Ha Det Bra, Blå Gruppe

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That's right, that's just one of the many Norwegian phrases I now know. It means goodbye (but - as I have learned, if you are just saying something like "see you" you just say Ha Det)
Today was the big goodbye for the blue group. The day started out well for my girl, as she got to ride the dog sled again! Those dogs are the best too, they aren't racing dogs and THEY'RE SO FLUFFY (aka they let me pet them. it was nice). After that we all went to a course for a little wrap up race. Once again they organized it in a way so that everyone could succeed. The object of the race was to go around the track twice and try and get the exact same time both times. The girl I follow was in a ski-sledge - a sled with skis on it.. and I pushed her. This arrangement started off well until we hit our first corner when we ploughed straight into a snow bank. Thinking I had recovered, we then hit our next obstacle, the hill. I was very aware that everyone was watching us, so I tried to smoothly just glide on up. This didn't work so well, but after much sweating, panting and struggling, we managed to get to the top of the hill and across the finish line..... and then we had to do it again......
Miraculously we came in second place! with only a 5 second difference between our times. This was because we actually fell over the second time, not to be outdone by the sloppiness of the first run. The last activity of the day was sort of like an obstacle course - the group had a giant loop to ski with little activities throughout. We just walked to one and back, which was the best one - shooting. They had pellet guns and balloons set out and we got to shoot them. It was sweet. Then my patient and I went out hunting for the best icicle for her to eat and then headed in for lunch. After lunch we had the final meeting, where they showed pictures and handed out the kids' "diplomas." They had something to say about each person (in Norwegian) but when my girl went up they commented on how me and her had managed to knock down an entire slalom ski course yesterday (this is true - in an attempt to help her have fun we went down double on flying saucers, and flew down the hill knocking down three of the posts... I am not sure why I am still allowed to be here). I even got an honorary diploma! represent.
After the ceremony and the "Ha Det Bra"'s... we headed in for our final debrief. Patients had all been provided with information on the opportunities in their communities to stay active and to enjoy the outdoors as much as we have this week and a half. I spoke to the leaders about how wonderful the program is and how it's so refreshing. One thing I realized today that makes it stand out (even more) is that they pay as much attention to the patients who succeed as they do to the ones who struggle - this way everyone has their own unique experience, has their own individual challenges to work on, and finds their own ways to succeed. It really is amazing.

As for me, although I briefly thought about traveling this weekend, I quickly made a list in my head of the things I could have with the 500 bucks I lost last weekend
- my ring back that I lost
-my ipod back that I lost
- my camera back that I lost
-a new phone
-a nice TV
- SO MANY FETCH PAIRS OF SHOES
-a hidden reservoir of marble slab treats.

After this thinking, I decided to play it cool this weekend and get some much needed sleep.
Happy April Fools, Ha Det Bra!

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Photos

My and my DIPLOMA
That's right people. I got one.

Comments

[Alix]

1st
if you aint first, your last ...

[Carly]

hahahah, I really enjoyed your race descriptions, and the fact that you are in summary a menace/dangerous to the entire center, the patients, and most noteably yourself. Everything sounds great!! Good luck with your own Ha Det Bra, Blå Gruppe, as I'm sure its going to be sad!