Hei hei!

Hei!
Jeg heter Aanna! Jeg kommer fra USA, men jeg bor i Oslo, Norge na. Sommerskole pa Universitit I Oslo er veldig veldig veldig moro!!! (my name is aanna. i come from the USA but i love in oslo, norway now. summerschool at the University of OSlo is very very very fun!! --my grammar may not be 100% correct...lol)
Oi..it's been awhile. Lots has happened since our last blog...
Today we had our second day of class. It's going very well!!
Before I go into that, let me update you a bit on what's been happening in my life here in EUROPEEEE!!! (sorry for the caps but I just have to keep reminding myself that this is for real. I AM IN EUROPE =D ok. my rant is done. lol.)
Britta and I are now semi-capable at riding the subway! It's super fun. We got a monthly pass that allows us to ride the subway, buses, and ferry as much as we want---very handy, we can get basically anywhere in the city of Oslo!
We've also been enjoying friend get togethers with our lovely host and hostess' (Hal and Ingerid) friends---bonfires, koob (sp?), cards, FIFA games, yummy food, and lots of laughter make these get togethers a vunderful goot time! =)
This past Sunday the ISS had a tour available to us students...it was great fun! We visited Vigeland Park (AWESOME sculpture park. going back for sure. actually, we're going there in an hour or so!), the famous Opera house, and a Viking Ship museum. All wonderful places, and since we didn't have much time at them specifically, we now know where to go again if we want! Not only did we enjoy good scenery but awesome company; the people here are awesome. The diversity is incredible Get a group of 10 or so people and you have people from Bangladesh, France, Holland, Africa, USA...etc! I am surprised, however, how many people are from the US; and out of those, how many are from the MidWest! I guess that's a Norwegian part of America though...so it makes sense =)
Classes started yesterday and it's going very well. My teacher is named Marte and she's wonderful at making our classtime exciting. And exciting it is!! This is my way of learning completely. Immersing myself in the culture, having 3 whole hours of complete brain drainage a day (LOL), and living with people who are more than happy to help me out....love it! I have a wonderful class---most everyone is happy to learn and excited to be here.
Last night the school hosted an Opening Ceremony at the City Hall of Oslo (yes, it IS, in fact, the place where the Nobel Peace Prize is presented every December!). It was so fun to see how many people I already recognized and knew from classes or campus activities. But not only that, everyone is so willing and excited to meet whoever they run into. There was a Norwegian guitar/vocal trio that was phenomenal; they played Norwegian, Irish, and Australian tunes. The food was delicious, the champagne was uhh...fizzy and yummy to sip =P , and the conversation delightful!
We are now staying at our relatives Ander and Kari's house. They have been incredibly hospitable and helpful while our crazy schedules unwind. I am amazed again and again with how welcoming and exuberant our Norwegian friends have been during out stay---so to all of you (you know who you are), thank you so so so incredibly much for your help in making this trip to Europe an enjoyable, informing, and smooth experience!
As of now, Britta and I are enjoying the sunshine, sitting on campus, and waiting for some of our girlfriends before we head over to Vigeland Park!
Before this turns into an essay I better go; you'll hear more later. And I plan to put some pictures up from the tour.
Thanks for reading! I hope you were able to catch a glimpse at how crazy, fun, and exciting these past few days have been despite my sporadic typing (the sun is glaring on my computer screen so I haven't the energy create a literature masterpiece).
Hadet!
Aanna

This is AWESOME!

Wow, everything is so new. My brain hurts from all the information (Norwegian language spoken everywhere, signs I can hardly read, figuring out class events and schedules, budgeting etc etc.) But I love it and want to experience more! I am, however, excited for things to become familiar. :) One of my favorite things is being with my totally rad sister and awesome friends in Norway. :) Experiencing all these new things together is priceless.
Driving around Oslo is very entertaining - so many beautiful buildings, funky styles/clothes, lush greenery.
The weather here is very unpredictable. Yes, SD's weather has many twists and turns - ha! - but it's different here. Yesterday was shorts and t-shirt day. Today is pants and sweater day. HA!

Until later ;)

Ha det!

Britta

Oh the things to learn in a new country!

Hei! Britta and I are busy on the computer figuring out class schedules, weekend excursions, and vunderful goot stuff like that so I thought I'd quick post a hello. Internet sites definitely help out with the little details....haha
Today was a great day (after being woke up at 12pm HA!) with Ingerid and Hal (two of the most hospitable and awesome people ever =). We went downtown Oslo and met up with the lovely Annick! It's so great to be in such a foreign place but see familiar faces. We had a mocca and great conversatin at a great cafe on one of the main drags in Oslo. Also got to experience an ATM machine---after about the 4th try we got it. I now have 600 NOK in my possession. Yeah, I feel cool. Anyways, time to go!
Hadet!
Aanna

WE MADE IT!!!

Alright folks. We are currently in Oslo, Norway!!! How exciting is that?!
Flights went well. The 8 hour flight to Amsterdam was a blast---we watched movies, played games, journaled, and even got fancy meals in cute little dishes complete with compartments and a brownie! Britta and I had a small scare after arriving in the Oslo Airport as we didn't have a way of contacting our friend, Ingerid, who was going to pick us up---I'm sure you'll hear more on that from Britta later =) God definitely pulled through and we are safe and sound!
After crashing (one of the deepest sleeps I've ever experienced!) for 2 hours at Ingerid's house she, her fiance, and a couple friends took Britta and I to a lake for a picnic/grill out! It was a wonderful first night to spend in Norway complete with delicious food, great conversation, and picked up on a few Norwegian words too! I have a feeling they all got a kick out of my questions of words, phrases, and landmarks and my amusement of listening to conversations I didn't understand a bit! Before turning in for the night, we drove around Oslo and saw the most spectacular views! It was pretty misty on the mountains tonight so it resembled that of a fairy-tale. Lovely. Can't wait to spend 6 1/2 more weeks here!
Well, that's all for now! Britta and I are here safe in Oslo! Tomorrow we have some errands to run (bus passes, bus maps...etc) and hopefully make it to the ocean. Orientation is on Saturday and classes start on Monday. Uffda! (A good uffda =) and YES! they really DO say uffda here. score!

-Aanna

Ready or not...here we come!!!

Velkommen! Guess where we're going?? Haha. I have the pleasure of composing our first post at...let's see...3:03 AM. Yes, we have to get up in 3 1/2 hours. Ah well, we have a nice long flight to Amsterdam tomorrow that I'm hoping will include pillows. For those of you who don't know, Britta and I are headed to Oslo, Norway where we will be staying with a gracious host family while attending the International Summer School at the University of Oslo (why yes, I do in fact feel quite awesome when I say that!!). We will be studying the Norwegian language at the University, participating in the campus activities, touring Oslo, taking the Bergen railway up to Bergen (imagine that!), sight seeing, visiting Ireland, meeting relatives...and that's just the beginning! We're both stoked. A dream come true that's for sure. Not sure how often we'll have time to update this but thought it'd be nice for those of you interested in our time overseas! These photos were taken while packing these last few days...and yes...it does take some energy out of ya...thankfully we have XS energy drink...yahoooo! Alright, judging from my droopy eyes, it's time to get some shut-eye. Prayers for safe travel and an awesome time in Europe are most welcome! Jeg er glad i deg! (I love you =)
Peace,
Aanna