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
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!
#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)
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)
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!
- hardly anyone there
- had a great workout
- snow was gently falling the whole time so it looked pretty out of the windows
- they played Lord of The Rings; The Two Towers soundtrack - AMAZING
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 bushesIt 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!!!
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!!!
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!
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