More pictures

This is the guest house at Kine's parents.

Aug 13, 2010

First Day in Bø, Norway

Well, here is my first day in Norway. In the past two days, I have crossed 7 time zones, 2 continents, and have been in 4 countries. Wow! I am currently writing this from my apartment situated on a hill in Bø, Norway. After I flew into the airport in Sandefjord, Norway, I was extremely relieved when I saw Fay and Kine waiting for me there. I took some pictures on the ride from the airport to Kine's house where I stayed my first night in a little guest house that they had in the back. They are currently up on my facebook profile and if mom or I get some time, we'll try to put some more on here too. I was fortunate to be able to practice my Norwegian with Kine and her parents who were extremely kind and generous to me. I know I still have a long way to go with my Norwegian, but where else can I practice it all the time. It is still very difficult for me to understand the native speakers and it is getting spoken all around me, but they have said that the few answers I have given in Norwegian have been pretty good. It was an interesting experience at the grocery store today with trying to understand all the food labels and see all the new brands and types of food. Tomorrow is my first scheduled event. I have a meeting with all the other international students here on campus. Hopefully I will get to meet some Americans (or any native English speaker) there and they will be in the same boat as I am with my Norwegian so we can struggle together. :) Maybe I will write some more tomorrow, but I am still trying to let everything sink in.

On the Fjord near the Atlantic Ocean in Stathelle (where Kine and Fay are from)

On a dock in the Stathelle Fjord

Time to get this Blog Started!

Well, here is my first post before I start on my journey to Norway. It is kinda scary to think that in a little over a week, I will be leaving the US until December. I am most nervous about my flight because I have never flown before and once I get on that plane, I will not be getting off until I land in Sweden over 8 hours later. I am hoping that once I get on the plane, I will be able to relax more and just fall asleep.

From Sweden I go to Denmark and then from Denmark I finally take my flight to Norway. I cannot wait to see Kine and Fay waiting for me at the airport. Once I get there, I will know that I have made it through what I think is the toughest part of my whole trip. I am not really worried about school or speaking Norwegian, it is just these connecting flights that I have to endure before I can relax. (I am actually really looking forward to working on my Norwegian!)

I feel like I am pretty much packed at this point. I have two suitcases that are fairly full and I hope they meet the size and weight requirements. I am glad that I am taking two because it doesn't take long to fill one when you have shoes and a winter coat to take along.

I only have 3 more nights left at Milprint and I cannot wait until 7am on Wednesday morning when I can turn in my ID and leave. Working there has been okay but after 3 summers spent in that factory, I have had more than enough of that place.

I think I am going to miss being a short distance away from home the most. It will be weird to not come home for the Mean Machine Concert and Thanksgiving this year but maybe I can make an appearance through Skype. :)I will miss my family a lot. Especially mom and dad. It sucks that I won't be able to come home and bake up a storm for a while. I am also gonna miss all the people at Luther, but I can't wait to see you all in the fall again. I hope that all you Luther people will go to the SAC Spotlight stuff thought. Karla, Theo, and I have worked pretty hard to get a line up for you!

Well, that's a good start I guess. 10 more days in the US!
Aaron