Sometimes you have to stop and take stock. Not because something huge or life altering has occurred, but because you suddenly find yourself wondering how you ended up where you did.
Last week I found myself sipping beer in Stockholm, looking out over the water towards the ships due to take part in the ÅF Sail Race, as a guest at the hosts' opening night party. The music was loud and this meant that my understanding of the conversations around me was limited at best. I gave up, and took some time to think instead.
The governmental language classes are a little rushed, but through various courses either paid by the university or through the local kommun, I've managed to get through the Swedish for Immigrants course with a B. Apparently I now understand Swedish grammar and vocabulary to a decent enough level to begin studying it at high school level - which means reading literature, writing essays and discussing contemporary affairs. Fun, but something for after the summer perhaps.
As usual, the summer is dominated by two conferences, one in early July and one in late August. I'm quite looking forward to both, and I'm presenting papers in each. In between those I will be returning to my gorgeous, if unfinished, flat, my own little haven of sunshine right now. After 6 months living here I finally got around to having a housewarming party and my dear colleagues clubbed together to get me in IKEA gift card, which I will be using after the expenses of the summer.
Oh free time, how should I use you? Once the teaching is over, the grades are awarded and the pole dancing has been completed (Midsommar, dancing as frogs and 100% clothed), I'm left with one paper with a deadline, which was two days ago and met quite happily, and two more papers, due in July and September. I should of course use this time to review the data I've collected in my research, catch up on transcribing and get writing those passages my supervisors are so keen to see generated. In August I will be halfway through my PhD and so really should be halfway to the thesis.
Part of the summer will be spent in Iceland, where I will extend my stay after the conference and be joined by the boyfriend for a few days of adventure. But should I go to the summer cottage? Spend some time in the countryside or travel to Manchester?
Perhaps I should spend the time working on my Swedish or experimenting with art or baking? Maybe I should work on my bike and take day tours around in the sunshine?
Because that is the latest news... my summers are no longer blighted by Actinic Folliculitis... oh no. I can frolic in the sunshine and emerge relatively unscathed, with barely a handful of spots on my face. I would like to say that it's the first case of the condition being cured, but I will not hold my breath.
So to take stock. Am I in a better place than I was a year ago? Two? Yes, I would say so. I am happier, more relaxed. I am surrounded by a wide variety of people and although I wish for closer friendships and a better developed social life here, those things will come. In the meantime, onwards, to cookies.
Last week I found myself sipping beer in Stockholm, looking out over the water towards the ships due to take part in the ÅF Sail Race, as a guest at the hosts' opening night party. The music was loud and this meant that my understanding of the conversations around me was limited at best. I gave up, and took some time to think instead.
The governmental language classes are a little rushed, but through various courses either paid by the university or through the local kommun, I've managed to get through the Swedish for Immigrants course with a B. Apparently I now understand Swedish grammar and vocabulary to a decent enough level to begin studying it at high school level - which means reading literature, writing essays and discussing contemporary affairs. Fun, but something for after the summer perhaps.
As usual, the summer is dominated by two conferences, one in early July and one in late August. I'm quite looking forward to both, and I'm presenting papers in each. In between those I will be returning to my gorgeous, if unfinished, flat, my own little haven of sunshine right now. After 6 months living here I finally got around to having a housewarming party and my dear colleagues clubbed together to get me in IKEA gift card, which I will be using after the expenses of the summer.
Oh free time, how should I use you? Once the teaching is over, the grades are awarded and the pole dancing has been completed (Midsommar, dancing as frogs and 100% clothed), I'm left with one paper with a deadline, which was two days ago and met quite happily, and two more papers, due in July and September. I should of course use this time to review the data I've collected in my research, catch up on transcribing and get writing those passages my supervisors are so keen to see generated. In August I will be halfway through my PhD and so really should be halfway to the thesis.
Part of the summer will be spent in Iceland, where I will extend my stay after the conference and be joined by the boyfriend for a few days of adventure. But should I go to the summer cottage? Spend some time in the countryside or travel to Manchester?
Perhaps I should spend the time working on my Swedish or experimenting with art or baking? Maybe I should work on my bike and take day tours around in the sunshine?
Because that is the latest news... my summers are no longer blighted by Actinic Folliculitis... oh no. I can frolic in the sunshine and emerge relatively unscathed, with barely a handful of spots on my face. I would like to say that it's the first case of the condition being cured, but I will not hold my breath.
So to take stock. Am I in a better place than I was a year ago? Two? Yes, I would say so. I am happier, more relaxed. I am surrounded by a wide variety of people and although I wish for closer friendships and a better developed social life here, those things will come. In the meantime, onwards, to cookies.
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