I'll Be Home For Christmas :)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! I hope you all had a wonderful, filling Thanksgiving back home in the States. And I am wishing you many holiday wishes as we approach the first of December :) yeeekkkkk the Christmas season just puts me in a constantly giddy mood :) Well, I know it has been awhile since I have last updated so again, we will follow with a simple date to date post.

Tuesday, November 13 we handed in out culture exams; boy was it a relief to be done with those! It was nice knowing that there was only one sit down exam, and one take home exam left before I was done with my studies for the semester. The following week I studied for my Social Psychology exam that was scheduled for November 21. I think it went alright, now I am just working on my History written exam, yay polar exploration!

Thursday, November 15 the new and improved Jekta Storsenter had its grand opening so Madelen and I headed to the other side of the island to do some shopping. It was ridiculously huge with so many shops and a crazy amount of people. We didn't even have to walk from the busstop, the bus driver just dropped us off directly in front of the mall entrance. I, of course, goggled at the "half cut prices" that would have been considered full price back home, but it was really fun to hang out with Madelen :) And my favorite part was the giant, sparkling snowflakes and white, bright Christmas decorations that were everywhere :)

Friday, November 16, I had Tina, Ashley, and Rudi come over for some pancakes :) My wonderful mother cured my craving by sending some pancake mix and maple syrup in one of her recent care packages. It was a delicious treat with lovely company :)

Saturday, November 17: Madelen's birthday was on the 13 but we had her celebration for her this day :) She made homemade pizza (the best) and delicious, cute, huge cupcakes. Yeah, she did all that. I made some mexicorn chip dip however--again thanks to care package makings sent from home :) It was  Henrik, Kristian, Ashley, Madelen and then two of Madelen's other friends. Enjoyed a lot of food and some crazy, tasty drinks. After Madelen, Henrik, Madelen's friend and I headed to the city where we enjoyed some nightlife :)

During this time I have been lucky enough to use the athletic facility Kraft. Yes, I tried to make it an every day thing but some weeks were better than others. Not only did they have any other machine at a sports facility but there were also classes available to members. I forgot to mention that a few Mondays ago, I had met up with an outside running group and it was fantastic. I was very excited, and my assumptions were that it was just a group of people who love to run just going for a little winter jaunt, but nope:: it was an interval workout on the icy streets of Tromsø. Honestly, it sounds worse than what was, it was great being with people who were passionate about running---my fellow tracksters would understand. It was a great workout, I was sore the following day, and although I only went only once I was very glad I went. I have also gone to a step class twice this past week. It was refreshing to not workout on a boring treadmill or elliptical, but it also reminded me how uncoordinated I am. The second day was much better :) I also ran outside this past Saturday, because it was a beautiful 45 degrees and a lot of the ice was melting. It was very nice to run outside again, can't wait to be back on a routine once track season starts. I am also looking forward to some holiday runs---Brittney?? :)

coffee love.

November 22, Thanksgiving back home. I met up with Rudi in the city centre to have some coffee. When we both ran up to each other, we were so very excited because they had just began putting up Christmas lights and garland over the streets :) It was beautiful and made us both very giddy. She took me to the cutest little coffee shop. We got mochas and the yummiest apple dessert. It was evident that this store was the owner's passion. We talked with her a little after our treats and she spoke that her inspiration came from her grandma and Bob Marley, she was wonderful :) We had done some Christmas/souvenior shopping as well. Then we met Ashley and Leonard at Driv for a nice meal of Thai Chicken Soup--what a thanksgiving dinner, huh? It was a very nice meal. We thought about catching a movie on the town, but Ashley, Leonard and I decided it would be cozier to watch one back home, we watched The Inside Man :) I of course scheduled a skype date for back home as well. My parents hosted our family Thanksgiving at our farm so the iPad was passed around as I got to see my aunts, uncles, cousins, and my grandparents--it was a real treat, kind of bittersweet but made me even more anxious to be home.

November 24, Ashley, Leonard, Holly, and I traveled to the city center just in time to catch the end of the Christmas markets--enough time to grab a tasty spring roll! We made sure to make plans to come back earlier this Saturday :) We went to Kafebønna, and luckily Karolina was working! It was a wonderful Saturday afternoon with friends, coffee, and ----darkness.

November 25, I met Rudi in the afternoon for some coffee again :) It was lovely to see her, as always. She left bright and early that Monday to meet her mom in Greece so it was kind of a I-only-get-to-see-you-one-more-time-after-this-hangout. Bittersweet for sure, and it made me think of all the other goodbyes that I will have to start saying real soon.....Sunday night the northern lights were very active outside my room window. Normally, they are very faint because there is a lot of light pollution around Stakkevollan so you have to venture away to really see them. I have seen a few little green lights here and there on numerous nights, but I hadn't seen any like this. I know some friends have seen some purple and white light, but green is good enough for me :) It took awhile to fall asleep that night, but that is mighty fine.

November 26, We were given our history exam prompt this day and the past few days I have been writing hoping to get as much done so I can enjoy the weekend as much as I can. I am coming to the end of it, only a few more hours tomorrow with coffee and the morning light--it'll get done.

The past few weeks have been wonderful here in Tromsø, Norway. And I cannot believe that I will be leaving this place so soon. But my heart could not be happier knowing that I will be back in Fargo in TWO WEEKS! It has been ridiculous. There have been a few nights now, that I have walked back from Kraft (instead of bussing) because it has been so beautiful out, and I wish I could share that with all of you. The more I think about it, the more I would definitely love to come back here. I have not regretted anything since being here, and the next six days are going to be the best yet. I missed you all at Thanksgiving, but I will see you soon :) Now go listen to that Michael Buble Christmas CD!

Morning in Tromsø :)