Too Early ~

When you start your day with a grateful

 heart, light illuminates from within...

I have been a wake for hours.  Why I am not sure. 

 Arvid is sound asleep as he should be, but

 Sniff of course is wide awake with me.  

I have already brushed him, played with him and 

given him is first of many foddies for the day.  Pretty

 soon I am sure he will be heading back to his bed 

with his dada, which is what I should also do.

The city lights are still twinkling as I sit here with

 my cafe.  The everything is super quiet at this hour.  

Peaceful and calming.  Hopefully I will be able to get

 some more sleep before the day really begins for us.

My sister Mala and Reshma are still 

on their road trip. They have seen many of

 the beautiful sites in these United States of America,

 and the moments captured, and the memories

 they made will forever be one that will
always be cherished.  Mother and daughter. 
Special moments.

Sniff is running around like a little madman right now.
 He just used the litter pan and is super charged.
 Always this way after he does his business.

Wednesday here already.  Time sure flies
when you're having fun.  Good morning world. 
Wishing you a day filled with all things good.

No regrets in life, just lessons learned...

~Nadiya~

It's A Good Day ~

No place is boring, if you've had a good night's

 sleep and have a pocket of unexposed film... 

No matter how many times we walk pass this clock, I can't not take

 a picture of it.  It calls to me and because of that here it is once again.

I love taking pictures.  Keeps me busy and happy.

You don't take a photograph.  You make it, 

 Here's my happy Rickshaw girl.

Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every

 hundredth of a second. The best thing about a picture

 is that it never changes, even when the people in it do.

 “You don't take a photograph, you make it. 

There are always two people in every picture: 

the photographer and the viewer.

There is  one thing the photograph must 

contain, the humanity of the moment...

~Nadiya~

Monday ~

When I hear somebody sigh, ‘Life is hard,’

 I am always tempted to ask, ‘Compared to what...

And back home in Florida...progress is being made to 
this one of a kind Guitar Hotel at the Hard Rock Seminole
Casino in Hollywood.  Hollywood, Florida that is.

The rooftop bar should be amazing.  Would love
 to check it out when we get back to Florida.  

The Guitar Hotel is expected to open for business 
October 24th, but they have already started to
 take reservations.  Impressive just to look at.

Today has been a little on the gloomy side.  
Wet, some fog and light rain on and off most of
 the day.  Even so, we managed to do a few things 
in the morning, and just got back from the
 hot tub.  Not a bad way to start the week.

To all a good day, and remember to always 
believe something wonderful is about to happen.

Spend life with who makes you happy, 
not who you have to impress...

~Nadiya~

Life In Chicago ~

We are shaped and fashioned by what we love...

As we were relaxing yesterday I just started to google

 stuff, things we want to do, places we want to go and I 

happened to come across a few interesting things.

Interesting article about Norwegians in Chicago:
  Article Norwegians In Chicago

Yesterday our walk took us to different parts of the city.  

I came across once again the coolest bus stop I have ever seen.

Ice cream vans were something of my childhood.  It's not

 often I have seen one around big cities , but here in Chicago

 is a common everyday/everynight occurrence.

And the same goes for the evening.  The ice cream man does not quit.

The heat wave the city experienced a couple of weeks ago has left it's mark.

Yesterday we went to the movies.  We saw Crawl.
Storyline: hurricane in Florida.  Daughter and
 father trapped in a crawl space below their
 house that's by a lake. Not a must see.

Walls break.  Water comes in as do alligators.
 HUGE alligators.  Not even credible.  Even so,
we spent almost 2 hours glued to the screen.

My sister and Reshma are having the time of their
 lives on their road trip.  Arvid calls them the modern
day Thelma and Louise.  I for one am super impressed with
 them.  I wish I could be as brave and do the same.

They don't send many pictures, but I managed to
get these.  Today they visit the "Grand Canyon" of Texas.
 I believe their next stop afterwards to be Arizona and the
actual Grand Canyon.  Beautiful memories being made.

And just like that, I'm missing my family a lot today.

Our days in Chicago are filled with walks, music,
pretty sights, good food and so much more.  The city
 has something for everyone, and we for one
love the simple things it has to offer.

Wishing everyone a happy Sunday.  It's a good
day to sit back, relax and enjoy the day.

Very little is needed to make a happy life;
 it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.
The biggest adventure you can take 
is to live the life of your dreams...

~Nadiya~

This City ~ Chicago

Because when you stop and look

 around, this life is pretty amazing...

There is not a single person that comes to Chicago 

and does not fall in love with the city.  At least my

 friends and family.  Especially in the summer.  This may

 definitely be one of the most beautiful cites I have

 ever been to, and I have been to quite a few.

Yesterday we had a great outing.  Started with a 

good meal.  Sometimes it's a hit or miss, but yesterday 

the steak was pretty good according to Arvid.  I choose to

 have crab cakes (at a steakhouse).  It was very delicious.

The contrast of the skyscrapers and the river is breathtaking.

Yesterday we found an outdoor place playing Island music.

  With the beautiful weather, a delicious rum punch and

 soothing music, it made for a great afternoon.

I love city life. As far as we are concerned, nothing compares to it.

Hello Saturday.  Let's make it a great day.

It is the unexpected that changes our life.

Chicago, a facade of skyscrapers facing the lake...

~Nadiya~

Happy Happy ~

Everything in life happens for a reason. I've learned over

 and over that life happens on its own terms, not mine...

Being home again is great.  Could not be happier, 

on the other hand, I miss two little girls.  Their smiles, 

their laughter, their hugs. Some of our best times 

were spent with them and with the family.  

The picture above was from the last evening

 everyone was together.  I can picture them

 right now and I smile.  Sister love forever.

Here in Chicago we are having beautiful weather.

  We were lucky that the heat wave the city experienced

 was during our time in Norway.  Now it's back

 to milder (still warm) temperatures. Happy.

Coming home and having a home cooked meal has 

been the best, but today I will be taking Arvid to one 

of our favorite steak restaurants, Smith and Wollensky. 

 The first time I have ever been to a Smith and Wollensky

was in New York City.  Loved it then and still do.

We have walks around the park, the river and in the city.

  Always something beautiful to see.  It's not depressing to look

 at nor is it boring.  Not a grey city.  Colorful and vibrant.

My sister Mala and Reshma are on a 2 week 

road trip across the US.  They started their trip from 

Vermont and plan to make it all the way to California,

 Las Vegas, The Grand Canon and more in between.  

Tonight they expect to be at Niagara Falls.  Mother and

 daughter.  Beautiful memories will be made.

I cannot stop saying how great it is to be home.

Wishing everyone a happy Friday.  Cheers to the day ahead.

Being happy never goes out of style.

Simplicity makes me happy...

~Nadiya~

Pensive ~

Be a good person, but don't waste time to prove it...

Having one of those days where a lot comes to mind
 in random moments.  I have thought about the people in my
 life and the ones who once were.  Life, you never know what
 will happen and who is really true or fake.  It is just
something you find out in everyday life.

The other day, out of the blues  Arvid said to me, "did you
thank Nirvana for buying me those chocolates?"  You see
 a while back my sister was visiting and we were out
shopping and I just happened to mention that
Arvid likes these particular chocolates.

 Next thing you know she has bought them for him.
 He was not able to thank her because after that
 she was soon on her way to the airport.

Arvid said he's not used to anyone buying anything for him.
 I said, "then you don't know my family too well."

When Rima visited us in Chicago, she also did something
 we're not used to.  Being taking out to dinner.  Was very nice.

In life many people are not really what they appear to be.
 The nicest of persons sometimes can be the fakest of all.

I always choose to see the good in people.
Sometimes very difficult, but I know that there is
 more good in this world than bad.  Someone said
 that when you choose to see the good in others,
 you end up finding the good in yourself.

To know people really, you must catch them in
 their very unhappy times! If they treat you well,
 then you can be sure that they are good people...

~Nadiya~

So Happy ~

Whatever is good for your soul do that..

Last night we slept on our own bed.  Best feeling in 

the whole world is being home.  Sniff was and still is so

 excited he has hardly slept much.  Every time we go out to 

do some chore, Sniff thinks we're leaving him again. 

 He waits at the door for us to come back.

Before the morning was over, we had finished

 unpacking and I had already done six loads of laundry.

I have made dinner at home both yesterday and today. 

 Was so goo to eat at home.  How I missed home.

Life comes around only once, so do whatever makes

 you happy, and be with whoever makes you smile...

~Nadiya~

Best Place On Earth... Home

Where we love is home-home that our feet
 may leave, but never our hearts....

As we woke up early Sunday morning, Arvid
looks at me with a big smile and he says, "we are going
 home."  Those were the best words I could hear.

I have been waiting for this day for a long time.
Our last night in Europe was spent in Sweden.

As mentioned the summer was a good one. Many memories made
 and many friendships-bonds that were strengthened.  Could not have
 been better except for the fact that we are on our way home.

Good morning everyone.  The best feeling in the
whole world is to be back home, well at least we are back
in the good old USA.  Almost home. It's not the longest we
 have been away from home, but it sure felt like it.

  Though a very good summer, I can't contain my excitement
to being in the USA again  Next year is far from here,
but right now I don't know that i wouldn't want to be
 gone from home for that long, but then I say the same
 thing every year.  Whole year to think about it :)

For now it's back to reality and boy do we love it!!!

Good morning everyone.  I can never stop saying how GOOD 

it is to be back home where we belong.  Wishing you all a good day.

Remember to count your blessing and to be thankful for what you have.

We do!  Soon we will see Sniff.  I can't wait.  Have missed
 this little dude so much.  I am just so happy to be
 back home in the USA.  Nowhere better!

Remember, every summer has a story.
Good morning everyone.  Life is good and
 we're smiling.  We are almost home.

Home is where the heart is...

~Nadiya~

Goodbye ~

Home is where the heart is.  Home is where Sniff is...

Goodbye Europe.  Hello USA.

We are heading home.  Back to the USA.

This plane is going to take us home.  In just a

 few hours we will be back home in the USA.  Back to the

 same time zone as my family.  Well most.  Unfortunately

 we will then be 7 hours behind from Norway.

Most people want to come to Europe,  I want to

go to the USA.  Call me strange, but as far as

 I am concerned there is no place like it.

We are going home, the starting place of love, 

hope and dreams.  Home where Sniff is. Coming 

home is one of the most beautiful things.

Home is not a place it is a feeling. 

It's where love lives and grows.

Home is where Sniff is...

~Nadiya~

Saturday ~ One Step Closer To Home

Goodbyes are not forever.  Goodbyes are not the end.

They simply mean I'll miss you until we meet again...

It's goodbye to Norway for this summer. 

 One step closer to home.  This has been

 another very good summer in Norway

Seeing Arvid and his mom say goodbye
has been emotional to say the least.

 Beautiful memories were made and there was

 lots of love an laughter going around, but nothing 

beats going home.  We leave Norway and

 we head to Sweden for our last night.

I leave with you some of our favorite moments 

in Norway.  Thank you all for making

 this a very special summer for us.

The house above was once Arvid's summer home in Norway.

The first few years this was where we stayed.  It holds many 

special memories, and some I can live without (toilet).

Until next year.  It's been a good summer, but I am 

so happy to be going home.  No matter where we go,

going home is the day we look forward to the most. 

 That is until we get the itch to go someplace again. 

 For now its home to Sniff.  One step closer.

  One night less.  I'm SUPER HAPPY!

Life take you to unexpected places.

  Love brings you home...

~Nadiya~