A year passes so rapidly and it is good to stop for a while to see what 2018 can offer. I have stayed with my family over christmas but over New Year I went to Dubai. I needed to see some sun since it is so cold and dark in Sweden right now. However, this week seem to be very beautiful. Maybe I will put on my skis. Not so much snow but you can go skiing.

My journey to the UAE was very intense. Lots of new impressions. I stayed in the older part of Dubai, rather close to a river. These memories will be good for my future writing. Wishing you a happy and prosperous 2018.

Last night I saw “My Fair Lady” with a colleague of mine. It was such a long time ago I saw a musical and it was great fun. When I went to high school I was very interested in listening to music in combination with theatre. I new a lot of lyrics by heart. And I liked to sing a lot. Those days are gone, but I still sing when I am alone but I hope nobody listens.

I have a break from writing. I have struggled with this book for so many years and there is so little left to do, but I have decided to wait til after New Year. I need to fuel new energy. Maybe I think of last time I wrote a book, but that was a thesis. A book and a thesis is not the same thing I have noticed. But still, I think “what can I say if someone says – “this is not right”. I must always have an answer. A defence. And it is fun because it is intellectually challenging. Sports for the brain perhaps. Since I remember my thesis, I recall many years and it felt good to show my previous mentor Professor Jörgen Engel the cover of the book. He got interested in reading. Some friends of mine have also read.

So, to think of something else, music is in my mind. West side story, Lucia songs, my favourite artists etc. By the way, it was nice to listen to Magnus Uggla at My Fair Lady. I remember a lot of his music. Very nice.

Lucia is a very beautiful tradition. If I don’t attend a concert, I listen to music at home. Today I did both. I am so happy because collegues of mine joined for lucia. Very nice. It is good to listen to music to enjoy the silence of December, even though it is a busy month. I don’t know why, but there is something particular with December. Something I am grown up with. Tonight I listen to Jussi Björling among others. After the lucia concert.

I know I should write more often, but I think I should have something to say when I write. Today, I don’t have much to comment upon. A year passes so rapidly and I have been remembering Vietnam and Sri Lanka. I miss my friends a lot. They are so far away.

Last weekend was pleasant. Dinner together with my colleagues at work Saturday evening. Then on Sunday I went to see my parents, early in the morning. Since my mother has some difficulties with her memory it is good to do things she remember like listening to christmas carols. Tomorrow is early start of Lucia, so I am looking forward to get into a December mood. I still remember the lyrics.

Next Sunday is 1:a advent. I have spent the whole day to realise that it is christmas so it won´t be a surprise for me. December is a month full of joy and I like to relax and be prepared. I started a little with decoration today and also to think of gifts for christmas eve. It was a long time ago, but I will go to church with my mother next Sunday to listen to the choir where my father sings. Sometimes he sings solo.

Today, I also got to think of last christmas when I visited my friends in Vietnam and Sri Lanka. It was such a beautiful voyage and it will really be a memory for life. I miss my friends.

The titel today “translational communication” is chosen because I will see my mentor Professor Jörgen Engel this week. I am a member of “Svensk förening för beroendemedicin” and I am very happy that I can be a member. Since I have spent almost 8 years of my life entirely to neuroscience research it will always be a dear subject.

Nowdays, I write and dedicate a lot of my time to languages. I read and write. The more I read, the more I know that I don´t know.