Oslo Culture!

My Weekend = Super Lame.  But only because I was out both Thursday and Friday evenings in the RAIN!  Thursday we had choir again...LOVE IT!  We now have learned 2 gospel songs, and it feels so good to belt music again!!  Thursday night Matthias and I went with Silje and Kristin from class to the "River Walk".  You walk all across the city along the river and they had little shows and exhibitions along the way.  We met up with some other girls I knew from school and it was a pretty good time.  It took us a while to get out of the huge crowds, but after a while it was fun.  The first place was a really neat band.  It sounded somewhat like "Indian" music, and they said it was Sami music from northern Norway.  Very relaxing and interesting. 

There were candles along the whole path (Norwegians loooove candles).  Sometimes they would be in the river, or they would have colored spotlights on little waterfalls in the river.  They had lights in the trees, it was all really beautiful.  There were a few little food stands, some dancing groups, old Norwegian music groups, and one place had some fire people.  They were burning themselves, blowing fire, laying on nails...etc.  Eventually it started raining pretty hard and we started walking faster :)  The last show was a really cool reggae-ish band, I wanted to stay longer, but we were all eager to be DRY!  We made it home after a long, wet, and hot tram ride.

Friday brought an EARLY class...I will never get used to going to class at 8:45.  Nice thing about Concordia: you can choose to NEVER have class before 10:30...which I took full advantage of.  But supposing that I will be going to a 9 to 5 full-time internship when I get back to the states, maybe it's good practice?  Anyyywho, Friday in class Susanne told me about Oslo Culture Night, where there are different events going on all over the city.  Of course I couldn't turn down that invite.  So we met up at 5 pm and headed to try some "world food".  It ended up being at the Youth For Understanding (YFU, high school international exchange program) office and we were pretty much the only ones not involved with YFU that went.  But we had some good food and headed off to another event. 

I don't remember the exact order of things, but we saw some interesting things.  OH!  And all of my shoes here in Norway have holes in them, so my feet were COMPLETELY soaked before we even started doing anything.  That led to cold feet all night :(  Susanne and Elisabeth are amazing map readers and managed to get us to most of the places we wanted to go.  We saw some kids doing circus tricks, sat in the rain and watched a jazz band play (whose lead singer/trumpet player had the least charisma I've ever seen from a front man), did a lot of walking... 

We went to the Black Box Theater expecting one thing, and got a COMPLETELY different thing.  It was a play about this woman's time spent in a Tibetan Monastery.  It was just her...dancing and doing yoga-like moves.  It had some music and video along with it...but let's just say it's good we had open minds because WOW it was one of the weirdest performances I've ever seen in my life!!  We finally got some hot cocoa at a cafe...Susanne had been whining about it all night, haha.  It was reallllly chocolatey and good, and it SHOULD BE for almost 7 dollars!  After that we walked to the Oslo Freemasons Temple.  This was about 11pm...and I'm so glad we went...it was AMAZING.  Absolutely gorgeous.  This place was huge, the artwork and furniture were so old and just neat.  The Freemasons are something that Mike and I have always been interested in.  The secrets, symbolism, and history just blow my mind.  Being in a Greek society, I know the feeling, but the fact that so many important people are/have been members is interesting.  We asked lots of questions, many of course, they couldn't answer. By the time we left, we had sort of a creepy feeling inside ourselves.  Pretty neat experience. 

The rest of the weekend...I just relaxed.  I'm such a homebody anyways, it was fine to just chill in my room.  It was rainy and cold, and after being outside for two whole nights, I just wanted to stay in and be dry and warm.  I also got a package from Mike last week...pictures, Peanut Butter M&M's, oatmeal, Raisinets, awesomeness!!  Today I got letters from my Auntie Patty and my LDS sisters, so amazing :)  Totally made my day!  I am still always missing home a lot!  I talked with Cory a lot yesterday, he is in Afghanistan :( ...he said that "even when I get deployed, you still try to follow me".  Haha, I guess that's what best friends do!  I miss him tons...this is us in SUFU in 2009.

Safe.

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.

SJOA 2010!!

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!

4 Weeks

Soo it's been about 2 weeks since I have blogged :(  I've been having a great time and not been wanting to blog...sorry all!  So I will break up the last 2 weeks.  Good thing for you - I've forgotten all the details, so now you just get the important stuff!!  I'll focus on my weekends :)

Tuesday the 7th I went to the Central station and picked up Jordan Lutz (from Concordia) along with 2 of his friends.  One was staying is Oslo for a few days, and Jordan and Dan were on their way to Rome.  Their friend had no idea where he was going, and neither did I, so he called some random person and the 4 of us managed to walk ourselves through downtown Oslo and find him.  But we didn't know what he looked like and his friend ended up walking up to some random guy at one point...SO FUNNY!  Eventually we got rid of him, got them subway passes, peeked at the royal palace, stopped at a grocery store and Dan bought 3 PIZZAS, and we made it back to my place.  We chatted about Norway, had some pizza, and they went to bed pretty early.  Then we all got up at 5:30 AM and I showed them the way to the subway stop...Jordan you totally owe me one!!

The next day Anette and I went with Susanne from the 3rd year to the class party.  It was about 45 minutes out of Oslo on someone's farm.  He lived there by himself in this HUGE nice house.  Let's just say we were a little under-dressed.  I'm used to college parties...it's not really like that here (some places).  It wasn't my favorite event here so far, but it was really good to meet some new people, including 2 older guys that came on the student trip, so it was nice to get to know them a bit.  It is so strange going to school with people who are older and have children..SO not used to that at Concordia. 

That night was also occupied by packing...for SJOA!!  Ahem...NEXT BLOG!! 

2 Weeks Today!

Soo..I've finally been here for two weeks!  It feels way longer and I can't decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing?  Only 24 days until Mom and Grandma come to visit me!  Anddd now that I'm seeing more of the city, I'm hoping that I will be able to do a good job of showing them around.  The students here have been really great about including us and inviting us to things, as well as showing us around.

Last Thursday, Misha and Kristina from the 2nd year class invited Anette and I over to Misha's apartment for dinner.  The buildings here are very old and have a lot of charm.  4 girls lived in Misha's "apartment" but she only knew one of them.  The living situations here seem strange because there are so many students, and it is so expensive, that people just live anywhere.  I told them that in the US, you get apartments with your friends and it is very uncommon of to live with people you don't know.

Misha made us an AWESOME homemade pizza with corn on it and wheat crust...sooo good!  And to start we had chips with homemade guacamole, YUM!  We heard about a concert downtown and decided to go.  We got there after it started and got in freeee!!  Whoo!  They were actually really good, sort of a jazz-pop-rock group.  Afterward, we headed to a "cafe"...bar and got a drink.  We met some of Kristina's friends, who had all been to the US, and talked until we were all tired.  Then we had to make the trip back to Misha's, borrowed some warm clothes for our trip, and walked alllll the way home. 

Friday brought another earrrrllyy class, but also another classmate dinner (3rd year students)!  Some of us met at Majorstua to get groceries and rode the tram to Stina's apartment.  She lives by herself and has a huge living room, but since the building is so old, they share a toilet...so strange, I've never seen anything like that.  But her place was very cozy.  The 5 of us made tacos together, pineapple included (totally new to me), and they were delicious!!  Soo good, 2 homey meals in 2 days...SCORE!  We chatted about class and watched YouTube videos.  They showed me "Eurovision" winners, and I showed them Will Ferrel's "The Landlord".  Good times...

Saturday:  Anette, Matthias, and myself headed downtown to walk around and explore by ourselves.  We went straight to the King's Palace, saw the guards and the garden...and then walked down to the harbor (Aker Brygge).  There we saw a little art exhibit done by rehab patients, ferries, a huge shopping/eating area, and the se!.  Right next to it was the Akershus Fortress and Castle...but they closed at 5pm, so we just walked around the area.  We eventually made it home exhausted and tired from walking.  I got a small blister, so I'm hoping it heals before the big hike this weekend!!

Sunday:  We got up EARLY and met Susanne at the central station to take a ferry to an island.  Our first time out of the city (THANK GOD!).  We headed to Gressholmen (Grass Island) on the ferry, which was my first time on a ferry, very smooooth ride ;)  There were only a few houses on the island, and it was very relaxing.  We made our way all the way to the other side and went out on a mini-peninsula and had a seat.  We enjoyed some tea and just watching the boats go by with no cityscape in the back ground :)  We headed back to the other side to wait for the ferry and I layed down and just soaked in the sun and environment.  Sooo relaxing that somehow laying on rocks was comfortable!!

Today we had class again, we are done with 3 of the 5 of that class already.  After class I went to pick up a sleeping bag and mat that I am borrowing, but the international coordinator forgot them!  So I have to get them tomorrow...  So I walked over to the housing office to get a laundry card...annnnddd they closed at 3.  Well guess what?  I had class until 3:15!  Grrr...So I didn't really accomplish much after class.  BUT Hermine decided to take us out to dinner, we had Chinese and it was SOO GOOD!  I'm still full!  After watching a Norwegian TV show, Hermine and Sebastien showed us how to do laundry, yayy:)  But apparently someone is stealing clothes...how immature some of the people here are just blows my MIND!

Diakonhjemmet VS. Cobberland (Concordia)

I'm just going to point out some things that are different in school so far...

-Teachers are called by their first names
-There is no emphasis on their degree (Doctorate or Masters)
- Their paper and notebooks are longer...and they have 4 holes instead of 3
-The cafeteria is small and expensive...there are no "meal plans"
-There is hardly and International Program, there are only 4 students and they execute things very poorly
-There are no student events, it is up to you to entertain yourself
-They don't have Homecoming :(
-You have to pay for printing
-There are few assignments and no exams
-The classes run on a pass/fail agenda
-It seems very self-taught.  In class the students seem to have more power, but reading are not discussed, it is up to you to teach yourself the literature
-There are no general courses here...it is sort of like a "Tech School", they only offer Social Work and Nursing
-There is student housing, but not many students live there, it is a lot of older people
-You can have alcohol, candles, etc. in your room
-The rooms have their own sink
-You have class once a week, for a LONG time, and you get breaks every hour
-It is common to be older and attend college

All in all...the school is VERY DIFFERENT and absolutely NOT what I was expecting.  It is a very hard adjustment to the schooling part of things (as well as everything else).  The teachers are approachable but really expect you to do everything on your own.  There aren't really like due dates...you basically just read and do everything yourself.  Sort of frustrating when I am so used to deadlines and being very scheduled and structured all semester.

I'm LEGAL!

...In Norway.  Monday I had no school, but I had to get up at 6:30 AM to go to the immigration office.  That is ridiculously early for me, really.  Thankfully we had ridden past it when we were out on Saturday, so we found it easily.  That was my first time riding public transportation without a Norwegian student with me!  Anette and I found our way in..and then were re-directed to a huge line waiting outside...like LONG LINE.  The doors eventually opened and when we went to get numbers, the lady said that Anette didn't even have to be there!  So I waited out by myself (I was number 46) and after about 1.25 hours, which is really short considering, I got called to window #3.  I gave her all my paperwork, and their system wasn't working, so she disappeared for a bit.  Eventually, everything was good, and I had a picture taken for my passport...I looked absolutely AWFUL because I woke up at 6:30 and put clothes on...yuck. 

Afterwards, I made my way to a tram stop (Lightrail) and hopped on the right one to get back to the Central Station.  There I got some headache medicine and went to Trafikanten to get my monthly transit pass.  I had already spent 260 Nok on transit in less than a week, so I decided to spend money my money more wisely on a monthly pass for 340 Nok.  While I was there I got some brochures on Oslo, so I intend to read them soon!

Then I took a new way home :)  ..by myself, and when I reached Majorstua, decided to walk around a bit.  I dipped into a few small shops and made my way home slowly.  It was a nice day and I had it all to myself.  I came home and took a long nap!  I did some homework later and prepared for the week, only to get super sad about my time here.  I really miss my things, my pets, my space, my people...etc.  BUT with some help from Mike and Jake, I am feeling better today.  I realize that at school in Moorhead, I like my time to myself anyways...so I am just going to keep up in my classes and pretend that I am there!

Today we had a short class, and only 3 remain in that course (!), and after Matthias and I signed up for the student trip.  It leaves next Thursday, and I signed up for rafting and a ropes course.  What a great way to spend a weekend but camping in the forest and doing adventurous things!  Totally my deal...so I'm hoping it's great! 

Now I am doing boring homework...This is a picture of the opera house we visited on Saturday.