September 13
I woke up today determined to go outside, get some fresh air, get out of by room, and enjoy this beautiful weather! After cleaning my room a little and reading, I decided to go up to Sognsvann (the lake) and walk around. The trails were very crowded with people, but the weather and views were so amazing that it did not matter. It is hard to feel sad and homesick when you are surrounded with such amazing beauty, which was exactly my plan! Does being outside in the nature and sunshine make anyone else feel better or just me? I even notice that in the winter I feel... down? And I think it is just because it is so cold and dark in Ohio because everyone is inside all of the time during the winter and when it snows and it just kinda, gets to you... Maybe I'm just crazy? Who knows... :)
I also saw some trails that lead back into the woods that I wouldn't mind exploring one of these days. Hopefully we keep having nice weather!
After returning home, I skyped with my Mom and then with my roommates from back home! (Hi Gabby, Kate, and Morgan!!! Love you!) It was really great to talk to them and catch up. It also made me feel less homesick in a way? Knowing that they were there and missed me, but did not have any Earth shattering news made me feel like I wasn't missing out on too many important things back home, which was what I was feeling and afraid of. I thought that one semester away would completely change everything and by the time I got back, everything would be different and I would be so out of the loop. I think that some of these fears have subsided and I know that even if things do change, I will be okay with it and move on.
September 14
Today started by working out with Frieda, Eva, and Zita in the morning. Then, Frieda invited me to go volunteer with her. She joined a student organization (Refstad) through the University of Oslo that has students go to the refugee camp and play with the children every Sunday. the refugee camp is a temporary holding place for people coming to Norway, seeking asylum from their own countries. They come to this camp in Oslo when they first arrive and then are sent to more permanent camps to wait for interviews, documents, and the approval of their paperwork. They can wait for their first interview for up to 9 months! When we were arrived, the leader gave us a short tour and then we went knocking on all of the doors to see if any of the children wanted to come outside and play with us. Barley any of them spoke English and so communication was difficult and limited. Once outside, all the boys and some of the men started playing football (Soccer) and Frieda and I went to the toy room to play with two other kids. After they left, we joined the others outside and played games like Frisbee, tag, hide-and-seek, cat and mouse, and a few others. It was interesting to see how quickly the children made friends with us and each other, even though few of us or them spoke the same language. Everything went pretty smoothly... for the most part, and even some of the adults came outside and joined us. I was really glad that Frieda invited me to come and it was definitely a learning experience for me! Just to think of all the hardships these people have to go through when trying to get a better life for their family... I was glad that we could come and hopefully make the day a little brighter by playing with the kids and giving the parents a little break.
We all headed back around three and then our Sogn Group came over and we made Potato, Carrot, Cheese Gratin (Casserole?) to surprise Franzi for her Birthday that was last weekend. It turned out pretty good, although a bit milky, but it was fun to make!
September 15
After heading to campus to get some homework done, I went to my Genetics Study Group (mandatory) that also happens to overlap with my Psychology course. Hopefully this is the last time that it happens for the semester! I did get a lot done though and I don't feel totally lost, even though I am really far behind with reading from having my family here. After class, I went to Grønland to do some much needed grocery shopping and got enough ingredients to make and try out all sorts of new dishes! After lugging everything back home, I met Eva and Zita at the gym for Zumba. The class was fun and I really liked the moves and music, even if I did look like an uncoordinated moose that is always half a beat behind... Just when I finally get the hang of what we are doing, he moves onto the next one. :)
I did find out today that my Genetics course will not have class on Friday or Tuesday which means.... that I have from Wednesday until Sunday completely free!!! I really need to get out of Oslo! As much as I love it, I am going stir crazy!!!! I want, no, I NEED to travel somewhere! And this is the perfect weekend to do it! I was debating on Rome, but it was really short notice to book or plan anything and I am kinda afraid to go alone.... Also there is the small matter that I was told not to leave the country untill I register with the police on Oct 2nd, but you know.... There are other Americans here that have been traveling, but have not registered yet and they got through okay!
My back up plan was Bergen! I would take the train overnight and then spend the night in a hostel for a few days while I explore Bergen and then head back to Oslo on Sunday. There were a few of us that wanted to travel somewhere this weekend, so we opened it up to the Sogn group, but it is kind of hard to plan things with so many people, all of their schedules, and not everyone is interested in going to the same places. This might turn into a solo Fountain adventure, but that is okay! :)
I am definitely feeling less homesick and I am ready to jump back into my studies and my study abroad experiences! :)
I woke up today determined to go outside, get some fresh air, get out of by room, and enjoy this beautiful weather! After cleaning my room a little and reading, I decided to go up to Sognsvann (the lake) and walk around. The trails were very crowded with people, but the weather and views were so amazing that it did not matter. It is hard to feel sad and homesick when you are surrounded with such amazing beauty, which was exactly my plan! Does being outside in the nature and sunshine make anyone else feel better or just me? I even notice that in the winter I feel... down? And I think it is just because it is so cold and dark in Ohio because everyone is inside all of the time during the winter and when it snows and it just kinda, gets to you... Maybe I'm just crazy? Who knows... :)
I also saw some trails that lead back into the woods that I wouldn't mind exploring one of these days. Hopefully we keep having nice weather!
After returning home, I skyped with my Mom and then with my roommates from back home! (Hi Gabby, Kate, and Morgan!!! Love you!) It was really great to talk to them and catch up. It also made me feel less homesick in a way? Knowing that they were there and missed me, but did not have any Earth shattering news made me feel like I wasn't missing out on too many important things back home, which was what I was feeling and afraid of. I thought that one semester away would completely change everything and by the time I got back, everything would be different and I would be so out of the loop. I think that some of these fears have subsided and I know that even if things do change, I will be okay with it and move on.
September 14
Today started by working out with Frieda, Eva, and Zita in the morning. Then, Frieda invited me to go volunteer with her. She joined a student organization (Refstad) through the University of Oslo that has students go to the refugee camp and play with the children every Sunday. the refugee camp is a temporary holding place for people coming to Norway, seeking asylum from their own countries. They come to this camp in Oslo when they first arrive and then are sent to more permanent camps to wait for interviews, documents, and the approval of their paperwork. They can wait for their first interview for up to 9 months! When we were arrived, the leader gave us a short tour and then we went knocking on all of the doors to see if any of the children wanted to come outside and play with us. Barley any of them spoke English and so communication was difficult and limited. Once outside, all the boys and some of the men started playing football (Soccer) and Frieda and I went to the toy room to play with two other kids. After they left, we joined the others outside and played games like Frisbee, tag, hide-and-seek, cat and mouse, and a few others. It was interesting to see how quickly the children made friends with us and each other, even though few of us or them spoke the same language. Everything went pretty smoothly... for the most part, and even some of the adults came outside and joined us. I was really glad that Frieda invited me to come and it was definitely a learning experience for me! Just to think of all the hardships these people have to go through when trying to get a better life for their family... I was glad that we could come and hopefully make the day a little brighter by playing with the kids and giving the parents a little break.
We all headed back around three and then our Sogn Group came over and we made Potato, Carrot, Cheese Gratin (Casserole?) to surprise Franzi for her Birthday that was last weekend. It turned out pretty good, although a bit milky, but it was fun to make!
September 15
After heading to campus to get some homework done, I went to my Genetics Study Group (mandatory) that also happens to overlap with my Psychology course. Hopefully this is the last time that it happens for the semester! I did get a lot done though and I don't feel totally lost, even though I am really far behind with reading from having my family here. After class, I went to Grønland to do some much needed grocery shopping and got enough ingredients to make and try out all sorts of new dishes! After lugging everything back home, I met Eva and Zita at the gym for Zumba. The class was fun and I really liked the moves and music, even if I did look like an uncoordinated moose that is always half a beat behind... Just when I finally get the hang of what we are doing, he moves onto the next one. :)
I did find out today that my Genetics course will not have class on Friday or Tuesday which means.... that I have from Wednesday until Sunday completely free!!! I really need to get out of Oslo! As much as I love it, I am going stir crazy!!!! I want, no, I NEED to travel somewhere! And this is the perfect weekend to do it! I was debating on Rome, but it was really short notice to book or plan anything and I am kinda afraid to go alone.... Also there is the small matter that I was told not to leave the country untill I register with the police on Oct 2nd, but you know.... There are other Americans here that have been traveling, but have not registered yet and they got through okay!
My back up plan was Bergen! I would take the train overnight and then spend the night in a hostel for a few days while I explore Bergen and then head back to Oslo on Sunday. There were a few of us that wanted to travel somewhere this weekend, so we opened it up to the Sogn group, but it is kind of hard to plan things with so many people, all of their schedules, and not everyone is interested in going to the same places. This might turn into a solo Fountain adventure, but that is okay! :)
I am definitely feeling less homesick and I am ready to jump back into my studies and my study abroad experiences! :)