Blog Champion!! Another post, wow.

Today we went hiking at Gygrestolen, which I am surely spelling wrong. About 10 minutes outside of Bø, it's a rock formation that, from our normal vantage point on Breisås hill, looks a bit like a chair. The local myth is that this is the chair on which the "ygre" (troll-wife) sat and threw rocks down, creating the valley below.

It was a beautiful day! Lovely view from the top. Here's some pics.

I love you Norway!!

Kim decided to climb a tree; Anjuli on the rock

At the top!

In this pic you can kinda tell how the two rocks make the "chair" shape: the one in the foreground is the taller one (on which we are sitting)...the one in the background is the shorter of the two.

Josie!

Much Like Napoleon...

...we recently conquered Europe, before the volcano conquered us.

It was an adventure, to say the least...we (Anjuli, Warren, myself) were all on Easter break before we left for the trip, so planning=very little. We basically just put on our backpacks and headed out. But...that's the best way to do it, right?.....

First stop: Bologna, Italy. This trip was planned around Ryanair's cheap tickets, so our destinations were perhaps a bit random, but we got each ticket for around 8 Euros, so it was totally worth it! There was actually some method to this madness as well. Anjuli's friend Julia is studying in Bologna this year, so we had a contact there. Her friend Alexandra even came to get us at the train station when we arrived late that night! Very nice :)

While we were in Italy we took an overnight trip to Venice. AWESOME. We stayed in a hostel, made a super cool Australian friend, and wandered around the canals. Fantastic. We were in Bologna for the rest of the time, which is a beautiful city, so I was perfectly content with that.

Next: flight to Bratislava, Slovakia, followed by an hour bus ride to Vienna, Austria. Warren and Anjuli have a mutual friend who is studying there this semester, Sylvia. She met us at the bus station and we stayed in her dorm for a couple nights. It was really fun to stay there! We met some other cool students and were able to cook all of our own meals. There was even a bar, right in the dorms...! Haha. Crazy. Vienna itself was a really, really cool city. Unfortunately it rained practically the whole time we were there...I would love to go back someday when the weather is better!

Stop number three: Dusseldorf, Germany. Sylvia studied in that area for a year when she was in high school, so she tagged along with us. Nice to have a German speaker with us, not to mention someone who was familiar with the area. While we were waiting for our flight, however, we noticed a lot of people standing around, and saw that all the London flights were cancelled. This seemed strange, but we didn't think too much about it.

That night, checked into our hostel in Cologne, we saw the volcano on the news. Uh oh, we thought. But we had three days before we were going home...that was enough for things to get under control, right?

We had a really nice time in Cologne...met some awesome German students and made some friends. That was definitely the highlight...a BBQ outside of some student housing in Cologne, hanging out and talking to the students. Very cool. The nice time ended, however, the next morning, when we got the news that our flight was cancelled. Very bummed out, we took a train to Bonn, where Sylvia had also studied before, and chilled out on a big lawn in front of the University there. Highlight. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day (no sign of ash...bitter).

We decided to make a snap decision and try to get home as quickly as possible. At this point, the situation only seemed to be worsening and the trains and bus systems, we heard, were getting overwhelmed. It was a gamble, but it seemed to us that we better get ourselves out of there before the situation got any worse.

Ride to Hamburg from Cologne (four hours), bus from Hamburg to Copenhagen (five hours). Arrived in Copenhagen at 2:30 AM, where luckily I had managed to get ahold of my excellent friend Emma. She had beds all prepared for us in her apartment when we got there! SUCH A GOOD FRIEND. I woke up early that morning and was luckily able to chat with her before she went off to work. Being able to see Emma actually partly made all the chaos worth it for me! Imagine that.

We found a bus that left that morning for Oslo. It was something like 9 hours, with an hour stop sometime in there. We arrived in Oslo that evening around 7 pm. I have NEVER been so happy to be in Oslo...everything seemed so gloriously familiar. The train station! The opera house! YAY! We sat outside at the opera house and caught the sunset while we ate a subway sandwich dinner. Perfect.

Took the late train back to Bø and finally made it home at 1:10 AM. Sooooo nice to finally be home. Amazing how it took us about 20 hours of total traveling to get home, while a plane only would have taken 45 minutes. It is definitely a different feeling to travel on the ground...taking the ferry from Germany to Denmark, seeing the entire Swedish countryside...it puts the size of things into perspective :)

All in all, it was an awesome trip, and we saw and experienced a lot...but there were definitely things we wished we had done better...like, planning...oh well. It was an adventure. And character-building, as I kept reminding myself. Haha.

Biggest cathedral in Europe! Cologne

Cologne again

From the top of the tower in Bologna

Beethoven's grave in Vienna

Venezia!

Everybody watch this!

One of the international students here, Ines, made this video which won 1st prize in the study in norway video competition! You might see a face you recognize.... ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVuS0xTtcOU&feature=player_embedded

Ex-Russefest

Hello, sad blog that I have been neglecting.

Today is Ex-Russefest here in Bø and, I'm sure, other places. This is a crazy event in which all the students who have ever graduated from high school--so, most everybody--get together, put on their crazy pants, and drink. Starting at 12 pm. Continuing...for the foreseeable future.

Being a high school senior is, I have concluded, way more fun than being one in the US...and it's fun there, too. In Norway, everyone gets these crazy pants...usually red or blue...baggy overalls kind of, but you're not supposed to actually wear the overall part, because that part hangs down and acts as a pocket, where you keep your "business cards." These are cards that have your picture on them and a short, funny description of who you are and what you're about. Kids collect these cards and are very excited about it. Just now, when I was in the grocery store with Bibbi, some kids saw her pants and sprinted up to her: "Do you have cards??" Along with the crazy pants, high school seniors do some crazy pranks around the town, drive crazily decorated vehicles, and in all other ways act totally nuts.

So, on ex-russefest day, Norwegians get to break out the pants once again. Luckily, it's a sunny day, so everyone is out barbequeing (and drinking) right now (except for me, I'm typing this, lol. BUT heading off to the BBQ in a bit, don't worry). Tonight there is a big party and lots of strict rules...we all have to leave Breisås by 11 pm, when they will lock down everything. No glass bottles are allowed up here and they are checking everybody's cars to make sure nobody is bringing glass in. They've gone around and closed all the curtains in the houses. It's almost kind of like an occupation is about to begin or something.

I will take more pics today and maybe continue this story later. It promises to be an...interesting...day.

here's what I've been seeing out my window all morning...

PS...more pictures! :)

russebukser...the pants!

sooooo many people!

Something you wish you'd never learned about Norway in the spring...

WARNING: Rant////

Okay, I am so sick of it, and thus I just have to rant a little bit.

So Norwegians are an active people. They love their dogs, and they love to walk their dogs. I have no problem with this. If you own a dog, it is good to walk it. Not only does the dog get exercise, but so do you, and all parties are happy. This never bothered me in the summer or the fall.

Apparently, however, once we reach winter, the dog owners forfeit all responsibility for picking up after their dogs. Why? Well, the snow, of course! It's like a big blanket! It covers up all the dog shit very effectively. Out of sight, out of mind, right?

Okay. But seriously. What about when spring comes and all the snow melts??? I am very tired of walking to school, to the store, etc, and seeing more dog shit then I EVER WANTED TO SEE IN MY LIFE. The worst part is that, when the snow was at its peak, it covered part of the sidewalks. This means that lots of the poop is directly in my path, on the sidewalk, when I am walking somewhere.

GROSS. That's all I have to say. I am happy that we are having nice sunny days again, and that spring seems to be in the air. But really, you dog owners? Kom igjen. Takk.

Norway in the wintertime. Now clean that up!!!!

Some Thoughts on Language/Lithuania. Random pair, but go with it.

Hola.

Haha. Ironic beginning.

So I am often thinking about language, because it is interesting to think about, and unavoidable when you are in the process of learning a new one.

I am now about six months into my stay in Norway. Half a year, which is exciting. I feel as though it's kind of hard to track one's own progress in language-learning (maybe because I always feel sooo bad at it?), and so I'm not exactly sure how much I've improved. I mean, I know I've improved, I can say that with some confidence. It's been a pretty crazy year as far as learning Norwegian. When I think about how little I knew when I started at Skogfjorden, for example (even after studying at PLU for two years!), it just kind of blows my mind. I havelearned a lot in the last nine months or so.

But then, sometimes I just feel like I am the worst Norwegian-learner of all time. Some of the most awkward moments in my life have occurred here, I think, when I don't have any idea what's going on...in class, at a party, during a casual conversation. Anjuli and I often talk about how awkward we are in various Norwegian social situations, and it's nice to have somebody around who sympathizes.

I just got back from Lithuania, and it felt really interesting to be there and then come back to Norway. Anjuli and I were talking about how the trip made us feel like...wow, yeah, we do sort of fit in in Norway! Not knowing a single word in Lithuanian would have probably been a serious disadvantage if we hadn't had Greta with us at all times. I mean, we know enough Norwegian to have a casual conversation with someone on the airplane. I guess we're probably doing okay.

For the record, I did learn how to say "Good evening. It is very nice to meet you. I love you" in Lithuanian. Ah yes, and also "Train station." Good for me. Train station is particularly fun to say. Next time you see me, ask me to say it for you. You will like it.

The trip, PS, was excellent...Greta had it all planned out. We saw so much of the country...even made it to the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Spit, which is a pretty interesting place. Google it! :) The capital city of Vilnius was gorgeous, at least in the Old Town, where we were. Greta's cousin Maria had a friend who gave tours professionally, and we were lucky enough to get a free tour from her. Wonderful! The city has lots of interesting history, beautiful buildings, etc.

I will give you some pictures!!!!

Baltic Sea

My favorite building in Vilnius...St. Anne's Cathedral. Oh, beautiful!

Vilnius :)

The girls! Greta, Anjuli, me!

Greta's house. Most houses were built of this grayish brick.

Happiness!

Bah I am so happy right now!!!!!1 Perhaps just because I am in Norway...on my birthday...and it is cool and I love Norway!! And also because trip-planning is in the works and I love travel!! I am going to Lithuania on the 24th and possibly northern Norway before that. And a MIKA concert in March!! Could life get any better?!1

Also happy because my friends are awesome. All of them! My Norway friends are awesome. Tonight Bibbi and I baked together for a couple hours and basically had a great time hanging out. Earlier in the day I hung out with my American friends in literature and it was great. They are planning some sort of surprise for me and are bad at keeping it a secret, but they are so nice and cool to plan something! I love birthdays! My friends far away are awesome too. I love my Minnesota friends because they are great at keeping in touch even though we never get to see each other anymore. And my Washington friends because they are so cool and I miss them!

This is a corny post, and I apologize. I know it is corny.

Tomorrow I'm going to celebrate my 21st with cookies during Discussion Group, and with a dinner out with six of my besties. Afterward we will eat cake! I am so excited.

Then, on Thursday, I will go to Oslo with Bibbi and Anjuli! We will shop and basically have a good time. Love it.

Finally, I have been doing some trip planning for when my family arrives, and it makes me that much more excited to see them and to hang out here in the lovely Norway.

Sighhh...so content.

The following display some of my skiing adventures.

Norsk norsk norsk

HEI. So. Here we are again. I must say that it has so far been a pleasant almost-two-weeks back in Norway. I have met the new Americans (Warren, Josie, and Joe) and found them to be cool people. I have started some new classes, and found them to be satisfactory. I am once again taking Literature (this time after 1900) (still have to read in Swedish), but this time I am joined by three other Americans. It is nice not to be the only foreign student in the class! Now we can all not know what's going on together! I am also in a Norwegian Writing Workshop, Telemark Identity II, and a Friluftsliv course (skiing class!) which I am VERY excited about...we get to ski tomorrow morning!

Hyttetur over the weekend was amazing. We went to an area of Norway called Blefjell which is around Notodden somewhere in the mountains...just a 1.5 hr drive. We spoke Norwegian the whole weekend, ate well, and skiied all day on Saturday. Success!

So far, for once in my life, I feel like I have been finally speaking enough Norwegian! I don't know how it has happened but in the last two weeks there has been a transition in which I have been speaking probably twice as much Norwegian as during fall semester. Maybe because I've gotten a little tighter with my Norwegian friends...maybe because after hyttetur I had Norwegian stuck in my head...maybe because we have created a new discussion group...whatever the reason, it is wonderful and I feel really good about it. Once again I would like to give myself lots of credit for deciding on the one-year program. Already I can see just how much more I will learn this semester. I'm so cool. And modest.

Ummm what else. Today we were doing some trip-planning! It is kind of a ridiculous list of expectations I have. I want to go to Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Ulvon again...I want to visit London and Paris...I want to visit my friend Greta in Lithuania...and I'd love to visit Finland to make my Scandinavian countries count complete. Also, my friend Barry's choir is going to be singing in Helsinki in May...how cool would it be to see that concert. Wow. Plus, I want to ski a lot more and see more of my Norwegian family! It's going to be a crazy spring I think, and it will go so fast. And my family comes to visit in March, and maybe also in May if Grandma decides to come (I hope she does!) So much to think about...plus school. Oh yeah.

Okay blog. That is all for today I believe. Now I have to find an interesting picture to add to you. Here's one.

I miss you Hope and Kady!!

All the Way From Norway! (It's Lemon Juice and Pork)

*those are song lyrics, I'm not crazy.

Welcome back to the Norway blog!! I have finally come back, after a miserable little bout of stomach sickness, and a changed airline ticket. My Christmas in Washington was amazing and I even got to hang out with my family. Yay. And I got WAY too many presents, cuz my family is awesome. But this is all beside the point.

Back in Norway!

The first thing I realized, while getting off the plane and into the Oslo airport, was that Norway has a distinct smell...it's not lemon juice and pork. I don't know what it is, but it was familiar as I lugged my backpack to baggage claim, and I felt happy. Maybe it's just airport smell that I like, but whatever, at the time I felt very welcomed back to Norway.

After I got my bag, I was pleased to find out that I had to wait for two hours in the central station before a train to Bø was going. Just kidding....not pleased. But oh well, I waited. Then, on the train, I had to work hard to keep from falling asleep (hadn't slept on the plane) so that I wouldn't miss my stop. THEN, our train stopped in the middle of the snowy forest. The engine turned off so it was completely silent. Then the power turned off so it was dark and silent. I was expecting the dementors to enter the train at any moment. But instead the conducter made an announcement (we're having technical problems). We sat in the woods for about 30 minutes, then they were magically able to start the train again. I was worried we weren't going to get home for a minute there. I learned in this situation that Norwegians don't talk to each other even if something weird is going on. If a train broke down in the USA, strangers would turn to the person they were sitting by and start complaining or speculating about the situation. But this doesn't happen with Norwegians. They just say HMMMMmmm to themselves and keep reading the newspaper (even when the lights go off). It was strange how very silent that train was.

Anyway, I got back to Bø, had the enviable task of pulling my suitcase all the way up that giant hill (for which I deserve a gold medal) (I got blisters), and finally made it to my house! It's FREEZING here, and there's about a foot of snow. Norwegians like to ski, thank goodness: I've noticed ski tracks everywhere, even alongside roads, which is fun. I'm so excited to get some skis and GO.

So fun to reconnect with everybody: Ida had a Christmas present for me (three pairs of wool socks, yay!) and Bibbi invited me on a hyttetur (a trip to her cabin) which is in the mountains, about 2 hours from here. I am so excited for this. It will be Anjuli and me, Bibbi, Tina, and Ine. Tina and Ine are two friends of Bibbi's who are SO nice, and I'm very excited to spend time with them!! It will be a blast.

BAHHHHH. Basically I am just thrilled to be back here, and can't wait to make plans and do stuff. YES NORWAY.

Norway has Christmas milk. Just try to beat that.