Keeping the Swedish Dream Alive

As I finish my last year of my undergraduate school in the US, I am going to try hard to keep my Swedish Dream alive. I plan to incorporate bits of Swedish culture into my everyday life and will post about it here. 

It's been 2 weeks back on campus and I am realizing how much I miss the Swedish way of socializing. I miss the formal dinner parties, nights of singing and drinking and just having fun. I miss the student run pubs and clubs. 

Here's a glimpse into the past weekend- Swedish style. 

Biking in dresses with flowers in our hair and buckets of cookies!

I am so lucky to have such a great housemate and best friend who feels much the same about the social scene here. Together we decided that we are going to host formal dinner gatherings throughout the semester for our closest friends. Our evenings will be full of great company, delicious food, good music and great fun!

Back

I have been back from Sweden for several months and had a great time in Ithaca this summer.

But now summer has come to an end and I am back at Dickinson for my final year. 

After spending the weekend moving into our new place, my best friend and roommate, Lauren and I decided to have an impromptu christening of our apartment last night. We invited a couple friends over for  homemade pizza and roasted tomato garlic soup as well as home brewed kombucha and Peach Wine. It was such a fun way to send a Tuesday evening. 

Lauren

Megan and Daniel

Pizza's (counter clockwise from the top)- Pesto, Zucchini and Yellow Tomato, Spinach and Tomato, Caramelized Onions and Beets with Goat Cheese. 

We ended the evening with Leo's Ice Cream and homework :)

3:30am

Sometimes being woken up at 3:30 in the morning by noisy neighbors has its perks.

Fire in the sky. 

The sunrises over the city.

WeCycle

 In Sweden we ride bikes. 

Rain or Shine.

Snow or Sleet.

 

Two on a bike.

An extremely common sight to see.

Walking your dog while riding.

Bike traffic.

Picnic in the park.

More bikes than cars at the grocery store.

The bikes outside my building.

Outside of the train station

its impossible to find a spot!

Oh and even the mailman rides a bike!

The Swedish Way...

Leather Neck Pouch

White Converse High Tops and Tight, Cuffed Shorts

Suspenders and Sweaters

Walking or Cycling.

Even in a Dress.

Sitting outside even if its raining

That time of year...

That time has come,

A time I have been denying,

Never fully admitting to myself that this day would come.

Packing

emptying my room

It officially all fits!

I am sad to leave this place I have called home for the past 10 months. A place I love so much. A place full of beauty and wonder. A place where I have learned so much about myself and the world around me. A place I have made memories I will carry with me always. A place where I have grown as a person. A place I have made friendships that will last forever.

This is all part of life, we move, we learn, we grow and then we must move on to experience new things, meet new people and continue to learn and grow. As my girl Pocahontas says life, like a river is "always changing always flowing."

Fika

Princesstårta