...I almost shook hands with the king...(!!!)

TUESDAY

...courtesy of my ex-roomie & fun-loving friend, Jeni D!

So the story goes like this; I met Jeni D when living at Grüneløkka studenthus (student housing) where we shared the worlds tiniest (at least it felt like it) kitchen & a bathroom, and of course we immediate became great friends. Though Jeni is quite a few years younger than me & the usual crowd, you would never think it as she's amazingly mature & worldly - I don't think I know anybody who has done as many interesting (& to a certain extent crazy) things as Jeni. I'm totally in awe!

To the point; Since last October Jeni has been an intern at the Canadian Embassy here in Oslo (she's Canadian right), and this week the Embassy is playing host to a conference up in Tromsø + have been hosting an official visit from the Govenor Excellence of Canada, Michelle [put in name]. Anywho, the official visit was to commence with the Govenor's visit to the King early this morning, and in that regard the staff at the embassy were also invited - with quests! And lucky me - I got an invitation from Jeni!!! (thank you, thank you!!!)

So 10:10 am this morning we we're ready to view the official visit outside the castle, and probably the first and last time in my life, behind the fence separating the common folk from the visitors. The king, queen & crown-princess (the crown-prince was excorting the guest form the hotel to the castle) came onto the palace square at ca 10:20am to inspect his troops (I think i've never seen that many Gardister lined up before), and at exactly 10:30 the cortage/car/ with the govenor pulled up onto the square.

While I would never deem myself a royalist, I'll gladly admitt that this was pretty exciting. Yes, I guess I'm a bit starstruck!

Photo of the Week #3

WEEK 18: WANDERLUST PART II

I appologise for the delay on this weeks inspirational photo, but I've literally been out cold with a cold since Sunday afternoon. Being rendered in a catatonic state for the past 2 days basically neither turns out interesting blog-posts nor leaves you with any energy to write a post. Anyhow, I'm back again now, and here's this weeks photo:

The original photo can be found here and it's titled "Becaking around" after the motorcycle taxis used in Banda Aceh (basically a scooter with a cab on wheels attached at the back - not very inventive of me, I know). It's one of my all-time favorite photos, as it's a sure reminder of the thrill and wonder one easily can experience while travelling the world. Plus, I simply love the sense of speed and adventure iherent in the photo as the vehicles race towards the clouds.

Main Entry: wan·der·lust
Pronunciation:\ˈwän-dər-ˌləst\
Function: noun
Etymology: German, from wandern to wander + Lust desire, pleasure
Date: 1875

Definition: strong longing for or impulse toward wandering

Now, that's Wanderlust part II for you!

Friday Fling!

WEEK 17

Happy Friday! Yet another Friday is here (man, time certainly flies fast - I literally can't believe the weekend's here again) and I'm happy to report that the weather in Oslo is GREAT today. Almost 20 degrees in the sun, almost clear skies and a fresh breeze blowing in from the sea. Basically a perfect spring day, which means I'm sort of obliged to ditch my books for a trip out to enjoy the sun (doctors orders - vitamin D is good for you!).
Thus, plans for today are as following: (a) Coffee & a chat with E at Aker Brygge around 3pm - the weather should be lovely down there!, (b) Meeting Erle & some of my other study-buddies from Uni at Oslo Mekaniske later this evening, and (c) should do some of follwoing: study/clean/sort out your life.

Other than that there's no plans before Sunday, 'cause then we're off to (re-)discover Oslo. "Turist i egen by" (tourist in you own city) is on this Sunday. Show up at Rådhuset at 10:30 am to get your free "Turist i egen by"- pass which grants you free use of public transport (subway/bus/tram) and free access to all museums that day. And it also includes discounts on certain restaurants around the city.

We did it last year and it's a perfect way to visit all those museums one usually wouldn't bother to visit, plus a great a way to use an otherwise potentially boring Sunday. This time we're likely heading off to the Kon-tiki museum & Norsk Folkemuseum out on Bygdøy, and if we have the time (not likely) we're going to squeeze in a visit to Norsk Tekniskmuseum.

Highly recommended, so why not join in on the fun!

First BBQ of the year!

Yesterday the weather was perfect! Basically a very nice, warm & sunny spring day. And, what do you do on days like that? Barbecue, of course! So, off to the park with a bag full of goodies (chicken 'dogs', potato salad & fishcakes - courtesy of T!). Here's the evidence:

T & S in Sofienbergparken - 2009's first BBQ

Hot dogs & fishcakes on the grill. Yummy!

Getting ready for the first dog

Ah, the perfect hot dog!

Look at all the goodies T packed!

Naughty girl

MONDAY

Ah, as partly expected (and feared) I didn't get any studying done this weekend. I can only blame myself as I'm lacking the self-discipline and willpower to determitately march my butt up to Blindern when faced with a 2 1/2 day weekend. You would think I would learn soon. Put in the effort and I will have all the spare time I ever wanted very, very soon (well, at least until I get a proper job)! So, that's enough about yesterday's guilty conscience, now today's: "I confess, I've been a bad student - yet again". Basically, this is my day:

• I overslept and didn't wake up until 11 am (after 10 hours sleep!)
• Completely forgot(!!) my lecture on immigartion law at the faculty of law.
• Really late for coffee with K (I childhood friend 've known since I was 6) thus making him wait almost 40 minutes for me to get to arrive (the tram's definately not the right choice of transport, even if it took me straight past our meeting point)!
• My 1st attempt at studying today lasted ca 20 minutes before it was time for a coffee & update with E (haven't seen her for almost two weeks & we literally talked for hours!)
• ... and the 2nd attemp at studying ended up being even weaker than the first (if that's even possible) as I ended up surfing the net for 1 1/2 hours. Please hit me over the head with something hard... or give me a kick behind, take away internet or just shout at me! I've said it before, and I obviously need to say it again: "When will I ever learn?!?"

I'm full of regret over wasted time, but I can't really do anyting about it now. The only thing to do is to learn from my mistakes and improve upon my self-discipline & willpower (by actually bringing a bit of on aboard). Besides, F had a point, as long as I had a nice day there's really no point wasting time feeling bad about it. Thanks for the advice :D!

Also, I need your help:
Any tips or advice on how I can motivate myself and get my ass in gear to finish my thesis. Please, I beg you!

P.S. Yes, I definately should be in bed now instead of hanging around here.
Off to bed - nighty night!

Photo of the Week: #2

WEEK 17:
"Rough & Ready on a Humpy-Bumpy Road"

Rough & ready on a humpy-bumpy road, originally uploaded by miganu.

Lately I've felt the travel bug sneaking around in the back of my mind. It's trying it's best to distract me with daydreams of exotic adventures from the one thing I really should be focusing on at the moment: schoolwork.
Thus, this week's inspiration is a photo I took back in December 2006 in South Africa on a daytrip around the beautiful & lush countryside outside of Chintsa. I posted it as a reminder that I yet again can run free after I've achieved my academic goals.

So Shekira, you finish up that paper of yours and you can wander the world if you like!

Friday Fling!

Wow, this week has really flown by (thanks to Easter holiday it's been a four day week in Norway)! And that means my favorite day of the week is here yet again. Jepp, you guessed right - IT'S FRIDAY!

In the blog-sphere it seems fairly common to have a fixed post celebrating the end of the week, and not wanting to stand out in the crowd (;0P) I've decided to join in on the fun. Thus, I proudly present: "Friday Fling"!

So, this Friday evening you find me at work and in a jolly good mood, if I must says so myself (somewhat of anomaly for me as I've found work to be quite dreary lately). Glamorously attired in my favorite black & white plaid shirt-dress, black tights and boots, and sporting my personal take on a vintage low ponytail - at least that's what I'm pretending it is.
Unfortunately(?) the evening doesn't more exiting than this (unless something extraordinary happens on the way home) as I've planned to be a good girl this weekend. That basically means I'm going to do a bit of studying! Amazing, isn't it? But, don't be alarmed, I've made sure to set aside a bit of time & energy to boogie-woogie - hey, a girl needs to dance! So, tomorrow evening you'll find me at Garage "gettin' jiggy with it" as it's time to Get dancy (starts at 22:00; cc 50,-)!

Well, the rest of the weekend ... I'll be winging it. Well actually, my "good girl intentions" (aka study long & hard) is more than enough planing for this weekend, I suddenly realised. In fact there is a real chance that I might crash and burn. Let's face it - it's either good-intentions-come-guilty-conscience or good-intetions-come-party-time.

Okey, so there's one more thing that I might cram in this weekend: there's a flea market on from 12 pm at Sagene Skole (Biermannsgt 2) both Saturday & Sunday. Happy thrifting!

Now, let's kick off with a happy tune from Lily Allen.

Happy weekend!

Can somebody please explain...

...why it is that the only time of the day when I have any inclination to do housework, it's always past midnight?

(P.S. And no, I don't actually do housework in just an apron)

Photo of the Week: #1

WEEK 16: "PRETTY IN PINK"

Hurrah - it's finally here! Spring that is, and in honor of the arrival of sunny days & warmer temperatures (in Oslo), this week's inspirational photo is pretty in pink.

Substituting for a spring flower (to my surprise I don't have any photos of spring flowers), this delicate beauty, a Briar rose, is the favored inspiration of the week! The photo was taken back in July 2007 (it's usually around mid-June the Briar rose can be found in bloom in Oslo), and this pretty, pink rose was thriving by the roadside close to Vestgrensa Studentby ("home sweet home" at the time). Thinking back on that warm summer day when this photo was shot, puts a big smile on my face. Ah, those summer (days and) nights...

I believe, one couldn't ask for a better subsitute for inspiration!

Memento

SATURDAY 11th of APRIL 2009

Sunset at the river side, originally uploaded by miganu.

At work again, and because almost all of Oslo is off on vacation. It's sort of amazing how empty the city is during Easter - I'm not complaining. After all, you can wander leisurely around the city. There aren't any queues for tables in restaurants & cafées, and noe queues either to get into bars & clubs. Sorry, I digress.

The point is, having too much time on my hands due to lack of action in the grotto (quiet, quiet days in the office), I've been amusinig myself by looking through the pictures stored on my memory stick. Lots of funny & crazy photos so it definately made time go faster.

This photo was shot during my Christmas break, spent back home in Mandal with my family. The scene was captured during a walk with my mother - getting some fresh air and exercise after eating too much yummy food - and as the sun is setting over the Mandalselva (the river).

Stunning, isn't it? It reminds me of warm summer evenings.
I'll let it be my inspiration for today.

My deliverer...

THURSDAY 9th of APRIL 2009

...or savior - if you like (though I didn't think it was appropriate to write that in the heading as there's a certain religious figure who sort of has dibs on that title. Especially as he's sort of the centre of attention these days - it's Easter you know) - while enduring quiet shifts at work is YOUTUBE. Honestly, how have I survived here in the "grotto" (normally known as office/cloakroom) without funky tunes streaming out of the computer speakers surrounding me with feel good vibes. I dig it. A lot.

Originally I came up with a brilliant, at least I think so, title & first line play on a song-title, though I've forgotten it now. Anyway, here's two of my all time favorite songs, and therefore they are frequently visited on youtube. Enjoy!

First sign of spring!

Earlier today, while travelling back to Oslo after a lovely & quiet holiday in Mandal (hometown), I virtually stumbled over a surefire sign of spring. While getting a bit of fresh air during the 15 minute break, I found this small, yellow flower growing between a crack in some stone steps.

This springflower is supposedly called Coltsfoot or Horsefoot, though in Norwegian it's know as Hestehov.

I guess it's finally official:
SPRING'S FINALLY HERE! HURRAH!!!
*jump for joy*

The story of your life...?

SATURDAY 4th of APRIL 2009

Found this comic strip at aftenposten.no, where a new wulffmorenthaler-strip is featured every day. Having been a long-time follower of the saying "grab every opportunity that presents itself", I figured I should post it here as a reminder to myself (and you). The strip is in Norwegian, and it's a bit difficult to read the text, but here's what the note on the door says:

I was here and knocked on you door, but you weren't home!
- Oppportunity -

Jeg var her og banket på døra di, men du var ikke tilstede!
- Mulighet -