Weekend Coffee Share

Welcome to the weekend coffee share! Can I get you a cup of coffee? 

Would you like to step outside, and sit at the balcony? The outside temperature is 51F/11C at the moment, but at the balcony it’s around 70F/21C. Perfect weather if you ask me. I wouldn’t mind if it never got any warmer than this, (of course my plants would like it to be slightly warmer.) 

It’s a beautiful morning, and we’ve had plenty of those this week. I’ve enjoyed each and every one riding my bike to work. I usually ride through the park that you can see in the photos. After I pass the park the bike path takes me up through a pine forest before I reach the kindergarten school I work at. There are many different paths that I can ride to get there, but this time of the year this is my favourite morning ride. In the afternoon I take a different path home.

How are things in your corner of the world? I’d rather not talk about how the prices of food have escalated like crazy these past months, but to give you an idea, imagine that you are walking in to the most upscale Whole Food store (expensive grocery chain) in San Francisco (expensive city) and that everything in a (usually) budget friendly grocery store (similar to Walmart) nowadays have those price tags. Enough said..besides expensive groceries life is very good! 

We are getting closer to vacation time, something both me and the kids are looking forward too. I am hoping for many camping adventures in beautiful nature. 

After the vacation I am going to start a new job! Yes, that was the big news last week. I am going to work in another school district, the same distance from my home, but in a different direction. It’s situated in a somewhat socio-economically disadvantaged area, compared to where I work now. Many of the children are in great need of extra help, in a wide range of areas, language being one of them. I am going to refresh my sign language skills during the summer. I am excited about the challenge. Because it is going to be a great challenge, but I feel I have something to give, and I really want to be able to make a greater difference than my current job lets me. 

How is your coffee? Would you like a refill? Do you have any plans for the weekend? I mostly look forward to doing little things around the house. I enjoy that immensely, especially since my schedule is rather tight during the weekdays. I also hope to ride my bike to a lake I’ve never visited before. Tonight we’re going to have a small party watching the Eurovision song contest, and eating good food. Eurovision is a big thing here in Europe. Most countries in Europe have several music competitions/finals during the spring, it looks a bit different exactly how this is done depending on what country you are in. The goal is to choose one artist/song to represent the country. These finalists compete against each other during one week in May, this week, and the finalists from these competitions compete against each other tonight in a great final – The Eurovision Song Contest. It’s a tradition going back to May 24, 1956 when the very first Eurovision was held. This is the link to the live stream tonight, Saturday morning in the US. Sweden made it to the grand finale and that is very exciting of course. I really like our contribution this year, I think Cornelia Jacobs voice is very beautiful. The video is from the second semi finale. The Eurovision Song Contest is always held in the country last years winner represented. Sweden have arranged the competition six times. Ukraine is the favourite this year…and if you are wondering, this years competition is held in Italy, the winners of 2021. It would be interesting, and equally wonderful to see Ukraine arrange the competition next year.

Thank you Natalie for hosting the Weekend Coffee Share. I hope you are enjoying a fabulous weekend!

Love,

Maria

A strong woman

It’s Mother’s Day in the US today, and I would like to wish all wonderful mom’s wherever you are a Happy Mother’s Day ❤

My mother was a strong woman, with a big heart. My sister and I always knew that we were her number one priority. She didn’t have to say it, she showed us every day. She dedicated most of her free time to us, and seemed to be very happy with her choice. She encouraged us to work hard, try new things, and step out of our comfort zone. I never questioned her authority, she was firm, but her eyes was always smiling. She believed that participating in gossip and negative talk about others (even when it was true,) would give you a negative prosperity debt. She also believed the opposite, that by thinking, speaking, and treating others in an uplifting, honorable way, you become a happier person. She was a doer, but always humble, and kind. She focused on what she could do, on solutions, no matter the situation. She was no angel, but willingly admitted when she was wrong, and made her best to make up for her mistakes. She didn’t make excuses. I never heard her curse, or saw her angry. I did see her cry, but mostly I saw her smile. Her smile is my strongest memory of her. To me, she will always represent the picture of a strong woman.

Being a mother is the most wonderful feeling in the world. I know that now. I know that my mom experienced that. Thinking of that makes me happy. Happy Mother’s Day!!

Love,

Maria

Weekend Coffee Share – First week of May

Welcome to the weekend coffee share! Can I get you a cup of coffee? I am about to have my first cup of coffee this rainy Saturday morning. We haven’t had much rain at all this spring, mother nature is surely smiling right now. It’s suppose to clear up in a couple hours, which is also good because I am going to run some errands in one of the neighbouring towns. How are things in your corner of the world?

Walking along Falu river (Faluån) that runs through our little town

The last weeks of the semester are always busy when you are a teacher, so much to do. I enjoy the work immensely though, which makes it easier. Speaking of work, I finalised a big decision that I’ve been considering for a while. This week all the pieces came together in a better way that I could have hoped for. I have not told everyone in my family, and all my close friends yet, so I will write more about it later. That said, I am very happy and excited. 

One of the many bridges

How is your coffee? Would you like a refill? Everything is starting to turn green now, and we are expecting more rain next week. I am sure that it’s going to help spring on the way. The beautiful birch trees outside my window are just starting to turn green. I love birch trees, I think they are among the most beautiful trees in the world. I also love pine trees, and the serenity and calm they create. Speaking of trees and nature, one of the reports I wrote for my Degree of Master of Science, Main Field of Study: Educational Work this week was a short analyse of an interesting text, the title of the text was Environmental concern, moral education and our place in nature. I thoroughly enjoyed this assignment, especially reflecting on how we can think about this in the context of a kindergarten school. 

This week have been wonderful so far, and I am so grateful for all the love in my life, health, and happiness. Thank you Natalie for hosting the Weekend Coffee Share. I hope you are enjoying a fabulous weekend!

Love,

Maria