Merry Christmas!

I've long neglected this blog, for which, I apologize to anyone who reads/follows it and to my friends and back in the States. Lately, I've been pretty terrible with keeping in touch and updating people in general. Blame it on my first year as a doctoral student, work, research, and social expectations.

Currently I hail from Sweden, where I'm spending my Christmas holidays. I will most likely be here for a combined total of 2-odd weeks before heading back to England. Getting off of a Skype-date with my family (mother and younger siblings), I feel oddly at ease with the fact that I'm thousands of miles away, celebrating Christmas my with distant Swedish relatives. Perhaps this new level of comfort is due to this Christmas being the fourth Christmas away from my immediate family members?

Whatever the case, I'm completely content and don't feel very homesick at all this year. In any case, I'd like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!!!!! I should go back to helping prepare the julbord (Christmas dinner basically), but I'll be sure to try to update you on my holiday travels!

Today's Random Picture:

I want to do this one Christmas!

Athletes dressed as Santa Claus jump on the Mediterranean sea as they take part in the Copa Nadal in the northern Spanish port of Barcelona, Spain Sunday, Dec 25, 2011. The Copa Nadal (Christmas Cup) is a traditional swimming competition that takes place in Barcelona every December 25th, where participants swim 200 meters in the open sea in the port of Barcelona. (AP Photo/Emiliio Morenatti)