In my master’s I spent two years contemplating, measuring, and analyzing how day length affects fruit flies. What I am experiencing now must be some form of karma.

I am living farther north than I ever have in my entire life (56 degrees N). And because (in my infinite wisdom) I thought January was a good time for such a move, my days are currently 7 hours and 42 minutes long. (this photo was taken at 4:15p) 

The one smart thing I did was plan my move to happen after the solstice so the days are only going to get longer (we gain ~3 minutes of light per day!). But in the meantime, I come to work in the dark and go home in the dark.

I guess it is easy to understand how there is a whole culture of being cozy (hygge). Candlelight, warmth, conversation. When I walk KC in the evening, I can see people in the neighborhood sitting down to meals with spouses, friends, children- always around a table and usually with candlelight. It strikes me as a really positive and special thing.