The biggest challenge of the program ending is not looking for work or a place to live or packing and moving, it's getting used to the idea that my life will no longer involve events like this afternoon's trip to the Swedish Embassy. Or rather the House of Sweden as they call it.

I've gotten used to things like having private tours of embassies with cultural attaches (well not the Canadian one of course because our embassy is lame!!) while discussing the state of cultural funding and diplomacy internationally. I mean our tour today was with the guy who basically came up with the idea of the European culture capitals which get awarded each year. So a seriously smart and accomplished man. Who gets to do stuff like this??? How amazing.

Plus of course the House of Sweden itself is architecturally stunning. It is designed to reflect the country itself. The main doors have you walking in through a waterfall and into a display which represents ice and frost. The main entrance is floor to ceiling windows looking on to the Potomac (the embassy is a neighbour of the KC) while one of the assembly rooms on the lower level is very, very dark which reflects the 3 months of dark that the north of the country lives through each winter. And then there is the rooftop terrace. In a word, stunning. Swedes know design that's for sure.

Anyway, so while saying goodbye to people and places is hard, it is saying goodbye to these opportunities in many ways which is hardest.

However, a friend told me today to hurry home, and so I will with as light a heart as possible.