Initially, I was very excited making this move. Then, the excitement wear off. The anxiety of being financially strapped, jobless and boredom got into me. It did not help that I don't have friends or family with me, except for my partner.
Yes, I am aware I made the choice to move.
It has been almost 2 months I am here in Sweden.
In these 2 months, I have ..
... visited too many museums,
... seen 2 outdoor theatre performances (in Swedish which I don't understand but I go just to experience the summer activities of Sweden),
... went for guided art walk (will be blogged about soon),
... went for a free city tour in Sodermalm (also will be blogged),
... ran twice (disappointment. I guess I cannot run 500 meters now),
... applied for a resident permit at Migrationsverket (Migration Board) which I received after a week
... applied for a personal number (without it, you don't exist in Sweden) at Skattersverket (Tax Agency) which I received after a week
... applied for an ID card (without the card, I cannot open bank account or do anything) but the ID collection letter got lost in the mail and I have to wait for another letter
... registered to study Swedish in an Adult Education Centre on 7 August for 6 months
... flown home for family matters,
... got sick for a week plus because of ulcers in my throat,
... went to Holland for 4 days for the summer holidays and spent 2 days in south Sweden to enjoy the nature.
It has been almost 2 months I am here in Sweden.
Today, I read on getting unemployment benefits and applying for a social insurance. The English version of the website was limited. I shall pay them a visit soon and hopefully these agencies can ease my financial burden.
I am trying to get a grasp of my anxieties which are more frequent visitors now. It is really difficult making changes to one's lifestyle.
I worked for 11 years and I quit my job to move to Sweden. It was an exciting thought to not be bothered to work but now I would like to have a job.
I am used to Malaysian lifestyle where food is affordable and I can eat all kinds of cuisines. I miss my kueh tiow soup. I miss rice. I miss thosai. I miss curry. Looking at the prices here is certainly a far cry from the prices in Malaysia.
I miss driving. The joy of just taking my car keys and driving to wherever I wish. Now, I take the bus and thankfully, the bus and train rides are very punctual. Except on days when some stations are down due to construction. Everywhere is easily accessible via public transport. Although the only thing that frightens me is how drunkards, homeless and beggars can walk inside the train and distributing cards illustrating their plights or announcing they need money (I am suspecting they announce that because they walk along the train shaking cups filled with few coins). I wondered why this can't be prevented. I do not feel safe inside the train. Today, a drunkard tired Caucasian walked inside the train announcing something in Swedish and walked on the aisle but no one gave him anything. Then, he plopped himself opposite me but diagonal. My heart just jumped out. His movements were slow and draggy. He took out 2 empty beer cans from his pants and stuffed them slowly (he looks in pain doing so) into his bag. Then, a lady offered 2 McDonalds meal card to him. Then, he took out a drink bottle (which I suspect has alcohol) and almost falling asleep (his head was nodding forward) prior to taking a few sips from the bottle. Gosh, I was so frightened and was ready to shout if he did anything. But I ignored and tried to act nonchalant and played with my phone. It became more difficult when he moved his seat to sit right opposite me. I thought I was going to cry from the fear. I thought to myself - Please don't do anything to me. Please don't lunge at me. Please don't fall forward. Please don't take out a knife. I sound prejudiced but I can't help feeling such. I left the train at the next train station. Why can't the transport operator do something about these kind of people?
The weather here still needs adapting. It is summer now. It is hot but it gets cold when there is wind. My skin is flaking from the dry air. I miss wearing t-shirts and shorts.
It has been almost 2 months I am here in Sweden.
While making adjustments to my life has been difficult - It is definitely not easy adapting to new unknowns and learning new regulations, which is more restrictive due to the language barrier - but I am grateful I am given this opportunity to do something different. I am grateful that I opened my heart to making a new change. I am going to be more grateful and learn to let go of my anxieties, embracing a brand new day as it comes.
Let's get back to blogging about the places I have been and the trip to Holland!
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