Har en fantastisk dag!

Hello from Tromsø! Another pretty day in Norway, I should be leaving for a run here shortly. I realized I had forgotten to mention that Thursday, September 13 we had taken a History class trip to two museums. One was on the island, the Folkeparken Perspektivet museum which was a collection of some preserved buildings, some dating back to 1826. The one which the tour guide showed us was an old boathouse with an exhibit throughout titled, "In Cod We Trust" emphasizing that fish was a way of life for northern Norwegians. We then traveled about a half hour inland to find Perspektivet Straumen Gård, a coastal farm with 11 buildings. Straumen Gård is among the most complete 19th century farms in this region. There is also an exhibition of furniture and implements that were used on the farm. We also went to the Tromsø Museum again for class the next Thursday, too. 

I have been posting pictures onto my Facebook page and I realize that some don't have access to them so I will provide the links::

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151105536465805.419191.501235804&type=3&l=b00632d876

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151173214385805.430045.501235804&type=3&l=15e96ee144

I hope that worked, have a wonderful day!! Take care, ha det! :)

To The Most Northern Point in Europe!

our little audi, with a scenic background of course.

Thursday, September 20^th my friends Ashley, Emely (Germany) and Antonia (Germany) embarked the Hurtigruten once more, although I was the only second timer. Being that we left at 6:30pm and that their was crappy weather so our view was limited, it was easy to sleep through the night on the ship. The next afternoon, we got off in Honningsvåg. After discovering that our hostel was almost 3km out of town we decided to travel up through what seemed like the city centre of the town. We took a few pictures, shivered a lot, and made a quick stop in at the grocery store to discover that they had a 10kr deal on ice cream treats! So of course, even though it was freezing outside, we helped our self to some sweets:) We started our trek away from the port and walked and walked. After it seemed like too long, we came across this bus station, so we thought we would ask for more specific directions. Found out that we passed the hostel a ways back, and an incredibly nice bus driver took a bus—just for us four—to the hostel. Upon arrival, also an incredibly nice woman checked us into the rooms while telling us about free showers and breakfast. It was a cozy place, a very neat facility. We were able to pick from a movie selection of three; two children’s film or a movie with Harrison Ford and Rachel McAdams, of course we picked the latter.

            The next morning, we came to a very elaborate breakfast: different kinds of bread, meat, fish foods, but most importantly yogurt, cereal, and being able to use a toaster. We definitely took advantage of what we were offered. We picked up our rental car, an Audi and a beaut was she, and began our journey North. Antonia’s friend had burnt her a “Norwegian” CD before coming to Norway, and we listened to the sweet, chill music. On the way up to Nordkapp (North Cape) there we in two smaller towns that were cute and cold. We saw reindeer! Lots of reindeer while we were on the northern peninsula and we frequently stopped to take pictures of the scenery. 

Upon Nordkapp, one paid an entrance fee to find a little building with a souvenir shop and café, the monument being outside through the building. It was fun because we ran into a large group of UiT ISU students traveling with four cars; it was nice to see some other friendly faces:) We took pictures with the monument, got some postcards, watched a film and made our stay worthwhile. On the way back we listened to the mix CD that was previously in the car and jammed out to a remix of the Titanic tune. Getting back that afternoon, we were very tired so we settled in and got cozy in the TV room. The lady from the hostel came in to bring us blankets and chocolate! She was already fantastic, but she became just so wonderful. It was quite a treat. After taking a long shower, sleep came easy knowing that we had to get up early so that we could catch the ship by 6:30am. The wonderful lady even put aside a breakfast just for us four so that we could have some good food in our tummies before we left. We made sure to leave some praise to her in the guest book; her eager helpfulness did not go unnoticed. Aboard the ship, we slept, we looked out to the sea, and we slept and looked out to the sea. There wasn’t much scenery in comparison to my Hurtigruten experience the previous weekend, and the weather wasn’t fit either.

            However, we were able in the late afternoon to stretch our legs in Hammerfest. We were there approximately an hour so we walked through the cute city centre and climbed atop a public hill and  took pictures with the polar bears sculptures that were visible from the bay. The rest of the boat ride  was not intriguing to be honest, and come 11:45pm we were grateful to pull into the port of Tromsø:) Home sweet home…for now. That night I caught up with Ali for about an hour, which was wonderful and then talked with Matthew until the good hour of three in the morning:)

            It was very nice being back yesterday; my day began Skyping Matt in the early morning and then with a long run. The colors are beginning to change and it is so very pretty, I love the fall. It was a really nice morning and it felt great getting out early. That afternoon I met Ashley for waffles in Café Bodega, always a treat; then continued to the grocery store for the staples: milk, eggs, bread, yogurt, and cheese. The rest of the night was quite chill--as most of  my day has been today. Again began Skyping the boy, followed by a run and workout, showered and continued to enjoy having this day to myself---and of course to catch up with my blog.   

           

Nordkapp
So finally I am all caught up and I again apologize for the delay in feedback, but all in all I am loving Norway. I discovered today that in about two weeks I will have reached the halfway point and that is crazy, scary, beyond exciting, overwhelming, and incredible. I can’t believe that I am here, still. Yes, it has been an experience, but I never would have imagined like this. On my run on Monday, I stopped in the middle of my run to walk by the bay. It was gorgeous, the mountains on the other side of the water, the reflections, the golden red leaves. It was nice to have a moment to take it all in, and the only thing I felt was gratitude—and the yearning to be able to share what I was viewing/feeling with everyone important at home. I constantly think of packing up, boarding the plane and arriving in the Fargo airport but I am sincerely enjoying my time here, too. Many mixed emotions, but mostly good. I am going to try my hardest to not take my time here for granted. I do love being here. Even though my heart is at home, I am happy. I am content. I think I found what I was looking for when I came here and that is comforting and exciting. Hopefully I will be able to update again in a few days, although I feel like a majority of my time will be spent catching up on the school that I have put aside recently to travel. But I don’t regret anything and I look forward to reading lots of articles! Until next time, have a wonderful day! And thank you for reading:)   

Traversing Norway!

Hei :) So moving on through September….

            I heard about a trip a couple friends were taking, and plainly asked if I could come along. So myself, Jana (Canada) and Felix (Germany) boarded a plane Thursday night, September 13. We took it to Oslo, where we immediately got on a train to take us to the city centre (the airport is about a half hour from the city) We explored a little of the center but the weather was not making it easy, it was quite rainy. However, it was neat because I saw some of the places that Ali saw. (my best friend who had studied abroad in Oslo this past spring) It made me real happy. It started pouring and we made our way back to the train station where we camped out until 1:30am. Security went around telling the few people in the station that we had to wait by the bus terminal. We left reluctantly through the pouring rain, but we tried our luck at the nearest hotel (the bus stop did not seem very safe, I was exposed to some of the craziest people that night and was extremely grateful that I had people with me) So we stopped in the Radisson, a hotel also very popular throughout Norway as well as the States and asked if we could bunk for a few hours in their lobby. They agreed but only if none of us fell asleep. It was warm, and cozy, and very difficult to stay awake but we were thankful. 4am we headed back to the train station, where we got on our train at 6:30a.

            Because of staying up the entire night, I fell asleep immediately—being in and out of sleep the first two hours. It was bummer, because this train ride from Oslo to Bergen was supposedly the most beautiful in Norway. Although I have not been on the train anywhere else in Norway, I could not agree more. It was so pretty, the entirety of the eight hours. I was getting very excited approaching Bergen, hearing only good things about the Norwegian city. Bergen was friendlier than Oslo and once again we found another Radisson so we could freshen up. After feeling ready to take on the city, we began exploring! Pictures do not do justice, but I can say that Bergen is the most beautiful city I have ever been in. I would love to go back someday. The three of us walked through the fish market, tried caviar and headed towards the infamous Bergen Bryggen. It was just darling. I loved it. It is an old merchant quarter, a preserved business district from the Hanseatic Period. Just so pretty, we stopped in a little café where Felix and Jana got coffee and a roll while I treated myself to a $9 caramel mocha, it was worth it:) Our friend Kai (Australia) joined us at the café after he took a flight from Tromsø to Bergen that day. It was nice to have the four of us together.

Bryggen:)

            Friday night we embarked on the Hurtigruten to begin our three-day trip on a Northern route along the western Norwegian Coast! The boat was so big, I felt like we were on a mini Titanic. The majority of the guests were of the older generation, apparently a lot of Germans. Saturday morning we approached Ålesund for a quick port, then went back south to begin our four-hour journey through Storfjorden and Geiranger. All I can say is, the entire four hours were breathtaking. Geiranger is one of the most famous, natural attractions in Norway; the four of us were on the deck, shivering, the whole time taking pictures because it was so pretty. The entire ship went through a rainbow at one point, it was so cool! We made our way back to Ålesund where we only had 40 minutes to find some food; it took awhile to locate the grocery store so we had to hustle back to the ship.

Geiranger, seriously so pretty.

            Overnight, we would sleep on the couches that were in the upper viewing deck. It sounds a lot worse than it was. I was up by six each morning because that was when the cleaner would come around with the vacuum cleaner, but I did not mind being up that early:) On Sunday, the Hurtigruten approached the city of Trondheim, also a cute Norwegian city with incessant charm. It was a Sunday, so close to nothing was open and not many people were out, but it was still nice. From blocks away, we saw the arch of the famous Niadorasdomen and the closer we got, the more I fell in love with the magnificent cathedral. It was seriously incredible, the intricate design. Everything about it was just so pretty, which led to lots of pictures:) I hope to be visiting a friend who lives in Trondheim later in the semester so I am hoping that then I will be able to view inside. We just walked around the quiet city and it was very relaxing. We came across a red track and I instantly thought of the team back home, and how much I missed running with them. Back on the boat, I had found a book Safe Haven by Nicolas Sparks the previous night, and finished it that Sunday night. It was so calming, reading and then looking up to see a gorgeous sunset on the beautiful Norwegian coastline in front of me. Sidenote:: The 16^th was also my 9^th month anniversary with Matthew:) and I have never been so happy although I am missing that boy every day.

Niadorasdomen

            Monday, we approached Bodø, and I can say that this was the one and only distasteful city I had been in while being in Norway. It wasn’t that big, but it just seemed more industrialized than the others without the charm. The boys got Burger King, while Jana and I treated ourselves to Subway. After Felix and Jana made their way back to the ship, they were hoping to continue on to Tromsø the following day, Kai and I went on our own way to find the airport so that we could catch our flight back to Tromsø that evening. It was a long wait, but a quick flight. And it was crazy how excited I was being back in Tromsø. I felt a surge of immediate relief and was so excited to be back. I thought I would be glad, but I was very thrilled. I was quite anxious having my computer so I could catch up with my family and Matt via Skype.

            It was a beautiful wonderful weekend. Highlights: the Bergen Bryggen, Geiranger, and Niadorasdomen. The next day I met up with Rudi, Ashley, and Holly and showed them pictures while having a tasty waffle from Café Bodega:) I also came home to package #2 form home! I am so blessed. I believe my favorite items inside, were my grey jacket, one that my father used to wear but now I have claimed it as mine, and a stack full of pictures from home. The pictures are now scattered throughout my room, constantly reminding me of the amazing people in my life. I also received a package that Brittney had sent me too! Full of goodies and especially, The Lion King DVD.

            Wednesday, the 19^th I attended class, ran, and then met up with Karolina (Canada) Holly, and Ashley to enjoy an Asian dish, it was delicious and good company too, of course:) That night I started packing again! 

The Beginning of September in Tromsø

 Heihei, again I apologize for the late posts, but better late than never! Enjoy :) Thanks for reading! 

Saturday, September 1:  This Saturday, we had a gameplan: to conquer the cable car mountain. We knew, that after taking over Tromsdalstinden, the cable car should be a piece of cake. Well, Ashley, Leonard and I set out and it was a nice hike, nothing compared to the previous weekend but a workout nonetheless. It was a hike of good company and lots of layering off, and on. It gets so warm on the way up, but if one stands still it gets chilly fast. We kind of overshot our destinations, overachievers by mistake but we were still able to see a wonderful view of the island and also, the mountain of which we had been on the previous weekend. After the hike, I was anxious for 8:00p to come around because my wonderful mother found out that I could watch Matt’s game Live via internet, so of course I invited a few friends (Ashley, Leonard, and Rudi of course) to cheer on the Cobber Soccer team (especially #5) that was 4000miles away:) It was a wonderful night, after the game we went into town and discovered the nightlife of Tromsø.

Go Cobbers! i like my new friends:)

Tuesday, September 4: In Culture class, we were given lefse and sealmeat as a midlecture treat. It was a treat all right;)

Friday, September 7: Ashley, Leonard, and I went to Verdensteatret, an old cinema where we watched the silent film, Frosty Celluloid: With Maud over the Arctic Ocean / Roald Amundsen monument unveiled in Troms. It showed old footage together with live piano music.

Saturday, September 8: Ashley and I went to the market to see what we could find for cheap vegetables and fruit. I left with a sack of potatoes:) That night I met with Ashley, Holly (Canada) Karolina (Canada) Felix (Germany) Antonia (Germany) and Emely (also Germany) to enjoy some wine Holly brought back from Svalbard (an island far north, where polar bears live and where there is no taxes=cheaper wine!) and some rhubarb cake Karolin and Holly made that day, all the while enjoying company and playing cards. How could I forget, Holly also had maplenut ice cream!

Sunday, September 9: We, Ashley and I went to the Tromsø Museum. It was interesting! Emphasizes areas of geology, archeology, biology interests, and cultural pulls specifically of Sami interests. We attended a lecture, unknowingly that it would be entirely in Finnish. We also viewed a pretty film featuring pictures caught of the northern lights.

Monday, September 10: After class, Rudi, Tina, Ashley and I got together at my place to make tacos! They were very tasty and it was wonderful being with those girls.

Wednesday, September 12: Ashley and I took a walk down by the water to collect more seashells and enjoy the scenery.

And of course, during all this time I have been attending lectures. I have Social Psych MWF, Culture Tuesdays, and History on Thursdays. Tough life, right? Any in between time is spent either reading for classes, running through Tromsø, or Skyping back home. Through this time also I have received a loving amount of cards from home, too. I appreciate every single thought.

Life in Norway the Remainder of August!

Hi! Okay so once again, I am so very sorry that I haven’t been faithful in updating my Blog, but this time it was actually do to technical difficulties of the user—me. I somehow misplaced my password, but today worked hard to receive it again! So I am setting a new goal in which I don’t let things slip right by like I have this past month. I also promise that other entries won’t be like this one, I will state the date and interesting activities on such a day, but the entries after this will be more in depth, cross my heart:) I hope you enjoy!

love in a box.

Wednesday, August 22: Wow, September is almost over, that’s embarrassing—On August 22, I received my first care package from home! It was a joyous day. I had actually gone in two days earlier to ICA Supermarket (the Postal point for my specific zipcode) because I knew, by tracking the package that it was almost to Tromsø. But Ashley and I excitedly walked down to ICA to pick it up. We came back to open it, and it felt like Christmas. I received some affectionate cards, Tupperware, Tide pods, batteries, tights—so I could be trendier, and lots of yummy goodies; including Grandma C’s delicious molasses cookies. I went to bed that night a very happy girl, with a happy tummy mind you. 

Thursday, August 23: This day was beautiful. I remember waking up and smiling seeing how nice it was. This day was also the first day of Artic Norway—Aspects of History, again a small, cozy class with a lively professor.

a pretty morning on the way to school :)

Friday, August 24: On this day, Ashley, Holly (Canada) and I made brownie cookies! It was quite the treat. After cookies, Ashley and I ventured down to the city center to volunteer for DebutUke, which I described in a previous post. And I can tell you that my favorite part was definitely the free meal! We showed up early and the workers at Driv were very nice, chicken nuggets and fries! It was wonderful to have a warm meal. Volunteering was –interesting. There were about a handful of Norwegians and only like four ISU students helping out. Our task was to cut out circles out of pieces of paper, tape a string to the back, and place in a pile. You can bet it was just as thrilling as it sounds. And the other people were kind of ignoring anything we asked in English, awfully boring and awkward. So Ashley, our friend Tina (Germany) and I left after we put our two hours in. That night a group of friends got together to celebrate our friends, Rudi (from California) for her birthday. It was really fun getting together with people and fun to meet others and we can’t forget, the delicious cake that Bill made!

Saturday, August 25: Ashley and I went into volunteer again in the early afternoon. We were served beef stew with potatoes. Yum! We again did the tedious work of taping a string to paper circles, put in two hours and left.

Sunday, August 26:  It was an incredible Sunday. I spent most of my morning and early afternoon watching four episodes of New Girl, starring Zooey Deschanel it quickly became a favorite TV show, which the second season premiers in tomorrow!! But then I clocked in SIX amazing hours Skyping my sisters, parents, Matt, and Ali. It was cool, because if Mom and I started a conversation, then Michaela would add on in Fargo, and then Britt in Minot, and so on:) It was soooo great:)

Monday, August 27:  I went to the grocery store :)

Tuesday, August 28: There was a UN meeting at the university where we were served free pizza:) and watched a film, The Iron Wall, discussing the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians focusing on the existence and expansion of Israeli settlements.

Wednesday, August 29: I had my first Social Psychology lecture, hehe.

Thursday, August 30: Attended history class, and had a wonderful lively dinner with some friends—some Italians in specific decided to make Carbonara the “right” way, it was delicious. It was also exceptionally pretty this day, while I was thinking of my fellow Cobbers starting their first day of classes back in Moorhead.

Friday, August 31: Attended psych class, and then that evening Ashley, Leonard, and I went into the city centre to go to an art exhibit. It was lovely! There was free wine and bubblywater, I took the wine of course and we walked around the handful of perspective exhibits. It was called Am I Making Up What Really Happened? It was very neat and left me feeling extremely sophisticated, all I needed was a pair of pumps and a nice, suited gentleman on my arm to become tiptop!

Welp, that was the remainder of August! I will continue on with the entirety of September in another post :)