Lately (according to my phone)

Sometimes at night when we take a break from working/studying, we end up searching for apartments in Boston. Mostly to get a feel for the different neighborhoods, and what apartments in our price range look like. Bjarni can get subsumed in Google maps/Google Earth, and have to show me bike trails, playgrounds, distances from here to there and what not. Three minutes into the map explorations I'm lost, and start doing other things, like playing around with my phone and Instagram (pretending I'm still paying attention..). Although I'm not the most dedicated person to examine and prepare for a new place in that way, it's kind of crazy how one can prepare. We can for example find an apartment ad online with an address, go to Google street view and "walk down" the street to see how the surroundings look like in that particular area, although we are practically sitting on the other side of the world. Pretty neat, I think.

****

Today was proof-reading of Bjarni's dissertation and tending to a kid with fever. Again. She was put to bed tonight fever-free, so fingers crossed, it'll stay that way tonight and tomorrow.

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Cheers to New Adventures!

We have made up our minds, and are moving to Boston early next year! It was not an easy decision, but it feels so good now that it's settled. Uncertainty about where we would go to after Vienna has been a stress factor for about a year, giving way to questions like: where do we want to go, what are our individual goals and what are our family plans? And in the end it completely depended on where it was possible for us to (read: where Bjarni would get job offers). We were privileged to have several choices, which was great, but also difficult, as they had different advantages.

Finally we figured Harvard and Boston was an irresistible opportunity, and now we are excited for all that awaits. Hopefully our time in California will have a positive influence on our expectations and adjustment. I'm excited about all the stuff I miss from the US, and which I never expected I would return to.

This move should also be our second last. I know this might seem early to talk about at this point, but thinking further ahead has been part of the whole deciding process we have been through. While I admire those who can keep moving around, I know I am not capable of that in the long run, and it is not what I wish for my family. I need to settle down and be like "normal people". I still feel the US is too far from everyone dear to me back in Denmark to be the place we settle for good. Having said that I embrace this new adventure completely, and am excited to spend two years on the American East Coast.

Our big decision called for a proper celebration, which we did in the beginning of the week. Silja toasted in smoothie being utterly unaware of the changes that are going to happen and that she will end up talking like an Amerrricaan.

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Texas Treats

Crunchy old style peanut butter, armadillo magnet, baby laptop, and the best lip balm in

the world! Ah, it's good to have Bjarni back, and small souvenirs from far away places are

the best. I already ate way too many of those margarita taffies, but they are chewy and

dangerously good.

My week of solo parenting went much better than expected. Phew! Having said that though

I'm very happy Bjarni is now back. Things simply goes smoother with four rather than two hands.

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Wonders of Modern Technology

This week Bjarni is in Texas for a conference. And even though he is so far away (and we miss him!), it does sort of feel like he is just around the corner thanks to the wonders of modern technology.

Skyping:

(Silja is excited Bjarni is now in the computer. The computer is interesting enough in the first place, but to see someone she knows in there is ... wuahh..)

Texting:

B: I'm at Target. Do you want anything from here?

D: Listerine [mouthwash] with vanilla.

...

B: They don't have vanilla?!

D: Then nevermind. How about some Burt's Bees. A lip balm...

B: OK

(I think my wishes are quite modest considering all the good things one can get at Target! Come to think if it though, I do realize mouthwash of all things is a little strange...)

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Propaganda

Bjarni has for a while tried to convince me to be open to the possibility of moving back to the US/California after we are done in Vienna. He has lots of convincing arguments lined up, but I still stand firm on my wish to stay somewhere in Europe. Now, somehow, the weather forecast of Los Angeles has been added to my phone. And while I must admit that such a weather forecast looks incredibly tempting on a day, where it is snowing - again (#%$&!!), I still prefer central Europe over California.

(By the way - in case anybody is reading from the US - my choice of Europe over the US is solely connected to me wanting to live in proximity to my family back home. That's the super short argument to a rather complex discussion of ours trying to figure out where to live in the long run. Ayy.. If only one could have the best of both worlds...)

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A little bit of Boston

I went to Boston last week, and found some time to take pictures with my old phone. Despite the weather being rather boring most of the time, I was impressed by the city and it's history. It felt like a hybrid between some British town and an American city.

- Bjarni

The Junior Mints

When going home we usually stock up on Icelandic/Danish candy, which is later kept under somewhat strict rules of consumption. We sometimes bring stuff to friends to share whatever we have from home (and before we leave by the way, we will negotiate about giving away the Icelandic versus the Danish stuff, because ... it's precious stuff you know, and both of us are obviously quite protective about what comes from our home). :)

Anyways, last time we went to the US Bjarni bought some candy in the airport while waiting for our flight back - and among those things were a box of Junior Mints. Now if you know Seinfeld, you must remember the episode where Kramer accidentally drops a Junior Mint into the patient's body under a surgery (see the clip here). Our Junior Mints have been laying in a kitchen cabinet among the other goodies from afar, and have only been allowed to come out when we were watching Seinfeld. Now the box is sadly empty, but boy has that box been treasured!

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Signs of Diversity

Excuse me for my obsession with cultural diversity, but I just can't help it, and Los Angeles is fantastic in that matter. Pictures from Venice Beach, Korea Town, Thai Town in Hollywood and San Gabriel.

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Friends

In addition to all the old ones, we have made a new four-legged friend. I've never been much into cats, but the cuddling crazy Mao has made me reconsider.

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Stepping into an Old Pair of Shoes

We're here! In L.A. and it's G.R.E.A.T. To new readers I should probably mention that we left Los Angeles in June 2009 after three years studying and working here.

Coming back can best be described as stepping into an old and comfortable pair of shoes: Seeing familiar faces (even those you don't know personally), knowing your way around town as well as being familiar with social codes of communication make up a smooth navigation through daily activities. I guess recognizability is much more important in terms of feeling at ease in place than I have previously been aware of; and now comparing our level of "recognizability" here in LA with that of Vienna, it seems like we still have a good way to go in the land of Wienerschnitzel and Apfelstrudel. And besides, who knows maybe some places you naturally fit into more easily than others?

Alright, before I get lost in my own thoughts about resettling abroad, let me explain some of the things we have been up to after arriving. Anna, Bjarni's sister flew in from DC to spend a couple of days with us, Bjarni attended his committee meeting (which was the reason for coming back in the first place) and I was invited for a group baby-shower along with six other pregnant friends! (they're all due before me, and looked much more pregnant than me!).

It's so good to reunite with everybody again. We have the most generous friends in the world: Joyce and Kjong handed us their spare car, we have been provided with a vacant apartment and a US cell phone free of charge by other good friends, and last but not least a lot of baby presents have come our way. It's so sweet and I hope I can pass on the same kind of hospitality and generosity.

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Goodbye Snow -- Hello Sun!

We are flying back to LA on Sunday and are crazy excited to spend a little over two weeks in warmer temperatures among friends, taco stands, palm trees, and frozen yogurts. Will keep you posted...

Weather forecast: Vienna -- Los Angeles

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