Our Life in Sweden

Jonathan & Sofia Morgan

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On Call

Förra veckan var det jag som var jour ansvarig i Baby Safe. Detta innebär oftast att ta emot samtal från allmänheten och ge info om vår organisation, samt vara tillgänglig för stöd och rådgivning till bl a gravida kvinnor och nyblivna mammor dygnet runt.

En viktig del när man har jour är att vara redo ifall någon lämnar en bebis i vår Baby Safe låda. Om detta händer ringer lådan automatiskt upp jour telefonen och då är målet att vara på plats inom tre minuter.

Denna veckan var lugn, inga telefonsamtal om övergivna bebisar och inga direkta akutsituationer. Det återstår att se om det är lugnet före stormen?!

* * *

Last week I was on call. Normally this means to be available 24/7 to give information to the general public about our services as well as providing support and advice to pregnant women or new mums.

One of our main reasons for using the on call phone is that it’s connected to the safe. If a baby is put in the safe, the safe will automatically phone the on call phone and whoever’s on call will be there within three minutes.

The week was pretty quiet, no babies in the safe and no emergency calls. As the year has just started it might be the calm before the storm?

We’re back!

English translation below

Oj vad skönt vi hade det när vi var hemma! Vi lyckades klämma in julfirande i både Wales och Sverige och passade på att riktigt julmysa med våra familjer. Eftersom vi inte varit hemma på ungefär ett och ett halvt år så blev det många kära återseenden, många vänner vi inte träffat på länge som vi äntligen fick umgås med. Vi passade också på att göra de allra vanligaste sakerna; gå och handla i mataffären, kolla på TV, läsa tidningar, gå på promenad, äta favoritchokladen samt fika, fika och fika! Det var en underbar resa och vi lyckades vila upp oss lite innan vi satte oss på planet tillbaka till Sydafrika, där vi nu har landat.

* * *

We had a lovely time back home in Wales and Sweden, celebrating Christmas in both countries and enjoying spending quality time with family and friends. Because we’d been away for so long it was the everyday things that we were really excited to do; food shopping, watching TV, reading the newspaper, eating our favorite chocolate and having loads of coffee dates. We had a lovely trip and managed to get some rest before flying back to Cape Town, where we’ve now landed.

Just 7 days til we fly!

In just 1 week we fly to the UK.
We are EXCITED!!!
It’ll be our first time back in 15 months!

During the first 2 weeks of our trip, we’ll be giving some presentations about our work in South Africa, in Masiphumelele and with Baby Safe.

Here are some dates for your diaries:

Sunday 2nd December
10:30am Cardiff Vineyard
In the afternoon we’ll be having an information event. Contact us if you’d like to come!

Sunday 9th December
11:00am New Life Church, Cyncoed
2:00pm Beulah Church, Abertridwr

Sunday 16th December
6:30pm Abertridwr Community Church

Unwanted visitors

We arrived home yesterday, after a busy day in Masiphumelele, to find our front burglar gate swinging open, and the front door bearing the marks of a crowbar.

As we stepped inside, we began noticing things that weren’t were they should be: Sofia’s jewellery box missing, my SLR Camera gone, our iPod nowhere to be seen.

The police have been and gone, taken finger prints and passport numbers, and the neighbours have updated us on all the similar break-ins that have happened recently.

I found myself running through my mind the real cost of the break in: the sentimental value of some of the items. A necklace given to Sofia by her Grandma. A lens bought with money from my Grandpa’s inheritance. The songs on my iPod that I don’t have anywhere else (reminiscing the experience I once had of discovering my Dad’s music collection when I was younger).

And all the while I try and remind myself that our hope isn’t in these things, or even the things that weren’t stolen, but in things that can’t be stolen by thieves or eaten by moths.

***

Jaha, då har det hänt, det som vi lyckats undgå ända sedan vi kom hit – inbrott.

Igår när vi kom hem, efter en lång dag i Masiphumelele, såg vi att den lilla grinden och den större järngrinden stod vidöppen och ytterdörren hade bänts upp av något kofotsliknande föremål…inbrott!

Polisen var förvånansvärt snabbt på plats och gjorde ett bra jobb i att skriva ned en detaljerad anmälan, leta fingeravtryck mm.

De flesta saker som togs från oss hade ett sentimentalt värde och vi blir arga och kommer att sakna dem.
I samma veva blir vi påminda om att våra liv inte bara kan byggas bara på de grejor som var tagna, eller inte tagna, ifrån oss, utan på något mer – sådant som inte kan stjälas av tjuvar eller ätas av mal.

Our European Adventure: What I’m Looking Forward To…

At the end of the month we head off on a trip to Wales and Sweden. Of course, the thing I’m looking forward to most is seeing family and friends, but I thought I’d compile a list of some of the other things I’m excited about:

Wales

Reading the Guardian on Saturday: one of my former weekend rituals. So far, I haven’t found a paper here that I really love.

The banter around my family’s dinner table: we have a lot of fun when we’re together.

Innocent Smoothies: delicious recipes.

Winter in December! Last year we were in Cape Town and walked on the beach on Christmas day. This year it’ll be fun to have weather that I’m programmed to believe feels Christmassy.

Christmas dinner: every country has its own take on Christmas food. I really like what I’ve tasted from other countries, but this year I’m really looking forward to the food traditions of my childhood. Bring on the Christmas pudding and roast potatoes!

The ongoing political debate: I usually follow British politics from afar, seeing what’s playing out in the media. Being back home feels like you’re closer to the action.

Sweden

Salty Liquorice: probably my favourite confectionary item. Like Marmite, you either love it or hate it.

Snow: a true Swedish winter is beautiful. Snow crunching underfoot, a dry chill in the air, warm cups of coffee by…

Candle light: the long winters have made Swedes masters at creating a cosy indoor aesthetic.

The trains: the trains in Sweden turn up on time, depart on time, are comfortable, smooth, and generally feel much more luxurious (even in economy class) than any I’ve taken in the UK.

Fika: an oft debated Swedish word that usually involves drinking coffee and eating cake. It’s repeated regularly throughout the day, creating a rhythm of rest.

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