Okay...So I lied about updating my blog the day after I posted the pictures. & I AM TERRIBLY SORRY! It really is hard to sit myself down & find enough time to create a post that would be remotely worthwhile for you to read. But hey, I'm updating NOW. Let me tell you, I have been up to A LOT since I last posted & I will try to keep you entertained, although I can't promise impressing in-depth descriptions.
So last time I actually left a post, I left you hanging with two paragraphs of my "language rage" and frustration. I apologize, but blogs are meant for a little venting. Its easy to clear your head when you have a blank text box in front of you & a plethora of things on your mind that NEED to be let out. A little back round into what provoked that: So two weeks ago (the last time I posted) I had Høst ferien (fall break). Anyways, the first weekend of høst ferien Sanne & I jetted off to Oslo to participate in a conference with 5 different youth organizations in Norway associated with a campaign devoted to letting the world know about the flaws of Human Rights throughout the world. Its called "Involve Yourself" & here is a link if you want to learn more about it: http://involveyourself.com/. Anyways, since I am in NORWAY & the language that people speak here is NORWEGIAN, the whole conference was in NORWEGIAN which made it exceedingly difficult for me to understand. Go figure ;). However, there were some really nice people there who actually wanted to translate for me! So they did! One girl was getting her Bachelor's degree in English & thought it was great practice to translate for me, & so she did! It was really nice, but still. I want to understand by myself, to have my own opinions about something, first hand. & sometimes hearing and trying to speak a language that you cannot contribute to is frustrating and a little bit embarrassing. So when it all builds up, one needs to vent, & thats what I did, LUCKY YOU! In the end, the weekend proved to be really helpful for my Norwegian, seeing as though I was forced to speak it sometimes. I EVEN PLAYED SINGSTAR: NORSK HITS! THAT was fun & slightly embarassing. I mispronounced half the words and pretending like I knew the tune but HEY, it was really fun & everyone sang along. I actually learned a lot about Human Rights in the World & in Norway & how governments are dealing with it. It was cool. Great weekend in general (minus my minor language problem).
The rest of the week was just devoted to relaxing at home in Førde. I went into Førde almost every single day of that week & I have some cute new purchases (WHICH I NEED TO CUT BACK ON. NO MORE SPENDING MONEY UNTIL CHRISTMAS; I PROMISE MOMMMA J). I hung out with a few friends & it was really nice. ALSO, Sabrina, my host sister that lives in Oslo came to visit for 3 days, from friday to sunday! I LOVED SEEING/MEETING HER! She's really fun & nice. Its cool to have an older sister that I can talk to about things, I already love it. When she was here we went on walks with Nemi, the dog, watched "Skal vi danse?" (Norways version of "Dancing with the Stars", ate chips and dip (SO GOOD, but insanely unhealthy), ate candy (AGAIN SO GOOD but unhealthy), & looked up songs that we love on youtube. Aud curled everyones hair, just for fun. It was a girls weekend because Jan was away on a hunting trip, so every girls weekend needs a little junk food and pampering. All in all, it was a good høst ferien :) & It sounds like everyone else had a good time too!
The week after høst ferien (last week) felt really long, but then again it ALWAYS feels that way after a nice & relaxing break. I had TWO math tests (which didn't go as well as I'd hoped, but was better than failing), & a French test (we haven't gotten it back yet, but I think it went REALLY well). The homework load wasn't bad at all, but it was just a long week. THURSDAY: My friend, Kristina, made me do this dance class with her after I ran into her at the gym. I WAS STRAIGHT UP AWFUL AT IT. It was fun with her though, & It was funny to attempt to dance when I know that I actually can't dance at all. On Friday I hung out with Andrea & Kristina (Two girls from my class) & we made pizza and chocolate mousse at Kristina's house :)! Aud drove me down to meet up with Kristina at 6 AFTER MISSING MY BUS (which I have vowed will NEVER happen again). We then did a little shopping around Førde, met up with Andrea, & got some supplies for our homemade Pizza and mousse. We made THE best pizza and THE best mousse ever. & WE BOUGHT THIS PURPLE SODA CALLED "Halloween Brus" (Halloween Soda) which was really weird, but kinda good at the same time. We watched X-factor, talked, and had fun :)! They're such nice girls. On Saturday, I went into Førde with Sanne and Kamilla (Sanne's friend), & did more shopping. Sanne and I bought a dress together (MOM I TOLD YOU ABOUT THIS ONE, SO DON'T WORRY), its pretttty cute but WAY different than anything I own. I can't wait to wear it though :). That night Sanne went to Kamilla's house & two of my friends, Marte and Synniva came over & we ate tacos and watched "Vicki, Christina, Barcelona", which was a pretty interesting movie, I must say. It was really nice to have them over. We just talked and talked, watched some "Grey's" after the movie, & ate some melkskjokolade. The good life.
This week has been mixed for me. I was so happy because I was asked to write for my school paper at home on my experiences in Norway! I was ecstatic that they wanted to include me in it, & I found that I really enjoyed writing it. Next, the yearbook staff asked me if I wanted to have a little page devoted to my experiences here. They want me in the yearbook! It was so sweet to hear! I am so happy, I was worried I would be forgotten! The downside of this week : my first actual case of homesickness occurred yesterday, tears and all. No fear, not heaps and heaps of tears. Still tears, nonetheless, I haven't cried in SO long, & its weird to have uncontrollable tears rolling down my face. I hate it & I don't cry often. Its just a build up things that have caused it. I learned some bad/worrying news from back home, my parent's anniversary was yesterday, I talked to my best friend on skype & I learned that I am missing a lot at home, My sister had her first date (even though she claims it wasn't a date-IT SO WAS), My soccer team is number one (which is great, I just want to be a part of it), & the weather here has sort of a nostalgic feel lately. The leaves are falling, its kind of cold--just enough to turn your cheeks pink, & it smells like fire all the time. I don't know, it just makes me feel nostalgic. This is normal. We all knew it would begin. I'm not invincible, but then again who is?
Next weekend is Halloween & I know I'll be missing home then, just because not being fully a part of the tradition will be weird.
Today made it better though. I had NO SCHOOL, because the teachers are away on a retreat or something, I don't really know actually. I went to Gunvor's house with Marte & we baked cookies & bread rolls! SO YUMMY. Just to let you know: We're pro bakers ;).
Tomorrow I have school, but I get to leave early because I don't have class after 1:30 & I'm looking forward to doing absolutely NOTHING this weekend.
Right now I'm watching "Nick and Norah's infinite playlist" & I WANT NYC! OHHHH! Andrea, Kristina, & I have decided that next year when I am back in the US, they are going to come visit during Christmas break and we're going on a road trip to NYC to see the ball drop on NEW YEARS! Its happening. We've decided. But seriously, NYC, My favorite city in the entire world.
I've begun to realize something. The cliche is true when they say: You never know how much you love something until its missing. Even the littlest difference in a tradition, a language, a culture, a way of life can make an impact on someone. The differences may be upsetting and a little hard to understand, but in the end it truly is a prize to have experienced and lived something different. Your own values don't disappear. You only gain more insight to who you are, through the DIFFERENT places you live, the DIFFERENT people you meet, the DIFFERENT things you experience. It's these things that will constantly open your eyes to the little things in life that should be paid more attention to.
Goodnight. Love you.
PICTURES FROM HØST FERIEN:
"INVOLVE YOURSELF" campaign in OSLO!
IN OUR HOTEL ROOM :) (the crazy host sister & I)
MY HOST SISTER IS THE COOLEST...;)
FUN AT THE "INVOLVE YOURSELF" CONFERENCE
KRISTINA & I TRYING ON HATS
OUR BEAUTIFUL PIZZA
WEIRD PURPLE HALLOWEEN SODA
AGAIN WITH THE HATS (Sanne & I)
