Category Archives: Sweden

Last day of Gothia Cup

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The world’s biggest soccer tournament for kids is finally over. This week means that the whole town is being invaded by people from all over the world, all of the tram’s are always full, they smell of sweat and they all get a super cheap bracelet to Liseberg that is valid for the whole week. That means that everyone is at Liseberg as soon as they don’t play any games. That means a lot to do for us who work there. It hasn’t been too bad actually, but once in a while there is half a team who wants to go on a ride without tickets or bracelets and doesn’t understand English. Or the scenario where another half of a team wants to sit next to each other one a ride… I survived and I even survived an intro and education at Helix, the busiest attraction by far at Liseberg.

So, today was the last day those special Gothia Cup bracelets were valid, but that doesn’t mean Liseberg won’t be as busy. These next couple of weeks are vacation weeks for most of Sweden, and that means that everyone is going to Gothenburg and Liseberg. I wonder if that will be worse or better than Gothia Cup? If there is something that’s actually been better this past week compared to normal weeks, is that people are too afraid of asking if they can wait for the next ride for example on AtmosFear because they want to sit next to each other. It is like they know that that isn’t something they can ask for. That that is just the way it is, we have a certain amount of seats and those need to be filled every time. I am so thankful for that!

My day started like yesterday; break on Helix. But today I had Helix for an hour and I could be a part of reopening it after about 35 minutes of telling people that it was closed. I learned how to do that which was good since I am not an approved attraction driver there yet. I did have my check-up today though, which means I will be ready for the test tomorrow. Yay! When that is done I will have 8 attractions in total at Liseberg.

When I came home from work at about 9pm I didn’t wait long until I started Guild Wars 2. Time flew away, it’s already 0:30 am and I should probably go to bed. I have a long day tomorrow. First 8 hours at work and then prepartying. Liseberg arranges every other Sunday something called a Rabbit Party at a nightclub in Gothenburg. I’ve never went, I enjoy the preparties more. And I work pretty early the day after, so I will hardly even drink tomorrow and just hang out for a while. Even if we work together at Liseberg, we don’t have time to hangout there, so we need these parties. We should do more stuff though, not just the Rabbit Parties.

Morotskort

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Today something very fun happened at work. Some guests get a special card, called a Morotskort (en=Carrot card) when they arrive in the park. They are supposed to give them to Liseberg workers who’ve done something extra and I got one of those today!! More than smiling and being nice to people I didn’t do anything special. It was on AtmosFear where a little girl was too afraid of going, so I let her out by opening all the safety restraints and telling everyone in the microphone that I just opened them but they needn’t worry because I knew what I was doing. I then started checking my half again and after a few guests there was a guy with one of his hands in his pocket and suspicious as I am I asked him what he had in his pocket (it is not allowed to have any loose objects during the ride so we try to prevent that before we start by taking everything and putting them in the baskets by the walls). He just smiled back at me and pulled out one of those cards and told me it was for me. I thanked him a lot and I was in a very good mood the rest of the evening. I don’t know if he was flirting with me, saw what I did to the little girl, enjoyed what I said in the mic or if he were about to leave the park and just wanted to give it to someone (which he didn’t because he came back on the ride). It was very nice anyway, and when you get one of those cards you get a Trisslott (you scratch it and have a chance of winning money). I hope I will win a million!

My day started with 30 minutes at Helix and like another day a week ago, it was on break. That meant that I stood for 30 minutes by the entrance telling people that we had some technical issues. Last week I had a whole hour at Uppswinget. Nice to start the day that way! And it was nice speaking English again. I haven’t done it almost at all these past two weeks, since Chad left for Minnesota. I missed it. On Tuesday he will be back though and I will have someone to talk to daily again.

A stupid thing that happened on AtmosFear today, before I got the carrot card, a guy in the seat started smoking!! I was about to go to the other side and check the restraints and I just saw a big cloud there. I walked up to him and asked him what he was doing and told him to put it out right now! He told me he wanted to throw it off the top of the attraction. Asshole! I took his lighter, I probably should have taken the pack of cigarettes instead, and also his friends lighter. I really really hope they didn’t have a third lighter and smoked up there anyway. What does some people think with?? It is not allowed to smoke in the park, why should it be okay to smoke on an attraction??

That was pretty much my whole day. Now I will go to bed and prepare for another long day tomorrow. But I do get off at 8pm already so I will have some time to do something instead of just going home and going to bed. I look forward to Tuesday (my Saturday).

Double vs single room?

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A few days ago I got a question from CalPoly housing if I would be interested in saving $1500 (or maybe it was more?) by changing my single room to a double room. It said I might be interested and today I got a reply that I need to answer before July 20th if I want to accept the change. Pros and cons with everything.

Pros:

  • I will save a lot of money
  • I will really try out the whole American student lifestyle
  • I might get a friend for life

Cons:

  • No privacy
  • What if the girl is a bitch?
  • Bunkbeds

Opinions anyone? It’s a lot of money, but I also like privacy, but at the same time it would be fun to try see what it’s like to have a roomie…

 

Still tons of people at Liseberg and it is exhausting. Even if I slept for almost 10 hours last night and woke up by myself at 9:30am, well rested and everything, I’ve been so tired today! Mostly Swedish people, but almost all of them wore the Gothia Cup bracelet. I think I saw 10 people in total with Guldpass. Gothenburg people are smart and staying away from Liseberg this week.

I’ve gotten the second introduction to Helix, the one which covers evacuations. It wasn’t that complicated. And after that I had my very first hour covering my own position at Helix. That was nervous, but I did well. And now it feels like I’ve been there for a while. It doesn’t take much time to get used to a new attraction. I can already feel it in my body though. So many complain about the ergonomics of checking those restraints. I am trying my best to do it correctly, but it is hard to avoid getting muscle soreness from doing something I’m not used to. The underside of my arms are so sore!! I hope this will go away soon.

I closed Uppswinget today and normally there aren’t many people at all at the end so they can go on the ride several times in a row. But today, there was a big line up until the very end! So I had to tell people that we were just about to start the last ride and they had to go away. That’s a first!

Time to go to bed and sleep in my own bed now. Goodnight folks!

Helix

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The day has finally come when I got an introduction to Helix, the new big rollercoaster at Liseberg. I’ve been waiting for this day from my second week at work which was more than a month ago now. It’s not just that I want o work on that awesome attraction, but now I will be a bigger part of this group of people who work on Berget. I am now one of those who can complain about how boring it is to be on it every hour of the day and be a part of the conversations about all the crazy things that’s going on there. For example, today, during my introduction there was someone in the platform, right before boarding the train, who peed themselves. That would never happen on Höjdskräcken. I am not gonna complain though, I will check the safety restraints as good ergonomically as I can and since I’ve been looking forward to this for so long, I don’t think I am allowed to complain actually. I am excited anyway! In total I only had the one hour introduction and 1,5h of working on the platform with someone walking beside me. I will probably get introduction phase 2 tomorrow and after that I will cover my own position until I have the test in a few days. Part of the education on an attraction is going on the ride. My spontaneous side popped up and I jumped on the train without really thinking it through. I was hoping that I wouldn’t feel sick, but if course not. I felt a bit nauseated for probably three hours after…

It’s nice to have something else than the typical amusement park attraction where you check the safety restraints, press the buttons and watch the ride go. This is a rollercoaster, more things happen, and of course the principal is exactly the same as the “typical amusement park attraction”, but it feels different. And it was fun being on education again, it’s been a while. I think the next attraction I will get is Balder, one of the other big roller coasters. I am not sure when that is gonna happen though since that area barely need any people from the pool.

The day went by extremely fast, probably because I only had six hours of work, 4-11pm. Tomorrow it will be longer. I was called today at work and asked if I could work an extra hour tomorrow. Nemas problemas! I need the money, so instead of working 11am-8pm I will be working 1pm-11pm. Yay, money!

After work I went home to mom’s. She is away in England again for the week and my brother wanted to sleep at his girlfriend’s place and asked me nicely if I could stay at mom’s and take care of the cats. Of course, I am a nice sister. And I like my cats and probably should take every opportunity I can to see them while I still can. One of them isn’t feeling very well and I had to wipe up four throw-ups right when I got here. Poor thing!

Now I will go to bed, I am so tired and with no computer game distracting me I will probably get a few hours of sleep. I hope it’s nice weather tomorrow so I can enjoy the balcony for a while before work. Goodnight everybody, and thanks mom for letting me borrow your computer. And you should thank me for not faceraping you ;).

Helix

New haircut

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My computer was kaputt last night, so even if I had a lot of interesting things to write about, I couldn’t. My weekend is over and it was over way too fast. I wouldn’t have minded another week or so. My Friday was celebrated at Stage Door (a bar) with some of my colleagues. A very nice evening that ended at 1:30am.

Yesterday I woke up at 1pm I think. It was awesome to sleep in that long for once! I had an ambition to study some, but I realized I had lots of time so I decided to do some other necessary things. I called Radiotjänst again and asked them if they could give me back the last 500kr for wrongly charging me for the TV-license. They told me I would have it by the end of the week. The phone call, waiting including, took almost 30 minutes… After that I tried to call Kosmetisk Kirurgi to make an appointment for hair removal. I have two left since 2012 and thought I should get at least one done before I leave again, or hopefully both, but they have vacation now until the beginning of August, so I will have to wait. Not many people know it, but I have been going through some IPL treatments to remove hair under my arms. I am not done, but what an improvement after 6 (I think?) treatments. I can go one or maybe even two weeks without shaving, when I had to do it every day before.

My third call that day was to the hairdresser, they had an appointment just a couple of hours after I called so I took it. I like being spontaneous. I knew my hair was getting pretty damaged, even if it didn’t look too bad. But 6 months since last time, it was needed. It felt kinda stupid afterward though. I paid 400kr and the before and after picture look exactly the same… It feels better though and it definitely is healthier now with no split ends. I wanted to have the hair in the front a bit shorter as well, so there is a little bit of difference actually. I will post the before/after picture just because it’s so silly to pay that much for that little…

Before/after hairdresser
On these pictures it actually looks better on the before picture, probably because I am newly showered and the light is better. And I suck at taking selfies… Tomorrow my hair will look awesome after a shower and a hair mask and when I can style it the way I want.

I walked around in Nordstan (downtown) after that, tried to find a place who could fix my sunglasses. My engineering skills aren’t that good yet. No one could help me so I decided to make one final serious attempt to fix them. I bought thin iron thread and made a new loop and with some glue and tape it actually seems to be working. I just have to be careful and not put them in my purse anymore. If this doesn’t work I’ve actually found a website that sells those spare parts and I will order some if they break again. I know I am stupid for trying so hard to fix a pair of sunglasses that just cost $4, but they are so cool and so me and I love them. I don’t want another pair unless they look the same!

I did some grocery shopping on the way home because I had a very special plan when it came to dinner. Pierogi (according to Google Translate)! I had found a recipe for pierogi with spinach and feta cheese with pink pepper, parsley, hazel nuts and garlic. It wasn’t as perfect as it sounds, but definitely edible and a little more. Probably not the best with vegetarian food for me right now though. I’ve realized I probably don’t get enough proteins anymore. Poor and no time to cook real food have made me a temporary vegetarian. I like vegetarian food, but I think I need to focus on the meat now when I have money again. I have 17 000 right now in my account! But as I’ve said, I am a saver from now on.

Spinach/feta pierogi

And just when I was about to start updating the blog yesterday my computer pretty much died. No, it didn’t, but I couldn’t go to any webpages that required a login, like Facebook or my blog or even Google. It said something about an SSL problem. I googled it on my phone and after a while decided it was time to reinstall it. I probably got some virus… That’s what I did this morning inbetween my study sessions. Now it is working perfectly fine again. I tried the option to reinstall the operative system without removing my personal files (which is stupid when I have a virus, I know, but it worked!). It went’ smoothly and I just had to reinstall some programs.

I studied for a few hours, but I only managed to solve two problems. The easy wooden and steel pillar problems are done and I am now getting myself into the concrete ones. I hate concrete… But it started out pretty okay, I understood what I did and just when I reached for a new paper to continue the problem on, I realized all of them were out. It was raining outside but I was in such a good flow, so I took a break, went to Nordstan (where by the way, hundreds and thousands of million people were!! On a Tuesday afternoon?), bought two notebooks, a new deodorant and went home to continue on the problem. That’s everything I did actually when it comes to studying, but I am trying to understand what I am doing, not just copying the answer key, so it’s okay that it takes time. I will do some more tomorrow before work.

I had another pierogi for dinner and then played a few hours of Guild Wars 2 before I noticed the late hour. Time just flies when playing that. What’s so awesome about GW2 is that they are always updating the game. They release new seasons of the game with new storylines and map changing quests. The first season I missed because I was in California. It was a fun one I’ve heard, maybe it is possible to go through it by reading about it or something. I know the biggest thing that happened, and that was that the biggest city on the map got completely wiped out. I was so surprised when I logged in after a year and saw it and had no idea what happened. This time though I am playing through season 2 from the start. Today the second part of it was released and it turns out that another big-ass dragon is awaking! So much fun! I love this game, it’s not just the same thing over and over, but they are always changing it, good job, ArenaNet, you have really succeeded in making a great game!

Colder weather

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It has definitely been colder today, but still pretty warm, 24C. Lots of people though. Höjdskräcken had a really really long line for once. Annoying! I’ve started to rethink my fondness of that attraction actually. I don’t understand why they only put three seats on each side (four sides) when most people at Liseberg go in pairs. And when they demand to wait for the next ride because they wanna sit next to each other is really starting to get me angry. Especially when there is a long line!

The day went by pretty fast, got off at six and haven’t done anything since, except petting my cats at mom’s and picking up some tiny screwdrivers for my sunglasses. The electrical tape wasn’t enough and I’m not sure this solution with an iron wire works either… Poor glasses!

I don’t feel like I have something of importance to write about so I will just stop now and go to bed. I am sleeping very badly for some unknown reason and I think that, in addition to the heat makes me this tired… Tomorrow it will be around 20C and lots of rain and thunder! Nice 🙂

Today it is exactly 2 months until my departure by the way! 2 months and I will be back in beautiful Cali! ❤

Three days of extreme heat

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I’ve been feeling really bad today. Three long days of working in this ridiculous heat isn’t that good apparently. It was okay until I had one hour at Höjdskräcken when the booth was like a sauna and nothing made it better. The AC was on its highest, but it was still more than 30C in there. It’s been hard to think and move and it feels like my inside are boiling. To recheck all the safety restraints because something happened didn’t make me to happy, I have to admit. Doing unnecessary work under the burning sun today took a lot of energy. But I survived my six hours! I am very sore and so extremely exhausted! I’ve worked 26 hours in three days in this weather, no wonder I feel totally beat up!

I have been without candy since last Thursday (that’s 8 days!!) and felt that I really needed it today, so I bought a bag of bulk candy on my way home from work. I ate some while watching Revolution and now I am so tired I’m seeing double. So I think I will head to bed now. Without any Guild Wars 2…

Host family reunion

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It was more than six months since I last said goodbye to them in San Diego. I knew I was gonna see them again so that goodbye wasn’t too hard, but seeing them again today made me realized I’ve missed them more than I thought. Living so close with people for a year makes you really fond of them. It was a bit bad timing of them coming here on the day I worked 10 hours, but it was okay, I was so glad for the rest of the day because of those 30 minutes on my first break of the day. Everyone was there except my hostdad and they all got huge hugs! We didn’t talk about anything in particular, it was just a happy reunion. I am so glad I have a Swedish hostfamily who goes to Sweden now and then. And I am also glad that I will be moving back to California in two months exactly and will be seeing them a few times.

They had grown but still looked the same. Six months isn’t that much even if it feels like a long time. That’s what happens when you’re busy all the time.

It was still extremely hot and so sticky and sweaty all day. No problem walking home in shorts and a tank top in the middle of the night, it is still 25C outside. Crazy weather! I am jealous of my friends who could hang out by the ocean today. It was a very nice day still and my happiness from seeing my angels again got me through the whole day! I even got through my food coma/sunstroke without any difficulties.

I got my salary specification today and I was very surprised! Almost 24 000 sek before taxes!! That means 16 000 after and that is way more than I expected. I am rich! But I will be smart and save, I know what kind of goals I have in the upcoming year.

I really need to go to bed now, it’s past midnight and I start working at 11am tomorrow.

Broken sunglasses again
My awesome sunglasses broke again. Last time I lost the screw, but this time the screw is still there but the thing holding the screw broke. I didn’t know how to fix it, but there is nothing duct (electrical) tape can’t fix :).

32 degrees Celcius

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It’s like I’m not in Sweden anymore. Since when have we had this kind of weather? The definition of tropical weather is when the temperature never goes under 20C under 24 hours and that happened last night. Crazy!! What’s happening with the world?

Today at work it was hot all day. I am not complaining at all, I got a bit of Cali-feeling and missed it more than ever. 64 days and I will be back.

Normally when you have had a couple of days off you will get a short day as your “Monday”, but not for me today, no. I had 10 hours, and 10 hours tomorrow as well. But it wasn’t as bad, even in this ridiculous heat. The guests were in a good mood which made me happier. My colleagues are the best and are a big part of why I enjoy my long days. A big thank you to all of you!

A very nice thing that happened at work today was that we got cake. Everyone on Berget got cake because Helix got 1000 guests an hour a while back. I felt a little bad for eating the Nutellacake when I don’t even have Helix, but on the other hand, I should have gotten it a month ago.

Now it’s time for bed and my book.

Tropical weather in Gothenburg

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The weather today has been weird to say the least. It has been extremely hot and the humidity must have been at least 110%. It has been sunny but it has also been pouring and lots of thunder. And its’s been back and forth between these conditions all day. Around 28C and right outside my window at its hottest it was unbelievable 40C! That’s right in the sun, but still. It’s been sticky inside but nothing I could do about it, opening the windows would only make it worse. I remember my first summer in this apartment three years ago. It was barely possible to be in here because it was like a sauna. I haven’t felt that at all this summer even if once in a while gets pretty warm outside. Maybe they improved the ventilation?

I’ve been inside most of the day, studying. I didn’t do more than yesterday, but not less either, so I am satisfied with my accomplishment. It was actually hard to quit when I needed dinner. That’s good! For once I am following my study schedule and I actually think that I will check every box on that paper (one box = one problem/one old exam/one theory question, a total of 63 boxes) before I will take the exam for the fourth time. Go me!

I did a lot of theory questions today and realized that I have never been in class when they talked about them. Both my first year and this year I didn’t have them among my notes. I never miss a class, but those two I have missed were the same both years. Not particularly good.

I didn’t do much more than that today, I put all my recyclables in the recycle room in the backyard, I did the dishes, watched a couple of Revolution episodes, shopped for groceries, and cooked dinner. Mashed sweet potatoes and meatballs, yummy! I have a very hard time right now figuring out what to eat. I get stuck in patterns and eat pretty much the same thing for a month before I go on to the next. Lack of money is mostly behind that, but I tried to think before I went to the grocery store today. What do I want to eat? I remembered that I loved semolina porridge when I was a kid and decided that that might be a good breakfast (the last couple of weeks I’ve only had scrambled eggs) right now. And to put fruit and berries in it will make it a little more healthy. I look forward to tomorrow’s breakfast! Let’s hope my tastebuds haven’t changed…

Today I also got an email from CSN telling me that I will get money next year!! The bad thing is that I will get it in three lump sums (swe=”klumpsummor”) instead of every month. It probably won’t be a problem, but I am gonna have to think through exacylt how much money I will have after rent and food. But it will feel pretty awesome to have 50 000 kr in my account! The only thing missing now is that I have to decide what I am gonna do the first two nights before I get my room and how to get from LA to SLO. No biggie!