Dumb face.

This'll be a quick one folks, because let's be honest, I SHOULD BE PACKING.

In light of In the Photo Fridays, here is a well composed & artistic photo that Lars took of me last weekend. I think he did a really good job balancing the shot and whatnot, just too bad I made such a dumb face. I fail.

Good work Lars, 5 points to you! Lisa on the other hand, skjerp deg! (get it together)

By the way, the island in the background here is called Munkholmen (the monk's isle) and was where we spent the last day of our trip soaking up the sun. Gorgeous! Today the tiny little island is obviously just a tourist trap in the Trondheim fjord, but over time it has been a monastery, a fortress, a prison, a place of execution and a World War II anti-aircraft station. We just ate ice cream, wandered around and took pictures of course, doing our equally important part in history! ;)

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Trondheim

Ah.
Life is good.

For me, life is just now getting back to normal after an awesome weekend in Trondheim. It was a wonderful teaser of a mini vacation.

We had absolutely perfect weather and really soaked up the vacation feel of the few short days. We ate out, we took it easy, we took lots of pictures and walked around aimlessly. We drank coffee, ate some good treats, enjoyed each other's company and went on a boat. We sat in the sun, we shopped, we tried new things. It was good.

It was especially great to see Colleen. We weren't quite sure when we saw each other last, but we suspected that it was last June at the Seattle Pride Parade. That's more than a year people. So yay for a reunion.

I feel like we needed two more weeks to properly catch up, but we were so busy being tourists and checking out a rad Norwegian city that we were obviously a bit distracted.

It was also nice to spend some time with Lars. I mean yeah, I live with the guy, but it was nice to get away from Hamar for a bit and be with each other in a different environment. Getting away from the daily grind always gives ya a boost.

I also fell in love with Trondheim--the windy little streets, all the little cafes, the ocean, the river, the vibe and beat of the place--sure we were spoiled with some way-better-than-usual weather and definitely were just tourists for the weekend, but STLL: I just plain ol' liked it there. It felt good to be there and it was easy for me to see why Lars has only said good things about the place.

Now I suppose I understand even better why my best friend from around here is moving there soon to go to school...and as sad as I am to be here without her and to be missing her--I guess I really can't blame her.

Guess I'll just have to visit.

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I like to move it, move it.

I like to move it, move it.

Or, maybe I don't. I'm not sure that anyone actually likes to move. I mean, packing and sweating and moving furniture isn't exactly fun. But the process has begun people! Boxes and newspaper everywhere and I have done my fair share of standing in the middle of the apartment and looking around while thinking 'What do I not need until next week around this time?' and 'Where did all this stuff come from?' Haha.

Lars' parents are coming this weekend to help us, which is super nice of them and much needed. I think my boss that's in charge of the schedule forgot that I asked to have the 1st off since we are moving. I am scheduled to work at least 8 hours each day\night. Should be a challenge for me to feel like I am pulling my weight in this process. Hopefully I can get a lot of the packing done so that when it comes to the weekend it will just be moving.

Regardless, soon, it will be over. And we will be in our new place. I CANNOT wait!! :D

I like to move it, move it.
P.S. The weekend in Trondheim was awesome.

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Looking forward.

Have I mentioned I'm excited? And anxious?

I have so much to look forward to over the two+ months. And so many plans to make!

First of all, Lars and I (and maybe Sondre) are heading to Trondheim this weekend to meet up with my American friend Colleen who is on vacation in Sweden! I can't wait to see her; I am not sure when I saw her last. . . but man do I miss her. In college we worked together, had class together and chalked up a lot of goofing around (and managed somehow to graduate together) --I can't wait to reunite!

I am also stoked to explore the city where Lars lived while going to school. I've heard nothing but great things about Trondheim and am so up for the adventure!

And then after the weekend it is just one little week left until we MOVE! This may be what I am most excited for of all...it is at least what is keeping my mind spinning at night when I'm trying to sleep...I seriously am looking forward to it so much.

Then it's a work filled month of August and sometime in September I get to go home. Ahhhh yes, home to WA, USA, home to the Pacific Northwest, home to my family. I miss them. And my friends too. It's been almost a year since I was there last so not so weird that I miss a lot of things about Little Norway. I just keep adding all of them to this never-ending list of things I am looking forward to! Lars and I are even going to drive to Montana for Annē's (another great college friend) wedding!

It just keeps getting better too...Did I mention one of my best friends ever (Erik) is moving here in September? He is half Norwegian and is coming to live with his mom in Oslo for awhile. And a cool girl (Danielle) that was recruited to play PLU softball when I graduated is coming here to study in August! And after the new year Elise (who also happens to be half Norwegian and coincidentally Danielle's roommate) is also coming to study!

Hamar is a happening place people...you might as well get on out here!
It'll just give me one more thing to look forward to... ;)

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Lakeside

Another day spent lakeside, this time with the boys: Halvor, Lars and Sondre.
A little soccer, a little juggling, a little catch, a lot of fun.

Lars took the plunge:

and Sondre brought along his bucket grill.


There were kites, bikes, and boats galore.
Sure we had to battle the clouds off and on for a bit of sunshine--
but dang this whole summer in Norway idea is really growing on me.

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The Help

I'm not gonna lie, I haven't been much of a reader lately.

It's funny too, because I remember laying in my room for hours and hours on end when I was younger reading and rereading books that I loved, books that were boring, books that I didn't understand or books that were way too easy for me--absolutely anything and everything I could get my hands on I read.

I loved the escape into another time or place, the feeling of being in another person's shoes. I loved getting to know the characters and giving my brain a workout. I plain 'ol loved reading.

Nothing has really changed. I get sucked into books and don't really come back to reality until I can finish the story. But lately I just haven't picked up anything that's clicked. And I haven't really tried that hard either.

I started The Island, by Victoria Hislop in Norwegian (Øya). It didn't do much for me. I think the book is actually pretty good, but the combination of having reader's block, the book including lots of terms and names in Greek and of course the entire story being written in Norwegian did not pan out well for me. So I stopped reading it. Yes fellow readers, I quit a book.

And moved on to a book the lit me on fire: The Help, by Kathryn Stockett.

Set in the 1960's in Mississippi, this story explored themes I love reading about: injustice, ignorance, racism, unwritten rules, bravery, cowardice. I absolutely devoured and LOVED this book. I don't even really want to tell you much more about it, but that it's good and it will touch your heart. Read it.

And there. Just like that, reader's block was no longer. Guess The Help really did help.

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Some things don't translate well.

Like holidays for example.

Last weekend Lars, Martin and I took a trip to Tynset for the weekend. We took it fairly easy, wandered around town, went to a concert Saturday night and did our best to celebrate the 4th of July in Norway.

Lars grilled some homemade burgers, Stine made a pasta salad and we had strawberry shortcake for dessert. Good company, good food, good times...

Most of the puzzle pieces were in place (just missing some fireworks and of course the American friends+family) but for whatever reason it just didn't satisfy my July 4th appetite. Maybe it was because we were a bit worn out from the party the night before, or that we didn't really have much time since we had to travel back to Hamar that day--I'm not really sure.

Maybe some things are best celebrated in their county of origin. I'm not certain 17. mai would translate too well to life in the US either. I mean...ugh, I dunno...it's just not the same.

What I am sure of, however, is that it made me more homesick than ever! It's been too long; I NEED to visit home.

The end.

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24.

I turn 24 today.
It's always weird to get a year older.

It's my first birthday out of the US!
And my first birthday actually being physically with Lars since we started dating (almost three years ago!).
I don't really have any exciting plans besides starting work at 6pm (ugh).

Oh but wait--we are signing the contract on our new apartment today!
That's exciting.
And I'm not really sure I can think of a better present?

I'm also going to make a birthday cake!
That's pretty common in Norway by the way--if it's your birthday you bring a cake to work and share with your coworkers.
That wouldn't really go over the same in the US, right?
You're not allowed to make your own cake?!
I think it's pretty rad actually; now I get to choose what kind.
Mmm Oreo cake...

My favorite birthday greeting thus far is an email from one of my sisters:

Happy Early Birthday! First birthday as a homeowner. Even if you are not chronologically old, you should feel it. :-)

Ha!

~Christina

Maybe I do actually feel like an adult this year...
That's to be determined, I suppose. ;)

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Taking the plunge.

It's Friday, I've been hanging around at the lake a lot and I am participating in Meredith's photo challenge. Put it together dear readers...yes, that means bathing suit pictures will see the light of day!

This week I was scheduled to work Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights and I have the opening shift this morning (after that we are heading to Tynset for the weekend!!). Working nights is pretty lame\kjedelig as far as life at home goes. I see Lars for about an hour when he comes home work and before I go to work. But it wasn't as horrible as I had expected, and that's mostly thanks to weather. Having all day free gives me time to have lessons in the morning and to enjoy sunny days lakeside. Funnily enough Iselin and I took the plunge on the coldest day (least sunny, but no days this week have been "cold") of the week:

Anna was also hanging at the beach with us but didn't have as much of an urge to hop in (it's cold). And also difficult to get in and out of the lake and some places because the rocks are SO slippery. But holy moly was it refreshing to hop in and swim around in the lake! I love it! LOVE!

Next week my schedule is even worse. Working Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights again (what did I do to deserve this?) and doubles starting at 10 am on both Friday and Saturday. Hopefully the weather is just as nice next week...otherwise I am not sure what I am going to do with myself...

And since I am really feeling in the challenge spirit I am posting this picture of myself, which I would have just deleted otherwise. I don't like it.

SO awkward.

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