PIECES OF ME

this is it..

2008-09-17T17:30:00.002+02:00

The final strike, last cut, enough said..

My blogging days are over, and they shoul've been a long time ago. I have to spend time on my education, friends and life away from the computer:)

Thanks for stopping by the blog!

Anything at all: kristinstaalesen@gmail.com

freedom

2008-09-10T10:33:00.005+02:00

Currently i'm somewhere in Rogaland working as a PA (personal assistent). Yesterday, after reading for hours, i went for a walk. It was amazing!! The wind was really strong, no rain, i was all alone and had such a fantastic, calming and funny time! It was a feeling of freedom that just blew me away!

I didn't really have the shoes for it though, haha:)

After trying to avoid the nice traces left by the cows, i headed towards a top. Not a big one, cause it's quite flat here, but a tiny hill maybe. Standing there in the wind, the sun came out and it was so pretty!! All i could here was the sound of the wind, and i couldn't see anyone else, awww, it was great!!

Let me add the funny part:) Walking back, swept away by freedom and joy, i was more dancing than walking. And I must admit, was kinda singing:) Then, suddenly, without any warning there was a man right behind me!!! I turned into a tomato and just couldn't stop laughing, hahaha:) He just laguhed with me and we strolled together while i was trying to secretly convince him that i was sane and hadn't lost it completely. He, on the other hand, thought it was very qute to see someone dance around looking happy, hahaha:) This will haunt me for quite some time!

wet and windy

2008-09-10T10:02:00.002+02:00

Rain, wind through the trees and through the window next to me, even though it's closed, brrrr!! I have to admit, have to face the truth, it's autumn....

I love the summer, and the spring, but to be true i'm not fond of the autumn. What's good about autumn??
You have the easy things, like staying inside drinking hot chocolate, ligthing the fire, watch a film, wear mittens again etc. But the thing is, you can't stay inside all the time. You have to get to uni, to the gym, visit friends, buy stuff and so much more and then you have to go outside. Outsie where it's raining cats and dogs andthe wind get's colder by the day.. nope, no fan of the autumn, especially knowing it'll only get worse.. Cause winter is coming, but i won't start on that one yet, haha:)

Sorry to be sounding negative, if you know me, you also know i'm usually in good spirits:)

If you have any favourite autumn things, please share!

daily temptations

2008-09-01T21:08:00.003+02:00

At the University we have the most amazing cafeteria. They have anything that a young and hungry, or not so hungry student would crave for. Smoothies, ice cream, salad bar, bread, fast food, dinners, cakes, cookies, loads of exiting coffees etc. It's such a TEMPTATION!!! The picture shows what I try to eat for lunch, when others are treating themselves to the one delightful dish after the other... I wish I could brag and say i pack a lunch everyday, but no.. But i am and will continue trying to do so! I packed one today, but what good is that when you leave it in the kitchen at home!
But I promise myself I'll be more strict from now on, packed lunch go! go! go!! :)

a new visit from tsiky

2008-09-01T20:57:00.004+02:00

If you've read my blog, you know that Tsiky, a friend from Madagascar, is in the area this year:)
On Friday I had the pleasure og having him on another visit. When you're with Tsiky, it's impossible not to have good time:)
Friday evening when he came, we went to a CHRISC (Christian Sports Contact) gathering. And hilariously enough, Tsiky met someone he knew before I did. There was another guy from his's school there:) We had a nive evening!
On Saturday we, or moslty Tsiky, went shopping. There are loads of stuff that are handy to have when you're at a "folehøyskole" (school). A headlight for example:)

But I guess the best part of the day was the music shop where Tsiky could try out all the bass guitars he wanted:)

looking back

2008-08-24T00:29:00.004+02:00

I'm sitting and waisting time, waiting to go to work. Started thinking back, again, and was looking at my x-colleague's old blog. So much fun!! Found these pics from August 2005, which is a while ago now. We had been at Madagascar for about two weeks and had the first choir gathering on this date three years ago, wow!
The same week we also started a scout group for the Norwegian children. There had been one many years ago, but it had been dead for a while. We had so much fun in our specialmade uniforms!! :)

Have been missing Madagascar a lot lately, probably because I know it will still be a long time until I'll be able to go back and visit.. I miss the everyday life, going to the market, talking to people in the streets, the Norwegian children, the Malagasy children on the church school, all the laughter and smiles that were so real even though many had so little. We have so much to learn, I have so much to learn. I sit here thinking i'm a poor student!! I really am ashamed of myself, and we all should be!! One of the worst moments in my life was having to leave Madagascar in a hurry at Christmas time. Coming from people who never knew if they would have food for the next day or clothes for the cold nights, to people in big airports with so many bags of stuff that they couldn't even carry it!! It just made me sick and tears were streaming, I felt so lost, so hurt and so ashamed of my own culture.

Looking back at it now, the worst thing is that shortly after returning home for good, i slipped straight back into old habits.. If only we were as good at doing good acts as talking about them....

Somewhere to breathe

2008-08-23T09:58:00.003+02:00

Being a student is something that can be very stressful! Being a new student is worse. Even though I've been to UiA (University of Agder) for lunch a few times before, i haven't had any lectures there. There are so many things to fix the first week. So much information that it feels like your brain just melts and stops functioning. So after what felt like and info overload, i luckily had a half day off on Thursday. So took a book, some nibbles, sunglasses and walked for about ten minutes. This is where i ended up!! Pretty ehh? :)

I cycle through this place to get to uni, such a brilliant start of the day! I think I'll be spending quite a lot of time by this little lake, I'm SO happy it's close by.

here we go!

2008-08-23T00:42:00.002+02:00

The first week of uni is over, i've survived! I've had chemistry, met SO many people, had a lot of coffee, bought books, gotten myself a nurse uniform, spent way too much money in the fantastic cafeteria, started in CHRISC again, made new friends, had lunch with old friends+++
Even though it's just been five days, i really feel like i'm in the right place! What they teach us is exiting! It's gonna be a fab year!!
:)

2008-08-12T11:45:00.002+02:00

TSIKY!!!

This weekend is gonna be so good!! A friend of mine from Madagascar is coming to me on saturday! On Sunday I will go with him to Birkeland Folkehøyskole (A school) where he's gonna study this year:) It's gonna be so cool to have him in Norway this year. He's a really funny guy and lives up to his name, which means smile:)

See you soon Tsiky!

2008-08-12T10:55:00.003+02:00

Tadaaa!!

I should show you some pictures from my new home in Kristiansand, but i don't have any. So you'll have to settle with this weird one instead:p

Let me tell you about my new home, pics will have to come later. I'm gonna live about 10 min cyckle from uni, with two other girls, Mari and Sarah. Mari I've gotten to know a bit and she's great! Haven' t met Sarah yet, but we're already facebook buddies:) We (or Mari) have one child, Adrian! He's a grey and white kitten who just melts your heart. Mari, Sarah, Adrian and me live in a cozy little red house, with a garage and pattio. It's gonna be a fantastic year!

On saturday me and my dad loaded up the car and set off to start making my room mine:) I stayed until sunday and by the time i left, my stuff was everywhere and it started to feel like home.

I'm so exited about moving in! It happens on saturday, four days to go! Yaaay!!

.......Well, i better was a few more shelves now:)

wow!

2008-08-07T14:05:00.002+02:00

Struck in awe by the fact that there have been people in here, I give in, the blog is back on!! :) However I must warn you that there will be times when it must rest.. I'm going to be a serious student from now on, and I'll have to study hard. Because if you ever end up in the hospital, you would like if Nurse Staalesen knew how to take care of you;)

do i dare..

2008-08-04T13:16:00.004+02:00

Seeing i've restarted this blog about a thousand times, i am now very much in doubt wether it would be worth trying it out one more time.... I don't think anyone checks it anymore, so it wouldn't be as much for other people as for myself.
I've looked briefly at some of my oldest posts, and it's so funny!! It has a nice picture "diaryish" feel and I find it very amuzing to read it again:)

Since I'll be going back to uni. in two weeks time, i think it would be good to have somewhere to let out steam and just babble on about serious, but mostly unserious stuff. I will reconsider wether it is best to "leave and let die" or if I should wipe the dust of my "bubble" yet another time.
If you, whomever you might be, have anything to say about it, please let me know! You'll probably be the only one, hehe:)

daydreams

2008-03-28T12:19:00.002+01:00

Just to show

you what i think about while sitting here in my break:) Ipanema beach where i was for about a week in January, the hostel only 3 min away..

2 years back

2008-03-27T08:50:00.003+01:00

In my coffe break today i checked my blog going two years back, to see wether i'd written something on this day. Two years ago on the 27th of march it was Sunday, and we were singing with the Normal gospel choir in a local church in Antsirabè, where i lived. Seeing the pictures I really don't understand that it's been two years! That's a long time!
Oh how i miss it some days, the wonderful country Madagascar! Especially when it's been days and days with no sun, you feel like going to a marked or to chat to people that don't mind dropping a few lines with strangers. I miss the fantastic norwegian kids that i got to know, and the malagasy children who taught me how to appreciate life and the power of a smile.
Thinking back makes me feel a bit down, because there are so many people i'd love to see more often, but it's impossible. Moving around this much means getting to know a lot of people, but it also means leaving some. But most of all, i'm deeply thankful for everything that i've been through. I will never regret doing what i did, living abroad, getting to know other cultures and meeting so many wonderfull people:)
It's been two years since i sang with the choir in that little crowded church, but wow, some years!!!

back to work

2008-03-25T14:40:00.003+01:00

It's 20 minutes left until i can walk out of the factory. The thing is, today i'd like to stay! When i look out of the windom, it looks as though there is a thick fog, but no! It's snow... And i know that i will have to drive home in the snow, where i bet they haven't dug up the road yet... Well, i'll take it nice and slow, it'll be allright!
Every monday or tuesday the last weeks i've been reading a blog in one of the newspapers. It's so funny! I like the way he plays with words and describes everdaysituoations in a way that makes you see them different.
Everytime i read i think that i want to write too! But when i s start forming words and putting them together, i tend to give up.. It never comes out the way i want it to anyway, hahaha:) Luckily for me i don't have to pass a blogexam or anything, sad for you guys though!
Anyway, this is really just to do something while i wait to go home:)
Ok, better go change:)

2008-03-05T20:15:00.004+01:00

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight
in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with
singing."

Zephaniah 3:17

Still in touch

2008-03-03T22:49:00.001+01:00

This is me and Anne Lise out walking in the "mountains" of Lyngdal, where i live now with my parents. I was lucky to have her over last week for a few days. We met when both of us worked at Madagascar, she for the Peace corpse and me for NMS. After returning to Norway we have kept in touch and then all the fantastic memories from the island in our hearts come alive again:)
When we meet up we try to go for a walk and get some fresh air. So, even though the rain was pouring and the wind led the rain in all directions, we got dressed and went out.
It feels great to be outside when the weather is bad, as long as you have good shoes and don't get wet. We walked quite quickly for almost two hours, it was great! We only met two other people, it almost felt like we were in the middle of a beautiful nowhere for a while:)

When being outdoors, i always think of this passage:

"When I consider the heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are
mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?"

Blessings

2008-03-03T21:12:00.005+01:00

More and more often i sit back and think of how lucky i am! I have a family that love me, friends i trust and love and i have been so lucky to travel to many of the places that i dreamt of as a child. But still, i find myself forgetting this way too often, because as most other people, i tend to focus on the things i don't have. Things that i foolishly believe will make me happier and cooler, even though only for a moment.. But what makes me scream of joy and bubble inside, is to have a day in the sun with my supercool nephew and niece, Benedikte and Adrian:)

These pictures were taken on sunday, when my sister and i drove to grimstad to visit our brother, sister-in law, nephew and niece. We went for a walk along the ocean and it was such a fantastic day!!! In this season where we stay indoor most of the time because of the rain, a day in the sun is like a taste of heaven. The temperature was quite good, the sun gave us a taste of it's warmth and all the people we met were smiling, a glorious day:)

What's out there?

2008-02-03T21:22:00.000+01:00

It's the third of february, and it's been months since my last little article. But that was a choice i made because the world was spinning so fast i had to focus on holding on tight! It all went allright, and i'm now a lot more chilled and have decided to keep on writing. This is more of an egotrip than keeping people up to date, i just feel like writing. I don't even know if anyone checks this blog anymore:)

I've beem thinking a lot about the future these days, and that's because i really don't know what to do with myself. I don't have a goal, exept heaven though. Around me lots of my friends are graduating, getting married, having children and blahblahblah.. The thing is, i don't even know what to study!! But when this dark cloud of depressive thoughts start covering me, i always end up thinking that i'm really content with my life so far, and the cloud reveals the sun:)
Recently I moved back with my parents (a HUGE step), i've finised 30 points of Communication and Worldview studies which was fantastic and i've just come back from a month of backpacking in South America!! Yeah, i'm happy! I've also lived in two other countries since my a-levels/high school graduation. It would be quite boring if i had already figured out everything already though, it's important to add some exitement.

My plan now is to get an occupation, "become something". It has to be a "people" thing, where i can chat, help and at least sometimes feel that i make a difference for someone. So, even though i was sure i was gonna do a socialworkerish thing, i'm now back on the nurse thing (that was my old plan, two years ago). But, i really don't have to decide yet:)

I know some people hate long articles, and say that a blog is not a diary, but i don't care! This is MY blog and i can do whatever i want, HAHAHA!!!
Oh, by the way, i don't have a camera, but will try to borrow my dad's:)

Autumn is here

2007-09-24T21:18:00.000+02:00

A nice picture from Hounslow last year, one of the few sunny days:)
It's wet, windy and dark outside, but lucky me don't have to leave this lovely sofa:)
To be honest, It's been a rough start this schoolyear. Moving back after two years away, isn't a piece of cake. If you then add work, curriculum you don't understand +++ , things get hard. So, I'm taking a break from blogging, work and much more to at least try to make it through school.

So, thnaks to everyone who's been reading my blog:)
K

South America??

2007-08-27T21:58:00.000+02:00

Why do put this map on my blog?? I usually just put them out when i go places, so does that mean i have some new plans?? YES!!!! I`M GOING TO SOUTH AMERICA!!!! dates are set and tickets are paid for:) :) I`m so HAAAAAAAAAAPPY!!!!!!!!
My friend Magnhild, arrives in october and leaves againg in May, next year. In december, after exams, i fly down to spend a month with her:)
The plan is to meet up un Chile and travel through Argentina, Uruguay and end up in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Me? exited? Yeah babe!!! If you have any great ideas on things i just "have to do", hit me!

Since we`re talking really expensive tickets, i`ve now got a new job. I`m a pizzadriver at "Dolly dimple`s:) hehe, you call, i deliver!!!

"first price" :)

2007-08-27T21:44:00.000+02:00

For all norwegian students, "first price" is a famous brand:) It`s the cheapest you can get, and they have everything:) So yes, my shelves are loaded with them!

This is my room, at least some of it. I just took ot now, since some people won`t stop asking for some news:)
I started school last week, it was great! Lots of nice people, good teachers and important subjects. From this week, i`m on my own. It`s mostly an internet course, so this computer will be my best friend this year:) Oh, and i`m studying "worldview and communication" studies (Kommunikasjon og Livssyn på Gimlekollen) in Kristiansand. I really like this town, and the people i live with are awsome, so this is gonna be a great year!

a horrible morning

2007-08-17T08:43:00.000+02:00

while fast a sleep this morning, my dad comes into the room. i know something`s wrong! yeah, i`m late for work. He says, `"kristin, it`s 6.45!" that`s when i usually park the car outside the factory, so yeah, i`m in trouble. i get up in a hurry, run through the house, picking up stuff i might need but i`m too tired to know. i jump in the car and drive like the wind, yes, i was speeding.... anyway, i calm down cause i know it`s not that big a deal. it`s just that i hate being late.
30 min after being in a coma, i pulled up on the parking lot. hmm, weird, where are all the cars????
i check the time, it`s 6.15......

i still don`t know if my dad said the wrong thing, or i just thought he did. anyway, it`s now almost 9, and i`m still not awake.

but, IT`S MY LAST DAY AT WORK!!!! I`ve brought cake to celebrate:) Tomorrow i move in with torunn and renate in kristiansand, yay! so, even though it`s a tough morning, it`s ok, it`s the last one!

daydreamer..

2007-08-08T11:10:00.000+02:00

Didn`t have to sweep the floor, so i`m still here:)
Hopefully, or it`s almost surten, i`m going to turkey! about three weeks from now! Finally a vacation!!!!! So, sitting here, i close my eyes and float away. Sand between my toes, waves rolling in close by, ice cold coke by my side and everything bathed in sun. Am i lookin gforward to it, YEAH!!!!

another day in the office...

2007-08-08T10:46:00.000+02:00

Three days into this job, and i`m finally getting used to the relaxed atmosphere here. This is not the place where i have to run around, get dirty, sweatty and stressed. Here i can chill out a bit more, as long as i do the tasks needed.I get to do things like this, blogging:)

If you`re wondering, no, i haven`t hidden anything in my bottom drawer:)

This is the last week for most of the summer workers, which is sad. Who am i to lunch with every day? Well, i guess if i don`t have anyone to talk to, i`ll get a much needed chance to read some more before my course. I`ve read one of the two books we have to read before we start, one more to go. Shouldn`t be a problem really.

Oh, i chatted with my host father last night. Now i`m even more exited about the London trip in september, it`s gonna be fab!!

...i should do something. People know i don`t really have an excuse to write this much, but i do look important though:) What can i do? Sweep the floor? yeah, i`ll go that! c ya!

2007-08-03T19:29:00.000+02:00

This is Fiona (a host "sister"), Rada (in my team) and me:) This picture was taken on our team day at Thorpe park, right after one of the water slides!
It was on the 19th of June, it kinda feels like yesterday:) it`s facinating how quick the weeks has gone by!
This week all of the new and old volunteers gathered at Åpta, just 30 min drive from my home town. We came to end our year as volunteers, and to give advice to the youths taking over for us.I`ll tell you more about that later.

I just wanted to upload this picture to tell Fiona and Rada that; i miss u!!!!!

Finally.... as you wish, my wheels:)

2007-07-26T20:24:00.001+02:00

I took these with my phone, so pardon the quality:) Not ever sure if i`m allowed.. Here it is, my office for the last five weeks. Tomorrow`s my last day, hurrah!! I`ve got next week off, and then two weeks in the warehouse.
It`s an ok job though, i sit and listen to the radio while i make the place cleaner. The thing about it that i don`t like, is that i`m all alone.. I drive all day, alone.. Luckily there are other cool people around that jump in occasionally to keep me company, that really brightens up the day. One more thing, the road sweeper, my baby, is slowly falling apart. I won`t go technical on you (cause i don`t know how to), but out of twelve "shelves" to pick up the dust, there`s five left.. in five weeks, i`ve lost five or was it six? hmmm.. anyway, while they fix it, i get to be social, so i`m allright with it. It`s not like it`s my fault:)

This is me, like my shades? You don`t get to see my supercool trousers or the high street steel tipped shoes, they are soooo pretty:)

And then, this is a part of the hall where i drive during the day. My mission is to sweep up all the black dust that fills my nose, ears and leaves a grey layer everywhere. I really wonder what my lungs look like right now.

Rain, rain and rain....

2007-07-17T18:29:00.000+02:00

It`s raining again... Watching the weather forecast is too depressing, it`s not like they have any good news.. However, yesterday the sun crept out from it`s hiding place, and planted a tiny hope in me and saying, "it`s ok, love, i`ll be back later. When you don`t have to work all day and you can enjoy me!" Even though i know it`ll be back, it`s so hard to believe it when i look the window. It`s wet and windy, very wet and windy!!
But, i choose to focus on the positive things!; Like the fact that electricity will be cheaper this autumn, the sound of rain is quite nice when you`re inside, some plants are happy (some are drowning) and, i think about late August:) When i move my stuff to Kristiansand!!! It`s gonna be sooo good!!
Some of this student stuff is tying a tight knot in my tummy, because it`s a bit scary! I haven`t received grades for a while, what if i can`t do this!?! Blahblahblah, no, it`s gonna be ok:) But, i do like the thought of filing papers, new pens, sharpened pencils, meeting new people, trip to London, finding a volleyball team, being a student (finally a student discount card), new church, new friends + +

Ok, this is what i want to show you; My new computer!!!! HURRAH!!! i ordered it today, isn`t he beyoootifull?? (i decided that it`s a "he")I`m trying out a "man-car" relationship:) His name is: HP Pavilion dv6391 Intel Core2Duo T5600 I don`t know anything about computers, but it does sound good!!
So, this will take all my focus off the rain, and soon i`ll be writing posts from my new and shiny laptop!

Yeah, i`ve finished bragging now:)

Back in the days

2007-07-07T19:50:00.000+02:00

Look what i found! Haha, I`m sitting on the other pc, the one i hardly use, and i found this. I`ts a bit blurry, i scanned it years ago! This is in 2003, the end of the second year at boarding school:) We were on the second floor of the beautiful building behind us. My room was right above my classroom, great when you`re running late! The walls were so thin i could hear Merethe snoring in the night, haha, I actually miss it! My fantastic x-roomie!!
The lovely girls are; Merethe, Silje, Jorun, Elisabeth, Kristin (not me), Marie, Bjørg Marit, Marianne, Maigi and Me! Hope you`re all doing well!!

To be or not to be....

2007-07-04T20:33:00.000+02:00

After neglecting my blogg for several months, i decied to put it to sleep. My two years of different cultures, new countries, culture shocks, food you didn`t know was food, the everlasting excuse of being a foreigner, expensive long distance calls, expressions you don`t understand, humour out of another world and abnormal everyday life, is over. For the first time in my life, i`m gonna be a student, a completely normal student. I love the sound of it!
Then again, after the decision, i started having doubts.. Should i really give up blogging? It is a great way of sharing thoughts, memories and keeping people up to date, if they want to know.. No, it`s not an easy decision!

While pondering about this, i can announce that i am HOME! I returned on the 20th of june, it was a day of joy:) The last month in London was sad, since i knew i was leaving a buch of jolly good people, but i was ready to move on and do something new. I can`t see myself staying three years in Kristiansand after all this travelling, but i`ll give it a go. I sound old when saying this, but i`d like to settele down for a while.
Anyway, after a few days of doing nothing exept enjoying having the house to myself, i went back to my summerjob. I`m back in the road sweeper. It`s an ok job, and it brings in the doh!

I LOVE being back by the ocean!! Walking on the beach, the fantastic scent, sand between your toes, seashells, late nights with blankets and listening to the waves washing away secrets written in the sand.. There is so much beautiful to see, i just tend to forget taking a look around me!

So, life or death? Should i keep blogging, or is it about time i save people from my horrible journalism? I might listen to you, or not:)

Team retreat

2007-05-12T17:42:00.000+02:00

Last week, from monday until wednesday, our team went on a retreat. It was to have some sessions about leadership, and to relax and have fun. We went to a beautiful place called Cotswold Farm (i think it was in Glouctershire). I just want to show you some pictures!

my bedroom:) The other pictures are from the garden. I wish we could have stayed there longer!

This little one was by a tiny pond in the garden.

The window on the top right was mine. I had a fantastic view! Behind me when i took this photo, there is a trampoline, that's where Rada spent most of her time, hehe:)
They had so many wonderful plants and flowers!
This is the little pond where the nice statue is placed.

I had some really nice, relaxing days away, thanks guys!

A guest!!

2007-05-12T17:03:00.000+02:00

Last week my friend from college came to spend six days. We've know each other since age 16, but haven't had the chance to spend much time together the last three years. I was so exited when i stood at Richmond station waiting for her, and it was great to see her again!
She hasn't been to London before, so we did most of the London stuff. I'm getting slightly better at the guide role now, at least i didn't get lost in the tube system:)
Here you see bjoerg marit (just marit in english) doing her thing as usual. I think it's right next to hyde park if i remember correctly.

We did a lot of walking!!! I've never seen so much of london on such a short time! We sure took advantage og our travelcards:)
We took the tube north, south, east and west, I believe BM knows how to get around in London now! She also got to see how the tube looks like at rush hour, wow! I keep forgetting how full it can get.

As i've said so many times before, i love digital cameras! We had to share my double bed for a couple of nights. It would have been nicer if Bm wasn't sick and passed her germs over to me.. But i forgive you love! it was worth it, hehe:

We also had to see London by night. Here's the London eye, smashing eeh? I took quite a few photos, but off course nothing compared to the tourist;)
We also spent some time in Richmond and Twickenham where i live. What i really appreciate this year, is that it's possible for people to come visit! Thanks Marit, it was fantastic to have you over! See you soon!

Silence

2007-05-12T16:56:00.000+02:00

I just want to say sorry for yet another dead blog period. It's been a bit busy lately, 'cause i've had a guest!! But, i'm not gonna let my bubble die, so i'm uploading some pics today!

MM europe 2007

2007-04-27T16:02:00.000+02:00

The Missionary Meeting in Europe 2007, that was last week:) (I'm sorry, i don't have a picture of everyone. This is just the volunteers in Europe.) In total we were 18 people at High Leigh Conference center. The team from London(7 people), the volunteers in Paris (2 people), the missionaries and their children in Paris (7 people) and then Aaslaug and Aasmund from the NMS in Norway.
It was fun getting to know the other missionaries in Europe and hear about their work and the challenges they're facing. We did some group work and shared some ideas and experiences. It was a good week and it was great being together and doing something different!This is High Leigh where we had the MM. It was beautiful and peaceful, until we came:)

This is Ragnhild, Ingeborg (both Paris) and Anne Marie.

The second day we went to Camebridge for a picnic! This is Ragnhild, and in the background you see King's College.
If you look into the sunglasses, you see Rada. The owner of the "superkool" sunglasses, is Ingeborg.
I had a great time! Thanks to everyone there:)

Rainbow Club 2006

2007-04-27T15:35:00.000+02:00

People have been asking me about easter, what did i do? Well, i was working!
Here at St. Stephen's they have a big holiday club at easter, and it was great! We had about 150 children from age five to ten. On top of that there was sixty people in the team of helpers! It was four fantastic days with lots of music, puppets, games and most important, happy children:)

The children's worker, Bernie French, and his wife Jean did a wonderful job!! I'm so happy that i got to be a part of that week! The theme was "I'm a puppet, get me out here!" The theme was inspired by an english tv show taking part in a jungle. So, the church was made into a jungle, is was fanatastic!
We were not allowed to take any pictures, because of child safety rules. So i'll just show you my badge:) Just to pat myslef on the shoulder, i made ALL of the badges (martha helped with a few by the way). I never wanna see a badge machine again!!

It was amazing to see the children jumping around and having fun in the way that only they can:)

My home away from home

2007-04-16T11:27:00.000+02:00

Here they are, The Barnetts. Or almost, Kate is not on the picture since she's away on Uni. From the left you see Robyn, Martin and Guy. This picture was taken in Kew Gardens, a beautiful place with lots of flowers and plants from all over the world. We had a wonderful picnic out in the sun.
This is a great family to live in and i am enjoying every day:) Thank you guys!!

A short holiday

2007-04-12T15:21:00.000+02:00

As most of you know, i was home for a short trip last week. I had a wonderful time! I got to meet family, friends and people in my congregation. Going home for a short time is never a vacation though, there's just too much going on. But, i'd never swap it for anything else:) The picture above is from a beach at home. Me and my sister went there with my nephew and my niece, it was great!
My dad can fix anything. This easter it was my brother's car (again), that needed some help from dad. Even though he doesn't like it when things are out of order, he does enjoy it when he has electrical or mechanical stuff to play with:) My dad is under the car, the guy in the front is my brother, Ole.

I got to see my friend Torunn when i was back. We became friends when we were in fifth grade, and still are. Next year we're taking it to another level, i'm moving in with her:) Looking forward to it!

When popping by Torunn's family, she let me join in with the gardening. Being the nice person i am, i dug up a root in their flower bed. It was hard work, but i think i earned some respect, hehe:)

The same day, Torunn and her boyfriend took me horse riding. This is one of his mates, Rune, that stopped by. You can see him trying to get the sweet little horsie to walk, I'm afraid it didn't work very well:)
I had a great time at home! At the same time a i'm really enjoying the sunny days here in Twickenham, it's lovely!!

Martha!

2007-04-12T15:02:00.000+02:00

Over a month ago i was lucky to have Martha over. We both lived at Madagascar last year, so we had a lot of catching up to do. Since i have been terrible at updating lately, i never put out a picture from her visit, shame on me!! It was great being together again, i loved it!! THANK YOU MARTHA!!!!

I'm back in the blogging world!!

2007-04-05T16:53:00.000+02:00

Long time no see:)

Yes, i'm SORRY!!! Where have i been, what have i done? Well, well, let's move on, hehe! It's not that things don't happen in my life, it's just that i don't have time to tell:)

Let me share some of the things that have happened that people might not know;

I have moved! Yes, it's been over a month now, and i LOVE it! It's a fantastic family of four + me, i have a jolly good time with them.
My friend Martha came to visit, i have to show you some photos of that. THANKS for coming my dear!!
I've got a summer job, yes, back in the factory driving the lovely road sweeper (feiebil).
I've been to Norway! Came back on Tuesday. Went back for my mum's birthday, and she didn't know about it. Is was very successful:)
I have applied for school next year! Kristiansand, here i come! And poor Torunn, she's gonna share her flat with me, hihi! Looking forward to it babe!
I've followed the crowd and joined "Facebook" like everyone else, i don't like admitting it, but it's wicked!

I can't promise new pics soon, but i'm hoping!

(and no, i'm not keeping it white, it's just that the black is a bit depressing, don't you think?)

Tired thoughts

2007-03-12T23:00:00.000+01:00

It's been a while since the last updates. I have this growing pile of thoughts and pictures to share, but i don't seen to find the time. It's not very late, but I'm tired! We'll see, maybe they come, maybe they don't:)

I've been reading a lot of blogs lately, WOW! People are so creative, funny and there are so many exiting lives! The pressure of having to write in a catchy and intelligent way is increasing with every new blog i visit. It doesn't help that i've been caught in the horrible game of "blog tag". The rules say i have to write six things about myself, things that's not common knowledge. Hmm, i am sorry my dearest Claudius, my dancing queen, but i think i will break the circle. I can't really come up with any fun facts right now. Not that i'm boring and haven't done anything wild, i just can't make a list. So, maybe you can help me? If people comment and give me some good ones, i'll write them in a list:) Yeah, I like that version better!

Ok beloved, i'm going to bed! Comments will be highly appreciated:)

Love song

2007-03-12T22:50:00.000+01:00

I've heard it said that a man would climb a mountain
Just to be with the one he loves
How many times has he broken that promise
It has never been done.
I've never climbed the highest mountain
But I walked the hill of calvary

Just to be with you, I'd do anything
There's no price I would not pay
Just to be with you, I'd give anything
I would give my life away.

I've heard it said that a man would swim the ocean
Just to be with the one he loves
How may times has he broken that promise
It can never be doneI've never swam the deepest ocean
But I walked upon the raging sea

Just to be with you, I'd do anything
There's no price i would not pay
Just to be with you, I'd give anything
I would give my life away

I know that you don't understandthe fullness of My love
How I died upon the cross for your sins
And I know that you don't realize how much that I gave you
But I promise, I would do it all again.

Just to be with you, I've done everything
There's no price I did not pay
Just to be with you,
I gave everythingYes, I gave my life away.

by Third Day

More Paris

2007-02-22T14:52:00.000+01:00

Just want to tell you that if you want to see some more pics from Paris, go to some of the links on the right;
Julie, Ragnhild and Ingeborg in Paris + Ragnhild and Ingeborg's joined blog. Sorry to all you non-norwegians, their blogs are in norwegian:)

If you want me to add your blog to my link list, just tell me!

Academie de louange 2007

2007-02-21T18:25:00.000+01:00

That is the reason why Torgeir, Anne Marie and me went to Paris, a worship camp thing. The main thing though was to see how the mission field is compared the the english. It's interesting to see what the differences and similarities are. Last Tuesday, the two Paris volunteers, Ingeborg and Ragnhild(the pic under), met us smiling at the train station. Ragnhild's boyfriend, Leif Magne was also there. After a few days of just getting to know each other and central Paris, we left for Academie de louange. It was a camp for teenagers, they were about 16 and 17 i guess. It lasted from Saturday til Tuesday, yesterday that is.
Hmm, what can i say, it was great! Ingeborg got sick though, the day before leaving. She sat on the train with a 40 degrees temperature, not something i envy. After lying in bed the first day, she got on her feet and continued being the extremely funny person she usually is:)

The one thing that we (T, AM and me) were both exited and worried about, was the language! None of us speak french! But, i had heard rumours about some of the youth being malagasy, and we were hoping that they all knew some english. We were lucky:) There was one girl from Germany, so me and Torgeir got to practice our german (i spoke english..) Some of the cool guys spoke spanish, so Torgeir got to show of, hehe. And, i got to speak malagasy! I promise you, the way one of the malagasy girls reacted when i spoke malagasy to hear, i thought i was gonna wet my pants! I asked her in french what her name was, she said Misa. It's a common name in Madagascar, so i asked in malagasy if she could speak malagasy, hehehe:) You should have seen the look on her face!!

Enough about that, i'm tired. I should get unpacked, that is truly the most boring part of traveling, you have to unpack...

Teachers like it when their students can narrow down materiel to one word. If i was to do that, it had to be the word "laughter". I can't remember when i last laughed this much!! I had muscle pains in my stomach! Thanks goes out to the fantastic people i got to hang out with, i've had so much fun!!

Back from Paris!

2007-02-21T17:33:00.000+01:00

About two hours ago i came stumbling through the door with my over-sized, way-too-heavy, painfully uncomfortable bag. But, i think that is the only negative thing about this Paris trip:) I've had a FANTASTIC time! I just realized that i don't have a picture of all of us, but i'll try to get every one's face out here on the blog.
I wish i had the gift of writing things down in an exiting way, but i don't, so i'll keep it short. One of the funniest things happened before even leaving London; let me tell you!
After taking the train to Waterloo, we are about to check in on the train. I say: "This will be so cool, i can't wait to get on the train" i am very hyper at this point and have butterflies of joy in my stomach. I continue: "Come on! Let's get out are passports and get going!" I look at Anne Marie, she's got this confused look on her face that suddenly turns into sadness, anger and guilt, why? She has forgotten her passport... You might think Torgeir and me got angry, but no. Anne Marie was a bit embarrassed though, hehe:) We started laughing, met a nice french security man while trying to get through the passport control with no passport, and got tickets three hours later. Torgeir put on his ipod and guarede our stuff while me and Anne Marie caught the first train back to twickenham to get the passport. It all sorted out without any big problems, i find it hilarious!

I'll tell you some more about why we went to France.

Je ne pas parle le français(???)

2007-02-11T20:16:00.000+01:00

Last year i lived in a country where french is one of the official languages. But, i didn't learn anything! I know "hello" and "my name is Kristin" (no idea how to spell it though), but that is pretty much how far as it goes. Anyway, these coming days i will get the chance to learn som more! I'm going to PARIS!!!

Oh yes:) On tuesday Anne Marie, Torgeir and me are boarding the train and will hopefully end up in Paris. We'll stay with the two Norwegian volunteers working there, Ragnhild and Ingeborg to get a glimpse of their busy lives. We're also going to participate on a camp thing, i have a leaflet, but it's in french... Anyway, i am so exited!!!!

I'll tell you all about it when i come back:)

The rest of the lovely U-turn team, are going in April. It's a bit sad that we can't go together, but i think it'll still be great!!

So, as you probably understand there won't be any activity here the following ten days, HURRAH!!!

oh lovely bed

2007-02-05T23:50:00.000+01:00

It's past my bedtime. Something tells me i won't have to count sheep or struggle in any way to drown into the world of dreams. I usually sleep quite good. I'm one of those lucky people who falls asleep on planes, buses and trains if there is time. It's a good gift to have.
Anyway, the reason why i'll pass out soon is because i've been sick. The kind of sick when you become best friends with your toilet and wants mum and dad to bring you coke. But, i was on my own when my body battled against the food coming in, deciding to throw it out again. Ok, it's a bit disgusting to talk about it, so i'll save you from more information. You all know what i'm talking about anyway.
If you're wondering, i'm alright now. It was in the dark hours of sunday morning it all happened, i was back to work today.

So, i just wanted to share some of my last experiences with you:)
Hmm, it there anything else i should mention? let me think..... No, i can't think of anything, all i want is to go to bed really.

"I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O Lord,
make me dwell in safety"
Psalm 4.5

Good night!

Skype!

2007-01-22T12:14:00.000+01:00

Just one thing;
I know a lot of you have skype, well, so do i!!! If you'd like to talk, find me:)

My "hood"

2007-01-22T11:54:00.000+01:00

Found some time to show you the pictures!
This is my street in Teddington. Welcome to Avenue Gardens!
This is the Gough's lovely garden. Looking at it it's hard to believe it's mid january.
I live next to a big park and Sarah has managed to get me out running in it. That's what i call a miracle, hehe:) As mentioned earlier there are lots of deer in it.

Last wednesday (my day off) we finally had some sun, so i went for a walk.

Got some weird looks while taking pictures like this, hehe!

Busy, busy and lot's of fun!

2007-01-22T10:54:00.000+01:00

Just wanna tell y'all dat there'll b more pics soon, i'm just a bit busy:)
peace!

i'm still lovin' it!

Knight in shining armour

2007-01-11T20:36:00.000+01:00

When you're a girl you always dream about meeting the prince from the fairy tales, at least i did. I haven't met a real one yet, but almost! You see, today we got two big sized paper "statues" of Aragon(Lord of the Rings) and Spiderman. Both Rada and me were very happy having such handsome heroes to look at, so they are welcome furniture, hehe. Our new staff member, Debbie, also voted for them, hooray! I think it made our basement office even nicer, it also added some glamour (don't know if that's a good thing though..).
Anyway, i hope that they will still be there tomorrow, but i have my doubts:)

By the way, i'll try to get hold of the lovely picture of Rada, me and our new friend!

One big smile!

2007-01-11T20:07:00.000+01:00

It's now been a week since i got back to London, hooray!
I'm so HAPPY! Why?
* I have loads of fun, interesting and exiting work
* I have fantastic colleagues
* We just got a real size picture of Viggo Mortensen in the office, hehe;)
* It takes me about six minutes of train and three min of walk to get to work!
* Sarah and Richard are wonderful!!
* Rada gives me lunch (sometimes)
* I have a double bed, lovely!
* Paris for eight days in february
* Staff retreat this month
* I live right beside a park, and they have real deer in it!
* My team mates rock!
* I will get a visitor in Feb, can't wait to see you Martha love:)
* people who doesn't know me thinks i'm english because of my accent, thanks goes out to Lis on Kvitsund!
* I get to work in the children's church at Ivy Bridge (tell u more later)
* I really feel welcome in the office and the church

The list could go on, but i'll save it. Right now i'm home alone, one of the few days this week and the next that i'm home. Stupid me told everyone on the staff meeting i was hoping to be "very busy", they took it serious. But, i like it. I'm happy that i can be used:)

My comeback

2007-01-06T11:42:00.000+01:00

Well people, I'm back in London. I know that a lot of you are anxious to hear how it's going, and let me then say, I LIKE IT!
It really feels like coming back was the right decision. I now live with my boss, Sarah Gough and her husband, Richard. They are fantastic and i think i will love it here. But, i can only stay a month, then i'll be on the move again. Still don't know where, but i bet it'll be another nice place.

By the way, i've got my engslish number back. Please use that one if you need me. If you want it, then write me a mail and i'll see if i want to give it to you:)

2007-01-03T13:40:00.000+01:00

A missionary held a speech before leaving Madagascar, she quoted a french saying: "To say goodbye is to die a little".
She's right.
But, that's way it has to be, sad but healthy. We need room for new adventures!

Madagasikara

2007-01-03T13:26:00.000+01:00

A year ago it looked like this when i came back to Madagascar during the rain season. Tomorrow i'm returning to London. It just hits me how lucky i am!!

This picture shows a few of the students on the school, where i volunteered at three days a week. A lot of them make their living by begging in the streets. I miss them so much!

This year it's England i get to know. Next year i'll be missing London. Yes, i'm lucky!! I think i should be more thankful than i am, and i think that goes for a lot of people. It's true what they say, some things you don't see the true value of before it's gone.

2007-01-02T15:42:00.000+01:00

Now, let me just wish you a

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I don't really have any new year resolutions, i don't think I'll manage to keep them anyway. But i do hope for some improvements, for example on my email writing. I will do my best to be more active, and i PROMISE that all who sends an email will get an answer!!!
lots of love from me!

Bear at sunset

2007-01-02T15:25:00.000+01:00

On Christmas day, after our family lunch which is a family tradition, i went for a walk with my friend Katrine. We've been friends for ages. We didn't walk that far, but we followed a road into the forest to a water. It was fantastic to sit by the still water and not hear a single sound of people or cars, it was so peaceful. After the sunset we made our way back right before it was too dark to see anything.
On our way to the little lake we stopped for some fresh, Norwegian water, yummy!

We had a lovely day! Just taking a step out of the stress that christmas can be. I think we should do that a lot more often then we do. It's hard to keep the right perspective on things when you never stop up from time to time. I truly hope that all of you return to work or studies with a feeling of peace and rest! Take care!

Stavanger

2007-01-02T15:05:00.000+01:00

In december a was able to spend a few days in the Stavanger area, where i met a lot of people from my malgasy life. Here are some of the people i met:

This is Ellen Marie Gabrielsen, or Ellie as we call her. I spent two days with her incredible family.
This is Ellie's little sister Svanhild. She took me to a park where we fed the ducks and ended up by being chased by a big bunch of them. Thanks goes out to them for having me, i had a fantastic time!
This is Anne Lise and Kjetil Pedersen. She was at Madagascar with the Peacecorps, we share a lot of funny memories!
This is the Pedersen dog, his name is Spike and i love him! We took a sunday walk since we finally had a day with no rain:)

I met a lot of people during those days, and it was great. It's good to get togehther since we all have a lot of the same memories with us. But, what is important is to make some new memories, because we've moved on. And i really feel that we did that. I feel so lucky to have met all these wonderful people! Well, enough of that:)

From all of us, to all of you, lalalalal!!!

2006-12-24T15:15:00.000+01:00

First of all, SORRY for not writing for days and days.

Second;

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!"

For you non-norwegians, christmas eve is the big day in Norway. Now we're off to church as we do every year, then it's all about the food and the gifts, hehe:)

I'll tell you more about it another time, for now i just want to wish all of my family and friends a happy christmas! We all have so much to give thanks for on a day like this, i sure know i have!!

God bless you all!!

Telling the story

2006-12-13T17:27:00.000+01:00

On Tuesday i was asked to join the church in one of their newer traditions. It's a great way of telling the christmas story. They invite nurseries to come and go on a "journey" where they hear and take part in the gospel.

The children get to dress up as angels, wise men, shepards and off course, Mary and Joseph. We had three gruops on tuesdays, there are still ten exited groups to come.

It was a lot of fun and i think it's a fantastic way of teaching children the reason why we celebrate christmas!

The wise men are following the the priest (in this case the king)

The lovely little angles!

Zoo

2006-12-10T23:03:00.000+01:00

Was at the zoo in Kristiansand today with my family, i'll upload some pics tomorrow! We saw animals like this, but this picture is one i took at Madagascar:)

Catching up

2006-12-09T17:30:00.000+01:00

Since my past contains four years in two different boarding schools, i have friends all over the country. In one way it's nice, but it's also quite frustrating trying to meet them. Luckily i have some people still living quite close by, in Kristiansand. That's the city where i'm going to start studying next year.

After spending time with Toky, i went to Arnhild and Torunn's nice apartment where i spent the night. Today we finally had some sunshine, so me and Arnhild went for a walk. We met this scary, but beautifull swan. When i took the picture it was hissing at me!! I think it looks a bit funny:)

We've known eachother for years. I think i met Arnhild in a tree (no, not kidding) when we were about five or something. We have been friends since then, but after we started in different schools at age sixteen we haven't met that often. It was great meeting again, i just wish i could stay longer.

Hope to see you soon!

Sharing memories

2006-12-09T17:20:00.000+01:00

Yesterday(friday) i drove to Birkeland Folkehøskole (a school) to meet my friend Toky. We met at Madagascar last year and have kept in touch since then. I'm so happy he's in Norway this year and that we can meet. He's an outstanding musician and plays all sorts of instruments. We spent a long time just playing and singing songs that remind us of Madgascar.
Tena milay be izy!!!

I just have to say that his norwegian is amazing! He speaks a lot more norwegian than i speak malagasy, and i was there a year! He's only been here since august!
Hope to see you again soon Toky!

Following advices

2006-12-09T16:37:00.000+01:00

It's already been over a week since i came back home. One of the biggest reasons of going home was to calm down, relax, think etc.. Well, i've had some trouble doing that. I have volunteered in my congregation with youth work, i'm visiting people and stressing about all the christmascards i should send, but i know i won't. But, to do as been told and for my own sake, i went on a little retreat. Monday morning my dad drove me up to our cottage. It's almost up in the mountains, but not really. I came back on Thursday, it was great!!! I was all alone in something that really feels like in the middle of nowhere. I spent my time reading books, playing guitar (learning), and walking . I'm quite proud, cause i never switced on the telly!

I found out that i really needed it, since during the entire time i was never even bored!

One day i went for a walk in the rain. It was wonderfull breathing in the fresh air and compare it to the poison of the tube air. I know what i prefere, hehe:)

(not that i'm not going back!)

The sad part was that there was no snow! But then, the last day, i woke up and the ground was finally white!!! I didn't get the chance to really enjoy it, because i had to pack all my stuff and get going.
Hopefully we'll get some snow in Lyngdal too before i return to London.

SURPRISE!!!!

2006-12-01T16:36:00.000+01:00

Hello friends! This might be a shock to a lot of you, but I'M IN NORWAY!!!!!!!

I arrived in Kristiansand last night at 5.55. It was soooo good to be back! Had a delicious hot-dog at Shell together with my sister and dad on my way from the airport.

Maybe you think, "but why???". Well, let's just say that it wasn't what i wanted to do. I wasn't getting the experience i was looking for, so i made my decision. BUT, i am going back in January for a fresh start in a new church. So it's not like i've dropped London completely.

To all you friends who think, "why didn't she tell me?" Well, i didn't tell anyone, just my family. I wanted to make sure that i actually was going home before i let you all know. When first things were decided, it all happened really fast and suddenly, here i am! Sitting in my own living room, mum and dad around, internett at home:) Life is great!!!

Just so you know, i've got my "old" mobil number, in case someone tries to reach me. And one more thing, i won't be travelling around Norway to visit people even though it would be great. But, you are all welcome to Lyngdal, hehe:)

A small break

2006-11-21T19:56:00.000+01:00

Hello all beloved readers!

If you are one of the few "regulars" on this site, then thank you! I just have to tell all of you that i'm taking a little blog break. There are a lot of things going on right now. But, give me a couple of weeks and i'll be back in business!! There might be some big news.

Take care!

Another thursday

2006-11-16T18:53:00.000+01:00

Hello again everyone!

Yes, it's thursday again and that means some "blogging" time. The thing is that i've spent it all on skyping, so i won't have time to tell you much of this weeks great adventures. Oh, what a pity...

I've talked to my lovely niese and nephew today, i love them so much!!! I just had to show you this picture my brother sent me a copuple of weeks ago. They always fall asleep in the car in all sort of "comfortable" postitions. When i talked to them today they were all cuddled upp in front of the tv looking at the six o'clock childrens show, eating cake. They said they miss me, but i have a feeling i miss them a bit more here i sit all alone:)

I also talked to Kathrine Brun, haven't spoken to her in ages. She's a pupil at the Norwegian School in Madgascar where i worked last year. We had a lot of fun so it was great talking to her again!

I am trying to think of news to tell you, but i think i'm gonna save it for next week. But, i tell you, i will have some big news next week, they're just not ready for publicing yet. So, "stay tuned!" as they say, hehe!

I think that's it! I should do some work now.

Today (i'm not good at headlines)

2006-11-09T12:26:00.000+01:00

It's been four hours since i got out of bed, took a shower, ate my burnt toast (so English) and started walking towards the always overloaded morning bus to Brentford (yes, where i work). Walking to the bus is how i wake up. Step by step i open my eyes a bit more and try to get my brain over on more important thoughts than my lovely warm bed and why i burnt the toast, again.
After a 15 min walk i reached the bus, i got to sit today!!! After spending about 30 minutes on what should take 10, i reached Brentford. Today me, my team mate Miko and a nice lady called Maria had the School Assembly. We talked about believing in God and keep asking him about things, even though you wake up and there is still no Pony in the garden (i checked every morning). I think the kids liked it. Being young and new you're quite interesting compared to a lot of teachers and other people they see all the time. So, they cut you some slack and listen. Well, i liked it and hope i get to it again soon.

Right now I'm waiting for the Open House Cafe to open. Then I'll be smiling behind the counter going: "How can I help you, love? Would you like some carrots? Beans? Would you like some drops on gravy on that, sir?" I do this every thursday, you meet a lot of nice people.

Later today i'm going to a Deanery Youth conference. I don't really know what it is, but i do think it will be exiting. I hope to make some good notes and return with a bunch of ideas.

Another day in London!

My week

2006-11-02T12:25:00.000+01:00

Some of you might have understood that i've had some task which hasn't been very exiting, at least for me. But, from this week i've got some new things, Hurrah!
So, let me fill you in!

Monday: I work at the "Genesis project". My task is to look after cute kids while their parents study. They're from six months old, i love it!
Tuesday: Team day! The team get together for bible studies, prayer and just hanging around sharing ups, downs and challenges. We have a great time together!
Wednesday: I work in the parish of St. Philip's and St. James with Hildegunn in Whitton. Again, lovely kids! We play and entertain while their mummies talk and do a "family time" course. In the evening i go to "fellowship group" at St. Paul's, it's quite good! I'm hoping that some more people will join us.
Thursday: My only day of serving in the Open House Cafe. There is also a school assembly which we go to. In the evening it's Alfa, i serve and do the washing up.
Friday: DAY OFF!!!
Saturday: DAY OFF!!/tasks that need to be done.
Sunday: Sunday school and the Young People's group (the YP's).

So, that's my week, pretty full eh? I like it!

Brrrrr!

2006-11-02T12:08:00.000+01:00

Greetings! I know i just told you it's autumn, i take it back, it's winter! Right now i thank my parents for sending me the wool hats, socks and sweaters, 'cause it's COLD! Well, at least for me who skipped last year's winter and enjoyed the summer in Madagascar.
To get to work in Brentford i have two options (if you take away the bike, yes i am lazy). I can either take two buses, which takes ages 'cause of the traffic and the fact that it's longer, or i can take one bus. But, one bus equals a walk for about 15-20 minutes both ways... Because of the lack of training and my addiction to chocolate i usually go for the walk and one bus. So, on my way to fellowship group last night, i put on wool from top til toe, and thank God i did! You see, after the walk i sat down and waited for the bus which usually takes about 12 minutes. I waited, waited and waited... it took almost 50 minutes!!! I tell you, i was shaking pretty hard when the bus finally got there. There had been some problems down town where it came from. I just say "fotoana gasy", which means "Malagasy time".
Lats just hope there won't be consequences like a cold....

The fun of cameras!

2006-10-30T15:13:00.000+01:00

Sometimes i just do silly things, and sometimes it turns out good, but mostly just silly:)

It's Autumn!

Then the silliness!

You can have lots of fun with a camera and a mirror, he he!

Bits and pieces

2006-10-30T14:42:00.000+01:00

Somethings i should have uploaded last week:)

This picture was taken last weekend, when it was Diwali. It is a Hindu light celebration. I don't remember exactly what though.. But, there were fireworks all around the area the entire weekend. When i got home saturday evening there was a bunch of people outside my flat shooting up fireworks. I joined them for a little while, it really felt like new years eve since that is the only time we use fireworks in Norway.

Need some nice, comfy and feathery slippers? I just had to take a picture of these, are they not horrible? Well, i do need some slippers... should i?

This is Anne Marie and her love, OEystein. He was here last weekend, a really nice lad.

They, Hildegunn and me lived in the white house on the corner. The lovely Brooker family was on a half term brake, so we got to stay in the house.

On friday we went to Central London where we visited the Norwegian YMCA house.

And off course, we were tourists, hehe, "looking good Hildegunn;)!"

The sun will come out, tomorrow!

2006-10-25T19:18:00.000+02:00

The sun will come out, tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there will be SUN!!! I don't know if you remember this song, but it's from the movie/musical Annie, my absolute favourite as a kid.

In my blog description i wrote that i will share my ups and downs, well i haven't really been doing that.... For a time now i have felt like I've been waiting for the sun to come out. Things hasn't been great i must say, but finally the the biggest and darkest clouds are letting a few more rays of light through to my grey mood!! I think the clouds are filled with a dash of homesickness, a lot of missing Madagascar, a spoon full of both reverse cultural shock and fresh cultural shock. All of this mixed together can make you a bit down. But, i am starting to see the light in the end of the tunnel, at least the hope that it exists, so i'm ok really:)

I will continue to update, both fun things and not so fun things!

(By the way, the picture is taken by my brother, love ya bro!)

The estates

2006-10-19T16:56:00.000+02:00

In Brentford we have some big estates as you can see at the picture under. Some of the people that live there are non-english or has some difficulties when it comes to language or getting a job.
Well, eleven years ago the "Genesis" project was started by the Parish and has done a great job. Part of their main aim is: "...advancement of education and the relief of poverty in the Haverfield and Brentford Towers Estates, Brentford..." I don't know much about it yet, but i will. From now on I will work in the project every Monday, helping babysit kids while their parents take courses at the center. I met some of them today and I'm very exited.
The picture above is the Mission Hall where most of the teaching takes place. this is also the place where I'll be on Mondays.

At this picture you can see some of the towers. We don't have anything like this is Lyngdal, where i come from. I have to find out how many people live in one of them, i bet the number is huge!

I'll tell you more about all of this when i've started!

I want a doggie!

2006-10-19T16:41:00.000+02:00

Hildegunn lives with the Brookers. They are a family of six, one of them being Olli, this extremely cute dog.
Last Friday (our day off) we went to the Brookers and mad Waffles, the Norwegian way. Off course Olli was around, for company but mainly for the food:)
We had a lovely day off and the Waffles were great! For more pictures, look at Anne Marie's blog.

Happy Birthday!

2006-10-16T14:48:00.000+02:00

This beautiful girl is Kathrine Brun (her link is on the right) and yesterday was her 15th birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!! Since i don't get the chance to reach her yesterday, i thought i'd do it this way:)
She lives at Madagascar and i miss her a lot!!!!!
Katta: I heard that your party was very good, i'm happy for you and i wish i could be there with you. Keep "bloggin"!! Klemklemklem

The answer to my dreams:)

2006-10-12T16:27:00.000+02:00

If you're not norwegian, you're missing out on something. This is THE snack of all snacks! I miss it!
But, rumours tell that i might have some this week, happyhappyhappy!!!

A "Hello" to the Lolands

2006-10-12T16:12:00.000+02:00

I was surten i had uploaded this piture, sorry love! Well, here they are, my beloved almost sisters. From left, Lise, May and Elin. We come from the same "hood" in Lyngdal. I first got to know Elin, since we're the same age. My first memories of her involves a grey kitten and lots of candy, being a great fan of both cats and candy, we imideatly connected. I think i was about five when i first payed visit to number 51, and ever since we've just grown closer and i do consider them my family.
Love you guys!

Jingle bells, jingle bells, lalallala....

2006-10-12T15:49:00.000+02:00

Yes, Merry Chritmas!! After all, we are almost mid-october!
I truly hope that all of you agree with me that this is way TOO EARLY! It's been like this for two weeks already!
This picture is taken at Marks & Spencer's in Hounslow. I was there on Tuesday with Anne Marie and i just had to take a picture, to show the insanity! Two weeks ago i passed one of those scary little Santas going: "Merry Christimas", next to him was Rudoplf the Reindeer singing christmas carols, I'm not ready for this!! I don't know how it's in Norway right now, but please tell me we're not as crazy as the Englishmen.
Feel free to leave comments on this thing. Personaly i don't want christmas stuff around 'til december. What about you?

Lovely calenders, thay will turn bad before you get to open number one!

Some times it does help to write down your frustrations:)

Upgrade!

2006-10-10T18:24:00.000+02:00

Hello friends! As you see on the left side i have got a new message thing! My dear Anne Marie helped me with it just now. Now you don't have to enter the "comments" thing to leave me a message, great or what?

To all my dear readers, THANKS for leaving comments!!!!! It makes me wanna write every day! But, as you probably know my access to internet isn't much to brag about..

Right now i'm at Anne Marie's place (check out her blog! Link on the left). I'm being a bit unsocial but i'll find a way to make it up to her:) The last days has just passed without any big happenings really.. Hmm, but there is probably something i should mention.. Oh, the youths in St. Pauls had the service on Sunday, it went really well!

Hopefully I'll get some more internet time tomorrow, i'll try to write something interesting, hehe:)

Hoping for lots of messages in my new box thing!

More about the wedding!

2006-10-04T20:43:00.000+02:00

It wasn't just the wedding that was great about this going to Norway thing, it was all about the people! This fabulous picture is me and Karianne. We were in Madgascar together in the autumn last year. She practically lived in my flat for the entire time she was there, about four months. We had a great time together, and it was so much fun meeting her again. I spent one night at her place, since we went together to the wedding, thanks Karianne!

This is Toky and Kristin. Kristin was a volunteer at Madgascar the year before me and Sindre. She didn't just fell in love with the country, hehe:) She and Toky has been a couple for about a year and a half now, maybe a bit more, they're so qute! Toky is in Norway this year, at Birkeland Folehoeyskole (s school). I went on a surprise visit to him right before going to England, he's so cool. We spent some time together at Madgascar since he was the pianist in the choir.
Toky had a special present for Elin and Sindre, he had written a song wich he playes performed on the party. That is what io call a nice gift. After that we, meaning the youth that have been to Madgascar, got up and sang two Malagasy songs. Sindre on piano and Toky on drums, we really rocked the place, hehe!

I also met some people i hadn't planned on meeting, wich made it even better! These lovely girls are Svanhild (sitting) and Elli. They've lived at Madagascar for two years. It was great meeting them again, i really feel that they're my little sisters. I miss hanging out with them. I met two other families as well that i met in Mada, it was fantastic meeting all those people again!

AE savne daakke alle!!

Happely ever after

2006-10-04T20:03:00.000+02:00

Finally i get to show you the pictures from the wedding! This happened almost two weeks ago, it was fantastic! This is after the service in the church, outside the place where the party was.

Here comes the bride, lalalala! She was so beautiful! She got the upper part of her dress made in Madagascar, the rest of her is made by herself and her mum. I must admit i find that quite impressive, and what a result!

This is when they get the blessing, man and wife, for ever and ever, wow! There was hardly a dry eye in during the exchanging of woes that was followed by a wounderful piece on the piano. The whole service was just fantastic. Music played a big part in the servics, as it does in their lives. A good friend of them sang "Songbird" by Eva Cassidy, again eyes filled with tears. The youth choir lead by Sindre and Elin a year ago also contributed with two songs. The entire thing was ended by a piece on organ and guitar, really original and suiting for the newlyweds.

The dinner and the rest of the evening was at Rennesoey. It was quite an old building and the entire place was lit up by loads of candles, it was so romantic! And then you got all the wonderful speeches, yes, it surely was a day to remember.

CONGRATULATIONS Elin og Sindre!!!!! Miss you a lot, God bless!

Grrr!

2006-10-02T10:52:00.000+02:00

Ok, here I am in church, got up early for one reason only; to update my blog, put out nice pictures from the fairytale wedding and so on, but it ain't gonna happen.. The reason is I forgot my wire, the wire that connects the camera and the computer..

I'm really sorry about this, I will try again tomorrow:)

A quick note

2006-09-30T20:03:00.000+02:00

Hello friends!
In case you're wondering, I'm still alive and well! There has been a week with no updating, sorry about that. Because of a fantastic trip to Norway and no internet connection, i've had no chance to tell you about my exiting life in one of the world's most interesting cities! But, on monday i'll be back in the game, hopefully!

To all of my readers, THANK YOU! I can't belive that there are so many people reading, it really means a lot to me:)

Open House

2006-09-15T16:17:00.000+02:00

Every day of the week St.Paul's has a cafe that is open to everyone. A lot of people come here to have their lunch, both old and young. The cooks are great and the food is fantastisc, this I know because we get the leftovers:)
Miko and I do two things. Either we work behind the counter serving food, or we just sit with poeple and talk, we are "open ears" as they call it. It is nice and an oppertunity to meet a lot of fantastic people.

This is a picture from the cafe, I took it today.

Well, it's weekend and I'm going home. Hopefully I'll tell you more on Monday!

A night on the town

2006-09-13T15:51:00.000+02:00

We in the team have different "days off", Miko and I don't work on fridays. Hildegunn has also the day off then, so we usually hang together then. On saturdays we get the day off if there's nothing special happening. This saturday there was nothing going on, so we went to Central London. We were five girls and went to a lot of different places. We went to Kensington, Notting Hill, Portebello Road,Covent Garden +++
During the day we came up with the idea of going to a musical. We searched for some pretty cheap tickets, found them, bought them and went! We saw "Footloose", it was awsame!!! It was my first real musical, and i truly loved it! The music, the actors, the stage and lightening, and offcouse the dancing, WOW! We went dancing out of there full of energy when it was finished.
Now I'll start saving up for a new one. I hear "Dirty Dancing" is on it's way, anyone jelaous?

just talk

2006-09-11T16:35:00.000+02:00

Now i'm sitting at an internett cafe in Hesteon, that's where i live. It is really close to the airport, i see big planes crossing over ny head every day. I think it's quite facinating staring uo at those big heavy things and knowing that the are flying! If thay can get those things in the air, why can't thay find a way for us to fly? The thing is that when i walk to my bus stop and a plane is crossing over, my eyes goes up and i think "wow". The problem then is that you don't look where you're going. I must admit i have cvome quite close to some very embaressing falls and crashes. Ooops, i'm out of time!

A taste of Nature

2006-09-11T16:13:00.000+02:00

Sometimes it's hard for a non-city girl like me to handle all the traffic and people. What do I do then? Answer; you find a park! Luckely there's quite few parks around the area, and this is pictures taken from the one closest to me. I needed some peace and quite, and I found it. After a while of peace and some playing with the camera i went home. But, it was a good pause from the world.
By the way. I live close to heathrom, the airport. There's a huge ammount of planes over our head during the day. I didn't see the plane on the picture until i got back home. Nice eeh?

Just so you won't forget me:) I LOVE digital cameras!

Getting around

2006-09-11T16:06:00.000+02:00

I don't live very close to work, I'm actually the volunteer with the longest way, unfear! But, i don't complain, it's not like it's that far, pluss, i've got a bike! This splendid thing gets me to work and everywhere i wan't to go. And, if the weather is bad or I just feel lazy, you've always got the red buses. Today was the first time i went by bus, and i must say it's quicker by bike. So, as long as the sun is shining I'll be quite sporty:)

The Brentford Team

2006-09-11T15:42:00.000+02:00

Well, here we are; Team Brentford! All inn all we are a team of seven, but we are split into pairs. So, Miko and I work together in the Parish of Brentford. The parish has two churches, St.Pauls's and St.Faith's. It is at St.Pauls that the center is and where we go "to work". On Sundays I will go to St.Faith's, while Miko will be at St.Paul's. We'll be included in the Sunday school programme, so that will be exiting.
This is from last weekend when we were presented to the congregation at St.Paul's. Yesterday we did the same at St.Faith's.

This is a picture of Kjetil Aano and Miko, taken last Sunday after church. He came to meet with ous bosses and to meet us, we had a nice day as you can see. It was lovely weather and we went to a marked where the church had a stand. There was live music so we just sat ack and enjoyed the day.

This is a picture of St.Faith's. The church buildings are quite different. I think this is a baeutilful church.

Tourists

2006-09-07T15:29:00.000+02:00

Big Ben! Isn't it great! The first days, from Wednesday to Friday we lived at the Indian YMCA in Central London. We were taken hand of by the CMS (Church Mission Society) witch had some cultural briefing with us. They taught us english table manners and other usefull things you need to survive in this city. No, I'm just kidding, we learnt a lot of things and they also showed us around town and in the Tube system. It was a really good start of wht will be a fantastic year!

Isn't it beautiful? We found this at Covent Garden. We were really spellbound by all the lights and the wounderfull music, maybe that explains the next picture, hehe:)

This is Vidar and Torgeir, they just had to go for a ride.

London by night. Since it's the first time for me to visit this big city, the red busses made an impression. When I think of London I think of red busses, so i just had to take some pictires of them.

Finally, this is me and Vidar sitting on the top and in the front of a red bus for the first time, cool? Yes, it was for us!

The team!

2006-09-07T15:23:00.000+02:00

Here you can see a picture of the entire team, the London Team. We norwegians met this summer, while Miko and Rada first met ut last week. I must admit, it makes me really proud to be in a gang of such great people!

Names from left; Torgeir, Miko (from etsonis), Anne Marie, Me, Rada (from Croatia), Hildegunn and Vidar.

Coming here

2006-09-07T14:42:00.000+02:00

This is me and my dad right before I left the country. He was the one that drove me to the airport and bid me farewell. Thanks dad!

The whole thing went without any problems, at least for me. I flew to Oslo where i met the other norwegians and Miko from Estonia, the guy I work with here in Brentford. I'll tell you more about him later. On the flight to London we were all very exited, luckely it's a short trip. I sat next ta an exiting man that travels around the world, so that made the trip a lot more interesting.
This is Torgeir and Merete. This is right before we found out that Vidar's luggage never made it to London, poor guy! After talking to British Airways we could finally move on to find our last team member, Rada from Croatia.

This is Vidar and Anne Marie. They work together in The Holy Trinity Church in Hounslow, great people! There was something wrong with the tube, so we had to go by bus for a while.

This is picture from the tube. Usually it's crowded, but not on this pidture. We take the tube to get around central London. Believe it or not, I'm strarting to understand how to use it!!

News on it's way!

2006-09-07T11:00:00.000+02:00

I'm sorry for the non-active days, it's just that i haven't had internett. So, it's really not my fault. But fear not! Today and tomorrow I'll put in new pictures and fun stuff from my first week in London. See ya!

Those last stressful days

2006-08-29T18:32:00.000+02:00

Right now my room is still pretty messy and for the untrained eye it might look like I’ll miss the plane tomorrow. But, no worries, I’ll make it:)
After my stressful but very cosy days in Oslo, I headed to Kristiansand for some more goodbyes. My best friends are studying there, so a stop was very necessary. We had some great days together, just like in the good old times.

On the Saturday I went up to Birkeland Folkehøyskole where a friend of mine from Madagascar studies this year. He had no idea that I was coming, so he was very surprised to see me standing in the door. We both got so happy and started to talk in Malagasy without thinking about the crowd listening, it was very funny. We spent the day together, and I took him and his roomies from Peru and Taiwan out for a tour in Kristiansand. The rest of the day I met all his friends, and we sat outside the school in the sun playing guitar and singing, it was really a fantastic day.

Yesterday was an exiting day in my life. First I bought a new camera, HAPPY! I haven’t had a camera since mine was stolen at Easter this year. I am very pleased with my new Canon camera and can’t wait to fill up my memory card with London’s many tourist attractions!
The other thing that happened was that I finally got a haircut. My parents told me it was about time and sent me away. I must admit, there was absolutely room for renewing.

Well, now I’m off to say goodbye to some more people and then just make the finishing touch on my luggage before I’ll be in my way.
So, next time you’ll hear from me I’ll be in London!!!!!!

Oslo

2006-08-24T13:47:00.000+02:00

These last couple of days I’ve been in Oslo. After spending five and a half boring hours on the train, I could finally see my friend Marit waiting for me. We studied together at the bible school.
It was great being in Oslo again, it’s a bit more interesting than my home town. I think there is about 530 000 people living in Oslo. If you compare it to Lyngdal’s 7500, then you might understand that to me it’s a big adventure just walking up and down the main street. And yes I’m moving to London, he he:) How will I survive?
My mission was just to find as many of my friends from school as possible, say “hello”, “good luck” and then “See you next year!” Lucky me found a bunch of people and had some great days!

I think that one of the most entertaining things to do in a big city is watching people. Just sit at a café or a bench and looking at people stressing, walking or even running past you. I like guessing their thoughts and what they work with and stuff, it’s so much fun!

I’ve been to Oslo a couple of times, but I have no idea where stuff are or how to get to different places. This time I had to get around on my own a lot, since everyone started their studies this week. I was a bit nervous the first times, but I made it! Off course I made some mistakes like taking the wrong bus and things like that, but nothing serious.

To all the cool people I met, I’LL MISS YOU!! But, I know you check this site and we’ll stay in touch.

Oslo, here I come!

2006-08-18T20:15:00.000+02:00

Today I had my last early morning, my last lunch break and best of all, my last day at work!!! As a miracle I left dry and in good shape. I have been waiting all day for a major water attack by some people. We've had a little combat going on this summer, and yesterday I really showed them, or mostly one guy, the real me. So, I must admit I was a bit nervous walking outside the safe wear house wall’s:)

Both I and my co-worker, Laila, brought something extra for lunch and the coffee break. It’s a good tradition.
A lot of people have stopped by to say "good luck" and "see you next year!" I think they are satisfied with me and my work, so my chances of getting a job next year looks good.

So, tomorrow I pack my bags and set out to the big capital, Oslo! Most of my friends are there to study, so it's really a necessary stop before leaving the country for one more year. It will also be my only vacation this summer, and I'm planning on spending it good. Off course it will be, since I will see a lot of people that I haven't seen for a year of two, exited? Yes I am!!!
If you find my bubble a bit dead the next few days, you know why. Just fill it with comments:) I'll be returning on Wednesday, after that it's packing and so much more to do. I think I might be a bit stressed out the last couple of days, but it's always like that.

If you’re in Oslo, maybe I’ll se you around! For everyone else, have a splendid weekend!!!

My girls

2006-08-17T20:40:00.000+02:00

Names from left; Mailene, Martha and me!
These girls are two out of the three fantastic girls, that lived at the boarding house on the Norwegian school at Madgascar. That was were I worked, and it was great! We got that family feeling and I felt I got three younger sisters.
They were at a camp nearby a week ago and lucky me got to see them again. Martha stayed at my house a couple of days, i loved hanging with her again. I miss them very much but I know we'll stay in touch. Love you girls!

Shakespeare

2006-08-14T19:23:00.000+02:00

As some of you might remember me and some others had a period where Shakespeare was all we talked about. Sitting here I suddenly remembered a quote, but I don't remember where it's from. It goes like this:

"Take him and cut him out in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine,
That all the world will be in love with night
and pay no worship to the garish sun"

If that's not a compliment then I don't know what is:)

Mondays...

2006-08-14T18:49:00.000+02:00

There are those days when you just wish you had never gotten out of bed. Days when problems are all you see and they just keep popping up wherever you turn. At the same time your mood just sinks like a stone in water. Well, that is how my day has been, lovely! After a night of terrible sleep and lots of really slow going trailers on the road to work, I just knew I was in for a blast. You see, today they needed me back in the "sweeping" car. I was a bit happy since I thought it would be nice to get out of the wear house for a little while. To make a long story short, I really made a mess, hehe:) It ended with me driving it full, in the way that it won't tip (there’s a big box which fills up with dust, to empty it you tip it). That’s a bit embarrassing, and off course everyone noticed. Especially when as a girl you’re a part of the absolute minority. On the top of that one of the tires punctured. If I look at the positive side I made a lot of people smile today and all in all that’s good. I like putting a smile on people's faces!

Now I've had dinner, a shower and even a little nap and things are looking much better. Hopefully people will be nice and forget all about it till tomorrow, but I must say I doubt it. These people won’t let you forget:)

Where will I live?

2006-08-11T10:38:00.000+02:00

I thought that it would be fun to show you where I'll be living and working next year. I'll be working in the Parish of Brentford witch consists of two churches, St.Paul's and St.Faith's. I'll be working at St.Paul's. If you want to know more about that, go to their web site! It is: www.parishofbrentford.org.uk Have a look!

Two days a go I had a long first talk to my host. Her name is Melanie Green and I can't wait to meet her in real life. I'm so exited about this!