christmas prep

Home to Sweden on the 22nd, was so excited when I saw there was snow on the ground! But that was gone just in time for Christmas. (And yes, I'm aware it's not snow on the picture, they're clouds.)

23rd, Christmas preparations. Was only supposed to decorate two cookies, but I couldn't help myself.

Despite my failed Christmas baking in Dublin I made yummy saffron buns. So much easier when you have everything you need...

Bingolotto (bingo) at Cam's place. Ida and Sadaf trying to catch up after missing the first round.

Camilla, Theres and Mia.

Yesterday was the "real" Swedish Christmas. Ate way too much food, met a lot of family and got presents on the theme "cold", or maybe "warmth". So now I'll survive the Dublin winter. Today there'll be more family when my aunt, uncle and cousins are coming, Christmas Day tradition. However, I was very upset when I found out we're not going out to our summer house anymore. That's what happens if you don't go home for three years, they take away important traditions. Ah well, there's no snow to play in anyway and at least dinner at grandma's is still here. Christmas Day in Sweden is a big night to go out on so might have a couple of pints if I can walk after all the food. If not, city centre is downhill from grandma's place so can just roll down. Tomorrow, even more family when there's dinner at my step brother's. And I'm already sick of Christmas food.

Merry Christmas!

christmas shopping

This thing with buying Christmas presents... Not my favourite task of the year. It's not that I don't like giving away things, I do, but only if I find the perfect gift. I mostly find perfect gifts for myself though which might seem weird as I've only been looking for stuff for the kids (not my kids, obv). Don't know if I haven't grown up yet or if I've in some way been going to departments intended for myself. Hm. New attempt this afternoon, really looking forward to fighting my way through Henry Street together with a million other stressed Christmas shoppers. Walking speed is about 1 meter/minute. Yay.

Henry Street in December.

Crowd surfing might be the solution?

snow

It was snowing in Dublin yesterday! Maybe 30 seconds and about 10 snowflakes but still, snow!

No snow today but free Christmas lunch at work, win. Met up with Ruth and Tea after work and returned my shoes that I've had for 2 months but were falling apart. 76 euro richer, win. Were my fave shoes though, fail. But I also found a new dress for the Christmas party and could exchange the one I bought last week but lost the receipt for. Now Oskar is here, we're eating gingerbread cookies, drinking glögg (mulled wine, without the wine) and eating chocolate fudge with spoons. I failed a bit and made it too soft, but still so much win!

The reason he's here to use my Internet, and not see his sister, we can ignore.

12 pubs and adult points

So, the 12 pubs was fun! Got a bit crazy in the last pubs that were crowded with other pub crawlers/normal immortal people but managed to get a drink in all 12. Not full pints though, wouldn't risk trying that with work... The 3rd stop was a tiny pub that seemed to be the hangout for men 70+. They did not look impressed by 50-100 people in weird sweaters trying to get a drink in 30 minutes.

Jessica, Marcus and Therese in the first pub, with sweaters and Santa suits intact.

2nd pub, condensation on my camera but think it gives the picture a Christmasy glow.

Mike and I in the 5th pub, still going strong.

Told you everyone looks weird here around Christmas.

At the end of the evening I dropped my phone on the floor and the display died. Was really pissed off as I obviously am not allowed to have a phone for more than 3 months before it dies/disappears/I drop it in the toilet, and because I had no way of getting in touch with Ruth. At the last bar I told some random guy sitting by the bar "Slam this as hard you can in the counter, I hate this phone". (I'd have done it myself but the place was really crowded.) He probably thought I was a lunatic and tapped it lightly on the counter. "No, slam it as hard as you can, it doesn't work, I hate it and I just want it to die properly!". He did and the phone started working again! Never been so happy in my life. No, that's a lie, but I was happy alright.

On Saturday I didn't get out of bed until 6 pm, not counting the trip down to Lidl for that nearly killed me. But I had cravings for cocktail tomatoes and crisps and had nothing to eat at home. Don't know if it was worth it though. But after a few movies, a nap and a shower I felt fine and met up Ruth for some wine, cheese and olives at Fallon & Byrnes, how many adult points is that?

Today is Ruth's last day before going on a way too long Christmas vacation so will meet up with her after work for some shopping. Christmas party on Friday and I have nothing to wear! As usual.

Sweden: T-8 days.

I survived the 12 pubs and my Christmas tree hat now has a place on my Christmas shelf. I just can't understand who's eaten all chocolate in my calendar already?

Now, Christmas dinner (deluxe version, as you can see) with my über ugly mug (but it's Christmasy!) and Mad Men.

visit weeked deluxe

Pics, pics and more pics from last weekend.

You're welcome.

Singing with feeling at Woolshed karaoke night.

Shot stop at Temple Bar.

Loads of Christmas lights, I like!

Eh yes.

After shopping pints and Guinness Stew at Sheehans. Standard Saturday.

Saturday pre-party.

And she kept them to herself all night.

Old roomies.

The end.

polar bears are the new black

This week I finally called to connect the gas for my radiators (ok, esb called to make some offer with electricity, gas and whatever, but I had plans to do it). Told my land lord who had to fix something first and got a text from him a couple of hours later "Boiler not safe to connect, I'll buy you a radiator". Eh... Ok, that's nice of him, but what does he mean with "not safe"? Will my apartment blow up soon? Anyway, as long as I can sleep without being scared of never waking up again, I'm fine. Got the radiator yesterday and it's got this modern display that tells you the temperature of the room at the moment. It was 9 degrees in here. NINE DEGREES. It's been on since four this afternoon the temperature has increased with a whooping 7 degrees. If it didn't say "WARNING. Do not cover" on it I'd keep it under my duvet. Maybe I could just have it on top  of me?

Now - fashion!

So, Ruth, Tea and I went shopping yesterday. I found a dress for the company Christmas party next week, what ya think? Only 7 euros at Penneys and it got polar bears on it! Plus, it's made out of fleece so it'll keep me warm. So much for so little money.

Part of my outfit for tomorrow, I'm gonna be a Christmas tree. With reindeer socks. It'll be interesting going out with Ruth after the 12 pubs (if I survive), she will not be dressed in something Christmas ugly. Ah well, everyone looks stupid here this time of year.

Night.

12 pubs of christmas

Wicked weekend with Lasse, Lucas, Chrille, Frida and Johanna here. Will tell you about it when I've recovered, might take a while. Especially since we're doing 12 pubs of Christmas with work on Friday. Finally! First time in I'm doing this and I'm gonna go all in. Seemed like no one else was so now I've promised to make Marcus' Christmas sweater if he does all 12 pubs with me. That is if I'll make it until the end. 

Rules:

1. One Drink Minimum - 30 minutes maximum in each pub.
2. Not wearing a Christmas jumper is frowned upon. At least make some effort.

3. No one left behind - we all have to stick together.
4. No getting comfy in one spot - 12 Pubs is compulsory, ''winners never quit and quitters never win''.

These are the rules for our 12 pubs but I've seen different ones without time limit and where you can't eat during the 12 pubs (which will be hard even if it's not a rule).

So after work today I'm meeting Ruth for some dress and Christmas jumper shopping. Will probably try to do the sweater myself, the point is it should be as ugly as possible, see examples below:

Also, found antlers and blinking red nose at the 2-euro shop yesterday, if I'm going all in I'm going all in!