Rapunzel - Arun.... thanks for giving me great laughs... I need it badly

Arun... i just have to paste some of your lovely writings, sorry.

This morning when I had prepared the hotel breakfast I went to the pc and opened up your lovely message. And damn how i laughed. I laughed my brain out. And the good thing is that I can see you in front of me and hearing you as I am reading.

Holy moses. You have already made my day here and it is only 0842.

I referred myself to Cinderella before here in the hotel and your lovely sentence and explanation that it probably is Rapunzel i think of.... . read part of it.... it s amazing... You dont know me but I guess you can read me...

.......................................
"Rapunzel? Blonde hair trapped in a tower? Dunno - can't tell if you're a shoes girl or like long hair...hang on, you're right! You and your sex in the city shoes
:-D. ""
......................................

And as you also know, or have read here on the blog, I am a huge fan of Sex and the City and high heels shoes.... yes yes.. your comment was so fun to me. Just right in the middle...gosh..You are a funny great and nice man. Congratulations.

I promise you Arun, i will keep on being honest here in the blog... even if it maybe emabarrase you and some more.

But honestly... Rapunzel and Cinderella? I dont think I mean Rapunzel. I mean the Girl who was
kept in the mansion cleaning and living very sad since her father had married an awful stephmother that only cared for her own daughters. One night she went magic, got a lovely dress, was driven to the castle and met the beauty prince charming. At 00.00 the magic would be gone and at that time she lost one of her shoes made by glass... imagine... the prince went all over to find the beauty girl that had worn the shoe. ...

Enjoy this lovely day, almost last day of August.
'
Thanks Arun for inspiring me to this writing ...

Anna

Profile update on Linked In--- Power and effect of Network communities...

I am a networking person. As a matter of fact I got a reward by my favourite girl Annika Widmark to have world class networking skills..... ref Linked in recomendations.

I have talked about it before in the blog and it is a fact that I am truly so happy curious about the mankind that I just have to meet new interesting people, its my mission in life. It motivates me and gives me a lot of empowerment and a feeling of growing. Some people think I am religious or something else going on with me... and yes... why not? I am a people person.

Yesterday I updated my Linked in profile with the Hotel Director and TeamClinic information and sent it to all my connections.. obviously I did.

So, this morning my mailbox was kind of full of my lovely networking contacts mail to wish me good luck and all the best wishes.

Hello hello world... this truly make me so happy. My beautiful network of people from all around the world is coming back with a shorter or longer comment and yes.... it is fantastic.

I will not tell you about everyones comment....., go to Linked in and connect with me and you will see all my world class "people" in there., but I will comment one at the moment.

A great skilled Danish colleague, a manager from Nordea wrote to me and told me some great thoughts, thanks a lot. He is always very frank, open and honest but I am also very much a fan of his way of dealing with things.

He actually hit me with some great words regarding my profile text but also.. i got some relevant and good critical feedback... and that i truly like.

He commented that I had written to much fluffy texts and not been really specific and clear... especially not regarding what i will do in my new IT company and some more as well..

Thank you thank you... I immediately went back to the profile and deleted a lot. Great...Especially since I had not written anything about the new company TeamClinic profile and offerings.. that will come later. This company is something really brand new and Yes.. it will be noticed.

The best thing with this comment was that i truly agreed in everything. I am not a fluffy person and should not have to much fluffy text describing me either.

Next time I will ask somebody else to write about me. I think that will be the best actually. Why not my Danish colleague?

Btw... did you read Anthony Crains recommendation to me on Linked In?

I am so proud that I could dance all night long. i will publish it here next blog.
I just have to show you.

Good night sweetheart .. well it´s time to go.

Anna

You do not .....

This morning I got a very strange comment from one of the hotel guests... and I dont know what to think about it. But to be honest it felt kind of interesting.

One of the Pakistan prominent guests had a small chat at the reception disk and it was kind of interesting the business ongoing, flight industries and high technology .. of course I ask my guests about their business... i just have to and I am just to curious to not do.

Some tell more and some tell less.

This guest had been here 6 months ago and noticed that there was a "younger " person here now and that just ended up in some curious questions.

One of the first was... - do you come from Arboga ? ( this small little city)

Proudly I said yes and I also told I have moved back after 22 year in Stockholm and jadi jadi jadi...

Then the comment..... -- you do not look like you come from here!

eh.... what a lovely honest comment, dont you think? I thought so. And I just realized that people have more interest in culture and people then you can ever imagine.

I just had to laugh but also think some minutes... Well.. how does a girl look like that comes from here? and from where do I look like a come from?

- he just commented my surprised face and said that no.. you look like you come from a big city more fashionable.. and some other great words as well.

I dont know if I should thank you or not, that might be rude to the other Arboga living girls and people... but it is obvious to not only Arboga citizens that I am some kind of different and they know for shure I want and will make a difference here. That will be my mission for some years.

Good luck Anna, it might be a mission impossible .. but also, the mission possible. I prefer to think like that.

Cheers
A

Management in small scale...

So, today was actually the first day when I acted like the manager I am for the two employees in the hotel and it felt very good but also very strange.

Strange because I have been used to work with a large team of 25 people in a structured and very openfriendly, valuebased atmosphere... and the difference here is kind of very obvious.

Together here we are a team of 4 and the values and our common way of co-operation has not been set at all. It has been just to much work lately which does not give me a chance to prioritize a Team meeting. Today we had the first one. And it felt very good. The information and communication within the team is critical and will be a part of our daily operation as well.

It is lovely to realize that we are four different persons with varied backgrounds, values and behaviours. I will bring some of my great Nordea experience to implement our common values within this team and company.

Our first Kick in meeting is planned and we will have a workshop to set our commone values, behaviours and strengthen the guest focus. I also plan to put up some guest satisfaction metrix together with the team to be part of our motivation and work.

Of course the focus will be on the guests and ourselves as the one to make this a magic stay.

Today I actually got a call from a guest that had been here since the owner change and it was obvious he will come back because of the good feeling here. That will be our best brand.

Some other guests were very openspeaking and gave some positive feedback today regarding their stay. And I have understand one thing very clear.... even if my hotel is not so very damn perfect and not a 5 star hotel in many ways,.... the behaviour and the way we meet our guests is actually world class. That can be a good compensation. I know it.

So.. lets keep on managing I am thrilled about this new challenge and experience to do it in a small scale.. it is fascinating and I love it.

// Anna

Back in town..

I write Tuesday 26th of August and it is exactly 22 years since I left Arboga last time.

I promised my self never ever to move back. Today I did and it feels great. Early morning and the big boys came with a huge big truck to pick my things up. Halleluja. I thought it was to much space but in the end we filled it up. Unbelievable.

To see the men carrying all my stuff was kind of good, of course it was not for free but worth every single krona.

Now, I got a home and I am just very happy about it and it feels great. A wonderful flat just on the square in a pink house with old lovely touch. Newly fixed by the painting company and i invite you all for a look. Its lovely. Light all over and it is very much me.

So... I could have spent the first night laying in my lovely big bed watching the old ceiling and enjoying every second of silence ... but instead I have checked in to the hotel again for the evening and the morning sessions.

Its like in Eagles song... You can check in any time you like, but you can never leave...

AT the moment, my heart is red lovely open and my mind is happily spinning and my body truly suffering from non existing exercise ..... I just feel like finally have come home.

The girl is back in town... that is another good oldie song... lets find it.

Cheers
Anna

Last night....late night...facing the truth and fuck my choices for some minutes...."Big girls dont cry"

So the last final hours in this lovely house/flat. I have had my boys here part of the day and that was great. Today I was reminded about my part time mothership and it was some kind of painful in more then one way.

This morning I picked up Robin for following him to school. First time for me but not for him.
The teachers watched me carefully and was happy to see there is a mother in Robins life as well.

Everything went great and I left a little happy boy in school after he had given me a tour in the school and telling me all the rules, the ways to go and everything else that is important to him. Kiss and good bye mamma.

The mother Anna was not happy I can tell. I cried all the way to the car. Fuck me for all my choices. 'Well tears are not needed at the moment so... just to gather myself.

A day full of packing and it seems that the stuff will never end. I have threwed away a lot but obviously there are lot more to considered needed or just over kill. Most of the stuff are kind of not needed.

Back to school to pick Robin up. As happy as when I left him and it is so lovely to join him in his energy. Also to have his guidance to my wrong parking as well... he is in control my little boy.

We enjoyed the afternoon together. Rented a pick up car and he loved to be in the frontseat with high volume on and just watching me working, loading and yes... he was the king in the car.

He was also the king when his father joined us for some work and support. Thank god... it was help sent from above. Robin Even more happy to have a pizza with his both parents talking in a nice mood and atmosphere as well. Mostly about the x-.s new girlfriend/ woman... i have to admit I am curious about her. And extremely happy for him. He deserves all happiness. Robin is a bit jealouse but that is kind of natural.

So... time for the question... do you want to stay with mother tonight or go "home" with father ?

Well .. I guess you can realize the answer... and I admire my son´s strengthen and choices.

And more tears... fuck me for my choices. Robin is happy and confident and that is the most important. Robin will never notice my tears, that is a golden truth.

Simon and CHarlie are here with me and that is of course happiness in a huge other dimension.... they will sleep over this last night and it is good sharing.

Where the hell do I get my strengthen and happiness from still? That is a damn good question.

Bye bye Hässelby suburb. You have been nice to me and my boys. Something new is waiting for us and it will be exiting. Fergie... this song is good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5AyHbrCYb0

Love and confident
A

Say it right.... and just... Rise to the occasion

These songs are my favourites at the moment and I dedicate them to someone out there....
enjoy.......

Rise to the occasion..... Kurt Nielsen fantastic ........ listen to the text

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gabn7eiqoz4

Say it right..... so damn good always.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO6SnX9s5-w

Rise to the occasion......

You’ve been down the dark detoursYou have seen most of it allCrashed into the million facesBut never listened to them talkYou’ve got so much on your mind right nowIt doesn’t even help to try to solve them allYou used to smile when hope and a pat on the backWould last throughout the dayAs the rain kept falling down on youYou wouldn't let them wash the feeling awayHope itself dried out in you as you heard your man walking awayWithout a word
You thought

Who’s gonna make my decisions, I can’t make them on my ownWho’s gonna rise to the occasion when there is no one aroundWho the hell is gonna believe me, I dont believe in myselfWho’s gonna be there forever, well it aint gonna be him

In case you didn’t know I really care for youI just wish you all the bestAnd if love should come and knock on your door Ihope it treats you with respectI cannot count the times I’ve seen youOh just slipping away with a broken heart

You thought.....

No no noEverybody is going away, I’m barely hanging onNo no noDo not lovers seek me, what am I doing wrong?
..............................................................................................................................................
Say it right.....

In the dayIn the nightSay it rightSay it allYou either got itOr you don'tYou either stand or you fallWhen your will is brokenWhen it slips from your handWhen there's no time for jokingThere's a hole in the plan

Oh you don't mean nothing at all to meNo you don't mean nothing at all to meBut you got what it takes to set me freeOh you could mean everything to me

I can't say that I'm not lost and at faultI can't say that I don't love the light and the darkI can't say that I don't know that I am aliveAnd all of what I feel I could showYou tonight you tonight

Oh you don't mean nothing at all to meNo you don't mean nothing at all to meBut you got what it takes to set me freeOh you could mean everything to me

From my hands I could give youSomething that I madeFrom my mouth I could sing you another brick that I laidFrom my body I could show you a place God knowsYou should know the space is holyDo you really want to go?

love
A

Anna a ........hmm..?

Anna A= alcoholica..... well hello. Have you ever considered being a summer alcoholic and got the lovely nickname alcoholica buy a fancy man you wish had taken you for a date instead?

I have. Some weeks ago there were a lot of parties ongoing and you keep on drinking and drinking. ok I kept on drinking and drinking... that is the truth. I was not dead drunk the nights and evenings I talk about but anyway.... little bit to much.

The Highlight of the eveing was when one guy called me Anna Alcoholica during the evening..... !! thank you sir. Obviously i was a little bit too tipsy and I guess my mouth was talking to much as well..

But anyway.. i felt kind of stupid and for some minutes i woke up and got sober for some seconds. Not all the time you are in control... not me at least.

I have not done anything that i regret only said things that i can be some embarrased about ok ok...

At the moment i am kind of happy that there are not to many parties ongoing.. i need to rest. And it feels very good to be sober.

One of the first nights at the hotel I was so dead tired and exhauested to I actually took a small glass of pure absolut peach vodka and just drank it.

I hated myself for doing it but I just had to. That was not the best thing i had done.. but at that moment it was the only right thing to do.

Never ever i will do that again... and always ever i will remember that nickname and it will be my best reminder ever.

Who wants to end up like Anna Alcoholica... well.. not me.

I am to happy for that.
Love
A

Golden mornings.....

Imagine the alarm at 0515. Imagine the smell of coffée and fresh baked bread. A finalized breakfast buffée just to be eaten. And imagine a cup of coffée in total silence in a small hotel reception in Arboga.

I have to admit I enjoy here. Even if I am dead tired when the alarm rings. And I am kind of dead tired even during the days.

The last week I have worked a lot, early mornings and late evenings and I normally am on the run here almost every minute. I think of it all the time. Comparing my work in Nordea with this.

It is a huge difference. Maybe the biggest difference is the customer experience. Here you get some direct feedback when things are not to good and vice versa from the customer.

One customer told me that he got the worst made coffee ever here in the hotel one day.... one evening.
I went crazy on him and asked why he did not tell me and I would have made some new coffee. ( not to crazy but anyway)

The coffee he insisted on having was actually a few hours old and I told him that and insisted on making some new one. He just drank it.

The customer, is he angry and not satisfied with the stay here? Well... to be honest, I dont think so. If he is , its up to him.

Some customer are just so lovely and make this job worth everything.

Love / A

People management

So another day has passed here and I am both happy and concerned about certain things. The employee belonging to the hotel came back yesterday with the signals, attitude and behaviour that she would not like to stay here more then the coffee breaks lasted.

Influenced and of course loyal to my stepmother, she just had to be very skeptical. And mostly, as she thinks I am a monster.. she just cant like me.

I guess it took her about 30 minutes to realize how stupid it is to judge and create stupid minds of someone you dont know, based on another persons story.

After yesterday and todays work, I can promise. She will not leave this building and this work. Today she came back with a name of a person that she actually would recommend to start working here. That is not to bad. That is very good.

Now, she also smiles, feels reliefed probably and can relax since we have no competition in this company among the employees. We are as much equal as anyone of us. Well... what does she think? We should treat her as a slave? hello and hello.

This Hotel will be the best place to work at with the people, the guests as the priority number 1, no doubts. Filled with values, focus on the guests and of course the great customer experience.

I am not surprised about the change we have seen during this 2 days and neither am I surprised that people call in, asking for a job here. The atmosphere, the values and the happiness and proudness in this company just is visible even from the outside.

It is a 24:7 work here in the hotel and I have just realized that it is a lot . And hopefully its worth it.

Give me some sleep and I will soon be back to normal again. That kind of worry me... so little sleep and that is no good.

A

Something new .....

In place in Arboga and in place in the hotel. What a start. So many challenges, so much work, but so much fun. And the most lovely thing is to meet all the guests visiting the hotel.

Gittan and I have got a great start here even if we both just have to make sure we have the water up under our nose. It was a great idea to have the Café in the restaurant, but also some naiv. If my lovely friend Åsa had not helped us it would have been a catastrophy. The hotel has been fully booked for the last nights and we have worked our asses off and to put a café on the top of that... yes.. that was kind of too much.

Luckily I have been able to get some great energy here from some unexpected sources.

You never know what is behind the corner and I am damn lucky about that.

Last night I went back to Stockholm for a quick pick up of Robin, my son and it is just lovely to have him back after 3 weeks of vacation. To feel his little arms around me gives me another kick and energy and at least he is both curious and also very exited about our new home, even if it is a smaller room in the annex of the hotel. Love just conquer it all.

/ love A

Headache...

One of my colleagues told me today he got headache by reading my blog. Hm... he said i write about my minds and obv. it is some tricky to like that or not. Anyway... i guess he is to curious to let go of my words so.. yes I am happy that so many reads it including him.

I surtenly had some kind of a great day today. Even if I went home very late from work I managed to keep away from headache.

Went directly to buy some Japanese food and further on to a store where I bought a new laptop.
Strange. I dont know to much about it what kind and brand is good and so on... and i did not really want to buy one of the cheapest to be forced to upgrades and stuff like that very sonon.

So... here I am sittning with my brand new and fancy laptop. It is great and fantastic. And so fancy good looking. I thouht i should not care but I do.

So far so good. One of my sons came home today and it was great seeing him after almost 2.5 weeks away from me. But but... something was not alright.

Now to the headache.... the real headache. Late this evening he had kind of a breakdown of sadness regarding this whole thing about me moving and so on. And so he cried. Me too. that is really the worst thing to see you children sad. That really sucks and kills. And gave me headache.

It will be a great challenge this movement I am doing but we will fix it. I cant make it visible yet to him to convince hime about that things will be great in the end.

oh holy moses. Another day of tears. Well I guess it sometimes just is the real thing just to cry out loud. He did and I did.

And actually.... when we left each other the tears were gone and also the headache.

Time for bed. Countdown at Nordea is here. Damn I will miss everyone so much.

love and hugs
Anna

Sex & the City.....

I have waited for the day to see the movie Sex and the City as it is my number one favourite Tv -show. I just love it.


Yesterday I went to the see movie and it was great. I laughed mostly of all, and I probably cried most of all as well. It was a happy movie... but mostly I think it was really sad moments that i could refer to in my life as well.

To remember how hard the break up thing is, and to be cheated and let down. I cried like crazy that is the true. But also... true strong love and friendship. As high as I laughed the silent i cried. I could not stop.

It was a great ending and I cried at that too. With red eyes but a great smile , me and my lovely friend Gunilla left the movie and I drove back home to a kaotic house.

I had planned to do some packing this evening but I could not move. I logged on to check my emails and started to chat with some friends and I cried even more. To notice so much friendship and love just killed me yesterday. To add the working load and pressure the last months yes... i would call it a smaller breakdown.


Luckily it has nothing to do with men affairs... and such complicated things... , I promise, and as my heart is so very open and happy at the moment, I kind of managed to control myself after a while.


Well, not really myself.... after getting a kick in my ass and a push to shape up by one of my friends of course.....thanks.

But sometimes even a strong girl like me need a shoulder that is for sure. And why not a Mr Big, it seems convenient and lovely.


I will go and see the movie again. It was great.

My colleagues asks me who I represent of the four girls.??? I leave that to you to have a guess....

Many knows that we are a team of girls going out and having a great friendship like the 4 girls and I keep telling everybody that the reality is much more better then the tv -show ... I mean .. its true.

And I need to by a pair of those lovely shues MB.

Take care. I have to .

// Anna