It´s hard knowing your children are not feeling well – it´s the worst. Hopefully time will help making things better and also must believe small steps in the right direction are taken. Schools started last Thursday and this whole school thing is still a bit of a blur…
E Train to 14th StreetMural MichealHalf (?) a scheduleYellow carx 2Roll up!
This week we have explored the different trains to take to school and both kids have finally got their own MetroCards. They are still waiting for their Student ID´s, which will give them access to leave the school building during lunch time and also a more convenient way to check into the building in the mornings.
The American school system seems to be built on classes divided into periods of 45 minutes with 5 minutes between every class, just so the student has time to change books for next class. So there are no breaks in between or even for Olle no free periods during the day. All classes are almost the same the whole week from Monday thru Friday.
Elvira´s first English reading book Covid tests – we will receive four per month from Vira´s schoolSchoolYear 2022/2023, Term 1ScheduleWe are spread out!
9/11 – a day of rememberance and also the Swedish Election day. This was a rainy and hazy day here in the Big Apple. It was very moving to go down to Ground zero to honor the victims who lost their lives 21 years ago.
Misty day all dayFlooded with flowersTo honor the victims on 9/11Went on for like an hour!Fire works in New Jersey…
Everything is not so sad, many positive things are happening as well!
A lot of really nice people have reached out with tips on how to tackle a bit lost and sad kids 🙂
I am starting my first in-person class in drawing next Thursday 🙂
I have got a debet card – no more cash 🙂
Tomorrow at noon we are going to help out at a Family BBQ at Elvira´s school 🙂
Love Spring StNew Jersey after a night of lighting and t-stormsAll sun flowers are growing wellLoveFlat Iron buildingMorning viewHeja Sverige!Another morning viewFlower in Hudson River ParkHolding plankThe queue usually starts far out on the street!Fika in the park🙂
Johan went to Sweden and Elevira and I went to the Fox and Jane Salon to highlight and cut some hair! I checked her out FOUR hours later.
Checking inBeforeAfterHappy girl
On Tuesday we found a new grocery store, Brooklyn Fare, just a ten minutes walk from home. Love the range, but a loaf of Brioche costs $10,99 😲. This was a hot day, so we went down to the river and had a Coke and Cold Brewed Coffee at Drift In.
We have the luxury of having a cleaning lady, Alma, who kind of comes with the deal. She is here for 7-8 hours every second week and this Wednesday she came early, so the little family took the 1 train from Hudson St to Times Sq and then we walked into Central Park and found the AMC on Upper West Side where we had tickets for “Super pets” 😹. No stiff chairs, only comfy recliners!
Cilla has earlier talked about some webcams at Times Sq, so we tried to find the spot where I could be filmed. And HAHAHA, there I am, in a picture from Cilla´s cell phone in Sweden!!
Everyone was awake!In Central ParkLooking for the webcamI´m in the circle!
We still have not heard anything about the schools, I have tried to call and email the FWC and now also emailed the actual schools without any success. It is Labor Day on Monday and schools start on Thursday, so…
Home CookingTake out from just salad
Friday was an active day! I took a power walk down the river as usual while Olle and Elvira were still asleep. Down in our lobby I started talking to Chris, our charming and forthcoming daytime doorman (we also have Nelson on evenings and weekends). We came to talk about neighborhood safety and whether the kids should ride the train alone in off hours etc. His wake up comment “not to scare you, only as protection – I think it would be good for them, or at least your daughter, to carry mace or pepper spray” and him later on handing over a yellow post-it note with where to purchase it, made me order a couple of sprays. With the hope of never having to use them!
Then Olle and I took a run by the Hudson River, it´s the best! Water, sun, nice people and good music in my ears. 💪🎶🏃♀️☀️🤗
In the afternoon Elvira and I went to the gym and found a little machine. Hahaha, we will probably never be able to do even ONE chin- or pull up…😂
This day I waved to an earthcam on Mulberry St and Cilla took my picture once again 😂. So funny, and so excited about where I will appear next time! And Mulburry itself is a really charming street in Little Italy. It even has its own Christmas Shop – open all year round 🙃
This was trickySee the cam?Jingle bells all the wayMe waving
Today it is Saturday and I have just seen Moa run both 400m and 400m hurdles in Finnkampen! 🇸🇪 💪 And then I took a walk up the river, so many people out on weekends!
Go MOA!!Little Island
Tonight Johan will come home after a hectic week in Sweden. We are planning to eat at some nice restaurant before he collapses into bed! I have googled for drawing classes and found the Arc Studio NY, which looks perfect. Would be so much fun and think I´ll sign up tomorrow!
Since Tilda left for Sweden, the little family of four is making it´s continued journey around this magic, mesmerizing and noisy city. We have now tried out our gym twice together, and I think we all are feeling severe muscle soreness. 🙂
WilliamsburgSmorgasburg at Williamsburg, BrooklynArt in the subwayOlle and Elvira went to Morton Williams to buy Saturday Dinner for the family 🙂Another sunset 🙂
Saturday morning started off with a fast walk down to the Seaside Walk at Pier 17 on East Side, where me and Tilda also went some days ago. “Until a few years ago, this was one of the most dangerous places in the city and HQ of illegal transactions. Now that it has been restored it offers all the charm of New York´s history on a single street!”
On our way down we took the opportunity to take some running steps at Lafayette St, due to the Bicycle Habitat (worked for runners as well).
“Bicycle Habitat was founded in New York City in 1978. We have expanded into several storefronts in Soho, but always maintaining our original location on Lafayette Street. In 2010, we also expanded into Park Slope, Brooklyn. Through all these years, our mission stays the same: More people on bikes, more often. We believe all of us on bikes is better for health, for the city, for the environment – and for quality of life.“
From here we kept on walking the East River Esplanade down to the Whitehall South Ferry Terminal and Battery Park and then headed home on the Hudson River Greenway on the West Side.
Nice view of ship and skylineRelaxing sun loungers BMW BridgesLove maps!!!
Today we also have bought a basket ball so now there is no excuse for Olle (or anyone else who wants to shoot some hoops :-)) to try out one of all nearby basket ball courts!
Did Cornelis play basketball?
Monday morning and I took a quick power walk down the Hudson River Park. The kiddos were still asleep when I came home. This summer they have had their longest summer vacation ever (before retirement anyway;-)).
After a quick stop at our neighborhood grocery store Trader Joe’s for yoghurt and peaches, I went out to meet Malin, one of Marika´s little sisters :-). Malin is here on job this week, the cool and hip Swedish fashion house Acne Studios! We took a glass of wine at Prince St. and then strolled down to the Acne Studio at Green St. – and thank you Malin, we loooove this face hat 🙂
Foot mask the night before……morning PWMalin at Prince StFace Hats at AcneSooo coooool – heja Sverige!
We are waiting for some kind of confirmation on our signed enrollment assignment letters for both Olle and Elvira (since schools start on Sep 8, feels like time flies). Here you also need to show proof of address, such as lease agreement, gas bill, pay stub or an American driver´s license… So much paper work before you get approved. But tomorrow however – me, Olle and Elvira will take the trains and test the best routes to the schools they have applied for.
Tilda is already on the plane on her way home to Sweden after eleven wonderful and joyful days and nights in our new city and home! It feels like we have managed to walk around all of Manhattan in sunny heat – and experienced a lot!!
Flightradar24 8-7-22First night – Mellanbarnen 🙂Greta Grafitti at Spring St – evening walk with kiddosFinally – the kitchen cloths from Adam and Emma. Thanxxx!
Last Monday we went (by foot, needless to say) via Hudson River and the Piers down to Battery Park and took a left to the memorial Ground Zero to pay respect to all those who died on 9/11 in 2001.
One World Trade CenterGround Zero Memorial This evening all five of us had dinner at Shanghai 21 in China Town, a restaurant certainly flirting with the original Cockroach in Beijing 🙂 Elvira at the Shanghai 21Tilda and Olle waiting for orderingChina TownOne of all beautiful wall grafittisLittle Italy and China Town are closeSharing at the Shanghai 21
On Tuesday morning, me and Tilda started off in what we first estimated a 60 minutes walk. We finally hit our apartment three and one half hours later, with an outdoor temperature of 100F (38 degrees Celsius) and broken knees. We Power Walked from SoHo all the way up to Central Park, via Times Sq and MSG. Finally reaching our building and lobby, we had an IKEA delivery to assemble in the apartment 🙂
Some cool info from Tilda about Houston street, the street dividing Greenwich Village and SoHo – The street’s name is pronounced “HOW-stən“, in contrast to the city of Houston, Texas, whose name is pronounced “HYOO-stən”. The street was named for William Houstoun, while the city was named for Sam Houston. Perhaps uninteresting knowledge, but I looooove it!
Times SquareIKEA deliveryMakeup table
We also have found our local SOHO pub called Broom Street Bar; “the atmosphere is always low key even when celebrities stop in – which they do on a regular basis”. Sooo waiting for ANYONE from from the Friends set showing up! 🙂
Our new favoriteTilda and me outside the Friends Apt, 90 Bedford St, NY 10014Katz Kino – Cat Cinema 🙂 After only running into BAD LUCK SPOTs in the street, so comfy to see the lucky one!M&M Store at Times SquareWant them all! Chinese bowls at Chelsea Market
Already Wednesday and we went to the gym, ran 3 miles and did some workout 🙂 In the afternoon all five experienced the ArtTechHouse (thanks to a present from my cousins with families!) THANK YOU ALL!! at the Chelsea Market. SoCool!
Neurons in our brain ArtTechHouseLying on the floor watching the neurons Life of a Neuron brings together decades of neuroscience data and research to create a cellular level journey through the human brain
Heading on to Thursday – Cleaning Day, since we had to accept an agreement of having the apartment cleaned and vaccum cleaned every second week by a lady called Alma. Thank you Alma, who also solved the problem with our noisy and clogged “pet”, the InSinkErator. Now we know how to feed it properly with lots of water during the garbage disposal!
Our non-furry pet
So this day, I, Tilda, Olle and Elvira took the Q-train to Coney Island in Brooklyn to see the Ocean and check out the amusement park Luna. We also tried to get a hot dog from the famous Nathan’s, but the queue would never move forward… 😉
From Canal St to Coney IslandExpectant 🙂 🙂Subway trainees Some day we will try it!At the PierMen fishingConey IslandNice sun loungers at the PierHaha, LOVE it – Heja DJUUURGÅÅÅÅRDEN!Sun bathingClassic view?HelloooooOur home train station
Today me and Tilda hit the High Line together with the Whitney Museum and also strolled around at Chelsea Market – loooove this place!
Walking the High Green LineHigh Line Green Tree 🙂Crying people – Danish artistBrooklyn BridgeAt the Whitney1000 pcs jigzaw puzzle – Honey, I am home!A room with a viewA home with a viewA living room with a viewA Pier full of Flowers
Here we are about to grab a drink at the Broome St Bar 🙂
Last Saturday we walked to the Whole Foods Market at Union Sq and in the afternoon all five took the train to listen to the annual Blues & BBQ Festival at Pier 76, which has been closed for the past two years.
Hudson River Park’s beloved Blues BBQ Festival is back in person and live in the Park! There’s no better way to spend an August afternoon than with savory barbeque, delicious drinks and live music, all on our riverfront. On Sunday Johan took a plane to Montreal, Canada and landed many hours later after some delays at the airports. The rest of the gang took the train to 86th st and walked across Central Park from Upper West Side to Upper East Side. Hello little oneNo filters! At the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir in Central ParkFontain outside the MET on UESA bit frightening finding my youngest daughter´s imaginary friend in her bed after she watched and got scared of “the Vampire Diaries” 😉Love
Monday morning and I went to the gym, first time all alone. 😉 Ran my 3 miles on the treadmill and found some nice machines. Came home and took Tilda to the Seawalk on East Side. 🙂
A Seaside WalkBrooklyn Bridge view from East Side South Street SeaportHere at Seaport you’ll find the most charming book store called McNally JacksonSouth Street Seaport Museum
This evening we had dinner at our favorite Broome St Bar, and the food is just as good as the Spicy Margaritas. The next morning we decided to visit the Empire State Building! My goodness, what a view – as usual the pictures do not do the view justice!
We live in the middle, a bit to the right!A green Swoosh on the roof!🙂Central Park in the distance
Wednesday, Aug 17 – Morning walk with Tilda and Johan coming home from Montreal, Canada.
Grand Central TerminalCool! A must-visit!One of the Lions (Patience and Fortitude) guarding the New York Public LibraryFun Facts About Our Timeless Cats– Library Lions Sculptor Edward Clark Potter obtained the commission for the lions, but the Piccirilli Brothers executed the carving—for $5,000. When they were first unveiled, some folks didn’t like them, including former President Teddy Roosevelt, who thought the library should have bison (as they are North American animals). In a similar vein, a small group of people thought beavers should flank the building in honor of Library co-founder John Astor, whose family had made a fortune in beaver pelts. They were placed on their pedestals a few days before the 42nd Street library was dedicated on May 23, 1911. The lions are larger than life, stretching more than 11 feet (not counting the tail), about three feet longer than their real-life counterparts. At first, the lions were called many names, including Leo Astor and Leo Lenox for the Library’s co-founders, as well as “Lady” Astor and Lord Lenox (even though they’re both male lions).
This finale night with Tilda, we went to Piccola Cucina Estiatorio, an Italian gem in New York City! And also just a two minutes walk from our apartment. 🙂
Already three days in this lovely, hot and coooool city! We all feel that our apartment is really, really nice, roomy and bright.
At the moment there are some ongoing matters, like obtaining our debet cards, Social Security numbers and esim for the cell phones. And nowhere to find ordinary dish cloths. 😉
Morning PW China TownJohan embracing the Little Island
Today the temperature hits 99 Fahrenheit, around 37 Celcius so we are chasing the shadows. 🙂 Our misson for today was to find Olle a guitar, and we have looked up a shop called Guitar Center nearby. So with hopes of a singer/songwriter evening with our own troubadour, after dinner at 232 Bleecker.
The acoustic den at Guitar CenterTrying out the new guitar🙂
Tomorrow is an important and exciting day, all four of us are going to visit the Family Welcome Center, in order to enroll Olle and Elvira to the public school system in NYC.
Taby goes SoHo 