The night is dark. It’s August. Middle of August, even… Two and a half awesome summer months have flown by – again. Another Icelandic summer over – an intense, bright and short summer.

It has been difficult for me to handle the Icelandic summer in the past. They have often been good, don’t get me wrong, but they go by oh so fast and the expectations for it almost always exceed the actual summer as it turns out. I mean, it’s easy to understand, right? Winter is 9-10 months long, and many of those months are dark, cold, long and in general very hard to live through. During those winter months, especially, let’s say, the last 4-5 of them, long hours are spent dreaming, hoping and looking forward to summer. “I’m so going to freak out next summer! I’m going to travel all over the country, camp, go swimming and party like I’ve never done before!” I’m sure many of my fellow Icelanders know these expectations for the summer. Expectations are ok, of course, but sometimes they go over the top. Sometimes we fixate on having an extra-ordinarily good time “next summer”. But the thing is summer is just a regular period of the year, just like any other. And I think sometimes we focus too much on having an awesome time, so much that it doesn’t happen.

It’s like a roller coaster ride. You stand in a waiting line for what seems like eternity. Then you go for the ride and scream like a mad person and forget everything for a short while. Then it’s over. All too soon. And you want more! Again! Again! Again! It’s the same thing, I think. Expectations exceed the outcome.

But this time – this summer – I expected it. I was also tired of the disappointment that the summer here always brings me. So I decided not to try and make this a most awesome, brilliant period of time. I said to myself: “Sure, summer’s coming. That’s cool. But it’s a lot like any other period of the year.” And it was actually much more pleasant. No expectations, but still some outcome, of course. And a brilliant outcome even! But who knows, if I had decided that summer was going to be a thrill ride, maybe it wouldn’t seem as great as it was this time.

So yeah, this has actually been a terrific summer for me. A good job with nice people. Lots of sun and good weather. Almost not a single, work-free weekend spent at home, only weekends out of town! Hikes, camping trips and summer house weekends. And lots of parties and swimming pools too!

But I must admit, I think the fact that I’m leaving the country in the end of the summer plays a part too. I think it’s a bit like when you know you are going to die soon… You automatically try to make the best of the time you have. And you also realize all the great things you have in your life. It’s a bit like that when you know you will be spending a year away from your home and your life and the people you know.

Now: 10 more days of work. Then: 10 days of taking it easy before I leave the country for France… 10 days of partying like a madman, swimming in the sun and all that!