Snow, At Last

It snowed! It snowed! We'll have a white Christmas after all!

Today I cut down pine branches in my Swedish military uniform from 1941.

Frost

I arrived to a bare, frosty north. Here I am trying out my woolly earmuffs. 

I have since lost them. I think they're in the car. 

Gloves are recommended.

Travel

On my way to London by train

where my friend Rachel Berry's parents came to get me. My budget flight to Sweden left at seven in the morning, which meant that I had to get up at three to catch the bus to Stansted, which would get me to the airport at five. But we've all been there, done that, amiright? What I really wanted to say with this picture is that the photos remind them of family, and the fake cockroach reminds them of home. Ah, Singapore. I understand the nostalgia. 

I was served a dinner of chicken, peas, and potatoes. I brought a box of After Eight for dessert, which Mr. and Mrs. Berry countered with a box of clementines. 

Finally arrived in Skellefteå, where my grandmother's sister Marine picked me up from the airport and treated me to a lunch of lasagna and greens. I spent a while on her sofa, enjoying the view. Marine told me they bought the television in 1983 and it's worked like a charm ever since. 

I wouldn't be anywhere without family and friends. 

Thanksgivingmas

Before I left for Sweden, my British housemates decided to have Christmas dinner. Actually it was a combination of a British Christmas roast and an American Thanksgiving. Growing up in an international school with American friends and teachers, I have always celebrated Thanksgiving. Most years my mother would make a Turkey dinner with all the fixings and invite our old Singaporean friends. I am very grateful for my international upbringing.

My red Christmas dress. This is the kitchen mirror. I don't fit when I stand too close. That's because it's meant for shorter people. I do enjoy being tall. When I was a teacher, it was great because I was always the tallest person in the room. 

There was roasted chicken, parsnips and carrots and smashed potatoes. I made the sweet potato pie.

After dinner, when we had all nicely settled into our Thanksgivingmas coma, we exchanged gifts. My housemate Rachel gave me this card.

I feel very loved.

Pinterest

I found this pin in a charity shop. It cost me four gold pieces. Henry IV, Part I is my favourite Shakespeare play. It probably should be something more ambitious--I should say Hamlet or Othello, something full of sound and fury--but in the words of that great sage Selena Gomez, "the heart wants what it wants."