millimita

Holidays are over... (12th January 2009 in the air above *looking at screen* a frozen North Canada)

So, back to work again. The boat's still in San Diego, where I left it just before Xmas. Holidays at home have been as usual, pretty stressful with all the stuff I needed to do, all the family and friends I wanted to spend time with. Didn't manage to do everything this time either. But I don't think I'll ever succeed with that. Mais ce n'est pas grave. Most things in life are about compromising and doing what one can.

First weekend I went to see my sister Philippa's new house together with Mom. A couple of hours' drive from Stockholm makes it a bit cumbersome to go visit, and there's a lot of renovating going on, but also a lot of potential and I think it'll be very nice once it's done.

Christmas eve we celebrated in my sister Johanna's house. As tradition has it; lots and lots of marvellous food, that of course you have to stuff yourself with almost to overflowing. Yes, I know; I'm somewhat addicted to food (first thing I bought Friday morning was liver pâté and soured milk) , but we all have to have some small addictions, right?;)

Kids got a lot of presents; among other things a Nintendo Ds Lite each from me. I can't remember at what age I got my Nintendo (NES), but I know it was something I really loved. I thought they're probably still a bit young for Super Mario, but that's a classic that they'll have to have sooner or later. Something you just _have_ to have if you've got video games. Part of the cultural up-bringing=)

New Year I spent with my dear friends Bäver and Ellda. This time around I got to spend quite some time with them; very happy about that. New Year we were chilling at a friend's place, starting the new year by playing Munchkin (pirate version). I won- wohoo! Never been much for partying - prefer being social at someone's home to going out trying to talk in a too loud bar/disco looking at drunk people.

Managed, after about a week and a half of hassle, to finally figure out how to install my new external network HD. It was sooo much easier when we figured our where to plug it in. It's kind of working now. Some small kinks I'm going to try and iron out next time I'm home. Couldn't be bothered to try and puzzle out some time for that this time.

Went with my nieces to the Royal Court's Stable one day to see them ride. I somehow managed to find myself up on the horse, trotting without stirrups. Haven't been on a horse for about three or so years. Sheesh I had some sore muscles the day after that=)

Thursday night James, and Chris -who I haven't seen for what, two years now- came up to spend the weekend with me in Stockholm. I'm so happy they could come. They're much fun; sometimes like a couple of big boys just tumbling around, and just constantly lovely. Haven't been teased in French in a while. Actually, when I think about it; it's mostly at work I get teased. Not too many of my Swedish friends tease me =s.

So my poor brain suddenly had to switch back and forth between Swedish, English, and French. I absolutely love to speak French, and English is more or less automatic by now, but mix trying to sort out whom you're speaking what to, with quite some lack of sleep, and that's a mix that'll be sure to get you confused. But, boy was I pleased to run around town with a couple of handsome, charming Frenchmen in my arms...

Friday we went shopping, I took them to a pre-party at a friend's place and then we went to see what kind of party Tech Noir was. I must admit that lately I've taken a liking to that kind of music. I haven't had the opportunity to dance to it too much (this was the first time) but definitively think it's much better than trance or "dance music". Some of the clothes in there were... interesting. Others were cool and some just plain strange. Got to spend a little time with some other friends there as well.

Saturday I showed them around Karlberg Castle a bit; kind of have to, seeing as I've been a student there myself=) We also went to see the Wasa Museum. At night we had a good dinner and visited the Stockholm Ice Bar. Went down to Söder (South) and found a shopping mall that had been turned into a bar for the night. Pretty cool, actually, and packed with people.

Sunday we had a lazy day. I made Falukorv (big Swedish sausage) in the oven with boiled potatoes, and Skagenröra toast for entrée. I've made them taste a few different kinds of Swedish food; soured milk (kind of like a sour yoghurt), semlor (cream bun with almond paste, traditionally eaten around Lent), and, my favourite candy; salty liquorice skulls. Poor Chris trusted me (or was too tired to think) and just opened his mouth so I could pop one in as we were playing cards Sunday night with my flatmate Mimmi. P r i c e l e s s. I had cramps in my stomach. The tears were pouring from my eyes as I tried to breathe enough not to faint, curled in a little ball on the floor as I was, desperately gasping for air. _That's_ ROTFLMAO (Rolling On The Floor Laughing My Arse Off). Poor Chris. His eyes popped and he tried and tried (pretty impressed by that, actually, he's the who's had it in the longest so far) and tried but finally he gave up. The skulls are a bit... harsh.... when you're not used to them. But well done by him. *pleased, slightly evil little laugh* He did promise some kind of retribution next time I'm down in Southern France. Will be interesting to see what he comes up with=)

So. Holiday over. Had a very good ending, you really see your city with new eyes when you guide tourists around. Spent some precious time with my friends and family. Didn't have time to see all, though, and some I just didn't have the energy to chase down. Maybe next time. Or whenever I grow up and move back home. We'll see.