Notes from the Sub-Basement of Mars

Yeah, so.
Sorry about this.
This was supposed to be a journal following our journey from Texas to Sweden. I have about a dozen entries detailing the adventure just waiting to be published, but every time I proofread them, it all just sounded so whiny. It’s as though I begrudge this entire time, and while there have been many frustrations along the way, we’re doing well. I kept using the expression “hurry up and wait,” which in hindsight doesn’t feel good, nor does it justly sum up our experiences in the last few months.

But we’re here!
We landed mid-December, and I immediately ended up in the hospital. I’d had surgery in November, and between that and the stress of moving and travel, my body couldn’t keep up. I was released after only a couple of days, and felt immediately better.

My cousin and her husband lent us a small cabin in the forest. It’s small – about as small as the cabin Dormouse was renting when we started seeing each other. But there’s plenty living space, and enough kitchen space that I can cook for us.

Because we’re still waiting for our personnummer, we’re still blocked off from a lot of stuff. Getting a phone number is difficult, but buying a car or house both require a bank account, which of course requires a PN. I’ve been able to get around without it, mastering public transportation and occasionally renting a car when needed.

So that’s the boring update stuff.

I’ve been making an effort to take more photos recently. I had a streak where I didn’t like how any of the photos I took turned out, so my camera sat in the corner, collecting dust. Making the effort to at least bring it with me has made it easier, and finding comfort in photo-editing has revived my enthusiasm.

Hopefully I will remember to maintain this journal. Say a prayer, take a shot, sacrifice a virgin for me, won’t you?