My Norwegian Adventure
Wednesday everything was back to normal. My English class was moved to a neighboring school, Thora Storm, that my school, Katta, has a cooperation with. Our teacher had us meet with some students who immigrated recently to Norway and we talked with them about some of the challenges of adjusting to Norwegian culture. We were in small groups and both the students my group spoke with had been in Norway longer than I have, but we had some really great discussions. In the afternoon we watched a movie in History about the Danish government during the 1770s/1780s. Thursday the students who had come up for written exams had a study day, so our chemistry fagdag started at 10 and there were hardly any of us there. We did a lab where we noted the colors of flames when we put salt solutions in them. There were barely any people in Norwegian class also, so once the teacher came she talked to us for a bit and then we could go. Friday was the math and english written exams, so my math and chemistry classes were cancelled. When I got to Spanish class, the teacher wanted the students taking the Spanish written test on Monday to focus on that, so I was able to go and didn't have school at all on Friday. Saturday morning my host parents and I flew to Oslo. They had a birthday party there and I was going to spend the night with a friend in the area. I took the bus to Hønefoss and spent most of the day there, then I took another bus in the evening to a friend's town. Anna met me with her host mom and we went back to their house. Anna and I had dinner and watched tv, then went to bed. In the morning we had breakfast and watched some more tv before her host dad took me to the train station. I had ordered some flowers for my mom's birthday and she called me in the morning, so I got to wish her a happy birthday too. I met my host parents at Oslo sentralstasjon and we took the train back to the airport. We were able to meet my host sister Tone and her boyfriend and another friend there before our flight because a lot of the military was flying to different stations around Norway. Then we flew back to Trondheim and came home. Today also marks the beginning of my last month in Norway.
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Monday and Tuesday I didn't have school because Tuesday was 17.Mai, the Norwegian national day. Monday I relaxed at home and in the evening, my host family took me to a fotball (soccer) game. The local team, Rosenborg, is the best in Norway and I was super excited to go. The opposing team was called Lillestrøm. Rosenborg won 2-1 and the whole game was very exciting. Tuesday, as I said, was the Norwegian national day-the American equivalent would be the Fourth of July. 17.Mai is the day when the Norwegian wear their bunads. The bunad is the national costume. Usually it is a gift when Norwegian children get confirmed, at 15. Most girls get a bunad, and while there are also bunads for men, most choose a suit. The styles and patterns of the bunad differ by region, but they're all very pretty. My host family and I took the bus into the city, and the bus was very full! We found a spot along the parade route to watch. The first parade was all the schools in Trondheim-elementary, middle, and high school levels. There were also a lot of student marching bands. My school, Katta was second-last, so I didn't go through so that I would be able to watch the rest of the parade. It was a bit cold out, so we found a cafe where we could sit and eat inside. Then it was time for the second parade, this one was all the groups and organizations in the city. Torhild was going to go through with her tae-kwon-do group, but had forgotten her belt, so she didn't. There were a lot of interesting groups that went through. After the second parade we took the bus back home. There was a third parade later, for the russ students, but we didn't go. Russ are the third graders (the grade above me because Norwegian schools go an extra year). From May 1-May 17 they wear red (or blue or black) jumpsuits, that they don't take off for the whole time of russ and party a lot. Russ are known for doing a lot of crazy things, and they usually paint and old bus that they use to go around the country and party with other russ. They also have cards-similar to business cards-that little kids collect. Instead of going to the russ parade, I went with my host parents to the local elementary school. There was food and cake and then Roar played in the parents band, made of parents of students who are/were in the school band. We went home for a little bit, then went by Eli and Ole for dinner. I had a great day and it was so much fun!!!
Sunday evening Torhild's sister, Eli, and her husband, Ole, came over for dinner. It was really nice out, so we grilled and ate outside. It cooled off in the evening, so after dinner we moved back inside. I was able to skype with my mom and with my dad's side of the family at their Mother's Day/Grandma's Birthday party. It was really nice to be able to talk to a variety of people, and to wish my aunts and cousins a happy mother's day. Monday I had the Cooper test in gym, which is where we ran for 12 minutes and tried to get as far as we could. The weather was fantastic all weekend and into the week. Tuesday I had a math exam; I think it went pretty well. Wednesday I went to the Rotary meeting. The guest speakers were two ladies who had moved to Norway from Poland. They were learning Norwegian and talked about their work. Wednesday I got a package from my cousin Amy and her family. There was lots of candy and American goodies to hold me over until I get home in June. Thursday my morning class was cancelled, so I didn't have class until 12:30! In the evening I watched the Eurovision semi-finals with my host mom. It was my first time watching the Eurovision song contest because this year was the first time it was showed on TV in the US. Norway didn't advance, but Torhild said that they never expect Norway to do well. Friday was something called eksamenstrekk. The exams in the Norwegian school system are set up in a sort of lottery system. Today the whole grade gathered together and we were informed who was chosen to do a written exam in certain subjects. I could have been chosen for English, Spanish, or Math-I was hoping for Spanish because it's the only of my Spanish skills that hasn't gone down the drain this year. It's hard learning two languages at once! I wasn't chosen for any exams though, so that means that later I will have an oral exam in one of those subjects-hopefully International English! In the afternoon I took an extra test in chemistry to try and help my grade. In the evening my host parents and I watched a movie. Saturday I worked on my Rotary presentation. In the evening we watched the Eurovision finals; Ukraine won. Sunday I relaxed and worked more on my Rotary presentation. In the evening Eli and Ole came over for dinner.
Sunday evening I went with my host family to Roar's nephew's birthday. Monday I had an English mock exam that went pretty well, I think. I wrote an essay about the migrant crisis in Europe, plus two shorter tasks. It was sunny and warm out, so I was grateful to be done early so I could enjoy the nice weather. In the evening Roar, Torhild, and I went on another group march. It rained a little and was pretty windy, but it was an over-all good time. On Tuesday our chemistry teacher was gone, so we worked on our group projects. In Math we worked independently to prepare for our exam next week. We were supposed to work on group projects in Norwegian, but my group ended up playing ping-pong in the vestibule. In Spanish we practiced with an old exam. Wednesday I had my usual psychology and English classes in the morning and history in the afternoon. In the evening Torhild's sister and brother-in-law came over for dinner. We had "grilled out", which was different than how we grill in Wisconsin, but still good. Thursday and Friday we didn't have school, so Thursday afternoon we drove up to the cabin. I did some studying for my upcoming exams and worked on some college stuff, but I also got some relaxing in. Friday we went for a walk. Saturday we ate breakfast and then cleaned the cabin. We started our trip with some ice cream, and had another ice cream about halfway back. In the evening we went to Roar's parents' for dinner. All his brothers were there, with some of their family. Since the weather was pretty nice, we are on the terrace, but once it got cooler, we moved inside for dessert and coffee. Sunday, I worked a lot on studying for my math exam on Tuesday. I called my mom to wish her a Happy Mother's Day.
Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mothers out there who take care of us and are always teaching and inspiring us. Enjoy your day moms! |
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