tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67510089784621463832024-03-19T15:06:11.032-07:00My Feelings For SnowThis is about my experience of moving from Dublin to Oslo.Niamh Ní Bhroinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425061448293133918noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6751008978462146383.post-87220782122277249522011-07-10T07:50:00.000-07:002011-07-10T07:50:40.066-07:00Gimle<!--StartFragment--> <br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Finally, I’ve found somewhere to go to the cinema!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.oslokino.no/kinofakta/gimle/">Gimle</a> is a beautiful old cinema, located on Bygdoy Allé.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While not exactly the </span><span lang="GA"><a href="http://www.lighthousecinema.ie/">Lighthouse Cinema</a></span><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"> in Dublin (but then again, what was, or ever will be?), Gimle has a particular kind of charm.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">From the outside, it looks absolutely tiny, and it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cinema first opened in 1939 and has only one screen(!) with room for about 260 people.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxmCYHiYrad9UDCV3t2_PBwYHwplmbiFS1slBYvi1QSCF-bWWKEnOGq0UBK7wa106PiixA-izzvTr9dnqo4IOLKKM_JMmzQ_FsrqckAh4oDx6iO8LPJxpz3DZ_XxYhktawzl1NqCUaNU/s1600/Entrance+Hall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxmCYHiYrad9UDCV3t2_PBwYHwplmbiFS1slBYvi1QSCF-bWWKEnOGq0UBK7wa106PiixA-izzvTr9dnqo4IOLKKM_JMmzQ_FsrqckAh4oDx6iO8LPJxpz3DZ_XxYhktawzl1NqCUaNU/s320/Entrance+Hall.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">A beautiful entrance hall leads into the reception, where you buy wine and beer (so civilised!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>P</i></span><span lang="GA"><i>opcorn is also sold here, but somehow it manages to stay either in the boxes or bodies of those who choose to eat it, and never quite makes it to the floor, unlike in <a href="http://myfeelingsforsnow.blogspot.com/2011/03/colosseum.html">other cinemas</a> I no longer care to mention</i></span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The entire floor (apart from the bathroom - of course!) is covered in carpet, which feels clean, comfortable and reassuringly old-fashioned.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Each seat in the screening room comes with a generous amount of space, an internal mechanism to adjust the seat for maximum lounging comfort, along with a small tray where you can place your wine.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEHCqaYFqpukQOEWxfjkbNOhK-GSbjZC2d3tl08_W2_BJCX6iaTdjiZjTyGdLtFPPVG88QxSrp-nbO8Zl6-4jq3ijxXCD5_4wlSq89KXjvMwVR-owa0TmXxPliR09E50pDGNMJzRlo7A/s1600/Wine+Glasses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEHCqaYFqpukQOEWxfjkbNOhK-GSbjZC2d3tl08_W2_BJCX6iaTdjiZjTyGdLtFPPVG88QxSrp-nbO8Zl6-4jq3ijxXCD5_4wlSq89KXjvMwVR-owa0TmXxPliR09E50pDGNMJzRlo7A/s320/Wine+Glasses.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Last week we went to see Midnight in Paris here – a totally enjoyable experience!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfu6fgrfrivaDJkYFXKSWp5velhcCFdkiAI7AyUiHtHVgXdRrlcgN2xiAm72dIwtDhg3OaW5ZmsLaIWn-ZwHwLO7Kh5bGNFpraknvWyPbKbk-C6XCJEc_QxmlIqfdEFBp933_ohSkX9V8/s1600/Midnight+in+Paris.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfu6fgrfrivaDJkYFXKSWp5velhcCFdkiAI7AyUiHtHVgXdRrlcgN2xiAm72dIwtDhg3OaW5ZmsLaIWn-ZwHwLO7Kh5bGNFpraknvWyPbKbk-C6XCJEc_QxmlIqfdEFBp933_ohSkX9V8/s320/Midnight+in+Paris.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
</span></div><!--EndFragment-->Niamh Ní Bhroinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425061448293133918noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6751008978462146383.post-15265072657382509452011-05-31T12:56:00.000-07:002011-05-31T12:56:08.092-07:0017 May<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApMdwPa10wGpwU5KklsJ9RQ2sncgkqPG_yhbxAdFl7Wmay2t6LckVZj8j6BYYoajnaq1H3Rw1ywM6to0dz9HrFc0QqNQtEqmw1ck9bBX7n23o2TwGdXr_ZHzV3tJSbiYbXJ0rS-RW8gg/s1600/Hip+Hip+Hurra.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApMdwPa10wGpwU5KklsJ9RQ2sncgkqPG_yhbxAdFl7Wmay2t6LckVZj8j6BYYoajnaq1H3Rw1ywM6to0dz9HrFc0QqNQtEqmw1ck9bBX7n23o2TwGdXr_ZHzV3tJSbiYbXJ0rS-RW8gg/s320/Hip+Hip+Hurra.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">A fortnight ago the Norwegians celebrated their national day, or Constitution Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>The reason for the celebrations is that the Norwegian Constitution was signed on 17 May 1814.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, during the nineteenth century, the Swedish King forbade the celebration as it was seen as a protest against Swedish rule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the Norwegians persisted, and by 1864, it was popular to organise parades through what was then called Christiania (now Oslo).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The parades consisted of groups of schoolchildren (boys only until 1899) walking through the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">The tradition of celebrating Constitution Day was strengthened following the dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden in 1905, and the German surrender in 1945.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somewhere along the way, the focus of the celebration was altered slightly from the signing of the constitution, to the royal family.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Today, the tradition of the parade continues throughout Norway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Oslo city centre, around 100 schools and marching bands parade before the royal family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This parade is called a Barnatoget (literally ‘child train’).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The parade ends with the singing of both the National and Royal anthems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the parade, activities are organised for children in the city centre.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">It is not only the young children who get involved in the 17 May parade and celebrations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This day also sees the end of the ‘Russetiden’, a time of hard partying and celebration for the annual ‘Russen’ –young Norwegian school-goers in the middle of the equivalent of the Leaving Certificate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">The partying starts towards the end of April and continues for over three weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parties and events are organised every single night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually, a group of Russen club together to buy a bus, which they paint and decorate as part of a competition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They hire a driver for the three weeks to drive them from party to party, where there can be literally thousands of other Russen going wild for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During these three weeks, an important tranche of the continuous assessment for the year has to be submitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(We thought partying after the Leaving Cert results was wild!!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Russen wear distinctive clothes (a blue boiler suit for the two-year cycle, and a red boiler suit for the three year cycle).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These boiler suits contain a special pouch for the wearer’s identity card with home address details etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been informed that this is useful in case of an accident – i.e. if found, please return to…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtH-g5PNroz4PpfC1nTuklw5yYt_7Fdppqc8lkv2vpCKG4AFQ8glt4WRUDodHlhsUEnXEXQeSuYsXXXayArshkwh8_fUIlnCj_iC07PBGkb8i0pTDoCH4yNZN_aOADQPINknzZfNZxT-4/s1600/Russ+Handing+out+Cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtH-g5PNroz4PpfC1nTuklw5yYt_7Fdppqc8lkv2vpCKG4AFQ8glt4WRUDodHlhsUEnXEXQeSuYsXXXayArshkwh8_fUIlnCj_iC07PBGkb8i0pTDoCH4yNZN_aOADQPINknzZfNZxT-4/s320/Russ+Handing+out+Cards.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Russen also take part in the parade on this last day of the celebration, although they are usually seen lying crashed out on the grass somewhere during the day, or being hounded by little children who collect their Russekorten – personalised ‘business cards’ which Norwegian children are crazy about.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-o7pySZGgqSVifAELS4zKfNSpo-b3jJgJGacYo_EfPyIk-QRp80nA8XguyPqIRqpaRWHW4qHNnRAxQarQGx0v8GC4dSaQVr7_y87D0kLyEk-2iXaiVJFytEnyVgeUuCVJOmvu43H75v8/s1600/Family+in+Bunad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-o7pySZGgqSVifAELS4zKfNSpo-b3jJgJGacYo_EfPyIk-QRp80nA8XguyPqIRqpaRWHW4qHNnRAxQarQGx0v8GC4dSaQVr7_y87D0kLyEk-2iXaiVJFytEnyVgeUuCVJOmvu43H75v8/s320/Family+in+Bunad.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Another fabulous element of the 17 May celebrations is the wearing of the Bunad or traditional Norwegian dress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is something you would not see in Ireland – and I’d swap it for those hideous leprachaun outfits any day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bunad is worn at weddings, confirmations, Christmas and other traditional occasions.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Norwegian children normally receive a Bunad as a gift to celebrate their confirmation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is an extremely expensive output, costing around 4,000 Euro and upwards, and is seen as something of a status symbol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the upside, it’s totally handmade and embroidered and consists of fabulous material, and usually some jewellery.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Each area in Norway has its own traditional Bunad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The range of outfits, colours and patterns is quite large.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interestingly, it is local councils and committees that decide on the traditional Bunad for their area, i.e. in most cases, it may not be the most popular form of dress in that area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The following website shows many different kinds of bunad: </span><span lang="GA"><a href="http://www.norskflid.no/bunad/bunader/">http://www.norskflid.no/bunad/bunader/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">There is a debate in Norway about which Bunad it is appropriate to wear – i.e. should you wear one from the area you are from, or the area you live in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily, an institution, the Norsk Institute for Bunad of Folkedrakt, has been set up to answer these, and other burning questions, about the Bunad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.bunadraadet.no/index.php?parent=0&groupid=8&sidetittel=Bunad">http://www.bunadraadet.no/index.php?parent=0&groupid=8&sidetittel=Bunad</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Niamh Ní Bhroinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425061448293133918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6751008978462146383.post-14649400618346979892011-05-11T14:01:00.000-07:002011-05-11T14:01:49.019-07:00Dugnad<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVEpv4Ci9dgNW2DKjOqY0BJ4T-HvxtiZOLXXw4nc4pszye_P_AcbtDjgzrS1LKi9OSj02HD1DoB7XiGtdsKKtVT1SpHCH8j7PYz4oDjMPFphvYSIZ9jx96-A966u-IZv1JaOqWg__if8/s1600/Poster.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVEpv4Ci9dgNW2DKjOqY0BJ4T-HvxtiZOLXXw4nc4pszye_P_AcbtDjgzrS1LKi9OSj02HD1DoB7XiGtdsKKtVT1SpHCH8j7PYz4oDjMPFphvYSIZ9jx96-A966u-IZv1JaOqWg__if8/s320/Poster.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday, the group of appartment blocks where I live had what’s called a Dugnad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Dugnad is a Norwegian tradition, which is not entirely dissimilar to the Irish tradition of ‘Meitheal’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9KltjNjt0ZS39UbXAKGVaeGYGwfhPYqFCoVSa2OIoEWpt59hhvknsptPI1wqg9fC8LA1l_AN6UgrTPs8RueGO7-VSAszBNvJeE_-wE8XzJkLcJZ-WOS6HyaKDsiZNh84FOD8RZ5dlbg/s1600/Tools.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9KltjNjt0ZS39UbXAKGVaeGYGwfhPYqFCoVSa2OIoEWpt59hhvknsptPI1wqg9fC8LA1l_AN6UgrTPs8RueGO7-VSAszBNvJeE_-wE8XzJkLcJZ-WOS6HyaKDsiZNh84FOD8RZ5dlbg/s320/Tools.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">The Dugnad has grown out of an old farming tradition where groups of farmers got together in the olden days to sow seeds, gather the harvest etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The idea basically is that the community pitches in to complete a task that cannot be done as quickly or as efficiently by an individual.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDE3XyTypuy-m6iEe1x5Sqqx3egH5BTRs0juyf2WDe26oqfcexBnd2hp1RDzB9eKzdMo4boZA5FKQIV4NWBlAerd5cwGJBfx8fbAqbPOGCL_HPKut6JEG5aWwAXyTjIXxEzDpzd8aFiZY/s1600/Planting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDE3XyTypuy-m6iEe1x5Sqqx3egH5BTRs0juyf2WDe26oqfcexBnd2hp1RDzB9eKzdMo4boZA5FKQIV4NWBlAerd5cwGJBfx8fbAqbPOGCL_HPKut6JEG5aWwAXyTjIXxEzDpzd8aFiZY/s320/Planting.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Unlike in Ireland, the tradition here has been adapted to modern city life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this time of year, most people are involved in one Dugnad or another – at their appartment blocks, or at their children’s schools or creches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_zEZxGh9wrqoG-Kvj98IXk1w7gSH1dFMuPfq0I9UEXjZsf20hr6KihPtL73iDGC78YBr9aiO2iP5vqyIYq1lJylGsPeX_j22HoSvBQOJFQUrvBqjIDer9BX3V4fsD_S-eJZT3u1zETk/s1600/Weeds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_zEZxGh9wrqoG-Kvj98IXk1w7gSH1dFMuPfq0I9UEXjZsf20hr6KihPtL73iDGC78YBr9aiO2iP5vqyIYq1lJylGsPeX_j22HoSvBQOJFQUrvBqjIDer9BX3V4fsD_S-eJZT3u1zETk/s320/Weeds.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">The community gathers together to help spring clean the common areas: plant flowers: kill weeds: and, generally tidy the place up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our case, the water feature, which has been turned off all winter (because of the freezing conditions) is also turned back on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sound of running water acting as the final official signal that spring has arrived.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UEqcoGZiTFVk9oSQ775VH1XnarY2-bs8o1r44qotHwz1eQ34TtJixr2W0TJrubITLEOigT1B8ciD1Iol3WZOc8ypiBxFxZYrZo3w8w6lY6PJpwn1TrKooWVpRcT4cRIr-2vn_h-KZN4/s1600/Finished+product.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UEqcoGZiTFVk9oSQ775VH1XnarY2-bs8o1r44qotHwz1eQ34TtJixr2W0TJrubITLEOigT1B8ciD1Iol3WZOc8ypiBxFxZYrZo3w8w6lY6PJpwn1TrKooWVpRcT4cRIr-2vn_h-KZN4/s320/Finished+product.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Not only does it help to clean the place up and make it look nice, it’s also an opportunity to get to know your neighbours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After two hours labour, the workers gather together for a snack and a chat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our case, we had norwegian Polse (Hot-dogs) along with buns, muffins, beer, wine and apple schnapps.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm013i8-hmDO_LlAG0felhapYiMXVK59Cd6QoyRD_bK8zxpndggGI0zWhJt-aloj-iyD6CIUslkwghxDavxlN0Y8uHZUTWH_BjPdKRN5KpfRcwRBMK2DmypeoTcpXxCZ33anOAhbqLxdM/s1600/Food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm013i8-hmDO_LlAG0felhapYiMXVK59Cd6QoyRD_bK8zxpndggGI0zWhJt-aloj-iyD6CIUslkwghxDavxlN0Y8uHZUTWH_BjPdKRN5KpfRcwRBMK2DmypeoTcpXxCZ33anOAhbqLxdM/s320/Food.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
</span></div><!--EndFragment-->Niamh Ní Bhroinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425061448293133918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6751008978462146383.post-66027041718174432602011-05-07T02:32:00.000-07:002011-05-07T02:32:17.535-07:00An Emigrant's Resolution<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: GA;">Having spent the first two months in my new home adjusting to life altering situations like a new job, a new home, and a radical seasonal shift from snow to sunshine in about two weeks, I pretty much neglected any regular physical exercise, and have recently been feeling, and seeing, the results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consequently, I have resolved to start jogging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: GA;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudi7M21mlA2fxDxPrSyUk4US86v712OpHKX2r-P1clsJxsNYxIdnPAGSOo062pELmItIly4WLjp64fNVs1pgPKcuIeIPhKxv38t6VO2O_K7S_i3gAR6T6bI0-Trq-svowqRZEkrPmd7A/s1600/Runners.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudi7M21mlA2fxDxPrSyUk4US86v712OpHKX2r-P1clsJxsNYxIdnPAGSOo062pELmItIly4WLjp64fNVs1pgPKcuIeIPhKxv38t6VO2O_K7S_i3gAR6T6bI0-Trq-svowqRZEkrPmd7A/s320/Runners.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: GA;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: GA;">Jogging is something I never really got in to in Dublin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think this is mainly out of self consciousness (mixed with laziness), however, a certain freedom comes with being in a country where an extremely limited number of people have any idea who you are. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: GA;">As the sun rises at about half four in the morning, and I still haven’t gotten around to making curtains for the bedroom window, it’s really no trouble at all getting out of bed at half six to go for a run before work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(At least it hasn’t been, for the grand total of three times I have gone out so far…)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am also lucky to live near Frongnerkilen, which is really a beautiful place to run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, the weather has been pretty decent, so I have had no excuse at all so far. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutuXQv4QeTX32YABj919G3fqOamAHkTvMTe3Y3OnlG0txnWs5AOG5QSxm87t7RIyVOXqv6JWW1p5KggpiylVLIRgQNoam75c-6QPDyZLO6cBFQdvoqxWiTT0ChgwPBzQpW6tQaLBOAzw/s1600/Frongnerkilen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutuXQv4QeTX32YABj919G3fqOamAHkTvMTe3Y3OnlG0txnWs5AOG5QSxm87t7RIyVOXqv6JWW1p5KggpiylVLIRgQNoam75c-6QPDyZLO6cBFQdvoqxWiTT0ChgwPBzQpW6tQaLBOAzw/s320/Frongnerkilen.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: GA;">This week, I have been running out past Frongnerkilen to </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #232525; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Bygdøy</span><span lang="GA" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: GA;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The run has some lovely views of the Fram Museum, which houses the Fram Ship, the first ship built for polar expeditions in Norway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also tells the story of the three main Fram expeditions, under the leadership of Fridtjof Nansen over the Arctic Ocean; Otto Sverdrup to the arctic archipelago west of Greenland; and, Roald Amundsen to the South Pole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have yet to visit this museum but it’s on the list!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHyGd5TagoPhjyv-UHPBi_ylWsHqCGGcGd29C4DCSuBZdRuuSHWSJdBo69QIL1ViY1ZQKefclJj88pev2T8CLrnfaPrnjC6iHALZd9F9uxCGcUvev24cDUp-EvMTMuDkSmYZCVoJf800/s1600/Fram+Museum.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHyGd5TagoPhjyv-UHPBi_ylWsHqCGGcGd29C4DCSuBZdRuuSHWSJdBo69QIL1ViY1ZQKefclJj88pev2T8CLrnfaPrnjC6iHALZd9F9uxCGcUvev24cDUp-EvMTMuDkSmYZCVoJf800/s320/Fram+Museum.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: GA;">On the other side of the marina is Oscar’s Hall, a summer palace which is a monument to Norwegian artists and craftsmen.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTyfspMGDJPrQO_zo_37LJE15BtuyUb3i2zKSN6hvCKIDAd7VyL64xVmIFJjTnB4zqjFjSnc29qwK7_ygo82dIqVBPPrwAZViBPKSzAL2QFi2Qu59Qnh7fUgBVVylm69Dvva7Zy1Y1Zo/s1600/Oscar%2527s+Hall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTyfspMGDJPrQO_zo_37LJE15BtuyUb3i2zKSN6hvCKIDAd7VyL64xVmIFJjTnB4zqjFjSnc29qwK7_ygo82dIqVBPPrwAZViBPKSzAL2QFi2Qu59Qnh7fUgBVVylm69Dvva7Zy1Y1Zo/s320/Oscar%2527s+Hall.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: GA;">Once on </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #232525; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Bygdøy, we pass Kongsgården, the King’s farm (and forest), which has cattle, horses and sheep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At about three kilometres, this is about as far as I can make it, without having to call an ambulance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully, the distance will increase with time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the moment though, I’m just hoping for consistency!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #232525; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnJ1x1vPCwJuVJfaxtZlsEko-jo3jUQRnd5aH0LmAbfn85BIibbojsiwRTM7KvFGc6pPwkKqSZ6tGmAr63l9G82Nuic8D4IR1ZGczoJx5lLqfiJpxeBqLvwd9wMFGpMwczuQ7usDmNzU/s1600/KongsGorden.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnJ1x1vPCwJuVJfaxtZlsEko-jo3jUQRnd5aH0LmAbfn85BIibbojsiwRTM7KvFGc6pPwkKqSZ6tGmAr63l9G82Nuic8D4IR1ZGczoJx5lLqfiJpxeBqLvwd9wMFGpMwczuQ7usDmNzU/s320/KongsGorden.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #232525; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #232525; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">P.S. Excuse the photo quality - the combination of jogging and photography is another skill I need to develop!</span></div><!--EndFragment-->Niamh Ní Bhroinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425061448293133918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6751008978462146383.post-35603958354900118022011-04-10T04:33:00.000-07:002011-04-10T04:33:35.416-07:00Saturday Sunshine<style>
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</style><span lang="GA">Spring is here!<span> </span>It’s official.<span> </span>The snow has disappeared and the sun is out.<span> </span>Yesterday it was thirteen degrees and exactly like a summer’s day in Dublin.<span> </span>We decided to go out for a walk and a picnic. </span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA">We walked up to the Apent Bakeri, a lovely French bakery, to get some sandwiches and tomatoe bread.<span> </span>The bread this place sells is delicious, soaked in just the right amount of olive oil – a little indulgence is always a good thing!<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA">What better place to have our picnic than in the castle gardens?<span> </span>Henrik picked a nice sunny spot beside Camilla Collett’s statue.<span> </span>Camilla Collett is one of Norway’s first female writers and a feminist. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofhSlB0a3pdosaqgonkHVwO4yT_BQabzXo6oxwwhhqGKEOeHHXeXzIHzewL670RTptbzGrYkVDDVvwSYsxbMq_1rb93NfROT1tT6Pebxsk5z4_R4A37CplDEdXljdhYUwhDpBYpfSacI/s1600/DSC03272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofhSlB0a3pdosaqgonkHVwO4yT_BQabzXo6oxwwhhqGKEOeHHXeXzIHzewL670RTptbzGrYkVDDVvwSYsxbMq_1rb93NfROT1tT6Pebxsk5z4_R4A37CplDEdXljdhYUwhDpBYpfSacI/s320/DSC03272.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="GA">(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camilla_Collett)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA">We read the paper, chatted and watched the changing of the guard twice.<span> </span>The contrast between the warmth of the sunshine and being out skiing with Ellen and Megan last weekend was a little disorientating.<span> </span>It sort of felt like we were in a different country.<span> </span>The snow is great but I’m pretty sure I like this sunny place better.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA">After our picnic we walked down Karl Johan’s Gate, past the Parliament building and then over to En Café in Vika for a glass of wine.<span> </span>Our one glass of wine turned into a couple more.<span> </span>We met some of Henrik’s friend at the Café.<span> </span>I think we could have stayed there until all hours but luckily the Café closed at eight.<span> </span>At that stage it was time to go home!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>Niamh Ní Bhroinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425061448293133918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6751008978462146383.post-40157204734281893032011-03-27T08:32:00.000-07:002011-03-27T08:32:23.050-07:00Baby Slopes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RHEr0rAtwA14RkneTXMvJ8nS97ZP_CCkebbEWjY6JQja8qyORQeFO27-tXTS8jPrfdaGfJxBu7YPWdiNUNLb5SSkptMe1Bm5QF-N5ALClOjH3fsL84eGslmFT49rXVFyXKGJmDz3nSY/s1600/Run+Name.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RHEr0rAtwA14RkneTXMvJ8nS97ZP_CCkebbEWjY6JQja8qyORQeFO27-tXTS8jPrfdaGfJxBu7YPWdiNUNLb5SSkptMe1Bm5QF-N5ALClOjH3fsL84eGslmFT49rXVFyXKGJmDz3nSY/s320/Run+Name.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><!--StartFragment--> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Today, I finally felt like skiing was something I might actually be able to DO, sometime in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">We headed up to the Nordmarka at about 12.30.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rented my skis, sticks and boots with insurance from the Tryvann Vinterpark Skiservice for 210NOK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that this is relatively good value considering the risk to the ski hire business of having a Novice Ignoramous like me out and about using their equipment. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">It hasn’t snowed in a week, so we weren’t sure if there was going to be enough snow to ski or not, but it turns out the conditions were perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure what perfect conditions are, but the man in the ski hire shop said that, and after my experience, I believe him!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t overly sunny, and felt a little cold, but the air was so lovely and clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was great!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">We went skiing at Kong Olav’s Lope, named after King Olav (1903 – 1991) who used to ski there often with his dog, Troll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I don’t want to be casting aspersions on King Olav, or indeed his dog’s, skiing prowess, but we chose this place because of how relatively easy it is to ski.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has very little steep slopes or high ascents, and is perfect for a beginner like me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirgH_QzXFXZJAX5S3Xz7RRzsHqp_a7PYmhOMrm-HoEASmt0YObDCpIN3BmTPJL8cuhihmz6Dah1HV1CsgbW5EkNiHK_SRxMp8mKmj1NyjfhIbbkWdvnUbGuogT-o9q30cUg3cmiOsGhc/s1600/Going+Downhill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirgH_QzXFXZJAX5S3Xz7RRzsHqp_a7PYmhOMrm-HoEASmt0YObDCpIN3BmTPJL8cuhihmz6Dah1HV1CsgbW5EkNiHK_SRxMp8mKmj1NyjfhIbbkWdvnUbGuogT-o9q30cUg3cmiOsGhc/s320/Going+Downhill.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">The past couple of times I’ve been out I’ve literally frozen at the top of anything that looked like it was going downwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(This happens a lot with mountains. ;))<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But thanks to Henrik’s patience and repeated practice last week, I think I’ve actually developed a little.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">For the first time (this is probably my fifth time skiing in total), I actually felt like I could go ‘downhill’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, when I say downhill, I don’t mean like a steep slope, I mean something with a gradient of about five degrees, going in a forward direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it was a brilliant feeling – leaning into the air while gliding forwards – not caring if I was going to fall or not, and gaining more and more confidence each time. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CJQNLhhNMZSQRKlY-EjfYZUahgKCMT6B1wWwNZsWnZ_IoM8Ua64r13OjAa49xr1G9qWw9sjOq-6kJQI2VT4E7fsb6WzYePhhMFT-vzS7bz8lJd-GBDVsnWNJO6Ig_KcCHfwQkTsY3O8/s1600/Bottom+of+a+Steep+Slope.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CJQNLhhNMZSQRKlY-EjfYZUahgKCMT6B1wWwNZsWnZ_IoM8Ua64r13OjAa49xr1G9qWw9sjOq-6kJQI2VT4E7fsb6WzYePhhMFT-vzS7bz8lJd-GBDVsnWNJO6Ig_KcCHfwQkTsY3O8/s320/Bottom+of+a+Steep+Slope.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">We spent about an hour and a half out on the mountain, practising technique, learning how to go downhill, learning how to break and stop, and falling a LOT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My boss at BAI told me that it takes 100 falls to make a skier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I’m getting pretty close to that target!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">We found a nice spot at the top of the mountain to stop and have a picnic. Warm berry juice in a thermos and two brown bread sandwiches – one with paté and one with danish cheddar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yum yum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After having eaten and rested, we skied a little more, and came home.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSvqfyj-AOhH0CQFwK5civ8SigQkXq_-DTsnF5F1qV9q6RFwLTm0rPL6VDI-ZNS525pD83x1EBsmZvmWhu99ZvPxizCJMbG29uJ6mC9fDxbX4vw-AuCkqXPiKygYxYHhs0krgSubkRVs/s1600/Picnic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSvqfyj-AOhH0CQFwK5civ8SigQkXq_-DTsnF5F1qV9q6RFwLTm0rPL6VDI-ZNS525pD83x1EBsmZvmWhu99ZvPxizCJMbG29uJ6mC9fDxbX4vw-AuCkqXPiKygYxYHhs0krgSubkRVs/s320/Picnic.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">The Norwegians have a saying ‘</span><span lang="GA"><i>Ut på tur, aldri sur</i></span><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It means, when your out in the fresh air, it’s never bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I agree.<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Niamh Ní Bhroinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425061448293133918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6751008978462146383.post-78430623509925857642011-03-21T11:48:00.000-07:002011-03-21T11:48:15.740-07:00Halvorsens Conditori<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbdosIDfEeTNIx4R-IVHA9FIJaun-Dm12T2Zf7W0K0QJRsf4lI7ijkB4FoQFXhLwLdCZBGqpsv7ZolxHQvAHkzjK_Ms8W36jMkg5YfkqYI08iZMrDeI_WGNPZyE5iJWL61OfRwxX_bpM/s1600/Exterior.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbdosIDfEeTNIx4R-IVHA9FIJaun-Dm12T2Zf7W0K0QJRsf4lI7ijkB4FoQFXhLwLdCZBGqpsv7ZolxHQvAHkzjK_Ms8W36jMkg5YfkqYI08iZMrDeI_WGNPZyE5iJWL61OfRwxX_bpM/s320/Exterior.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
It's fair to say that I have been warned often enough about how expensive Oslo is. Between the varying exchange rate, the decimal points (my maths has suffered since the introduction of the Euro), and the fact that I haven't really been here for more than a week in the past, I sort of thought it was ok. Expensive, but ok. As long as one didn't go in for too many bottles of wine with a meal etc. it would be alright. On Saturday, the bubble burst.<br />
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We were shopping in town and decided to go for lunch. Henrik suggested this cake shop which is tucked in beside the Parliament and the Freemason Building. (Ahem). It looked really lovely, and we were starving so we decided to go in. On the way we passed a beautiful old-fashioned window cake-display. This looked like the place for me!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioq3Cw3ItDF8vXMt5L4-fBJweJ732Ql2MninYXzu7iztfjt20gWc7-N1RtJWX6dHvaTn9sL4VS-bp1EezVwc5b3mloYpfrkZuiwpFbqH5YbSADEFjGGvRgpuucgyVBPat7ORo41304f18/s1600/Window+Cake+Display.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioq3Cw3ItDF8vXMt5L4-fBJweJ732Ql2MninYXzu7iztfjt20gWc7-N1RtJWX6dHvaTn9sL4VS-bp1EezVwc5b3mloYpfrkZuiwpFbqH5YbSADEFjGGvRgpuucgyVBPat7ORo41304f18/s320/Window+Cake+Display.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
According to Visitnorway.com, Halvorsens has served cakes, french pastries, sandwiches and canapés to the people of Oslo since 1881. Had I read this before going in, the word canapés might have rung some warning bells. However, none the wiser, and having passed the lovely cake display, in we went. We passed an amazing looking counter with fabulous fresh cakes:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZyq46LJmnykCRHsq86LB3qMSD0jpUYlGL2rm4BRwTp5H59SVrW7gsdR9A11P4UFi90AHoSoeqavZGEiOzJixbRRWMv9-vg_tQjFYOlVZFQRuyMzYe7DM666y5Cndbmrh2ULbMN2XPos/s1600/Interior+Cake+Display.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZyq46LJmnykCRHsq86LB3qMSD0jpUYlGL2rm4BRwTp5H59SVrW7gsdR9A11P4UFi90AHoSoeqavZGEiOzJixbRRWMv9-vg_tQjFYOlVZFQRuyMzYe7DM666y5Cndbmrh2ULbMN2XPos/s320/Interior+Cake+Display.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And really healthy looking sandwiches:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yT-oY7YAXq8d4kCxEYgIFbrBFO_MfZzKVCQjzdH5ZCRbLNRseWHBav0SkbMIdTZTIXQ79Z3AY5AYQZ16m2PBsjKP43LfMCbVj4Kmzt-Z8WgusIoCIf4d_Zg0SY64kng6gezNbUmBtRI/s1600/Interior+Sandwiches.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yT-oY7YAXq8d4kCxEYgIFbrBFO_MfZzKVCQjzdH5ZCRbLNRseWHBav0SkbMIdTZTIXQ79Z3AY5AYQZ16m2PBsjKP43LfMCbVj4Kmzt-Z8WgusIoCIf4d_Zg0SY64kng6gezNbUmBtRI/s320/Interior+Sandwiches.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
We also found a nice seat in a corner beside a photo of what the place looked like in 1881:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEydoxf_JDI3AL31cENQKFNYPN2NWQZCzb_EWZIelbMEKh9PtCebt8sCV0Jhi3rsfkqdjbZkd2nWmzfXJYP25Kt9jhmcQqdVnePPFHlyOT_T129-vJ6cEjHXcuP47sHF01IFp5XzM1fQI/s1600/Interior+-+Olden+Days.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEydoxf_JDI3AL31cENQKFNYPN2NWQZCzb_EWZIelbMEKh9PtCebt8sCV0Jhi3rsfkqdjbZkd2nWmzfXJYP25Kt9jhmcQqdVnePPFHlyOT_T129-vJ6cEjHXcuP47sHF01IFp5XzM1fQI/s320/Interior+-+Olden+Days.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
By the looks of things there weren't many customers back then. But on Saturday, it was full of the pleasant hustle and bustle of people popping in for a nice afternoon cake and cafe:<br />
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As I mentioned, we were starving, so we decided to have a sandwich first, and maybe think about a cake later. This was the moment where things started to go a little bit pear shaped. Why? Well, the sandwiches were made for, well, lilliputians I suppose. An entire smoked salmon sandwich, no joke, was one slice of bread (that tiny bimbo bread) with one slice of salmon, and surprise egg underneath. Check out the size of the slice of lemon below as a reference point.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlrS9PIwrtnO5N9BUAvruiChB4ixkOs4Msh_bGugKEjhMmaK61SJ6RJs_pU-T1hzHQDEwpuGhe8wcNyv3OIZb6tloX77mqGEf_6vXmN2VThXufyWgoJEG9lCCGIJmmLpeWci86YUDWCE/s1600/Henrik%2527s+Lunch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlrS9PIwrtnO5N9BUAvruiChB4ixkOs4Msh_bGugKEjhMmaK61SJ6RJs_pU-T1hzHQDEwpuGhe8wcNyv3OIZb6tloX77mqGEf_6vXmN2VThXufyWgoJEG9lCCGIJmmLpeWci86YUDWCE/s320/Henrik%2527s+Lunch.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Henrik ordered coffee and the pot that came with it was tiny, as was the glass of water I ordered. It was pretty much a shot glass! Fair enough I thought, maybe these Norwegians are really healthy and don't actually eat so much for lunch. I should probably try to adapt to this custom, it might do me some good. Then I saw the bill:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG0_AHcl11RLTcHP0bQvO1JLdCAJaKW7UyEJxOLAMPde_Fj1LI_vnK8gy8ed1_50DlZY2j1uPsS80Sa8Nag3ICTyDhrhdcxVzXbgAMCdh7jg8jaSFW-It42j7Ba6pFldJhLiskukMBeI/s1600/The+Bill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG0_AHcl11RLTcHP0bQvO1JLdCAJaKW7UyEJxOLAMPde_Fj1LI_vnK8gy8ed1_50DlZY2j1uPsS80Sa8Nag3ICTyDhrhdcxVzXbgAMCdh7jg8jaSFW-It42j7Ba6pFldJhLiskukMBeI/s320/The+Bill.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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212 NOK, probably about 25e for two slices of bread with some food on them and a tiny pot of coffee!!! The smoked salmon sandwich pictured above actually cost about 12e!! NUTS. I don't think I've ever eaten anywhere this expensive, and it wasn't even clear what we were paying for. I mean, it wasn't as if some super chef was required to make the 'sandwiches', although maybe balancing all the tiny pieces of food on the tiny slice of bread is challenging. I suppose the atmosphere was nice, but COME ON! Needless to say, we didn't hang around for cake.Niamh Ní Bhroinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425061448293133918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6751008978462146383.post-46344811624351572312011-03-18T09:17:00.000-07:002011-03-18T09:17:18.761-07:00Lá 'le Pádraig<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRp5QEG_9XsXkKGvtXTNUjGJZIhejM2FbbYfy31QLjbS15XYaxB4OWuC3Ibk4cpxp10QMoZR2AzvE3ycgxJFjcWitzP7uI7zmpigtBCvSGtOT_bfBr4X4el83WQUl__pcy63N9soVjTU/s1600/Shamrocks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRp5QEG_9XsXkKGvtXTNUjGJZIhejM2FbbYfy31QLjbS15XYaxB4OWuC3Ibk4cpxp10QMoZR2AzvE3ycgxJFjcWitzP7uI7zmpigtBCvSGtOT_bfBr4X4el83WQUl__pcy63N9soVjTU/s320/Shamrocks.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Ceapaim gurb é seo an chéad uair go rabhas as baile riamh do Lá ‘le Pádraig.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ní toisc nach bhféadfainn a bheith scartha ó mo thír dhúchais leis an imeacht a cheiliúradh, a mhalairt i ndáiríre, níl ceiliúradh déanta agamsa ar Lá ‘le Pádraig le fada, nó riamh le bheith fírinneach.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">An rud ab aistí ar fad ná éirí ar maidin agus dul isteach ag obair, ag míniú do dhaoine cad é atá i gceist le Lá ‘le Pádraig.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gcead do mo chomhleacaithe nua, a luaithe is a thuigeadar, guíodh beannachtaí na féile orm.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Cé go raibh sé aisteach dúiseacht i dtír atá go hiomlán clúdaithe i sneachta, agus dul ag scátáil ar an leac oighir ar na cosáin isteach ag obair, is cuimhin liomsa níos mó ná Lá ‘le Pádraig amháin sa bhaile nuair a bhí sé ag cur sneachta.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXeY_sEAxx8Zp_wHbschIwmuojir1mWNsMxPItt0-3k7poEpWzxM6kM3aUU4GSZnpORxMp8laresETfwLeSuKADHubgO_2IoqJg5ojW2Qhkl20QIqiJEzNVBXBs92jTaZD0WwkzMdvod8/s1600/Invitation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXeY_sEAxx8Zp_wHbschIwmuojir1mWNsMxPItt0-3k7poEpWzxM6kM3aUU4GSZnpORxMp8laresETfwLeSuKADHubgO_2IoqJg5ojW2Qhkl20QIqiJEzNVBXBs92jTaZD0WwkzMdvod8/s320/Invitation.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Só, cad is cóir don exPat a dhéanamh nuair a dhúisíonn sé/sí san Iorua ar Lá ‘le Pádraig?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bhuel, a bhuíochas le iar chomhleacaí liom, bhí cuireadh ag mé féin agus Henrik dul go fáiltiú in áras an tUasail Gerarld Ansbro, Ambasadóir na hÉireann.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Bhí sé spéisiúl a bheith ag fáiltiú mar seo agus gan a bheith ag cur eagraíocht éigin chun cinn, ach, mar a dúirt Gerald, is lá na ndaoine é Lá ‘le Pádraig agus ba cheart é a cheiliúradh mar sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>É sin ráite, bhí an chosúlacht ar an scéal gurb maith an deis a bhí san imeacht seo do dhaoine ar mhian leo gnó a bheith acu le chéile, bualadh lena chéile go sóisialta.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHQo-NjIc08ESenE-CSyTurGud95ByuqO6RlVv0VhbKtAoVk4IRjqJLCGgD0ltmNIR0o2Og1NV4FLyuf3rdwwXwsa4hOtmst1H9eaX0NTGIIi3TuMYn6qcF-t9zKjagEUcs1uH_-K4To/s1600/Plaque.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHQo-NjIc08ESenE-CSyTurGud95ByuqO6RlVv0VhbKtAoVk4IRjqJLCGgD0ltmNIR0o2Og1NV4FLyuf3rdwwXwsa4hOtmst1H9eaX0NTGIIi3TuMYn6qcF-t9zKjagEUcs1uH_-K4To/s320/Plaque.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Bhuaileamar le roinnt daoine deasa ón Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha san Iorua, agus ó Pharlaimint na hEorpa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>D’éisteamar le ceol tradisiúnta agus chonaiceamar rince Gaelach á dhamhsa ag grúpa atá lonnaithe in Oslo.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfw9hiICJ2YSVmkhWi-qOYf6g18sjX6bpY638IEVkcO8mdjPTrcSjUh9Crmq87cehNnNGkFsXyc30h7A8-C8uHVP6lhXtfdarzhJro_nKl4EIXTczSin8294cNWVKwKtqKtTT6LoHq9Lw/s1600/The+House+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfw9hiICJ2YSVmkhWi-qOYf6g18sjX6bpY638IEVkcO8mdjPTrcSjUh9Crmq87cehNnNGkFsXyc30h7A8-C8uHVP6lhXtfdarzhJro_nKl4EIXTczSin8294cNWVKwKtqKtTT6LoHq9Lw/s320/The+House+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Agus muid líonta go béal leis an mbia álainn a cuireadh ar fáil dúinn, d’fhágamar ag a sé a chlog le filleadh abhaile do chluiche an-shibhialta scrabble (in Ioruais – tháinig mé sa dara háit – ní raibh sé sin ró olc!!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ar ár mbealach abhaile phléamar ár ‘dtroscadh’ a bhriseadh le gloine fíona a ól, nó fiú roinnt seacláide a ithe, ach níorbh a leithéid sin de lá a bhí ann. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Tá paráid sa chathair amárach leis an imeacht a cheiliúradh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caithfidh mé a rá go bhfuilimse níos claonta i dtreo dul ag sciáil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cén saghas duine atá ionam in aon chor?<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Niamh Ní Bhroinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425061448293133918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6751008978462146383.post-58272132190934047502011-03-13T05:30:00.000-07:002011-03-13T05:30:17.837-07:00Nesoddtangen<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQy9ef1HHvO9AYDYNXRzCZecYCLFyoq9_FBpmfX1PWYO7Y7G9GAWU7mk_8PSa95eLuvocoasu09vlNYXZnzinc_cHQ_6q75otYxFLFoYfcoczwFF5z1l7AwemfqMgS2KI7nO3Gyfnvtk/s1600/Boat+Destination.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQy9ef1HHvO9AYDYNXRzCZecYCLFyoq9_FBpmfX1PWYO7Y7G9GAWU7mk_8PSa95eLuvocoasu09vlNYXZnzinc_cHQ_6q75otYxFLFoYfcoczwFF5z1l7AwemfqMgS2KI7nO3Gyfnvtk/s320/Boat+Destination.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">On Saturday night we took the ferry out from Aker Brygge to Nesoddtangen to visit some friends of Henrik’s who have recently built a beautiful house out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Although the harbour appeared totally frozen, the boat was still going back and forth once every hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoBTphWY60XBkxWaID2IWA5si-oo7l_cFK3TZ2WU-s5l0yeJKle32plWc4Iqtp7wIz9qOG24t7OzUTgL3zge0kHymKeLt5kwvMbfSGRqR4AISugpQx4n1yDPBu8HOSJ5AMvxOt3m4vqU/s1600/Frozen+Harbour.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoBTphWY60XBkxWaID2IWA5si-oo7l_cFK3TZ2WU-s5l0yeJKle32plWc4Iqtp7wIz9qOG24t7OzUTgL3zge0kHymKeLt5kwvMbfSGRqR4AISugpQx4n1yDPBu8HOSJ5AMvxOt3m4vqU/s320/Frozen+Harbour.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">The journey itself took about 23 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By car it would have taken over an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrived to an even more frozen harbour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, no problem for this fantastic public transport system.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63JqpV-u4a_bib04_kjF-QaQ2xDzRFX76xtsXk3AjfMuos5spqFCFzCAOKOP9pCqDI4okRFE8hGwt71FsZ1jES0awO51FMAsA4ve4sc91kqFZxqQEnDyt7J3t36j5lcYzvzX4MJEuWSQ/s1600/Nesoddtangen+Harbour.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63JqpV-u4a_bib04_kjF-QaQ2xDzRFX76xtsXk3AjfMuos5spqFCFzCAOKOP9pCqDI4okRFE8hGwt71FsZ1jES0awO51FMAsA4ve4sc91kqFZxqQEnDyt7J3t36j5lcYzvzX4MJEuWSQ/s320/Nesoddtangen+Harbour.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">We had a lovely dinner, and got the boat back to the city at around 11 o’clock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last boat leaves for the city at 1am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Compare this to the last bus in Dublin city (i.e. no water to navigate) at<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>c.11.30pm!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Niamh Ní Bhroinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425061448293133918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6751008978462146383.post-36320840139357798812011-03-13T05:27:00.000-07:002011-03-13T05:27:45.935-07:00The Colosseum<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWl85y4pP8gymji7B-TAtCJTqP9vGE9O88vwebMFUROj7JNjk8KmM2XAmN2vj49IPXxR3vckmGJgc2kv5rQcGi6XwlmQS6iHkoRa77riicK4qPq-WYJsxkAygfdaUrKZAmewdeGJTsV6Q/s1600/Exterior.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWl85y4pP8gymji7B-TAtCJTqP9vGE9O88vwebMFUROj7JNjk8KmM2XAmN2vj49IPXxR3vckmGJgc2kv5rQcGi6XwlmQS6iHkoRa77riicK4qPq-WYJsxkAygfdaUrKZAmewdeGJTsV6Q/s320/Exterior.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Friday night we went to The Colosseum cinema (</span><span lang="GA"><a href="http://www.oslokino.no/kinofakta/colosseum/">http://www.oslokino.no/kinofakta/colosseum/</a></span><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">) in Majorstuen to see ‘True Grit’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hadn’t gotten around to seeing it before leaving Dublin so was really looking forward to this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cinema experience unfortunately didn’t compare well to either the IFI (</span><span lang="GA"><a href="http://www.irishfilm.ie/">http://www.irishfilm.ie/</a></span><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">) or the Lighthouse (</span><span lang="GA"><a href="http://www.lighthousecinema.ie/index.php">http://www.lighthousecinema.ie/index.php</a></span><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">), although it did have its own kind of magic…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">We had booked our tickets in advance and arrived to a row of automated machines to pick them up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, the machines were a bit slow to respond to the buttons that we were pressing, and it took a couple of tries, at least five minutes, and a bit of confusion in the queue behind us before our tickets came out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swear it was the machines, not us!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppVjhKngJRo4XSm35iEo4w91TTjI7GGkEDYkaam_7LcmfumLMx13UgxfYXtAUxb48u4AhpZ8ZgBO9zdHDMPZFahQ6GMsLwB_-lzAi001iSy9fpmQLVrQgZ_TzUByHsxRaXKfshhrUouA/s1600/Machines.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppVjhKngJRo4XSm35iEo4w91TTjI7GGkEDYkaam_7LcmfumLMx13UgxfYXtAUxb48u4AhpZ8ZgBO9zdHDMPZFahQ6GMsLwB_-lzAi001iSy9fpmQLVrQgZ_TzUByHsxRaXKfshhrUouA/s320/Machines.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">The cinema was like a typical Dublin cinema.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The floor was sticky under our feet. It seemed like someone had deliberately poured litres of coke all over the place – maybe in an attempt to stop popcorn thieves? It also smelled of sugar and popcorn, and it seemed like everybody was carrying buckets of the stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had some ‘Great Deals’ for popcorn and soft drink combinations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clearly the Scandinavians have also succombed to this brash cultural phenomenon (A-hem ;)).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5EgN3UPIeNMM6aJDdmahTJyfNz9iWTlM3XbJM-BORDZi9yDlLEMvDDRamD2dd_PyEzO9ZQblXnA-bitbmEGb5hSCe4jTeLEFBOp7BzbU09Yx-aMfSS9U6jkGVcsq1PJxQncguQWQUaI/s1600/Deal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5EgN3UPIeNMM6aJDdmahTJyfNz9iWTlM3XbJM-BORDZi9yDlLEMvDDRamD2dd_PyEzO9ZQblXnA-bitbmEGb5hSCe4jTeLEFBOp7BzbU09Yx-aMfSS9U6jkGVcsq1PJxQncguQWQUaI/s320/Deal.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">The building itself was quite interesting - sort of like a colosseum (hence the name I suppose) with lots of tunnels winding around between the screens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Were the floors not so sticky one might have been tempted to explore!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">The screening room we were in was fantastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was absolutely massive and must have had capacity for two hundred people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also had a great big screen and pretty good sound, which was not too badly affected by the international community of loud popcorn-munchers. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKisUQLSBRVyMSCU9_SWJZAWrJCkadEvVbtlhNWgftDKTr_Aarr6O7LATWJswKShzonZ4eFterdHKTPwV9Oer-yuBZ99snWppBQOGMOVa22RFs_FX9no5SuKkXuSYBbM80xTXO3pBxkkA/s1600/Interior.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKisUQLSBRVyMSCU9_SWJZAWrJCkadEvVbtlhNWgftDKTr_Aarr6O7LATWJswKShzonZ4eFterdHKTPwV9Oer-yuBZ99snWppBQOGMOVa22RFs_FX9no5SuKkXuSYBbM80xTXO3pBxkkA/s320/Interior.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">The film itself was great and probably worth the 100k (c. €13) ticket price. Hailee Steinfeld was amazing as Mattie Ross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon were also good.<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Niamh Ní Bhroinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425061448293133918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6751008978462146383.post-40672226205414956852011-03-10T06:56:00.001-08:002011-03-10T06:56:42.885-08:00My First Day at School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_T3jqwoXk1xyBs7-kNdxv20wNPWsdJJBmB7ngma9loQ62ixZBODOEBROpI9vdfJ_WPyxp8bvRaomkkfMYvfNIDH5b2GJPProBH8JevHcbSDx7BSBnS0dShc-6zKTxCQeBE4qYMMxgBs/s1600/My+Building.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_T3jqwoXk1xyBs7-kNdxv20wNPWsdJJBmB7ngma9loQ62ixZBODOEBROpI9vdfJ_WPyxp8bvRaomkkfMYvfNIDH5b2GJPProBH8JevHcbSDx7BSBnS0dShc-6zKTxCQeBE4qYMMxgBs/s320/My+Building.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA">Today was my first day at school! The day started with a pretty full-on conference at the Litteraturhuset on Wergelandsveien (<a href="http://www.litteraturhuset.no/">http://www.litteraturhuset.no/</a>). This is an interesting building which hosts debates, conferences, book launches and houses a café, a restaurant and a book shop.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA">The conference was about innovation and growth in the Norwegian media industry. The conference was totally in Norwegian and I was pleasantly surprised by how much of the language I understood, although I could be susceptible to a dose of begginer’s optimism here. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA">The conference was organised by the New Media Network (<a href="http://newmedianetwork.no/2011/02/20/membermeeting-march-10th-2011/">http://newmedianetwork.no/2011/02/20/membermeeting-march-10th-2011/</a>) which has been fostered by Innovation Norway. Innovation Norway has been set up to promote development that is profitable to business interests and the country’s economy. I’m quickly learning how structured and focused these Norwegians really are!! Imagine something like that in Ireland – Shell anyone?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">After the conference, we caught the tram to the University, where I was given a tour of the building, including my office/desk and information about the administrative side of things. I met lots of welcoming, smiley, friendly faces which was very reassuring. It certainly seems like I have landed in a good place. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2gLSgtps_4UESyA8wE_rvO42voQgC8AnbE7OmfKDoyt7KKG8dBCfl_-QOsMuMRpHAznaOrA_3hfONB2kqO2ARelaOiNPmwVftRMDdboLWEtF_emAqlSd4bDe-pUSH9d49-ge1xoBTko/s1600/My+Desk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2gLSgtps_4UESyA8wE_rvO42voQgC8AnbE7OmfKDoyt7KKG8dBCfl_-QOsMuMRpHAznaOrA_3hfONB2kqO2ARelaOiNPmwVftRMDdboLWEtF_emAqlSd4bDe-pUSH9d49-ge1xoBTko/s320/My+Desk.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA">Following on from the tour, some members of the faculty took lunch in the canteen. It seems quite customary to bring in your own lunch to eat, although the canteen itself is really reasonable priced. I bought my lunch for half the price of my tram fair. However, I like the idea of bringing in food to eat, instead of depending on what is available from day to day. Resolution: make lunch for tomorrow!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA">One thing to watch out for here is the cost of public transport. I paid 40NOK for my tram fair to the university, a journey which was about five stops in total. I paid the same for a journey from Bygdoy to Solli Plass with my parents on Monday. This works out at about €5 a pop and is pretty damn expensive. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA">The trick, aparently, is to by your tickets for public transport in advance. I’ve been advised to buy something called a ‘Flexikort’, even if I don’t intend to use public transport regularly. This will allow me to travel up to eight times for 200NOK which is about 25NOK a pop. This is still pretty expensive relative to Dublin Bus standards (it’s about double the price of a standard fare) but I suppose regular, timely services make up for the cost somewhat.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA">As I couldn’t access my computer (I didn’t have a login or password – some things are the same everywhere!) and had left my laptop behind, I decided to head home for the afternoon and work here. On the way, I got caught in the first snowfall that I have experienced since I got here. It wasn’t so bad at all! Tomorrow I’ll go back to the uni with my laptop and start mapping out my project. Exciting times!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</span></div>Niamh Ní Bhroinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425061448293133918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6751008978462146383.post-80632718844732148572011-03-09T06:33:00.000-08:002011-03-09T06:33:44.562-08:00Ski Saturday!<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35m-dgytvszMv64z_FFq6mu0DIk_SLdOSwFulAbKibRhNNO268Z3OJg3_VskgnY2kyLE55-XEAw3ANgudUItlmxsnnq0uMA-SZR33yQK8k3aysZ7IU_tv1eIgg-bAc5ekeGUz0ncMmWI/s1600/Ski+Jumper+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35m-dgytvszMv64z_FFq6mu0DIk_SLdOSwFulAbKibRhNNO268Z3OJg3_VskgnY2kyLE55-XEAw3ANgudUItlmxsnnq0uMA-SZR33yQK8k3aysZ7IU_tv1eIgg-bAc5ekeGUz0ncMmWI/s320/Ski+Jumper+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">On Saturday we went to see the penultimate event in the Nordic Ski World Championships – the mens ski juming competition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For anyone who ever watched ‘Ski Sunday’ on the BBC as a child, this was a spectacular event! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">We all used to love watching 'Ski Sunday' at our house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apart from a particularly memorable theme tune (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB74Y_jDN6c">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB74Y_jDN6c</a>) it was amazing to sit in our Irish sitting room watching people racing down slaloms and flying out of the ski jump like Eddie the Eagle!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like watching aliens on another planet, one that we thought we would probably never visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking back I realise we had no idea what was actually going on, but it was 'must-see tv' all the same.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">So some twenty years later, I’m leaving the appartment where I now live in Oslo on the way to this ski jumping event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We leave the house at 12.30 on a beautiful sunny day with clear blue skies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had been warned to leave early as people had missed competitions the previous weekend due to the large crowds attending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It certainly seemed like the entire country was making its way up to Holmenkollen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holmenkollen is home to a new Ski Jump which was completed in February 2010.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a fairly intimidating looking construction once you get up close but rest assured; it is Norwegian, and therefore, the best in the world!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcjLfNVW1rMnO-t30A32xS0t3n7ViqwfJEPOvR6xe8E4V7d5JZElbzVGeDYW9mK2LXbG0uqCDqySz5VY7tZ89hbNbOeObCiJFf_oATtnPwbPkxHVJ8hVzap9Tfm602DBNl6xYwSRSI5c/s1600/Homenkollen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcjLfNVW1rMnO-t30A32xS0t3n7ViqwfJEPOvR6xe8E4V7d5JZElbzVGeDYW9mK2LXbG0uqCDqySz5VY7tZ89hbNbOeObCiJFf_oATtnPwbPkxHVJ8hVzap9Tfm602DBNl6xYwSRSI5c/s320/Homenkollen.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">We took the express train and arrived in relative comfort with plenty of time to find our seats in advance of the event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The place was packed, with vuvuzelas and cow bells parping and clanging at every turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, as soon as we got to our seats, we were in for a great show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were very lucky that our seats were quite close to the bottom of the runway, so we could see exactly where the jumpers landed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was unbelievable to see each competitor come flying out over the jump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the end of the day we were all experts on the style that was required to make a long jump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although no world records were broken, we did see a jump that was 141 metres long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was wind assisted but amazing all the same.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB70FCn9Q4nkWAN54UTYPDjFYTI10e1k71_pc6zEZUurqTFeUMsz5tKRA3wxjIVnoikH7rlbrva8u-stF0y44uqit_f2YXgrPNi3LAALYCDYGr3NGs7kxEF_0Bm3ZqCkbX4H55v3qeKzE/s1600/Ski+Jumper+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB70FCn9Q4nkWAN54UTYPDjFYTI10e1k71_pc6zEZUurqTFeUMsz5tKRA3wxjIVnoikH7rlbrva8u-stF0y44uqit_f2YXgrPNi3LAALYCDYGr3NGs7kxEF_0Bm3ZqCkbX4H55v3qeKzE/s320/Ski+Jumper+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">The crowd entertainment before, during and after the event was impressive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all found ourselves dancing to some classic hits like A-ha’s ‘Take on Me’ - more for maintaining body heat than any particular fondness for the music it has to be said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We (the crowd) also apparently broke the Holmenkollen stadium world record for Mexican Waves – although seeing as how the stadium is about a year old, this may not be a particularly fantastic feat! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1zyGagrqI5EQQoZMZWg7zyhX-y8NtzBXLs8oJrT3monmmeSKGLjphqfTBh5Kn1znzwIE-7sbrvJteXvHJO-pE-hDRihV8VtKJU3HhViuiz1DX-c-binohd9Bz4EY-_X80-oBBhC5RIw/s1600/The+Crowd.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1zyGagrqI5EQQoZMZWg7zyhX-y8NtzBXLs8oJrT3monmmeSKGLjphqfTBh5Kn1znzwIE-7sbrvJteXvHJO-pE-hDRihV8VtKJU3HhViuiz1DX-c-binohd9Bz4EY-_X80-oBBhC5RIw/s320/The+Crowd.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Niamh Ní Bhroinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425061448293133918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6751008978462146383.post-7191797925562334202011-03-08T08:25:00.000-08:002011-03-08T08:25:58.339-08:00Flight<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISYH1CCsLVV3W0uOgP6Wd8QYyk0B8qeZJDjOvE87QFjKEXl6MHadMijoxFbbRISZupb35PEJPqfNHV2yaBBuATictd8pygggpa9D7JYt5bLK_LsM9SOFI2fIou1qsjbKNMW7xaOIQTZs/s1600/DSC02955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISYH1CCsLVV3W0uOgP6Wd8QYyk0B8qeZJDjOvE87QFjKEXl6MHadMijoxFbbRISZupb35PEJPqfNHV2yaBBuATictd8pygggpa9D7JYt5bLK_LsM9SOFI2fIou1qsjbKNMW7xaOIQTZs/s320/DSC02955.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">We left Dublin on Friday 4 March at 12 o’clock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I say we because my parents came with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had booked a trip to Oslo for my mother for Christmas to see the Nordic Ski Jumping World Championships (more about that later) but that was before I found out that I had a job in Norway!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just so happened that the trip coincided perfectly with my planned start date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Our SAS plane was lovely and clean, spacious and comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boarding commenced on time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no queue to get on the plane, and it was fully boarded ten minutes in advance of take off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You gotta love the Scandinavians!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got a free newspaper each – ok it was in Norwegian – but still!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to read the newspaper to brush up on my language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, the pictures helped quite a bit, but I was able to make out pretty much what had happened with the crew of the Beserk ship that went missing on its way to the South Pole, and with the Nordic Ski World Championships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tested my understanding on the Norwegians over the weekend and I think I did pretty well!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">The plane journey was made all the more exciting by the radically different landscape that appeared as soon as we approached the Norwegian coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Literally everything was white.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mountains, valley, trees, everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of the lakes (I’m not sure if they were fjords) and rivers were also frozen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looked spectacular!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HlCYzutv-JJ1ntd4FGLzyLtFA6tvXMFw5q3ztiGiRT0rc6s_2E2dEiN765SlRDvABhwXhYKltcj2glbX-4DcxEx5TSTlNsgtoyjfMxj8GVPp-kVIHK-MmeTFZR4z9XnNt_VBrD1zvhM/s1600/DSC02960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HlCYzutv-JJ1ntd4FGLzyLtFA6tvXMFw5q3ztiGiRT0rc6s_2E2dEiN765SlRDvABhwXhYKltcj2glbX-4DcxEx5TSTlNsgtoyjfMxj8GVPp-kVIHK-MmeTFZR4z9XnNt_VBrD1zvhM/s320/DSC02960.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Landing in Oslo Gardemoen was also very pleasant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing beats the ‘Flytoget’ train that leaves roughly every ten minutes for central Oslo and beyond to Drammen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I in my ignorance thought ‘Flytoget’ was a bit of an akward name and that the Norwegians could have come up with something better in their own language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was until I discovered that ‘Flytoget’ does not mean ‘Fly to Get’ in English but ‘Fly’ as in ‘Flight’ and ‘Toget’ as in ‘Train’!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the little things…. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGPqm2X-mYQvtmhr8nGBDSjC2WDbyKinK39IGUsthaaP2TAs6M31J8wemIGfl_wfYeKcTnj_CfqFa-Ekx3vx53jWaqlVhdIo2yWvu6kavxDKWI1kLprybeuBLzoueLwjC_VpEkIRBr58/s1600/DSC02973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGPqm2X-mYQvtmhr8nGBDSjC2WDbyKinK39IGUsthaaP2TAs6M31J8wemIGfl_wfYeKcTnj_CfqFa-Ekx3vx53jWaqlVhdIo2yWvu6kavxDKWI1kLprybeuBLzoueLwjC_VpEkIRBr58/s320/DSC02973.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Niamh Ní Bhroinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425061448293133918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6751008978462146383.post-5146219375313070582011-03-03T04:55:00.000-08:002011-03-03T04:55:29.450-08:00Packing<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Today is all about packing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well packing and dumping to be honest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s quite the cathartic experience!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finally get to through out those hideous black shoes that I wore to work almost every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not for want of choice (I really don’t think Henrik had any idea what he was getting himself into on that front), but because when cycling in and out every day, one tends to get a bit lazy about the change of clothes one is willing to carry from A to B.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">I’ve always prided myself on not being a hoarder, but it’s interesting how much useless stuff I’ve managed to gather in spite of myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s also quite a lesson in appreciating what a sucker I’ve been for marketing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve found a full tube and refill of some miracle anti-wrinkle eye cream that I’ve barely used.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am bringing that with me – just in case!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have however decided that I won’t be needing sunscreen for my hair for the next couple of months in Norway, so I can part with that. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">I’ve spent an unnecessary amount of time trying to decide whether I should bring silly things, like my unsolveable Rubik’s Cube, with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Rubik’s Cube is unsolveable because I’m pretty certain I cheated once and moved some of the stickers around - that’s my excuse for never having matched up more that two sides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I’m fairly certain I won’t be needing these things, I’m realising that I have absolutely no idea what my life is going to be like on Norway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel like I’m standing on the edge of something and about to jump – I just hope I remember to pack my parachute!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbidhZ2xM5iv3RVnnUAQx9obg0BM8hs44PT2SV8CZEdAGdoYSPAqo-IrTHcyxHU-vzxYdUnLvAC2aumQPWY9M83Y4zE6a57aYg3ZHVoHeA3EkH39VhuzPWzDlOUfM0j9ATaEEKHtNgj_o/s1600/DSC02950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbidhZ2xM5iv3RVnnUAQx9obg0BM8hs44PT2SV8CZEdAGdoYSPAqo-IrTHcyxHU-vzxYdUnLvAC2aumQPWY9M83Y4zE6a57aYg3ZHVoHeA3EkH39VhuzPWzDlOUfM0j9ATaEEKHtNgj_o/s320/DSC02950.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;"><br />
</span></div><!--EndFragment-->Niamh Ní Bhroinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425061448293133918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6751008978462146383.post-25216849622716441382011-03-03T04:41:00.000-08:002011-03-03T04:41:07.033-08:00The Last Days in Dublin<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA">I’ve spent the last two days walking around Dublin and meeting friends for food and drinks. The weather has been stunning, with clear blue skies and sunshine. Dublin is really beautiful when the sun shines. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA">On Tuesday I walked from Glasnevin to Ranelagh via Clery’s on O’Connell Street, stopping for a stroll through Merrion Square and a well-deserved break on a bench there! I had lunch in TriBeca – a beautiful Lamb Tagine, and met Jessica and her new baby Sadhbh who is absolutely gorgeous. I then walked back into town via Leeson Street and Stephen’s Green, and met Eimear for dinner in Wagamama. Eimear and I then moved on to Oleysa’s wine bar on Exchequer Steet, intending to have desert and a glass of wine there. As the deserts cost €7.50 each, we decided to share a bottle of wine instead. It was the right decision.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA">On Wednesday my mother and I went into town early to buy three oversized sports bags in a bag shop on Liffey Street. These sports bags are going to carry the final lot of my belongings from Dublin to Oslo. The great thing about flying with SAS is that each of us has 23kg baggage allowance, plus 8kg hand luggage, included in the price of our ticket. It really is a pleasure to be flying with an airline that appreciates its customers! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA">Following the purchase of the bags, I walked over the Ha’penny Bridge and through Crown Alley and Temple Bar to meet Sinéad and Pamela for lunch in Coppinger Row. Lunch was lovely – stuffed aubergine with salad and parmesan – yum. I then walked down to the National Gallery for a quick look at the Modern Irish Art exhibition there, before catching the DART out to Dun Laoghaire to meet Ellen.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA">In Dun Laoghaire, Ellen and I walked along the East Pier which looked magnificent in the light. We got some food in the Harbour Bar and Grill before heading home. I had fish and chips. It was that kind of day.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhpDO6trizpgvbPEc4r66ttx8HH2TXOk4vp1z8tREyv5YkD73dVHs3WzSPLDUPOsTpbmmf_OHP0HprMzlpVA4Lh2QCZW6K1g9h_6JTqu_Me6TqnKvSTFiv_mL1fIfUmtTHPMmv3YihnQ/s1600/DSC02943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhpDO6trizpgvbPEc4r66ttx8HH2TXOk4vp1z8tREyv5YkD73dVHs3WzSPLDUPOsTpbmmf_OHP0HprMzlpVA4Lh2QCZW6K1g9h_6JTqu_Me6TqnKvSTFiv_mL1fIfUmtTHPMmv3YihnQ/s320/DSC02943.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span lang="GA">I’m really going to miss these people and this place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>Niamh Ní Bhroinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425061448293133918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6751008978462146383.post-74243070671237379792011-02-28T13:33:00.000-08:002011-02-28T13:33:15.709-08:00My First Post!<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Monday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Four days to go until we leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This all seems to have happened very quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One minute I’m on a diving holiday in Sicily, the next I’m quitting my job and moving to Oslo to be with the man of my dreams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although what happened in the past is interesting I’m not going to talk about that here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is going to be my personal account of the experience of moving to Oslo and settling in over there.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">I feel a mixture of excitement and a fear, more excitement though, it has to be said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m excited about moving in with my fiancee, starting a new job, meeting new people, and experiencing a different country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most people are telling me how lucky I am and that I am living the dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think this is true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to be researching Media Innovations at the University of Oslo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a dream job for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will specifically be looking into the provision and use of language options on social networking sites, more about that soon! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">My biggest fear is whether I will be able to learn sufficient Norwegian to settle in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I presume I will in time but like any novice I am impatient and want to master the challenge as quickly and as painlessly as possible. I’ve taken one series of classes and some follow-up private lessons over the past year, and I am not happy with my progress!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">I’ve been trying to refresh what Norwegian I’ve managed to learn to date by watching NRK Nett-TV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NRK is the Norwegian Public Service Broadcaster which provides a fantastic online service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve found this is helping to build my confidence in my understanding of the language, but sometimes with strange effect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I generally watch the daily news review show, so I think I’m pretty up to date about what’s happening in the world – for example the riots in the middle-East and the Nordic Ski Jumpng World Championships (not in any order of importance!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find I think I understand what is happening, i.e. today Gadaffi is in trouble in Libya – but I have no idea whether he is still in Libya, or what exactly is going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully this situation will improve in time!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">Another big fear is leaving my family and friends behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been through so much with these important people in my life, and I have no idea how I am going to survive without their support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m also going to miss so many events in people’s lives, as well as the intimate discussions about what is really going on for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is something that is going to be a big challenge for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m also probably going to die for want of gossip, but hopefully I’ll be able to keep fairly close contact with Skype, Facebook, Twitter etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">All of this personal drama is greatly overshadowing the current situation in Ireland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve voted of course and kept an eye on the election, and I’m very concerned for the future of the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looks like Fine Gael and Labour will have a huge majority in a coalition government, leaving a very week oposition to challenge their position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be interesting to see how the Fine Gael/Labour dynamic plays out in practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder how much Bruton and Burton really have in common!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will also be interesting to see what the policy of the coalition will be with regard to the Irish language – again more about that soon!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA" style="mso-ansi-language: GA;">That’s it for today!<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Niamh Ní Bhroinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04425061448293133918noreply@blogger.com0