like "Hi Carin", "Thanks for your application" or any other pleasantries. Was not sure what to think of that, I think you should always appear polite when dealing with formal emails. I email back and ask when it is suitable to have the phone interview.

I do not hear from him for one and a half week, then he calls me out of the blue one afternoon without giving a heads up. I did not answer as I was not in the best position to do so. I email him back to schedule a talk. I ask again when it is suitable. He answers "Anytime.". No "Hi" nor a "Regards xxx".

I email back, always with "Hi xxx" and "Best regards, Carin", suggesting 1 pm. Even though he said "Anytime." he emails back and wants to push it to 2 pm. Fine with me. At said time I leave the office and waiting for the call. I wait until 2.15 pm. No call. No email.

I email. He answers with a "Sorry" and that he was delayed. Why not send a short text or email?

We finally manage to get a phone call the next day. He starts telling a bit about the company and the position. He says that he thinks I have a very interesting profile. He also mentions that there are several other vacant positions if I wish to have my CV passed on to those people. Sure he could do that. Then it sounds like he tries to end the conversation and I barely get to stick in another question, asking if that means that I will or will not be in the race for the job I applied for. He then explains that there are other applicants with a better background.

So what? We have gone through all this problem to schedule a phone conversation for a job that I am not even in the race for? Why could you not have written an email saying that? I did not even get the chance to talk about myself or my experiences. You were not even nice and inviting in the emails making me want to work for the company!

When dealing with possibly future employees you better appear nice and inviting. Otherwise you should just stick to your working tasks and not be part of the recruting.

Just FYI.

Friday, November 11, 2011

11.11.11 11.11

That's how much fun I'm having at work.

Friday, October 28, 2011

fastest response ever?

I sent out an job application through my mail at 10.12 pm. On a Friday night. (Yeah, that's as much fun I am having...)

I get an email back at 10.17 pm. Five minutes later. On a Friday night. (Is that as much fun he is having?)

What do we make of this?

That I had a really good application/am very suitable/great experience/perfect candidate and he does not want loose me?
That, if I get the job have to work Friday nights/work at home/be available/always answer emails/don't have a life?

I choose to go with the perfect candidate option. 


Monday, October 24, 2011

peekaboo

Well. Any promise I make seems to be going down the drain.

It has been a while now. More than a month. I cannot even remember when I last time had such a long break from this little blog. But I have to admit it has been kind of nice. Blogging since 2006 and a break like this was bound to happen.

It has just been quite busy here lately. Most of the energy goes into the job and at home I do not want to spend more time in front of the computer. Spending time with friends and sister. Been sick. Twice. Been sick in London on a conference. And a bit more busy at work.

That is the recap of my last month. You did not really miss much.

Oh yeah, the fall/winter is here so I'm annoyingly tired every day. It is really cold. And I wake up to darkness every morning. Not really a source of inspiration for this thing.

Friday, September 16, 2011

so long and goodnight

The last concert with The Ark today. Forever.
A mixture of feelings, happy, sad, emotional, excited. It was such a great concert and they went out with a bang. So many people came that they filled Gröna Lund, 15 000 people came to say goodbye.
First time I saw The Ark was in 2005 I think, then last year and now today. They are truly one of the best live acts. They know how to make a show. And they have so many great songs and hits that a concert will never get boring.

The Ark, thank you for these years! And Ola, I hope you come back with an amazing solo career cause I am sure we have not seen the last of you.






Ola sang this song tonight so beautifully, it was only him singing accompanied by the piano. Probably the best of tonight.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

daniel adams-ray

Went to see Daniel Adams-Ray at Gröna Lund today. It was great!
My friend E will probably think I am crazy now, but it was so much better than Håkan Hellström last week. It was even better than his ex-band mate Oskar Linnros that I saw last year.

I was actually a bit surprised how much people was there, I guess I had just imagined it being less than last weeks concert with Håkan, but I'm sure it was almost as much people today. Daniel did a great show, he was fun to see on stage and I just have nothing bad to say. I really like all of his songs. What made it all extra good is that he sang songs from his time in Snook, even better was it when Adam Tensta came to sing on one song as well as Petter and Veronica Maggio on Inga problem

Daniel Adams-Ray at Gröna Lund.

Adam Tensta with Daniel Adams-Ray

Petter and Veronica Maggio togehter with Daniel Adams-Ray on Inga Problem.




Wednesday, September 14, 2011

manicures #11

So it has been a while. I have still been painting my nails but not so much nail art as I have had some busy weeks at work and no energy for this in the evenings.

Bought my first American Apparel polish the other weekend, saw these neon colors and bought. Really pretty color and then added some striping. Really liked it.
American Apparel - Neon Coral, H&M - Come Rain

Then yesterday when watching TV I took out the H&M polish duo package and thought it would make a nice manicure. I was bored and had a little bit of fun with it.

H&M - Nice!, 2 See You! Then topped with a matte top coat.

dear katia

The wind was rocking me to sleep last night. Literally.

It was Katia that had reached Sweden and the whole house was shaking and it felt like the balcony would get loose and fly away. And this is even a new build from 2009. But I guess it does not help when the house is on top of a hill and does not have so many other buildings around it.

Now Katia has moved on and is nowhere to be seen around here as the sun is shining and barely any wind.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

freezing like...

I am sitting at work, wearing two cardigans, a scarf, and a fleece sweater on top of that. Is that a sign that I am getting sick or just another cold day at the office?

Unfortunately I think it is a little bit of both. The office is starting to become really cold because, though I am trying my hardest to fight it, fall is coming. But this morning I woke up with a tiny hint of sore throat and now by lunch time it has not improved, maybe the opposite.

It does not bode well. Usually when I get a cold it hits me hard.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

the weekend

Have had a really nice weekend here in Stockholm.

Friday was spent at the amusement park Gröna Lund for the concert with Håkan Hellström. Not that I am a true fan, but I felt that going to the concert was something one should do.

Saturday had nice weather and I just chilled around. Made dinner and could enjoy it on the balcony in the sun looking over Södermalm. I am taking every possible chance to sit on the balcony until fall has truly arrived.
In the evening I went to a birthday party of a long-time-no-see friend and had a great time meeting new people. Had such a great time so stayed until the birthday boy was tired and kicked us out so he could go to bed, at 4 am.

On Sunday I again realized I am getting old as I was a tiny bit hangover, even though I did not drink much at all. It totally sucks. But after some breakfast I managed to feel good again and could go out for a walk around town with the sis.

Now it is only five days left till next weekend. 

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

another present to myself

I was actually a bit exited this morning when I woke up and noticed it raining outside. It meant I could wear my new rubber boots! Have you ever seen such adorable boots? I absolutely love them. And they are really comfortable too.

Just one pair of all the ones I have ordered lately. I like my job.

Now I am just waiting for my next pretties to make it out of the warehouse. Soon I hope!


Tuesday, September 6, 2011

just a few more

Got a present to myself in the mail today. Could you ever guess?
Of course some new polishes to my more than enough collection. But who can resist such cheap pretties. Just a few more. All from Beauty Joint. Hmmm, which one should i pick to cover my nails?


Sunday, September 4, 2011

sunday food

Waking up to a Sunday with nice weather and of course that had to be celebrated with a nice breakfast. I made myself a special Sunday breakfast consisting of American pancakes with berries and maple syrup. So nice!

American pancakes with berries and maple syrup.





















After a nice walk in the city I sat myself down on my balcony reading a paper. It almost got too hot. And it is 4th of September! Me like that. Please keep it coming. After that it was time for some Sunday dinner and this kitchen ended up with some very pink! A very pink beetroot pesto with pasta. I had to make some changes to the original recipe as I did not have any cashews but it turned out quite nice anyway. Have to try it again and make it according to the original recipe.

Shocking pink beetroot pesto with pasta.





Friday, September 2, 2011

what's a promise worth?

I promised myself to cut down on the candy and snacks intake.

Not really the easiest task when my coworker told us the she had received a package with 29 kilos (!!) of candy from her husbands friend. Of course she brought a big bag with candy to the office.
Quite tempting.

Then the other day we got like 10, or perhaps even more, boxes with gingerbread cookies of all different flavors. Mint chocolate, vanilla, almond, lemon, orange etc. The fail one was with wholegrain. That's just not right. And the all time favorite was cardamon.

Monday. That is when it starts. Promise...

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

my day

Happy birthday to me!

Today is my third 25th birthday. No, not feeling old... My coworkers were so cute, one had bought yellow/blue ribbon and tied around my screen. I also got a colorful bouquet of flowers. Of course I had baked a cake, my favorite one with white chocolate and berries. It was a hit as always.

Maybe I should have a birthday resolution (since New Years is just so far away) to do this more often. I have not really been a good visitor here. It's just that work has been kind of crazy busy during these last weeks and when I get home I do not want to sit in front of the computer.

Now, after some nice food and chit chat with my sister it is getting time for my birthday sleep. Good night all you out there.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

observant

My sister helped me color, well bleach, my hair on Sunday to make it look nice again with no outgrowth. We did it at home with store bought products and it came out really well.

The funny thing is, that on Monday at work it was only one person that noticed. This person came to my desk during the day and was about to ask a question when he got quiet, and asked if I had colored my hair.

The funny thing in this story being that it was my boss. And he is a guy. Observant boss (and guy) I must say. He is the one to notice in an office where the maority is women. Not to be like that, but my own experience tell me that it is not that common that guys notice a slight change in hair.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

pride

Pride its in the air this week in Stockholm. I never made it to the parade today, but I could see a tiny bit of it from my balcony, and definitely hear it.

I am supporting Pride this weekend in my way. Of course with matching nails.

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Friday, August 5, 2011

congrats

I bought myself a little present the other day. A name day/welcome to the city-present.

I have been wanting one of those colorful, plastic watches for a while. And with 50% percent discount it was a no-brainer. A coral colored watch. Pretty.



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hi once again

Maybe one should get this thing going again. I think it was necessary with a break as I kind of lost the inspiration. Now I feel I can take this on again with a fresh start.

There have been some changes here. As you know I have a full time job and now I also have my own place. Life is getting back on track again. I deeply appreciate the fact that I could move back home when I needed, but never thought it would be for this long. I am very greatful to my parents for letting me stay for so long. But now it is time to stand on my own two feet again. Which feels really nice.

It is quite satisfying that I now only have to take the commuter train four stops and I am at work. So no more three hours of commuting every day.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

time for finland

As noticed I have been away a bit. Some working and vacation have had me thinking of other things.

Today my vacation of two weeks started which really feels great. Tomorrow I will be heading to Finland to meet up with the parents. Going to spend a week there and crossing my fingers for nice weather as it can be quite boring there if it isn't.

I also have something to look forward to when I get back. Because then I will start packing for real. Not only a tiny suitcase...

Saturday, July 9, 2011

weekend x2

It is just the greatest feeling when you realize you have had two days off and you will have two more. Three day working week is just great.

It has been nice the first two days. A bit of frying in the sun to work on the tan. And yesterday I was invited to my cousin with sis for dinner. Great dinner and nice company, and some jumping on the trampoline until I was all sweaty. I would love to have a trampoline by the way, what an awesome work out it would be. In the evening we also took a bath in the jacuzzi of 39 degrees. Lovely way to end the summer night.

Even though I have only been working for two months, it is a nice feeling to have a bit of vacation.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

weekend is here

I started my weekend today. Great feeling to have when leaving work on a Wednesday.

When I came home I made myself a delish fruitsalad, containing nectarine, grapes, strawberries, pomegranate, and some lemon yoghurt. Then I enjoyed it out on the terrace in the sun.

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Monday, July 4, 2011

a walk

Today I am going to try out this thing everybody tries and fails. "A new life". Well, at least for the two following weeks I am home alone. Then I will go to Finland for some vacation, and we all know how the "new life" combined with vacation ends.

Anywho, I was good and went out for a forty minute walk. My intention is to do it every day... Lets see how many days it lasts.

At least I have proof.

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Saturday, July 2, 2011

gotta love summer

Loving summer when you just want a light dinner and can eat a bowl of strawberries. Just add some sugar and milk mixed with cream. Summer love.



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Monday, June 27, 2011

half way there

I got my first real pay check last week! Felt so good to see that on my banking account. Real, meaning a whole months work, as I only worked a few days in April. I do not even want to think about how long ago I got a whole pay check inserted into my account. But instead of thinking about that and getting into a bad mood again, I will just enjoy my pay check. And focus on the future and enjoy that I am finally working again. It truly feels great.

Finally my life is on track again. It will be even better if the lead on an apartment my colleague has will work out. Then I can start living for real again. Then my social life will be back on track as well.

Living in the city in my own apartment has a nicer ring to it than living in the country side with my parents. Hopefully I will be able to say that before I turn 25 for the third time this August.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

that's a lot of space

Quite some time ago I saw this video clip on YouTube. I think it is really cool. But when you look at it I cannot feel anything else but tiny and insignificant.

I am open to most things, and after watching a thing like this it kind of makes you think that there must be something else out there.

midsummer

I had a wonderful Midsummer on Friday with old and new friends. Really a memorable day/evening/night. The day lasted forever. Well, only until about 4 am.

We met up in a park in Stockholm and had a nice potluck, where everyone contributed with some fort of food. Could you guess what I brought? Yeah of course I brought the dessert. As I had stocked up on a variety of cupcake recipes and I was about to be very ambitious and make three different kinds. But decided that it maybe was a little bit too much when I saw the size of the first batch. So I ended up 'only' making two kinds.

But of course I forgot to take pictures of these delicious creations (if I may be so bold and compliment myself). I ended up making one set of cupcakes with rhubarb, mint, and almond and another set with raspberry and a secret in the middle (nutella) and topped with crumble. It seemed like the favorite was the raspberry one but my personal favorite I think is rather the rhubarb one. I adore rhubarb. And mint for that matter. (The first recipe I found in a magazine but also found here, and the other version is a homecooked recipe but based on this recipe.)

But here I can give you a picture of me at least holding the cupcakes. A photo which my dear E took and I hope she will allow me stealing from here.

Monday, June 20, 2011

scotch tape manicure #10 and more

I have noticed I have some new readers coming my way because of the various manicures I have been posting. And thanks if you are sticking around. So here is for you, some manicures I have been sporting lately.

The top one was my favorite, loved it. I just borrowed mom's zig zag scissor which originally is for cutting fabric with. Perfect for doing some fun tape manicure with.
Gorgeous green Guppy - 50 with Gosh - Miss Grey.
Gradient and sponged, Depend #252 and blue glitter Claire's - #202 and an unknown silver glitter.

Sinful Colors - Mint Apple with Barry M Nail Effects - Pink Fizz. Plus some silver tape striping.

Friday, June 17, 2011

occupational hazard

I think I have already got an occupational injury.

The company I am working at produces shoes. So the last two months I have been looking at all kinds of shoes, both outdoor and casual shoes, and analyzing the sales of shoes. All about shoes.

So what is the occupational injury? I have started to notice what shoes people are wearing. Like all the time. Waiting at the train platform in between trains watching people go by and only looking at their shoes.

Although I have yet to see a pair of shoe I recognize. Then again, I have worked there for about two months and seen only a fraction of the shoes that has been produced over the years.

I guess there is an occupational hazard with every work. I guess this one is really not that bad.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

thank you?

I got a weird present today. I work through a staffing company (if that is what it is called) and received a summer present from them today.



Wood to use on the grill when grilling meat. Okay. This staffing company has young professionals as their main employees, but it feels they are way off target with this gift. I do not even own a grill. My friends does not own grills.

My parents will get a present when I come home.

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Tuesday, June 14, 2011

nails at work

My nails were too cute so I had to match with an outfit and accessories to tough it up a bit.

Perhaps I should start phone for posting a bit more, maybe the frequency would improve.



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the new job

And the days just passes by with me dismissing this thing. I just cannot seem to be bothered. Especially when working and pretending to being all busy and with this great weather we are having.

Work is good, in one way it is not that different from the job in Copenhagen as it is still a lot of numbers, Excel and various reports. However, this job is within retail and analysis and not that boring side of controlling and nagging that I never appreciated. Being a sales analyst in retail where you actually have a product you can touch and relate to. It is nice.

Also I am one of those nerds who actually think it is fun to work with numbers and Excel. I have the nice collegues to chat with and I get to tag along to the sales meetings to see the new collections. So far it has been all good.

I guess one less positive aspect is that sine the job is kind of similar to my previous one it is not really a challenge or a step up, I am basically on the same level. What I do appreciate though, is that it is within retail which I could see myself developing in. Also the fact that I am stepping away from the hamnpering word of 'controller' and instead getting the title 'sales analyst'.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

me and the fancy, british hotel

I went to London recently and got to stay in a fabulous hotel. A cool place to have stayed at but probably not something I would have picked myself (yeah, I did not have to pay for it).

When we drive up to the hotel, through a golf course and a neat park, I arrive to a mansion-like place. I get help to carry in my luggage and feel slightly out of place wearing my converse, turquoise cardigan, and glittery, shock-pink nails.  After I have checked in, the man take my bag and takes me to my room where he gives me the key. Am I supposed to give a tip? I have no clue as this is the fanciest hotel I ever stayed in and not really used to customs. Well I didn't, I did not eve have cash. Then I get the room key which is actually a key, not one of those plastic cards.

























I change my shoes to a pair of ballerina to feel less awkward in my loneliness when I go downstairs to the Orangery for some light dinner. Waiters wearing suits and speaking British English (of course, since we are in Britain) which makes it feel even more fancy. Sitting down looking over the golf course and other people looking like other version of Prince Charles and Camilla.

























In my room I can feel more like myself and switch to more comfortable jammies. Take a bath in the gorgeous bath tub and just enjoying myself.

























Later taking on the bath robe hanging there on the door, creeping up in the soft, wonderful, big bed. There in the fancy hotel room in my bath robe I continue reading the biography The Dirt with Neil Strauss and Mötley Crüe, feeling a little less out of place and a little bit more me.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

the story of laptop chargers continues

I have managed to go through three laptop chargers for my old computer and for my new one it just broke so I have just ordered a new one. What is it with me and laptop chargers? How do I manage? Somehow the plug breaks and there is bad contact so I have to bend it in certain directions and after a while I usually get contact so my laptop can get power. But after some more time it stops working completely.

I do not understand how I do it. I have managed to go through a whole lot of laptop chargers. And when I notice it is broken I know I need a new one and start looking at places to order it from. But I do not actually order it. Then it actually breaks and I damn myself for not ordering that damn charger, because now I cannot really use the laptop until I get the new charger.

Five chargers during two laptops. And they are not really cheap either. I am guessing it will not stop here.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

where's my free time?

And time goes on.
The usual has happened, when I sit in front of the computer the whole day I do not want to do it when I come home as well. (I watch TV instead...) It really feels different not to have so much time in the evenings anymore. I usually have three and a half hours of relaxing before I need to be in bed (perhaps four hours if can go a bit earlier from work). And going to bed at 10 pm is very different from my unemployment bed-hour which could vary from 12 am to 3 am. Being a night owl it feels weird going to bed at ten.

Of course the commuting time of about 1 hour and 20-30 minutes one way, make the time disappear. Three hours of commuting every day is not nice. But I am striving to have some place to call my own at the end of the summer which will probably cut the commuting in half. Oddly enough does the commuting not really bother me. Not yet. Perhaps because I know it is not permanent.

Monday, May 16, 2011

scotch tape manicure #9 and more

Perhaps some nails since it has been a while. These days I do not change color everyday, unemployment had its fun parts, haha.

H&M - Preppy with China Glaze - Life Preserver.
LA Colors - Static Electricity, sparkly Gosh - Blue Monday and pearly nail art pen for dots.
Lumene - Make Impact, black and silver glitter nail art pens. Inspiration from Yan Nails.

food and spa with the colleagues

It is still fun to go to work everyday. Nice to have somewhere to go and something to do. Even though it is quite boring now and then when I do not have things to do. As we did not have the full handover period I still do not know everything I am supposed to do. I was supposed to go to England for training at the end of this week but it has been postponed, til I do not know when. Soon hopefully.

The weekend that passed I had plans with the co-workers. I have been eating so much it is crazy. It started with an afternoon tea at Grand Hotel. So delicious! Of course with a glas of champagne with it.
Afternoon tea at Grand Hotel.
 Then we left for the hotel and I got a massage at the spa. So nice and wonderful. In the evening we went for three course dinner at Bockholmen's restaurant. Great location, on an island by the water and more great food!

Carpaccio with ruccola, parmesan, dijonaise, and roasted almonds.
Halibut, potato pureé, anchovy, dill, tomato, and spring onion. Nice!

The next day I woke up to have a lovely hotel breakfast. Then I took a very relaxing bath in my hotel room.


After that we continued to Haga Forum for brunch. A truly great brunch. I absolutely adored the waffles that you made by yourself. Really good!

So much food! But I am not complaining at all. It was a nice time with all the co-workers. Even though I am the youngest among all of them, which I can tell when they are not up to as much as I could be.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

interesting two first weeks

It has been two interesting first weeks at work. I am taking over for a woman going on maternity leave, so we were going to have two weeks together for a handover. Which felt great as I never got such a thing in Copenhagen but was basically left by myself. They first day at work she was sick, the second day we went through a few programs and reports I have to mail out on a regular basis, on the third and fourth day we had to work with an operating plan for spring 2012 and had no time for anything else. That was the first week at work.

On Sunday I get a phone call while driving, it is the woman calling telling me she gave birth to a baby boy the day before. Woopsie. It was seven weeks early but I guess the boy wanted out. So that handover kind of ended abruptly. Sure, I have to do that operating plan as well in fall, but we basically did not go through anything what she does on a regular basis (except for those two reports).

Apparently nothing is supposed to run smoothly.
I guess one upside could be that I get to go for training in London instead. (Of course I will be at the office all the time, but still.)

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

working girl

I'm here, I'm here!

It has been quite some time now but I am alive and kicking. I have just been a little bit busy, with planned weekends and starting to work! Yeah, now I am a working girl. (But not that kind of girl.)

It is fun to finally get a routine and get on with my life. It is great. The bad thing being that I have three hours of commute everyday. Yeay. Well, that time is door to door and I am not sitting on a train for the whole three hours. Luckily it is summer and it is light even when I come home at 6.30 pm so it does not feel that bad. Additionally it is only for a short period of time, I plan to get my own place when the cash starts rolling in.

It is nice.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

my early morning

Let me tell you about my morning today. I realized I needed to see the doctor before starting to work when I would have less flexibility for that. Of course being out in the last minute I only had one chance for it, a drop-in time slot of today. So I woke up early and headed out before eight this morning.

When I went into the waiting room I was happy to see that strangely enough I was the only one. Great, then I do not have to wait for so long. I sit there waiting for about 20 minutes before one of the doctors became free and ready to take on the next patient. By that time another woman had also arrived and when the doctor comes out she calls the other womans name. She sees me and asks if I have an appointment. I just answer that I am here for the drop-in and she replies that the drop-in is tomorrow.

Oh my... I knew the drop-in was on Wednesday morning. Apparently I thought it was Wednesday morning today. Not having fixed routines I guess have made me lose track of the days. Together with the fact that my computer yesterday night said that it was Tuesday, making me believe that today would be Wednesday. What I did not reflect on at the time I checked the date, was that the clock had passed midnight...

Good job Carin...

Monday, April 18, 2011

hockey powder

I got a bit bored today and decided to head to Uppsala and in one store I saw this candy. If you can call it candy, but I guess you cannot really put in any other category. Hockey pulver, which translated becomes hockey powder, and the only reason for that I guess is the shape of it that could resemble a hockey puck. It is plain an simple salty liquorice powder which I loved as a kid and have not tried in ages. I got this sudden urge when I saw it.

You know, there are these annoying liquorice candies that are not really salty but have a salty, powdery center and that is why you eat them. So here you have that salty, powdery center but without the annoying candy. Only the good stuff.

'Hockey pulver', liquorice powder.

scotch tape manicure #8 and more

A little more nails. First we have a scotch tape manicure with crackle polish. I have wanted to try a design with the crackle polish for some time now and finally made it happen. As it happens I also entered a contest with this design to win some IsaDora products. Love doing different designs, so why not.

Here we have Kubiss - No 46 with crackle polish IsaDora Graffiti - Black Tag.

Then I thought to include another design I did a while back, another tape manicure with three different colors. Not so sure what I think, like the concept of three different colors, but I think the color combination looked better in the bottles than on the nail.

Tape manicure with Collection 2000 - 180, Sally Hansen - Perfect Plum, OPI - Sparkle-icious.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

so what happened?

Maybe it is time to reveal what actually happened with everything and the other job I was interviewing for. Friday before Copenhagen I listened to a phone message and I got the news I got the job as sales analyst I have been interviewing for. I kind of new I would, but I could not be happy about it, I did not feel anything. All that was occupying my mind was the Ernst & Young job, and I was told to get the news the Monday after.

When I booked the spontaneous trip to Cph I was happy to keep my mind of it all for the weekend. Weather I would get good or bad news I would be in Cph and have friends around me to keep me busy. As promised they called from E&Y on Monday when I was having lunch. I ran out of the café and was immediately told that she was not bearing good news. I did not get the job. I was crushed. Apparently I did not want it enough (according to the two partners I interviewed with). Well, they should have seen me after with tears in my eyes. It was a tough blow, especially hearing that they got the impression I was not interested enough. I am not a person who wears my heart on my sleeve so I am not sure what I would have done differently.

Thinking back at it, I felt the first partner interview went much better than the second. During the second interview, I felt I did not connect with the 'partner'. I always smile, laugh and try getting a good relationship with the interviewer. But this guy was tricky and I felt I did not get such a good response.

So that is what happened with it all. It took me quite some time to move past the whole E&Y thing, partly also why I have not written about it here. I did not want to touch it. As I did not get E&Y I am truly happy that I got the other job, because I do not know how long time it would have taken me to get up again and start searching for new jobs after the rejection from E&Y.

I am at least starting to become happy for the sales analyst job I was offered. Everybody else have been much happier for me, than me. I guess it will come to me as well one of these days. Yesterday I signed the contract so I am now officially employed. You cannot know how happy it made me just now, to write those words. Officially employed. Damn, it was about time! Tuesday in two weeks, that is when I will start. Start getting my life back on track.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

scotch tape manicure #7 and more

Some more lovely manicures. I have been wanting to do a black and white one for some time now. The black and white with silver studs is probably one of my top favorite manicures I have done so far. It ended up being my Copenhagen manicure and it wore really well.

Scotch tape manicure with silver studs, Sally Hansen - White on and Wet n Wild - Blackmail

Blue and gold manicure. I really like making stripes manicure with the scotch tape, straight and clean lines is good for the perfectionist.

Scotch tape manicure with Catrice - Hip queens wear blue jeans and Orly - Glitz

Great and simple manicure, just put a pearl on each nail and it makes it all a little more fun.

Mavala - Jazz club and white pearls

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

copenhagen revisited

One of the better weekend in a long time just passed. On Wednesday I talked with a friend from Copenhagen and when she told me about the party they were going to have and that some common friends were in town, I immediately started looking at ticket prices. I found some cheap tickets and within minutes they were bought and I were ready for a weekend in Cph. I decided to keep it a surprise that I was coming and I definitely surprised my other friends arriving at the party. Definitely someone they did not expect to be at the party.

It was really nice weather and was nice seeing everybody again. I realized how much I actually miss Copenhagen. I do not think it is only because of my non eventful life here in Sweden, but I think i really miss the city and the people.

This weekend I managed to squeeze in all my favorites. Hornsleth Bar for some partying - probably one of my favorite bars in the world, Halifax - for the best burgers, Café Zirup - a great café with the delicious Miss Maria's Quesadillas, Ruby's - the best cocktail bar with amazing cocktails, and then a stop at Joe & the Juice at the airport - for the best juices. Throw into the mix some great friends, sunshine, Somersby cider, Thai and Indian take away, and you get a great weekend in Copenhagen.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

apparently there is a stage after the final stage

This is totally nerve-wracking. Today I went on a second partner interview for Ernst & Young. It was basically the same as the first one, a plain, simple interview. I went through my CV and he asked questions like 'why Ernst & Young' and 'why advisory' etc. I guess the partners just want to get to know the candidates a bit.

Such a long process. This is the fourth interview and truly the final stage (which I thought it was already at the previous interview). I cannot get this thing out of my mind, it is constantly there at the back of my mind. When I go to sleep, when I wake up, and in between.

Hopefully I will know within a week. He said that they will hire 3-5 persons and have interviewed about 7-8. So if it is 5 out of 7 I have a rather good chance of getting the job. 3 out of 8, not as good. And of course all persons that have made it this far are all good candidates.

Right now I am just fearing the worst possible.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

dinner with the girls

No news yet. Still waiting. Hopefully I will get some news next week. I am in two different processes and I think I am about to get one job offer, however, it is the other one I truly want.

Tonight I got to keep my mind of it all and had dinner with some friends from high school, a couple of them I have not seen in many years. It was nice to see them all again and do some catching up. Although, not too much of catching up since both them and I have done plenty of things in the last couple of years and it is quite impossible to get all that into one evening. We had a nice dinner and of course I provided the dessert consisting of the ever delicious oooey gooey brownies.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

cross all your fingers

I had the partner interview today and it went well. I think. (I also wore the suit for the fourth time.) If it was any other interview I would have thought it went well. But now, since there is so much at stake, I keep analyzing what I said and that I should have said and expressed much more. It is all really frustrating.

On the train going home I felt really down and sad, my mood had totally shifted. I know, I am weird. All because I want this so much and it worries me how I might react to any bad news. (Of course I am truly hoping and crossing my fingers for good news.) When I hear them describe the company and its culture, they also describe me. It is also a company that gives opportunities and if I get in I would not feel so bad and anxious about all these many months that have passed since I last worked.

Monday, March 14, 2011

final stage

Following the assessment day at Ernst & Young I this week have the partner interview. I had hoped to get it in the beginning of this week but since people were out of office I am booked for Thursday. It has been two weeks since the assessment day now and I am really anxious for the interview and want to have it sooner rather than later.

But at least I am booked and I am really looking forward to it. Thankfully it is just a standard interview and no case questions like estimation questions. I feel comfortable with having a normal interview and I am not really nervous (but I might get back on that on Wednesday evening). I just have to be myself and make a good impression so that the guy likes me and want to have me in his group.

The thing I might be nervous for is that I want this so much that I would be devastated if I do not get it. I want this so bad. I think it is my time now.

Monday, March 7, 2011

mom's birthday

Yesterday was mom's birthday so there was some baking and cooking. For some time I have been wanting to make a cake with meringue so we ended up with a Schwarzwald cake, which apparently is called Black Forest cake in English, a direct translation. In addition it seems that the Schwarzwald cake as we know it in Sweden is different from the German cake.

It consists of three layers of hazelnut meringue, all meringue layers brushed with melted chocolate on the bottoms. Whipped cream with vanilla sugar in between the layers and all around it, then topped with big chocolate flakes. Yummy.

Schwartzwald cake.

























Even though I love cakes I actually was more excited about the dinner. I made home made falafel that I have been wanting to do for a really long time. Now it was time and it was truly delicious! I made falafel wraps and have not been this exciting for a dish in a while. Tortillas filled with tzatziki (home made of course with plenty of garlic), falafel, salad, tomato, cucumber, carrot, corn, and red onion.

Falafel wrap, with home made, delicious falafel!
Falafel
800g of chick-peas, 7 garlic cloves, juice of ½ lemon, 1dl leaf parsley, 2 tsp cumin (spiskummin), 1 tsp ground coriander (not fresh), 1 tsp chili, 1 ½ tsp salt, one egg, and I also used about 2-3 tbsp corn starch (maizena) to make it all not fall apart. It should have been some tahini in it as well but could not find that, so I ended up sprinkling ing about 2 tbsp of sesame seeds instead. Mix it all together in a mixer or blender and let stand for 1-2 hour. Make into balls with two spoons and preferably deep fry. We deep fried the falafel in a frying pan with about 2 cm of oil in it. Went perfectly!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

the assessment day at ernst & young

It apparently has been very useful for others to read about the interview process I did with another company and people come to visit every month to read about it. I myself could never find much information about it at that time and I guess there is still not much information about it out there. It was the same in regards to the assessment day at Ernst & Young in Sweden. Not any information about it out there, but plenty on how it is in for example UK.

The day started with lunch with the seven other applicants at the same time as we got a presentation about Ernst & Young by one of the partners. Then it was time to start with all the tests. First the English test in three parts which was quite simple in my opinion. Then we moved on to the SHL tests, a verbal, a numerical, and an inductive test. The only test I had some problem with was the math test (numerical) and the main problem being the time constraint.

After a break it was time for the feared case interview. Working with cases, something I had never done before not even at university. We got 30 minutes to prepare for the case presentation. We received a three page summary about a company and the problem they have. A profitability problem had to be solved and present a strategy for how to solve it. I tried to gather my thoughts and get them in order. A woman came to listen to my presentation (luckily, I think, it was the same woman I had my first E&Y interview with) and I started talking. I felt kind of unstructured but I think I manage to get some thoughts out. She asked some questions and I answered. She could not give me any information at that point on how it went, but she said it I missed a few things but also mentioned many of the issues. In the end I felt quite satisfied as I had never done such a thing. At least I feel comfortable presenting things and never really nervous.

Then it was time for the interview and meeting a new guy. I think the interview can be very different depending on who is conducting it. He asked me to do was a presentation of my CV and to use the white board. I plainly did some sort of mind map of my CV with three subgroups of 'education', 'job experience', and 'other'. Piece of cake. Then he presented himself and I also started asking questions. I had prepared several good questions for the interviewer, like can you describe a typical working day/week at E&Y?, what is the biggest challenge with the job?, what's good working at E&Y?, are there any things you don't like working at E&Y or something you would like to change?.

At the end of the interview, the guy had one last case questions for me. I got one estimation question which I had dreaded: how many pharmacies are there in Sweden? I went with the simplest way and calculated an average for the whole Sweden based on the town where I grew up. He asked some questions linked to the estimation and I think I answered well, kept confident and presented well. When we were done and we packed up he said that I had almost been spot on with my answer from the calculation which made me feel good. And a little bit lucky too.

Walking away from the assessment day at Ernst & Young I was happy with what I accomplished. I felt that no matter what happened I was happy with how it went. Then we know how that feeling totally changed but it all turned out well in the end. Now I on for the final stage in the process and the partner interview. Cannot wait!

(Assessment dagen på Ernst & Young i Sverige)

scotch tape manicure #6 and more

I am really happy with yesterday's manicure. I love the gray with the orange. And then a few orange pearls on the ring finger.

Color Club - De-Luxe-Cious and Gosh - Orange Drops.

Then a really gorgeous pink color with gold shimmer in it. I love it. Then with some pretty flower pattern stamped on it.

Catrice - Big Spender Wanted!

Friday, March 4, 2011

crashed and burned?

On Wednesday, the day after the case interview and that whole shebang, I was all really excited and wanted nothing more than to continue to the next round. Then the optimism started spiraling down and almost hit rock bottom today. I feared that I had crashed and burned with the case. I called one of the persons in HR I have been in contact with to find out any news as I was supposed to get feedback before the weekend. She was not the one in charge of it so she could not tell me anything but she thought that would have called me by now.

That information made me loose the hope as it is not good news when you are one of the last persons to get any feedback. By experience that means that they have continued with other candidates. I tried calling the woman in charge and there was no answer. I called again after several hours and still no answers. Not really a what I was hoping for with the weekend coming up.

Then all of a sudden I noticed an email in my inbox from that woman saying she was on vacation but told me that they would like to have me continue in the recruitment process! I could not be happier.

Now I know I have what it takes to do the case interviews even though I know I can do much better. If I would not have moved on I think it would have hit me quite hard. But now I do not have to worry about that. Now I can look forward to the final stage in the process. Having an interview with a partner. That might be a bit scary.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

scotch tape manicure #5

Another one of those days decorating the nails. A gorgeous matte nail polish that first ended up with just a french manicure, and then I just continued with the striping.

OPI - La Paz-itively Hot and Collection 2000 - 228

Color Club - Mrs Robinson and konad stamping with China Glaze - Millennium

Monday, February 28, 2011

the suit

Took out my suit from the wardrobe today where it has been collecting dust. I bought it in 2008 for my second and third interview with Maersk. Those two occations are the only times the suit have been allowed out into the fresh air. I am not really a suit person, I just do not feel comfortable with it.

So here I am now, going for an assessment day for a 'suit company' (at least that was the impression for my first interview there) so that is why the suit have come out to breathe once again.

It is ironic though, I found a receipt in the jacket pocket from Burger King. It is where me and my suit ate lunch on June 30th 2008 at Copenhagen airport after my final interview with Maersk. On June 30th 2009, exactly one year later, my boss called me into an office and let me go. (For funsies I looked into what I did June 30th 2010, I was on an interview in Stockholm (they picked another girl over me)).

It brought me luck then (one could pretend) as I did get the job, perhaps it will tomorrow. Or luck, it brought me to a job I ended up resenting but that is not the suits fault.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

frameworks all day long

Been kind of busy the last few days. I have not even had time to change manicure since Monday (which I usually have done every day). Although I did find some time today to paint my nails in a great bright, neon, orange color that makes you happy and longing for spring.

So the last few days I have done something that feels a little bit more useful than switching manicure every day. I have been preparing for my assessment day with Ernst & Young next week. I am not nervous for it (at least not yet...), the tests (SHL) I feel quite comfortable with as I have always done well on tests. However, even though I am good at math I had trouble with the numerical test, mainly I think because of the time constraint and the I have not dealt with math in quite some time.

The thing I have studying and reading up on the most is for the case. I have never ever done case work in interviews and never even at school. I have been reading up on anything I could find to prepare myself for a case situation. Like different frameworks to use solving a case, profitability framework, business situation framework, SWOT-analysis, Porter's Five Forces etc. Nothing of this I had at school but I recognize it, now I just need to memorize it all. Easy peasy...

Right now what I dread the most is estimation questions. I just need to practice on those and the mechanics of it all. It is probably all easy when you know how to think, but my problem is that I like preparation and have difficulties with those on-the-spot analytical questions. I got a such a questions once that I totally bombed. I just froze and my brain went blank. I did not know where to start. 'How many web pages are there in Sweden?'

Friday, February 25, 2011

creole revisited

Some week, or two, ago I did the Creole casserole again. Definitely a favorite. Although this time we switched the pork tenderloin to chicken instead and I actually preferred that. I will stick with chicken from now on.

I also baked some bread with shredded carrots and sunflower seeds, really easy when you just pour it onto a baking sheet. Freshly baked bread with butter is probably one of the most delicious things.

Creole casserole

Carrot bread with sunflower seeds