Saturday Snow and Sorting Out

13 februari, 201614 februari, 2016 / Leya / 27 kommentarer

To my great surprise, it was snowing heavily this morning. I knew it would come…but just two days ago I heard the lark had arrived. Always the same thing – get ahead of the others…it might work to your advantage – or not.

I finished my prunings today, giving my pot plants (about 170 plants) new soil and a new life. I had a cup of coffee while contemplating their thankfulness.

Time for the dog walk – should I forget, there is one young man here who is quick to remind me…so I had better call my mother it is time to go.

A thin layer of white – and Totti is totally happy!

Suddenly his nose went into the air…

…and two deer gently sailed away between the trees.

Home again I started on the bookcases – a project I have wanted to start upon since long, but somehow never did. So many books…and so hard to sort out or throw away.

Now I must do it. These are some of my old university studies…more than 30 years old. A photo at least before they go…surely to make room for others though. How I enjoyed reading them in those days! With all my notes and translated words inside, I went through them again, sitting by the fire. But, I’m sure I will never re read them. So, Goodbye, dear friends. Parting is such sweet sorrow…

I wonder, do you have the same difficulties …parting from old friends?

Thursday Thoughts

14 januari, 201614 januari, 2016 / Leya / 32 kommentarer

I’m back home again…from another journey to another country; meeting its nature, architechture and people. I feel I grow with every meeting and every opportunity I get to learn something new. On thinking back, all my life has been dedicated to learning – and sometimes teaching…

Travelling offers a great way to understand other people and other cultures, that we all know. But, do you often reflect on the ”getting to know yourself” more? Do you prepare your journey thoroughly and do you write down what you see, who you meet and what you learn from them? Maybe you are like me: Always preparing everything, sometimes in detail, and then you do not always keep a diary when reality comes along? Does the new knowledge just stay there without you documenting it?

We are all travellers, and we all travel in our own way. I used to be a writer, now I have become more of a memory photographer. Maybe a futile search for the precious moments to stay…a bit longer.

The abilty to reflect and learn is a great gift.

In fact, it is essential.

Travel theme: Self

5 december, 2015 / Leya / 28 kommentarer

Ailsa’s theme this week gives you another chance to reflect on who you really are. What is the very essence of you? Not easily done in only one picture…so I had to choose two.

The loner, hiking in nature – but I am also the photographer and the lover of my job and my students. The results are one picture from a hike at Svartisen, Norway, and the other taken by a student at the final dinner for my class, leaving school, heading out in Life.

Why not take the chance to figure out the very essence of You? Click here for more inspiration.

Thursday Thoughts

3 december, 20153 december, 2015 / Leya / 15 kommentarer

I went to my school tonight, to visit the yearly Open House event. I do not know what I had expected, I guess I did not want to expect anything… did not want to get disappointed.

But they were there, my dear collegues and my sweet students. Many hugs and many of the students expressing how I was greatly missed. Wondering how and what I was doing now, when I would come back and …me wondering about them. Just before the Christmas vacation it’s usually rather tough – especially the second year. And those who will be flying next spring…I promised to come and see them take off, they are already fully fledged.

Old students who left our school last spring and some who left us several years ago – they come back, visiting. Surely this is the very best school to study at…because, why else would so many students return this day – and even other days during the year?

We are a big family. So, how can I leave? On a day like this I just feel all that Love rushing through my veins…I do love them all. All of them.

#25 Eget tema: Studier (347/365)

18 november, 201518 november, 2015 / Leya / 8 kommentarer

WPC: Victory

14 november, 201514 november, 2015 / Leya / 57 kommentarer

Victory. What does this word make you think of? Most certainly sports, maybe you have stopped smoking or drinking, Maybe you survived a dreadful accident or conquered cancer.

My Victory might seem a small one, but to me, very significant. I belong to those middle aged people who were raised always to do their duty, to work until your task is finished, to stand up for what is right and seldom (never) complain.

Many things change during a lifetime. And that’s life, of course. Today, my parents are getting old, friends are getting incurable diseases – even die. Dear colleagues are leaving due to the work situation and because of retirement. Students are changing – the world is changing.

I am not there yet – not even on the threshold of retirement. But. Many personal things during the last two years have taken its toll. I felt tired and without enthusiasm this spring. Should I really work until the bitter end? No time for my ageing parents? No time for family, friends or myself? Nobody knows their time span – I might get run over by a bus tomorrow…

This thinking began to envelop me, and I checked my financial status as well as consulting my school on the possibility of taking a year off. And I did it. Despite my love for my students, my love for my colleagues and for my work. A hard decision to make, but when I finally had decided, everything felt as it should. Really good. Like a jigsaw puzzle coming together, displaying its flawless pattern. I can compare this to when I decided to stay at home with my children for five years when they were small. I felt I must not die having made too many wrong decisions, I must do as much as I can for my family. And this time also for myself. I needed to find that ”real self” I used to be satisfied with: Nonstressed, calm, energetic and creative. Listening and caretaking. The person I once was.

4 Million Books, but…Where are they?

29 september, 201529 september, 2015 / Leya / 16 kommentarer

Riga is the capital of Latvia, and situated on the river Daugava. Inhabitants about 707 000, a third of the country’s total. Riga is also the biggest city in the Baltic area. Together with Umeå in Sweden it was the 2014 European Capital of Culture. More: USA Today’s readers voted Riga as Europe’s most attractive city and CNN Travel and Lonely Planet also give their praise to the city.

We visited for three days and fell in love with the mix of green areas, old and new, worn, dilapidated, beautiful houses, Russian style ”boxes”, the massive Jugend areas and the restored gems. And the people. The span is refreshing and we enjoyed every minute.

One of the newest buildings here – which you cannot miss when you arrive – is the National Library. Gaismas pils, or The Castle of Light, at Mūkusalas iela on the river Daugava opposite Riga’s Old Town. Latvian architect Gunnar Birkerts, was inspired by Latvian folklore in his construction.

The building is 40 000 m2, built in 13 stories, where the two on top is only meant for cultural arrangements and for rent (having a party? I didn’t ask the cost…) There are approxiamately 1000 study seats in several rooms, and storing room for six million books.

The Library opened August 29, 2014.

Already in the entrance, I loved it…but with a strange feeling in my stomach…

We had to put all our things in lockers and you were not allowed to bring any drink or food – not even water. You had to get a visitors’ badge too and display it clearly. Then you had to pass the gates and a sighing lady…who looked like ”it would be really nice here… if it weren’t for the visitors.”

Large empty spaces and mirrors called for a selfie first…

As we went searching for the books, suddenly there was a marvellous display right ahead – up in the air.

Beautifully displayed – we headed for them immediately. But, being there, we realized that they were locked in behind glass – only eye candy…

We entered stairs and elevators, slowly becoming more and more desperate…where were the books? And the people? Students? Children?

We tried every door on every floor, but no. They were all locked. We saw the children’s books department – but only through a tiny window…the door was locked.

Finally we managed to find one door open. Some students were sitting there, studying. You could hear a needle drop…And, there was something strange about the room. Not the artsy furniture….not the silence…but – look up in the right corner of the photo: There Were Some BOOKS. In a LIBRARY ?- WOW.

In fact, these were the only books we saw and were able to touch in this building…But the view of Old Town was not so bad.

Giving up on the books and about to leave we saw another open door and peeped in. No people of course, but a beautiful aula.

We decided for a last try to reach the uppermost rooms on level 11 and 12. Found an elevator, and a cleaning lady on her way up. No admittance except for guided tours…She agreed on her being our guide and up we went.

This was only for special guests – and no panorama view was possible to photograph because all windows were filled with giant black dots.

As we went down again in the elevator, passing corridors after corridors after corridors…

…we talked about how much this reminded of North Korea and the library in Pyongyang. My husband’s pictures in my head, and he could confirm the feeling…

Leaving through the entrance, we agreed on this: What you can do here is enjoy the architecture and the fine materials used – and fiddle with your phone – there is no joy in books or reading visible here…

…as there is in this old ”biblioteka” where there is soul and warmth! A true home for books, readers and the joy of stories.

What do you think? Do you go to the library still? Should it be ”alive” or only for display?

# 133 Indirekt – Indirect (262/365)

13 september, 2015 / Leya / Lämna en kommentar

# 317 Trotjänare – Faithful Old Servant (260/365)

13 september, 201513 september, 2015 / Leya / 9 kommentarer

Jag har varit en ung flickas trotjänare genom gymnasiet, över två universitet och även jorden runt. När hon arbetade som volontär på Nya Zeeland stod jag troget vid hennes sida och för kommunikationen – vilket var mycket värdefullt för hennes mamma och pappa , och säkert för henne själv också. Vi höll ihop i vått och torrt och tack vare att vi hade varandra klarade hon av att leva därute i bushen. Nu har jag många år på nacken och börjar bli lite… sliten, så där borta i ljuset någonstans…ligger väl evigheten…Men, såsom varande trotjänare hänger man ju i så länge det finns tangenter och batteri!

I have been serving this young woman through high school and two universities – and around the world as well. When she worked as a volunteer in New Zealand I was the one who stood by her side and helped her keeping up communication with her parents. Now I’m getting old and tired – but will try to hang on for some years yet…we still need each other, Emma and me!