In January I started e-mailing with my third cousin Sam who lives in New Jersey, USA. We had never met before, let alone heard of each other, but we just clicked and got along really well. By now we could probably have written a book of all our e-mails - I don't even know how many we have sent... In a way it's weird calling her my third cousin because it sounds so distant - we're more like cousins.
After 8 months of constant e-mailing she came to Norway to visit, and we had such a great time together. It was like we had known each other forever - and she just blended in with the family as if she was one of the sisters (seriously!).
Celebrating my 19th birthday with my nearest and dearest
Egeland-sisters and our cousin Sammy
Sammy and Ingvild enjoying their ice-cream at Fiskebrygga
Sightseeing in Kristiansand
Last day together - on our way back from a visit in Søgne
When I was living in England I sometimes missed Norway so much, especially the nature. I told myself that when I came back home, I was going to spend more time outside, go for more walks in the beautiful landscape (not in parks), and also that I would try to visit more norwegian tourist attractions -
This weekend my family and I went to the south west of Norway. The first day we went hiking to the Pulpit Rock, then to Sandnes to eat, before in the evening we arrived at the farm we were going to stay. This was a place we found using the website airbnb.com. We had a lovely time there. Thanks for the hospitality! The second day we went to Stavanger to go shopping, and the third and last day of our trip we went home. On the way back we made a stop in Farsund to visit some of our family friends on their cabin by the sea. What a nice place!
Pictures from the Pulpit Rock:
The path up to the Pulpit Rock was very rocky and steep. It took us about 2 hours to walk up there, and a bit less to walk down. We were very lucky with the weather - not too hot, not too cold, and the fog didn't come until we were on our way down, about 3.30 pm. When I was there I obviously had to sit with my feet off the edge - 600 meters straight down. I guess you could say my parents weren't too excited about that..
This weekend I was a leader on a christian summer camp in a place called Havglimt. It is run by the Norwegian Mission Society (NMS). This was a camp for pupils in years 5 to 7. The weather was lovely, though quite windy (just look at the flags below)... And we had a lot of fun in this beautiful place in the archipelago:
The past month has gone by so fast, I can't believe it. So much have happened - my sister has had her confirmation, we've celebrated Norway's constitution day, I've hung out with friends a lot, I've been busy at school (with 4 exams) and I have now finished High School! And just to mention it, in January I started e-mailing with my third cousin in the US, and we've been writing to each other constantly since then, and in August she's coming to Norway.
Here are a couple of pics summing up what has happened in my life lately. I've had a blast (obviously not with the exam stress, but with everything else..)
My sister's cake for her confirmation
I celebrated Norway's constitution day as "russ"
Lunch with my friends
Entertainment at Hald day, 2nd of June
With my dear friends at Hald day - Kennedy, me, Katrine and Nelson
Waiting to be told about the oral exam - in the end I had to do Norwegian, and it went very well.
Madre mia, que buenas vacaciones de semana santa! Pueees, empezó una semana temprano porque fui a Madrid con la clase de Español, y luego fui a Inglaterra. Ok, I'll write the rest in English...
Saturday the 16th of March I went to Madrid with my Spanish class. We stayed with host families for a week, went to school four of the days we were there - the rest of the time we spent being tourists, visiting all sights/attractions we could. I wouldn't call it a holiday because there was something on the program all the time, and obviously you get tired when you constantly have to concentrate on the language.
We visited Toledo, mercado del Rastro, Museo del Prado, Museo Reina Sofía, Parque del Retiro, Palacio Real, and me and Hannelore went to Teatro Lope de Vega to see the musical "El Rey León". I'll let the photos speak for themselves...
La Catedral de Toleda
Toledo
Palacio Real
Palacio Real
Metro station Sáinz de Baranda
The street where we lived
Parque del Retiro
Mercado del Rastro
The wonderful family
The class (in Toledo)
Then after 7 fantastic but intense days in Madrid, we left for Norway. For me it was a short stay at home, only 10 hours to be precise, as I went to England the morning after. So, after travelling with 2 planes, tube and train I finally arrived in Bedford. I had such a great time, meeting everyone I've missed so much again! My lovely english family and my friends. Can't wait until next time...
G and I
"Space"
So I've had a fantastic easter. After I came home I've been relaxing at home - no skiing this easter (which to be honest doesn't bother me..) I went to the easter service in church on Easter Sunday, and today me and my friends have been decorating our "russebukser". More about that strange norwegian tradition in another post...
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