Sweetness

Jet-lagged

Tags

Norway

I tried my best to beat the jet-lag. I stayed awake for 32 hours (!!!), and when I went to bed about five hours ago, so exhausted I could barely think, I was convinced I would sleep the whole night. But here I am – wide awake. It’s dark outside. It’s in the middle of the night – and I should be sleeping like other people do. Instead I’m reading emails, catching up on what other people are doing, according to Facebook, and trying to take in the feeling of sleeping in my own room after 10 months away (or not sleeping). It somehow feels like I never left. One moment, I was flying over the United States, the next I was on the top of Europe. It’s a bit unreal to be right here again. I’m home – and I’m still waiting for the moment where I wake up from a dream and I realize I’m still in the humid Indiana air.

Well, it feels good to be back – unreal, but good.

Morning in Oslo

Tags

Norway, Oslo

Here comes goodbye

Tags

's's, Indiana, Traveling, USA

I don’t know where to start … It has been an unforgettable year. It has been beyond fantastic. It still seems a little unreal. It has made me stand a little taller. It introduced me to great places and even greater people. And as I leave, this I know for a fact: Big dreams can take you far …

Right now

Tags

Traveling, USA, Writing

• It’s getting close to midnight as I start writing. I’m cheating on the day with the night – a true sign that the summer feeling has swallowed me whole. It’s been one of the hot days where you’re not sure what to do with yourself. I spend my whole winter longing for them, but they always take me by surprise when they finally arrive at springtime – this time more than ever, because the Midwestern spring is nothing like the Scandinavian one. The air is humid here. The day is shorter. All the sounds outside my window, as I go to sleep at night, are different. I try to remember exactly what it sounds like at home, but I find it difficult. I realize I’ve been gone for a long time. 
• I just started reading a book. It’s one of those that will make time fly by, and on Tuesday I will need to check out of reality for a while, and drift away to other places. A whole day with airports, planes and hours of waiting is something I dread. I’ve been there. I’ve done that. There’s nothing great about it (especially because a lot of people working at airports seem to hate the world a little more than what is healthy). But it’s going to take me home – and home is the one place I wouldn’t want to miss for the world. Right now, home is very close in time, yet far away in distance. 
• I try to plan my two last days. The walls around me are emptier than they used to be. All the pictures I had there are in one out of four suitcases. I’m not sure which one. I know that I’ll need to get it all done tomorrow. It’s coming to that time where I have to find my passport and all my documents, and assure my mom that I won’t lose them – that I will make it home. I’m still surprised I made it without her a year. She was the one who used to take care of all that for me. I held a speech for her a couple of days ago. The it’s-all-going-to-be-fine-and-you-DO-NOT-have-to-lose-your-sleep-at-night-because-I’m-certainly-not-planning-to speech. Tomorrow, I’m probably going to do it again. 
• Tomorrow night (Sunday), we’re going out to eat at the same place we went the first day I was here. We’re going to end it where it all started – I’m crossing my fingers for the specials – because there’s a special one I would like to have.
• I have my alarm clock on, even though that strides against my summer-philosophy of life. The thing is, I’m never going to get anything out of the day if I don’t. So at 10 a.m. a tired face is going to face the world. I already feel sorry for myself because I have to get up at “oh-my-god.30″ in a couple of days. And yes, I know that’s pathetic. Especially when I live with people who are probably getting up in three-four hours. So I’m going to listen to “Finally” by Fergie one more time, then I’m going to bed. 

My United States timeline

Tags

Indiana, New York, Prom, Timeline, Traveling, USA

Since I write “one line a day” every night, I decided to take some time to look back at my time in the U.S. There were so many things I had forgotten about, so many things to smile about, and so many reasons to come to the conclusion that this has been a magical year. I made a little timeline with a few thoughts that I have been writing down during the last 10 months.

August 2011

Aug. 2
I’m on the plane to New York. 

Aug. 5
Sometimes you have to wait for the storm to pass, ask yourself to grow up, and buy Vogue. 

Aug. 8
It’s so warm in Indiana! 

Aug. 11
I survived the first day of high school. 

Aug. 23
Just wanted to mention that life is good. I’ve been away for three weeks …

The Brooklyn Bridge

September 2011

Sept. 3
It’s Labor Day weekend and we’re going boating.

Sept. 11
For the first time in my life I feel like I’m REALLY living. 

Sept. 15
Never thought coffee would be my thing. What is the United States doing to me?

Sept. 27
My new Michael Kors heels came in the mail today, in a perfect size seven. 

Rio Drive-In theatre

October 2011

Oct. 2
There’s something amazing about being young, and have the whole world in front of you. 

Oct. 8
I’ve experienced my first American wedding. 

Oct. 21
Last weekend in St. Louis was amazing. I even bought a new pair of Michael Kors heels. We were meant to be… 

Oct. 29
Poor me. I just moved here, I’m foreign, and European. How am I supposed to know? Will I ever figure it out? 

Oct. 30
Maybe this is the start of a happy ending. 

Indiana University

November 2011

Nov. 13
I enjoy life here.

Nov. 14
The storm alarm went off 30 minutes ago. 

Nov. 20
The Christmas tree is decorated. My first American Christmas has just started. 

Nov. 23
It’s all about the little things in life… 

Walmart

December 2011

Dec. 8
I will miss the United States with all of my heart when I leave. 

Dec. 13
I’ve come to the realization that this person is one of those who doesn’t come along too often. 

Dec. 18
I can’t believe year 2011, the most incredible year of my life, is almost over. Thanks for everything this year gave, and for the person it made me become. I have a new outlook on life! 

Dec. 22
I looked at pictures on my computer, and realized that I really want to hug my mom and dad now. 

January 2012

Jan. 16
I’ve found Paradise – an amazing bookstore (with a great variety of magazines).  

Jan. 18
I overslept for the first time in year 2012. The result? The first bad-hairday of the year. 

Jan. 22
I’m planning three years in London. Middlesex University has creative writing and journalism – exactly what I want to do! 

Jan. 26
I’m turning 18 in four days. Crazy! I’m thinking I should get a gold star in my passport: I’m probably the only Norwegian in the history who’s going to have a sober 18th birthday. 

Jan. 31
I fell asleep with a smile on my face yesterday.

 

February 2012

Feb. 21
I hope my future children won’t ever read a single word of what I’m writing. If you do: I didn’t leave my parents for a year. I was just a GREAT storyteller. 

Feb. 26
It’s dad’s birthday. I wish I could have been there. 

Feb. 27
I feel ready for the world. 

Feb. 29
I’ve experienced my first tornado. What a day!

March 2012

March 15
I bought my prom dress yesterday. It’s perfect. 

March 30
New York City gives me a strange feeling. One moment I feel like I’m flying; the next I feel like I’m about to break in pieces.

Bouchon Bakery

April 2012

April 7
The Easter bunny was here this morning. 

April 10
Got a postcard from Stockholm today. 

April 28
Turned my life into boxes again.

April 30
I’m in Norway a month from today.  

May 2012

May 6
Spent the day in the sun.

May 12
One of those days I wish would last forever. 

May 18
I laughed a lot tonight. A lot! 

Mai 21
It was so cool to go to an American graduation. 

May 22
My summer break started today!

Cork and Cleaver

And with this I’m spending my last days in Indiana before I leave Tuesday morning.

Snapshot from the graduation

It’s summertime

Tags

High School, Indiana, Shopping, Summer, Traveling, USA

Dear world. This is my day!!! My finals are over. Studying belongs to the past. I have my summer break (and this year I have a longer one than ever before – I’m going to “viva la vida” for three months)!
I think that deserves a celebration – so we went shopping after school. But mom, I promise I didn’t buy … much. After all, I personally think months with hard work and dedication deserve a little … remark (on such a remarkable spring day).

As my school year is officially over, I have a list of things I wish I knew the day I walked in the intimidating doors at Castle High School, 10 months ago:

• You won’t fall down the stairs.
• You’ll learn how to do the combination to open your locker.
• You won’t fail a single class.
• You’ll make friends.
• You’re able to speak English.
• You’ll never be late for school this year, even though it starts 25 minutes earlier than what you’re used to.
• You won’t be verbally attacked by mean girls, with mini skirts, in the middle of the main hallway, who deliver lines like “Who do you think you are?” or  ”Umm, what exactly do you think you’re going to prove?” (I’ll blame all the American high school movies I’ve seen for this assumption, with good reason.)

My American high school career ended with graduation last night. The special person to the right graduated, and I was lucky enough to get to join the festivities this weekend and yesterday. It was a blast (especially for a European who has only seen the caps, gowns and tassels in the movies).

I’m still not sure where the time went: It flew by!

Talking desserts

Tags

USA

I had mud pie last night. The reason why I feel the urge to write that is because it was a heavenly experience. Heavenly… Oh, the chocolate and the coffee flavored ice cream blended together to a perfect combination of two. I’m not going to say that it topped the ultimate number one – a perfect piece of cheesecake, but oh my, yesterday was the closest thing to a dessert revolution I have ever experienced. On my to do list: Figure out where I can get mud pie in Europe!

My country playlist

Tags

Country, Music, USA

Here are some of my favorite country songs after almost a year in America. They’re definitely going home with me and I’m going to be the person who listens to alternative rock, pop, 80s songs and country, all in the same day. Yes, you better get excited girls!

May 17 – Norway’s Constitution Day

Tags

Norway, Traveling, USA, Writing

I woke up early today. I always do that on May 17. When I was little I used to stand by the window and listen to the music from the streets, early in the morning. Today was different. It was the right date. It was the right time. But it was the wrong country, because it wasn’t Norway I woke up to this morning.

One of my favorite days of the year is getting closer to the end. Today, I didn’t get to celebrate the way I’m used to; the way I love, but I wore a dress, I listened to the national anthem, and I had a great time out in the sun watching golf.

Until next year, I can enjoy the pictures I took last May 17, and look forward to dressing up and celebrate our freedom a year from today. Last but not least, as we say in the little Kingdom I’m from: Hurra for Norge!

I’m in Norway…

Tags

Norway, Traveling

… two weeks from today. 

All I really need to know I learned from “The Shopaholic” series

Tags

Writing

All I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned from The Shopaholic series. These are the things I learned:

• Shopping is fun (and slightly addictive).
• If you really want something, there’s always a way (especially when it comes to shoes).
• The magic plastic cards all the big girls have can get you in trouble: Never spend money you do not have!
• A pair of Prada boots is not worth a fight. Really!
• It is your duty, as a world citizen, to spend money to help prevent the financial crisis.
• Be honest: Your lies will catch up with you.
• If you are lucky enough to have a best friend, who knows you better than you know yourself, you are lucky enough.
• Every girl needs a Luke Brandon in her life (and he better be patient, kind and help you out when you lose your mind).
• Family is, despite the different characters it consists of, what you cannot live without.
• Sometimes, a New York Plaza wedding has nothing on a British countryside ceremony: Less is more.
• Even if you have the best intentions, your fabulous surprise parties might not turn out exactly the way you planned it, but it is the thought that counts, and people usually appreciate the effort.
• If you get children, there is no need for four strollers (because, believe it or not, the best strollers for city living can be used at the countryside, too).
• New York City can be overwhelming for a London kind of girl – especially when you realize that it is a crime (according to “unwritten law”) to not have your nails done in “The Big Apple”.
• Sometimes you have to make sacrifices to get yourself out of your own mess, but it is the only way to do it. In the end, it is all about what you gain when you lose.
• A girl is allowed to be crazy (but do not overdo it, please).
• Nothing can compare with an hour curled up on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, captured in a great book by your favorite author. True story!

(The story behind this is as follows:
It’s the end of the school year, and the assignment in my English class for today was: Write “All I Really Need to Know I Learned From_____” inspired by “All I Really Need to Know I learned in Kindergarten (if you haven’t read it, push the title; I made it easy for you).”
As the overachiever I am (when it comes to what I love), I had already done this months ago (without knowing I would have to do it again), but I decided to make a new edition. So therefore, I present what I’ve learned from endless hours reading all the books in The Shopaholic series like they’re the bible, laughing because the protagonist Becky Bloomwood is nothing less than hilarious, and admiring Sophie Kinsella’s talent for writing. This is what I came up with yesterday, and if you’ve read the novels yourself you know what I’m talking about …)

A Thursday night in Indiana

Tags

Indiana, USA

I always wonder why birds choose to stay in the same place when they can fly anywhere on earth

Tags

Indiana, Traveling, USA, Writing

I’ve heard that travelers don’t know where they are going. Maybe I’m not the only one who doesn’t have it all figured out.
My ideas of living are different – now it’s more the world the way it is, not just the way I imagined it. There’s still a lot to see; a lot of realities to face; a little fear; a lot of fun.
It turns out that all journeys have secret destinations, and as one ends, another begins.
This one gave me so much. It’s going to leave me wanting more: More of the world. More experiences. More memories. The urge to travel is a never ending story.
If one year can do so much for a person, I don’t even dare to think about what a lifetime will do. 

Being on a boat that’s moving through the water, it’s so clear. Everything falls into place in terms of what’s important and what’s not,” said James Taylor

Tags

Kentucky, Summer, Traveling, USA

This weekend we went boating in Kentucky. There’s something about a blue sky kind of life – wind blowing in my hair, sunglasses slipping down my nose, no worries on my mind, and the first sunburn of the year.

The city of my heart

Tags

London, Traveling

Things to think about on a Tuesday

Tags

Family, Indiana, USA

A NEW MONTH:
I would like to welcome the beautiful month of May. It’s one of my favorites.
It’s the month with a little taste of what’s to come; summer, sunshine, waves, late nights and blue-sky holidays. It’s a month of celebrations – everything from my nephew’s birthday (I’m so excited to be a part of the family parties again) to Norway’s Constitution Day.
This year it’s a month of ends and beginnings. “All things seems possible in May,” Edwin Way Teale once said. Magical May, I’m glad to see you!

ICED TEA:
It’s the best thing when water just isn’t enough (which rarely happens to me). Tonight it’s perfect the perfect refreshment. So … thought that would be important to share with the world.

FAMILY:
I’m counting down the days, because I can’t wait to see all of them. I promise to go for walks with my mom, sit in the kitchen for hours and have those great conversations my dad and I have (we can solve all the world’s problems in one night), put up with my brother-in-law’s teasing, laugh with my sister, make up for lost time with my nephews, and convince my niece that I’m not going to miss her next birthday, too. I promise…

 

“I think that the best thing we can do for our children is to allow them to do things for themselves, allow them to be strong, allow them to experience life on their own terms, allow them to take the subway…let them be better people, let them believe more in themselves,” said John Joy Bell

This is for the future; this is for me:

When I grow up it’s going to be sunshine every day.

When I grow up I’ll know where in this world I want to spend my life and I will be in peace with my decision. 

When I grow up I’ll have an education that I worked hard for and a job I love to death, that inspires me to always give my all.

When I grow up I’m probably not going to be rich in terms of money, but I’ll do okay, and I’ll be very happy with my accomplishments.

When I grow up I’ll write a lot, about the wonders of the world; about life; about love; about loss; about miracles; about moments.

When I grow up I’m going to travel the world, learn from people who are different from what I am, and get experiences that will make me stand a little taller.

When I grow up I’ll have my own place, where I’ll have the girls over for tapas and silly conversations.

When I grow up I’ll cuddle up and watch a romantic comedy, every week.

When I grow up I’ll laugh a lot.

When I grow up I’ll sit in the park, people-watch, smile when I see people walking hand in hand and think about all the different stories strangers can tell, even without saying a word.

When I grow up I’ll live the life I want to live, love and be loved, make mistakes and learn from them, believe in magic and make an impact…

Confessions of a shopaholic

Tags

Clothes, Confessions, Europe, Forever 21, Indiana, Nine West, Reasons, Shopaholic, Shopping, USA, Victoria's Secret, Writing

I’m usually the person who will justify shopping, even if the world economy is about to crash (especially when the world economy is about to crash, actually), and if I can make it sound reasonable (which is surprisingly easy), I will do so:
My heart just skipped a beat when I saw that dress (a big congrats to the store; it’s sold, and you don’t know it yet); I haven’t actually bough anything in… a while (which is usually a BIG FAT LIE); that leather jacket is happiness on a hanger (and don’t we all want to be happy? Sue me!); it’s raining today (no need to say more); it’s a bargain (the shopping-police will arrest me if I ignore it); I need it (which I usually don’t).

Needless to say: You name it, I have probably thought it (even said it).
Today is a different story. Today I looked myself in the mirror, ashamed, and asked: “Why?” It was a rather depressing moment. It’s like the moment when you realize that somewhere along the road you went wrong.
“Why did I buy all this? How did it happen? Who can I blame?”
An even more depressing moment: “I can’t blame anyone. I can’t blame anyone… What am I going to do now?”

Okay, I’m actually exaggerating a little (which is allowed in the world of writing), because I know exactly why I did what I did.
I know exactly why those shoes are in my wardrobe (because they belong there).
I know exactly why I bought those dresses (because they’re so pretty).
I know it all.
I also know that I ignored the fact that I’m leaving this continent again and have to get my stuff home, or my “shit”, as some say.
First of all: Please, let’s be dignified. Second of all: If I was a pair of jeans, I would be really offended by that! Doesn’t anyone care about feelings anymore?
The reason I tell you that I wish I was one of those tree-hugging people, who hates shopping, because I want to save the environment, is that I’m left with a “box-up-and-ship-to-Europe” job today, which is rather… boring (to say it in a dignified way).
So off I go, to face reality, and wonder how on earth I’m going to deal with this (an educated guess: Put on some great music, pretend I’m a princess, and get it done).