Gripsholm Castle - Mariefred,Sweden

Gripsholm Castle is located in Mariefred, on the lake Mälaren, about an hour drive from Stockholm and 3 hours drive from Grästorp (where I live now lol).Last week my husband and I recently had the pleasure to visit and check this castle but our original plan is to wander around Stockholm and guess what!! we ended up checking the Gripsholm Castle instead and we didn't regret it at all :) the trip was well worth it we didn't bother the long butt-aching drive from Grästorp.I asked the lady in the front desk if it's okey to take a picture inside and they said "yes" (just to make sure lol!)  

The mighty tower of Gripsholm Castle

The Castle itself is really beautiful and magnificent. Very well preserved and really kept in a good condition with many rooms to see. Also known as Gustav Vasa's Castle. It is one of the finest remaining example of Swedish architecture of the Vasa dynasty founded by King Gustav and combines with renaissance interiors but still remains essentially medieval. It has a fantastic view from the lake-side. The ground is absolutely calm and peaceful its good to walk and feel the breezy air after we have been inside the castle.

Old brown bricks is so beautiful! and a fairy-tale style well like this is lovely 

Just Got my Swedish Identitetskort

 yehhey! I have my certified Swedish ID now :)

I'm just happy to share you guys what I got this morning :) I've been waiting to have this and finally it just came today. So happy me as always!

This the result of my previous: Applying-for-my-swedish-id-card and the answer is YES! hehehe :)

DISCLAIMER: This is only based on my experiences and my little knowledge that I gained through out the years. Remember that the results is always depend on your particular situation, the time prior to applying/time-frame/ decisions are varies as long as you meet all the criteria they need. All opinions are honest and my own! Feel free to ask question and no complicated question please. I try my best to answer you back :)

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Welcome to SFI [Välkommen till SFI]

Welcome to SFI !

I attend my SFI class a couple of weeks now and I'm still confused and puzzled if I can make it or not argh! its prety hard thou! lol! :( but i know in my heart that I can...I Cannn!!!!!!! hihi seriously, I found it hard and mind-boggling when it comes to the grammar they have lots of rules to think about: the en and ett words plus the pronunciation too.. etc argh!. 

When I moved to Sweden I often worrying about not fitting in with the culture :( because of a language barrier but I try my best in everything, to learn as much as possible. I know how fortunate I am to have the opportunity to go to SFI and learn. So instead of making my self feeling down I take it as a challenge :) I know sooner or later all my efforts will definitely worth it ;) 

I'm happy because my experience at school is not that horrible that I thought would be.. Just a little nerve-wreaking experience at my first week hahaha because all of my classmate is already good and fluent in Swedish. My first week was really outcast that you eat lunch alone (picture above), have fika alone and always nodded and smile like you understand everything Lol! There's a point that you just looking at the clock on the wall and count the remaining time left :). My teacher and classmates were talking Swedish all the time and I couldn't understand anything promise hehe! and it made me feel kind of stressed out btw got headache when I come home hahaha. Other than that I made lots of friends :) I have new friends now Jane from Australia and Barbra from Holland. I'm lucky all my classmates are nice and accommodating.

Lets try my Swedish now :)

• Jag heter Michelle :)        --- My name is Michelle
• Jag kommer från Filippinerna --- I come from Philippines.
• hur är det?                  --- how are you?
• Bra, tack. Och du?           --- Good, thanks. And you?
• Välkommen                    --- Welcome
• Jag talar Engelska           --- I speak English.
• Pratar du Svenska?           --- Do you speak Swedish?
• Jag föstår (inte.)           --- I (don't) understand. 
• Ursekta                      --- Excuse me
• Förlåt                       --- Sorry
• Vi ses senare                --- See you later
• Vi ses snart                 --- See you soon
• Jag älskar dig               --- I love you
• jag saknar dig               --- I miss you
• Hej då                       --- Bye
• Hej                          --- Hi

That's all for now :) (det är allt för nu)

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Creative Mind : How to make Accessories holder (old bathroom hanger)

Hmm cool idea! now I can hang more of my accessories :) 

As I go crazy with scarves and accessories that I've been collecting these year I come up to think on how I can take care of my accessories too! how can I make it last long .... so now, I will share you guys what I did on my precious personal ornaments lol :) For years of using accessories like necklaces (beads or pearls), bangles, cuffs and earrings I never really think of organizing it lol. After using it I just stashed it into a small pouch and didn't think of damaging them :( I just realize it when I saw some of my necklace being tangled with each other,some of my bracelets has a missing beads, lost earring nuts and pearls :( argh! I must do something about it!! LOL!! hehe

So I went into the bathroom and whola!! I saw our old towel holder !!I immediately hang some of my accessories :) (picture above) Well Im sure I need more of that hanger hahaha but for now I find it look nice helpful :)

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Creative Mind : How to make D.I.Y Scarf Holder (Shower Curtain Rings)

I love scarves so much and I have a bunch of those in my closet :) some of it is comes as a gift from my friends back home with different colors, length and fabrics :) they know I'm little obsessed of it haha. I just love wearing them so much, they can be the perfect accessory on our outfit right? at work, school or on cold winter season :) 

They just keeps getting bigger and bigger and now they were taking up too much room in my closet haha I just feel tired and lazy folding it every now and then hahaha So I decided to search online for a simple DIY solution about my problem!! :) and whola!!! all you need to have is just a shower curtain rings and a wooden hanger!! problem solved haha

it only cost 10 kr in loppis :)

Just attach the curtain rings onto the wooden hanger, and hang your scarves through the rings. 

TIP : 

• I choose wooden hanger instead of plastic one because if you have many scarves to hang on it has a tendency to bend/slanted the plastic hanger plus it will roll the rings and pile your scarves on top of the other)
• You maybe want to glue the rings to the hanger so you know how many scarf you want in one hanger.
• You can put glue or tape on the opening part of the ring so your scarf will not snug on it when you pull it.
• If you are so patience to glue a yarn to cover the ring to decorate it (feel free to do it)

Here is what it looks like now :). I have 3 hanger on my closet and i can't wait to buy more scarf  hihi!

Wrinkle-free :) so organize and clean

It nice to look how organize they are on my closet :) Not only they will stay wrinkle-free, but now I can easily choose what I will gonna wear :). So simple and inexpensive too!! A must-have for any scarf enthusiast like me .... :)

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SFI (Swedish for Immigrants) here I come!! :)

My schedule, My books and CD.... IM READY!!! :)

This coming Monday is my first day at SFI (Swedish for Immigrants), a language program to help immigrants like me to learn to speak Swedish and become familiar with everything culture and stuff, Oh God help me and guide me, Goodluck to me!! :( I need to adjust my self and start to say "back to school again!" 

Last week, I already talked to one of my teacher, she just ask me some questions and told me everything about SFI. I called it little interview haha :) She said that the purpose of that little interview is to determined which class I would be because there are 4 levels in SFI(A to D!). As  I've had formal education back home and somewhat can speak another language (english) aside of my mother language which is Filipino :) they put me in level C-D. She also said if I pass this level up to level D, I can continue to a more advance course and continue again into university course type called SAS (Swedish as a Second Language). Classes are divided accordingly where in Level A-B is for people who have had little education in their homeland, Level B-C is the general start point where the student has spend many years of schooling, but not familiar with the alphabet while Level C-D is for the student with college education and who wish to pursue further studies in Sweden.

To be eligible for free classes you must be a legal resident of Sweden at syempre dapat my personal number at ID na kayo :). Goodluck to me! baka dumugo ng bongga ang ilong ko hahaha No matter what!! kayang kaya yan at walang hindi nadadaan sa sipag at tiyaga :) hehehe

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Applying for my Swedish ID card :)

My husband and I went to Skatteverket in Trollhättan yesterday to apply for my Swedish ID card because even if I already have my personal number to prove my personal identification is not good enough. Whether I like it or not, one of the most important things I should have here is that personal number and Swedish Identity card or any approved form of ID's plus I need it para sa SFI ko (swedish lesson). Living here without any approved ID card can get annoying and irritating promise,no joke! duh! malay ko ba sa mga ID diba.. haha satin naman kasi sa dami nating ID basta valid pwede na dito sobrang higpit nila pagdating sa mga documents.

Come to think of it! this card is very important as it allows you to open a bank account di basta basta na passport lang, when you use your credit card (if you have any, good thing di ako nagamit ng mga creditcard haha), taking SFI (Swedish Lesson), when collecting your big package, post or padala from abroad, when collecting prescription medication sa mga pharmacy na di rin basta bastang bibili ka lang ng gamot sa botika hahaha. Having this card will make your everyday life transactions more efficiency.

Back again, make sure you have payed the application fee amounting 400 SEK before applying and they will surely ask that on you ;) when you go to their office. Pay it online is much better just bring out the payment printout, your documents, your self and be ready for another kakakabang experience Lol!. When moving to Sweden, you will gonna love the word efficiency and punctuality hahaha (sobrang husay ng kanilang mga proseso na hindi mo na kinakilangang magkanda-hirap hirap sa pag pila at pag apply at ng kung ano anong document mo. Hindi rin uso ang salitang Late napaka-punctual nila lagi on time pag nalate ka asahan mo na ang reaction sa mukha nila at siguradong mahihiya ka hahahaha).  

So when we get there, they just ask for my passport and residence card. The woman who process my application checked my documents at sobrang mabusisi hahaha plus konting kwentuhan whola! picture lang, kinuha yung aking height at pinapirma then tapos :) haha. 

she said na makukuha ko daw yung card after 6 weeks which i don't know why 6 weeks lol.. pero nothing to worry naman daw. Excited lang ako hahaha mas nauna pang dumating yung IKEA membership card ko hahha so hanggang dito nalng muna and I let you know sa aking card :)

DISCLAIMER: This is only based on my experiences and my little knowledge that I gained through out the years. Remember that the results is always depend on your particular situation, the time prior to applying/time-frame/ decisions are varies as long as you meet all the criteria they need. All opinions are honest and my own! Feel free to ask question and no complicated question please. I try my best to answer you back :)

🌼Support donation🌼

 Running a blog takes a lot of time, money and effort. Become a part of selfless patron by buying me a coffee ☕ or sponsoring a post is really a big help! Your support is highly appreciated. I DO Thank you :)

Base Camp White Water Rafting – DAVAO, Philippines

Base Camp is located at 88 Mandrazo Fruit Complex, C. Bangoy St. Davao City. (this is based on their business card)
For inquiries, call 09323500921, 09088941468, (082)3057624 .

If you are looking for a fun and memorable experience in Davao you must try whitewater rafting! ;) and Base Camp Davao provides this unique service. The package cost 1,500 pesos per person which is inclusive of transportation, food,Basecamp T-Shirt, safety gears, guides and CD of all the pictures :) supah sulit diba. 

Things I learned in Sweden which I love :)

Switching cultures and country will definitely makes you become more observer 😊. You will notice lot of things that really stands out from the rest. Its also help you to learn and absorb new knowledge from your own mistakes 😊 so I just want to share you guys why it is so nice to live in Sweden 😊

So for now, I come up with this."Things you will surely love in Sweden" 😊.If you feel i forgot something feel free to add lol :)

• Drinking water straight from the faucet is a big yes :). Tap water is clean, fresh and safe so no worries guys ;)

• You will definitely never get sick of Swedish meatballs, because meatballs is love love love (meatballs with macaroni and yogurt on the go Lol).
• You also put tomato sauce(as in heinz tomato sauce on your macaroni and meatballs) amazing hehehe but yummy!

• IKEA - Land of all fabulous furniture and home decorations :) You think nothing of spending all day long at IKEA looking for a piece of furniture. Shop till you drop :)

• Princess cake is not only for royals but for everyone!! You will never say NO for this yummy cake..Delicious cream with marzipan is a delight!! 

• Walking with your dogs is now your everyday routine :) in street, in park, in nature ..at night, morning, everyday!! :)

• You pronounce ICA as eeka :) not I.C.A . Grocery stores charge you for plastic or paper bag in an effort to keep waste low and encourage people to recycling. So before you throw out that plastic bag, you may want to reconsider first :)

• Dont be surprise if you see shrimp in a cake :) they call it Smörgåstårta a SANDWICH CAKE. Dig in with this delicious swedish cake :)

• Summer is never ending sun :) midnight sun is still on :). Summer is maypole and wreath and dance.

• There is a day for your candy. Saturday in Sweden are special day for kid like me hahaha. They call it Lördagsgodis as saturday candies.

• Where there is a day for Cinnamon rolls/Kanebullens dag.

• When you starting to sit in front of your TV and play BINGO :)

• Snow during winter is wonderful and beautiful. It sensible to eat ice cream and have conversation outside when its -10C lol!

• Right of public access, which gives everyone the freedom to roam and enjoy nature to camp, pick berries and mushrooms. Blueberries (Blåbär) and Raspberries (Hallon) are my favorite.

• Your coffee consumption exceeds 6 cups a day (brewed or instant). You probably change coffeemaker each year :) and when you hear coffee.. it's FIKA time. Coffee is also too weak of taste if there is less than 10 scoops per pot!!

• When Wind turbines is just everywhere. It's fascinating to look it outside on your cars window :). 

• When you starting to enjoy walking out in the woods/forest and searching for a moose/elk :) hide out! 

• Where you can see fries over your pizza :) and eat it with knife and fork :P lol

• The wonderful man I married is SWEDISH :)

It's fun to know everything :) Can't wait to discover more and share it to all of you guys!:) If you can add something let me know.. and I would happily add them in :)

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 Running a blog & Youtube takes a lot of time, money and effort. Become a part of a selfless patron by buying me a coffee ☕ or sponsoring a post is really a big help! Your support is highly appreciated and it really means a lot to me. I DO Thank you :)