Here it's me again.

It has been quite sometime I didnt write new post for this blog. This is due to my own laziness, and also I was busy helping my sister to take care of her children. Well since she already quit her job, I am available again to write. There are lots of inquiries I receive from my friends actually to know what is my condition. For them I want to say sorry and sorry.

Fjällgatan

Fjällgatan is a famous street in Stockholm because of it's own uniqueness. You shouldn't miss to walk on this street if you're in Stockholm because you will feel it's different. Don't forget to look around the building because you can see the unique and vibrant colours. You can see Gamla Stan from the east of this street. I spend my weekend time to walk along this street with my family and just breathed in fresh winter air. This is good not only it can relax my mind but also for my health because walking is the best exercise.

10 Fun Facts about Sweden

10 Fun Facts about Sweden
Sweden in a Nutshell

Area: 174,000 sq. miles
Population: 9 millions (500,000 foreign citizens).
Language: Swedish
Capital: Stockholm
Form of Government: Constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy.

Ten Fun Facts About Sweden

[ Fact 1 ]
The strongest girl in the world is Swedish!
Pippi Longstocking is the heroine in the most famous children's books in Sweden. These books were written by Astrid Lindgren and are loved by children (and adults) all over the world. They have been translated into 76 languages.

[ Fact 2 ]
All the world's flowers are Swedish!
Carolus Linnaeus – better known in the U.S. as Carl von Linné – was the first individual to successfully classify all the plants (and animals) of the world into different species and families. He wrote the epoch-making book Systema Nature (The System of Nature) in 1735, which is still being used by botanists and zoologists today!

[ Fact 3 ]
Mysterious Moose Tracks.
A popular souvenir is the road sign for moose-crossing. Every year a huge number of these signs are stolen from Swedish roads.

[ Fact 4 ]
Swedes are known for their Innovations.
Swedish Inventions include:
– The perfected the design of the zipper (Gideon Sundbäck).
– The marine propeller (John Ericsson).
– The refrigerator (Carl Munters and Baltzar von Platen).
– The computer mouse (Håkan Lans).
– The pace-maker (Rune Elmqvist).

[ Fact 5 ]
Swedish prize makes the biggest bang!
The Nobel Prize Ceremonies are held in Sweden and Norway every year on December 10th. The Nobel Prizes were founded by the Swedish inventor and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel, who invented dynamite in 1866.

[ Fact 6 ]
MMmmm! Yummy!
The favorite food in Sweden is usually meatballs with potatoes and lingonberry sauce. Swedish pancakes are also a favorite.

[ Fact 7 ]
Mamma Mia! Sweden is full of music!
Sweden has produced many famous musicians and musical groups over the years. ABBA, The Hives, Millencollin, The Cardigans, Kent, and Robyn to name a few.

[ Fact 8 ]
Love to Shop?
IKEA and H&M are both modern Swedish retail shops.

[ Fact 9 ]
Would you like to live like royalty?
You can visit Sweden's Ice Hotel, which often resembles a palace, and spend a night or two in this winter wonderland.

[ Fact 10 ]
Sweden is the land of the Midnight Sun!
Every year, Swedes celebrate Midsummer (Midsommar) on the twenty-third of June. On this longest day, in many parts of Sweden the sun never sets.

Sources: Swedish Institute, Virtual Tourist

My office

Got back from office early yesterday, and get a chance for the first time to take its picture. Just realized how squarish my office is.

Köttbullar

Köttbullar is swedish dish that simply means meatball. Just made this for my dinner last night and thought it would be good if I can share this photo with you guys. No, I'm not a big eater, I share it with my sister.

Swedish massage

Nothing can beat swedish massage when you have aching body. Swedish massage is very popular not only sweden but also in other europe countries. I've been to Berlin and saw one centre specializing in Swedish Massage. Well, if you want to try aunthentic swedish message, I think Stockholm is the place.

Source wikipedia:

Swedish massageThis style utilizes long, flowing strokes, often but not necessarily in the direction of the heart. There are six basic strokes: effleurage from the French effleurer, 'to skim over', petrissage from the French pétrir, 'to knead', friction, tapotement, compression, and vibration. Petrissage is a kneading movement with the whole palm or finger tips, using wringing, skin rolling, compression, and/or lifting. Petrissage is usually applied vertically to the muscle tissue. Oil, cream, or lotion is applied on the skin to reduce friction and allow smooth strokes. Effleurage consists of long, flowing or gliding strokes, performed with open hands. In many massage sessions, effleurage is used as the initial type of stroking, as it has a calming effect when performed slowly. Swedish massage has shown to be helpful in reducing pain, joint stiffness, and improving function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee over a period of eight weeks.

Gott Nytt År

Happy New Year!!! You never know how hard for me to update this blog. Sometimes I just don't know what to write. You know living in this knowledge era, I feel everything that I want to share is already being shared by other people. The funny thing is, sometime I have so many ideas to write, then these enormous numbers of ideas overwhelm me until I stop to write. However all the comments really made my day and the only reason that will keep me writing. Thanks folk.

Happy New Year. As you can see Stockholm was glittering and clammering by the fireworks when we celebrated Year 2008. My wish for this year is all my good dreams will come true. I hope it's the same to the rest of you.

Gamla stan

Many travelling internet sites consider this place as the best tourist attraction in Sweden. I partly agree with this statement, because to say that it's the best is pretty much dependent on your interest. If your interest is in visiting historical places, yes, you can consider that this place as one of the best in the world. Gamla stan is actually a very very old town neighbourhood in Stockholm. Many of the buildings were built during 13th century. Who knows maybe your great great grandfather used to having his cup of coffee here. The best time to visit this place is during summer.

Skating during winter

I was thinking what is another fun activities during winter apart from skiing and sleeping. Suddenly this idea came after my long sleep last night, well why don't we try to skate? Yes this is equally fun like skiing, but you only require less gear. The most popular spot for skating in Stockholm are Kungsträdgården. But for foreigners who aren't familiar with skating, I've to warn you this, start slowly. Don't try to compete with the Stockholm folks, even with the kids because you might experience your painful experience, I mean by falling down.

Snow

It snowed heavily last night. This is the aftermath. This picture was taken on my way to the office.