Water, Water Everywhere

Hässelby Strand is a suburb to the west of Stockholm, about a 30-minute train ride from the city center. It’s not a luxurious place to live. Hässelby’s distinguishing features are tall, white apartment buildings, a train station, an awesome Thai takeout place, a few overpriced convenience stores, and two schools. 

But there’s natural beauty here for the observer who has the eyes to see it. Massive pines, graceful aspens, genial apple trees, and big slabs of granite adorn the terrain. Best of all, I can stroll downhill for about five minutes and end up by the water—Hässelby Strand means "Hässelby Beach."

Hässelby Strand in September.

I haven’t lived in many places yet, but wherever I end up, I’m drawn to water. Growing up in western NY, I was able to enjoy the Great Lakes, Niagara Falls, immense gorges formed by glaciers, and our own little Chautauqua Lake. In college, I visited the river in a nearby ravine whenever I needed to get away from my daily routine. While in Edinburgh, I was enticed by the rocky craigs, which overlooked the shimmering Firth of Forth. In San Francisco, I could walk ten blocks and have a face-to-face meeting with the Atlantic Ocean. Living in Honesdale, I often packed up a book, blanket, and picnic lunch and spent the afternoon at a nearby lake. 

Edinburgh, Scotland

Zoar Valley, NY

San Francisco, CA

Meadville, PA

Bodies of water make me feel calm and secure. I like the open space and reflective qualities of water. I like the range of sounds it makes. And I like that water can take on multiple forms.

Currently, the water near Hässelby happens to be in its most solid form. Over the past seven months, I've taken comfort in the steady seasonal changes of my little beach. I took a walk down to the water one bright Sunday afternoon and was surprised by how many people were out on the ice, enjoying the sunshine and the unique sensation of walking on open water. 

Lonely docks.

Family picnic on the ice.

Look at that blue sky!

Giving Thanks

I managed to consume two fantastic Thanksgiving dinners this week, despite living far away from the land of pumpkins, turkey, football, and Black Friday. I’m grateful for both “families” with whom I enjoyed an American Thanksgiving feast.

I am thankful that I’m heading to New York in less than a month. I can’t wait to see my family, my friends, and my perfect street with the glittering lampposts shining through the silently falling snow.

I am thankful that I live in a place that is within easy travel distance to lots of interesting places. This Friday, it’s London or bust!

I am thankful that the process of mixing and then heating butter, sugar, flour, and a few other ingredients can turn an average night into a cozy, warm, comforting evening.

I am thankful that my students may actually be learning something from me. Out of 150 students, about 90 of them earned perfect scores on their most recent quiz, in which I asked them to define words like “bias,” “column,” “plagiarism,” “source,” and “reliable.” Of course, I also have days when I wonder if they heard/understood anything I said during an entire lesson. So I hang on to these bright moments.

I am thankful for books such as The Thirteenth Tale that quickly and unexpectedly draw me into their plotline. (Thanks for the recommendation, Tiffany.)

I am thankful that hot water comes out of my shower (I am still a bit traumatized by the lack of hot water/electricity/internet in my apartment for my first few days in Stockholm).

I am thankful that my Monday and Wednesday evenings are spent with encouraging, uplifting, and insightful friends. And fika. Always fika.

And, of course, I am especially thankful for my mom, dad, and sister. Their love contributes to my sense of stability when everything else seems new and unknown.

Don’t worry, I will avoid being so sappy in future posts. Promise!