As with everyone else on the planet, I am optimistic that 2021 will be much more fun than 2020. So many people have suffered due to the pandemic, and now we have the promise of effective vaccines. We also have a new president in the USA, and Brexit is finished: the media will change its focus from these tiresome stories. As I often do, I celebrated the New Year in Stockholm. The fireworks were festive as usual, and people gathered all around the city in groups with their champagne. I found Nosecco, alcohol-free champagne was pretty good. In Sweden, it is rare to see someone wearing a mask. People eat in restaurants, and go to shopping malls. But starting this week, masks will be required on public transport. I have several friends who got sick with Covid-19, but luckily, they are all ok.
I love Stockholm, but it certainly was dark this winter. There was not one hour of sun while I was there. It is a grey gloom. But on Christmas day, it actually snowed, bringing a fun atmosphere to the city. It melted the next day, but having snow on Christmas is magical. I got to run nearly every day in the forest by my mother’s home, and bicycle through the city. I saw an exhibit of the Swedish painter, John Bauer, who created a mystical world of illustrations of mythical creatures. But mostly it was a time to sit and enjoy time with family. A big Christmas tree, and good food, plus vegan cookies made by my sister.
Engelbrektskyrka in Stockholm 
Fireworks! 
Snow on Christmas 
Big Tree
I am sitting at the airport in Frankfurt waiting for my flight back to San Francisco. People are all wearing masks and the mood is somber. I must say that I don’t mind traveling during the pandemic, because the trans-Atlantic flights are mostly empty. But then I just read today that on a nearly empty flight between Dubai and New Zealand, 7 people were infected with Covid-19. I will use that article for my upcoming course for the spring semester; “Biology 425: Emerging Infectious Diseases”. It will be a very interesting course this year.
A painting by John Bauer 
Stadshuset 
Traditional Lithuanian Christmas Eve Dinner
Grants are due, and the year will be busy with work. I am just hopeful that music performances will begin again, and simple things like going to exercise classes at the gym will resume, as if nothing ever happened.
Ravinder birdwatching at Broängarnas Nature Preserve
I wish all of my friends good health and a wonderful continuation of the New Year!