norway.blog http://norway-blog.posterous.com Most recent posts at norway.blog posterous.com Sun, 23 Dec 2012 23:23:00 -0800 Back home & Reflecting on a wonderful Life.... http://norway-blog.posterous.com/back-home-reflecting-on-a-wonderful-life http://norway-blog.posterous.com/back-home-reflecting-on-a-wonderful-life

The past 4 months have been truly crazy and some of the best experiences I've had. I made really good friends, and filled my days with joy before the holidays. With everything that is going on back home, I"m glad to be back, however I'm so happy to have a wonderful support system in Norway. I cannot wait to return back to Evenstad and see some of the best friends I've made! My sister even remarking she's never seen me fit into a place so well before. My last night in Norge, going around and giving hugs to people. Even my Norwegian men giving me hugs, and myself on the brink of tears as these solitary men showed me that they cared. It was so beautiful to make such good friends. There are so many stories, I don't think I have time to put them here, but memories do fade, so I will try. The morning I took the train back home, the snow fell thick and fluffy as a last goodbye. Norwegians live simply, not needing much to live off of. They care for one another, and I never worried about anything being stolen. I learned to needlebound (nålbinding) the viking way of knitting in which you create individual knots. I learned to make true Norwegian dishes, and created an Evenstad family in which I do not ever hope to forget. PIctures tend to say more than I can, so I will post some now: May they speak thousands more words than I can right now: 

 

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1991099/sara_florida.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/lBigHrtVZQ2Ke Sara Conley sconley Sara Conley
Sun, 02 Dec 2012 08:18:00 -0800 Oncoming Jule and business. http://norway-blog.posterous.com/oncoming-jule-and-business http://norway-blog.posterous.com/oncoming-jule-and-business

Its been crazy these last few weeks! My sister came to visit me for 2 weeks, in which we had American Thanksgiving here at Evenstad with my Norwegian family I've created here. Then we went to Berlin to see Ex-pat Chas Elliot and celebrate the good old fashion Montanan way of doing Thanksgiving :) It was really nice to have a little bit of home in Europe. We explored Berlin for a week, before returning here again to Norge. I can't believe time has slipped by so fast, didn't I just get here? I love it so much here, it will be hard to leave. Here are a few pictures of What i've been up to :) 

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1991099/sara_florida.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/lBigHrtVZQ2Ke Sara Conley sconley Sara Conley
Sun, 21 Oct 2012 09:09:00 -0700 Big City Adventure http://norway-blog.posterous.com/big-city-adventure http://norway-blog.posterous.com/big-city-adventure

I spent the entire weekend away from Evenstad, and ventured to Hamar! It was so nice to see Linn and Kristine, and surprisingly nothing went wrong on the train! I also did some shopping, as well as many new norwegian traditions! I had Grandiosa (Norske College student staple pizza), and Fiske-boller and potets! It was delicious! I also tried the caviar on eggs, and mackrel for breadfast on brød skrive! It was fun to explore a new place, and to hang out! Starting to get Christmas fever, they had Jule Brus, and Jule Marizipan (Christmas Soda and Christmas marizipan) and of course I had to buy it! ;) Not to mention quite the pampering of massages and makeovers! I love that Concordia has let us unite once more! 

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1991099/sara_florida.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/lBigHrtVZQ2Ke Sara Conley sconley Sara Conley
Mon, 08 Oct 2012 11:37:00 -0700 A lot of reports...dogs...stats...and Norske http://norway-blog.posterous.com/a-lot-of-reportsdogsstatsand-norske http://norway-blog.posterous.com/a-lot-of-reportsdogsstatsand-norske

Things have been busy here lately! Getting a lot of reports done for classes, and a lot of R statistics! Also, I have been busy dog-sitting ! All the guys on the floor are going Moose hunting and I volunteer to take care of many dogs! I love that there are dogs on campus! 

The other night we played Monopol (Monopoly in Norwegian), practicing counting and our norwegian pronounciation! I wish we had more norwegian class, honestly. I really want to learn this language faster. My friend and I have been meeting and practicing together at the table, with help from my Norwegian flatmates to learn! I'm so lucky to be living in Annestu, living with many people to practice my norwegian with! 

Its been a kind of lazy weekend here! But a milestone, learning to drive a stick shift! which I am terrible at, because I am so impatient I just want to be good at driving a stick right away. My friend and I are trading skills, cause I taught her how to bake bread, then she showed me driving! She had a LOT of patience for me, where I had none...We shall try again next weekend :) 

Time is flying by here~ I felt like I just got here, and its been quite a while here! Planning trips to Oslo, Russia, Poland, we shall see! Making new friends, creating memories, and enjoying life! 

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1991099/sara_florida.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/lBigHrtVZQ2Ke Sara Conley sconley Sara Conley
Fri, 14 Sep 2012 07:57:00 -0700 Dåp: Baptism at Evenstad http://norway-blog.posterous.com/dap-baptism-at-evenstad http://norway-blog.posterous.com/dap-baptism-at-evenstad

Tuesday was the Baptism at Evenstad! I am officially an Evenstad rabbit! The new students had to do a few tests before we were Baptized in the River Glomma. We had to spell ANNE with our bodies (after Anne Evenstad), run around like Norwegian animals, do a relay of running and spinning around a picture, run to and from the garbage cans (5 of us) where our feet were all hooked together, and make a song about the librarian Sarah! Then we all went down to the river and were Baptized, certificate and ALL! Then we proceeded to go into the hot tub and sauna for the next hour, then celebrate in Biotopen, in which I danced straight for hours!!! What a great night, I must say. It was so much fun to be apart of this campus this week. I wish I had a few pictures, but then again, I'm glad I didn't. Now at the end of the week, we are going to celebrate with an international dinner!! I'm going to make "Muddy Buddies," or as my mother calls Puppy Chow. Either that or mac and cheese, but I fed everyone that before Baptism, so we shall see. I must make a decision in an hour.... I feel so at home in this building, like we are all one big family! It makes it easier everything going on back home, and all the struggles my family has gone through, and the improvement too! Life is (truly) good! 

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1991099/sara_florida.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/lBigHrtVZQ2Ke Sara Conley sconley Sara Conley
Mon, 10 Sep 2012 15:00:00 -0700 A month in Norway http://norway-blog.posterous.com/a-month-in-norway http://norway-blog.posterous.com/a-month-in-norway

This week it will be a month since I've been here. Time sure does fly when you are having fun! I'm already sad to say goodbye to everyone in December, even as its far off. I've never felt so at home at a campus as I've felt here. Tonight I danced, played cards, and went to the sauna. Even a little more practice in norwegian! This is the best dorm ever. Tomorrow marks another norwegian milestone at Evenstad, the Baptism, called Dåp! Its an honored tradition here on campus, in which new students become true Evenstad Rabbits, through a series of tests including jumping in the Glomma behind my dorm! Then hopping into the hot tub and Sauna, along with other activities the Norwegian and older students put the new ones through. Quite fun, and I am excited for it! There have been secretive meetings in the kitchen for weeks, and everytime I am shooed away, being a first year student. Hopefully the sickness from this weekend will be finished, and I will be baptized as a true Evenstad rabbit tomorrow! 

I've attached a picture of the Glomma! 

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1991099/sara_florida.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/lBigHrtVZQ2Ke Sara Conley sconley Sara Conley
Wed, 05 Sep 2012 09:17:00 -0700 National Park! http://norway-blog.posterous.com/national-park http://norway-blog.posterous.com/national-park

Last weekend we went to the national park! It was so beautiful there, I could've said for hours, maybe days longer! The cabin was fully stocked, and we got water from the river to drink and cook everything we needed. The water tasted very, very good! The cabin was cozy, and we were all so tired after the hike. I had loads of pasta, and then we all went to bed. I was also shown was a "steamroller," is, and the proper way to do it. (For those of you, like me, don't know what it is, steamroller is when you have multiple people in sleeping bags and you roll on top of each other....). The group was a mix of international students from Germany, Switzerland, France, and so many other countries. I was one of two from the United States, the other girl being from California (very different, but its fun to have someone who knows the US.) The park was beyond beautiful, it felt like I was in a dream, and I didn't want to wake up from the awe inspiring peaks and mountainous landscapes. I will post some pictures below. We also came up close and personal to muk ox, which kind of remind me of a smaller version of bison, only made for the arctic climate. The weather throughout the hike was perfect, being chilly but comfortable when you are exercising and hiking. I came back to the dorm sore, happy, and relaxed. Then this week we were thrown into a vigorous class with a teacher from Poland, analyzing fox feces. It was nice to have my norwegian lesson today, something that doesn't make me want to gag from the smell. I will master norwegian, and finally be able to understand the conversation at the table with my flat mates! 

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1991099/sara_florida.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/lBigHrtVZQ2Ke Sara Conley sconley Sara Conley
Fri, 31 Aug 2012 21:46:00 -0700 First international Event http://norway-blog.posterous.com/first-international-event http://norway-blog.posterous.com/first-international-event

25 or so of us will embark on an adventure today! One ofNorway's national parks! Camping and hiking trip! YAY! I've been told to bring warm clothes, and I've on around 6 layers, so I should be fine! 6 hours of hiking to the cabin, then 6 hours tomorrow to return! Reminds me of science seminar days of 12 hours of hiking :) Pictures to come of Beautiful Norge! 

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1991099/sara_florida.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/lBigHrtVZQ2Ke Sara Conley sconley Sara Conley
Wed, 22 Aug 2012 08:23:00 -0700 Elverum tomorrow! http://norway-blog.posterous.com/elverum-tomorrow http://norway-blog.posterous.com/elverum-tomorrow

Class seems prestty fun, I must say! The teacher always asks me the "english pronunciation," of words. I even found someone who knows Concordia students, and their awesome reputation for being SO WONDERFUL! I played cards with the guys on the floor, meeting new people, trying to catch as many norwegian words as possible! I had my first Norge class today, and I know how to introduce myself, and other 4-year old simple phrases! Lots of practice, right? I'll write some here :) 

Jeg Heter Sara, Hva Heter du? Jeg Kommer du USA! Jeg liker å synge, gå tur, and lese! 

My name is Sara, whats your name? I'm from the USA! I like to sing, take a stroll, and read! (rough translation) 

Good, yes? haha! Must practice! 

Tomorrow all of the international students will go and get our visas to stay in Norge! I'll be honest, sometimes I don't want to leave, however I also miss my friends at Concordia! Double edged sword, right? I've been told when we go to Elverum, bring a large backpack and get food! Its cheaper there, than it is here. There's a convience store down the road, and its very pricy even for Norway. I spend twenty dollars USD on stuff that would've been maybe 7.5 USD. I'll never complain about the prices of food again, thats for sure. I'll be living on crackers and cheese and tomatoes until tomorrow ;) 

My neighbor acrosss the hall and I realized today that we chose the right dorm (if we had a choice that is,) and we are glad for our welcoming neighbors and soon-to-be friends! I'm on the most social floor there is, and everyone here feels like family! I love to hear them go off in norwegian and try to catch words now! So much fun! They also like to curse in English, too funny! The weather here is gorgeous too. Its cooler than the summer weather, which I absolutely adore! The other international students are mainly from germany, and they don't like this weather. but it feels like fall in the mountains. I'd say its the perfect temperature. The african students do not like it at all. I met a portugeuse guy that also complained, but honestly, temperatures here are like that of Moorhead! Right, cobbers?

 

Takk, ha det bra! (Thanks, have a good one! goodbye!) 

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1991099/sara_florida.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/lBigHrtVZQ2Ke Sara Conley sconley Sara Conley
Mon, 20 Aug 2012 12:19:00 -0700 Finally in Norway! http://norway-blog.posterous.com/finally-in-norway http://norway-blog.posterous.com/finally-in-norway

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This is the view from my window at the dorm! Its so beautiful here! Its been raining all day, but I've been going to orientations, and other stuff, meeting all the people here! Its so great! Got a little lost on the way to campus, but Eh, could be worse, right? Now to get back and recover from jetlag! 

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1991099/sara_florida.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/lBigHrtVZQ2Ke Sara Conley sconley Sara Conley
Sat, 18 Aug 2012 11:12:00 -0700 Waiting at SEA-TAC for AMS :) http://norway-blog.posterous.com/waiting-at-sea-tac-for-ams http://norway-blog.posterous.com/waiting-at-sea-tac-for-ams

Here it is! passport in hand, bag checked, and waiting at the gate for the 9 hour flight to amsterdam! Angela has said goodbye and back to work. On the bright side, when she left, I had a lovely conversation with the other people in the medical line of security! And I got through security twice as fast as I thought I would! EEEP! Just 30 minutes til I board, and Sleep all the way to amsterdam! 

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1991099/sara_florida.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/lBigHrtVZQ2Ke Sara Conley sconley Sara Conley
Thu, 09 Aug 2012 16:32:00 -0700 Leaving Next Week for Oslo, Norway! http://norway-blog.posterous.com/leaving-next-week-for-oslo-norway http://norway-blog.posterous.com/leaving-next-week-for-oslo-norway

I leave next Saturday for Norway! Everything I need is packed up tightly, and ready to head out with me! I will have a two day pit stop in Seattle to see my sister! Expect Pictures, stories, and more to come! 

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1991099/sara_florida.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/lBigHrtVZQ2Ke Sara Conley sconley Sara Conley
Sat, 12 May 2012 14:47:00 -0700 3 months, and 6 days! http://norway-blog.posterous.com/3-months-and-6-days http://norway-blog.posterous.com/3-months-and-6-days

I've been looking up random things I can do in Norway! Apparently the library has skiis that you can borrow! Too funny, right? The campus is also surrounded by beautiful mountains, and hikes! Hopefully I'll get to see the beautiful fjords! 

Fjords

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Mon, 07 May 2012 10:35:00 -0700 Norway is very close! http://norway-blog.posterous.com/norway-is-very-close http://norway-blog.posterous.com/norway-is-very-close

Hello! So if your reading this, you must be interested in what I'm doing when I'm in Norway! I will be posting pictures, videos, and stories of my experiences. I'm leavng August 18th, 2012. I'll upload images about the campus, etc. Including this picture of the Evanstad Campus! 

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1991099/sara_florida.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/lBigHrtVZQ2Ke Sara Conley sconley Sara Conley