THE DANISH POET

A perfect day

This morning a bunch of us went to a flea market here in town. The usually slow moving Norwegians were not slow today! They were pushing and shoving all to get to huge heaps of clothes, books, and electronics. It was crazy. I managed to find some good deals though. I bought a scarf and a Paris travel guide.
After I walked down town and booked my ticket to Kristiansand for Christmas. I bought a bus ticket because it's much cheaper than taking a train. Train was 800 NOK, bus - 400 Nok.
There were mid - season sales every where today. So many people were out and about. Great, great, great! There also seemed to be a lot of tourists in Town. It's odd to be a tourist, but not a tourist.
At 2 I met up with Mirjam, and Jamie, and some others and we had a guided tour of the Norwegian Parliament. We were given a brief overview of Norwegian history, art history, and of the Norwegian government system. The insides of the building are gorgeous! The insides are inspired by stave churches from around Norway.


This building is directly behind the Parliament. The top is gorgeous. I had walked by it a million times, but it always helps to look up.


After that Mirjam and I walked around town. The Christmas decorations have come out so we enjoyed browsing through the ornaments, wrapping papers, and bake ware. We stopped for a quick snack at United Bakeries. This is my absolute favorite place to eat and study in Oslo. They have homemade Strawberry jam that is so red it stains your lips. Their chocolate bolle are also not that bad. It's the type of place that draws hearts in your latte <3

After we strolled along Aker Brygge which is a board walk along the fjord.
A breast cancer Awareness campaign that stretched the entire block:


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Now it's time to snuggle in for some reading before we head out for a moon - lit walk around the lake.

Let it SNOW, let it SNOW, IT"S SNOWING!

My senses were right when they told me it was going to snow soon. I was quietly ironing my clothes when Jamie burst into the room exclaiming that it was snowing. We rushed to the balcony along with practically everyone else in the entire building.
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Oh yes! It was snowing! I ran into Kennedy, one of the Singaporians, in the hall and told him about it. He stuck his head out and informed that it was just rain. I suppose that's what you'd think if you'd never seen it before. Soon huge flakes of snow were falling from the sky and the ground was blanketed with snow. Everyone, I mean everyone was outside with their parkas, mittens, and cameras. I've never seen so many happy people at once in my life.







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This morning when I woke up the snow is still on the ground. Even at lunch time it's still here. Hopefully it's here to stay! Someone didn't get the hint that it's time to hang laundry inside now. There is a full line of freshly hung clothes hanging outside. Someone will be in for a nasty surprise this evening when their sheets are frozen solid. haha.

Working hard... or hardly working?

Again... the fire alarm went off. They really are too sensitive. And boy, when there is one in absolutley every room, it is LOUD. The last time one went off it wasn't shut off for nearly 2 hours. And annoyingly it was our kitchen the alarm went off in first. The Chinese burnt some rice...as always. HAha.Everyone heading outside at one time is a great way to your neighbors though. We brought cookies to enhance the experience.


Saturday night my flat mates and I had a game night complete with popcorn, potato chips (we splurged) and pepperkaker (heart shaped ginger snaps that come out at Christmas time). We played Yahtzee and Saboteur( a card game that's goal is to build a tunnel to a piece of gold... or something like that). We had a great time teaching each other how to play the games and learning more about each other along the way. As a benefit... I also won YAHTZEE! I guess I inherited my dads skills.




Monday was horrible. I had a presentation in my human geography class. I am terrified of public speech. I speant hours and hours preparing my slideshow and speech, but the second I stepped in front of the crowd my went blank and my cheeks started burning. And me being as smart as I am decided to wear heels that day (to look extra nice), I started rocking back and forth and folding and unfolding my papers. At one point I was completely lost. It lasted 20 minutes though and the grade is only pass/fail... and I passed! Thank the lord! At least it's over.

Tuesday Frank invited me to his school for an Asian Cultural even they were hostong. I went by myself because everyone else had class. The night before the Chinese had stuffed me with their delicious dumplings they were making for the event.Love them. I also tried some different teas, had my fortune read (I need to be more hard working in my studies I guess.. but luckily this can be fixed with a day of eating no meat), and tried on traditional costumes.


Last night Frank invited me over for dinner. We had rice with eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, pork, and green peppers. He has really taught me a lot about Asian culture, especially cooking. I had been wondering why there was always a water filled pot of chicken bones on the kitchen counter. I guess bones serve as a nice broth maker for stews. And if you suck on the bone after wards, it tastes quite sweet.
I've also been in contact with Jane Pederson and Kierstin. Love 'em both! Hopefully I'll be able to contact their relatives that live here in Oslo soon. Today I also talked to Kierstin on my lunch break... in the lunch room. The guys next to me probably thought I was crazy as I talked at my computer in English and gave Kierstin a tour of the building. haha.
This Tuesday I leave for Spain! It's only supposed to be in the 50's, but I'm wearing shorts! It's been very cold here lately. I felt the shift in weather. I now believe it when the forecast says it's going to snow.
After Spain I'm spending Halloween in Oslo and then heading off to the UK for 2 weeks. I'll be seeing London, Dublin, the Cliffs of Moher, Edinburgh, and Loch Ness!!! I'm going with Lauren and Brit, fellow Americans.

Jamie and I made salmon for dinner the other night. Quite an adventure considering neither of us has even made fish. it turned out great though. We will definitely be making it again. It also didn't hurt that Julebrus(Christmas pop) has come out!

Thrilled about the fish for sure !


I finally received an email today saying that I got into my coaching program at the U! Yeah! Hopefully I'll be able to do my student coaching with the Duluth East Girls Swim Team. Oh! And speaking of them... I'd like to wish my sister good luck at their big meet this weekend down at the U. I hope you fall in love with that pool and love it as much as I did. After all that is the reason I've wanted to go to the University of Minnesota since 5th grade. haha.

I'm getting a little nervous about finals. We get one essay question and have to write 10-15 pages about it. We have 4 hours to do so. That is our entire grade! AHHHHH!

Well, back to writing papers. Love you all,
Natalie

Time is flying!

I can not believe how fast time is going. I looked at my calendar today and realized, holy smokes, only 2 months left! Yesterday I even talked with Malin about Christmas plans. Bizarre.
One night this week, Mirjam, my room mate was trying to make popcorn. Ha. She tried doing it with butter...thus burning the seeds. I really am surprised the fire alarm didn't go off. She rushed into our room, pleading for my help. So... I ended up teaching her and the singaporians how to make stove top popcorn.


Wednesday evening it was my friend Laurens 21st birthday. We went over to her place for dinner and made pasta with veggies, our go to for cheap delicious food. I was in charge of dessert so I made cupcakes with the mix auntie sent me. They loved me for that.

After dinner we went to a concert downtown, "Of Montreal". It was fabulous! They are one of my favorite bands back in the states. It was particulrily fitting so see them in Oslo becasue many of their songs are about Norway/Europe in general. Unfortunatley, my camera was confiscated for being "too professional" so there are no pictures from within the concert, but here is a video some one took while they were on tour in London. Everything I saw and heard was the same:

Us girls waiting for the t-bana:

and hanging out downtown after the concert:

It was a GREAT night! I also managed to get a Norwegian to sing happy birthday in Norwegian to Lauren...complete with the dance.
Thursday Jamie and I had dinner with Frank and another Singaporian. They made us soup with pork, garlic, and spices, fried chicken, and of course rice. We treated them with a scandinavian almond cake, Frank also presented us with presents he bought us in Amsterdam...Jamie a bar of chocolate...and are you ready for this? ...me over mits with the wind mills and wooden clogs on them. Cool eh?
After Wednesday night I caught something. Thursday I felt sick...really sick, but it wasn't until Friday it really hit me. Friday I slept ALL day. I woke up and walked around the lake once, but fell asleep right after. Being sick abroad is no fun. I wouldn't even know what medicine to go buy if I really had to. Luckily, after all that sleep...I'm feeling better. Frank made me fish porridge as soon as he found out I was sick. Thanks...

Saturday feeling better I toured the National Theatre:

It was beautiful. We saw where the king sits for showings and heard a lot about it's history.

Here are some random shots around the apartment I thought you might enjoy:
Mirjam on her computer:

Mirjam opening a package from home, stuffed with preserved meats, cheeses, and chocolate. Those Germans I tell ya:

Jamie and Magda in their room on their computers:

My wall decorations: my Octoberfest cookie, a print from Sweden, some postcards and a pumpkin picture from Claire:


Oh! and this week I went to pour my milk, I rarely buy milk because it's expensive, it was curdled. Not expired yet! A week from the date...so I took it back to the grocery store and they gave me a new one! I was so happy. Tusen Takk Kiwi manager.
and another story regarding food... I've been searching all over for baking soda and couldn't find it. Then brilliant me thought that maybe it would be called something else...yup! "natron"

Just another day in the land of LEFSE

Thursday, Jamie, Frank and I volunteered at Oslo's Oktoberfest. Our job was to manage the coat check. Not much work considering the event was in an outdoor tent and it's only been around 12 degrees Celsius this week. English in the coat check! Unfortunately, the day we spent indoors was by far the most beautiful. We actually saw the sun! The rest of the week it was also freezing cold. I've already considered taking out my winter boots and jacket and it's only October! It's also been very dark. The sun doesn't rise until 7:30 and sets before 6. After dinner walks have turned into before dinner walks otherwise we'd need flash lights. It wouldn't be so bad if it would snow already. I asked... not until late November at the very earliest. It's pretty sad, I'm already listening to Christmas music.
Anyways... back to Oktoberfest. In exchange for volunteering we were given FREE vouchers and entrance the next day. We had a great time Friday night.

We were able to try many different kinds of beer and eat way too many sausages. The Norwegians sure do love their sausages! and I love 'em too! We brought along Jamie's Polish room mate and our Czech friend Jon.

That night Jamie and I made apple french toast.

It has to sit in the fridge over night. I was worried that it was going to be dry.. but it turned out amazing. A perfect late morning treat.

I really do miss my pumpkins. Fall isn't fall without them here. I've seen a couple small pumpkins, but they run about $16 USD.
Sunday I took a tour of old Oslo (used to be called Kristiana). We saw the oldest buildings, many dating back to the 17th century. Norway is a little confusing to me historically. Their independence day took place on May 17th, 1814 but then 2 months later they joined a union with Sweden for nearly 100 years. What happened to Independence? Some times I become a little bored here in Norway. For awhile I really wondered what people did here that made them stay here. Now if found it! The Norwegians truly have this life figured out. The key Norwegian values are moderation, closeness to nature, and equality. All of those can never be bad things. It just takes getting used to I guess.
I'm studying Norwegian folklore right now. Now I understand why Malin always made a fuss about the Danish, claiming they speak funny and all. Norway is resentful of the dictatorship Denmark had over them for so long. After that union broke Norway set off in a frantic attempt to identify the authentic Norwegian. Interestingly enough this came in the shape of folklore. Rural farmers and peasants had been somewhat shielded from Danish rule by the mountains and illiteracy so their stories still held "Norwegian truth".
Monday I had a full day of classes. A very long, long day especially after a 2 week break.
Me and Jamie in a lecture hall:


We've started to attend the free movies on campus.They are Norwegian films with English subtitles. This week they played "Mars and Venus". Last week was "Buddy".

Jamie and I have also managed to maintain walking around the lake twice a day. It's not hard when the trees are so gorgeous!

Alt For Norge

This is a song they played over and over at the Octoberfest in Oslo. Drunk Norwegian's love it! Skål! If you listen until the very end they start singing in English..

Barcelona BOUND!

I just bought my plane ticket to Barcelona, Spain. $30 round trip. Not bad. Not bad. I'll be there from October 26th til the 30th.

Walking in a AUTUMN wonderland

This morning I set my alarm so I could get up and go for a walk, leaving pleanty of time to study the rest of the day. I left a little after 8. It was still dark. Actually, it was dark all day. It didn't rain. It was just dark. Hm... Anyways I was walking around the lake and had nearly completed my walk. I noticed a large group of people ahead...ONLY in NORWAY are you able to walk through the scene of a film production. I guess it's a Norwegian film about curling. Those crazies were swimming in the lake with sunglasses on. I guess I'll have to wait and see it when it comes out. As for the rest of the day, possibly hillarious.
Mirjam, my room mate, ran onto the t-bane because she thought she was going to miss it. She ran in while the doors were closing. She made it... her coat didn't. So from one stop to the next she had to stand by the door holding her coat by it's sleeve. Pretty hillarious! Me and the rest of the T-bane were nearly in tears from laughing so hard.
Tonight, Mirjam taught me how to make a delicious tomato sauce from scratch. I must say I am becoming quite the cook! Others have started to notice (proof).
Now I'm sitting here trying to write a paper, while Mirjam is talking, loud, in German to her mother on skype and I can't find motivation to get off facebook.

Oh! The other night Jamie's parents skyped the entire Packers football game to us. Jamie is an all out fan. She's got a Green Bay jacket, gloves, flag, laptop...everything. I was there for the popcorn :)

Things are slowing down again here. Well, actually I can't say that. I wake up and before I know it, it's dark... It's Wednesday and before I know it, it's Sunday! Nothing too exciting is happening here is Oslo though. I was hoping to make it down to Spain this month, but it seems that every ones schedules are a little over booked now that school is in full swing. I have 2 papers and a presentation to do in the next 2 weeks. Should be FUN!
The weather has cooled down a lot. I may need to break out my winter jacket already, and it's only October! The sun has also decided to stop shining. We've had too many grey days here in Oslo.
As for what I've done in the last week...

When I do laundry... this is what I look like :

I have wool socks, flip flops, a sundress, a winter coat, a scarf, and beneath it all my swim suit on. Haha. Yea I've got a couple laughs that day. That's what happens when you only wash once every 3 weeks and you want EVERYTHING you actually wear clean because it's your only chance.


Jamie and I have started a really bad habit of baking sweets way too often. THis week we made a chocolate cake.


Friday afternoon we decided to go for a short hike near the ski jump. I went with Jamie, a Singaporian named Frank, and a French girl named Ceci. The weather was a bit drizzly and our shoes were covered in mud... and we ended up hiking on a ski hill( notice the chair lift), but we had a good time. A majority of the time I ended up talking with Frank (...) but on the bright side I learned a lot about Singapore... and how wealthy he is... ugh. Even if he has a fleet of yachts and his own share in an oil company, I still don't like him like that!




Later this week there was a food festival going on near the harbor. I went with Jamie, Dawid (POland) and John (Germany). We taste tested way too much fish! And again... they had whale.


Jamie and I indulged in another batch of Lefse:

You could buy shark at the fish market!

There were tanks where you could learn about the different types of fish, if you speak Norwegian of course:
There was FREE samples of a lot of different Norwegian foods:


As we were leaving John and Dawid came up with the brilliant idea of stealing a larger than life milk carton from the TINE milk stand:
There goes John with the top...

Them with their prize :


When we got back Jamie and I went for a walk around the lake and then stopped at the grocery store to get some milk and Risen Grot. For some reason it took over an hour for it to thicken on the stove. My hand was sore from stirring when we were done but it was totally worth it!



Later we popped popcorn on the stove (Turned out great!) and watched Elf. We always talk about Christmas when we're a little bit homesick. Too bad neither of us will actually be home for Christmas :(