When Mina moved to the States to study, I promised her that she wouldn't have to spend her first Christmas there alone. So, on Saturday, December 20th Jaakko and I flew over for the holidays. Unfortunately we were there only for a week. However, in that time we stuffed our faces, shopped till we dropped, ate at a brilliant Persian restaurant, went to see an NHL game (Blues-Blackhawks, 0-3), enjoyed the music at Blue Chicago, visited wonderful people (thank you for a great evening and fabulous food!), dropped by Arthur, and, of course, enjoyed each others' company with a decent dollop of Ben & Jerry's. The trip was a blast, but too short. And despite the lack of snow, it was perhaps the best Christmas ever. I miss you, Mina!