To Buy, Or Not To Buy

That is the question.

Sorry I've been MIA for the past week or so. My immune system finally threw in the towel and basically gave me the finger and stormed off and left a nasty note that said "Dear Sarah, let me know when you're ready to be a real human being and start dressing for the weather and not living on frozen berries and stale cereal, THANKS." As great as Gilmore Girls is, a detailed account of how I consumed seasons of it in a row while laying in bed, breathing through my mouth, groaning every once in a while and trying to muster the strength to put on a pair of pants isn't all that riveting. With all that quality "me" time, though, I finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up:

Classy

Today is the first day of classes for this semester, and I'm kind of nerdishly excited about it. I haven't done anything remotely requiring brainpower for over five weeks, and it will definitely be nice to get back in the swing of things. If I tilt my head to the side a bit I can hear oatmeal sloshing around where there used to be a brain. Also, I'm taking a 15 credit Scandinavian Studies program, which obviously won't count towards my Environmental Studies degree, so I'm going into the class with the mindset that it's more like five months of learning for kicks and less of taking a class to get a grade. Is there any better way to spend a semester than reading up on vikings and Swedish folklore and SPACE TRAVEL (this is a lecture, I kid you not)? Probably not. I'm hoping that a social science course, which I've never really taken before at AU, will force me to do heavy research and write term papers and generally prep me for what is sure to be an academic bloodbath next year.

Anyways, the class isn't exclusively for exchange students; with Swedes in attendance, I'm going to need to look the part.

I might be able to fool them until they start speaking to me and I'm all like UHHHHHHH, hej, jag heter Sarah, vad heter du? and they just stare at me blankly because I haven't been able to mask my American accent enough to make sounds even remotely close to those required to speak Swedish properly.

Forecast

Today's weather update:

Currently 37°, feels like 24° when you include the wind chill. Speaking of wind, there are gusts of 40 miles/hour rattling my window. And wall. And general apartment building. Oh yeah, and did I mention that it snowed this morning? H&M sells these leggings* that look and feel like someone wrapped a chunky knit cardigan around your legs, so I may have to invest in a pair those some time soon.

That said, I think it may be time to fire up the heating towel rack!

*In Sweden, leggings that look like pants are referred to as "treggings." Trousers + leggings. This sounds even stupider than jeggings, which I didn't think was possible.

When in Rome

How to look like a Swede:

1. Marimekko striped shirt (H&M is also acceptable)

2. Black leggings

It's worth noting that I found this picture (thanks, Google Image) on the blog The Christian Fashionista under a post titled "Can I really make it modest?, part 1." I don't really know WJWD, but I do know that his list of approved activities would not include wearing leggings.

3. White high-top Chucks or black boots

4. Leather jacket (this is imperative*)

If the caption didn't say so, I would never have guessed this was Natalie Portman. Swedishly well played, Natalie. Also, ugh, let me know when you're no longer perfect.

5. Godlike punctuality


6. Resistance to cold weather

It is 35 degrees outside, what are you thinking?

* If nothing else, I am bringing back a leather jacket and a jar of lingonberry jam. So delicious.