Well, the last few days were diverse.. With a couple of friends I went to the theatre and we saw Den andre mannen, which was in a language I didn't fully understand. We didn't even figure out if it was a bizarre norwegian (bokmål) accent or nynorsk. Next time I will understand more, and next time will be in the main venue in the Nationalteatret.
Also, I went to the opera. Not just from the outside, but also from the inside it's a wonderful building. Le Grand Macabre - well - was macabre but well played and done. Still, very strange and macabre.
Classes are doing fine, I am doing my work.
I started to go swimming everyday, and going to the sauna from time to time, for I knew I normally get a bit sick every autumn. So, what prevents getting sick better than doing that? Right! Wrong. So, I got sick five days before I would be heading home for a week. I decided to stay in bed, and cure the hell out of it. Now I am lying here, and watching Breaking Bad, of course legally as there exists Netflix here in Norway.
Apart from that, nothing really exiting is going on at the moment.
2013.09.15 - Amsterdam
I did actually find the courage and motivation to go to the fitness centre. I did not find norwegian best friends so far. But: I was there for almost every day for the last 1,5 weeks - for swimming. My stamina is very bad, but I reckon if I go there every day for a swim, it will get better. Also, there is a sauna and sauna is always good.
The uni makes me read a lot, the celtic/old nordic studies are challenging. The readings are a lot and a bit hard, and the lectures are exhausting and difficult to understand. But I plan to finish the major part of the paper for the norwegian class this week, so I should have relatively much time for the readings afterwards. Let's see if this plan works.
The choir is still challenging. We had a choir seminar, and this week was just choir on monday, tuesday, friday, sunday, sunday, monday. I was glad it was over. The pieces of music are stunningly beautiful, nevertheless I fear the fact that everything has to be sung my heart; no score allowed -- I do know not a single piece so far.
-- In the end, everything's going to be fine. If it's not fine, it's not the end.
- - -
From friday until sunday, I went to Amsterdam with a friend. We flew there friday evening, arrived at our couch surfer's place at 9pm, talked a bit with this awesome host. Then we went to see the city for that evening and the whole saturday. We run around the whole time, took a tour on the canals, went to the Rijksmuseum and the Sex Museum and were amazed how beautiful this city is. Really, it's worth going there... so many beautiful houses... And ridiculously many people in the red light district.
Also the flair and feeling of the city is very very nice, it was almost hard to go back to Oslo...
I really have to mention that it is a great thing to live in Europe, where it is possible to see quite lot of another city somewhere else, just within a week end.
The uni makes me read a lot, the celtic/old nordic studies are challenging. The readings are a lot and a bit hard, and the lectures are exhausting and difficult to understand. But I plan to finish the major part of the paper for the norwegian class this week, so I should have relatively much time for the readings afterwards. Let's see if this plan works.
The choir is still challenging. We had a choir seminar, and this week was just choir on monday, tuesday, friday, sunday, sunday, monday. I was glad it was over. The pieces of music are stunningly beautiful, nevertheless I fear the fact that everything has to be sung my heart; no score allowed -- I do know not a single piece so far.
-- In the end, everything's going to be fine. If it's not fine, it's not the end.
- - -
From friday until sunday, I went to Amsterdam with a friend. We flew there friday evening, arrived at our couch surfer's place at 9pm, talked a bit with this awesome host. Then we went to see the city for that evening and the whole saturday. We run around the whole time, took a tour on the canals, went to the Rijksmuseum and the Sex Museum and were amazed how beautiful this city is. Really, it's worth going there... so many beautiful houses... And ridiculously many people in the red light district.
Also the flair and feeling of the city is very very nice, it was almost hard to go back to Oslo...
I really have to mention that it is a great thing to live in Europe, where it is possible to see quite lot of another city somewhere else, just within a week end.
2013.09.01 - first trip outside of the city
Well, it was not a big trip. The university organised a trip to a cabin in the woods for around 50 international students. Just one norwegian guy (the organiser) was with us, and 50 internationals.
We took the subway and then a bus to the studenterhytta.no (Yes, apparently has everything it's own website here). We barely were told that soup would be prepared, 6 volunteers were needed, and the same for the dinner ("norwegian style taco"), afterwards was organised a quiz night, and after breakfast we were supposed to tidy everything up. That was all the plan! So, we immediately walked to the nearby lake, I took a swim (warmer than the Sognsvann!), and then we went back for lunch. The area is just as one imagines Oslo surrounding: forests, from time to time a lake, and basically nothing else in view (and - the knowledge that the subway is not really far away). In the evening, our team won the first three rounds of the quiz night, but the fourth round was basically just giving points to the most drunken people. so - "unfortunately" - we lost. But during the game, we got small prices, and we could choose between chocolate and shots. Guess what I chose. Then we wondered about alcohol and left the party to see stars. At 1 am or so, we went to the Sauna (!) where, again, we wondered about alcohol and not very adult Americans.
That evening, I sent the fifth version of my master thesis to my supervisor ("yeeehh"). Now for homework, socialising and enjoying the sun. If i finish the readings (for last monday) in time, I will take a first look into the fitness centre..
Still didn't really meet many Norwegians so far .. maybe I get lucky in the fitness centre...
We took the subway and then a bus to the studenterhytta.no (Yes, apparently has everything it's own website here). We barely were told that soup would be prepared, 6 volunteers were needed, and the same for the dinner ("norwegian style taco"), afterwards was organised a quiz night, and after breakfast we were supposed to tidy everything up. That was all the plan! So, we immediately walked to the nearby lake, I took a swim (warmer than the Sognsvann!), and then we went back for lunch. The area is just as one imagines Oslo surrounding: forests, from time to time a lake, and basically nothing else in view (and - the knowledge that the subway is not really far away). In the evening, our team won the first three rounds of the quiz night, but the fourth round was basically just giving points to the most drunken people. so - "unfortunately" - we lost. But during the game, we got small prices, and we could choose between chocolate and shots. Guess what I chose. Then we wondered about alcohol and left the party to see stars. At 1 am or so, we went to the Sauna (!) where, again, we wondered about alcohol and not very adult Americans.
That evening, I sent the fifth version of my master thesis to my supervisor ("yeeehh"). Now for homework, socialising and enjoying the sun. If i finish the readings (for last monday) in time, I will take a first look into the fitness centre..
Still didn't really meet many Norwegians so far .. maybe I get lucky in the fitness centre...
2013.08.28 - masterthesis <-> longing for someplace else
Today and yesterday, I basically did do two things.
1) continue to write my master thesis, do corrections, coming closer to the next version I will send to my supervisor
2) longing for doing something different, like, for example, travelling. Because then I thought - yeah I should go there! And in the end of the two days, I have to admit that I am delighted, shocked and looking forward to the madness I have just offered my credit card credentials for. 2 days Amsterdam. 5 days London. 2 days Bergen. 5 days Tromsø. All rather cheap, but nevertheless... Never write a masterthesis and think about something different at the same time or have people you should visit... never ever. So - no more stuff until the semester's over. And - a part time job as soon as my master thesis is done!
1) continue to write my master thesis, do corrections, coming closer to the next version I will send to my supervisor
2) longing for doing something different, like, for example, travelling. Because then I thought - yeah I should go there! And in the end of the two days, I have to admit that I am delighted, shocked and looking forward to the madness I have just offered my credit card credentials for. 2 days Amsterdam. 5 days London. 2 days Bergen. 5 days Tromsø. All rather cheap, but nevertheless... Never write a masterthesis and think about something different at the same time or have people you should visit... never ever. So - no more stuff until the semester's over. And - a part time job as soon as my master thesis is done!
2013.08.27 - Routine?
Last week I went to my first lecture. That was OK, I was able to focus for those two hours or so. But yesterday I had to follow a norwegian class for almost four hours, which was really exhausting. After an one hour break, there was the other lecture, again two hours. At 18.00, there were three other hours of choir. My ability to focus was quite drained at the end of the day. But I do know this feeling, I already had it when I learned french in France; that's the feeling you get when your brain has to learn heaps of words in short time. Actually, it's a good thing. I hope that in a couple of weeks, it will be easier. But I am quite sure it will.
A big thing is still my master thesis. I am almost entirely sure I will send the next version to my supervisor this week. After the thesis is done, I will look for a part time job to be able to afford some more expensive food (e.g. bread or crisps).
I was swimming in the fjord; that was nice! and even warmer than swimming in the Sogsnvann, the lake I've been to again. Actually, the weather is quite interesting: for almost a week and a half, there is just blue sky all day long! Really nice .. especially when I hear it's all rainy in Austria and Germany.
So, back to write my thesis...
A big thing is still my master thesis. I am almost entirely sure I will send the next version to my supervisor this week. After the thesis is done, I will look for a part time job to be able to afford some more expensive food (e.g. bread or crisps).
I was swimming in the fjord; that was nice! and even warmer than swimming in the Sogsnvann, the lake I've been to again. Actually, the weather is quite interesting: for almost a week and a half, there is just blue sky all day long! Really nice .. especially when I hear it's all rainy in Austria and Germany.
So, back to write my thesis...
2013.08.20 - First days in Oslo III
Lack of sleep - The first thing that pops into my head when I think about the last five days.
But for very good reasons though.
In Norway, as is commonly known, alcohol is expensive. But as the university doesn't want to hinder its students to get a bit of alcohol, it provides facilities of each faculty for a pub. For the humanities, there's a small cosy pub called Uglebo, the house of the owl. As the workers there all are volunteers, the beer can be quite cheap for anyone and it's a good possibility to come together and be social - and for me, to meet Norwegian people.
Additionally, there is a student festival called Studio, where I helped out as well - until 4.30 am. And I am really not used to staying up that late, repeatedly.
But well, to know people, sacrifices are necessary. :-)
Yesterday, I had a first meeting with the choir of my choice, the Oslo Voices. If I get accepted, which will be shown next Monday, the choir will sing in Trondheim, Oslo, and even Berlin! I will keep you updated!
I keep getting visits all the time as well. So, after the Austrian colleague left for Bergen, the next people visiting me where a girl I met on the way to Tallinn and a friend from Berlin who I met in Helsinki... Yes, I have a gift to meet random people in random places!
I had my first lecture as well, introduction to old Norse and Celtic culture ... in Norwegian! That was challenging, but it went surprisingly well. But it will be quite a job to get that class done.
With my flat mates, I went to the Sognsvann, a lake which is a few subway stations (!) away from my student village. Oslo is I great place, to much forest, lakes and everything close. It was .. refreshing to swim there.
As you see, I made some efforts to get away from the international students and try to find nationals.. And I met some nice people already, but of course not that closely yet. But - still - I am here for just a week now.
And I am far away from feeling bored or useless, so, everything is very close to absolutely awesome...
But first, I need to catch up with my sleep .. My last shift is tomorrow evening, luckily just until 12.30 am, then I'll be in bed at 10 pm every day!
So much to do here! There was also an interesting tour: arts students are giving free tours, e.g. of street art in Oslo, based on tipping. And next week will be free cinema, free concerts (e.g. Beethoven9 at the city hall) and the many pubs/venues in Oslo with other concerts...
But for very good reasons though.
In Norway, as is commonly known, alcohol is expensive. But as the university doesn't want to hinder its students to get a bit of alcohol, it provides facilities of each faculty for a pub. For the humanities, there's a small cosy pub called Uglebo, the house of the owl. As the workers there all are volunteers, the beer can be quite cheap for anyone and it's a good possibility to come together and be social - and for me, to meet Norwegian people.
Additionally, there is a student festival called Studio, where I helped out as well - until 4.30 am. And I am really not used to staying up that late, repeatedly.
But well, to know people, sacrifices are necessary. :-)
Yesterday, I had a first meeting with the choir of my choice, the Oslo Voices. If I get accepted, which will be shown next Monday, the choir will sing in Trondheim, Oslo, and even Berlin! I will keep you updated!
I keep getting visits all the time as well. So, after the Austrian colleague left for Bergen, the next people visiting me where a girl I met on the way to Tallinn and a friend from Berlin who I met in Helsinki... Yes, I have a gift to meet random people in random places!
I had my first lecture as well, introduction to old Norse and Celtic culture ... in Norwegian! That was challenging, but it went surprisingly well. But it will be quite a job to get that class done.
With my flat mates, I went to the Sognsvann, a lake which is a few subway stations (!) away from my student village. Oslo is I great place, to much forest, lakes and everything close. It was .. refreshing to swim there.
As you see, I made some efforts to get away from the international students and try to find nationals.. And I met some nice people already, but of course not that closely yet. But - still - I am here for just a week now.
And I am far away from feeling bored or useless, so, everything is very close to absolutely awesome...
But first, I need to catch up with my sleep .. My last shift is tomorrow evening, luckily just until 12.30 am, then I'll be in bed at 10 pm every day!
So much to do here! There was also an interesting tour: arts students are giving free tours, e.g. of street art in Oslo, based on tipping. And next week will be free cinema, free concerts (e.g. Beethoven9 at the city hall) and the many pubs/venues in Oslo with other concerts...
2013.08.15 - First days in Oslo II
Food's expensive. In the course of these first days, I was already shown a cheap vegetable/asia/strange-stuff market in the immigrants quarter of Oslo (Grønland). Normal prices do make happy!
This week basically consists of two official things.
1. registration at the university, bureaucratic stuff as it necessary for every semester. It is pretty organised, everybody is helpful and on 15Jul, my courses were registered. It's gonna be a 20 ECTS language learning course and a 10 ECTS intro on celtic/old norwegian stuff.
2. Buddy week. Heaps of people in red t-shirts everywhere, on average two buddies for 20 people. Lots of international people. Lots of Germans. Germans everywhere. Games, funny games and get-to-know-each-other-stuff. Parties every day - the university is organising an own student festival with tents, music and so on.
I already found out my way to go to parties.
step 1. leave water bottles at home
step 2. join people who go to a free pub/location
step 3. have your ID and bag checked; water bottles have to be thrown away.
step 4. don't drink anything, it's too expensive.
step 5. have a good and cheap evening
Another annoying thing is my master's thesis. I do progress not as quickly as expected .. but I know I will be quiiite happy when it'll be done.
so happy.
So long, I will let you know when something exiting happens.
This week basically consists of two official things.
1. registration at the university, bureaucratic stuff as it necessary for every semester. It is pretty organised, everybody is helpful and on 15Jul, my courses were registered. It's gonna be a 20 ECTS language learning course and a 10 ECTS intro on celtic/old norwegian stuff.
2. Buddy week. Heaps of people in red t-shirts everywhere, on average two buddies for 20 people. Lots of international people. Lots of Germans. Germans everywhere. Games, funny games and get-to-know-each-other-stuff. Parties every day - the university is organising an own student festival with tents, music and so on.
I already found out my way to go to parties.
step 1. leave water bottles at home
step 2. join people who go to a free pub/location
step 3. have your ID and bag checked; water bottles have to be thrown away.
step 4. don't drink anything, it's too expensive.
step 5. have a good and cheap evening
Another annoying thing is my master's thesis. I do progress not as quickly as expected .. but I know I will be quiiite happy when it'll be done.
so happy.
So long, I will let you know when something exiting happens.
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