The Army

Ever since the meeting with our new boss this week, i've been super excited about my work and being part of building a new division for the Swedish Army. I have a positive view on the direction the boss want to steer things, and was inspired by his enthusiasm and high ambition for the Psyops Unit. The time is perfect for a leader to set a strong vision. Also, it wasn’t a day too late to gather everyone and have a forum for answers and questions, as we now steer into a new chapter as a team.

All happy at work then?

I’ve also been feeling excited about the Stab's Officer Course that my work is sending me to. Over the next three week’s I’ll be attending an international course about NATO's work methods and planning procedures. It will be fun to meet new international friends whilst gaining new skills. However, the next three weeks will be planned to the minute!

On top of work, my university course in Psychology is starting this week and there’s a pile of books to be read. I’m motivated to study and I am grateful to gain so much new knowledge at work too. Yet, all weekend I've felt that something is missing.

There is so much I want to do right now and only so much time... Is this really the path I want to embark on? Is this the right journey for me to pursue?

I feel my life has been turned completely up side down since I moved to Sweden, yet it’s strangely familiar and connected with my past. Having spent 10 years living in a multimillion people city must have shaped me as a person. A lot more than I have known before. My current lifestyle still feels like an experiment. I’ve embraced the differences, but I need to say it – my new hometown is limited! As lovely and picturesque as Enköping is, I can’t see myself living here long-term. Sooner or later I will need to make a decision of where I rather live. Or?

To be continued...

I’ve had a lot of compliments at work today. It’s the result of wearing my blue uniform, M87, for the first time. The complete clothing has finally arrived and includes a short-sleeved white shirt, two long-sleeved white shirts, a suit jacket, rain coat, two blue trousers and a skirt. Plus a black tie, belt and hat.

It arrived at a perfect time. Having spent the spring and early summer in boot camp - to achieve the standard international soldier training – I am back in my most familiar environment: The office.

It goes without saying, but after spring’s challenges I am fully enjoying the comforts of my office, and the M87 feels like an early Christmas present. Having tried the blue uniform, someone will have to force me to put on the big, green, forest look-alike garments again!

We also have a new boss and I sense there will be some changes... The former Psyops boss was great and I hope you had a chance to listen to his explanation of psyops in the post: "A break from The Army". Anyhow, to save myself from unnecessary stress due to ongoing speculations about changes at work, I’ve decided to speak my mind and practise observation.

First work week done after my holiday. It was such a well-needed break. Naturally it went by super fast.

It’s Friday night and I’m having a drink in my flat. The balcony door is open and the sound of playing children in the courtyard comes in with a colder breeze that hints the summer is nearly gone. I’m considering bringing in my olive tree over night, just in case the cold will damage it.

A few candles are lit in my living room and I’ve just finished painting a wooden sofa chair. It’s the fourth time I’m painting it now. So far it’s been soft yellow, bright yellow and now white. It probably needs another layer. I’ve also bought enough paint to do my sideboard in the hallway. After the painting I will be done decorating my flat. Once it’s all completed I will through a big moving in party!

I’ve found a fantastic floor lamp that I’d like to order for the living room, it’s called Illusion and I really like the design. My favourite is the one with the people biking.

Talking about bikes, I've managed to get myself one. After spending a small fortune on furnishing my flat in the summer, it really made my week... A nice man in the service department at work found it. It's an old military bike, but recently done up by the last troop of obligatory soldiers. It’s heavy, without any gears and has an interesting box below the saddle, where some tools and a air pump fit perfectly. I love it.

Having left my bicycle in my aunt’s garage in London - I’m now riding the military bike to and from work each day. At seven o‘clock this morning, there was no traffic – just the sound from the thick bicycle wheels rolling over the cobblestones.  At that moment, I couldn’t be further from London, or any big city for that matter.