Holidays

As you all know, J and I have been in the States since the 11th. We've been so busy running around I honestly have not had time to post. Since I have a short window this morning I decided I'd quickly keep you all up to date on our happenings.

We arrived in Ohio on the 11th, no problems with the 3 flights it always takes between home #1 and home #2. I got some sort of stomach bug that I think I picked up in Canada because I was sick for the first day and a half but it was nothing a little Pepto Bismol couldn't fix. We set off right away towards shopping and meeting up with friends, family, etc. On Thursday evening we were able to go downtown to the Ohio Theatre to see The Nutcracker, a ballet to the tune of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker. My grandma used to take my brother and I there just about every year when we were young. I wanted J to experience it. There were definitely changes to the ballet, like they do every year, but it was quite enjoyable.

This past Sunday we took a mini trip to Chicago and arrived back to Columbus then on Wednesday. I had to go to Chicago for a day for my interview in order to receive my residence permit for Sweden, but I didn't get to spend any actual time in the city. It was literally fly there, go to the interview downtown, and then take the L back to Midway and fly back to Columbus. This time, however, J and I stayed right downtown on Michigan Ave. at the Hard Rock Hotel. We had a splendid view.


We visited the Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, the Skydeck at Willis (Sears) Tower, and the Hancock Center's Observatory (our favorite view of the city, although it's shorter than Willis Tower). We also just strolled along a lot of downtown and also attempted to shop, which proved to be a failure as there were crowds and the prices were absolutely outrageous ($170 for a pair of Levi jeans?? Please!)


J's feet - this is the Willis Tower Skydeck where they have glass boxes you can step out onto and look down about 1500ft to the ground!


This is the view of the city from the Hancock Center at night, too bad the glass reflected the lights from inside. Still a beautiful view, though.


Chicago decorates the streets wonderfully for the holidays!


Panorama from the Shedd Aquarium/Field Museum area of the city.


View of some buildings from our hotel window. I love the tall rounded one. Sadly I don't know the name of that building.

One thing I did think was cool was how all of the buildings had names. I'm not sure if that's how it is here in Columbus, but it was neat to see!

We've been back and shopping and meeting up with friends and family again. This trip, as expected, is flying by. Before we know it we'll be back and celebrating New Year's with friends in Sweden.

It's wonderful to be back with family and friends for this time of year. Happy Holidays to everyone!

Snow!

The first snow of the year has come to Skövde! It's wonderful and enchanting! I was just outside on the balcony watching an old BMW run skidding and spinning (purposefully) on a quiet long, straight side street right outside our apartment.

How I'm going to miss our lovely views from this apartment. I really enjoyed the sunset view outside of our kitchen window earlier this afternoon.

But hooray for snow! It's so much more cheery and enchanting here with it. It also makes it feel so much more like December and Christmastime. I hope it's here to stay!

December already?

Is it really December already? Where did this year go?? I think the fact that tonight was the first time this fall/winter the roads actually iced over and were somewhat dangerous goes to show how I haven't really noticed how late into the year it is! Last year at this time we were buried in snow!

As it's getting late and J and I are extremely exhausted, this post won't be too long at all. I did indeed end up making another miniature version of Thanksgiving dinner for J and I last Sunday. It was tasty, and I made yet another pumpkin pie. This time it lasted all week between the two of us ;-)

What a weekend! Yesterday we didn't do too incredibly much. I went shopping with a friend from SFI and bought some new winter boots since my old ones from last year have actually been letting in rain water (oh Skopunkten, your shoes are cheap and comfortable but not the best quality!). In the evening J and I went to the same friend's house for some tacos/taco pie heaven, as well as to socialize with some more old SFI pals. We ended the night somewhat early, coming home at 10:30.

Why would we end a night with good friends at 10:30? Well, this morning we had to get up at 7:30 in order to get ready and drive to Gothenburg to meet up with a landlord and J's cousin to see J's cousin's apartment. He and his girlfriend are moving in together, and thus J's cousin's apartment is opening up at the end of February. It's definitely a downsize from our 3:a (2 bedroom), only a 2 rum o kök (or 1 bedroom apartment). Our apartment now is around 73 sq. meters, and this one in Gothenburg is 50 sq. meters. To make a long story short, we are moving to Gothenburg in the end of February! Hooray! It's so great to chance upon a first hand contract in Gothenburg. It's a very tough housing market there! On one hand I'm sad to be leaving my friends I have here in Skövde and the life I've been building. But on the other hand I'm excited for the opportunities in Gothenburg, not to mention the buzzing life of a city!

We came back into town by 2:30, and the day didn't stop there. We went shopping for some suitcases, a new printer, and then some dinner with J's parents. Then it was time to grocery shop as we were in desperate need of food for the week. We leave to Gothenburg again on Saturday, only to fly out from Landvetter very, very early Sunday morning to the US! I can't wait for this week to be over. It will be wonderful to be home again!

So I guess life is exciting and looking upward here in Sweden. I would love for some snow to be on the ground when J and I return from the US in a couple of weeks! =)