Life in Norge

---

Hello from Norway.

Although my homesickness has been a million times more severe this time than any other time I've wandered off on my own, life in Norway is starting to have certain appealing aspects. In fact, I woke up the other day feeling kinda skippy as I went out on a bus ride. Yesterday was my first Norwegian language class and it was nice to be back in a classroom, taking some notes with the other international students, and meeting my new professor, Kit. It didn't last long as we were out of class in about 20 minutes. So instead of coming back to my room, we went to the bookstore and bought the book for the class so we could do the homework for the next class period. And in the bookstore, a familiar voice coyly said "What's up, Alaska?" That brought a smile to my face. The voice of course was Brad (*insert "Oh Brad...yes Janet" just for Mandi*), one of the fellow Americans. And he looks like a typical U.S. Brad too with his blond hair and strongly defined features. And in typical American boy style, he was dragging around a thin beautiful Ukraine girl that giggled at his jokes. Ah, they were both pretty nice though!

After paying over 600nok for my books, we (aka me and my interesting new roommate who has proudly declared herself the happiest person in Norway) went to grab a bite to eat and wound up sitting with Brad and some of the welcoming committee students that were trying to wake up. Not long after I finished eating, I headed off downtown by myself and hit up some shops, the post office, and even tracked down a charger for my Nintendo DS from one of the several Game Stops in the GlassHuset. And then I retreated to my room. The past two days have been very sunny though and it has been quite nice even though I've been hiding a little much. I had absolutely nothing to do today (my library orientation got canceled) but I still trekked out into the world and ended up in the gym where I tanned for about 6 minutes and tested out the Norwegian treadmill and bike machines. Apparently, as some geeky scientists quite like myself who spend way too much time alone and in front of their computers have noted, exercising induces endorphins that are supposed to make you feel better. And in a way, it kind of did.

But...I am going to try and become more involved. I joined the scuba diving club, am way excited about this fishing trip on Sunday, and today I even signed up for this free dinner tomorrow with the Master's of Aquaculture people and the science faculty. As bioscience exchange students, Brad, Libby, and I got invited to join them for dinner and to talk at this Kjerringoy trading post. So I'm attempting to reconnect with the world. We'll see how it goes with the science geeks as they are generally easy to talk to!! You just have to ask what they're interested in researching and then they can go on and on about themselves forever. I only hope that next week comes quickly so that I can have more classes and more things to do!! We'll see. For now, I'm off to finish my dinner of yogurt, pineapple, and muesli and then watch some more Top Chef. Goodnight!!

---

Photos

International Student Picture (NOT MINE, I DON'T OWN THIS PHOTO, IT is COPYRIGHTED)
I had to include a photo. This is the photo of all the international students at Bodo University College. I am by the large white sculpture on the left (kind of offset from the middle) but you can't tell it's me. When I zoom in on it, I can see my hair and my Era jacket.

Comments

[Nicole]

Goodnight!