Category: Personal Blog
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Twelve-Century Real Estate: Where the Walls Could Write Memoirs
Visby isn’t just a pretty town; it’s a place where the walls themselves have seniority. Some of the oldest surviving houses in Visby date all the way back to the 12th century, which means they were already a few generations old when Leonardo da Vinci was sketching flying machines and the Magna Carta was being…
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Merchants, Markets, and Maritime Might: Visby’s Hanseatic Roots
Centuries before tourists snapped photos of rose-covered ruins and twilight towers, Visby was something much grittier and grander. It was a marketplace of empires, a coastal engine of trade, and one of the brightest jewels in the Hanseatic League’s crown. Imagine the 13th century: a time when the Baltic Sea was a highway, and wooden…
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A Wall of Stone and Story: Visby’s 13th-Century Ringmuren
One of the most awe-inspiring sights in Visby (and perhaps the most iconic) is the Ringmuren, the town’s medieval city wall. Winding 2.11 miles around the old town, this stone fortification rises with quiet authority above red-tiled rooftops and cobbled lanes, wrapping the town in a protective embrace that has endured for over 700 years.…
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The Baltic’s Beating Heart: Visby in the Hanseatic Age
Today, Visby may seem like a quaint coastal town, all ivy-draped ruins and cobbled streets. But in the Middle Ages, it was one of the most influential urban centers in Northern Europe- an essential node in the vast commercial web of the Hanseatic League (a powerful network of trading cities across Northern Europe). From the…
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Fröjel – Where Trade, Vikings, and Family History Converge
As we count down the days to Medieval Week in Visby, I want to spotlight a place that lies just a short drive from the city, but centuries deep in personal significance: Fröjel. Located on the windswept western coast of Gotland, Fröjel today is a peaceful village, marked by a 12th-century stone church and quiet…
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Time Travelers: A Journey to Visby, Fröjel, and the Echoes of My Viking Ancestors
This August, my husband and I will travel to Gotland- Sweden’s storied island in the Baltic Sea- for Medieval Week in Visby, a celebration of history so immersive it borders on time travel. For one week, Visby sheds the present and becomes something else entirely: a living city of the 14th century. The medieval wall…
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From Linköping to the Northern Lights: A Journey That Finally Felt Like Home
We just got back from a trip to Norway, and I don’t think I’ve fully processed how much it meant to me. It wasn’t just a vacation- it was something deeper. Starting in Linköping, Sweden, my husband and I set off on our first trip together. Oslo was our first stop, just for a day.…
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My Ancestor, the Cairn Woman- And the Man in the Well
In the hills above Trondheim, the ruins of Sverresborg whisper stories most people have forgotten. Built by King Sverre in the 1180s, this stone fortress once stood strong through Norway’s brutal civil wars. But one of its oldest secrets wasn’t found in a wall or scroll- it was discovered in a well. In 1938, archaeologists…
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What It’s Like to Live in Sweden as an American: A Love Letter, an Elegy, a Wake-Up Call
Living in Sweden as an American is a bit like stepping out of a chaotic rock concert and into a perfectly tuned string quartet. You’re still vibrating with noise, but suddenly you can hear yourself think. And you realize- maybe for the first time- that the noise wasn’t normal. You’d just gotten used to it.…
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A Year of Love, Adventure & a Slice of Princess Cake
Today, I celebrate another trip around the sun—with a slice of prinsesstårta in hand and my husband by my side. Looking back at 2024, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude, because this year has been nothing short of magical. And it all started with him. My husband is the reason for this adventure—the…
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Finally Home: Starting Our Life Together in Linköping
After months of planning, goodbyes, and a whirlwind of emotions, I’ve finally arrived in Linköping. It’s surreal to sit down and write these words because, for so long, this was just a dream—a far-off goal that didn’t feel real until now. But here I am, in Sweden, starting my new life with my husband in…
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Three Days to Sweden: The Final Countdown
The clock is ticking. Just three days separate me from the dream I’ve been chasing – my move to Sweden. It’s so close I can almost feel the cool Nordic breeze and hear the gentle hum of life in a place that already feels like home. But before I can dive headfirst into my Swedish…
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The Wait is Over: I’m Moving to Sweden!
It still doesn’t feel real, but it’s finally happening—after months of waiting, countless hours spent navigating paperwork, and a rollercoaster of emotions, my residency decision has been approved! I’m officially on my way to move to Sweden to be with my husband. This journey started with a simple meeting in the most unexpected way. Who…
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From Crayons to Candle Crowns: Waiting for My Swedish Lucia Moment
When I was little, I had a favorite coloring book. You know the one—the kind that keeps a kid entertained for hours, crayon shavings everywhere, and pages so well-loved they’re practically worn through. My absolute favorite page featured Lucia, complete with her crown of candles and flowing gown. I was obsessed. Like, “color-the-same-page-multiple-times” obsessed. I…
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Still Waiting: The Swedish Residence Permit Mystery and Will I Be There Before Christmas?
The Swedish residence permit process—a journey that could be a reality show called “Who Gets Approved?” except instead of roses, we’re waiting on bureaucratic blessings. Spoiler alert: I haven’t gotten mine yet. What’s driving me up the wall isn’t just the wait—it’s the randomness of it all. People who applied after me, had their interviews…
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How to Sweden Your Life Without Moving There (Yet)
Åh, Sweden—the land of fika, forest hikes, and furniture with names like Björksnäs and Klippan. If you’re anything like me, you’ve spent hours daydreaming about cozy cabins, endless summer nights, and trying to figure out how to pronounce lagom without sounding like you’re coughing up a meatball. But what if moving or visiting Sweden isn’t…
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Discovering Sweden: What’s Your Must-See Spot?
Hej, fellow adventurers! There’s something magical about Sweden, isn’t there? From the whispering forests of Småland to the dramatic shores of Bohuslän, every corner of this Nordic paradise seems to have a story to tell. And as someone forever captivated by wanderlust (Swedish or otherwise), I find myself endlessly curious about one thing: What’s your…
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Christmas Lights and Long-Distance Love: Missing Sweden and My Husband
There’s something uniquely bittersweet about watching Christmas unfold in your soon to be home country from afar. Especially when your husband, who’s there, is sending you dreamy pictures of glowing reindeer and festive streets, reminding you of all the magical moments you’re missing. Moments like his walk home from the gym, where the Christmas decorations…
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A Thanksgiving Toast to Love, Family, and the Promise of What’s Next
Happy Thanksgiving, wanderers! Today, as I sit here with a plate of stuffing in one hand and a hot cup of gratitude in the other, I thought I’d take a moment to reflect on all that I’m thankful for this year. Sure, I might not be gathered around a Swedish smörgåsbord just yet, but there’s…
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Lost in Limbo: Filing Paperwork While My Heart (and Husband) Waits in Sweden
Hello, lovely wanderers—both stateside and across the pond! Today’s blog isn’t about trekking Swedish forests or finding the perfect fika spot. No, today’s adventure is about something far less glamorous: the wild world of bureaucratic waiting. Specifically, my current quest to get my request officially registered while I’m still here in the U.S. and my…
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Passport in Hand, Patience in Check: My Swedish Residency Interview Adventure
Freshly back from Washington, D.C., and officially rehydrated from my emotional dehydration, I’m reveling in the fact that the interview process is finally over. But, of course, now my brain is playing an endless highlight reel of all my answers. Could I have said something better? More charming? Less “me”? Probably. But here we are.…
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Birthday Candles and Visa Woes: Celebrating Love Across Time Zones
Today is a special day – a day that feels like it should be filled with laughter, hugs, and the smell of birthday cake candles burning down far too fast. But instead of being in Sweden celebrating my husband’s birthday with him, I’m here in the United States, waiting for the bureaucratic stars to align…
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Lagom: Sweden’s Secret Sauce for a Balanced Life (And Why You Might Need It)
Ever felt like your life is a chaotic juggling act of work deadlines, social obligations, and endless Netflix queues, like you’ll never finish? Sweden has a word for you: lagom. Pronounced lah-gohm (and definitely not like “legume”), lagom roughly translates to “just the right amount.” Not too much, not too little… just a Goldilocks-approved sweet…
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Hej Swedish: My Adventures Learning Swedish with DuoLingo
Hej! Or, as DuoLingo cheerfully reminds me every day, Hej hej! (Yes, double the “hej,” double the fun—Swedes love their greetings.) When I first started learning Swedish, I was excited to dive into a language that seemed so charmingly melodic. Thanks to DuoLingo, I’ve added 600 new Swedish words to my vocabulary! From naming fruits…
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What is Swedish Wanderlust? Embracing the Great Outdoors (and Maybe Snagging a Few Apples)
Let’s talk Swedish wanderlust—the urge to roam this stunning Scandinavian playground, where the constitution itself encourages you to be a full-blown nature-loving nomad. Thanks to Allemansrätten (The Right of Public Access), you’re basically free to ski, cycle, skate, swim, and yes, even camp just about anywhere you please. Sweden is like that generous friend who…
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Ready, Set, Pink! Prepping for My Swedish Embassy Interview
Interview with the Swedish embassy next week—gulp! I’m fully committed, right down to the details: signature pink outfit (my old sales manager swore it’s my lucky color), passport ready, $250/night Airbnb secured, and plane ticket to D.C. in hand. Åh, and let’s not forget my trusty companion: a healthy dose of nerves. Check, check, and…
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Finding Real Love and Retiring My Inner People-Pleaser
When I met my husband, it felt like stepping into a whole new world—one where I didn’t need to do handstands to earn love. Imagine my surprise when I discovered he actually cared about me. I know, sounds simple, right? But if you’ve ever spent years bending over backward to please others and gotten zilch…
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Virtual Movie Date Nights: A Love Story Stuck in Streaming Limbo
Åh, movie night—a classic romantic staple. Grab the popcorn, settle in, and hit play. Simple, right? Wrong! At least, not when you and your significant other are in two different countries with two entirely different streaming libraries. Welcome to our world, where “Netflix and chill” becomes “Netflix and chill… as soon as we find a…
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11 Days and Counting: My Rendezvous with the Swedish Embassy and the Red Tape of Romance
Well, friends, we’re down to the final countdown—11 days until I face my interview with the Swedish embassy! I’m nervous, I’m confident, and I’m booked for Georgetown, ready to charm (or maybe just not panic) my way into a visa. My flight’s scheduled, my Airbnb is all set up, and now it’s just me, a…
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From Stars and Stripes to Fika and Fjords: How to Move to Sweden as an American
🌍 So, You Want to Move to Sweden or another Nordic Country? Here’s the Scoop on Relocating to the Land of Fika and Fjords! 🇸🇪 If you’re among the growing crowd looking to trade American hustle for Swedish balance, you’ve probably wondered, “How does one actually do this?” Well, here’s a reality check: moving to…
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5 Steps to Getting a Swedish Residence Permit (Without Losing Your Sanity)
Disclaimer: I’m not a lawyer—just someone who’s going through this whole “moving to Sweden” rollercoaster. If you’re unsure about anything, I’d recommend consulting an immigration attorney. But hey, if you’re just looking for a little guidance, this might help! Here’s a step-by-step guide to applying for a Swedish residence permit from the United States: 1.…
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Refresh, Rinse, Repeat: My Swedish Immigration Saga
When I decided to move to Sweden to be with my husband, I imagined documenting a romantic new chapter—filled with charming Swedish customs, cozy fika moments, and strolls through quaint, cobblestone streets. Instead, I’ve somehow become the star of a gripping tale called The Great Wait. What started as a blog to share my adventures…
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Stuck in Limbo: A Personal Journey to Sweden
Alright, folks, time to get personal (and maybe a bit dramatic). I’ve dipped my toes in Swedish waters before—short visits, no sweat. My old boss was as chill as a Swedish summer day. But now, with a new management crew at the helm, my dreams of long-term remote work in Sweden got the big ol’…
Swedish Wanderlust 