tayler

This morning after applying for all of the jobs Micke found online, Micke and I went over to pick Jesper to take with us to the grocery store. I think I've never had such a good time at a grocery store (sober that is). Micke and Jesper are really funny.

Then we received word that school ended a little earlier than we thought. 2. I was anxious to see how it went. Oh, you won't believe it!

I picked up the twins and they were a little angry because I was a little late, but Tyler said school was excellent. Tayler loved it as well.

They are in prep class before beginning regular class to get caught up on Swedish and Swedish history. They get to work at their own pace.

Tyler got frustrated during the beginning of class, and the teacher came over and asked her what was up. Tyler said she couldn't get it, would never get it (whatever IT was), and the teacher said yes you will, because I will help you/explain it to you until you get it.

I dropped the kids off at school today. I almost walked in with my shoes on. (That's right they take off their shoes at the door.) The twins seemed nervous but excited. They rode their new bikes.

Now I am looking for jobs. There are 24 jobs so far that fit my experience. And that's just in Malmö. Lund is very close, and so is Copenhagen. Both are close enough to drive to or take the train to.

Last night I was up very late on CommunityofSweden.com trying to find people in my area to meet. Although I have been introduced to a few of Helena and Micke's friends, I need more, because if you know me, you know I am an extrovert who LOVES people.

Right now I feel pretty lonely. The hardest part about coming to Sweden is that it is hard to find friends because people are a bit shy or cautious about meeting new people.

Micke took us into Malmo today and the twins are now registered for their 'person numbers.'

We also went to the mall where we ate lunch and took the kids to Build-A-Bear. That place makes me want to kill something.

Afterwards, I tried to sign up for a cell phone plan, but without a job yet, I have no income to vouch for me and without having lived here, it's like starting all over with credit. I was disappointed, but then, Micke says my work will provide one - so maybe I just need to get one for the kids.

Yesterday's visit with the teacher ended up taking 2 1/2 hours. She was very nice, seemed very dedicated to her work and very open minded. I liked that she emphasized bullying was not permitted in school and that she would always listen to the girls if something happens where they are picked on.

She invited the twins to see the school today, and we toured it this morning. It is a very nice school, small but nice. There is soccer field, and a playground, and the class that the twins will be in to prepare for Swedish classes is small and has three other girls their age.

The library is an interesting design with shelves around the outside of a space in the hall, and inside, many nice computers for the kids to use.

The cafeteria has a salad bar and serve yourself food. Recycling bins of course.

The kids have swimming on Monday, and gym on Tuesday. They are to shower after gym and there are no private shower stalls. Tayler is very upset about this.

We met the principal, who is a young guy with high ambitions to make the school one of the best in Sweden.

Everyone was very welcoming and wanted to shake our hands. The twins are the first American students to come to the school.

The girls are apprehensive about their first day on Monday, but I think once they start, they will be fine.

Linnea's quote of the day:

"This is the best day of my life!"

I've been thinking a lot today about our move.

Things are lining up very nicely and I am really looking forward to a fresh start in Sweden.

It's been so freeing to shed all of the stuff I just don't need, or can replace later if I do need it.

It's been overwhelming to see how much art and writing and pictures I have saved throughout the years.

It's also been happy and sad. I see things from Scott when we first started dating. I see things I wrote that I am surprised now to see how relevant it is.

I have this feeling in the pit of my stomach. I'm not sure how to describe it. It's familiar, like hunger.

Am I scared? Yes.

Is that going to stop me? No.

Tayler woke me up just now to ask me what that noise was. It was a low sound that didn't sound like a tornado warning, so I told her I didn't know what the sound was and to go back to bed.

I could hear her fiddling around with something, so I walked down the hall and said, "Tayler, what are you doing?"

"Being scared," she said.

Since I am no longer employed and looking for a new job, I have been home with the kids for going on two days. Scott's been working late, so it's just been the three of us.

After a day and a half of spending time with the twins, today in the van, I felt like freaking out. I'm not used to being home. I'm not used to being interrupted so many times in the middle of a thought process or a conversation, or a lecture. I'm not used to the random thoughts that come to them, and things they share with me of little substance. (Mom, in x movie y said 'some quote.')

I felt like I was going to go right out of my mind as I was driving home from the orthodontist's office. I just wanted silence. Or just to listen to ONE SONG on the radio without being interrupted 5 times. The kids have been SO demanding and SO high maintenance the last two days.

And really, some ADULT CONVERSATION PLEASE! (Get your mind out of the gutter.)

Scott is upset with me presently, so there's no conversation going on there. I think I need out of the house.

When we picked Tyler up after getting Tayler, the kids were talking in the back of the van.

"Tayler, I never realized how pretty you are! You are so pretty!"

Operation Kid Free successful. Four days without kids commencing.