Cecily och Joakim

Though it has been some time since I have posted on this wonderful travel blog - I have still been traveling and recently making a major move!

I am back in Sweden, though the last time I was here I left from Chicago during the spring of 2011. That trip was my first study trip and it ultimately changed my life and brought me to the country that I now call home - at least officially for the next two years!!!

This time I am here with a resident permit. After moving around the states, over the past three years, covering DC, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Durham, and back to Pittsburgh (which is my home town) I could not leave the states through any other city then DC. This was symbolic because my very first visit to Sweden was via DC - in addition I had official visa work to take care of at the House of Sweden.

Joakim flew into Pittsburgh, from Sweden, where we spent time with my family and packing. We then drove from Pittsburgh to DC and had two full days staying at Kimpton's Donovan House - and enjoying some of our favorite spots, a post regarding our time there is forthcoming!!

I have spent the past few months adjusting to a new country, but now I am finally getting into a routine and currently going through all of my photos!!! This photo is significant because it reflects the flag of the country that is my new home!! But I also love how the American flag is still present, as it will always be my home though I am miles away!

The past three months (actually three years) have been rather eventful as I have traveled to Sweden on two occasions, traveled to Norway for the first time, more recently took a daycation to Göteborg, but also did many road trips throughout the states so I have several fabulous photos and post to share!!

Tack så mycket for visiting "please stay tuned" and enjoy the ride!!

puss och kram (xox)

I am back in DC and already missing Sweden!

Sötnos tack så mycket for making this first trip incredibly special - just coming was so great but every little och big thing that you did made it even more special! I am sooooo LUCKY to have a guy like you - you are the best!

Just as this was A Wonder's Summer Night concert swan song - I will close this section with a song that speaks of my love for you:

XOX Svensson

Please Note: I highly recommend that anyone viewing this blog take the time to listen to this song! To date, it is one of the most amazing songs, in the history of Stevie Wonder's long career! It speaks of pure, genuine, and unconditional love...ENJOY!

When we got back to the hotel - we were totally exhausted!

But we went back out - because there was an amazing photography exhibtion - "Rites of Life" we saw some of it today, but thought it would be great to see at night! These pictures do not do the exhibit justice...but visit the web site the link is on the right hand side under Favorite Links!

The last shot!

After walking for about an hour we ended up at Skansen, which is located on the island Djurgarden! Skansen is considered “the oldest open air museum in the world”! It was truly experiencing a trip going back in time –the exhibits are predominately buildings/homes from different centuries, but this museum also has a zoological component!

We walked this whole area and took some amazing views from the top...

On Top of Djurgarden!

Prior to walking through time we stopped to eat a yummy traditional Swedish dinner at Solliden, our meal included a herring appetizer – “yummo”!

Nordic Animals!

Today we slept in because after hanging out with Anna-Karin och Alfredo last night we got back to our room around 2am!

When we woke up we had a wonderful brunch, went back to our room and took a long nap. Around 2pm we decided to take a walk on the harbor near the hotel!

Being Silly!

Next - walking to a small Island called Djurgrden!

Joakim made my first trip even more special - Tack så mycket Sötnos!

Today we met Anna Karen och Alfredo (aka Fernando, aka Carlos) And of course I did not take any pictures of the four of us because I was a bit overwhelmed and did not bring out the camera until I saw Stevie!

Stevie Live in Stockholm via YouTube! Knocks Me Of My Feet

The concert took place at the Globen, the golf ball in the distance - it is a huge arena! The concert was sold out! This picture was taken from the top of Djurgarden!

Today, we travelled from Mariestad back to Stockholm!

After we checked into the hotel we went walking through a huge market, this is one view from the outside.

The inside of the market was amazing - it reminded me of the Washington, DC Dean & Deluca, but on steriods!

The next day we got up early because we had a lot of territory to cover in a few short hours! Stevie Wonder at the Globen coming soon!

Today we went to Jönkoping, to visit Joakim's sister Agneta! Agneta och Jonas have a fabulous home in the suburbs of Jönkoping...

This is a view of the back of their house - we were standing on the top deck!

Mariestad is the place to be garden living is the life for me land spreading out so far and wide...

Today is cold och cloudy! We drove around Mariestad and went down to the harbor which is full of boats - everyone in Mariestad has a boat!

Here is one picure of Joakim in the garden - picking veggies & herbs for dinner tonight - "yummo"!

One of J's favorite past time is spending it on his boat...

This is the back of the house with a plum och apple tree.

As I prepare to leave in less than an hour I felt compelled to blog! I am at peace before I travel for the first time of my adult life...this sense of peace does not come without a sacrifice. This sense of peace comes as a part of what might be a phase of my grieving process…

As most of you know for nine of the most important part of my adult years my number one side kick was Cody! And like many people, being that I grew up with dogs, I treated them as if they were people - with the exception of allowing them in the kitchen, eating off of them, and sharing kisses in the mouth! Cody was one important factor to why I did not travel - though I can count the number of times I left him with friends/family or in a posh pet resort on one hand, during those travels my goal was to get back to him as soon as possible!

I really need to acknowledge him, because if he were with me now I am not sure how this trip would have manifested - there might be lots of drama!

Below is a digital image of Cody that was a work in progress (the end result a series of three black & white images with three powerful quotes) created by the very talented North Carolina artist Mikel Robinson...

"Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends." - Maya Angelou

I am very excited for my first trip to Europe. This is a very special trip because as most of you know I have fallen in love with a Swede (Joakim, aka J, aka, Sotnos, aka so many other names that I will not share at this time...)! Therefore, this first trip is even more exciting because I will meet J's family, see the town of Maristad - where Joakim is from, and visit Stockholm! Needless to say I am very excited because to top it all off J has gotten us tickets to see Stevie Wonder in Stockholm!

This is my first trip to Europe, but Joakim has spent the past several years travelling around the world (for work and for fun)! There are so many places that we plan to visit, many are places that J wants to share with me and many are places that we will explore for the first time together.

This blog will document the next chapter of our life together as we travel around the world discovering new people, new places and new cultures, and it will consists of stories and photos of the things we most appreciate including: architecture, art, history, food & wine, music och waterways! We also hope this blog will be the best way to share our sojourns with our friends & family who are sprinkled around the world!

Please enjoy!

Puss och Kram (Hugs and Kisses)