Old classmates

A month or so ago (at the same time as my old school was burned down actually) an old classmate from 1-9th grade found me on Facebook. For 9 years he was one of my best friends just living a block way. I still have a porcelain dove he gave me when I turned 10, somehow I just can't throw it way...

During junior high-school it was him, another boy, me and another girl and we were together all the time. Our parents laughed at us, but at the same time I pretty sure they felt happy that we stuck together like that – The gang of four.

The summer after 9th grader we all went to Gibraltar for three weeks to learn English. An amazing time and probably a bit of becoming of age summer, but also the last summer together before starting different schools all over town. We tried to meet from time to time, but a new school meant new friends and when you're 17-18 they are the world to you. When it was time for university we went in different directions over the country, and haven't really met after that. Maybe postcards and Christmas cards in the beginning, but time marches on... Until M found me on Facebook.

A week later A, the other boy, found me on Facebook and again it felt so very good to see him. He had found M as well, but we still haven't found T, the other girl. Her surname was quite unusual but she can of course have gotten married, which is quite likely. So if you're out there T, let us know. We are looking for you.

After reconnecting with M and A again I have also found several other classmates from 1-9th grade. It's good seeing them again, but when you have gone through "what are doing now" and "where do you live" we really don't have that much in common. Over 20 years do that to you, but when I look at their picture I don't see a 37 year-old man or woman. I see a 10 year-old boy or a 12 year-old girl in a happy go lucky world and that's the way I want to keep it. A sunny childhood where no one never grows old.

Quote of the day

I never think of the future ––– it comes soon enough.

~ Albert Einstein ~

December is here

And so was the sunshine and cold weather. It almost feels like the all the sunshine today was more than we got all of November.

The sunshine and being done with November really lifted my spirits and when I heard Chris Rea singing Driving home for Christmas on the radio I knew that it will be Christmas again.

Lights up

It's finally Advent and everywhere Advent and Christmas lights are up. Finally some light in this madness called November. Myself I had enough already on Thursday night and put up most of my lights. Then I just turned off the other lights and lamps in my flat and watched the Advent lights. Wonderful! I started eating gingerbread cookies on Thursday night as well and as usual I can't stop until the whole box is gone which is the case very soon... According to old Swedish folklore tradition though you will become nice eating gingerbread cookies so maybe it wasn't such bad idea after all to eat a whole box...

Another finally is that November ends tomorrow. My least favourite month of the year is finally over, and I have managed to get by without too many meltdowns due to the lack of daylight, and too much rain and wind. I'm sure December will be the same, but during December we all eat, drink and are merry and the month is over in no time.

Something fun

Something fun on a rainy and cold November night. Thanks Carolyn!

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this -- ever.

15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Damn it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

17. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

18. My 4-year old son asked me in the car the other day "Dad what would happen if you ran over a ninja?" How the hell do I respond to that?

19. I think the freezer deserves a light as well...

20. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lites than Kay.

Night at the museum

At some point I think we have all thought about how it would be to spend the night at the museum or in a big department store. To look at all those statues in the moon light or jump in the beds. Wouldn't that be fun?! And after seeing the the films Night at the museum you never know what might happen...

After reading RealDelia's post about spending the night at the British Museum I know I'm cured. That was spot on and exactly the reasons why I don't go camping or will spend the night at the museum.

*relative deprivation from creature comforts (e.g. bed, heating–those statues are cold!, shower, normal food)

*living in groups and listeningto/participating in other people’s personal rituals (e.g. sleep, eating,teeth-brushing)

*that curious modern creation that is the sleeping bag

So nice to know that I'm not alone and at the same time realize that we all enjoy different things. That is what makes us humans so special and unique.

Rainy Sunday

View from Musée Océanographique
Originally uploaded by cathy257

Or maybe I should say rainy November. Until November 18 Gothenburg had had 3,5 hours of sun in November. Friday was very nice for a couple of hours so maybe we are close to 8 hours of sun for the month now. No wonder people are tired and irritated. The days are short enough now and with all the rain that just keeps coming there is no daylight. Sigh!

So what to do? Last night I went through all my photos from Cote d'Azur this summer and just looking at them made me feel better. I could almost feel the sunshine, the warm winds and of course taste the food and wine. Makes me feel good now too, so here's a photo to keep that good feeling going.