Autumn is here

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??

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" :)

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

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..

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...

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!

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:)

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....

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

 

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....

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

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!!

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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!!

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

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

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

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

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!

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(???)

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

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!

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"

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!