Day one of decade two

It's the first day of the new year and the new decade. It is so strange to look back at the time since the year 2000 as a whole decade. I rememer how I celebrated New Years Eve back 1999. It was such a massive hype about the new millenium and the possible digital breakdowns that would follow because of it. Ten years have now passed and a new decade begins.

I was unfortunately not able to spend New Years Eve with my wonderful little Nicole, but I am happy about seeing her soon again. The evening ended with illness and fever for me, and all I can hope for is that the rest of 2010 will not be charactarized by poor health. Having experienced the most challenging and difficult time of my life, I am optimistic about moving on with health, longevity and around the people I love.

2010 has the potential to be the best year of my life, and I will do anything I can to make come true.

My last Sunday

This is my last Sunday in Sweden for a while. It feels awkward. I've never liked Sundays anyhow (see any random Sunday-dated post in the archive). The weekend is almost over but I am lucky not to be having any anxiety about an early Monday morning at work tomorrow.
The weekend has been nice. I spent yesterday afternoon at my uncle's. Today I went out for some shopping in Stockholm but I didn't manage to find anything (except for a lovely dark blue coat). But I'm not really in need of a dark blue coat right now.

Sweden played against Albania in Tirana in the WC2010 qualification campaign last night and the game ended with a draw. It's a tough group and I sincerely hope that this draw won't turn out to be crucial by the end of the campaign.


Iran tied against Saudi Arabia away in Riyadh last night. The final score was 1-1 and I guess it's a fair result, considering the fact that Saudi Arabia is one of Asia's powerhouses in football. I am not very optimistic about the outcome of Iran's qualification campaign for the World Cup finals in South Africa in a little less than 2 years. Unless players such as Javad Nekounam (the tireless midfielder from Spanish outfits Osasuna who scored the late equalizer last night), Masoud Shojaei (the new Ali Karimi, another creative and technically gifted midfielder who recently joined Osasuna too) and of course, the whole defensive line perform well.
Speaking of Iranian football, a bomb hit the Mid-East. Ali Karimi returns to Tehran to play for his old club Perspolis. He is reaching his thirties and will not improve anymore as a football player physically (perhaps tactically but honestly, that has never been a strength among Iranian footballers). He has already shown the world the talent he holds, but he has at the same time shown the world the lack of professional attitude in his personality, and therefor I don't see why he shouldn't come home. I mean sure, he would probably make more money in Qatar (where he has been playing since after the World Cup finals two years ago) or in the Emirates. But now that he's back in Iran, he can help the domestic football and inspire youngsters to try to reach the same heights as he once did with Bayern München.
One obvious difference now is that he won't have to play before 500 towel heads every week. A Tehran derby attracts some 100000 spectators to Azadi Stadium and was recently listed among the 50 most prestigious games in the world by World Soccer (El Clasíco, the Milan derby and several other big games were also listed there).

Thank you for reading.

Last day at work today. It felt good and I feel well about my work. I reflect upon a job well done. Three months went by so fast.

I leave Sweden for a year of studies in Austria in one week. This is my last week in Sweden for a while. It's the biggest challenge that has aroused in my life this far, and I am enthusiastic about stepping up to it. It is going to be different and interesting at the same time. I careful not to expect too much from this year though. I don't want to be disappointed if it becomes evident that life in Sweden is better than life in Austria.


Whatever. Sweden enter the qualifications for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa tomorrow. An away game against Albania is waiting and I am optimistic about the result. Zlatan is back and Henrik Larsson is the new capitano. I am not convinced that Sweden will make it all the way through the qualification campaign, but I sincerely hope that I am wrong.


It's Friday night and I am planning to just relax and to do nothing. Maybe I'll watch a movie later. I have no urge to go out tonight. I just want to spend my last days in peace and quiet. I want to spend some quality time with friends and family.
Tomorrow I'll start looking for a suitcase...