Monday, December 30, 2013
December
There has been so much going on this month that I have become a bad blogger. So for now I'm going to do a little summary and post pictures later!
December has been dark, gray, and rainy--but we did have our first snow, so that was a nice reprieve. In mid-December, I attended a choir for St. Lucia day and baked and ate various versions of saffransbullar as tradition requires. I loved making the apartment Christmasy, with silly decorations and candles--but when you are living with only six hours of "sunlight," it's important to make your home cheery and bright. On December 23rd, my mom flew from California to Copenhagen, where I picked her up. We had a super fun trip and lots of little adventures, including a Belgian themed Christmas Day dinner. But I can't believe I forgot to buy Belgian beer! I did successfully roast a duck for the first time though.
Now December is almost over and it's a bit crazy to look back and think about all that has happened. I am loving being in Sweden but am so looking forward to seeing my family in California in February!
December has been dark, gray, and rainy--but we did have our first snow, so that was a nice reprieve. In mid-December, I attended a choir for St. Lucia day and baked and ate various versions of saffransbullar as tradition requires. I loved making the apartment Christmasy, with silly decorations and candles--but when you are living with only six hours of "sunlight," it's important to make your home cheery and bright. On December 23rd, my mom flew from California to Copenhagen, where I picked her up. We had a super fun trip and lots of little adventures, including a Belgian themed Christmas Day dinner. But I can't believe I forgot to buy Belgian beer! I did successfully roast a duck for the first time though.
Now December is almost over and it's a bit crazy to look back and think about all that has happened. I am loving being in Sweden but am so looking forward to seeing my family in California in February!
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Thanksgiving 2013
On Saturday, Johanna and I hosted Thanksgiving. After weeks of planning and organization, the day finally came for all 22 of us to come together for the feast.
Prepping the night before at Johanna and Anton's place...
Prepping the night before at Johanna and Anton's place...
We made three pies!
Pumpkin pie made from a pumpkin that I roasted and pureed myself
Getting ready to eat hunted wild boar from Johanna's parents cooked pulled pork style
Getting ready the morning of at 8am...
Aila wants to help too!
Before the roasting began!
Anton taking it easy before the craziness began
Anders was the most intense potato masher I have ever seen
The feast!
We had two 10lb turkeys, amazing homemade gravy, vegetarian gravy, two versions of sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, fresh rolls, cranberry sauce, stuffing, brussels sprouts with pomegranates, lingonberry sauce, a vegetarian alternative, a broccoli side dish, and apple pies, pumpkin pies, pumpkin bread, and a pineapple tart. 99% of everything was homemade and absolutely delicious.
Mine and Alex's first time carving turkey. Not bad!
Me and Min
The damage
Sunday, November 24, 2013
November in Lund
This week has been a busy one for both work and play.
On Monday I spent a full day at the office doing some research for Crystal Clear Communication, which was both challenging and satisfying. Surprisingly I found that I kind of miss the structure of an office! But I also enjoyed having the freedom to complete my projects for Joanna, the owner, while at home later in the week in comfy pants.
I also spent a lot of time last week devoted to Demola and expanding on our schemes for how to finance the company's efforts. I feel like we are making real progress and so does Per, the co-found of the company and our liaison. He says he feels like there's, "something in the air..."
Even though I was putting in a lot of effort with work and school, I found time to have a lot of fun. On Thursday, I met up with Kate, Min, and Alisa for some lunch at Hemma Hos Greken. Kate and I nearly broke the poorly designed bench we were sitting on and spent the rest of lunch trying to be as still as statues.
The weather has been pretty cold and gloomy here in Lund so it was great to have a nice sunny day today. Alex and I took advantage of it by taking a walk through Stadsparken and having a late lunch at St. Jakobs. I have to take advantage of the sun while I can because the sun goes down at 4pm!
Tonight I'm prepping for a busy week ahead, that is hopefully filled with just as much fun and challenges as the last one.
On Monday I spent a full day at the office doing some research for Crystal Clear Communication, which was both challenging and satisfying. Surprisingly I found that I kind of miss the structure of an office! But I also enjoyed having the freedom to complete my projects for Joanna, the owner, while at home later in the week in comfy pants.
I also spent a lot of time last week devoted to Demola and expanding on our schemes for how to finance the company's efforts. I feel like we are making real progress and so does Per, the co-found of the company and our liaison. He says he feels like there's, "something in the air..."
Even though I was putting in a lot of effort with work and school, I found time to have a lot of fun. On Thursday, I met up with Kate, Min, and Alisa for some lunch at Hemma Hos Greken. Kate and I nearly broke the poorly designed bench we were sitting on and spent the rest of lunch trying to be as still as statues.
Just act natural...
Later that night Alex and I met up with our friend Meghan and enjoyed some beer and cider at a local bar where a Swedish band was playing Irish music.
Lund is getting totally into the Christmas spirit, but since Thanksgiving hasn't even happened yet I am trying to control myself from getting too excited. So to just get a little taste of Christmas, Alex and I walked through Lund central on Saturday and looked at Christmas decorations, advent calendars, and got some inspiration for stocking stuffers. Once Thanksgiving passes, I will let myself get into the Christmas spirit!
Tonight I'm prepping for a busy week ahead, that is hopefully filled with just as much fun and challenges as the last one.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Demola: Emerging Cooking Solutions
Here's a video about what me and my Demola team have been working on. Check it out here!
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Working Girl
It has been over a year since I last worked in an actual office, and my full-speed work day yesterday for Crystal Clear Communications was somewhat of a shock to my system.
Two minutes after getting home
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Pizzeria Davidshall
Saturday night, me, Alex, Alisa, and Kate went to Pizzeria Davidshall in Malmö. It has amazing pizza and Greek food and the guy who owns it is quite a character. After a super deicious dinner he gave all of us lollipops, but said that Kate maybe didn't deserve one since she didn't finish all of her food.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Malmö Fotbollförening
Me and Alex at my first "football" game
Just part of the crowd of almost 24,000
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Monday, October 28, 2013
Fall, Fall, Fall...
After a beautiful start to Fall, Lund is having 35-60mph winds today! Yikes!
Picture taken by Alex yesterday at Clemenstorget
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Work and Play
Gunnhild getting cozy knitting after our American pancake breakfast.
Fia giggles as Aila snuggles up a tad awkwardly to Gunnhild.
Some shots from today's brainstorming session...
Finalizing the project timeline...
Productive meetings, especially one that start at 8am, require lots of coffee and tea!
Sunday, October 13, 2013
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