I’m sorry, when I picked this topic, I had a nice long post in mind and loads of time to write it. That won’t happen. But here are some thoughts at least.

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Stockholm, London. London, Stockholm. London is the place where I at the present have my life, but it still feels rather temporary. I’ve only been there for 3 months, which has given me hints of what might come ahead, but still left very much to show. Stockholm is no longer my home, but it’s still the place I know better. How much I might love Stockholm and everything within, what I wish for 2011 is memories from London that make it refer to it as my home.

Dear parents,

There is very much I appreciate with you. My change of home address has become way easier thanks to you, both with us sometimes speaking English at home for the practice of me and my brother, and all the help with preparations. All the useful advices you gave me before I left, including your stories from your own student life. Now, when I’m standing here with a foot in each of two lives, you’re letting me decide where I want to be at the moment. Your understanding of moving to another country, both of you having done it yourself, of changing language and leaving the parents’ house. One thing is for sure, I know I always have your support.

Love,

Challe*

*My family call me Challe more often than Charlotte.

I’m not religious. I’ve gone through most of the Christian traditions, but I’d still wouldn’t define myself as an active believer of Christianity. I believe in science, but I don’t abandon the idea of something inexplicable, some type of higher power. As of what I think fairly often about, I believe in the power of achieving things, of forming your own path and a touch of mañana (or, “it’ll sort out”). I believe in the importance of family and friends. I believe in walking your own way and facing challenges. Also, I believe that you should study something you’re interested in, not only something that is good for you career. You will probably be able to sort it out eventually anyhow, assuming that you like it enough.

This particular photo is one of those that makes me smile every single time.

Finishing something I’ve been working with for long, having a good laugh with friends, eating nice food, cooking, fencing well, fencing people in general, understanding something I’ve struggled with, succeeding with a piece of code, small signs of joy around me, photos and suddenly seeing the full picture/getting the overview of something. Generally small things can make me very happy.