Norway

Apropos what it means to be a Norwegian... My bachelor thesis is actually about this topic and apparently Norwegians under communicate their differences and display equality. Anyway, I wonder if I should use this as empirical material.

;)

Post-party calzone

Being vegan presents me with a few challenges every now and then and it's safe to say that planning ahead is rather important. According to the myth thou, there's "nothing" I can eat! On the contrary, the options are unlimited. It gives me a chance to explore the world of flavor and "out-of-the-ordinary" foods. It's quite an adventure from time to time.

What ppl usually comment on is the tragedy of me not being able to eat tacos or pizza. Apparently they've never heard of beans. Today I felt like something yummy after a night out celebrating being done with the first of my last exams. Since pizza's not a hit without cheese I realized that calzone did not require cheese and in some ways is actually better than pizza.

Ready, set, cook!

Make pizza dough (probably the easiest thing in the world):
4,5 dl flour
1,5 dl water
1,5 teaspoons oil
0,5 teaspoons salt
25g yeast
pepper <-- my best recommendation! It makes the dough really tasty

Topping: anything you'd like! Here's what I put in:

Crushed tomatoes

Corn

Onion

Beans

Mushroom

Leek

And yes, I'm a natural with the yeast. For some reason beyond me I'm exceptionally good at making things thrice the size it should be.

Next up: SUMMER

I can feel how summer's getting closer by the minute and hopefully before I know it, I'll be done with all my exams, open the door and greet summer at the doorstep. Only a couple of more weeks to go and it's official: I have an education and a great summer awaiting. I have so much to look forward to: camping trips, hiking in the mountains, concerts, festivals, friends, wine, sunshine, swimming in the ocean and strawberries. Life is fantastic!

One of the festivals I'm attending is the Hove festival in Arendal, where I'm lucky enough to have two of my favorite bands playing on the same day: Muse and Paramore. Excited doesn't even start to explain how psyched I am!

Paramore with "The only exception" came up on my playlist and served me a plate of motivation for tomorrow's exam. Time to spread some good music around :)

The regulars

Everyone have some websites they check every time they're online or at least once a day. Besides online newspapers, my e-mail, the school network and so on, I allow myself to check out a couple of pages that are laughing-guarantees. One of these are Very Demotivational and today it was filled with too much good stuff to not pass around. Have a laugh!

By the way, what the heck is WRONG with ppl???

Angels in disguise

I think everyone has somebody whom they have a special bond to and many also face having this person separated from one by both time and space. I am lucky enough to have a few of these ppl whose friendships I find myself in lack of words of describing the value of. Some of these friends are close enough to brighten up my day by their physical presence, but there are some who are on the other side of the ocean, the continent or the globe. It pains me not being able to see, speak and hug them whenever I want or need to, but knowing and confirming over and over again that our friendship is still just as strong, soothes me and gives me tranquility.

No matter where I am in the world, there will always be someone missing; someone I wish could be closer. The inevitable fact that ppl of the globe are endlessly fluctuating makes this impossible no matter how much I wave my magic wand. Therefore one needs to enjoy and take care of the moments one gets to spend with these magnificent ppl who bring that magic sparkle to your life.

I had a long conversation online with one of these unimaginable uniquely fantastic ppl whom I am forever grateful to have in my life. To be able to sit in separate corners of the world sharing global concerns, hilarious stories and mutual excitement and interest in events occurring in each other's lives is pretty great. Who would ever know that it took the point of view from someone across the deep blue sea to give me the right perspective and untangle the knots that were tightening by the minute?

Little did I know when I left Norway in 2005 for a year abroad in the US, that I would meet a handful of ppl who would influence me in numerous ways and change my life forever and become some of my closest and dearest friends? Life absolutely works in mysterious ways and I'm glad it's a mystery. If we already knew all the answers, then the clues and the guidelines along the way would become insignificant objects and happenings which we did not have to ascribe meaning. We would not been given the adventurous opportunity to seek knowledge, experience and gratitude in the smaller things we are unable to neglect due to our constant curiosity and need for answers. Let life be a mystery and unravel it alongside your friends.

Thank you for being a part of my journey thru life.