It's been almost four months since I last posted something here and I'm sorry it took so long. I came back to Sweden September 24th, thirteen months after I left, and it may sound silly but I haven't really had time to write here until now. The first few weeks I spent a lot of time with my family and boyfriend, at the same time as I was trying to get back into the Swedish society. It went better than expected, haha. Two weeks after I came home I started working as a substitute teacher at kindergartens in my home town. I really enjoy it and I prefer working with many kids instead of just two, like I did when I was an au pair. I think I may have found my future occupation and that feels good. 

 

Overall I'm really happy to be home, "Where everybody knows your name" like they sing in Cheers. I meet people I know when I'm in the grocery store, at the gym or out walking. I know every road like it's the back of my pocket and it's such a comforting feeling to know where you belong. I like experiencing the same familiar weather and our seasons, even though Swedish weather never makes sense. It's the middle of December but at the end of last week it felt more like summer than winter. But right now it's snowing, so who knows how it's gonna be at Christmas?

 

 

Finally being able to enjoy Swedish food every day is heaven. I eat soured milk for breakfast every day and a lot of days also for supper, just because I can. I feel so happy when I see the kids at work eating good, healthy meals and not hesitating to try new veggies. I also appreciate Swedish culture more than I did before. Tonight I was in church looking at the Lucia coronation. Four years ago I was part of the Lucia procession in Tibro and the 13th of December we visited a lot of places in my home town and sang Lucia songs. Last year I tried to have my own Lucia procession with my youngest host kid but it was hardly the same thing. We celebrate Lucia to shed some light in the darkness and trust me, we need it this time of the year. The sun rises around 8.30 am and sets at 3 pm, something I'm still not quite used to. Despite the fact, I couldn't be happier to be home in beautiful Sweden and to be near my boyfriend again is of course the most valuable thing.