Well everyone it has been a little over a week since I came back to good old Ely Minnesota. Things are going pretty good, a little boring because I am doing mostly job searching at the moment. Although to be honest it is kind of nice to do something else other than jumping into work right away.
Things have been good but pretty weird at the same time, hearing English all of the time continues to throw me off, I am really coming to miss Norway and Norwegian. Since I got back I have only spoken a few little blurbs of Norwegian here and there.
I got all signed up for my classes this coming fall for college and to be honest I am pretty nervous about how they are going to go. Almost each morning I have been getting up and watching the Tour de France on TV, it was really exciting to see Thor Hushovd in the yellow jersey so long, GO NORWEGIANS!!!
Also over the last week I have randomly been running into friends and other people I know, it has been really nice to see them but it is kind of weird because I haven't talked to most of them since before I left. From the looks of things people want me to keep up with the blogging so I will, now to just come up with a new name...
Well that is it for now, hopefully next time I will have good news about the whole job search thing. Also for those of you in Duluth any hints for job searching down there?
Takk for naa!!!
Jon
13 July, 2011
06 July, 2011
Last post??
Well everyone it is official, I am back in Ely, my first home. Anyway this might very well be one of my last posts on here, except for a possible random one here and there. However I am thinking about starting another one, but it depends on the feedback I get for it.
Now down to the last things I did in Norway. My last week in Tønsberg me and a friend decided to pull an all nighter on the longest day of the year. We started by chilling out at the beach with a bunch of friends, of which only one wanted to stay up with us.
We stayed up until the sun came up (4:00 in the morning), the coolest part being that the "night" never got dark enough to see any stars, it stayed twilight all the way through. For me it was one of the coolest things, at first when it started getting light so early I was kind of annoyed, but once I got used to it I really liked it.
The day after I had a going away party with all of my closer friends from school and everything. It was really nice but kind of disappointing knowing that I would not see most of them again before I left.
Next on the agenda was a boat trip with some friends of my host family for St. Johns eve (can't remember how to spell it in Norwegian). It was so sweet because we were on a huge boat and also because there were so many people out on boats (I will be adding pictures sometime this week so you can check them out).
We ended up boating out to an island and eating some dinner with some of their friends and then heading back in and watching all of the bonfires on the way back. In Norway on this holiday it is a tradition to light these massive bonfires on the coast.
The next few days were not all that exciting, I went for a bike ride with one of my friends if I remember right. Did some stuff with my family, and ended up spraining my ankle in a running race so I came back a little injured :P. The highlight though was actually as I was leaving, a handful of my friends met me at the train station just as I was leaving.
It was really unexpected (I only thought there would be one), but I have to say it was a very pleasant surprise and something I will NEVER forget. Leaving town was one of the hardest things, I know I will probably be going back but leaving after being there a whole year and coming to call it my home was hard none the less.
My last few days in Norway was spent between my host mothers sister and an AFS end of stay camp. Both were really good and a lot of fun but eventually they came to an end at the airport.
It finally hit me as we pulled up to the airport that I was going home, and soon. Me and a couple of the students that I was talking to really started to feel it as we pulled up and unloaded all of our bags.
Me and the other Americans also happened to be on one of the earliest flights which means that basically everyone was still there and trying to say goodbye at one time. Emotions were running wild and I hope everyone made it through okay, but we finally got all of our baggage checked and got to our plane with not a whole lot of time to spare.
The flight was fairly uneventful, we went from Oslo to Stockholm to Newark and then we split up as well, with me continuing to Minneapolis and everyone else heading their own directions. It was weird to be back in the US again after so long especially because almost everyone was speaking English.
Eventually I made it to Minneapolis and was greeted by my family and also by some old friends from Faribault. I can not tell you what was going through my head at the time, it was just a generally weird and totally unique feeling.
After a few days with my Aunt and Uncle down in Minneapolis we finally headed home, and yesterday afternoon I walked into my house after almost an entire year. While it felt good to be home I also miss Norway quite a bit.
There you have it. Thanks so much for following my blog this year and maybe I will be creating another one to go further.
Jon
P.S. Alle min venner i norge, tusen takk for et kjempebra år i norge, dere har gjort dette år uforglemmelig. Der er så mye jeg har lyst å si til dere men for nå takk for alle dere har gjort og vi sees igjen! :D
Now down to the last things I did in Norway. My last week in Tønsberg me and a friend decided to pull an all nighter on the longest day of the year. We started by chilling out at the beach with a bunch of friends, of which only one wanted to stay up with us.
We stayed up until the sun came up (4:00 in the morning), the coolest part being that the "night" never got dark enough to see any stars, it stayed twilight all the way through. For me it was one of the coolest things, at first when it started getting light so early I was kind of annoyed, but once I got used to it I really liked it.
The day after I had a going away party with all of my closer friends from school and everything. It was really nice but kind of disappointing knowing that I would not see most of them again before I left.
Next on the agenda was a boat trip with some friends of my host family for St. Johns eve (can't remember how to spell it in Norwegian). It was so sweet because we were on a huge boat and also because there were so many people out on boats (I will be adding pictures sometime this week so you can check them out).
We ended up boating out to an island and eating some dinner with some of their friends and then heading back in and watching all of the bonfires on the way back. In Norway on this holiday it is a tradition to light these massive bonfires on the coast.
The next few days were not all that exciting, I went for a bike ride with one of my friends if I remember right. Did some stuff with my family, and ended up spraining my ankle in a running race so I came back a little injured :P. The highlight though was actually as I was leaving, a handful of my friends met me at the train station just as I was leaving.
It was really unexpected (I only thought there would be one), but I have to say it was a very pleasant surprise and something I will NEVER forget. Leaving town was one of the hardest things, I know I will probably be going back but leaving after being there a whole year and coming to call it my home was hard none the less.
My last few days in Norway was spent between my host mothers sister and an AFS end of stay camp. Both were really good and a lot of fun but eventually they came to an end at the airport.
It finally hit me as we pulled up to the airport that I was going home, and soon. Me and a couple of the students that I was talking to really started to feel it as we pulled up and unloaded all of our bags.
Me and the other Americans also happened to be on one of the earliest flights which means that basically everyone was still there and trying to say goodbye at one time. Emotions were running wild and I hope everyone made it through okay, but we finally got all of our baggage checked and got to our plane with not a whole lot of time to spare.
The flight was fairly uneventful, we went from Oslo to Stockholm to Newark and then we split up as well, with me continuing to Minneapolis and everyone else heading their own directions. It was weird to be back in the US again after so long especially because almost everyone was speaking English.
Eventually I made it to Minneapolis and was greeted by my family and also by some old friends from Faribault. I can not tell you what was going through my head at the time, it was just a generally weird and totally unique feeling.
After a few days with my Aunt and Uncle down in Minneapolis we finally headed home, and yesterday afternoon I walked into my house after almost an entire year. While it felt good to be home I also miss Norway quite a bit.
There you have it. Thanks so much for following my blog this year and maybe I will be creating another one to go further.
Jon
P.S. Alle min venner i norge, tusen takk for et kjempebra år i norge, dere har gjort dette år uforglemmelig. Der er så mye jeg har lyst å si til dere men for nå takk for alle dere har gjort og vi sees igjen! :D
18 June, 2011
Down to two :(
I really have only two weeks left in Norway, two weeks from today I will be back in the States, can you believe it?? As I get closer I am getting more confused about where I really want to be, here or back in the States.
Yesterday we had our closing ceremony stuff at my school, meaning I got my grades and I did surprisingly well considering it was in an entirely new language for me. Although something that was totally unsuspected was that me and the other exchange student at the school got called up at the end, it was nothing major, we got a book about the area and a little silver spoon too. It was just weird to walk up in front of most of the school and be handed a couple of things.
Unfortunately the school ending meant that I would have to start with some of my goodbyes which was a big downer. Hopefully I will be able to see most of them over the last week or so I have in Tønsberg, because I really did get to know a lot of people and would love to see just about every one of them again :D
Afterwards I went to a friends house for lunch with a bunch of others as well. It was a lot of fun, we just chilled out played a couple card games and then went home, which also meant me saying goodbye to several of them because I won't be able to see them before I leave.
Although what was really cool and I am glad somebody had suggested to me was that I bought a Norwegian flag a few days ago and whenever I ran into someone I knew fairly well at school I had them sign it! I don't know how I am supposed to get all of my friends to sign it though because I am already running out of space.
Anyway though I am seriously down to one week left in Tønsberg, meaning I am going to be trying really hard to hang out with just about everyone before I leave, however hard it may turn out to be with my already hectic schedule, I will try!!!
It also doesn't help that most of my friends constantly have plans also, oh well. That is it for the moment, see you next time!
Jon
Yesterday we had our closing ceremony stuff at my school, meaning I got my grades and I did surprisingly well considering it was in an entirely new language for me. Although something that was totally unsuspected was that me and the other exchange student at the school got called up at the end, it was nothing major, we got a book about the area and a little silver spoon too. It was just weird to walk up in front of most of the school and be handed a couple of things.
Unfortunately the school ending meant that I would have to start with some of my goodbyes which was a big downer. Hopefully I will be able to see most of them over the last week or so I have in Tønsberg, because I really did get to know a lot of people and would love to see just about every one of them again :D
Afterwards I went to a friends house for lunch with a bunch of others as well. It was a lot of fun, we just chilled out played a couple card games and then went home, which also meant me saying goodbye to several of them because I won't be able to see them before I leave.
Although what was really cool and I am glad somebody had suggested to me was that I bought a Norwegian flag a few days ago and whenever I ran into someone I knew fairly well at school I had them sign it! I don't know how I am supposed to get all of my friends to sign it though because I am already running out of space.
Anyway though I am seriously down to one week left in Tønsberg, meaning I am going to be trying really hard to hang out with just about everyone before I leave, however hard it may turn out to be with my already hectic schedule, I will try!!!
It also doesn't help that most of my friends constantly have plans also, oh well. That is it for the moment, see you next time!
Jon
14 June, 2011
Unbelievable
It is so hard for me to believe that I have less than three weeks left in Norway. To be brutally honest I don't even have 2 weeks left in Tønsberg, for the last week I will be between Asker and my final AFS camp. Many of the other exchange students that I have found out about that are in the states this yer are actually coming back in the next week, and one of my best friends here from the states is actually leaving on Thursday morning. It is amazing at how fast things can sneak up and surprise you, especially time.
Things have been going pretty good in the last week, I have mainly just been hanging out with the other US exchange student. Saturday we went to Oslo to just look around a bit, met up with some other students from his program, it was not all that much fun though because it rained almost the entire day (and not lightly I might add). I finished with school last week and have otherwise just been sitting around and enjoying myself.
I have been in Norway for nearly 10 months, but I can honestly say it feels so much less than that. While on the other end the 2 weeks or so that I have left feels like nothing and an eternity at the same time. It will be really nice to see my friends and family again but it will also be really hard to say bye to everyone here.
Well there you have it.
Jon
Things have been going pretty good in the last week, I have mainly just been hanging out with the other US exchange student. Saturday we went to Oslo to just look around a bit, met up with some other students from his program, it was not all that much fun though because it rained almost the entire day (and not lightly I might add). I finished with school last week and have otherwise just been sitting around and enjoying myself.
I have been in Norway for nearly 10 months, but I can honestly say it feels so much less than that. While on the other end the 2 weeks or so that I have left feels like nothing and an eternity at the same time. It will be really nice to see my friends and family again but it will also be really hard to say bye to everyone here.
Well there you have it.
Jon
08 June, 2011
DONE!!!!!
I am officially done with my Norwegian exam!!!!! It feels so good to be finished with it, I have been seriously stressing out the last couple days trying to study for it and everything. Now I just need to wait and see how it turns out when I get the graded result back in a couple of weeks.
Other than the the last few days have been pretty boring because I have just been focusing on getting finished with the exam. Not only am I done with the exam but all of my classes are also finished, the only school stuff I have left is 3 hours on Friday and the closing ceremony next Thursday.
Although while school is reaching it's end that also means that my trip is also coming to an end. I have just over 3 weeks left in Norway, I have been here for more than nine months but it seems like nothing now that I think about it.
Anyway now that my trip is winding down I am starting to realize just how hard it will be to leave and at the same time how nice it will be to com back home again. I have made so many great friends here that I am really hoping to keep in touch with, and thankfully with skype and facebook it it easier than ever.
Well there are my thoughts for now, see you next time!
Jon
Other than the the last few days have been pretty boring because I have just been focusing on getting finished with the exam. Not only am I done with the exam but all of my classes are also finished, the only school stuff I have left is 3 hours on Friday and the closing ceremony next Thursday.
Although while school is reaching it's end that also means that my trip is also coming to an end. I have just over 3 weeks left in Norway, I have been here for more than nine months but it seems like nothing now that I think about it.
Anyway now that my trip is winding down I am starting to realize just how hard it will be to leave and at the same time how nice it will be to com back home again. I have made so many great friends here that I am really hoping to keep in touch with, and thankfully with skype and facebook it it easier than ever.
Well there are my thoughts for now, see you next time!
Jon
05 June, 2011
En kjempebra helg!
Hallo alle sammen! Jeg bare tenkte at jeg skal skrive en liten opplegg om sisten helgen min, det var sykt bra! Vi hadde noen ekstra fri dager denne uke fordi det var Kristi himmelfartsdagen og det var ett eller annet fri dag på fredag.
Torsdag kveld jeg hadde sett den ny X-men filmen med en venn ned på brygga, jeg tror at den er det beste av alle de x-men filmer fra før. Etter på vennen min og meg gikk rundt i byen fordi det var så skikkelig fin kveld.
På fredag en venn og meg var ut på sykkel tur, jeg hadde fått låne av en racesykkel fra han!!! Det har vært mer en ett år siden min siste treningsøkt på racesykkel. Det var en kjempeflott dag for en sykkel tur, varmt og sol hele tiden.
Seinere på fredag vi hadde en kveld å bare slappe av hos en venner, det eneste ting var at jeg hadde ikke nok penger for å få en nytt bussekort så jeg hadde gå hjem som tok nesten 2 timer, men det var en fint dag så det var helt greit!
Og i går kveld jeg var på en fest med annen utvekslingsstudent ut på Nøtterøy, dette var det høydepunkt i helgen. Det var grilling til start og bare kos etter på. Der var en som var en utvekslingsstudent i Michigan ett par år siden som var der og vi hadde snakket nesten hele kvelden.
Der var fire av oss som var opp når det var soloppgang så vi gikk ut å se det (4:10 om morgen :D), etter på hadde tre av oss sett på twilight (ikke spørre hvorfor) og så sove vi til nesten 12 å ta bussen hjem.
Det var en kjempegøy helgen for å si det minste, med mange ny folk som var kjempegøy og kjempesnill. Det eneste ting jeg tenke på er at jeg har norsk eksamen på onsdag...
Takk for nå!
Jon
Torsdag kveld jeg hadde sett den ny X-men filmen med en venn ned på brygga, jeg tror at den er det beste av alle de x-men filmer fra før. Etter på vennen min og meg gikk rundt i byen fordi det var så skikkelig fin kveld.
På fredag en venn og meg var ut på sykkel tur, jeg hadde fått låne av en racesykkel fra han!!! Det har vært mer en ett år siden min siste treningsøkt på racesykkel. Det var en kjempeflott dag for en sykkel tur, varmt og sol hele tiden.
Seinere på fredag vi hadde en kveld å bare slappe av hos en venner, det eneste ting var at jeg hadde ikke nok penger for å få en nytt bussekort så jeg hadde gå hjem som tok nesten 2 timer, men det var en fint dag så det var helt greit!
Og i går kveld jeg var på en fest med annen utvekslingsstudent ut på Nøtterøy, dette var det høydepunkt i helgen. Det var grilling til start og bare kos etter på. Der var en som var en utvekslingsstudent i Michigan ett par år siden som var der og vi hadde snakket nesten hele kvelden.
Der var fire av oss som var opp når det var soloppgang så vi gikk ut å se det (4:10 om morgen :D), etter på hadde tre av oss sett på twilight (ikke spørre hvorfor) og så sove vi til nesten 12 å ta bussen hjem.
Det var en kjempegøy helgen for å si det minste, med mange ny folk som var kjempegøy og kjempesnill. Det eneste ting jeg tenke på er at jeg har norsk eksamen på onsdag...
Takk for nå!
Jon
01 June, 2011
Last month :(
I know I say this every post but time goes by so quickly that it seems nothing can catch up with it. Truly and honestly I have less than one month left in Norway, at the same time however I realize just how long I have been away from all of my family and friends back home in the States. At the moment my emotions are mixed about going back home because I really do love it here but on the other hand getting to start college and being able to see friends and family is going to be really nice.
Anyway not much has happened in the last couple of weeks that is worth telling, there are a few things they. One of the exciting things was that I went with a friend to the Champions League soccer game (basically world championship from what I can tell) at the kulturhus in town, where there with almost another several hundred people. It was pretty cool to see with so many people, and some of the reactions were really loud and lasted forever.
My host family and I made a trip to Oslo last weekend to just meet up with my host brother and just chill out up there. I did get sick last week and am still getting over it at the moment so I was down for most of this last weekend just feeling icky.
Yesterday in my sports class I led the class period with track, we have been slowly going through everyone in our class. Everyone chose a sport or something and for most everyone else there were a few that picked it so they would work together, but I was on my own. It did go really well however, it was a little difficult at times because there was so many people, but everyone had fun and my teacher seemed impressed.
There hasn't been a whole lot happening lately just a lot of thinking and a bit of prep for leaving. School is starting to finish up which is nice, I am basically finished next monday with most of my classes and after that I just have the Norwegian exam, which I am actually pretty nervous about but I am hoping it will go ok. That is next Wednesday so pretty much after that I am finished up with school. Just have to wait for my grades in everything now to see what I will get.
Well I think that covers things now.
Jon
Anyway not much has happened in the last couple of weeks that is worth telling, there are a few things they. One of the exciting things was that I went with a friend to the Champions League soccer game (basically world championship from what I can tell) at the kulturhus in town, where there with almost another several hundred people. It was pretty cool to see with so many people, and some of the reactions were really loud and lasted forever.
My host family and I made a trip to Oslo last weekend to just meet up with my host brother and just chill out up there. I did get sick last week and am still getting over it at the moment so I was down for most of this last weekend just feeling icky.
Yesterday in my sports class I led the class period with track, we have been slowly going through everyone in our class. Everyone chose a sport or something and for most everyone else there were a few that picked it so they would work together, but I was on my own. It did go really well however, it was a little difficult at times because there was so many people, but everyone had fun and my teacher seemed impressed.
There hasn't been a whole lot happening lately just a lot of thinking and a bit of prep for leaving. School is starting to finish up which is nice, I am basically finished next monday with most of my classes and after that I just have the Norwegian exam, which I am actually pretty nervous about but I am hoping it will go ok. That is next Wednesday so pretty much after that I am finished up with school. Just have to wait for my grades in everything now to see what I will get.
Well I think that covers things now.
Jon
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