October-November
Hi, friends! It's been 26 days since my last post. Here's a summary in pictures of what I've been up to.
October:
October in Oslo. It's cold, you guys. All my scarves, winter hats, jackets, and boots have come out to play. The trick is mixing things up a bit to avoid the dreary brown, green, and black of winter.
I spent a weekend in Amsterdam with Christian, his parents, and Cecilie, his sister. It was a rather impromptu event, but it really hit the spot. It recharged my batteries completely. Despite catching a 7AM flight back to get to Oslo in time for work first thing Monday morning. The above is a picture of the display outside what was said to be Amsterdam's #1 Halloween store. They had an amazing selection of hand painted masquerade ball masks imported from Venice. By the time I had convinced myself to splurge on one, the display was blocked off by a gang of rambling tourists. I see a date with me and one of those masks in my near future. It's on my things to get during my next Amsterdam visit.
Enjoying hot chocolate and syrup cookies by the canal, autumn leaves falling on our heads. This was at a pub/café along the nine streets, a famous (and rather hip) shopping district in Amsterdam.
We took several strolls along the canals, there are always things to see and people to meet.
Back home in Oslo - I feel it's been nothing but rain for a month now. Cold, dreary, dark.
Halloween! This is the first time we ever carved a pumpkin. It came out pretty good, don't you think? The skeleton is a new friend we brought back home from our stay in Amsterdam.
November:
Christian's mum invited us along to experience Sweden's, and perhaps Scandinavia's, most elaborate Christmas market - Huseby bruk's christmas market. There was an entrance fee to get in, but there were free food samples at every food stall. The atmosphere was magical, and there were free tours of the grounds and its museums. We took my mum along for the ride, and she was so pleased with the trip, she wants to make it an annual tradition. I like this idea.
The local folk dancing group made home made polkagris sweets. And that's one of the most Swedish things you'll read today. Maybe.
We went back to the cabin and made home made svele - which is one of the most west coast Norwegian things you'll read today. Maybe.
Christian's parents have three dogs. This is Gizmo. I remember first seeing this guy when they'd picked him up as a tiny little pup.
November 11th marked 20 years since Pulp Fiction premiered at Norwegian cinemas. Cinemateket celebrated this by screening the film for one night only. Unfortunately, the screening was in their small theatre, which only fits about 50 people. We couldn't get tickets. But we stopped by the café, which offered Big Kahuna burgers and $5 shakes for the occasion. Very filling. Very delicious. I hope they'll keep up with these themed event nights. A lot of people showed up in sharp suits and slim neckties.
And that about sums it up.
Work is still a major factor in my life. It seems every time I get my hobbies and internet life in order, my work life falls apart, and vice versa. I had a really great work week this last week. Despite a terrible meeting with my boss on Tuesday. WATER OFF A DUCK'S BACK. Let's keep things rolling.
Today was a day of board gaming. We met up with some friends and played through Forbidden Desert, Agricola, and Fury of Dracula. Agricola, man. So Euro, much frustration - but very fun. I need to play this again. I ended up at 28 points, and I felt it wasn't too bad for a first play through. I have absolutely no idea, though. That game was super hardcore, that's all I know.
October:
October in Oslo. It's cold, you guys. All my scarves, winter hats, jackets, and boots have come out to play. The trick is mixing things up a bit to avoid the dreary brown, green, and black of winter.
I spent a weekend in Amsterdam with Christian, his parents, and Cecilie, his sister. It was a rather impromptu event, but it really hit the spot. It recharged my batteries completely. Despite catching a 7AM flight back to get to Oslo in time for work first thing Monday morning. The above is a picture of the display outside what was said to be Amsterdam's #1 Halloween store. They had an amazing selection of hand painted masquerade ball masks imported from Venice. By the time I had convinced myself to splurge on one, the display was blocked off by a gang of rambling tourists. I see a date with me and one of those masks in my near future. It's on my things to get during my next Amsterdam visit.
Enjoying hot chocolate and syrup cookies by the canal, autumn leaves falling on our heads. This was at a pub/café along the nine streets, a famous (and rather hip) shopping district in Amsterdam.
We took several strolls along the canals, there are always things to see and people to meet.
Back home in Oslo - I feel it's been nothing but rain for a month now. Cold, dreary, dark.
Halloween! This is the first time we ever carved a pumpkin. It came out pretty good, don't you think? The skeleton is a new friend we brought back home from our stay in Amsterdam.
November:
Christian's mum invited us along to experience Sweden's, and perhaps Scandinavia's, most elaborate Christmas market - Huseby bruk's christmas market. There was an entrance fee to get in, but there were free food samples at every food stall. The atmosphere was magical, and there were free tours of the grounds and its museums. We took my mum along for the ride, and she was so pleased with the trip, she wants to make it an annual tradition. I like this idea.
The local folk dancing group made home made polkagris sweets. And that's one of the most Swedish things you'll read today. Maybe.
We went back to the cabin and made home made svele - which is one of the most west coast Norwegian things you'll read today. Maybe.
Christian's parents have three dogs. This is Gizmo. I remember first seeing this guy when they'd picked him up as a tiny little pup.
November 11th marked 20 years since Pulp Fiction premiered at Norwegian cinemas. Cinemateket celebrated this by screening the film for one night only. Unfortunately, the screening was in their small theatre, which only fits about 50 people. We couldn't get tickets. But we stopped by the café, which offered Big Kahuna burgers and $5 shakes for the occasion. Very filling. Very delicious. I hope they'll keep up with these themed event nights. A lot of people showed up in sharp suits and slim neckties.
And that about sums it up.
Work is still a major factor in my life. It seems every time I get my hobbies and internet life in order, my work life falls apart, and vice versa. I had a really great work week this last week. Despite a terrible meeting with my boss on Tuesday. WATER OFF A DUCK'S BACK. Let's keep things rolling.
Today was a day of board gaming. We met up with some friends and played through Forbidden Desert, Agricola, and Fury of Dracula. Agricola, man. So Euro, much frustration - but very fun. I need to play this again. I ended up at 28 points, and I felt it wasn't too bad for a first play through. I have absolutely no idea, though. That game was super hardcore, that's all I know.