A Canadian's Smorgasblog

Okay! It’s time for a fun game of catch-up! Thesis planning + busy schedule + increasing sunshine = no time for blogging. But I’ll do my best to let you know what I’ve been up to, in 12 pictures or less.

So! Where to start? With the holidays of course! Before everyone took off on their various (mis)adventures, we cooked a fabulous Christmas meal at the favourite Cafe Nyfiket. The ladies who own that place are incredible – they host our class for parties, Green Drinks events, and Swedish cooking lessons. Notice the Abba brand pickled herring? What would a Swedish meal be without it?

A few days later it was off to jolly old London town to visit my family. I finally got to meet the newest little Barrow sunshine beam: my cousin Aron and his wife Suhir’s 1-year-old daughter Ghinwa. We heralded in Christmas Eve with poetry. I picked up the family reins and performed (I thought) a beautifully rousing rendition of Robert Service's Shooting of Dan McGrew. Holla back Mum!

During my week there, my gorgeous cousin Molly took me out to a Lindy Hop extravaganza. Here she is busting a move with a friend. There was some hip, hep live music by Mike Sanchez and an even-liver surprise (to us) burlesque show! I’m no longer a burlesque virgin J It felt great to experience some real city culture – Molly is the queen of London hotspots.

Two highlights were the White Chapel art gallery for a Sophie Calle exhibition and the Victoria & Albert avec mon père to view some incredible ceramics - everything from 1,300-year-old turquoise-and-gilt Syrian urns to hyper-modern “Object” – a boy’s body with an ass-head. Delight. That’s the thing about London – it’s a montage of historical glory and contemporary identity; culture and colour and capitalism at its best. And it has got edge. Edge like a knife.

From there it was a short but still carbon-heavy flight to Stockholm. I met my roommate Maureen and her Canadian friend for three days of exploration waaaaaaay up north. Actually Stockholm is only halfway up the country, but it’s the furthest you can go without reindeer breathing in your ear. It would have been a fantastic time except for the narsty little Winter Flu I picked up. Let’s just say hostels are not well designed for propelling rapidly from bed to sink. Goodbye favourite red slippers L

But we did get to meet with the People People people. They were my people for the Strategic Management group project (running an ABCD analysis of sustainability impacts), and they were a blast to work with. We went to a VERY belated Hallowe’en party. Yes, I know. Swedes like to do things a little differently. But see the massive Christmas tree in the harbour? Stockholm may not be quite as diverse or as happening as London (and it’s definitely colder) – but it certainly has charm and character. And lots of Mickey Mouses in windows.

Following the holidays, there was a rash of parties with themes such as Honky Tonk and Witchy Woman (actually that last wasn’t a theme, more of a wardrobe choice). I think we were all going into group-withdrawal. Hmmm... what’s it going to be like when we actually say goodbye? Like, for real?

I have to say our class is TOUGH! Frozen buns? Never hurt anyone! Keep biking, kid! And a fantastic day of cross-country skiing was not to be outdone. Unfortunately my Nikon Elph camera has a goofy habit of turning negative whenever it gets cold (like some people I know, not mentioning any names), so my shots were limited to the rentals room. Just imagine tracks through crisp powder and red-robin faces.

So, as I get into the full swing of thesis period, looking back over a couple of weeks of fun and ease, I have to take a peaceful moment here and there to gaze at my wise Buddha and contemplate the joys of work and life. Whenever possible.