Really, I mean really???

So I just got home a little bit a go from taking my dog for a walk around the corner from my apartment. As I was out, minding my own business, a taxi stops next to me, window gets rolled down and the driver says something to me in Swedish. I didn't hear him properly so I say, "what did you say", he repeats it again, again i Say " what" (all in swedish - my poor attempt), and he repeats and I finally understand he is asking if the dog is mine, i say "yes" he says "very nice dog", i say "thanks", he says something else, once again I don't understand, I think he might be asking the dog's race so I say "shitzu", he says "no..." and repeats whatever he originally said, so finally, in swedish I say "I speak very little swedish, english please" so then he proceeds to say again(in english this time) " is the dog yours", "yes", "very nice dog", "thanks", " where are you from?" " united states" , then the kicker "can i walk him with you"...Ahhh..now we get to the real reason he stopped.." he laughs, says something like " you are nice too, can I walk the dog with you", and i chuckle and say "um, I don't think my husband would like that very much" (though he probably could care less since he seems unthreatened by other men...), then he laughs and is like" no, no, just walk" and I kind of just smile and keep walking and he drives off...This gentleman was a bit older (40's maybe) and foreign which explains the boldness...I don't consider myself the hottest thing out there or anything close, but i mean come on dude, really??? you ask a young woman if you can walk her dog with her??? that's a new one...I mean he went for it, good for him..can't hurt to try I guess.. I just wonder - what is it that makes people so confident to just approach a complete stranger and be so forward??? The sad thing is, if this guy had been attractive, I'd probably have been very flattered and bashful etc...I mean who knows...life is weird but this guy didn't stand a chance, married or not...sorry buddy!!!

Inspired

No not really...I just feel like its time to post something on here since it's been forever since my last post. Last time I wrote, I had returned from a wonderful trip to Italy with my beautiful sister. It's been 5 months since that trip but I still look upon it fondly. Since then, I've been to Switzerland three times for work. This last time, I was there for nearly 3 weeks. I got stuck as a result of the volcanic eruption but made it back after 6 nights stranded in Lausanne. Luckily, I was there for work and all expenses were covered. Also in that time, I found out my apartment was foreclosed on (sucks but at least that ordeal is over with..for now anyway), and I got some other difficult news...I'd say the last two years of my life have been quite challenging in some ways, but in others I remember how blessed I am. It's hard to feel bad for yourself when you know how good you have it all things considered. For example, at least I get to enjoy freedom of religion. I think about the 7 friends in Iran who have now entered their third year in prison without a trial and sentencing. I can't even begin to imagine what it's been like for them!!! I hope they are released soon though I'm not holding my breath!

I feel like I am embarking on a new chapter in life now. I will be entering my 30's soon (in a little over a year), will hopefully be blessed enough to have children in the coming years and create my own little family unit. I cherish family above all else and want nothing more than to enjoy that feeling of being a family unit again. I miss my parents and sister so much and the feeling of the "four of us" but hope to have that one day again, though different obviously..

I have plans to head home this summer which will be so nice. Haven't been home in a year and didn't really get much time when I was there last summer. I am looking forward to sunshine, rest, and relaxation. Haven't actually booked my trip yet, but hope to do that soon. My father recently retired (though he still works - just free-lance now) but it will be so nice to have more time with him. I really miss my parents and look forward to spending some quality time with them...Well that about sums up what i've been feeling the past few months..