Almost like playing Roulette

There is a big globe on the table. It shows you all the places in the world. Some you have been to, but most you haven't. There are so many beautiful places left to see. You start turning the globe around. Giving it more and more speed. Closing your eyes. Feel the spinning, feel the movement. Then it slows down until it makes a full stop. Place your finger on the globe. Then open your eyes. Nepal.

Tito, will you come with me?

Being a student in May is like…

…being in the desert all alone with a bottle of water and a map for company. You have an idea where you are, but as you keep on walking you start to doubt your orientation-skills. All you see is sand. Billions and billions of sand corns, dune after dune and the hot, burning sun is making you sweat. Far away you see an oasis, giving you hope. You walk as fast as you can towards it, but as you believe to almost have arrived, it’s no longer there. You run out of water, but discover how to suck out the bitter-sweet juice of a cactus. The vouchers are circling you in, waiting for a quick meal. Then before you know it, a caravan of Bedouins and camels have taken you with them. You have no idea where you’re going, but hopefully it will be a place more civilized than the desert.

Green, greener, greenest

It’s a small room, with walls painted green. There is a large bed in the right corner, with green covers and lots of soft pillows. Around the bed, there are bookshelves. They are also painted green, but the books have all the colours of the rainbow. Willow is sitting on the bed, with Tito’s arm around her shoulder. Tito’s reading a book out loud. Willow is listening, totally absorbed by the story. Hope is green. Home is green. And home is where Tito is.

Welcome to the Ritzy Canine...

The latest fashion within dog-tuxedos

Ritzy Canine is a luxery hotel in New York, - where the guests are dogs. There is no end to all the delights and facilities rich dogs can endulge themselves with at this hotel. They stay in private luxery suites with custom-made bedding. If the tummy starts rumbling, they can order organic gourmet food to the suite, or otherwise dine with their friends in the restaurant. For work-out, the guests are welcome to use the latest, "state-of-the-art doggie treadmill," and afterwards relax in the spa, get a massage, watch a film of interest in the salon or go shopping for international designer-clothes in the hotel boutique. Not to forget that "upon entering our lobby, patrons will be enveloped in a sumptuous palate of blue and gold. A European crystal chandelier, sconces and period artwork are sure to dazzle the eye." (Ritzy Canine 2005) For rates, see the hotel pricelist.

Reality-check: has the world gone MAD??? Is it really ok to spend this much money on luxery dog-care, when children are starving in the third world? Have we reached a level where our perception of the human rights to freedom makes us justify spending our money on whatever we want to (because it is our money, and we have aquired it by working very hard) without our moral or ethics ever kicking in as bad conscience? Well, I'm just asking.

How Willow learned to send signals of light

Walking down the narrow path leading to the sea-shore one late evening, Willow decided to sit down on the rocks. Her mind was full of all sorts of thoughts, and as usual when you find yourself on the edge of the mainland with nothing but stormy waters to look at, you think about life, love and the ocean. Having admired the sea for a while, an old man came up to Willow. "What are you doing here, girl?" He asked. Willow replied, that she was thinking about life, love and the ocean. "Oh, I understand," said the old man. "I am the keeper of the lighthouse over there, if you would want to take a look." As the old man had eyes that expressed nothing but goodness, Willow decided to take him up on his offer. After all, how often do you get a chance to enter a beautiful lighthouse? Walking up the winding stairs, they finally reached the top where the great light was. Willow had never seen such a magnifiscent view. She could see the whole ocean, all the ships and even the place where Tito was. "I'll show you how the light works," said the old mad, "so that whenever you need to, you can signal your thoughts to Tito." "You know about Tito?" Willow was very surprised. "There is many a thing I know, girl," said the old man with a smile. After this encounter, Willow felt very light, because now she had the knowledge of how to communicate with Tito over the distance.

Heeeeelp meeeee!!!!!!!!

May 23rd, the newspaper reports: A car was stolen the previous night somewhere in the Southern part of Norway. Apparently the unfortunate male feline Mons was also in the car; up until this point, without a worry in the world. His owner was of course devastated, telling the reporters that the car could always be replaced, while dear Mons could not. She was begging the thieves not to harm the cat. I can very well relate to this.

May 26th, the same newspaper reports: The car has been found, with Mons still alive inside! The vet has carefully been examining the now very affortunate male feline, and his report concludes that Mons is doing good, despite not having had access to food or water the last four days. Upon this, the overly thrilled owner promises that her beloved Mons will get the best treatment possible and a plate of delicious fish for dinner.

The articles say nothing about what went on in that car those days (or what Mons was doing there in the first place), but luckily the story had a happy ending and Mons is now reunited with his family. News like this makes me happy.

Do you want to see my tea-collection?

The Swan Lake by the fabulous artist Julian Landa

This is most definitely a pickup-line I could fall for. I wonder why no one has ever tried it on me... My day is just not the same without a cup of tea. (Or several.) I guess I'm quite British in that respect. Tea-bags are out, loose leaf-tea is in. No sugar, no milk. Tea-lovers are always welcome to my home for hot tea and homemade choc-chip cookies.

My tea-collection:

Green tea: Jasmin, Sencha Hawaii and Rooibush with lemon
Fruit tea: Rumtopf and Lady of Tahiti
Black tea: Love-tea (reserved for Tito and Willow alone), Blueberry, Apple and Cinnemon, Cactus and Blueberry

I used to have a lovely Peach tea, but unfortunately I ran out of it. I also had an Oolong Blackcurrant, but as it did not measure up to my expectations, I had to find it a new home. The new owner reported yesterday that she is very happy with the new member of her tea-collecion, something making myself feel a whole lot less guilty about having given it up.

The book that made me love caterpillars

"There is nothing like a good book," said the bookworm. And with 25 years of experience, she ought to know. In 1969, the author and artist Eric Carle came up with the most ingenious of ideas. He created The Very Hungry Caterpillar. This is the illustrated tale about the caterpillar that ate himself through all kinds of food (and even the pages in the book!) for a whole week. In the end, he goes through metamorphosis and is transformed into a most beautiful butterfly. The book has sold more than 12 million copies and has been translated into 20 different languages. I've been thinking a lot about getting a new copy, as my old one has been chewed on, spilt on and gone through general wear and tear throughout the years. The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a true gem.

Other books by Eric Carle: The Very Busy Spider (1985), The Very Quiet Cricket (1990), The Grouchy Ladybug (1977), The Very Lonely Firefly (1995).

Seeing more by seeing less

Les Coquelicots à Argenteuil by Claude Monet

French impressionists used a technique to make their paintings look out of focus. When I was a little girl, I used to believe the paintings were blurry, because the artist didn't wear any glasses. The paintings do nevertheless contain lots of details if you study them, and this is what makes them fascinating to me.

Yesterday I had a rather surprising experience. As usual, I took off my glasses before going to sleep, but this time, I kept my eyes open to look at the impressionist paintings in my room. And what I discovered, were new details I have never seen before.

Last class before summer

Anonymous evaluation:

"If there had been a fee to enter your classes, I would still have been here."

(Willow to one of her favourite lecturers of all times.)

Ja, vi elsker dette landet

May 17th 1814: Eidsvoll, Norway:
Norway finally got its own constitution.

May 17th 2005: Anywhere where Norwegians (or descendants of Norwegians) can be found:
The streets have been taken over by thousands of people in national costumes, waving with red, white and blue flags and cheering "Hipp, Hipp, Hurra!" The parades may seem endless and the brassbands may drive anyone to insanity after a while. To a foreigner this must look rather weird. He or she might wonder what strange, nationalistic place he or she has come to.

As a Norwegian, I would say it's about tradition. Norwegians are known to value freedom a lot. (This can for instance be noticed by our urge to walk around on mountains for days where there are no other people.) A hundred years back in time, I can very well understand how parades, music and flags would make people feel more united. After all, Norway had been under Danish and Swedish supermacy for a very long time. Nowadays, the situation is of course very different, but still it's a nice tradition. And we should be very grateful we live in a free country.

A summary of my day: meeting good friends downtown in the morning, getting a good place to stand by the royal palace, observing the children's parade, listening to the brassbands and catching a glimpse of the royal family, having a hotdog and an ice-cream, strolling down the main street to look for celebrities and people dressed in national costumes, reunion with friends for dinner, cake and more ice-cream.

Memory of a Goldfish

A very important mission

I'm a little Goldfish - swimming through the sea. As you might have noticed, I'm on a very important mission of high responsability. On my way from A to B, I make short stops to talk to fellow Goldfish - we exchange important news. I have very little time, but forget to check my watch. So many beautiful corals down here, so much green, tickling seaweed. Gosh, a ship's wreck! Curiosity forces me to swim inside it. A bit scared now, because everyone knows that seamonsters often hide in places like this. "Oh, hellu Mrs. ... What's your name again?" I'm taking a big bough, to show my respect for the blushing lady. Then I realize I'm not where I'm supposed to be. The time is not as should have been. Where am I? And where was I off to? I seem to have forgotten...

Modern treasurehunting : a documentary

The days of treasurehunting at random are over. Technology has taken over, but this does not make it less exciting. Nowadays you can go look for so-called GeoCaches if you own a GPS device. The co-ordinates of these treasures can be found on the internet, and then you go out into the forest to find them. Happy Hunting!

Ever since Risa told me about EMP's newly discovered hobby - GeoCacheHunting - I have been very eager to join in. So, as a result of this, Pacilia, Risa, EMP and Willow met on Friday evening for an exciting trip. Before departure, EMP gave the rest of us a quick crash-course in map-reading and the wonders of GPS. Ready to set out on the treasurehunt, the group carried with it a total of 15 items: the GPS device, an additional map of the area, 3 cameras, dry clothes, 3 bottles of water, a chocolate, a pack of bisquits, a packed, dry meal, an apple and kleenex. Ready, set, GO!

The first GeoCache was quite easy to find. It was hidden under some stones nearby a brooke. Excitement was high upon opening the box. What would it contain? Who had been there before? The box contained all sorts of small things: candy, a ladybug keyring, a map, crayons, a black doggybag etc. The names of all treasurehunters were carefully written into the log-book, as were the photos taken to document our treasurehunt. Taking the ladybug out, we put a pack of gum in. Packed it, and left it as had been found. And the group continued.

The next GeoCache was a whole lot more difficult to find. On our way further and further into the forest, we stopped by a beautiful lake with silent water. The reflection of the trees in the water was just gorgeous. As Pacilia opened her packed pizza, we realized we were not alone. Ducks were approaching to have a free swim-in meal. After a short water-chocolate-bisquit-pizza-duck-feeding-break, we continued. And then it started raining. Good thing we had brought extra clothes! Searching and searching, where could the second treasure be? The description found on the internet said it was hidden in a cavity under a spruce, but there were lots of cavities and spruces in the area. In addition, the GPS's accuracy is only a 15 meters in every direction. But eventually - we found it!! A pack of kleenex and the ladybug in, hiddeous sunglasses out. Log-book signed, photos taken and the quest went on.

Walking a bit faster now, due to the rain, the GPS led us deeper and deeper into the forest. Afortunately we met no Trolls nor Ents, but we had some thunder and lightning. The third GeoCache was found nearby an old mine from the 18th century, very well hidden. Hiddeous sunglasses in, map out. Signing a new log-book, taking new photos and that was it. It was almost dark. Treasurehunters were ready to go home.

Facts and figures:

Total length of treasurehunt: 7,5 km
Total time of treasurehunt (including breaks): 2 hrs 45 min
Number of GeoCaches searched: 3
GeoCache discovery success rate: 100%
Mood: excellent
Excitement: high
Company: the best
Wetness: moderate/high
Tiredness: moderate
Final reward at home: wafles, orange spiced tea and a lovely, comfortable sofa

Blog this!

As I came down with serious boredom the other day, I ended up clicking the next blog button up in the right corner to see other blogs. I did so for half an hour, and was pretty surprised by all the different types I found. Following is a short overview of my discoveries:

Personal blogs, business-blogs, baseballscore-blogs, social pornographic (I-tell-you-absolutely-everything-about-my-life) blogs, therapeutic blogs, loose weight-blogs, Bible-blogs, poetry-blogs, wedding-blogs, picture-blogs, artistic blogs, hate-blogs, political blogs, ethical issues-blogs, fundamentalist-blogs, Schnappi-blogs, music-blogs, rock group-blogs, baby-blogs.........

I also found blogs in every language and with every alphabet.

To learn more about blog as a genre, see a recent project work from students at Oslo University College. P.S. In Norwegian.

A green lizard experience

A green lizard is climbing a green treetrunk. The moss is green, the roots are green, the sky is even green. On his way up, he passes other green lizards. They barely notice each other. Everyone is focused on his or her destination, on his or her task. Climbing further, the green lizard stops to take a green moment. "Is this all there is?" he asks himself. Going against all logic in his green lizard world, he finds himself about to make a big, life-altering decision. Before he realizes it, he's on his way down the treetrunk. He passes the same green lizards. They barely notice each other. On the green, mossy ground, he is no longer safe. He makes a turn to the left. "Keep on going, keep on going, keep on going..." Then suddenly. The green moss has turned to red moss. The green roots have turned to red roots. The green sky has even turned red. Then he notices strange, hissing sounds, and discovers he's surrounded by red lizards. And strangely as it seems, they all invite him to their houses. The smell of homemade red lizard cookies can be sensed as red and green hissing sounds interact.

Let the cup tell you a story

A cup up lovely, hot chocolate. Warming your hands. Warming your inside. The taste of chocolate mixed with cinnemon. The flight of thoughts. The feeling of well-being and not a worry in the world. Then the cup is empty. No. Just wait for a second. It's not empty. The trace of chocolate cream is still left on the rim of the cup. It's telling you a story. A story of dancing people and deer grassing deep in the woods. A little piece of usually overseen dailylife Art.

The power of words

Mailbox

There's something special about sending handwritten letters or cards through the mail. Partly because less and less people do it nowadays, but mainly because the persons receiving them will get a pleasent surprise. Such mail may even cause a big smile on someone's face. In a world so focused on career, high tempo and maximized profit, there seems to be a tendency of less time for love and caring. When did you tell someone you loved them last? I just recieved news, that the persons I have recently written letters to, have been really touched. Some even to tears. After all, special people are what makes life worth while. So make sure they know how much they are loved and appericiated.

The Monday feeling

You have just gone to bed when the alarmbell goes off. At least that's how it feels. The room is cold and dark, and you have to get out of your lovely, warm bed. It's 07:00 AM. Then you get miraculously through the morning toilet, breakfast and the half an hour long walk to school without even realizing it. It it a bit scary finding yourself in a place, not having noticed how you got there. As if you were sleepwalking with your brain and all your five or six senses turned off. After various cups of coffee you feel like you start functioning again, although the wishful daydreams about a new weekend won't leave you alone.

A poem on a Sunday

Boy playing

The Unseen Playmate

by Robert Louis Stevenson

When children are playing alone on the green,
In comes the playmate that never was seen.
When children are happy and lonely and good,
The Friend of the Children comes out of the wood.
Nobody heard him, and nobody saw,
His is a picture you never could draw,
But he's sure to be present, abroad or at home,
When children are happy and playing alone.
He lies in the laurels, he runs on the grass,
He sings when you tinkle the musical glass;
Whene'er you are happy and cannot tell why,
The Friend of the Children is sure to be by!
He loves to be little, he hates to be big,
'T is he that inhabits the caves that you dig;
'T is he when you play with your soldiers of tin
That sides with the Frenchmen and never can win.
'T is he, when at night you go off to your bed,
Bids you go to sleep and not trouble your head;
For wherever they're lying, in cupboard or shelf,
'T is he will take care of your playthings himself!

Surviving until next time

Catching Tito

As Tito and Willow woke up this morning, they both knew it would be the last one together in a while. Therefore Tito asked Willow what they were going to do to survive the miseries of being apart. Willow had a very bright idea. (As it may happen.) She would go get her lasso, find a big, strong tree and tie Tito to it for a couple of hours. Then the plane would have left, she would untie him and they could have lived happily ever after. Tito wasn't too pleased with the idea, and so they started making survival strategies instead. As Tito left, Willow told him to call if there happened to be any afortunate strikes at the airport, something he agreed on doing. No one has called Willow. Apparantly there were no strikes at the airport. Damn. She wished she had tied him to that tree after all.

Taking a tour a 1000 years back in history

Vikingship

What’s better than to spend a free Friday at a beautiful peninsula in the company of a loved one? What’s nicer than walking around in the sunshine looking at well-kept gardens and grand wooden houses? And if in addition, you could see and learn something new, the day would be close to perfect. The vikingship museum in Oslo contains three ships, and a number of Viking artefacts. Vikings have a terrible reputation – probably well deserved. But apart from robbing, killing, raping and burning down churches, they did have a rich tradition of storytelling. As usual, Tito got a whole lot more interested in the thoughts and ideas of the Vikings, than their things. Much wisdom can be drawn out from the Håvamål, and Tito makes sure to enrich Willow with his newfound knowledge. Much to her likings.

If you could become an animal, which one would it be and why?

If Willow could become an animal, a koala would be her choice. Koalas are beautiful, with the softest fur she has ever touched. They sleep for 20 hours a day, and surely they are dreaming a lot. The remaining four hours, they are eating eucalyptus-leaves, high up in the trees. The life of a koala seems calm, slow and peaceful.

If Tito could become an animal, he would prefer to be a sparrow. Sparrows are free spirits, they can fly whereever they want to and they observe the world from above. In the air there are no borders, no frontiers. Just liberty.

If Tito had been a sparrow, Willow would have wanted to be one as well. They would fly away together and eventually live in a small sparrow house, with the most delicious crumbles of bread imaginable.

The pleasures of walking through the rain

Girl with umbrella

When I was a young girl, I loved to run outside on rainy days to jump into the largest pools of water I could find. It was a great kick to play with water, trying to make the biggest splash in the whole, wide world. I knew I would get the speech about getting my clothes all dirty afterwards, and maybe that was part of what made it so exciting. Some years later, the fascination had left me. I loathed getting wet. As an adult, I have rediscoverd the pleasures of walking through the rain. The air gets so fresh, the dust that keeps irritating my eyes disappears, the trees even look greener! I enjoy observing everything I pass. I see wet people in wet snickers, umbrellas with every pattern and every colour, wet dogs trying to shake the water off, numerous expressions of self pity, and occationally, dry people having dressed in adequate rain-gear for the occation. These people are smiling. I am smiling. Partly because I know that at home, Tito is waiting for me with a cup of hot chocolate and a "Hi Willow, I have been missing you".

Becoming one with the music

Dancing Merengue

More than a hundred years ago, Merengue was born in the Dominican Republic. Rythms from Africa and the Caribbean intersected, and the result was stunning. A dance that a century later is growing in popularity, even outside Latin America. Some people are borned with a talent for dancing, while others are not. Good news are however, that everyone can learn it. The first step is to love the music, - a music so full of happiness and energy. Step number two is having a partner to dance with. Obviously. Like Tito. After that, one has to feel the music, forget about time and space and eventually become one with the music.