My Job

I am sitting in my hotel room in Vilnius, Lithuania reflecting on the past 2 months of my life. When Arvid and I decided to stay in Sweden and live in Piteå, we had no idea what would happen. I knew that I would have great opportunities to play with Anders and the new Masters guys (Jake and Charles), but how we would live from day to day was totally unknown.

Before leaving for the summer, I knocked on a lot of doors to let as many people know that I was staying in Piteå as possible. I met with a few of the school administrators to inform them of my skills and attributes, and pretty much asked for work even though there weren't any jobs open. I was really nervous leaving Piteå and knowing that wouldn't have any steady work when I returned, but had to put those feelings aside to enjoy the opportunities of the summer.

Just before we moved, the anxiety of the unknown returned. However, it didn't last long. The day we moved into Nygatan, I got a call from Micke. I wrote about Micke a lot last year. He is the advisor to the international students at the school, as well as the coordinator and teacher for the jazz/rock/studio music program (which is the best in Sweden). He was the only person I could go to last year that would help me instantly and I always felt like he got things done. He called and asked me to meet him the next day.

On Tuesday, I met him at 11am. After a bit of a catch up session (he had heard about Arvid through Anders. And, everyone wants to hear a good love story!), he said that he was working at about 300%, and needed to hire an assistant, specifically to work with the international/exchange students. My main duties would consist of taking care of all the non-Swedish students; help them integrate into the community, and guide them in any and every way. I quickly took the job. Unfortunately, we couldn't solidify a salary or the specifics of the position, which caused a few headaches in the following weeks. But, I trusted Micke. I knew he would look out for my well-being, so I started to work right away.

The orientation period began that very next day, so there was no time to loose. I met all the students, and helped organize the 2 weeks of events, classes, outings, and such. I also helped the students with their apartments, laundry, where to go get groceries, how to open a bank account, how to log-in to the school's website, etc...all of the things that I figured out on my own last year. It makes me feel really great that I was able to help these students get acclimated so quickly...all the headaches that occurred at the beginning of my Swedish adventure were worth it!

Along with taking care of these "kids" (yes, they now just call me mom), I am assisting our students apply to study abroad next year. I've gotten about 16 students that are interested so far, which is double the amount of last year!

I am in Vilnius to attend a conference that starts tomorrow for the "Nordplus Music Network". It's compiled of music schools in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Lithuania, Latvia, Iceland, and Estonia. They have the funds to give students and teachers scholarships for exchanges, and this is their annual meeting. I'm here to network and learn more about the organization. Not a bad gig!

I will also be traveling to Shanghai and Hangzhou, China next week!!!! I have organized a trip for our teachers (including myself) to visit a University in Hangzhou to help build their music program. Micke set up the exchange a few years ago, and he is sending me to get a new contract between the schools. While I'm there, I get to teach as well! I can't believe I am getting this great opportunity!

The first few weeks of being "hired" at the school were tough because no one really knew why I was still around. But, now I have a little office and more administrators and teachers are used to me being there. I'm also getting more "side jobs". I'm teaching a rhythm class once a week along with the percussion lessons that I taught last year. I also get random assignments to edit translations and write texts in English.

Along with the "job", I am working hard with Jake and Charles and for Anders. We have 2 concerts coming up with week, and a lot of plans for the next 2 years (including a percussion festival in March, a trip to the Ice Hotel to play on ice instruments, a Swedish tour, etc...) We named our group Ensemble Evolution and we're going to start an official business under the name. We hope to get as many gigs as possible!!! More on the group later (I love the guys!)

Arvid is also really happy with my success, but I am even more happy with HIS success. He has had his own web development company since he was 17 or so (that's why he's so flexible when it comes to moving!) He's been looking for more steady work, and a few weeks ago a friend called us saying that his friend was leaving a job at a marketing company in Piteå, and they were searching for a new guy to take his job. Arvid agreed to take an interview, and the following day, he got the job!!! Just like that!!! He is so happy as the Senior Web Developer at More Media. His office is actually in the building connected to the music school....so, we can have a fika together at anytime!

So, we have the apartment, the jobs, the friends, and the love. I miss my family so much, but I know that they are happy with how this adventure has turned into so much more!

Nygatan 34

Arvid and I have lived in our new place for about 2 months now, and it really does feel like home! Moving-in was a bit stressful (when is moving not annoying!), but we got through it all, and are in love with our new pad!

A few photos from the move.... 

 First....we needed to pack up Arvid and Alex's apartment in Uppsala. 3 boys + 4 years = 1 messy place!

 Loading the trailer...getting ready for the 8 hour drive to Norrbotten!

 BFF's are sad to be apart. I am a home wrecker! :)

Pit stop during the drive! (I probably had to pee)

We arrived in Skellefteå on Sunday night, but had to return the van by 8am the next day. So, we stayed the night at Arvid's parents house, then got up early on Monday to make the hour drive to Piteå. We unloaded the truck in about 30 minutes (just the 2 of us). Arvid had to return to Skellefteå to return the trailer, and I stayed to start unpacking...then the real FUN began! :)

 Our building! our windows and balcony are in the back 

The kitched is the first thing you see when you walk in...and now it looks a lot better!

the large living room is so nice! We really didn't have that much stuff, I couldn't wait to fill it up! 

 I LOVE the windows. We still don't have curtains, and I'm ok with it! (hope our neighbors enjoy the show!)

 Balcony! part of it is glassed in! I can't wait until the Spring! 

 Oh, how I love Swedish bathrooms. :-( I miss shower stalls and bathtubs! but, I'm not complaining!

 We bought a new coffee maker right away! 

 our view!!

 our first night together in our new place!

 a new beginning....

 "organized" living room...can't wait to get furniture!

We kept the table from Arvid's old place. For a couple weeks it acted as a work station too. I was checking out the IKEA website while eating dinner!

 Arvid's farmor och farfar (grandparents on his dad's side)  gave us thier couch and chair! We were so thankful! they are really comfy, plus I was able to use the fabric to plan our colors, which was helpful during the big IKEA run!

 I have never had so much fun at IKEA. I'm proud of us for doing our homework, and knowing what we wanted before we went. We spent the entire day at the store, and would have had to spend a week there without the planning! I couldn't wait to get home and put everything together!

 All the kitchen stuff

 I am now a Master Ikea Assembler!

 The big shelf

 We are nerds. We bought our desks before we bought a bed. seriously.

IKEA IKEA IKEA everywhere!

 It's starting to look like a room!

 Our coffee and tea station :)

Floating dish drying rack. so cool!

 LOOK! no computers on the table! woohoo!

 My desk with all my things

 IKEA run no. 2 (it's about 2 hours away)! We needed a few more things, plus I had to get all the supplies for the new exchange students at the school (for my job...I'll write about that soon!)

 The car was filled! we had so much fun shopping for the students...it's not everyday you get to buy 6 of everything at IKEA.

 Thanks for your help, RV!

 When we got home, Anna and Lou were there! Lou was visiting from England, so I gave them a key. It was time for a house warming get together...but first, we put them to work!

 I love the red and black combo :-)

 mmmmm.....I felt like my Piteå family was all together! It was a lovely night!

Cozy 

The apartment has become more like home everyday, but this is what the first few weeks were like! We expect visiters (hint, hint!) :-)