Lillestrøm College Fair and Culture Learning

Today started off quite normally - woke up at 7, hit the snooze, woke up at 7:10, put on my face/school clothes, made/ate breakfast, walked up the icy path to the bus stop (it has been a sheet of ice all over Larvik since it rained a few days ago; it is almost impossible to walk without holding your arms out, as if you are walking on a tightrope... okay, exaggeration) and went to school.  Sondre was doing Sudoku on the bus (now that I don't ride the bus every morning, he reads and whatnot instead of helping me with Norwegian) and we talked a little bit about the day's upcoming activities: the college fair in Lillestrøm! 

When we arrived at school, everyone "waddled" inside (only word I can think of to describe how people look like walking on the black ice) and the third graders went through the building to the other side where there were more busses waiting.  We weren't quite sure which bus to get on, so we got on one that didn't look totally full.  We were the only ones we knew on the bus (or at least that I knew).  The teacher on the bus was actually British-Norwegian!  Her Norwegian was really good, but I could see she had a very strong British accent - not like I don't have an American accent or anything...  Regardless, as soon as one bus went by us and we saw some of the kids from our class waving through the tinted windows, we realized that "vi var på feil buss" -we were on the wrong bus.  Luckily, Sondre, being one of the greatest friends I've made here, and I had no problem with the lack of classmates/friends.  Also, we stopped in Tønsberg to pick up Mari and Line!  They are also in that list of the closest friends I've made here in Norway, so it really turned out for the best. 

Sondre showed me Black Debbath: it's this band that has made these hilarious and insightful songs about Norway and it's culture.  One song is called "Traditional Food" which lyrics go: "Baby, you may feel free to leave this room now or you may listen ... We eat a lot of fish, baby, both smoked raw and rotten.  And the taste of a fish that's been six feet under and it's not that easily forgotten..."  Another one is called "The Vikings (Pioneers of Rock)" which lyrics go: "The Wikings did a lot of killing, a lot of raping too, but hey don't you go judging them too hard, no baby .... they didn't have no electric guitars, they didn't have no booze..." As those of you at home can tell, it is pretty funny and interesting! 

Just warning my parents (and others with "tender ears") it does mention some things you may not be too fond of, but I find that it works quite well with the nature of the music and text. 

Either way, we laughed most of the way to Lillestrøm.  This is what's so cool about the program, apart from making great friends and wonderful memories: learning different things about the culture in a seemingly strange way!  I never thought I could learn more or realize that I was experiencing cultural things THROUGH A SONG!  Thanks, Sondre! :D

We arrived in Lillestrøm about two and a half hours after leaving Larvik.  We were at a building that was HUGE that normally houses exhibitions and world trade events.  We were greeted by tons of flags in the windows.  All Scandinavian flags were grouped together and the others were seemingly scattered, but it reminded me why I'm here.  It's good to get a strong reminder like that sometimes.  I thought about the flag ceremonies and how I felt on the first day I arrived here in Norway.  I was overwhelmed with people when I arrived, especially without much knowledge of the language, and here I was, walking into a one km long buildling with thousands of teenagers, teachers and college kids inside and I was feeling fine! 



Mari, me, Hege and Line

A college fair is a college fair, but it was pretty neat to see how similar it was in Norway!  There were a lot of exchange programs for colleges represented; one I found very interesting was about doing one year of school in Norway and then completing in the states.  It was interesting to see all the different University and College choices in Norway and how they were presented.  (Sorry, I felt too nerdy taking my camera inside and taking pictures, so sorry for the lack of extra entertainment...)  The rest of the time we spent eating, talking and laughing outside of the big room. 



Norwegian braid... random pic haha

 I have a great life here (not like I don't have a wonderful one at home too...).  I am so happy I can say that.  I feel loved, comfortable and secure here with my Norwegian friends and host families.  I have gotten so lucky!  There are downs as well as ups, but all in all, I am one lucky Rotary Exchange Student. 

Here's a picture I just took of the beautiful moon outisde with an orange ring around it.  The moon is so bright I couldn't get it to capture correctly, but here's the best one:

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I recieved a package from Maddie today!!  Thanks Maddie!  I loved it! Especially the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Kit :) <3