A Fig in Sweden Portland

getting kreative in århus

I had been looking forward to this past week for months. The week when I would see what this KaosPilots thing was all about during a 3-day creative leadership training. (Yes, 3 nights away from my baby!) The class focused on:

• Seeing opportunities instead of problems
• Bringing out more creativity by "leading space"
• Creating focused presence and leading from the now  

When class ended on Thursday evening, I was sad to say goodbye to my 10 new KaosPilots friends and the city of Århus, Denmark. But I left with an enlightened mind and a belly full of delicious mussels and frites.

I highly recommend the creative leadership course to anyone who manages creative projects or people. And I also highly recommend a visit to Århus to anyone who enjoys wandering around picturesque cobblestone streets amidst the vibrant energy of a university town. Århus is the second largest city in Denmark – about 6 hours from Älmhult, and 3 hours west of Copenhagen.

P.S. On the Sophie front, I actually did better than expected. I focused on learning (wasn't hard) and enjoying some much-needed me-time. Until I ran in the door and into her room to see her sleeping.

Linda, a fellow creative leader at IKEA and my KaosPilots co-pilot

The view from our classroom. Normally I hate graffiti, but in this case it added to the experience.

It's not the cars you have to watch out for... it's the bikes

 

a nice day to kick up some leaves

thanks, arne runehagen

Good grief. It seems that everywhere I look parents are debating whether or not to give their children the H1N1 vaccine. And getting quite aggressive about it. Not here in Sweden, but definitely on the U.S.-based blogs, forums, etc., that I visit. I actually don't know how people feel about it here. 

Then this flyer shows up in the mail this week regarding the Swedish vaccination program. Sweden is vaccinating everyone in the country free of charge. Our "kommun" will start vaccinating high-risk people tomorrow. If Lewis and I want one, we'll have to wait until December.

But my main concern was what to do about Sophie. The brochure answered that for us: "Barn under 3 år som inte tillhör någon riskgrupp, rekommenderas ej vaccinering." (Children under 3 that are not in a risk group should not be vaccinated.)

OK, so why am I still worrying about it? Are you torn/nervous/unsure about the whole thing, too?

mittens that make her/me smile

Dear H&M,

Thank you for making such adorable mittens that I no longer have to fight flailing toddler hands and endure mini toddler fits at the back door. 

älmhult's museum circuit

Does living in the middle of the woods mean we have no access to culture and the arts? Um, usually. But Sweden's biggest toy maker, BRIO, has a "play museum" at their headquarters in nearby Osby. (More play than museum, but still.) It was a fun afternoon, and, yes, we ended up coming home with a new wooden toy.

my red oompa loompa

I showed up at Sophie's preschool to pick her up after work today and found her playing outside. Dressed in her new winter snowsuit. Have you ever seen a toddler in a snowsuit? It's pretty hysterical. They can't move very well. More like a waddle. Very oompa loompa-ish. When she saw me, she tried to run. But her poor little legs were no match for the bulky can-handle-the-swedish-winter material. So I ran to her instead.

filed under 'oh my god'

The bestest, funnest, cutest Swedish baby clothes shop has arrived in the U.S! This is great news for when we move back to the States. I was wondering how I was going to satisfy my PO.P fix.