Will and I

“I will get physically sick if I spend too much time in down situations. I was in Sweden once in the winter time when it’s dark. I got physically sick. And it’s hugely important for me to be like (claps his hands loudly) “Come on, let’s get going!” I’m faster, I’m better, I can be funnier. It’s better for my body, for my sanity, for my family, for my life, if people are having fun. My skin is better.”

I first read about this quote by Will Smith in a Swedish newspaper. The headlines were “Will Smith hates Sweden”. Then I read the full quote in Katie’s blog and decided that those headlines are excellent proof of what the Swedish winter actually does to people.

Of course it doesn’t hurt that I absolutely adore the man behind the words, but as someone who has lived through 28½ Swedish winters (at least I tell myself that we’re halfway through this one) I can tell you that Will is spot on.

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I am so tired. Work has been crazy this week, but now I get to enjoy 11 days of Christmas vacation. I really need this time off, I haven’t had a chance to relax since – well, since I started working 7 months and 3 weeks ago.

It’s been 7 months and 3 weeks since we left Italy. Our next trip is 6 months and 27 days away. I think… yes, I think I’m going to buy our outgoing flight tickets now. It’s been a while since I saved any money for the trip – I’ve been busy buying a new cell phone and a new car for crying out loud – but I think it’s time now. I know that there is a chance that the rates will get lower if I wait, but then again they might go the other way instead. In fact, I think I’ll go buy those tickets now, the tickets that will take me and Alexander to Pisa.

Italy is calling on me now, I can feel it in every little piece of me. I’ve been to busy, I’ve lost focus, but Italy won’t let me forget.

…è quasi Natale e tu non ci sei più
E mi manchi amore mio
tu mi manchi come quando cerco Dio
e in assenza di te
io ti vorrei per dirti che
tu mi manchi amore mio
il dolore è forte come un lungo addio
e l’assenza di te
è un vuoto dentro me

Tomorrow night will be the longest night of the year. After that, things can only get better.

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ETA: L’ho fatto! Ho comprato i biglietti! I did it, I bought the tickets! It feels different than last time… not as frightening, not as overwhelming or exciting, but more familiar, safe, warm, right. I’m not going away, I’m going home, and there’s nothing strange or frightening about it at all.

ETA 2: While I was at it, I bought the return tickets as well. We’re flying to Pisa on July 17, and back to Sweden from Rome on August 3. Now we just need a place to sleep for a night in Rome, train tickets and a suitcase. Then we’re all set to go.