It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

A lit tree in the snow in town

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Everywhere you go. Not only has it been snowing for about the past week, but there are lights up all around town! I found this tree lit in an apartment complex on my way home yesterday.
Along with Christmas comes buying gifts for all the important people in your life. Let me just say, being over sees the number of people I have bought for has multiplied. Not only do you have your real family and friends back home to purchase presents for, but also your host family and new friends you have made in your host country. Last week I finished up purchasing everything for my real family and sent it all away. I hope it arrives home in time!

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School

Swedish Textbook

This is what i do in school. I learn how to speak Swedish in math class. It is a productive use of my time... I think.... I hope....

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Sankta Lucia

Yesterday was Saint Lucia Day (Saint Lucy Day) in Sweden. It is one of few saint days that are celebrated in Sweden. I woke up at 6 am to go to a Lucia Concert in the Västerås Cathedral. One of my best friends Jacqui was Saint Lucia for the concert. The concert was beautiful with traditional Swedish Christmas and Lucia songs.

Jacqui (center) as Lucia

Above is a video of last years Lucia concert on Swedish TV 1.
Lucia is very special, and something uniquely Swedish.

Earlier this week on Sunday I attended another Lucia concert in Stockholm at Globen. It was really fantastic. There was a 1200 person Lucia train, which was absolutely stunning.

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Snowing in Västerås / Snöar i Västerås

A house across the street in between snows.

Today I woke up to it snowing once again! It was a pretty sight none the less! The worst part of the snow is having to walk to school in the snow. No longer can I ride my bike to school which takes much less time. Now I have two options: to walk all the way or to ride the bus. This morning I took the bus to school. I took a video while it was snowing this morning! It is below!

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ITS SNOWING

I am what I would like to call "snowmotional"! It is so beautiful outside with the largest snowflakes I have ever seen falling. The ground is covered in a nice blanket. In the smart words of Wilhelmina Slater: "Snow is a magical blanket, it hides what's ugly and makes everything beautiful". I am just so happy right now, I have been brought to tears. It is soo beautiful. Pictures to come tomorrow! :D

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