How come it’s September already?

Summer is coming to an end, and I’m clinging to it like an old woman clinging to her long-gone party days. For the last few months (yes, months – not just days or weeks) we’d been extremely lucky with the weather, and suddenly, the temperature dropped overnight.

My first summer in Sweden has been nothing short of interesting, for lack of a better word. I wanted to say amazing because some parts truly were, but the others were also disheartening. It was fantastic and frustrating in equal measure.

So this is how I remember my first summer in Sweden:

Swimming, hiking, and barbecue at the lakes.

Going to the midsummer party. Doing the frog dance (små grodorna) around the maypole, and trying the pickled herring (sill) for the first time, which I didn’t like (the pickled herring, not the dance).

Feeling the shock and disbelief when the digital thermometer at the station showed 34 deg Celsius (in all fairness, it did feel like Jakarta).

Feeling frustrated at every government office that I had to deal with: the tax office, the migration office, and the language school. Breaking down a few times – at the tax office, on the bus, and on the street, to name a few.

Seeing alpacas for the first time, and falling in love instantly.

Discovering and frequenting pubs, bars, and restaurants in Gothenburg (especially those that offered free food for Friday after work).

Holing up at home to prepare for Google Analytics certification. Passing with flying colors.

Practising and having fun with watercolor.

Walking home to beautiful summer sunsets at 10-11 pm.

Going home at midnight and being stunned when seeing the sky – it was clear midnight blue with an orange streak, and I’d never seen anything that beautiful since seeing the sunrise on the plane on a flight from Abu Dhabi en route to Jakarta.

Watching many World Cup games at a certain pub in Järntorget, which watered down our pints of Strongbow.

Tried kayaking for the first time and loving it.

Searching in vain for a pub/restaurant in Gothenburg that served Sunday roast.

Feeling so homesick and wanting to go back to England many, many times.

Exploring the city, and discovering amazing spots every week or so.

Walking, sitting, and reading in the parks (mainly Slottskogen and Trädgårdsföreningen).

Exploring the islands off the coast of Gothenburg (Brännö, Galterö, Styrsö, Köpstadsö). Bringing home a bunch of empty shells and leaving it in my bag, only to be reminded a few days later by a rotten smell coming from said bag. Apparently, some of the shells weren’t empty.

Volunteering for Gothenburg Fringe Festival and having a blast.

Feeling frustrated at how things came to a halt during summer, which slowed down the process of my (important) paperwork.

Constantly feeling unsettled, but making new friends every now and again which made this place felt a bit more homely.

Summer, you’ve been fun. See you next year!