We have been here for 3 weeks now. It is so strange to think back to our home in Jonkoping now. Back at my job and all the stress I was feeling right before we left. It all seems so far away. I guess that is what vacations are for! Get perspective and get rid of all that stress. I am looking forward to start back up again. My team will be starting on the 19th with me. It will be great to not be so alone!
We have done so much during our time in the US. We got lost with the blogging because we value our time with friends and family more. Spending time with them right in the moment was more important than posting blogs. And the computers were mostly preoccupied with taxes, ringtones, and youtube clips.
We traveled 16 hours over the ocean, 15 hours with train, 7 hours with car just to turn back again and travel all those hours the opposite way. That is close to 80 hours! We had snow, we had rain, we had fog and more fog. Temparatures in the -30’s all the way up to 40’s.
I got sick last weekend and been spending most of the last week indoors and sleeping. I think I still have a fever and I can’t really hear out of my right ear. I am not looking forward to the pressure changes in the airplane!
It was strange to come back to Minneapolis at first. We have adjusted to Swedish life and it was a bit of a culture shock to come to the US. It was strange to come back to a place were we lived for so many years, where everything is familiar yet it doesn’t feel like “home” anymore.
Yet we started right back up with our friends where we left. Spending time with Jonas and Shie. We are getting to know them in a different way now that we have been spending nights at their home.
Seeing Maxima and Blips was so much fun and having time with Irish. It was great to spend time with our church here. So even if Minneapolis doesn’t feel like home physically we feel right at home spiritually, mentally and in our hearts with all of you that will keep us coming back every year!
To all of our friends and family in the US, we say “until next time…”
Rachael said,
February 17, 2007 at 11:11 am
We had such a wonderful time with you guys here. It was so nice to have the whole family together…only a couple more months until we can do it again!
Good luck with your new job Mirjam!
Happy Birthday a day late Sam!
Love you!
Rachael
Filtersweep's wife said,
February 17, 2007 at 12:51 pm
It was interesting reading your comment about what it was like to return to Minneapolis. About it being so familiar, but yet it’s not home anymore. That is exactly how we felt the first time we returned after moving to Norway.
Shie said,
February 17, 2007 at 1:00 pm
We had so much fun hanging out with you both. The goodbyes last year didn’t seem real. I think this one was the saddest. The good news is we will see you in a few months.
P.S. A very cute pic of you, Mir!
Johanna said,
February 17, 2007 at 3:34 pm
Welcome back home loved sister and dear brother-in-law! Great sum up blog post! Naturally, a little sad in its tone. But keep in mind, those “goodbyes” where merely “see you soons”!
Wonderful pictures! Sam, you look so natural holding your little nephew! Mirjam, you look like a Hollywood star -as usual!
And Shie, what a beautiful picture of you! You look royal!
Have a safe trip home!
Love
Vic said,
February 18, 2007 at 11:38 am
Hanna och jag tittade just på bilderna här. Hannas kommentar på sista bilden: “Vad snygg Mirjam är. Snygging!”
maxima said,
February 18, 2007 at 11:52 am
Neither one of you look like you gained a pound! And I know there was alot of good food all along the way(except for the train of course)
Nice to get rid of the little stress that you had. I say ‘little’ because it is nothing compared to what you left behind. I am excited for your new position to begin. They are so lucky to have you.
Have a safe trip home and we will see you before the year is out!