A Weekend Spent Well!

Hello bloggers!
I am sorry it has taken me so long to post a new entry! In all honesty, life hasn't been too crazy over here! I am starting to settle in very well, and I definitely feel at home here in Bergen. I am beginning to understand what people meant when they said "Your semester abroad will go by so fast, you won't even notice!". This has proven to be true as it is already February and I can't believe it!
School has been great! I'm enjoying the lectures, but I have one class on Friday that lasts 4 hours, so it can be hard to concentrate for that long. As the weeks have gone by, it has been interesting to see the class sizes diminish. I suppose when finals are worth 100%, nobody is motivated to attend class. I, on the other hand am even MORE motivated to come to class because I'm terrified that I will miss something that's worth 50% of the exam. I've actually had that nightmare more than one time.
ANYWAYS, the main purpose of this blog is to tell you about my exciting my weekend! Since I've been here at NHH, I have tried to get involved with the student body in multiple ways. My plan an auditioning for the choirs failed as a prerequisite for the audition is "able to speak Norwegian". As tempted as I was to check off THAT box, I knew that I would be greatly over estimating my abilities. I didn't give up, though! Last Wednesday, I found myself at the worship service on campus led by a group called "The Navigators". It was all in Norwegian, but my friend Bernhard (from Sweden) translated for me. I was feeling a bit out of place until I met a person who spoke English VERY well. Almost as if it was his first language...I asked him where he was from and he said MINNESOTA! I was very excited and asked what school he went to, and he proceeded to say that he graduated from ST.OLAF in 2008!!! I didn't waste any time "acting cool", but instead started listing off multiple names of people that I knew from Olaf, the professors I had met when I had a gig there, and tried to make jokes about Norwegian Lutherans in Minnesota. I wouldn't say he was SCARED of me, necessarily. He had more of an overwhelmed look on his face for the entire conversation.
ANYWAYS, Bernhard told me about a retreat that the group was going on that weekend. He asked me if I wanted to join, and I decided to say YES and just go with it. On Friday, I met Kjettl, Bernhard's friend and we had some pizza at his house before I boarded the bus with 60 strangers. Who were all Norwegian. I would LOVE to tell you where we went on this adventure, but I was in the middle of Norway for a weekend, and didn't take the time to actually ask where we were. Nevertheless, it was BEAUTIFUL and reminded me of one of my favourite places: Flathead Lake.

I WILL say, it was a tad awkward trying to make small talk when I couldn't speak the native language of everyone there. They were also confused as to why I was there. I obviously had the impression that exchange students came on these trips all the time, but apparently not. I'm SO thankful that Norwegians have to take English in school and can speak it SO well. I was also thankful, however that nearly everything throughout the weekend was tailored to a Norwegian's needs rather than a foreginer. I definitely got to experience more of the Norwegian culture, and I quickly felt like part of the group after the first night. The worship services were also in Norwegian, so it was fun to sing the song! I will admit, I often had no idea what I was saying, but I'm sure God appreciated the effort anyway. At breakfast the next morning, or "frokost" as we say here in Norway, we made a packout lunch. Something interesting about Norwegians is that they don't eat sandwiches like us North Americans. Instead, when packing their lunch, they make 2 or 3 open faced sandwiches, and separate them with pieces of paper. Seriously, they are ALL about the open faced sandwiches! I took a picture of my friend Erik's masterpiece:

After frokost, we were given an hour for "silence and meditation". I chose to sit in a couch, looking out the window as the sun made a valiant effort to shine for the day. Each day we had this time, and I treasured it so! I did a lot of journal writing which I loved, and also got to take a moment to just breathe and take in all that was around me.

Thankfully there was an international bible study group that I could join, and we had a great time discussing so many things!

That afternoon, I went on a walk and talked with my, now friend Bjorget. He is studying law, comes from a family of five, and it was his first time being at the retreat so we got along really well. The walk was also beautiful!



After more worship services, seminars, and great late night conversations with people, we all went home on Sunday. As I rode home in the bus, I thought about what a random weekend I had, but how FANTASTIC it was! I met people from other schools, and connected with people that I would have never met, otherwise. While I'm here, I'm trying to do things that I wouldn't normally do, step out on a limb, embrace the randomness of life, and I must say it has been wonderful! Yes, I had multiple "Oh my land, this so random. What is going on in my life right now?" moments, but each moment was beautiful in itself. I'm really excited to be part of the group on campus and hope that I will have more wonderful moments with this group of people.
Other exciting news that I must share with you quickly-I am going to Oslo fashion week!! My cousin is showcasing her designs, and I have a front row seat to the event! Needless to say, I'm very excited and MUST find a trendy, european looking outfit for the special ocassion. I will DEFINITELY be keeping you posted about THAT!
Anyways, I think about you all often! As much as I'm enjoying Norway, it always feels like there's a LITTLE bit missing. It's weird coming home and there's not CONSTANT noise from my family, for one thing. But, I'm happy to be here! I'm learning a lot, and can't wait for the adventures that lie ahead!!
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