Last night in my little home

I am not leaving until the 25th, but since I will be renting out my appartment I need to empty it of all my stuff and do a good cleaning of it, so that my house guest move in to a spotless place.
To do this I need to move out, I'm working full time so my only chance to clean it out is on Sunday.
Friday-Saturday I will spend with my sister and her "family".
Saturday I'm moving in to my parents :) Hasn't lived at home since -89 :) But I'm lucky having parents like them, I am so welcome to stay with them for a week.
They are also arranging a good-bye party for me on the 24th. There will be a shellfish buffe :) I love it! My parents will be there, my sister and her best friend, my older sister with her kids and husband, and my two best friends!

I'm a bit nostalgic and scared of leaving my flat for such a long time, it's my comfort zone, my home, but I know that I will feel at home on Koh Tao as soon as I have found a place to stay there. I will make that place my home for 5 months.

I don't want to get stuck in my comfort zone here at home, I don't want to be asking myself why didn't I do this and that before it's to late. I'm doing it, and if it doesn't work out then I have tried!

Final preparations in full swing!

This Saturday it's only 2 weeks til take-off!! I still haven't grasped the whole concept of what I'm about to do. I am to busy packing stuff and cleaning my apartment for the person who's renting my apartment when I'm away.
While packing most of my clothes away for storage I realise how much clothes I have.
Now I only have a few items left but I manage anyway, I think this is a sign that I have much to many clothes, and don't mention the shoes, I have loads of shoes :)

In about a weeks time I'll be moving in with my parents, I think when I get there I will be able to enjoy the thought of leaving and also think about my new journey in life and where it might take me.

My parents has planned a small party the 24th when we're going to enjoy lovely seafood together the whole family and my closest friends.

This weekend I'm going to spend with my sister and her room mate, even though I have loads of stuff to do at home I still want to spend a last weekend for some time with my baby sister and my "boyfriend" (that is my sisters Chow Chow Terry :))
Who wouldn't miss this cute "little" guy?
I am so going to have Skype calls with him :)

Packing, preparing and things to think about

With less than 3 weeks until take-off I started packing all my dive equipment, can't believe how much stuff it is.
My bag is already getting full and I haven't even started on clothes and shoes and other stuff.
I think I'll have to be really smart when packing, but the most important things are the dive equipment, battery charges and re-chargeable batteries, my water bottle, a small water-cooker, food-containers, contact lenses and my http://www.renskincare.com/ skincare products, and DVD's to watch when at my new home. I have bought The walking dead, Son's of anarchy, Fast and the Furious, Oceans, and a few other DVD's.

I have only a few things left on my list of things to do, which feels great.

When going on a trip like this, if you like me have an apartment and a full time job, there are a couple of things to think about:
1. Can you get leave of abscence from you work? I got it because in Sweden if you want to study your job can't say no
2. When renting out your apartment, make sure you have a good contract
3. Check your home insurance, what is your cover when you don't live there
4. Travel insurance, check carefully how you are covered. I choose World Nomads because no insurance companies in Sweden were able to cover me
5. Read about the country you are going to, their culture and how to behave. Respect the country and culture  you are visiting, you are their guest.
6. Re-chargable batteries and a charger. Don't forget an adapter for the electricity
7. Reflex and a flash light (if going to an area where this is needed)
8. Bring your own water bottle that you can refill and food container for left overs, perfect for a cold breakfast
9. Be aware that things doesn't run as smoothly as in your own country, patience, a smile and respect will get you a long way. And depending on where you travel, check out the rules for staying
10. Take copies of your travel documents, passport and travel insurance
11. When there - don't litter, think about your water- and energy consumption, respect nature and don't support animal/marine parks, and be consious of what you eat and where it comes from.
12. Don't be afraid to ask for help, people in general are really helpful when you ask for it.
13. Be safety consious, don't ever drink and drive (motorbike, moped, bicycle or car), use relfex when it's dark and a flashlight if needed. Don't flash your money or valuables around, and make sure that when you have a night out you only bring what is absolutely necessary.

14. Respect people, ocean, animals and the environment and ask for help if you need to.

Thanks to http://www.kayavolunteer.com/ and their wonderful staff and http://www.newheavendiveschool.com/ I am well prepared

Less than 6 weeks to go

Time is flying, it's only less than 6 weeks until take-off.

I must admit I'm getting a bit nervous but I know that I have the team at New Heaven welcoming me and that is a great support, together with the support fram my family, friends and friends I've never met in real life.

I also have my previous experience with volunteering through Kaya, they made this happen. Without them together with New Heaven I wouldn't had the courage to venture on this new chapter in my life.

I also have the best skin products with me, REN skincare, that will make me skin look radiant and beautiful as always.

I have an appointment with Akademikliniken Stureplan for some skincare booked before I leave.
Now I just need to book an appointment to my favorite hairdresser at By Barda, Sofia, so my hair looks like I feel.

My sister!

I see myself has a very lucky person, I don't only have my mom and dad supporting me in my new adventures I also have my baby sister, she is not just a sister she is also my best friend.

She's one of these special ones, the ones you know will always be there for you no matter what.

My Friday and Saturday I spent at her new place, we had a barbecue, "glögg", gingerbread cockies and stilton, and a bit of bubbling Crémant.

An evenings walk around the area with her beautiful dog Terry (also called my boyfriend, apparently according to mom, dad and sis, we have a special bond) and a long Saturday walk, nothing can beat a weekend like this. And for the first time in many months I actually slept without having night terrors.

I will miss my boyfriend very much, he can't come and see me, he's a Nordic dog who don't like heat and humidity, but I am very happy both my dad and my sister will come and visit me.

Today it's only 6 weeks until I leave, and it's really starting to be real what I'm doing.

But I know that I will be with friends on Koh Tao, the New Heaven Dive school team are amazing people.

In my sisters neighborhood there is this amazing house that is tacky and beautiful at the same time :)

New tattoo

Before leaving for my adventure I'm getting some new ink.
My place to go is Lidingö Tattoo, the artist there is great not only is he a good tattoo artist he is also a really pleasant person.

I am also looking forward to Toby Rands new album, can't wait to get my hand on it. Toby Rand and the band London Cries is what I can listen to over and over and over.

Paul Walker

Today is a sad day, one compassionate and loving actors is no longer with us.
He's done a lot for Haiti and the Philippines after the natural disasters that hit them. His organisation Reach out Worldwide had an event, when leaving the event the car he was in crashed and he and his friend were killed. How ironic and unfair is that?
I feel for his daugther and hope she will have the support and help she needs.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2516327/Fast-And-Furious-actor-Vin-Diesel-leads-way-stars-pay-tribute-Paul-Walker.html