Been to my new residence for two days now, really enjoying it Can't blog long, we're in the middle of a project here but it "required" my computer so I'm taking the liberty I live in a house with 8 great girls, and it's looking very promising. My teacher is a funny funny man so that is also going to be great

How's everyone doing here? Not drowning in schoolwork I hope?

In a week I'll be pretty much all settled in my new residence for the next 9 months. Scary as heck, it's really starting to sink in now and I really REALLY need to start packing! (for those of you who don't know where I'm going: www.folkehogskole.no and there should be a Union Jack there somewhere) So packing and cleaning up the place must start tomorrow, wish me luck!

I haven't been around much lately, I suddenly got oh so very busy catching up with people before I leave. I have also been going to a two week dancing summer course, ballet, modern and jazz. Had heaps of fun, I love it so much! Though my muscles don't love it that much, and I have some bruises here and there But it's all part of the fun, at least I can say I've been working out

Otherwise nothing fun happens in my life

How do you know when you're in love?

As in, really in love with the person because of who he/she is and not just because he/she is interested in you..? Is there a way to separate those two?

The big two oh, yeah baby! Finally age can't stop me doing anything
My mum came home from her holiday at the cabin/cottage (whay do you call it really?) and so I got to spend the morning with her beforeI tookoff to an extended family member to have breakfast with her.
After that I went to the booze-store to buy my first Bacardi Razz by myself Was hoping for a birthday greeting from the woman selling it to me when she checked my ID, but she said nothing Oh well Met some friends around town, which was very nice

Before I started work at 4 I went to eat dinner with my mum (originally supposed to eat with coworker but she had to pass) That was very cozy indeed, me loves my mum I asked the waiter if they had birthday cake, and he came back with icecream that had a sparkler in it. Plus he sung for me and the whole restaurant was clapping afterwards So that was indeed a surprise!

Got to work a little early, because they had asked me to (wonder why? ) Waiting for me there was cake and flowers and singing happy coworkers! I so wasn't expecting that, Iwas really touched,and it was suck a YUMMY cake
Work went smoothly, I even got a greeting from the securityguard That was one of the small, unexpected moments that just made my day

After work it was directly to pre-party, had a blast with some new friends. Lots of people downtown because of the food festival that is going on right now. We went to a nightclub I've never been to before, SUCH a relief to be 20 here, I swear!

So all in all, a wonderful day from beginning to end. Thanks to all you tv.com'ers remembering me

Not that very much has happened since the last time I blogged If I'm not at work I am at home (catching up on the very busy chit chat thread ) or out with friends. Trying to have a life, so on Thursday I went to a concert with a friend of mine. Was her friends playing, they're my age all of them and it was very fun to see

For those who remember my blog a while back about the Hopkins movie "The World's Fastest Indian", it's a great movie Recommended!

On work Wednesday, me and my coworker were wearing pretty much the same clothes, just to make the other ones laugh. And of course we hoped there would be extra requests for this specific garment, but that didn't happen, unfortunately. But we had a ball anyway

(Her face is censored for privacy reasons.)

The height difference is exact, both wearing flats I look like I'm 2 meters tall

I ended up with a Sony Cyber-shot cam And it's soo beautiful! Got it today, it's still charging, I can't wait to start play with it!

Work works in mysterious ways, yesterday I was rather upset with my boss, today I love her because she had double-booked and I got the day off!

15 days until my birthday!

(Prekestolen)

It's a big rock in Lysefjorden, a fjord west in Norway. The Pulpit Rock got its name because of its shape.
From where I live (Stavanger)it's first about an hour drive, and then a walk of an hour and a half up to the rock. In 2006 it was one of the most visited natural tourist attractions in Norway, with approx. 90,000 hikers visiting in the four summer months
I've been there only once, but I am pretty sure I'll be up there at least once more before I die!

Picture taken from below, I have yet to see that live

Vi er smurfer, små og blå. Whaddya think?

...

C o n f u s e d.

Every year in June/July the Beach Volleyball World Tour stops by Stavanger. This event received Grand Slam status I think last year or maybe the year before that. The town is filled with several sandy courts, including one main arena where there's room for a pretty big audience, and the mood is absolutely fantastic!It is also a wonderful sight with all the gorgeous players walking around, very very droolworthy Me like!
So that will explain my absence for the past days, I have barely been home since Tuesday, slammed between work and enjoying the beach volley On Thursday I spent the whole day downtown, 11 hours, and I got an extreme sunburn in my face I am Rudolf with the red nose still! Took lots of pictures, most of them are pretty alike, I like to take photos of their serves, gosh they jump high
Most of the pictures are of the Italians, of course I brought my flag one day to cheer for them, but it didn't help, they lost their pool and didn't get to play anymore after Friday. But I did get both their autographs on my flag, and my picture taken with one of them, I already have my picture with the other one from last year

Matteo Varnier (ITA) serving

Riccardo Lione (ITA)

Inside the centre court arena, with Pablo Herrera (ESP)serving the ball

Me and Varnier

Compared to last year's..

Me and Lione (small picture, cell phone!)

Got my result letter today, ended up with a 4/C on the written exam. I can't really complain, I hoped for a 4 but was afraid it might have gone worse so I'm satisfied. Considering I suck at writing and also I had little idea of what I was trying to write about!

Song of the day: Lily Allen- Smile

On another note. Anyone seen the Hopkins movie "The World's Fastest Indian"? I had a little ghost recommending me that very movie last night; a text message from a certain acquaintance things didn't end very well with. I can't quite get over why all of a sudden I was on his mind, and even on the level that he sent me a message, I mean, he made it pretty darn clear he wanted nothing to do with me. Why now, why this particular movie? I don't get it.
But it doesn't bug me. Actually it kinda pleases me that HE was the first to make contact after our "talk". I haven't replied, I don't plan to, but I am gonna check out the movie How does that sound for a plan?

ont-Phoebe Buffay

"The mess-ers become the mess-ees!" I love Friends, so many hilarious quotes! Just watched two episodes today from season 7, with all the build-up to Monica and Chandler's wedding. I love TOW the Vows, loveit loveit!

Anyway. Been a while since my last blog now! Haven't had much to say really, been working and speeling mostly How boring am I? The grade for my written exam were finalised yesterday or today, so I guess I will get a letter with it tomorrow or Saturday. Can't say I look forward to it, but it will be good to have the burden off my shoulders, and I just hope it went OK!

Here's a little something I wanna share with you all, it's a wise mail I got way back but the point in it keeps coming back to me. The part in the middle is something I have thought about a lot due to my current struggling to get over a certain situation, it helps a little on my positive thinking

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a
lifetime.

When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for
that
person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is
usually to
meet a need you have expressed.

They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide
you
with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally
or
spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They
are
there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an
inconvenient
time, this person will say or do something to bring the
relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they
walk
away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire
fulfilled,
their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been
answered and now it is time to move on .

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your
turn has
come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of
peace
or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done. They usually
give
you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But
only
for a season!

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you
must
build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your
job
is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have
learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your
life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is
clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a
reason, a
season or a lifetime.

A heatwave of some kind arrived last week, it's been almost unbearably warm and that is very unusual for early June! Work has been a pain in the back, fortunately we got a fan by the counter (hold your money! ) but the rest of the shop is terrible. Needless to say I so prefer stading by the counter and receiving money? And I don't understand why there's so many people out shopping in this heat, how they manage? I am practically dead

So, after I'm done blogging, I'll go put on some sunscreen and get outside, hopefully also get some tan, as I am still ghostwhite
Yesterday night I went bbq-ing on the beach with my best friend, it was incredible. The sky was amazing, and I took some pictures:

Happy Summer

Such a great city. Left home last Friday, on the plane to Schiphol. Smooth. Friday night we went out to eat and then I had a large cup of Ben & Jerry's Cookie Dough icecream, my all time favorite icecream which I MUST have when I am places who sell it! We walked the streets and just enjoyed the city, ad the warm weather (and the surprisingly many hot guys! )

Saturday we went to the centre of Amsterdam for some serious windowshopping and some real shopping as well We also found a hidden pearl, an old  s t y l e stable, truly beautiful!! On our way home to change before dinner my mum took me on a real de-tour, she thought she had it under control but it turned out she didn't Anyway, it was no biggie, walked some quiet streets and it was actually very nice, and we also found Saturday's dinner on our way! Some lovely lovely food, and later that night there was live music in the same restaurant! Young guys playing jazz, and I found out I have a real thing for saxophone-/players!

Sunday was an eventful day in the city of Amsterdam. First we headed off to the Van Gogh museum, absolutely wonderful I enjoyed it lots, he's one of my favorite artists! Bought a little copy of "The Bedroom" which I will frame and put on my wall
After Van Gogh we went to Coster Diamonds, first the factory and watched people polishing diamonds and making erarrings. Then we got to the museum, to learn the history of the diamond, and watched a whole lot of crowns! Was beautiful, and I wrote in the guestbook "Confirmed: Diamonds are a girl's best friend"
We had lots of time after the Diamondmuseum, so we decided to go to the Heineken Brouwerij, all these things was situated very close to our hotel, very convenient
Heineken was grrreat Very informative and also made in a very cool and modern way to make it a full experience! And there were also three beers included in the price, how bout that? Unfortunately I am not very fond of beer, so I only had one beer but two Pepsis instead

Le grand finale, Sunday night, we went to Holland Casino! My idea, my mum was a little hesitant but she came along, as there was free entrance through the hotel we stayed at Walked around, had a drink, checked out the live poker (very inspired by Casino Royale), and just experienced the mood of a casino. We thought we'd just stick to the slotmachines, even they turned out to be a little too complicated for two Norwegians on vacation, but after some help we got a long fine And.
Moa.
My incredible sense for gambling
won us 500 euros!

My mum wanted to play more after our big win, but I had to practically drag her out of there I don't wanna mess with such winning luck, so I told her "We're leaving now, gotta stop while the game's at its best!" (she complimented me for my maturity in that situation later )
But it was such a fun way to end the little journey

Waiting for the train at Schiphol, to take us to the big city.

One of the many many canals

The dangerous bikes have their own road I swear, I was looking more after the bikes than the cars!

Vondelpark:

Me

Museumplein:

I am standing in the t there.

Heineken Brouwerij:

Green staircase!

Me. *chin ching*

My weekend in Amsterdam was great, blog about it is coming as soon as I get my lazy butt to upload the pictures from the camera In the meantime, time for another quizzything

1. Are your parents married or divorced? Divorced, when I was about 7.

2. Are you a vegetarian? Nope. Tried once but it didn't quite work

3. Do you believe in Heaven? Dunno.

4. Have you ever come close to dying? No not that I can think of!

5. What jewelry do you wear? Usually a necklace of some kind and earrings. And my watch. But only casual things

6. Favorite time of day? Late evening, as much as I would like it to be different. 

7. Do you eat the stems of broccoli? Yep!

8. Do you wear makeup? Usually eyeliner and mascara, a little blush, as Rochelle, as to not look like a ghost. Sometimes more, sometimes less. 

9. Ever have plastic surgery? No, and I don't really plan to

10. Do you color your hair? Of course a girl feels like a change every now and then but it's been a while now So atm my haircolor is totally natural. 

11. What do you wear to bed? PJ's of different kinds I have plenty of them  

12. Have you ever done anything illegal? Nothing serious anyway

13. Can you roll your tongue? Yep.

14. Do you tweeze your eyebrows? Yes.

15. What kind of sneakers? White Nike ones.

16. What is your Hair color? Brown. Very boring really  

17. Future child's name? Have a thing for Isabel these days But that is guaranteed to change by the time I possibly get children!

18. Do you snore? I hope not! But I don't think so, no one's ever told me I do so..

19. If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be? South Africa

20. Do you sleep with stuffed animals? I put it away the last time I changed my sheets, but I think he might come back. There's only one though, have had him since I was born

21. If you won the lottery, what would you do first? Saviiiiiiings. And probably help my parents with mortgage, etcetcetc.

22. Gold or silver? Silver.

23. Hamburger or hot dog? Hot dog.

24. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Oh, I really don't know. Pizza? 

25. City, beach or country? Dream situation: a flat in the city, a cottage in the country and a house by the beach. And a movable working situation! 

26. What was the last thing you touched? Before the keyboard, my iPod.

27. Where did you eat last? In the kitchen.

28. When's the last time you cried? May 7, when I found my rabbit dead in its cage.

29. Do you read blogs? If I didn't I wouldn't be writing this very sentence!

30. Would you ever go out dressed like the opposite sex? If there's a reason for it I wouldn't mind I guess.

31. Ever been involved with the police? Nope.

32. What's your favorite shampoo conditioner and soap? Whatever is on the shelf

33. Do you talk in your sleep? I did when I was little. Now I don't know really.

34. Ocean or pool? Saltwater pool!  

35. Window seat or aisle? I prefer window but the most practical is aisle

36. Ever met anyone famous? Only semi-famous Norwegian people.

37. Do you feel that you've had a truly successful life? Well, I guess I can't really say that yet Must live a little more first!

38. Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it? Twirl.

39. Ricki Lake or Oprah Winfrey? Neither but Oprah if I must.

40. Basketball or Football? Rugby.

41. How long do your showers last? 15 minutes +/-

42. Automatic or do you drive a stick? I drive a stick but I prefer automatic any day.

43. Cake or ice cream? Both?

44. Are you self-conscious? Veeeeeery.

46. Have you ever given money to a homeless person? Nope.

47. Have you been in love? Don't think so, I think it's mostly been deep infatuations.

48. Where do you wish you were? In London.

49. Are you wearing socks? No, not right now! Summer has arrived!

50. Have you ever ridden in an ambulance? Nope.

51. Can you tango? No but it's on my to-learn-list

52. Last gift you received? Some shopping done in Amsterdam, courtesy of MUM.

53. Last sport you played? Slots? (story coming) I don't remember really, which probably means it was my awful rugby-lesson in Italy last fall. Unless dancing counts of course!

54. What's the one thing you couldn't live without? Music.

55. Where do you live? Norway, west coast.

56. Where were you born? Same.

57. Last wedding attended? None.

58. Favorite fast food restaurant? Favorite would be McDonald's, but I really really wish we had KFC here  

59. Most hated food? Pea-soup!

60. What's your least favorite film? Hm.. Can't think of any right now actually.

61. Can you sing? They say so..

62. Last person you instant messaged? Don't remember. A workmate I think!

63. Last place you went on holiday? Aaamsterdam

64. Favorite regular drink? Water and coke. (Trying to quit the coke but it's not going well)

65. Current Crush? Security Guard! Who knew?

Have a lovely evening/morning/day! 

So I will be spending my weekend in Amsterdam with my mum, just chilling and enjoying the time off and away  I have one post on my program though, the Van Gogh Museum Can't wait to see it, I was in Amsterdam a couple of years ago and we never went to the Van Gogh, so I am very happy to get another chance I love his work, and I did a copy of "Starry Night" in high school!

On another note, I got a very cute letter yesterday stamped AUSTRALIA, from Helen da Kweeeeen! Will post pictures when I get back, such a lovely poem

The last few days I have been watching a whole lotta Sex and the City. I have realised I am pretty much exactly like Carrie! I don't know if that's a good thing or not though But she's pretty smart that Carrie Bradshaw, or at least the writers behind her. Some points hit the nail on the head and I get all excited "Yes yes it IS like that!" But I want Aidan Or at least I want a man like him, so kind and well-meaning and just GIMME!

So, I'll see you all on Monday, enjoy your weekends!

Bah. I really need to learn how to put things behind me. Tell myself "that's that" and move on with my life.
I'm alwyas stuck on the past (though usually only the most recent past), I keep remembering and wanting to go back and change things. And I have realised it's not the best thing. Right now, there's a certain situation I feel I really should try and just finish, let it dissolve and never think about it again. I just don't know if I'm capable of doing that!
But I feel that if I am the one quitting it it will give me the control and power in the future, rather than letting it go possibly too far and then be forced to quit and thus lose the power. How does one know what is too far?

I don't know who I am these days. I've totally lost myself, my principles and my points of view. I think it will be very good for me to get away in the fall, to a place where nobody knows me, and get a new start somewhere fresh where there are no memories to bring me down.

I sense a lyric coming...

So I ran faster
but it caught me here
Yes my loyalties turned
like my ankle
in the seventh grade
Running after Billy
Running after the rain

These precious things
Let them bleed, let them wash away
These precious things
Let them break their hold over me

He said you're really an ugly girl
but I like the way you play
and I died
but I thanked him
Can you believe that sick sick
Holding on to his picture
Dressing up every day
I wanna smash the faces
of those beautiful boys
those Christian boys
So you can make me come
That doesn't make you Jesus

These precious things
Let them bleed, let them wash away
These precious things
Let them break their hold over me

I remember
Yes in my peach party dress
No one dared, no one cared to tell me
where the pretty girls are
Those demigods
with their nine inch nails and
little fascist panties tucked inside
the heart of every nice grrl

These precious things
Let them bleed, let them wash away
These precious things
Let them break, let them wash away
These precious things
Let them bleed now, let them wash away
These precious things
Let them break their hold over me

Tori Amos - Precious Things

So I watched About a Boy for the third time in a month, so what? I absolutely adore that movie!

Burcu-theft again, my layers. Here goes:

11 LAYERS OF YOU:

LAYER ONE: ON THE OUTSIDE
Name: Marie
Birth date: July 25, 1987
Current Location: Norway
Eye Color: Green-ish
Hair Color: Brown.
Righty or Lefty: Righty!
Zodiac Sign: Leo *rawr*

LAYER TWO: ON THE INSIDE
Your heritage: Boringly I'm pure Norwegian.. 
Your fears: Spiders, and, this one's embarassing, moths!
Your weakness: Don't even get me started...
Your perfect pizza: Chicken, tortillachips, garlic, corn, jalapenos

LAYER THREE: YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW
Your thoughts when first waking up: Today: sh*te, I'm gonna miss ER! (morning re-runs are finally back Carol&Doug ) Usually I only think, I don't wanna get up
Your best physical feature: My eyes.
Your bedtime: Too late
Your most missed memory: May 6 and May 16 2006...

LAYER FOUR: YOUR PICK
Pepsi or Coke: Coke!
McDonald's or Burger King: McDonald's
Single or group dates: Single
Adidas or Nike: Depends on what. Both?
Lipton Tea or Nestea: Lipton.
Chocolate or vanilla: Both, preferably together
Cappuccino or coffee: Neither

LAYER FIVE: DO YOU?
Smoke: Nope, used to partysmoke but now even that's a seldom sight.
Cuss: Yep. But I'm trying not to
Have a crush: Always
Think you've been in love: Not sure actually. But if not I was VERY infatuated!
Want to get married: RIght now I can't see myself ever doing it, nor wanting to, but you never know!
Believe in yourself: Rarely..
Think you're a health freak: Nope, not at all!

LAYER SIX: IN THE PAST MONTH HAVE YOU..
Gone to the mall: Yes
Been on stage: No
Eaten Sushi: No
Dyed your hair: No

LAYER SEVEN: HAVE YOU EVER
Played a stripping game: No
Gotten beaten up: No.
Changed who you were to fit in: I guess so, though no drastic changes over time..

LAYER EIGHT: GETTING OLD:
Age you're hoping to get married: Absolutely no idea!
Age you want to die: I die when I die

LAYER NINE: IN A GUY/GIRL
Best eye color: Blue
Best hair color: Brown
Short or long hair: Short but sty led 

LAYER TEN: WHAT WERE YOU DOING
1 MINUTE AGO: Chatting with a friend-ish someone
1 HOUR AGO: Saying goodbye to my friends
1 DAY AGO: 24 hrs ago, sleeping.
1 WEEK AGO: Working.
1 YEAR AGO: Probably studying lines for our finishing school-play!

LAYER ELEVEN: FINISH THE SENTENCE
I LOVE: singing
I HATE: letting people down
I HIDE: very little, unfortunately.
I MISS: someone I shouldn't be missing...
I NEED: to stop!

Very off-topic title, but I've just really discovered Tori Amos and right now my world revolves around her music

Just thought I'd share a little thing I found yesterday searching for Swan Lake, just to show the beauty in dance

Dancers  (men in tights-warning)

And to make the blog (possibly) a little bit more interesting, two very random pictures I found on my harddrive

Rythmic Gymnastics, my ex-hobby and once a huge passion. Miss it lots:

And Florence seen from the dome of the Cathedral