♥
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
August 27, 2014This is my view and what I’m doing right now; homework while drinking a class of pinot grigio and eating some grapes. It’s pretty warm out, but our balcony is in the shade, so it’s perfect! Hope you’re having a great Wednesday!
YOU CAN CONQUER YOUR FEARS
August 26, 2014
This is how I feel now – excited that I have just conquered one of my biggest fears within the arts – to do some major sketches (not logos, etc)! My homework in my Introduction to Motion Media class was to sketch an environment, which we’re gonna turn into 3D picture on computers later on. I’m more of a straight line, Illustrator/Photoshop/InDesign person who loves to design logos, plan websites (colors, fonts etc)… so the fact that I’ve sketched something in a sketchbook with plenty of details, is pretty big! Ok, ok…I’m gonna show you, because this is historical. Truly.
A LITTLE DREAM OF MINE
August 25, 2014I have several dreams and goals in my life – things to do, places to visit, stuff I want to learn, etc. One of the things I really want to explore more… to learn and be good at is longboarding. I went into a store a few weeks ago and saw this awesome longboard just hanging there, screaming “Lina!”, but it was pretty pricy, and I don’t know if I’m actually gonna like it (need to borrow someone’s and try it first, before I’m purchasing one). Totally random, but just thought about this tonight, while I’m continuing to think about several different things/goals/dreams, and continuing to be a bit emotional. Picture, totally borrowed from The Arbor Collective’s website, found here, where you also can find snowboards, clothes, and other longboards/skateboards.
EMOTIONAL
August 25, 2014
Today is a day when I’m filled with so many different emotions, I hardly know what to do with them. A good thing is, that I have to focus on school, and an upcoming presentation in of of my classes. Otherwise, I would probably just lay down in bed and breathe deeply. It’s nothing bad at all, I’m just overloaded. I’m approaching my second week in school today, and it feels, as usual, that the days are flying by. I don’t want to forget stop breathing and enjoy the day. The weekend has been fun with plenty of social time with friends, older and newer. So much fun!!! I love having a three day weekend, and a four day week of classes (although the classes require me to study a lot). Ok, it’s time to head out, go to class, and do my presentation about a graphic designer. Hope you’re having a good start of the week!
Oh, one more thing! My amazing wife has, as of today, released her new photography business. Check her out here (link)!
A MAJOR CHALLENGE IN LIFE.
August 19, 2014
Yes, it’s true. Lina is gonna sketch this morning which is a huge deal. I’m not really good at all and put so much pressure on myself so it usually leads to a minor meltdown. BUT, I’m gonna work on this now. Practice, practice, and not freak out about going to class where my classmates are gonna look at my sketches and give critical feedback (good and less good). Gaaaaah. I’ve been staring at this sketchbook for an hour now. It’s time to get started. The homework is due tomorrow – sketch emotions in two characters, tell a story with just simple drawings, and then do it on my pen tablet so it will be in a digital format. Sounds pretty simple but for someone who attended a science program in high school and then studied to become a social worker at the university in Sweden, this is a huge deal.
TODAY
August 18, 2014
That’s right. After an amazing summer break it’s time to go back to school, and everyday life again. I’m only taking three classes this semester and they’re all design classes so I’m really excited. I will hopefully be able to have some time to do some pro bono stuff too in order to build up my portfolio more. The classes I’m taking this semester are all four credits, and are: New Media Art and Design, Introduction to Motion Media, and History of Design (graphic design). Gonna be so much fun and I can’t wait to see exactly what they’re gonna be focusing on, and all the design challenges I will face this semester! Woo hoo, I’m stoked!
LATELY, THROUGH MY PHONE
August 16, 2014I’ve been crazy busy lately with coming back from Sweden, spending time at the beach here in North Carolina, taking care of some Swedish visitors (my niece and cousin – so much fun!). I still haven’t posted all the pictures from Sweden, but before I continue with that, I thought of posting some from yesterday and today. So this is what I’ve been up to lately, through my phone: Been hanging out with friends and family, drinking beer at several breweries in town, eating cozy dinners, and cutting my hair.
AN EVENING OF FIREWORKS
June 26, 2014
THIS IS HOW WE ROLL AT THE BEACH
June 25, 2014⋅ beach ⋅ laughter ⋅ family ⋅ warmth ⋅ sunshine ⋅ walks ⋅ life ⋅ food ⋅
AMERICAN FAMILY BEACH WEEK 2014
June 23, 2014Liz and I headed to the beach yesterday, which is about a seven hour drive, from Asheville, and this is where we’re gonna be for a week. Our days will be filled with beach life, sunshine, warm water, time with family, a lot of laughter, and yummy food. I truly love it here, and the house with its view is AMAZING! I’m sitting in the living room right now, eating breakfast, after spending some time on the porch, drinking coffee, and chatting. Gonna head down to the beach pretty soon and just relax! Hope you all have a great Monday! ♥
A SUMMER LIST
June 18, 2014What are your plans for the summer?
Spend time at the beach here in the States, go to Sweden for a month where I will spend time in Gothenburg, the archipelago, attend my sister’s wedding, hang out in Uppsala and Stockholm, and spend as much time as possible with my family and friends! Then head back to the States, and my oldest niece and a younger cousin will tag along and stay here for two weeks.
What are you going to do for Midsummer?
Since Americans don’t really celebrate it here, it will not be the typical Swedish celebrations. But I might go out and drink a drink with a Swedish friend who lives at the beach, and listen to live music at one of the clubs there.
What is your favorite summer breakfast?
To sit on the dock at the beach, see dolphins past by, the weather is perfect – not too hot or humid. It would consist of coffee, home baked bread, fresh pressed orange juice, and blueberries/strawberries in the yogurt. OR to eat outside in the Swedish archipelago with a bunch of family and friends.
The best summer song?
Gaaah, there are so many! But I truly love Ted Gärdestad so one of his songs, for example, Sol Vind och Vatten. But also the typical hymns that symbolizes summer break from school, back in the old days.
Are you attending a summer music festival this summer?
Noooo, but I would have loved to.
What do you prefer to put on the grill?
Halloumi cheese, mushrooms, mini veggie burgers, and corn.
What do you love to drink during the summer?
Beer, sparkling wine, and water!
What is your favorite summer outfit?
Shorts and a loose tank.
What are you going to read this summer?
I’m reading Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan right now, and planning on reading To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Pretty famous and classic books, I haven’t read earlier in life. Oh, perhaps The Book Thief by Markus Zusak too.
Which park is the best?
Hmmm..I’m not sure. I love Central Park, but I don’t live in NYC so I don’t get to hang out there very often…I think I’ll say Biltmore Estate and the endless beautiful nature around it! The amazing garden, the view of the mountains in the distance, the river, the small pathways, fields, animals, endless picnic spots….I can keep going.
Where do you prefer to swim?
At Atlantic Beach, no doubt! Always warm during the summer months, clear sand bottom with no seaweed to be scared of, beautiful sand beach, and fun waves!
I borrowed the list from, Julia.
A LOT OF FUN STUFF PLANNED AHEAD
June 18, 2014Two weeks left, and I’m in Sweden! Can’t believe it’s been almost a year since we moved to the States. Really excited about going there and having the chance to hang out with family and friends, eat Swedish food and just soak up the beauty of my home country.
However, before we’re heading to Sweden, the annual Reynolds family beach week is coming up! So. Much. Fun. Liz and I are heading to the beach on Friday and will stay there for a little bit more than a week! Since Liz’s aunt and her family don’t live at the beach, they have rented a house, where Liz and I are gonna stay too. Can’t wait for coffee on the porch with the endless ocean as a view, days on the beach, game nights, eating at our favorite restaurant, a lot of laughter, and craziness. Love it!
The view from the house’s porch.
FIRST AID KIT CONCERT IN CARRBORO, NC
June 16, 2014Last Friday, Paige, Liz and I went to Carrboro, a 4 hour drive from Asheville, to see the Swedish band, First Aid Kit. I’ve made a 6 min long video of our trip, which you can check out here below:
a bike ride to the beach
June 12, 2014In the beginning of May, right after my summer break had started, Liz and I headed to the beach where Liz’s parents live. I filmed a little bit (I’m a major amateur) there and put it together later on, but haven’t really shared it until now. Lesson learned: film in landscape instead. Oh, well. Hope you’ll enjoy it!
thursday truth
June 12, 2014
through my phone
June 10, 2014
Let’s check out what I’ve done lately!
One day I decided to make fresh pasta.
It’s so easy, and doesn’t take too long to do.
Mushrooms fried in olive oil, a little butter, garlic, and salt & pepper. Pasta boiled in olive oil and salt. I mixed everything, added some truffle oil, fresh basil, and parmesan cheese on top. Yum.
You can find Swedish style “filmjölk” here in Asheville, and I’m so excited.
We bought plenty of strawberries the other day. Have I told you I love them?! Like truly love them.
One evening, Liz and I played games on the balcony.
Another strawberry shot.
We hung out at the Wedge one afternoon too.
Love the yard.
Yep, that’s us. Liz and I. Gosh, love this girl so freaking much ♥
The best part…
Paige, a dear friend, has moved to Asheville, from Missouri!!! We celebrated her arrival and move with some champagne last night. Paige and Liz have been blog buddies for a while and we all met each other for the first time about 5 months ago. She fell in love with Asheville, and we all became really good friends, and now she lives here. She’s also gonna tag along on our monthly trip to Sweden! HOW FUN! Check out her travel blog here. She has also started a new blog about her life in Asheville, which you can check out here.
This pictures is just a couple of hours old and it’s where we’re hanging out right now; at Biscuit Head in West Asheville.
Pretty much what it looks like right now…updating blogs and other important things!
Day 5: my brother and cousin headed back to Sweden
June 8, 2014We got up pretty early and took my brother and cousin to the airport in Charlotte. It takes about two and a half hours to get there, and after we had said goodbye and dropped them off, we headed to a pretty big shopping mall in Charlotte for some shopping. I needed some shorts, and we also found some great china at an amazing interior design store called, Crate & Barrel (I love it!!!!). The china is two shades of gray, and we used the darker gray plates for dinner that same evening back in Asheville.
I’m so thankful for all the family visitors we have had lately. It’s been so much fun showing them all around, and in between going to New York for some days. Liz and I are staying in Asheville for about two weeks now (except some shorter trips), and then headed to the beach for the American Family’s beach week. After that, it’s time for Sweden for a month. Exciting times!
Day 4: my brother and cousin’s visit
June 7, 2014Day four we took a little road trip to Marshall, a little town, outside Asheville. We walked around a little, ate lunch, drank coffee, and later on headed back to Asheville and Highland Brewery. The evening ended at Universal Joint in West Asheville for dinner together with Liz’s brother, and another friend of ours.
Days 2 & 3: my brother and cousin’s visit
June 6, 2014The second and third days my brother and cousin were here we mostly spent time downtown and visited several breweries, so our trip ended up being a pub crawl. Then we grilled out, and just enjoyed spending time with each other. Loved having them here! ♥
Back in North Carolina w/ my brother and cousin
June 5, 2014As I wrote in the last post (found here) in the NYC blog post series, my brother and cousin were flying down to North Carolina as well. The next day, we took them to an amazing place called, Max Patch. I’m gonna let the photos speak instead…
May 23rd – leaving NYC
June 5, 2014This is the sixth and last post about our trip to NYC, or this post is more about leaving the Big Apple.. We had such a great trip, and the best part about leaving was that my brother and my cousin were flying down to North Carolina as well, and we had several days left together there, but more about that in another post!
May 22nd – NYC
June 4, 2014Here’s the fifth post in my series of pictures from Liz’s and my NYC trip. We’re now getting close to the end of this trip..Day 1, day 2 part I and part II, and day 3, can be found here, here, here, and here. A short summary in the form of keywords are found below, along with links to all the places we went to.
⋅ breakfast at Bluebird ⋅ cloudy day ⋅ MoMa – The Museum of Modern Art⋅ Mondrian ⋅ Monet ⋅ Picasso ⋅ van Gogh ⋅ Lunch at Stardust ⋅ Dinner at Sidewalk ⋅ drinks in Alphabet City ⋅
because
June 3, 2014
May 21st – NYC
June 3, 2014Here comes the fourth post in my series of pictures from Liz’s and my NYC trip. Day 1 and day 2, part I and part II, can be found here, here, and here. A short summary in the form of keywords are found below, along with links to all the places we went to.
⋅ coffee to go ⋅ subway ⋅ Freedom Tower ⋅ St. Paul’s Chapel ⋅ 9/11 Memorial ⋅ lunch in China Town ⋅ Little Italy ⋅ Shopping ⋅ SoHo ⋅ Happy Hour drinks ⋅ Mexican dinner at Diablo Royale in West Village ⋅ new friendships ⋅ Magnolia Bakery’s Banana pudding ⋅ Manhattan Bridge ⋅ night view ⋅ skyscrapers ⋅
What I’m doing right now…
June 2, 2014Oh, yes! We found the way out of our door today and hit the Walking Life Cafe in West Asheville. So this is where we’re hanging out right now.
May 20th – NYC part II
June 2, 2014Here comes the third post in my series of pictures from Liz’s and my NYC trip. Day 1 and day 2, part I, can be found here, and here. A short summary in the form of keywords are found below, along with links to all the places we went to.
⋅ my 30th birthday!!! ⋅ The High Line ⋅ a lot of walking ⋅ Central Park ⋅ Les Miserables – the musical on Broadway ⋅ Times Square ⋅ drinks in Alphabet City ⋅
May 20th – NYC part I
June 1, 2014I’m posting a series of pictures from Liz’s and my trip to NYC about one and a half weeks ago. Day 1 in the series, can be found here. Day 2, my birthday, ended up being so many pictures, so I’ve decided to split it up in two different parts. A short summary in the form of keywords are found below, along with links to all the places we went to. Here we go, day two, part I – my 30th birthday!:
⋅ my 30th birthday!!! ⋅ beautiful weather ⋅ a lot of walking⋅ typical New York City buildings with fire escapes ⋅breakfast in East Village ⋅ hidden gardens ⋅ bookstore ⋅ shopping ⋅ Washington Square Park ⋅ Magnolia Bakery ⋅ drinks at The Spotted Pig in West Village ⋅ to be continued…
May 19th – NYC
May 30, 2014There’s so many photos from our trip to NYC, so many stories I could share with you all, so I’ve decided to wrap up the days we were there in six blog posts filled with pictures, and then a short summary based on key words of what that day included, along with links to all the places we went to. Here we go, day one, our arrival day:
⋅ arrived at JFK ⋅ private car ride into Manhattan ⋅ Alphabet City ⋅ awesome apartment ⋅ rooftop ⋅ getting to know the neighborhood ⋅ met up with my brother and cousin who came to the States, from Sweden the same day we came to NYC ⋅ dinner and beer ⋅ happiness ⋅
when my mom and aunts came to town
May 29, 2014Our visitors/family from Sweden are all back home now, and today is the first time since I was out of school in the beginning of May when I don’t have anything specific plans. Even though I’m sad my family isn’t here in town anymore, it feels pretty good to just relax and not do touristy things. I have plenty of photos to show you from when my mom and two of my aunts were in town, Liz’s and my trip to New York where we met up with my brother and cousin, and then their time down here in the south. So much to show you. Oh, well. We will start by going back in time to the May 11th – the day mom and my aunts flew down, from New York, to Charlotte, North Carolina. Check it out:
On our way to the airport (about 2.5h by car) in Charlotte to pick them up!
My mom and I. It was the American Mothers’ Day, so I gave mom a “UNCA mom” t-shirt.
Wine and strawberries on the balcony the first evening. This is one of my aunts and me chatting.
Coffee in the morning sun.
The “Fika-meetup” group Liz arranges was having fika one day during my mom and aunts’ visit, so we all participated in it.
My love is the master of the grill!
Another day we went to the movies.
We also ate a great lunch at Tupelo Honey.
Checked out some stores in downtown Asheville.
Drove up the Parkway to look at the amazing views.
Liz is, in addition to being the grill master, an amazing French Toast maker.
One day we took a trip to the Indian Reservation, Cherokee.
Liz and I at Cúrate – a really good tapas restaurant and bar.
Liz’s mom joined us for dinner at Cúrate and afterwards, we crammed all of us in the car, and drove back home to eat a cake dessert I had received from a friend the day before. They also surprisingly celebrated me with sparkling wine and gifts. I had officially started my birthday celebration (I turned 30 two days later…but more about that in another blog post).
My birthday mug, I always got hot chocolate in it on birthday mornings as a kid.
Mexican dinner with friends and family.
Another great dinner out.
After about a week in Asheville, it was time for mom and my aunts to fly back to Sweden. Liz and I were starting my birthday celebrations by flying to New York to meet up with my brother and cousin, but that’s another story and another blog post.
Credit to Liz who took some of the photos!
