Implementation:

- How great expectations in Washington are dashed in Oakland; Or why it's amazing that federal programs work at all, this beinga saga of the Economiv Developement Administration as told by two sympathetic observers who seek to build morals on a foundation of ruined hopes

I haven't read it, but you just gotta love the title!

To: Holly

My parents are splitting up. I'm OK with it, of course, it's a bit sad, but they have been about to do it for almost ten years now. So it's good that they finally doesn't have to care about the other one anymore. I think they have managed to coexist because of me and my sister Anna. And it has definitely been good for Anna. Now, the only thing I'm REALLY sad over is that we have to sell the house I grew up in. I love that house!

Here are two pictures of my boyfriend Max, as requested:
This picture is taken almost three years ago. He had just had a hair cut and wasn't very pleased with it. That's why he looks a bit wierd.


This one is taken by my dads cousin Andreas this summer. It's at home, in the kitchen. My dad and Andreas were planning a MC trip, they went to Poland and Germany for about two weeks.

Vietnamese Steak Sallad

Goi Bo

Serves 4
400 g steak (14 oz)
2 Spanish onions (gul lök) or a bunch of spring onions
3 dl thinly sliced or shredded black raddish (rättika) (1.2 cups)
3 dl thinly sliced or shredded celeriac (rotselleri) (1.2 cups)
3 dl thinly sliced or shredded carrot
1 dl fresh Asian basil leaves (3.4 fl oz)
1 dl fresh coriander leaves (3.4 fl oz)
4-6 tablespoons crushed peanuts (unsalted)
1-2 tablespoons fish sauce (optional)

Dressing:
5 tablespoons rice vinegar
5 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons sugar

Stock:
2 dl beef stock (7 fl oz)
2 dl water (7 fl oz)
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
2 bay leaves
Some parsely and thyme

Put the vegetables in a bowl. Mix the dressing and pour it over. Put in the fridge for an hour or two. Then add the basil and coriander.
Mix the ingredients for the stock in a pan and let it simmer a couple of minutes. Slice the meat thinly and put the meat in for just a few seconds. The meat is not supposed to be thoroughly done, it's still a bit pink. Use a perforated ladle to remove it from the stock. Mix with the vegetables, sprinkle with peanuts and perhaps some fish sauce.

Last Week

Last week wasn't such a good week.

My parents had to put our oldest dog, Zandra, to sleep. She was 13 years old. One day she was just fine, the other the vet said that there was nothing to do. She probably had a tumour that caused internal bleedings. I tried to find a good picture of her, but these are the best I had available:

Then I had some problems with what courses I'm taking next semester. I still haven't been able to solve that. I had some exams. Terrible, but I hope I passed. My parents have now moved from our house. Mom lives in an appartement in the same town, and my dad has bought an appartement in Ystad. Ystad is where my sister goes to school. So now it feels like I don't have a real place that's home anymore. Max and I celebrated our 4th anniversary Sunday. The worst anniversary ever, none of us were feeling very well and on top of that, we fought most of the day. But it's settled now. And we went out for dinner on Saturday, and that was nice!

Today, I've been out gift shopping for Christmas. I think I've done a good job so far. I bought a couple of books, to my mother and to cousin Isabella. Dad told me that Lasse and Anneli barely ever read to her. So I'm gonna try and change that! I bought these two:

They were some of my favorites when I was little. You can check them out at amazon.com, and search for "Pettson and Findus". There are a few translated ones.

I have some more recipies to publish soon!