Things I look forward to the most

There are so many things that I am excited about right now. This time of the year is filled with anticipation, and even though Spring is still months away, feeling the first signs of it always makes me feel pirrigt*. Here’s a list of things I am really looking forward to.

The other day I said to Graeme that it felt like Spring. He laughed and said he doesn’t understand how I can say that when it’s -10 degrees outside. But I do feel it! The days are slowly getting longer, and it’s still bright outside when I go to get Moa from daycare. Despite the snow, you can hear the spring birds singing, a clear sign of warmer days coming.

But there’s one clear sign of Spring that I really look forward to: sopade gator, which literally translates to swept streets. It means that the gravel they put on the ice and snow to prevent people from slipping has finally been cleared away, and you can walk on clean streets. My favorite spring sign.

Another thing I’m eagerly anticipating is celebrating my birthday. I turn 34 on February 7th, and this year we have decided to go on a weekend trip to Gothenburg. Gothenburg is a place really close to my heart, so I’m really excited to spend a couple of days with my little family there.

But there is one trip I have been planning for more than a year, and it’s coming up in March. I can’t believe it’s almost here, I am so excited about it. This year, my dad is turning 60. For his birthday and as a Christmas gift, I gave him a trip to New York just for him and me. I cannot put into words how excited I am to spend some days with him, sitting for hours on a plane chatting, reading, and watching movies; doing all the touristy things; eating good food, and showing him a city he has never been to. I gave him this surprise on Christmas day, and it was such a beautiful moment. There were two presents for him under the tree: one was a box that contained an apple, a dollar, and a rhyme I read to him (while “New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra played in the background), and the second box contained a little book I made with our itinerary and information about the trip. He was so emotional, and it has been very exciting to talk together about the things that we will do there. I literally cannot wait; I feel butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it.

Another thing I look forward to is being able to wear ballerinas and dresses again. I’m so done with big boots and jackets; I need to take out my trench coat and ballerinas now! The same goes for Moa; I can’t wait to dress her in a cotton dress and some sneakers and go out without having to spend fifteen minutes putting clothes on.

I love Easter. Last year we spent our Easter holidays (påsk) in Gotland, and it was a trip that we will always remember very fondly. So much so that we have decided to make it a yearly tradition, so this year we will go to Gotland again; it’s one of my favorite places on earth.

Oh and outdoor seating! Please let’s not forget how wonderful it is to sit outside and have a cup of coffee, an ice-cream or a glass of wine in the sun.

I am so excited about this summer as well, watching Moa enjoy the sea and the swimming pool at my parents’ house again, eating ice cream and playing at the beach. To meet Graeme’s parents there and gather all the grandparents like we do every year. I feel so fortunate that this has become a summer tradition.

It’s been snowing the whole time I’ve been writing this, but it does not matter. As all these things draw near, the sense of anticipation continues to build, and that plays such an important part, as much as the experience itself. What things are you most looking forward to?

* I love this Swedish adjective, the direct translation is “excited,” but the type of excitement you feel all over your body.

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