sweden on the brain

Seems Sweden has been on the brain a lot lately. For whatever reason, we have had a bunch of reminders lately. This morning it was the renewal on our computer virusware. Had to jump through a couple hoops to get the US version again, vs. the Swedish/European version.

Last week it was a cultural perspectives paper for my Pre-Prac class - comparing working with a client from Scandinavia (someone from a collective culture) and working with a client from the US (a fiercely individualized society). Interesting exercise. I feel like I almost understand the collective better after being out of Sweden for nearly a year. Funny thing is, it's hard for Swedes to identify the 'collective' mindset. It is what it is. And it is noble making life's opportunities accessible to everyone and then some. Stark contrast to our society over here in the US. Not fair to place a value judgment on it. I do think though that it's probably easier for someone to transition from a collective society to an individualized society vs. the other way around. At least that was my personal experience. Maybe I am just set in my ways.

We have also been able to unpack (finally) a good deal of long stored belongings in our new house, including many Swedish items or things that might remind us of Sweden. I finally hung the "ELLIOTT" tile name plate up we bought in Spain last year when visiting morfar & Tina before moving back to the US. We also hung up our ornamental flags from Sweden and Spain going up the stairwell to the boys' room. Great visual reminder.

This weekend is also "Walborg" weekend - the last remnants of winter are scared away with public bonfires and parties. Jake and I rode our bikes up to the one in Stavsnäs last year. It is the unofficial beginning of the summer season. And, there's a lot to celebrate this year after the '100 year' winter central and southern Sweden has had. Mormor had nearly 36" of snow for several weeks - almost unheard of in the Stockholm area. Remember our observation, "Sweden doesn't have snowdays"? This year they didn't close, but massive snow storms crippled the mass transit for a couple weeks, which, if you ride it as many Swedes do, probably prevented many from making it to work or school. Hard to imagine. Mon and the boys will join the local Swedish-American group at a Walborg celebration later on today if the weather cooperates. Been raining this morning.

We have lilacs to either side of our front stoop at the new place. Lilacs were all over around mormors. Ours happen to be a late blooming variety that are starting to smell really fragrant. Now if we can just keep the boys from climbing in them and breaking the branches.

Upon meeting with the family group in Sweden for the last time they gave us a couple gifts to take with. One was a metal plaque called a Väderstation 'weather station.' We are going to hang it on our shed once we paint it red and white like a Swedish stuga this summer.

Been kind of nice to be in this Swedish daydream.