Sunday 21 December 2008

Goodbye and Merry Xmas

Well, the end is here.

I must be brief, we are on our way to catch a plane now. I shall be back with beautiful pictures of christmas but for now everybody - merry christmas / god jul!

Take care

Wednesday 17 December 2008

Bergen by night

I haven't taken many pictures at night (purely for the reason that the camera doesn't like it) I managed to get a couple of ok ones when I went to the gym with Ida on Sunday - though it wasnt actually night technically - it was about 5pm.

The Christmas Tree out on the water in Sentrum
A boat all lit up at the port
The decorated trees surrounding the water, and the houses lighting up the mountainside
Ida getting impatient!
Some of the lovely buildings in Sentrum
A restaurant I always think looks quaint :)
The Christmas Stars on the main street

Monday 15 December 2008

Bergen

I was in Bergen yesterday, an area of the city I don't normally visit often so I thought I would take some pictures as it's a pretty area and I don't actually have that many of Bergen itself.

View towards Bergen Centre from Johannes Kirke

Johannes Kirke (I think it's called that)

Pretty cobbled streets - very common here

Bergen Museaum (not yet visited - will try and visit with Hans at the weekend.
They have a whale skelton!) it's HUGE apparantly...

Outside the museum

The 'posh' houses, a really pretty street I thought.

I took some more at night but I will do another post for that at somepoint.

Saturday 13 December 2008

HAHAHA (Lord of the Rings Outtakes)

Just the kind of thing to make my day - though I would share it



They are all on the extended editions, but good to wath the short version. Enjoy!

Gigi

Gigi is my friend Hannahs cat - I drew Hannah a picture of Gigi today on that facebook graffiti thing... I am posting it here (mostly because Hans loves Gigi and I want him to see this) but also because it looks so much like her and its pretty cool!







Gigi drawn with a mouse and basic paints on facebook



And gigi in real life

Yes I know I have coursework, this was my break!

Friday 12 December 2008

Kirkenær





As promised some pictures I have of Kirkenær, but to be honest I dont have that many on my laptop. I will have lots of beautiful ones after Christmas though! This is a little way out of the centre, so very peaceful - hardly anyone about!

Wednesday 10 December 2008

Restless!

Guess how I am feeling? Restless.

I am struggling to focus on this last project, I think I am getting excited about Christmas and being back with Hans and just having a break. There are a few people I will really miss though when I leave here, so it will be sad too. Who would have thought!

I keep looking at the pictures of Kirkenær, I don't have many on my laptop though - i have hundreds at home. This is the driveway towards Hans' mums house which you can just see at the back of the picture. I love this photo, and it wasn't even particularly snowy that year - apparantly there is loooooads of snow this year.

I love this one too; it's a tree in the garden... it hadn't snowed yet but it had been so cold for days that a layer of frost had built up over everything - it was really beautiful in its own way. The grass and all the little twigs on the trees looked amazing!

I am looking forward to writing a good post after Christmas and putting up photos of what goes on - it's so beautiful there I can't describe it and its very cosy. It will be a nice thing to share. I think after being away for so long this Christmas will be great... just wish now that the uni term was done and I could spend my last few days in Bergen actually enjoying Bergen!

I am going to see Maria and her family tomorrow for lunch. She has so kindly offered to turn up some jeans I bought (I feel so bad for buying them but they are so nice) but anyway its a good excuse to go and say hi to everyone. Then this weekend I think there is an end of semester/xmas party at the school so I'll be going ot that with Maria and Anita, then Sunday (recover) and then go and say my goodbyes to Ida and her family. Then after that there are only 6 days left in Bergen and 5 of them will be full time working on my last project! (including another presentation, grrrrr!)

Anyway, going to do a little bit more work. Try at least. Might pack some more :)

#16 of '27 things I miss about Hans'

I really miss just having Hans there to waffle at at the end of every day - we do it on Skype but it's not the same... it really helps when I can't focus.

I'm all over the place right now, I can't settle on doing one thing properly I am wasting time really. I might clean up, de-clutter = de-stress.

Monday 8 December 2008

Last Project

I can't quite get my head around the fact that in 2 weeks I will no longer be in Bergen! I will still be in Norway, visiting Hans' family for Christmas and then finally back in England late on 30th December... it's a strange feeling, it feels like such a short time away yet it also feels like ages! Apparently its already so snowy and christmassy in Kirkenær so it should be lovely... I am a bit stressed at the thought of dragging my luggage around norway for a couple of weeks, but I guess that's minor details!

I will really miss Bergen, of course - but I am SO looking forward to going home and being back with Hans... and having a well needed rest. I think most of all I will miss the friends I have made her, but I definately intend to keep in contact with them so it's a good thing!

Anyway, its my final project in school (which feels so weird as I have handed in my portfolio now) The aim of the project is to design a web based solution for the magazine I created in my last project (a magazine called 'female fighter' and aimed primarily at women)

Part of the project is to keep a blog detailing our progress, so for those of you who are interested to see how it is going, the link to female fighter is on the right. You never know I might even keep it going afterwards, seeing as it's a hobby of mine anyway... we'll see how it develops.

I think this blog will keep on after I have arrived home too, but it will be more focussed on learning the norwegian language and any other Norway related business. I have an idea in mind after a funny conversation I had with some friends today so we'll see... and of course I will still post beautiful pictures from all my visits here. I am looking forward to posting ones after Christmas too!

Anyway, waffly random post there... I have not posted for a bit as I have been so busy with my portfolio and (literally) not left the room for 2 days at a time so there has not been much to post about. I'll try and be better but I think the next 2 weeks will be busy and go so fast...

Best thing though, there are only 10 more sleeps til Hans gets here (can't wait!!!)

x

Sunday 7 December 2008

#15 of '27 things I miss about Hans'

I miss that however hard I think I am working, Hans makes me work that little bit harder. With coursework, in the gym - everything apart from the dishes, he tells me to leave them :)

Friday 5 December 2008

#14 of '27 things I miss about Hans'

Hans has a shaved head, and I miss when he hasn't shaved for a few days and he gets a soft, spiky layer of hair. I always stroke it (which is probably annoying) but i love doing it anyway

Wednesday 3 December 2008

#13 of '27 things I miss about Hans'

I really miss Hans' damn fine bum ;) finest bum around. finest bum in town.

Tuesday 2 December 2008

Uniqlock

I was reading about some of the design related awards on the D&AD blog and came across the Uniqlo Clock you can see on the right - I just thought it was so cool I had to find it and add it. You can download it as a screensaver and as a widget, it's a constant accurate clock (you can set it to your time) with the dancers dancing constantly I just thought it was beautiful. Apparantly it does something special on the hour too so I shall have to keep an eye out :)

It has sound too if you want to hear it (and I would recommend listening to it to add to the effect of the dancers) but I added it to the blog to be automatically silent... if you are anything like me being taken by surprise by music and moving images on website can be annoying unless I actually want to watch / listen to stuff. Same reason I don't like purely flash websites - and not at all because I don't know how to make them ;)

#12 of '27 things I miss about Hans'

I really really miss (especially now!) how when I am getting stressed about deadlines Hans helps me sit back, take a breath and relax! Actually he makes me feel better when I get stressed about most things, but deadlines is at the front of my mind right now!

#11 of '27 things I miss about Hans'

Technically I have missed one out as it's so late, I have been working all evening...

The internet back home is broken, so I haven't spoke to Hans tonight - so a really obvious yet honest and true thing that I miss; Hans!

I really miss you Hans (but only 16 days to go woohoo!)

xxx

Sunday 30 November 2008

#10 of '27 things I miss about Hans'

I miss when Hans cuddles me in the morning before he even wakes up, and doesn't even know he is doing it :)

Saturday 29 November 2008

#9 of '27 things I miss about Hans'

I miss how in moments of extreme emotion (such as when he is watching his favourite fighter or the alarm clock is going off way too early) Hans reverts to cursing or shouting (well, talking loudly, he never shouts) in Norwegian. I always know he is really engrossed or mad with something when he does that!

ELF YOURSELF!

I have been being really naughty and making jibjab 'elf yourself' christmas cards for people this year - they are alot more interesting than normal cards and they are also very humourous as you take peoples faces and stick them onto elves who then do little crazy dances. I am naughty because I have been finding the worst pictures of people I can and sending them!

BUT Hans got me back and made one of us, using the worst pictures he could find!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards


Thanks for that Hans. (It also stars little Junior, RIP)

Anyway, if you have a little time on your hands and fancy making your friends and family laugh whilst doing your bit for the environment, then check out the website. They are free to make and send and there are a couple of different choices of dances. Its definately worth it, everyone I have sent them to have absolutely loved them :)

Friday 28 November 2008

#8 of '27 things I miss about Hans'

I really miss that sometimes when I get out of the shower, Hans has left a little message in the condensation on the mirror... but what the messages say is my secret ;)

Thursday 27 November 2008

#7 of '27 things I miss about Hans'

(Its 3 weeks tonight until Hans gets here - I can't WAIT!)

I miss how Hans always makes me laugh no matter how sad I am feeling. I especially love it when you get to know each other so well and become best friends and you have all your little private jokes and things like that - its a really nice side to being in a long term relationship.

(I mean long term as in forever and a day... dont worry)

Wednesday 26 November 2008

#6 of '27 things I miss about Hans'

I really miss sitting in a coffee shop with Hans, just relaxing and inspecting our recent aquisitions; Hans will have his latest magazine (a fighters mag or SFX or something) and I will be admiring some little trinket I just bought or (probably more often) people watching out of the window (sometimes at the people right next to me which annoys Hans!!!)

I will usually have a Caramel Coffee or a Latte and a slice of cheesecake, and Hans will have a Chai Latte and a skinny blueberry muffin :)

We don't do it all the time but often enough; its a little treat for me I think!

100 Posts!!!

I just realised when I logged in that this will be my 100th post. It falls on a nice day actually because this evening I started packing (not packing properly, but just 1 or 2 things I wont be needing) I am getting so excited to be back with Hans that I have decided to allow myself the pleasure of packing a couple of things a day until he arrives :) I tried so hard not to but there are a few things I brought along that I haven't used once, which is a bit annoying. On reflection my bags could have been lighter basically. But on the other hand I packed alot lighter than most girls would have (but I always do!) Anyway, hopefully the exercise of packing will help with my excitement / nerves!

Anyway there is not much to report; the Bergen rain has returned and is murdering the snow (but it was a lovely teaser, and I am glad I got the chance to take photos when I did) and other than that I have been a little run down with a cold and at the same time doing loads of uni work, so I have been sat at the desk for hours and hours at a time. Boring to write about but the work is fun...

So, just a quickie to celebrate 100 posts!

Tuesday 25 November 2008

#5 of '27 things I miss about Hans'

I miss when we settle down to watch a film or a favourite show, and Hans massages my feet for ages and ages.

OK bogle.

Monday 24 November 2008

#4 of '27 things I miss about Hans'

I miss his funny looks!

OK this one needs a little background:
One could (if you were being stereotypical) assume that with Hans being Norwegian, he would have a healthy love of fisk (fish). Well he does not. The poor guys hates it! but bless him he is very health concious and every so often will go out and buy some to try because he knows its very good for him... BUT every time is the same - a torturous meal experience.

Sometimes I ask him (for a joke) if he would like it if I made him some lovely smoked salmon for tea. I really miss the look he gives me - a mixture of contemplation and pure disgust - before settling on his answer; 'NO.' It's funny to me because it seems like every time I ask he forgets he hates it (but knows there is some reason he isn't immediately saying yes) and has to think long and hard about what I just asked him!


Coffee after school

One of the nicest times of the day right now is just when it's getting dark - Bergen looks really pretty especially with the snow (although the snow has subsided now, I hope it comes back!)

I went for a coffee and a bite to eat after school with Anita and Maria which was really nice. I love going for coffee anyway but its extra nice when there is snow outside and its getting dark. I cant remember everthing we talked about but we had a laugh too so it was a good end to the day! The cafe was so cosy, and my sandwich was lovely too :) Anyway, got a couple of pics to remember the evening by :)

The tree and lamp post reminded me of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe


Bergen Sentrum looks so pretty at dusk


Maria's yummy looking mocha


Anita chillaxin'


Maria chillaxin'

I shall keep this short and sweet as I am still not feeling well - now I am aching all over (even the back of my hands!) and my chest is sore and my eyes hurt... poor me! I am going to have a hot shower and then some hot chocolate and poached eggs and see if it helps. Fingers crossed!

x

Sunday 23 November 2008

#3 of '27 things I miss about Hans'

Well, I guess this is a no-brainer as I am feeling preety ill today and trying to work at the same time...

I really miss that whenever I am sick back home, Hans FORCES me to relax; brings me a blanket, lemsips, coffees - anything I need. I always seem to get better quicker...

Saturday 22 November 2008

#2 of '27 things I miss about Hans'

I really miss (kinda miss) sometimes when I go to give Hans a hug and he turns it into an armbar... or reverses the hug, takes my back and tries to choke me out... ahh, they joys of living with a martial artist / MMA fanatic!

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

I have been awake since 8:00am today (which is impressive since I finally slept at 03:30am this morning) I haven't done any work yet - I just couldn't!

The snow has continued to fall here in Bergen and it is just beautiful, so I couldn't help myself - I pulled on my thermals, charged my camera and waited for the sun to come out. It was lovely to spend a couple of hours out walking in the beautiful Norwegian nature, in what is (in my opinion) it's most impressive guise; winter.

It really is gorgeous and the camera didn't do it justice, but it really relaxed me to be outside - after the battery died on my camera i was finding excuses to stay out a little longer! As I have said many times - I love winter. And the snow was so soft and fluffy - like powder! not like the brown slush I am used to in the city back home in England.

I went walking up to the Stav Kirke I visited earlier in the year - there were a few locals around walking their dogs but surprisingly hardly anyone else - yet there are SO many people living here at Fantoft and the Kirke is so near and it really was a good walk - on my way there and back I saw plenty of people taking pictures AT Fantoft - but I don't get it, there may be snow yes but its on ugly buildings and a building site! If they walked 10 or 15 minutes up the road (if that) they would see beautiful scenery...

I guess snow is snow - on my way out a woman stopped me and asked me in very broken English to 'PLEASE take a photo of her in the white snow'. She didn't care that behind her there was a metal fence and cranes and mud - she only saw snow! It made me smile - I thought to myself afterwards maybe she has hardly ever seen snow before? Maybe even never? There are so many people out, all laughing, building snowmen, it's pleasant to watch.

Anyway, a few of my favourite photos of my walk. They are really worth a closer look so click on them to see a full size image;

The Stav Kirke in all it's glory


So pretty covered in snow



The snow was half way up my shins!


Beautiful Winter Scene


Snow on the mossy rocks


Winter Trees


The last remnants of autumn


Its like a christmas card


I was missing Hans on my walk anyway, but
this tree carving made me miss him more!
'elsker deg' means 'love you' in Norwegian



Finally, I just loved these tiny and cute bird prints!


I hope you get some pleasure out of the pictures and they show you some more of Norways' perfect beauty... well, I really should get back to work!

x

Friday 21 November 2008

27 things I miss about Hans #1

Ok, this is the first of my daily 'things that I miss about Hans' list, to help me cope with the excitement of seeing him in 27 days!

#1: I really miss that sometimes Hans makes me a 'special coffee' for a surprise, and always when I least expect it!


It's 'special' because he puts a little maple syrup in (I normally dont have any sugar/sweetner) and it's extra nice of him because he doesn't drink coffee, or hot drinks at all very often. He knows how much I love my coffee bless him!

The first snow

I just had the best gym session EVER! I have been working on my new project at home and the last 2 days have probably worked 12-14 hours straight per day (with obvious food / coffee breaks) So that also means I have been to the gym quite alot - i love training anyway as most of my bored to death friends can confirm, but when you are sitting in front of a screen working so much its such a stress relief to have a break and go to the gym for an hour; you burn your energy, feel rested in an odd way and streeetch!!! Today anyway I went to the gym and it was all the things that make it a perfect session (to me)
  1. hardly anyone there
  2. had a great workout
  3. snow was gently falling the whole time so it looked pretty out of the windows
  4. they played Lord of The Rings; The Two Towers soundtrack - AMAZING
(People who know me would know how awesome I would find it to be working out whilst Lord of The Rings is on - plus it includes one of the songs I have secretly reserved for our wedding)

WEDDING SONG: (acually I just previewed this post and its really nice to look at the snow pictures below whilst the song is playing - go on indulge yourself)



I dont know what Hans will make of this, but I wants it precious! Man I am such a geek. So, now I have decided to watch Lord of the Rings again even though it was only 6 weeks ago I have watched it) I must have seen each of those movies now about 15 times?! The Felowship of The Ring is on pause as I write this... sad? no I don't think so.

Anyway, the last couple of days have been pretty nice - wednesday evening 2 friends came over - one had made a cake and the other came with wine - it was kind of a belated birthday thing and also just a general catch up, but it was really nice and good to have a laugh.

It has also been snowing!!! almost constantly for 2 days now, at first I didnt think it would settle as its so wet here in Bergen - but it has, and I am pleasantly surprised because everyone said it didnt snow here. Maybe it will go pretty fast but for now anyway it's really pretty.

The night it first started to settle - just my solitary footprints


The scene I woke up to from my window this morning


The mountain in the distance (Løvstakken I think)
everywhere looks so pretty


The fluffy snow looks so nice on the bushes


It is still snowing now so I hope it lasts a few more days. Everyone seems a little more smiley in general and whilst I work it's lovely to hear the children playing outside (not my children by the way, I havent been hiding anything)

I have also decided now that as there are only 27 days to go until I see Hans and also that I was 27 at the weekend I shall try to write '27 things I miss about Hans' One a day - It should help me deal with my excitement! They might not always be the obvious things, sometimes its peoples' little quirks that you really miss when you are apart... we shall see!

Wednesday 19 November 2008

I love Norway

You know it's only 29 days today until I see Hans again - I am looking forward to it so much I can't even begin to describe it!

But I have been realising, the last few weeks (since I got back from my trip home really) I have been loving it here more and more and although I can't wait to see Hans I am also a little sad to be leaving. As in Norway in general - I hate leaving every time... I think its because I am over the half way mark (very much over it now) and it feels less like something I have to do and I am remembering all of the reasons why I wanted to do this in the first place... because I love it here! I will miss Bergen, miss my new friends, miss the cold, crisp air, miss the school even! I haven't gotten to know all of my classmates as well as I should like (as everyone is so shy - including me!) but I will miss them all too. There is still another month to go though so I guess this is a little premature! so,

I wont miss Fantoft though, or the explosions, they are some of the few things I will scratch from my memory immediately! I think I am boring my friends to death by saying over and over again that if Hans was here I wouldn't want to leave (I guessed that when my friend Anita finished my sentence the other day!!!) Also I have begun panicking that I only have 29 days to become fluent in Norwegian (yeah right) so I told my friends today they can be strict with me from now on when I say things arse backwards... and also from now on will try and only speak to them in Norwegian (which should be fun!) and stressful maybe... for all involved!

Anyway just a short post to let you know how I am feeling at this moment in time. I have been so busy with uni that I haven't the capacity to write my usual essays! I finsihed the book design course which I got good feedback for (but the pictures will be too big to get on here) and now am working on 'Redaksjonell Design' which I think is editorial design... I have a great idea I am working on for a fighter magazine, and the teacher seemed to be very interested in the originality and also how I will solve the problems of addressing so many stereotypes within the design... more details to come!!!

Monday 17 November 2008

Norwegian Hospitality (Part 2)

I had another lovely weekend here in Bergen!

It was my birthday yesterday - 27! I was a little nervous about it actually as I am away from Hans, home and family, but Saturday night I had arranged to visit Maria's again...

It was a REALLY lovely evening as usual, with the usual gathering; Maria and her family and neighbours and also another couple of friends from school. Marias boyfriend Jan Ove made home made burgers with 'elg kjøtt' (Elk (moose) meat) and they were seriously the bestest burgers I have had in my whole life! there was home made fries and chilli relish and a few bottles of wine.

As before, the preparing of the meal was as relevant to the evening as everyone sitting down to enjoy it - everyone was taking part and lending a hand; Anita and Kim cutting the fries, Maria and I chopping onions and tomatoes! Very cosy. I was kindly surprised with a couple of gifts throughout the night too - some bodyshop cream and lipgloss, a book too!

Later after the meal I was totally surprised again with a birthday cake and the Norwegian Birthday song (I have no idea how it went though!) it was really very sweet of everyone! I really missed not having Hans there but nevertheless my friend here made it a great night for me!

I also had some really lovely birthday messages from friends and family - and a lovely necklace from Hans' cousin and a cooking apron with 'elg' (moose) on it from Hans mum! So all in all it's been lovely - thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes and kindness!!!


My lovely cake!



A little shy and overwhelmed at such kindness!




Monday 10 November 2008

I have been tagged! 15 things I am not afraid to admit



OK, I have been tagged by L-Jay from mylittlenorway.com! I am not really sure what it is, but as she kindly took the time to tag me I will do my best to reply!

I think I will try and write a mixture of things - both about my experiences here in Norway and also little things about me! I have no idea what to put so far... I shall go and make a hot chocolate and mull it over....

.... ok here goes

  1. I read The Lord of The Rings at least once a year and watch the films probably 2 or 3 times (and yes, I still cry every time Gandalf 'dies' - even though I know he comes back later on)
  2. I don't understand the difference between the seemingly billions of different kinds of Norwegian Bread... so I just buy the cheapest.
  3. I knew I would marry Hans the moment I first saw him - a story for another time but one I will never forget!
  4. I am really terrified of flying and spend the whole time in the plane convinced that I am going to die.
  5. Since I have been in Norway I have studied my Norwegian books properly around twice - one of the main reasons I am here is to get better at the language and I have really been slack with it. It's just SOOOO tiring listening to people speak Norwegian all day - it really takes it out of you - the last thing I want to do when I get home at the end of the day is read Norwegian.
  6. I forget everybodies names and everybodies birthdays. I really am terrible with things like that - I am forever forgetting names, calling people the wrong names and I am the WORST person I know with birthdays. I annoyed my brother Josh when he came to stay for the weekend by calling him Ryan the whole time (the name of another brother) I dont even remember my age alot of the time - seriously. I have to ask Hans.
  7. I am not as independant as I thought I was - this exchange trip to Norway has made me realise alot of things about myself. I think I am better at being alone than alot of people, but I am not as good as I thought I would be. The first few weeks after Hans left were so hard to bear that I almost folded.
  8. I am scared of being in love. Although it is the best thing that has happened to me and I have never been happier - I am terrified of how vulnerable you can feel sometimes when you are in love. Enough said - anyone who has ever been in love will know what I mean.
  9. I talk to myself. Alot. I talk to my laptop, the TV,animals, the weather outside (yes the weather) I also argue with myself. No I don't. Yes I do. (Ha ha couldn't resist)
  10. I am shy. I have always been shy; I can remember hiding under tables when I was little...its a bad thing alot of the time - especially here sometimes I miss opportunities to speak Norwegian or talk to people or make new friends because I am shy.
  11. I have been training MMA for over 2 years and I am still not very good at it (the memory thing again)
  12. At least once a day I wonder 'what is out there?' I am not currently practicing any religion (I was brought up Christian, christened and baptised) but i wonder about it every day and I get scared in case I'm wrong.
  13. I have a minor obsession with Zombies (and one of the reasons I love Hans is because he does too!)
  14. I feel ignored sometimes in Norway - hence the blog name! I feel like an alien...
  15. And finally, I deleted loads of things that I wrote down because I realised - I was afraid to admit them!
Phew that was hard - 15 things is alot. For me at least, I don't like to admit stuff unless the mood takes me...

I shall tag Hannah at Spans Stitchin - a friend of mine who has recently begun crafting and has a lovely blog documenting her progress!

Its nearly 04:30! Oh dear, goodnight

xxx

Lastest project - book design

Just thought I would post a bit about my latest project - bok design (book design - not a hard Norwegian phrase even for me!)

The basic task was to go out and find a book, and re-design it. It's actually pretty fun, I love this kind of stuff - but we don't have very long to do it! I found an old book (almost as old as me!) calle økologisk design (ecological gardening) and this is the one I have decided to re-do!


As you can see (it is kind of 'quaint' and has a quality to it) but it is also very outdated (and as my friend put it - it looks like a childrens book) I haven't started on the inside yet - although I have plans! but here is what I have done so far for the cover;

Redesign of the book title - I decided that it would suit the theme of the book to actually make the title out of soil! It turned out good, although I don't have the best camera in the world! It took a whole night (with the aid of online TV and a glass of wine) to make the stencil and glue all the soil into the letters - but it was worth it - I am happy with the way it turned out. You can click on the picture to see it in more detail;


The plan for the front of the book is to have it very simple - the title and a simple image only. After loads of sketches I decided on the idea of having a little sapling and some roots (with natural and earthy colours) and then on the back of the book the sapling will have grown to a full size plant (symbolising that this book will have you growing your own garden by the end of it)

FRONT COVER

BACK COVER

So there is still alot to do, but this is where I am at so far (and why I have been so quiet)

On a ultra cheerful endnote - Hans booked his flight today! (WOOHOO) He is arriving in Bergen on 18th December. That is a day earlier than expected so he has cut my countdown down by a day :) So today it is 39 days instead of 40 until we are together again. I really can't wait - we have been invited to go and visit Maria and her family (in fact she said they would come and kidnap us if we didn't go!) so I really can't wait for that weekend - it will be amazing. I will finally be able to be 100% happy being with friends in beautiful places, but with Hans.

xx