Born in the vibrant city of Singapore with a unique Eurasian blend of Portuguese and Chinese heritage, my journey has taken me from the bustling streets of Singapore to the serene and open landscapes of Sweden. My educational pursuits in Singapore culminated at tertiary level with two separate Master degrees, after which I embarked on a new adventure in 2002, moving to Sweden. In Sweden, I pursued with deep interest, the knowledge field of applied linguistics, particularly corpus linguistics research methods, earning a doctoral degree from one of northern Europe’s largest universities, the University of Gothenburg. I currently work as Project Manager, focusing on EU and international projects, at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, at the Division of Bioeconomy and Health, Department of Agriculture and Food. My office is located in Mölndal municipality. Mölndal, known also as the Valley of Mills, is located about ten minutes by bus ride from the city center of Gothenburg to the south. If you’re ever traveling south from Gothenburg to Malmö, whether by train or car, you will likely come by Mölndal municipality. In these pages at cmariec.com, you’ll find my lifestyle musings on culinary and travel adventures from Singapore to Sweden, and from when I lived and worked the Arctic City of Tromsø (2018 to mid-2022). SINGAPORE | SWEDEN | NORTHERN NORWAY Life in Singapore Pursued all academic interests in Singapore, of which the post-graduate years were founded in two separate disciplines. In 2000, graduated with two separate Masters Degrees: (i) Master of Science in Information Studies at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore (ii) Master of Arts in the English Language at the National University of Singapore (NUS). In 1999, represented the Republic of Singapore at the Miss Universe Pageant in Trinidad and Tobago. With this came a variety of film, educational TV, media, and ambassadorial work for the Singapore Tourism Board. Life in Sweden In 2002, moved from Singapore to Sweden in order to pursue a PhD in Gothenburg, where a number of international corporate head offices were located that all had a substantial business presence in Singapore and also Asia in general. In 2009, graduated with a PhD in applied critical linguistics from the faculty of humanities at the University of Gothenburg, with a cross-disciplinary thesis entitled, Swedish management in Singapore: a discourse analysis study, looking particularly into the concepts of assimilation, integration and hierarchy, at top management levels of Swedish-Asian corporations in Singapore. 2013, as research fellow at the Centre for International Business Studies (CIBS), School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, researching the future implications of increasing Asian-Swedish cooperation within the field of international business. The project is entitled Gothenburg in Asia, Asia in Gothenburg, funded by the Anna Ahrenberg Foundation. The project is aligned with the 400 years anniversary of the city of Gothenburg in 2021, and falls under the broad category of Kunskap Göteborg 2021 initiated by city representatives of Gothenburg, Göteborg & Co, University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology. 2015, was granted the Flexit post-doctoral scholarship by Bank of Sweden Tercentennary Foundation (Riksbankens Jubileumsfond, RJ) for a three year project together with the Swedish-Swiss multinational enterprise ABB. From 2015-17, the research will take place at ABB Corporate Research Sweden HQ in Västerås, and at CIBS during 2017-18. The research focus of the project is how new technologies are perceived and accepted by users and customers, using linguistic methods of data analysis. More information can be found at RJ’s website, at Riksbankens Jubileumsfond (RJ) Felxit 2015. Life in Northern Norway (2018-2022) 2018, late summer. I acquired new work as Market Scientist at Nofima. Having moved to the county of Troms in August, I’m currently enjoying myself, exploring the island city of Tromsø. From the 1900s, this city became known as Paris of the North due to how the people of Tromsø were exceptionally stylish and sophisticated in contrast to the fishing village preconception that many might have of a city located in the Arctic Circle. In my years in Sweden, I have known Sweden to be called the land of the midnight sun. During the long summer mights, it was beautiful to sit and watch the sun’s languid pendulation between east and west, touching the horizon out at sea before going up again. Northern Norway takes this languid pendulation of the sun to the extreme. It is not only known as the land of the midnight sun, but it is also the land of polar nights and the northern lights. This is my new adventure. And in these lifestyle blog pages, you’ll find my personal thoughts, insights and musings. Cheryl Marie Cordeiro | PhD MSc MA ACADEMIC REFLECTIONS | CV LIFESTYLE BLOG

A small part of Sweden in Wilmington, USA

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The two first Swedish ships – we know of – to arrive in America, were the Kalmar Nyckel and Fågel Grip. In Wilmington, Delaware, USA, docks a sailing replica of the Kalmar Nyckel, where the first settlers landed.
Photo: JE Nilsson and C M Cordeiro-Nilsson © 2011

Kalmar Nyckel calm beyond reeds.

The Kalmar Nyckel replica is a smaller cousin in design to the Swedish East Indiaman Gotheborg III replica.

We visited the Kalmar Nyckel at what seemed to be at its most quiet and resting period. Beneath the apparent quietness however, were all kinds of repairs and upkeep being done inside and out, with parts of the rigging being indoors undergoing new lacquer treatments. Over the whole area lingered the sweet fragrance of linseed oil and tar.
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Long summer’s nights, warming both body and soul…

Cheryl Marie Cordeiro-Nilsson, Indiska patch-work dress, Emilio Pucci bag.

In an Indiska by Jade Jagger patch-work dress and Emilio Pucci bag.
Photo: JE Nilsson and C M Cordeiro-Nilsson © 2011

Luckily in Sweden, together with the long winter’s nights comes the equally long summer’s nights.

The Midnight Sun and the Nordic Light are recognized concepts that both refer to the long evenings that seamlessly transforms into almost sunlit nights, that after allowing for quick skinny-dips in the sea eventually develops into equally magical mornings where the birds contest each other in all manners of the word, telling their females that specifically his nest will be the one best suited for a family. You ponder at the meaning of life and the beauty of it all and you think these evenings are so ideally suited to be spent in the garden, talking to friends and philosophizing on things that are, that you can almost, but just barely, forgive the climate gods that created the winters of this place.
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Långedrag Värdshus at Talatta

Långedrag Värdshus

Beautiful dining even on a grey day…Långedrag Värdshus, Talattagatan, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Photo: C M Cordeiro-Nilsson © 2011

There’s something about lunch dining in the middle of a busy week at Långedrag Värdshus that puts a spring in your step regardless of the weather or the agenda for the day you have to deal with.

The location is one of the most significant in the history of the industrialized Gothenburg, being the location of the most famous of all pleasure sailing societies of the late 19th century where the rich burghers sought to gain some of the sun and fresh air that was not found inside of their dark, stale city offices.

The idyllic seaside location of the restaurant and the meandering drive from the city center of Gothenburg, out to the tip of land that connects land with the southern archipelago, literally relaxes both spirit and mind. Greeted by sea breeze on your cheeks as soon as you’re out of the car, the smell of the sea, warm coloured wooden panels of the building and billowing white and cream coloured chiffon curtains, for a brief hour or so, you’re transported to a Nordic Tiamo and can disconnect from your hectic day’s schedule. Here, you can mentally cast loose and set sail out in the open sea, trading in your daily chores towards the fierce competition of a sailing regatta of days gone by.
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The Biotech Center, Gothenburg, Sweden

Biotech Center, Gothenburg, Sweden, Green Lift.

View from the Green Lift of the Biotech Center, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Photo: C M Cordeiro-Nilsson and PO Larsson © 2011

The Biotech Center in Gothenburg was designed by Per Henrik Johansson at Liljewall Arkitekter ab as a part of the Sahlgrenska Science Park of the city. It is in fact one of my favourite modern buildings in the city of Gothenburg because this building, that houses mostly biotechnology and innovation companies, is to me the very concrete extension of innovative design and architecture.

Since its opening in 2004, it has become today, a star attraction to many of our visitors who come from abroad, of which its most interesting features are reflected in this article in Arkitektur 4:2004 (Pdf file 4.8Mb), in a journal on architecture that describes in greater detail, the Biotech Center project.
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Nordic Laksa

scand_laksa

Scand-Asian Laksa with Nordic shrimps, some generous chunks of tasty cold water North Sea cod, and a dash of white wine.
Photo: J E Nilsson and C M Cordeiro-Nilsson © 2011

I don’t know of anyone who’s ever visited Singapore for some time to have failed to try out the popular spicy noodle soup, Laksa, from the Peranakan culture. This richly spiced noodle soup, made with coconut cream has as its heritage, a merger of both the Chinese and Malay culinary cultures. Laksa is most popular prominently in Singapore, Malaysia (with Penang having their own variety) and to some extent, Indonesia. After living for a number of years in Sweden, I felt it natural to create a western Swedish version of the dish with the ingredients originating from this region.

Pictured here is my take on a Scand-Asian Laksa after a glance at Wendy Hutton’s recipe in Singapore Food (2007), but with Nordic shrimps, some generous chunks of the tasty cold water North Sea cod and a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice to offset the scorching heat of the chilli.

As a last consideration – a dash of white German Riesling.

Mazariner – The Swedish Almond Tarts

Swedish Almond Tart or Marzarin

In Sweden, you’ll recognize Mazariner as oval shaped tarts topped with a white icing glaze. A variation of it has raspberry jam either in the tart or on top of it.
Photo: J E Nilsson and C M Cordeiro-Nilsson © 2011

These Swedish Almond Tarts, called Mazariner (Mazarin for singular) are possibly 400 years old cousins and variations of the Italian crosata di mandorle or torta di mandorle. Their heritage is apparent in their etymology, named after the Italian-French cardinal and politician, Giulio Raimondo Mazzarino or Jules Mazarin (1602-1661). He was born in southern Italy and raised in Rome. Apart from suceeding the powerful Cardinal Richelieu, Cardinal Mazarin was a food lover who together with Anne of Austria (Queen of France, 1615), with whom he had good relations with, was one of the few Italians who widely promoted pasta throughout France. It’s thus little surprising that these almond tarts who have his name to it, found their way in variations across Europe, seeing that Cardinal Jules was Chief Minister of France at the time with numerous foreign relations.
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Dame Vivienne Westwood, Anglomania glitter…

Cheryl Marie Cordeiro-Nilsson, Vivienne Westwood, Celine.

As if caught in mid-sentence, trailing off in an idea… Dame Vivienne Westwood’s seemingly haphazardness in her designs…a thing thrown in, a loose fold swinging… is what draws me to her creations. She is one of my favourite designers that exude an anything goes attitude that conceals the meticulousness behind each creation.
Photo: J E Nilsson and C M Cordeiro-Nilsson © 2011

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The ham sandwich, generations down from Eliza Leslie’s

Ham and egg on whole wheat bread.

Easy lunch – a soft dark bread sandwich with fried smoked and salted ‘kassler’ ham, soft boiled eggs and caviar with homemade mayonnaise and a dill and mustard sauce.
Photo: J E Nilsson and C M Cordeiro-Nilsson © 2011

Sandwiches were never at the top of my list of wonderful things to eat, perhaps because I grew up in Singapore associating it with school excursions and picnic food. Sandwiches were packed and brought along wrapped in tin foil or placed in Tupperware only because you were going to eat on the school bus that day. What we’d end up with halfway through the scorching day-trip would be a cold and soggy thinginabox for lunch. Not too appetizing and certainly not something you’d voluntarily order on a plate, for any substantial meal.

Though notably English in etymology with the Earl of Sandwich giving a name to the concept of eating meat on top of bread and butter, it was the American culture that distinctly drew my focus on the sandwich as a meal per se. For example, I completely enjoy the segment on A Sandwich a Day in Serious Eats, looking forward to new pictures of sandwiches posted from different parts of the USA every other day. It’s never boring.
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While the Easter Witches were out…

Cheryl Marie Cordeiro-Nilsson, long weekend, Sweden.

A much appreciated long weekend in Sweden!
Photo: J E Nilsson and C M Cordeiro-Nilsson © 2011

With a caffè latte in hand, I couldn’t help but sit back, enjoy the weather today and observe with delight, plenty of Swedish children decked in their cutest Easter gear, as little Easter Witches. Several were daring enough to come trick or treating at the door with basket in hand, to which they were rewarded with some Italian made Easter chocolate eggs!
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