The holidays bring seven Scandinavian houseguests

I have seven people staying with us this winter, over a total of six weeks. I might be crazy, but I’m excited about it! 

For three years, we’ve had our usual snowbirds come from Sweden to stay for six or seven weeks. It’s our ex-nanny, Christian, and his girlfriend, Yuki.

Christian and Yuki
Christian and Yuki

Christian lived with us for four years and lived in Hawaii for decades, so hosting them is easy. They are self-sufficient housemates. We think of them as family.

The second set of guests is a Danish family of five. It’s Claus’ BFF from high school, Svend, his wife, and three kids around Olivia’s age. She’s excited for the company, though I am not sure how fluent the kids’ English is.

The Danes will be here for eight days, and during the time the Swedes are here. I find a little humor in the situation because, they tell me, Scandinavians today societally bicker like siblings. There’s history: There were 11 Dano-Swedish wars between 1521 and 1814.

Claus and Christian, aka Olivia's two daddies
Claus and Christian, aka Olivia’s two daddies

Not that this group will be quarrelsome, but the thought gives me a chuckle. What will be more interesting is the bedding and space situation in my very average, middle class dwelling. Here go the holidays!

Diane Ako

Peace of mind By Diane Ako I like to reflect on life. Sometimes it’s philosophically. Sometimes it’s humorously. For all its beauty, life is far too difficult a journey to take alone. You need the support and connection with others to help carry you along the way. Writing brings me that connection– within and without. It clarifies my thoughts and feelings. It helps me reach out to others for advice, wisdom, or feedback. Your thoughts become your actions. Your actions become you. A wise yogi- Patanjali- said, “Speak what is true. Speak what is pleasant.” Let’s speak of things pleasant to one another and seek some peace of mind along the way. ABOUT Diane Ako joined Hawaii: In Real Life in October 2016. She likes being part of a community of local bloggers – people who like writing and sharing, like she does. Ako is an anchor/ reporter at Island News (KITV4 – ABC) in Honolulu. She previously anchored and reported at KHON2 (FOX) and KHNL (NBC), and at stations in California, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania. She freelance writes for NMG Network's magazines. In between news jobs, in 2017, she launched and ran her own p.r. company, Diane Ako PR. From 2010-2014, she headed the public relations department at Halekulani Corporation, which oversees luxury resort Halekulani and boutique hotel Waikiki Parc. She’s been blogging since 2009 – before Hawaii: IRL, she wrote for The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the state’s largest daily newspaper, where her stories garnered a dozen journalism awards and an Emmy nomination. Ako has a BA in Communications from Menlo College and an MA in Political Science from University of Hawaii at Manoa. She volunteers as a board member of the Honolulu Gay & Lesbian Cultural Foundation, a Shinto shrine maiden at Daijingyu Temple, a citizen-scientist studying shrimp, and a yoga teacher at a senior center.

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