I’m trying to stay up until nine tonight, but I feel like I’m fighting a losing battle. I’ve been very industrious today. I got up with Aaron and MaryClaire to see them off, and then spent the rest of today doing housecleaning. I did dishes and then began sorting things in the guest room.

I culled my clothes. Based on the bare minimum that I needed while in Iceland I was able to get rid of a lot of ‘work clothes’ and other things that get worn when my preferred garments are dirty. I also started going through our books. As part of the downsizing efforts for the big move, I went through and selected books that I feel like I can live without.

There are a lot of books left.

For dinner tonight I had pasta with salmon and leftover veggies, white wine, and whatever the great sauce is that Eve made to go with the salmon.

Well, this entry has taken five minutes of time. Just another hour and ten minutes before I can justify sleeping.

These are some of the things that have struck me–you should know that I am experiencing culture shock about being in the U.S.

• America really does have an obesity problem. From the moment we landed in Baltimore, I saw very few people who were not overweight.
• There are so many trees.
• Look at all the cars on the road; where are all these people going?
• The staff at stores are so chatty. I don’t know them, why do they want to know how I am?
• I can turn the hot water tap on without scalding myself.
• The hot water doesn’t smell like sulphur.
• The days are so long.
• The water tastes like chemicals.
• I can buy spinach dip in the store.
• I can read all the labels.

There will be more to come, I’m sure.

The party was a grand success, but I didn’t even think about bringing the camera out. Eve contributed a lovely salmon, part of which I’m going to make into an omlette this morning. Sue brought hummus, olives, smoked oysters and… there was something else yummy on that plate, but I can’t remember what it was.

It was so good to see our friends again, but by eight o’clock my attention span had narrowed to that of a gnat. I made the mistake of having a glass of wine, and it’s not a good combo with jet lag. Neither is eggnog, but it’s so tasty.

The Menu
Eve’s Salmon
Cheeses and crackers
Spinach Dip in Bread Bowl, with carrot sticks, blanched green beans, and red peppers
Nori rice crackers
Icelandic Licorice
Icelandic Chocolate
Dolmas and cherry tomatoes
Hummus, smoked oysters, Kalamata Olives
Diablo Olives
Cookies
Wine, Icelandic Moss Tea, Hot Apple Cider, Rob’s Eggnog