Ahh best time EVER!! Every year the school takes a student trip out of Oslo, and I do not regret attending even a little bit.
It was such an amazing time and has solidified my presence here in Norway. We left Thursday afternoon and made a 4-5 hour trip on the most ghetto bus I've even been it. The exhaust was smoking EVERYWHERE...it was actually sort of scary! Aleks, Anette, and myself took the back of the bus and we met some new people at the 2 stops that we made on the way. When we arrived we had to find a lavvo (like a big tee-pee) to stay in. Anette and I split up and I stayed with Helena (who I met my first day here), Anne Maren and Bjorg Kristina (who I met at one of the stops), Marit, and Jenny (who I met at the 2nd year class party my first week here). Best decision ever...Jenny and I spent almost the whole weekend together and everyone else was so great! Thursday night we just ate and basically went to bed...I was overwhelmed and frustrated because everything was in Norwegian so I had a bad attitude...but things went up from there!
Friday we woke up very early (I think about 7:30) and got ready to go hike Bessegen. Luckily I had borrowed boots and long-johns to keep me warm and dry...
Thank Goodness! We took a bus and then a ferry to the drop off point. 8 hours later..
.yes 8 HOURS...we were back on the ground. This is a very popular hiking destination because it is a very narrow ridge to climb, with 2 huge lakes on either side. It is crazy high, overwhelming and DIFFICULT!
Montana's got NOTHING on Norway...sorry everyone. My American idea of "hiking" has nothing to do with that trip...we CLIMBED a mountain...not hiked it. Also...they have no concept of "flat". Really... "Oh yeah it's flat up here." So NOT FLAT!! I think these people would die in North Dakota!! It was sooo difficult, and I never want to do it again, hehe, but I'm really glad that I accomplished something that big. That night we grilled and talked, played games, etc. There was a really small bar there and it was very cozy.
Saturday we got to sleep in a bit, and then Jenny and I headed to meet up with the group to go "Brupendel". We walked about 15 minutes to a bridge, a very old looking one... The guide (who we found out later had been drinking) got everything ready for us with the help of Katrine, and she became the first one to jump off! It's basically like bungee jumping but your body is in a harness and you jump from one side of the bridge and swing under it (instead of jumping straight down). I watched a bunch of people go and decided it was my turn
...so I suited up! I climbed over, posed for some pictures, and told my girls to count...JUMP!! Off of a freakin' bridge!! Sooo fun and totally worth it, I would do it again so fast! Anette on the other hand...hilarious!! She FREAKED...but after it was done, she was happy :)
The rest of Saturday was filled with relaxing since we pretty much had the whole day for ourselves. We played cards for HOURS, ate food, and played more cards. We got a little crazy later and made up a new game...BreadHead. It's like spoons, but instead of stealing a spoon, you hide your slice of bread.
Absolutely crazy, but it made our weekend epic. This is when I realized I needed one more day in the wilderness. I was just getting close and comfortable with people, and then our trip was almost over :(
Sunday we woke up early again and got ready for rafting...My FAVORITE part of the weekend!! We had 6 people in our raft,
along with the only American guide they had, Will. We had a BLAST! It rained the whole night before and brought the river up 30 cm, and then the weather was sunny and perfect for us! At one point we somehow lost 2 girls and
hearing "Oh SHIT!" come out of Helena's mouth made my entire day ;) On our second surfing trip (going against the current purposely in certain areas) we tried to make it fun, and failed miserably. Jenny, Helena, and myself all got thrown in...somehow! I now know what it feels like to drown. I came up from under another boat coughing up water like crazy. One raft managed to rescue all 2 of us, and WOW was the the most scary and most fun moment ever! We made it back to our raft eventually, ready to kick Will's butt! By the time I could see the end, I didn't want to get out...SO FUN!!
We had a little time to pack up, eat, and head home. Nice to be back, but I can't believe I'm going to miss that trip next year :(
That's when I realized that I am going to miss my friends here when I go back to the states...there's no winning and no easy way to make everyone happy...DAMN! If only Norway was cheaper and closer!
Sjoa was what I needed to feel safe here in Norway. I made some amazing friends and now I feel much more comfortable at school and in Oslo. We did hear when we got back that Anette's grandmother passed away. That has been really hard for her, obviously. Monday we visited Plan Norge, the agency that we will be doing project work with for one of my classes here. This project is helping me to get closer with the 3rd year students here, because right now I feel much more comfortable with my 2nd grade class. 
We had a slow week until Thursday when we had early breakfast, class, and Anette's parents and sister arrived here. They already had tickets to visit, so they still came and then Anette went home with them yesterday (Sunday). I met them for a minute and then went to the first choir rehearsal...Gospel of Becca is the name of the group and it is directed by my friend Helena. It was AMAZING, it feels SO GOOD to sing again and not have the pressure of the Concordia Gods looking down on you. I could only handle choir for a year and half at Concordia before I felt like it was taking over my life. This is much more relaxed...no music, just learning by memory and making it work. I was in SUCH a great mood afterward...I can't wait to see what we can do. Also, Aleks and Filip made us a Norwegian meal that night...lamb and cabbage, it was actually really good. But we made it awesome by teaching everyone words and just laughing for a good time. 
Friday I had dinner with Anette's family at an Italian restaurant, they are SO NICE, I'm really glad I got the chance to meet them and spend some time with them. Only a week and a half before my mom and grandma get here! That night we watched movies at Aleks', just like every other night that week. Amazing how you can make best friends in a matter of days :) Saturday I went mini-golfing with my boys. We had a blast, and I really felt at home finally. We got together later for some drinks at Aleks', watching videos, listening to music, and having a blast. Kristin joined us..she is SUCH a sweet girl...Love her!! It was a late night, but sooo worth it. I've officially found my crew here...I'm safe.
