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.