Today, the A21 campaign against trafficking starts something they call BECAUSE. Its an effort to bring awareness to what is happening in the world today when it comes to trafficking and lasts until january 21. I can't do much right now to prevent trafficking but everyone can do something. I've decided to spend these days reading about trafficking and blogging about it (in my spare time of course).
So what is the big thing about trafficking?
Well, the selling of people as slaves is today the second largest global organized crime, bringing in about 31.6 billion USD each year. There are 1.39 million victims of sextrafficking in the world, 25% of them taken from Southern and Eastern Europe. Sadly, only 1-2% of the victimes of trafficking are rescued and only 1 in 100,000 of the Europeans who are involved in trafficking are convicted.
A big reason that so many of the victims come from countries like Greece, Albania and Ukraine is because of the poverty and unemployment there. The women are promised well payed jobs abroad and not seeing any better option take them, then are often smuggled out of their home countries and sold. Many women end up working in bars and being forced to have sex with 10-40 men a day. Trafficking is not something that just happens in some countries though, every country in the world is affected by it in some way or other today. Many slaves are brought to London, the same city in which I live my everyday life. It is happening so close to me yet I don't see it.
My lunch break is just about over but I'll be back with more facts tomorrow. Check out http://www.thea21campaign.org/!
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Friday, 6 January 2012
Happy New Year everyone!
Its been a while but life is busy around the holidays. I spent Christmas day at my Aunt's in England with a lovely Brittish Christmas dinner and lots of crackers and party poppers to pull. It was great hanging out with family, seeing my Grandparents again and not having to do anything for my stay. Early Boxing day morning I took a coach to the airport and flew back to Sweden for a few days of great company, Mum's cooking and chilling out. I have some really great friends and a super sis whom I really enjoyed spending some time with.
At Copenhagen's airport on New Years eve I sat down to have a banana (of course) and watched a young woman opening a bottle of coke that started spraying everywhere. Having decided I want to be more social to the people I meet, I offered her a tissue and we started talking. Turns out she was on the same flight as me so we sat together and had a great conversation. She was on her way to meet a friend living in London who goes to Hillsong Church like I do and she had some really cool stories about what God has done in her life, healing her from serious back problems. It was so encouraging to hear and now I have another contact in Hillsong Church. God is so cool the way he coordinates little things like that with a bottle of coke and a tissue!
New years eve was spent with my Aunt, Uncle and cousin Claire watching "Amazing Grace" (a really great film) and taking it easy. My Aunt knocked up another great dinner for New Year's day which we enjoyed with more relatives. Later, back in London, I went to a great worship evening at Hillsong. Don't know many people there yet but enjoyed focusing on God a bit and listening to encouraging words. Good times!
This week I've been back at work and am beginning to get into the routines. Its been nice becoming better friends with the children and feeling more at home in London. For the weekend we have all gone to Cirencester to stay with the Grandparents whilst the parents are away. Its a pretty town out in the country with some pretty good shops. I will most probably seek out Starbucks tomorrow and enjoy a latte and some people watching. Cya!
Its been a while but life is busy around the holidays. I spent Christmas day at my Aunt's in England with a lovely Brittish Christmas dinner and lots of crackers and party poppers to pull. It was great hanging out with family, seeing my Grandparents again and not having to do anything for my stay. Early Boxing day morning I took a coach to the airport and flew back to Sweden for a few days of great company, Mum's cooking and chilling out. I have some really great friends and a super sis whom I really enjoyed spending some time with.
At Copenhagen's airport on New Years eve I sat down to have a banana (of course) and watched a young woman opening a bottle of coke that started spraying everywhere. Having decided I want to be more social to the people I meet, I offered her a tissue and we started talking. Turns out she was on the same flight as me so we sat together and had a great conversation. She was on her way to meet a friend living in London who goes to Hillsong Church like I do and she had some really cool stories about what God has done in her life, healing her from serious back problems. It was so encouraging to hear and now I have another contact in Hillsong Church. God is so cool the way he coordinates little things like that with a bottle of coke and a tissue!
New years eve was spent with my Aunt, Uncle and cousin Claire watching "Amazing Grace" (a really great film) and taking it easy. My Aunt knocked up another great dinner for New Year's day which we enjoyed with more relatives. Later, back in London, I went to a great worship evening at Hillsong. Don't know many people there yet but enjoyed focusing on God a bit and listening to encouraging words. Good times!
This week I've been back at work and am beginning to get into the routines. Its been nice becoming better friends with the children and feeling more at home in London. For the weekend we have all gone to Cirencester to stay with the Grandparents whilst the parents are away. Its a pretty town out in the country with some pretty good shops. I will most probably seek out Starbucks tomorrow and enjoy a latte and some people watching. Cya!
Monday, 12 December 2011
Loving God, loving life and loving pople wherever you are
Church is definitely the best place to spend a Sunday!
I was in church twice today which was really awesome even though both churches were pretty different from each other. First I went with my au-pair family to St. Dionis, a church of about 60 people meeting in an old church building singing the same songs we sang in church when I was a kid. What I loved was that the worship was simple and just plain worship which ment I could focus on actually singing the words to God. The people were nice and the sermon was really good. It was about all the distractions we face in life today and how Satan uses them to steal our time away from the most important things in life like God, enjoying life and spending time with the people around us.
In the afternoon I went to meet up with my friend, Jadasa, who lived in Sweden five years ago but now lives in London. We went to Hillsong's Christmas show at the Dominion theatre. The place was packed! Outside the theatre was a huge queue all the way around the corner and when we got inside just about every single seat was taken! The Christmas show was brilliant! Great music, acting, singing and a really good message about the real reason we celebrate Christmas. The people were so welcoming and the whole atmosphere reminded me of my home church United. I'm looking forward to getting connected with people there and all thats happening. Afterwards we met up with Jadasa's sister, Gloria for a nice "fika" at Starbucks.
On the bus journey back it was raining, like you would expect it to in England, but London is a beautifal city just the same and I'm liking it more and more.
I was in church twice today which was really awesome even though both churches were pretty different from each other. First I went with my au-pair family to St. Dionis, a church of about 60 people meeting in an old church building singing the same songs we sang in church when I was a kid. What I loved was that the worship was simple and just plain worship which ment I could focus on actually singing the words to God. The people were nice and the sermon was really good. It was about all the distractions we face in life today and how Satan uses them to steal our time away from the most important things in life like God, enjoying life and spending time with the people around us.
In the afternoon I went to meet up with my friend, Jadasa, who lived in Sweden five years ago but now lives in London. We went to Hillsong's Christmas show at the Dominion theatre. The place was packed! Outside the theatre was a huge queue all the way around the corner and when we got inside just about every single seat was taken! The Christmas show was brilliant! Great music, acting, singing and a really good message about the real reason we celebrate Christmas. The people were so welcoming and the whole atmosphere reminded me of my home church United. I'm looking forward to getting connected with people there and all thats happening. Afterwards we met up with Jadasa's sister, Gloria for a nice "fika" at Starbucks.
On the bus journey back it was raining, like you would expect it to in England, but London is a beautifal city just the same and I'm liking it more and more.
Saturday, 10 December 2011
Christmas shopping chaos
Today was my first day off. Since I hardly know anyone in London and the few friends I have were busy today I decided to do some Christmas shopping by myself. So I went to Oxford street, probably the busiest place in the world to go shopping 2 weeks before Christmas. The streets were packed with people, singing elves, Santas,and even an odd storm trooper.
After some heavy shopping I rewarded myself with a M&S sandwich and a gingerbread latte... yummy but not as nice as sharing it with a friend. Walking around, looking at all the people, I wondered how friends are made. Could I just go up and start talking to any random person? I didn't try, instead I decided I will make loads of friends at Hillsong Church tomorrow. I look forward to spending Christmas with my relatives. A life without friends and family isn't much of a life I reckon.
Walking down the busy street with all my shopping bags my Primark paper bag couldn't take the pressure any longer and suddenly tore, scattering my things over the pavement. Embarrassing! But then again I hardly know anyone here. Trying to stay dignified I calmly picked it all up and kept walking.
Trafalgar square is one of my favorite places in London so far so I went there for a rest but the place was swarming with Santas! It seemed to be some great Santa reunion organized through facebook and wasn't the best place to relax. In the end I crammed all my shopping onto a bus and went back. Big cities are exciting but tiring and London is a BIG city.
After some heavy shopping I rewarded myself with a M&S sandwich and a gingerbread latte... yummy but not as nice as sharing it with a friend. Walking around, looking at all the people, I wondered how friends are made. Could I just go up and start talking to any random person? I didn't try, instead I decided I will make loads of friends at Hillsong Church tomorrow. I look forward to spending Christmas with my relatives. A life without friends and family isn't much of a life I reckon.
Walking down the busy street with all my shopping bags my Primark paper bag couldn't take the pressure any longer and suddenly tore, scattering my things over the pavement. Embarrassing! But then again I hardly know anyone here. Trying to stay dignified I calmly picked it all up and kept walking.
Trafalgar square is one of my favorite places in London so far so I went there for a rest but the place was swarming with Santas! It seemed to be some great Santa reunion organized through facebook and wasn't the best place to relax. In the end I crammed all my shopping onto a bus and went back. Big cities are exciting but tiring and London is a BIG city.
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
My blog entries are pretty scarce I know, but I'm planning on getting better at blogging in my spare time.
I now live in London which is a funny thought as I just last week was living in Malmö. Life keeps moving on and changing with each new season different from the last.
Today is my second day as an au-pair and I'm learning more about how things work around the house and getting to know the family. They are all very helpful and friendly people and I love having my own room at the top of the house with a nice view of London's roof tops.
Its funny being back in England again, not having lived here for about nine years. The culture, food and way of life is pretty different from Sweden but I will soon get used to it. Some of the English expressions surprise me. Like at the airport on monday one lady was telling her friend she needed to "get Christmas knocked on the head this week". Saying that to a Swede would get you a very confused look.
Having a break this afternoon I watched a few episodes of this year's Christmas calender to get in the Christmas mood. Its about a band of pick pocketers who steal rich people's Christmas presents. I'm not quite sure what the message is yet but it's cute and entertaining.
I have also started reading a book called "selling Olga" which is about human trafficking in Europe today. It really is a big problem and something I want to learn more about. The A21 Campaign is doing a great job in fighting it and I'm excited to hear that the family I'm living with also are involved in making a difference.
Well my break is just about over for now but I'll be back!
I now live in London which is a funny thought as I just last week was living in Malmö. Life keeps moving on and changing with each new season different from the last.
Today is my second day as an au-pair and I'm learning more about how things work around the house and getting to know the family. They are all very helpful and friendly people and I love having my own room at the top of the house with a nice view of London's roof tops.
Its funny being back in England again, not having lived here for about nine years. The culture, food and way of life is pretty different from Sweden but I will soon get used to it. Some of the English expressions surprise me. Like at the airport on monday one lady was telling her friend she needed to "get Christmas knocked on the head this week". Saying that to a Swede would get you a very confused look.
Having a break this afternoon I watched a few episodes of this year's Christmas calender to get in the Christmas mood. Its about a band of pick pocketers who steal rich people's Christmas presents. I'm not quite sure what the message is yet but it's cute and entertaining.
I have also started reading a book called "selling Olga" which is about human trafficking in Europe today. It really is a big problem and something I want to learn more about. The A21 Campaign is doing a great job in fighting it and I'm excited to hear that the family I'm living with also are involved in making a difference.
Well my break is just about over for now but I'll be back!
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Goodmorning! Celebrating the first day of November with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. Why buy juice when you can simply squeeze an orange yourself and it tastes sooo good?
Usually I have this long list in my mind of what I want to get done each day but I've started to focus on a couple of things that are the most important and then plan them into my day. That way I can get stuff done without feeling bad over all the things I didn't have time to do.
Oh no! The cat in the kitchen just pooed! Here we go again...
I'm reading this great book by Joyce Meyer called " How to succeed at being yourself" and right now I'm at the chapter about knowing the difference between your "who" and your "do". Its so easy to get caught thinking you are what you do and feeling pressured to do as much as everyone else seems to be doing but you have to start with getting your "who" right and simply being. I find that hard but understanding that makes life a lot more enjoyable. I'm worth a lot more to the world happy and healthy than burnt out and grumpy and so are you.
Today I'm meeting Mum, skyping with my hopefully to be au-pair family in London and babysitting this afternoon. Its gonna be a good day!
Usually I have this long list in my mind of what I want to get done each day but I've started to focus on a couple of things that are the most important and then plan them into my day. That way I can get stuff done without feeling bad over all the things I didn't have time to do.
Oh no! The cat in the kitchen just pooed! Here we go again...
I'm reading this great book by Joyce Meyer called " How to succeed at being yourself" and right now I'm at the chapter about knowing the difference between your "who" and your "do". Its so easy to get caught thinking you are what you do and feeling pressured to do as much as everyone else seems to be doing but you have to start with getting your "who" right and simply being. I find that hard but understanding that makes life a lot more enjoyable. I'm worth a lot more to the world happy and healthy than burnt out and grumpy and so are you.
Today I'm meeting Mum, skyping with my hopefully to be au-pair family in London and babysitting this afternoon. Its gonna be a good day!
Friday, 28 October 2011
Hey everyone!
So I know its 4 o'clock in the morning but whats a girl to do when she wakes up with a sore throat and doesn't have the patience to wait until she falls asleep again? It was either get back to writing my blog or make an omelett I learnt on jammieoliver.com yesterday. Since I don't have any eggs, I made myself some lemon and honey tea and chose the first one. It was ages since I last blogged and I've forgotten my password but it seems to work anyway. Does that mean anyone can write on my blog without a password? Scary thought...
I'm sharing our small kitchen with Stacia, the crazy cat Jasmin is taking care of until she finds a new home for her. So maybe she's not crazy but being locked up in a small kitchen for two months does have its effect on people and cats and she wasn't quite normal to begin with. Anyway, anybody want Stacia? She is kind of cute I guess and the only reason she's kept in the kitchen is so she doesn't hang out with Jasmin's three other cats Therese, Stina and Lutzie.
So I know its 4 o'clock in the morning but whats a girl to do when she wakes up with a sore throat and doesn't have the patience to wait until she falls asleep again? It was either get back to writing my blog or make an omelett I learnt on jammieoliver.com yesterday. Since I don't have any eggs, I made myself some lemon and honey tea and chose the first one. It was ages since I last blogged and I've forgotten my password but it seems to work anyway. Does that mean anyone can write on my blog without a password? Scary thought...
I'm sharing our small kitchen with Stacia, the crazy cat Jasmin is taking care of until she finds a new home for her. So maybe she's not crazy but being locked up in a small kitchen for two months does have its effect on people and cats and she wasn't quite normal to begin with. Anyway, anybody want Stacia? She is kind of cute I guess and the only reason she's kept in the kitchen is so she doesn't hang out with Jasmin's three other cats Therese, Stina and Lutzie.
Lutzie likes Jasmin the most, Stina likes me and Therese doesn't really like anyone, she just looks cute. Before you start thinking I'm a crazy cat lady, I'm not, they all belong to Jasmin. Jasmin is my old classmate, friend and current roomy. She's alot of fun! Last night she taught me a children's song called "don't put meatballs up your nose, Marcus". Maybe thats why I kept waking up...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)