Some Week-and-a-half Random Thoughts

(How I miss thee!)

It's been a week and a half since I got here! Which is, of course, not a long time. However, I am starting to develop some independent thoughts. The stars in my eyes have faded slightly (definitely not all the way. I still really like it here and could go on for a long time about everything I like). But:

1) ILLNESS. This is not Norway's fault, but it's still lame. I've still got a nice little cough going on and cannot be anywhere without my Kleenex supply. Today, however, I went to class, relaxed in the sun, and went shopping...so it's not a hopeless situation or anything.

2) CLASS. Oh my. This semester will not be easy. I will admit that I'm supposed to be doing homework at this very moment, but I got sick of it after like 5 hours, so now I'm stopping. So much to read! For my literature class, the reading is all in Nynorsk or some weird old Norwegian! WHICH I DO NOT UNDERSTAND!! And which cannot be found in any dictionaries apparently...however, one of the sagas we're supposed to be reading is now posted online, in English...thank the lord. And my Advanced Norwegian class's homework took up my entire evening. This cannot continue.

3) SHOPPING. Well. Everything costs way too much here, that is for sure. I could not bring myself to purchase three hangers for four dollars...thus I have only two lame wooden hangers in my closet that came with the place. I'm kind of hoping I'll make it to IKEA soon, where hangers are more like 10 for 6 dollars. Yyaaayyyy...also, the kantina (the little cafeteria) at the school, and the nearest grocery store, conveniently do not except my debit card. The two places where I'd most like it to be accepted. And there's a $5 fee at every ATM, so getting cash is something I don't want to do a whole lot.

4) FOOD. I've gone back to the basics. Here's what's in my fridge: Milk. Cheese. Orange juice (I don't even like orange juice). Jam. Bread. Apples. Corn. And my pantry: Special K, plain. Wheat crackers resembling Rye Crisp. Salt. Rice. Pasta. Meanwhile, here is what would be in my PLU dorm-room stores: Milk. Sugary cereal, like Captain Crunch or something. Protein bars. Macaroni and cheese, Top Ramen. Lots and lots of Diet Coke. Maybe some apples. Crystal Light. And some leftover fast-food Asian thing that Kelsey and I went and got the night before. Oh, and coffee, and cream for the coffee, and individual packets of Splenda. Possibly one of those tubes of cookie dough (I'm layin it all out on the table now). Microwave popcorn. Tostitos Hint of Lime. Six kinds of tea. Meanwhile, today I couldn't bring myself to purchase a simple packet of Lipton Green Tea. It was like 36 kroner. Divide it by 6. No way man. Point is. I miss my unhealthy lifestyle from before...especially the Diet Coke and the popcorn. They don't sell pop in cans in packs of 12 here...just 4-6 bottles of it for like 65 kroner. Siiigghghh. Also I don't have the guts to buy a coffee maker yet (399 Kr.) so that sucks. Again, my salvation rests in IKEA...a French press for 89 kr!! Hallelujah!! (PS...no microwave for popcorn, and why can't I find popcorn seeds?!)

5) IKEA. All the way in Oslo. Today I said to Anjuli, "when are we going to IKEA?!" and she said, "when are we going to feel better?!" Oh yeah...shoot.

Well I guess that's it...whine whine whine. We'll call this the W-post. I'll end with one non-whine, though. Guess what I watched last night...Will and Grace!!! On Norwegian TV!! The selection of American TV shows that are aired here is really quite impressive. I might even be able to watch ANTM this season!! They have Norwegian subtitles which is actually kind of fun to follow along.

Okay that's it!!!