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!!