Time for an update on my life

A recent photo. Not much has changed;)

I realize I haven't really told you guys much about what goes on in my life on a day-to-day basis since I got back from the states in december. I think it's time for an update on the awesomeness that is my life. I spent most of the winter getting a sore behind from sitting on it too much, watching Simpsons, prowling joblistings online (and, as you know, posting stuff in this blog). Not cool! From time to time I worked as a substitute teacher at the local elementary school, and at three different daycare centres. I found that I really enjoy teaching, and for some reason the real noisy and rascally kids are my favourite grades! Might be the rebel within me that sees alot of myself in them. I've also gotten alot more comfortable around small children (they've always been like an alien species to me), which I'm sure will come in handy some day;) After easter break though, I got a more permanent worksituation. I got offered a job at Valnesfjord Helsesportssenter, where I used to work before I went to the states. It's a rehabilitation institution and you can read more about it here. The rehab unit it devided between three teams that work with different diagnosis groups, and our team does what's called occupational rehab, where we help people with different health issues (physical and psychological) so that they have a better chance of staying at their job/getting back into the jobmarket and/or getting an education. I'm what we call an occupational rehab consultant, so I deal with the practical issues of our patients worklife, and help them map what options and possibilities they have concerning work, and what will be their next step. I love this job, and I'm learning so much every day! But come september I'll be going over to our research department to be a project manager for a project that roughly translates to "Activity against high school dropouts". A manager, mind you! How is it that I've been intrusted with this kind of responsibility?? I carry a Star Wars lunchbox for crying out loud!

What, I can't be a viking AND a jedi knight?
Why was I not informed of this??

Well, I got the job, and I am VERY excited for it. I think it's the first time I've been really passionate about a job, and I feel like I will help create something that others can benefit from, and finally get to practice what I was tought when I took my bachelor in Social Work. Our target group is high school kids with a disability of some kind, and/or some kind of social problem, and we'll be working towards preventing them from dropping out of school because of these problems, focusing on physical activity and contributions/awareness from/in the community around every individual. I'll be given quite a bit of freedom to shape the outlining of this project from my own thoughts and ideas and even though I know it's going to be alot of hard work with many moments of frustration, I'm really eager to get started. So that's what's been going on in my worklife. On my own time I try to be as social as I can, but living with my parents in the middle of nowhere has proved to be something of an obsticle in that area. I intend to change that though, as soon as possible. As soon as I found out more about my jobsituation I started looking for a place to live. I just started work again today, after having 3 weeks vacation, and I used alot of that free time to talk to my bank about a loan, and to look at apartments. I'm SO ready to get my own place, but I try to restrain myself so I don't end up buying some dump out of sheer impatience. I found an apartment now though, that I want to place a bid for, so keep all your american fingers crossed that I get it. I'll be moving back to Bodø, where I have the majority of my friends and network, and a bunch of the people I work with live there so the commute won't be too much of a pain (it's about a 40-50 minute drive to work, maybe an hour in wintertime). So yeah, that's where I stand right now. I'll be sure to keep you updated on the livingsituation. As soon as I start moving in somewhere I'm sure I'll post pictures like a crazy person, just out of pure extacy from finally owning my own home. Until then, big viking hugs for all of you!

More photos from the hike

The great conquerors; Kornelia and myself. Superready for this adventure.

Our fearless leader and guide; Bjørn. I call him Bjørn Grills now.

It's that'a way!

Can't believe we made it all the way up there. That tip scared the hell outta me.

Time for a break.

Nature is the place for deep thoughts and pondering the wonders of life. Or passing gas, which ever comes first....

Now how in the name of Thor and Odin are we gonna get up there? Our destination is the peak furthest to the right in the picture.

Lunchbreak! Superhappy we made it this far!

Starting to feel the burn alright....

The view from the top. Stunning!

You can see the mountains of Lofoten in the background there.

Kornelia chillaxing at the peak of a mountain 3600 feet above sea level....trying not to die.

We made it! Very careful high five!

Bjørn Grills even found time for some owling.

After an 8 hour hike I've never been so happy to see my car again. It's been 3 days now, and my feet still hurt!

Take a hike!

I went for the hike of all times yesterday, this far in my life anyway, with my friends Bjørn and Kornelia. It felt like Mount Everest! No, wait, it felt like that mountain in Mordor, you know the one! Didn't see any Nazgul or hobbits, put I'm pretty sure that one frog we saw coulda been Smeagol.
I've never been squeemish about hights before, but after this hike I have a new found respect for them....and gravity! And I also realize that basejumpers are all utterly insane! Anywho, I'm really glad I din't break down and give up as it got scary, and our faithful guide (Bjørn Grills as I choose to call him) never let us give up when we startet with our girlie screams and whimpering;) The mountain is called Korsviktind, and I'm gonna let the videos speak for themselves.

                                          

Sometimes, when the ocean fog from Bodø hangs over our mountains here in Valnesfjord it makes for pretty pictures:)

Average viking anthill

....or not average at all. That's my mitten right there. This anthill could eat me alive. Pretty glad it was winter.

Vikings unite; we come together in grief and love

Here are some video clips of the amazing memorial gathering in Bodø tonight, after the terrorist attack of July 22nd. If you want to read about what happened in detail you can do so here.

The gathering tonight brought around 15 000 people in to the streets. In a small city like Bodø, of 40-something-thousand people, that is simply stunning, and brought pride to our hearts and tears to our eyes. Our city mayer, the bishop, chief of police and even a surviver of the massacre were some of the speakers, who all delivered words of hope, love, unity and freedom. I have never been so proud to be Norwegian.

Even vikings cry....

Our country is in grief. Terror has stricken our great nation; the nation known world wide for it's peaceful manor. The unthinkable actions of a vile and hateful man has shook our feeling of safety and serenity. But most of all it has made us come together as a nation and show the world, and the perpetrator that we will not stand for such cruelty. Our leaders have shown what they are good for; they show love, geniune care, strength and that we can rise from the ashes with a stronger feeling of democracy then ever. They cry with us, and we are all equal in this process of greif. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and the ones still missing, their loved ones, the survivors and everyone involved, and I want to thank my american friends for all your support and warm thoughts.

Weather

I think it's safe to say we have alot of weather in Norway. Sunshine and sweetness on one side of the house, while pouring rain, rainbows and unicorns (or was it reindeer?) on the other.

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I'm back

Sorry, I've been pretty busy since easter, and not had much time for blogging. These pictures, however, were pretty funny, and I had to post it here to kick off my vacation blogging. I go on a three-week vacation from work this friday, and hope to entertain you with some Average Viking superfuntime!