Dont you hate it when you plan on a nice leisurely lunch break and you get to the house, let the dogs out to potty, and realize a few minutes later that the young black labrador you are watching has inadvertantly been chewing on a deer bone, which has splintered, lodged itself inside the dogs mouth on the upper part of the palette. The dog is frantic, which in turn is causing me to become frantic.
Deep breath. This is not an emergency. This is also not my dog. What are my current options?
1. Take to vet. Give owners vet bill which could possibly be avoided.
2. Try to remove bone splinter myself and get arm bitten off.
3. Call for a friend.
Bingo, placed call to said friend, she is on her way. The dog is now calm, with sporatic pawings at his muzzle. I get him to sit down which he responds to extremely well. The gaze in his chocolatey brown eyes seem to plead to me to get it out pleeeeeeeaaaseeee!!
He opens his mouth wide and I can see the bone crossing the span of the roof of his mouth but I cannot tell if it has punctured the gums or not. I tremble at the thought of not being able to remove it myself. This is my job though, to make sure these dogs stay out of harm and are well taken care of. What are you supposed to do with knuckle head labs though?!
I take a few deep breaths to steady myself, then brace him between my knees and tell him to open up. I gently pry my fingers between his teeth, if I get bitten at least I know I am trying to best that I can. I feel for the protrudence, I find it and play with the tension to see if I can get it to move- if even a little. The dog of course can only take so much of this at one time, so I reassure him between probings. He wags his tail and tells me its alright, just get it outta there!
So I bend forward once again, open the jaw and AHA! Got it!!! Wow, this shard looks so much smaller now that it is between my fingers and not wedged in the roof of his mouth. Emergency diverted. Will be looking for soreness and lacerations later. Was I a veternarian in another life?
I hear a car revving up the driveway. Yay, friend has arrived!! I release the dog, who goes over to greet her. Yep, everything is alright now. Time for some well deserved lunch!!!!!
20 December 2011
05 December 2011
nano what?
nanowrimo = national november write more month (or something along these lines)
I have not written in my blog for a bit and this is why: Here I sit. I sit here to challenge myself based on an event that occurs every November. An annual event designed to help writers on their agenda to, well- do what they love. And that is to write!
The challenge is to: in a one month period, write 50,000 words. A novel to be precise. The goal is not about the quality of the output. The goal, is quantity. But that is not precisely what I have done. Nope, altogether I have only written a smidge over: 9,200 words. But it IS a beginning!!
Realiostically I knew I would most likely not make the 50,000 words in a 30 day period.
In reality for someone to meet this outline that this website has put out, a person would need to write 1,666.667 words per day to make 50,000 by December 1. Tell me, who has this kind of time? Insane writers- thats who. I work a 40 hour work week, and have a family night once a week that will not stop just for my one of many anti social passion. I don't plan to cut my friends out as they deliver small doses of comedic sanity either... Am I supposed to forgo my minimal (as it currently is) exercise plan? And sleep, who needs it!? Um, this lady needs her sleep....All these reasonings are of course the primary reason(s) I have not yet sat down to write my story which is precariously lodged within my gray matter.
But, I have mapped out a tentative calendar with what I think I can do. This little "journal type entry" is more to draw out what I want to write, because the subject is already in my brain. This is the story of my child hood of living with Diabetes. I just need to force myself to sit. Then write. Then make it into a story I believe others will benefit from, and enjoy during reading.
So while I may not be able to write everyday, I am willing to make a goal:
1. Plan a week ahead of time, of trying to write an average 3 days a week, with about 5,000 words a week. I am not going to punish myself if I do not meet this goal! However, I DO plan on setting up a reward for writing my daily goal (a sauna is a GREAT motivational tool!) as is reading time. Books are my vice, and consume a good deal of my spare time!
2. Set up times that work for me. A Sunday morning I am not going to schedule myself to write at 6am. I will be reasonable, first walk the dog, with plan on writing later (but longer) Or if I feel the need to write more, to plan on getting up that hour earlier before work and just flat out write!
3. Write uninhibited. Write it how I remember it. Just write! Like the website says, its about the quantity- not quality, fine tuning comes later. It has to be typed/written out before your put in all those fancy schmancy words.
4. Look to the great website resource for pep talks. Or if you cannot think of the story at hand do a journal type entry, at least you are writing something!! (specifically like this one).....read through the journal and notes you have that you have already written, it really does work to get inspired about the subject matter!!
5. Do not procrastinate. Do it now. November is coming (quite literally the day after tomorrow.) Do it now, what am I waiting for?
6. Back the work up! Really, you know how upset you get after writing a 100 word email and you accidentally hit delete. Save it on the ipad, save it on blogger, save it in google documents, save it on a flash drive. Save it! Then use the handy word counter they smartly have on the website to see how many words have flowed out of those fingertips! Or, download an application for a word counting and make it EVEN EASIER! Wow, I just sat down and typed 737 words in a little under an hour!
See, thats all it takes, is the goal to sit down and DO IT! So, until tomorrow (or what has turned into the entire December hehehehehee) I plan to write, goodnight!
I have not written in my blog for a bit and this is why: Here I sit. I sit here to challenge myself based on an event that occurs every November. An annual event designed to help writers on their agenda to, well- do what they love. And that is to write!
The challenge is to: in a one month period, write 50,000 words. A novel to be precise. The goal is not about the quality of the output. The goal, is quantity. But that is not precisely what I have done. Nope, altogether I have only written a smidge over: 9,200 words. But it IS a beginning!!
Realiostically I knew I would most likely not make the 50,000 words in a 30 day period.
In reality for someone to meet this outline that this website has put out, a person would need to write 1,666.667 words per day to make 50,000 by December 1. Tell me, who has this kind of time? Insane writers- thats who. I work a 40 hour work week, and have a family night once a week that will not stop just for my one of many anti social passion. I don't plan to cut my friends out as they deliver small doses of comedic sanity either... Am I supposed to forgo my minimal (as it currently is) exercise plan? And sleep, who needs it!? Um, this lady needs her sleep....All these reasonings are of course the primary reason(s) I have not yet sat down to write my story which is precariously lodged within my gray matter.
But, I have mapped out a tentative calendar with what I think I can do. This little "journal type entry" is more to draw out what I want to write, because the subject is already in my brain. This is the story of my child hood of living with Diabetes. I just need to force myself to sit. Then write. Then make it into a story I believe others will benefit from, and enjoy during reading.
So while I may not be able to write everyday, I am willing to make a goal:
1. Plan a week ahead of time, of trying to write an average 3 days a week, with about 5,000 words a week. I am not going to punish myself if I do not meet this goal! However, I DO plan on setting up a reward for writing my daily goal (a sauna is a GREAT motivational tool!) as is reading time. Books are my vice, and consume a good deal of my spare time!
2. Set up times that work for me. A Sunday morning I am not going to schedule myself to write at 6am. I will be reasonable, first walk the dog, with plan on writing later (but longer) Or if I feel the need to write more, to plan on getting up that hour earlier before work and just flat out write!
3. Write uninhibited. Write it how I remember it. Just write! Like the website says, its about the quantity- not quality, fine tuning comes later. It has to be typed/written out before your put in all those fancy schmancy words.
4. Look to the great website resource for pep talks. Or if you cannot think of the story at hand do a journal type entry, at least you are writing something!! (specifically like this one).....read through the journal and notes you have that you have already written, it really does work to get inspired about the subject matter!!
5. Do not procrastinate. Do it now. November is coming (quite literally the day after tomorrow.) Do it now, what am I waiting for?
6. Back the work up! Really, you know how upset you get after writing a 100 word email and you accidentally hit delete. Save it on the ipad, save it on blogger, save it in google documents, save it on a flash drive. Save it! Then use the handy word counter they smartly have on the website to see how many words have flowed out of those fingertips! Or, download an application for a word counting and make it EVEN EASIER! Wow, I just sat down and typed 737 words in a little under an hour!
See, thats all it takes, is the goal to sit down and DO IT! So, until tomorrow (or what has turned into the entire December hehehehehee) I plan to write, goodnight!
27 October 2011
Recipe for a Halloween tricky treat
Step 1:
Wash thoroughly. If you bought this at the local party store and don't know how many grimy hands haven been on this....on that note, you don't know how many faces have tried this on. Wash the inside for good measure too!!!!
Step 2:
Cover with cream cheese (or BBQ sauce if that's more your taste) it gives it a nice slimy effect! You can make and shape a cheese ball if you want to make it completely edible (but I was short on time so I opted for the mask!)
Step 3:
I hope you bought LOTS of lunchmeat!!!!! Cut into strips, cover and layer it on! I used brown sugar ham, but of course turkey or roast beef works too! Yum.
Step 4:
BE CREATIVE!! If you can imagine it you can do it!!!
So I also took it upon myself to start a small worm factory.....
But don't worry its only jello!
Sugar free too!!
Perfect for a Halloween potluck! If you can get your friends/coworkers to eat it!!
Bon appetite!!
- Posted using BlogPress
Wash thoroughly. If you bought this at the local party store and don't know how many grimy hands haven been on this....on that note, you don't know how many faces have tried this on. Wash the inside for good measure too!!!!
Step 2:
Cover with cream cheese (or BBQ sauce if that's more your taste) it gives it a nice slimy effect! You can make and shape a cheese ball if you want to make it completely edible (but I was short on time so I opted for the mask!)
Step 3:
I hope you bought LOTS of lunchmeat!!!!! Cut into strips, cover and layer it on! I used brown sugar ham, but of course turkey or roast beef works too! Yum.
Step 4:
BE CREATIVE!! If you can imagine it you can do it!!!
So I also took it upon myself to start a small worm factory.....
But don't worry its only jello!
Sugar free too!!
Perfect for a Halloween potluck! If you can get your friends/coworkers to eat it!!
Bon appetite!!
- Posted using BlogPress
24 October 2011
The nightmare before housesitting
I call myself a housesitter. I have been housesitting for over 10 years. I have and am willing to take care of sick cats, stubborn dogs, lizards that eat crispy dried pieces of crickets, goldfish who attempt to intimidate you into feeding them more with a dubious stare, and numerous personable rodents. I have only 2 rules before accepting a "job" to housesit your abode:
#1. Dont ask to leave your kids with me.
#2. Dont ask to leave your parents with me.
Except I only made up rule #2 after one of my last jobs after I had not near enough fun (and a few minor head scratches) with a little lady we are going to dub "Francine"
Francine is 73 years old. You have to expect a few senior moments, right?
A few days before the big job I go to the house to interact a bit with Francine, talk a bit about the things I needed to tend to while staying at the house. I have watched this dog in the past, so I kind of knew what to expect from him. But, this was before Francine arrived on the scene.....
The daughter told me how I just needed to stay over night there, take care of the dog(who is a bit stubborn so I would be relieving the responsibility of the mom), I was told that she was independent and would have premade meals in the fridge and freezer. Sounds well planned hey? Sigh.
The job started the day the town was experiencing rolling blackouts; power outages every other hour for about an hour at a time. Not to worry, except where Francine is concerned, every time the power went out, she could not recall why it had gone out!! Needless to say she was a little bit frazzled and was more worried about resetting the digital clock in the kitchen than thinking about it going out again the next hour.
These power outages also reset the cordless phone; every other hour. And numerous times I tried to explain to her not to worry, it would come back in an hour(She seemed to understand why the lights were out at least). But then, when the handset had battery power, she could not remember how to dial out (she was adding the area code 907 while trying to call a local number to her daughter that was "not in Alaska" currently). So I would dutifully dial, update the daughter as best I could on our current situation as Francine stood nearby awaiting her turn.
The next day she rings me up to ask me if I had fed the dogs? Yes, I fed the dogs(which I find out later she ALSO has fed the dogs) She then calls me to ask if her daughter had called me, because she had called the house to check in with her(Ok, being on the same page is not a bad thing- right?). She would call me to tell me she was locking the door now. Ok, I tell her, go ahead and lock the door I have a key.... I admit I was busier than usual this Alaska holiday weekend so im going to attempt to communicate with her better. This week should go by smoother....right? Im beginning to question whether this job is too much for me. Give me animals any day, give me people....NEWSFLASH! I am NOT a people person.These power outages also reset the cordless phone; every other hour. And numerous times I tried to explain to her not to worry, it would come back in an hour(She seemed to understand why the lights were out at least). But then, when the handset had battery power, she could not remember how to dial out (she was adding the area code 907 while trying to call a local number to her daughter that was "not in Alaska" currently). So I would dutifully dial, update the daughter as best I could on our current situation as Francine stood nearby awaiting her turn.
Yes, I could have communicated with her at more regular intervals, but I had family in town that I wanted to spend at least some time with. So yes I was gone for some extended periods of time (not to mention most of the night of the Alaska day ball and another unpredictable night where my relatives had a few too many smoked salmon bloody marys and a few too many bits of fun ;)
At one point I walk in and she had taken everything from the fridge and was piling it into the already too full freezer in the entry way room. "Um, Francine, what seems to be the issue?" I ask her. She calmly replies. "Oh, it seems as though the refrigerator is not working. I didnt want to bother you." I place some of the perishables outside on the porch where the temperature is about 34 degrees. "Do you think we will attract bears?" Francine asks me. "Maybe." I tell her. Though it IS October- so Im not extremely worried. The breaker box looks alright but I call the neighbors and they are able to find the problem and fix it quickly(a outlet switch just needed to be changed out in the kitchen most likely caused by the frequent blackouts)
One unforgettable night includes a panic stricken phone call where Francine breathlessly tells me that she has locked herself out of her room!! I am currently at my grandmothers house for dinner so I tell her I will be there as soon as dinner is done. She then tells me her medication is locked in the room. FRICK!! Really? How did the door get locked!!! So I rush out of dinner, all the way out the road, down the steep hill and up their winding gravel driveway. Where I fling myself out of my truck and race into the house as fast as I can. Francine is standing at the bottom of the staircase with a screwdriver and a nail in her hand. "Oh, I got it honey."
The dog water bowl goes completely missing, and so does the garbage can outside, which I had been asked to take down to the street to be collected on trash day (where can a little old lady hide such a thing?!) It was there just 2 days ago! I get a few quick little sporadic rants on religion, and why my not having any type of religion is not a good thing. Which is never a topic I ever choose to initiate into with others.
And the ever present "I cant get the phone to work" rears its head at least once per day. Including an incident on Sunday morning (of course the night of being out super late at the ball) when she could not call a friend (because, alas, she still could not get the phone to work) that was supposed to pick her up to go to church. She waits til 20 minutes before she needs to be there to ask me for a ride. So me, *cranky, sleep deprived, sarcastic, and needing some serious alone time* ask her what her friends phone number is. I call. I get her husband that does not know where this woman is. I go into the mudroom where Francine is waiting, dressed in her Sunday best. I pull on my grubby extra tuffs. As I shrug one arm into my jacket she opens the door and says "Oh, heres my ride!" And walks out, pulling the door shut gently behind her. I slump down onto the bench with a huge sigh, and clumsily kick the boots off. Where the dogs eye me wearily, "I thought we were going somewhere?"
Second to the last day of this endeavor Francine asks me if I can get her an envelope so she can mail a letter off to her friend. I dig around my house (instead of theirs) and come up with a business class envelope and deliver it to her. She then asks me why I did not bring her a different size, as the letter is in fact a card.... I start to bristle. So I tromp back to my house, dig through more envelopes and find one that I think will work for her. Back at her house she smiles angelically and takes the envelope.
The next morning (and finally the last day) she calls me while I am at work and says she needs another envelope, as the one I gave her has been written with the wrong address(in her handwriting must I point out!!!) My patience has hit its limit. At this trivial point I dont even want to go back to the house. I call a friend, and ask her if she has any card envelopes she would be willing to part with and can she please please please PLEASE drop it off for me at the house? Which this wonderful friend did for me without hesitation on her lunch break!
The count is 38. Thats right, 38 phone calls in a 5 day period. I almost did not survive I tell you!!!! Really it was not that bad (unless you start me raving about it) But this story must be told for its entertaining values (and maybe others have pulled the same amount of hair out in situations like these as well?!?!?!)
A year has gone by since this episode in my life. After 10+ years of housesitting I have established these important certain rules:
#1. Dont ask to leave your kids with me.
#2. Dont ask to leave your parents with me.
Except....by the way, apparently I cant say no.....I am housesitting here again for 3 days next month. Its only 3 days....right? We shall see how this chapter turns out.
..........
31 August 2011
Buri
I'm ready, are YOU ready?!?
This lava caving tour starts about one hour drive from Reykjavik. Its name is Buri, and it lays in Leita hraun on the Reykjanes peninsula. With a little hike over the lava field to where the hidden cave entrance lies....
Below, a group member looking at the tiny little hole we have to squeeze our bodies through.....claustrophobic? Don't worry, I'm not!!!!
The cave goes more than 1 kilometer in, and has great diversity in the height and width. The crude path ends abruptly in a large gaping hole that our guide says can be rappelled down about 60 feet to the uneven bottom. It is VERY uneven and NOT for beginning spelunkers! Though the pamphlet states: fit for everyone with good health. Oh and good hiking shoes are essential! The company needs to reiterate this, as a lot of us(including myself) just had tennis shoes.
Time for a head count, did we all make it out alive? We all came out with a few bumps and uffdas! I fell once, but others fell more. But despite the scrapes and bruises, nothing beats the raw realness of caving in a country at a particular cave that not many have been before(the cave was opened only 2 years ago)
That was so fun I want to go again!!!!!
- Posted using BlogPress
This lava caving tour starts about one hour drive from Reykjavik. Its name is Buri, and it lays in Leita hraun on the Reykjanes peninsula. With a little hike over the lava field to where the hidden cave entrance lies....
Below, a group member looking at the tiny little hole we have to squeeze our bodies through.....claustrophobic? Don't worry, I'm not!!!!
The cave goes more than 1 kilometer in, and has great diversity in the height and width. The crude path ends abruptly in a large gaping hole that our guide says can be rappelled down about 60 feet to the uneven bottom. It is VERY uneven and NOT for beginning spelunkers! Though the pamphlet states: fit for everyone with good health. Oh and good hiking shoes are essential! The company needs to reiterate this, as a lot of us(including myself) just had tennis shoes.
Time for a head count, did we all make it out alive? We all came out with a few bumps and uffdas! I fell once, but others fell more. But despite the scrapes and bruises, nothing beats the raw realness of caving in a country at a particular cave that not many have been before(the cave was opened only 2 years ago)
That was so fun I want to go again!!!!!
- Posted using BlogPress
Location:Reykjavik Iceland
29 August 2011
Madonna
The Icelanic horse is special for many reasons, one being that for over a thousand years they have not changed their genetic line. In their native country they have few diseases; Icelandic law prevents horses from being imported and exported animals are not allowed back into the country.
Icelandic horses are smaller than other breeds of horses, although usually larger than ponies. The Icelandic displays two gaits in addition to the typical walk, trot, and canter/gallop commonly displayed by other breeds. Yes, they have 5 different gaits!!!!
Some horses are also raised here for slaughter.....with most of the meat being sent off to Japan, but surprisingly widely consumed here as well.
After my ride I don't think I can try this local specialty today.......My Icelandic horses name is Madonna. Though I haven't had a ton of experience on horses, Madonna was VERY responsive and I had a fantastic time, I even chose to ride back to the farm with the fast group where we got to try the special "tölt" gait(a few people decided to walk back)
My cold is doing better and only a couple of days until I head to Seattle. I hope my brain is ready for meter school.....oops I think it just went galloping off with that Icelandic horse!!!!
- Posted using BlogPress
Icelandic horses are smaller than other breeds of horses, although usually larger than ponies. The Icelandic displays two gaits in addition to the typical walk, trot, and canter/gallop commonly displayed by other breeds. Yes, they have 5 different gaits!!!!
Some horses are also raised here for slaughter.....with most of the meat being sent off to Japan, but surprisingly widely consumed here as well.
After my ride I don't think I can try this local specialty today.......My Icelandic horses name is Madonna. Though I haven't had a ton of experience on horses, Madonna was VERY responsive and I had a fantastic time, I even chose to ride back to the farm with the fast group where we got to try the special "tölt" gait(a few people decided to walk back)
My cold is doing better and only a couple of days until I head to Seattle. I hope my brain is ready for meter school.....oops I think it just went galloping off with that Icelandic horse!!!!
- Posted using BlogPress
Location:Laxnes, Iceland
28 August 2011
The golden circle
I have caught a touch of a Norwegian cold so I'm taking it easy today and doing a popular tour of 3 must sees while in Iceland. Rest and water should make things better :)
First stop: Pingvellir national park. This is the volcano and fissure laden junction where the American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly drifting apart, about 3 mm each year(about as fast as your finger nails grow every year) Which means that in about 10,000 years, there will be a gap of about 70 meters. Another grand canyon in the making!!
Next stop: Gullfoss waterfall. In Icelandic this name means the golden waterfall. By far the most popular waterfall in Iceland, thousands of people trek to see it annually. Do you see how little the people are standing on the rock to the left? I'm going down there!!
Lots of spray this close!!
Last stop on this tour: Geysir. The one and only Geysir where all others hereafter get their common name from! I did not know that this was an Icelandic word!!
The water is about 200 degrees farenheit, a little below boiling but still HOT! This run off is a tad cooler to the touch....
But still you do not want to be standing directly underneath when it blows!!!!! I have some videos that are sideways that once i figure out how to rotate them, will try to post!
- Posted using BlogPress
First stop: Pingvellir national park. This is the volcano and fissure laden junction where the American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly drifting apart, about 3 mm each year(about as fast as your finger nails grow every year) Which means that in about 10,000 years, there will be a gap of about 70 meters. Another grand canyon in the making!!
Next stop: Gullfoss waterfall. In Icelandic this name means the golden waterfall. By far the most popular waterfall in Iceland, thousands of people trek to see it annually. Do you see how little the people are standing on the rock to the left? I'm going down there!!
Lots of spray this close!!
Last stop on this tour: Geysir. The one and only Geysir where all others hereafter get their common name from! I did not know that this was an Icelandic word!!
The water is about 200 degrees farenheit, a little below boiling but still HOT! This run off is a tad cooler to the touch....
But still you do not want to be standing directly underneath when it blows!!!!! I have some videos that are sideways that once i figure out how to rotate them, will try to post!
- Posted using BlogPress
Location:Iceland
26 August 2011
Day 27 at the Blue lagoon
Hello Iceland!!
Apparently you cannot go to Iceland and not stop for a visit to the blue lagoon! Luckily I went early in the morning before all the crowds.....
The water’s milky temperature is 37-39°C / 98-102°F. Also they do not add chemicals to "treat" this lagoon, as the water recirculates itself every 40 hours or so. And regular testing shows that common bacteria has a difficult time sticking around.
The geothermal hot seawater springs draw thousands of people annually. The blue-white salty water is a combination of minerals and has a high level of silica. And naturally has pumice on the bottom to smooth out those travel worn feet! Also scattered around the edges of the pool are wooden boxes supplying a mud mask(supposedly to take the stress and wrinkles away)
I could only stay in for about 40 minutes before I hauled myself out so I could "unprune" myself after utilizing their state of the art shower facilities, where they supply the blue lagoon shampoo and conditioner for guests(which they also highly encourage you to purchase)
The local water has a lot of sulphur in it (and drys the hair out quite a lot) Iceland is one of few countries that because of it's geothermal power, electricity and hot water is cheap and almost unlimited. Those that live in Iceland have the luxury of taking hour long hot showers every day(and it sounds like they do too)
But this also means that they always must be ready for the next earthquake or eruption that mother nature may have up her sleeve.
Ah so relaxing, so now I think now I need a fruit smoothie, yummy! And then a nap....
Zzzzzzzzz.........
- Posted using BlogPress
Apparently you cannot go to Iceland and not stop for a visit to the blue lagoon! Luckily I went early in the morning before all the crowds.....
The water’s milky temperature is 37-39°C / 98-102°F. Also they do not add chemicals to "treat" this lagoon, as the water recirculates itself every 40 hours or so. And regular testing shows that common bacteria has a difficult time sticking around.
The geothermal hot seawater springs draw thousands of people annually. The blue-white salty water is a combination of minerals and has a high level of silica. And naturally has pumice on the bottom to smooth out those travel worn feet! Also scattered around the edges of the pool are wooden boxes supplying a mud mask(supposedly to take the stress and wrinkles away)
I could only stay in for about 40 minutes before I hauled myself out so I could "unprune" myself after utilizing their state of the art shower facilities, where they supply the blue lagoon shampoo and conditioner for guests(which they also highly encourage you to purchase)
The local water has a lot of sulphur in it (and drys the hair out quite a lot) Iceland is one of few countries that because of it's geothermal power, electricity and hot water is cheap and almost unlimited. Those that live in Iceland have the luxury of taking hour long hot showers every day(and it sounds like they do too)
But this also means that they always must be ready for the next earthquake or eruption that mother nature may have up her sleeve.
Ah so relaxing, so now I think now I need a fruit smoothie, yummy! And then a nap....
Zzzzzzzzz.........
- Posted using BlogPress
Location:Rekjanes, Iceland
25 August 2011
It's a coffee day, day 26
Do I look tired?
Today I had lots of free coffee! The first was this morning when I went out looking for a narvesen(local mini market) which are on every corner unless you are specifically looking for one, then they do not seem to be anywhere!
I must have looked a bit exasperated because a woman walks up to me and asks: Ønsker du gratis kaffe? (or something along these lines)
I ask her: du snakker engelsk? Do you speak English? I AM getting better at pronouncing my Norwegian ;) she replies: do you want some coffee for free? Of course I DO!!! Takk!!!!!!! (thanks) then she gives me another card for another free coffee......except I am heading to the airport(after my coffee) so I had better find someone to give this free coffee to!
Then once at the airport I have some time, so I get some coffee, and it just some happens that we started a punch card that every 5 coffees that you buy, you get the 6th one free! And I was on my free one(which was why I was looking for a narvesen prior)
It's a coffee day.
And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that!
Saying goodbye to Oslo on the Aker Brygge at the eternal peace flame.
Heading to Reykjavik next. The land of fire and ice!
Stay tuned.
- Posted using BlogPress
Today I had lots of free coffee! The first was this morning when I went out looking for a narvesen(local mini market) which are on every corner unless you are specifically looking for one, then they do not seem to be anywhere!
I must have looked a bit exasperated because a woman walks up to me and asks: Ønsker du gratis kaffe? (or something along these lines)
I ask her: du snakker engelsk? Do you speak English? I AM getting better at pronouncing my Norwegian ;) she replies: do you want some coffee for free? Of course I DO!!! Takk!!!!!!! (thanks) then she gives me another card for another free coffee......except I am heading to the airport(after my coffee) so I had better find someone to give this free coffee to!
Then once at the airport I have some time, so I get some coffee, and it just some happens that we started a punch card that every 5 coffees that you buy, you get the 6th one free! And I was on my free one(which was why I was looking for a narvesen prior)
It's a coffee day.
And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that!
Saying goodbye to Oslo on the Aker Brygge at the eternal peace flame.
Heading to Reykjavik next. The land of fire and ice!
Stay tuned.
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Location:Oslo
23 August 2011
Insta-friend
Today on the couchsurfing website there is a local party/meet up. The directions were to meet at 16:00 in Viggeland park (yay i get to go to Viggeland again!!!!!!!)at the "ugly" statue. Um.....what is classified as the ugly statue?! And do you know just how many statues there are in that particular park?!?!?!? And I personally think they are all extremely beautiful.... But maybe because our only statue in my home town is a seagull poo and algae covered gold miner in front of the old folks home(okay I really like our dear one and only statue, I cant lie)
I really really cant get enough of this park!!!!!
And after spending a good deal of time wearing out the battery on my camera.....by the time I actually located the right piece of art(I had to call on another local cser to give me better directions) I didnt even actually get a picture of this so called "ugly" statue! (it was just a local being sarcastic) it was a perfectly normal artistic sculpture!
And so I found myself at an impromptu BBQ/beer drinking/music crashing/party! Really, there were all sorts of fellow csers there and once again this website is amazing at bringing people together! Insta-friends(just add beer)!!!
After taking pictures and lounging in the gorgeous sunshine and telling travel stories we jumped on a trolley and headed to a place were there was music with the intentions of sneaking in for free....turns out it WAS for free, as part of the Oslo jazz festival, that just happens to be going on right NOW!!
A very full day, I think I will sleep in tomorrow, I am on vacation after all ;)
Sorry I STILL can't get my picasa uploader to put any pics up on the Internet, I'll keep taking em though, so keep checking that picasa link ;)
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I really really cant get enough of this park!!!!!
And after spending a good deal of time wearing out the battery on my camera.....by the time I actually located the right piece of art(I had to call on another local cser to give me better directions) I didnt even actually get a picture of this so called "ugly" statue! (it was just a local being sarcastic) it was a perfectly normal artistic sculpture!
And so I found myself at an impromptu BBQ/beer drinking/music crashing/party! Really, there were all sorts of fellow csers there and once again this website is amazing at bringing people together! Insta-friends(just add beer)!!!
After taking pictures and lounging in the gorgeous sunshine and telling travel stories we jumped on a trolley and headed to a place were there was music with the intentions of sneaking in for free....turns out it WAS for free, as part of the Oslo jazz festival, that just happens to be going on right NOW!!
A very full day, I think I will sleep in tomorrow, I am on vacation after all ;)
Sorry I STILL can't get my picasa uploader to put any pics up on the Internet, I'll keep taking em though, so keep checking that picasa link ;)
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Location:Oslo, Norway
22 August 2011
Day 22 the national gallery
Today we went to the national gallery, and boy was there a lot of art there!!! Claude Monet, Christian Krohg, Pablo Picaso, Johan Christian Dahl. It was mind blowing, or maybe it was just the fact that they don't have any fresh air in there so the air circulation does not hurt the ancient paintings.
At one point I thought I was going to pass out if I didn't get any fresh air!
And they don't allow you to bring bags/backpacks in(really has anyone tried fitting a painting into their pack in the past?) I forgot my camera in my bag that I had just put into a locker, which once you pay the 10 kroner fee I thought would only open once...... And I didn't want to pay 10 kroner just to get the Darn thing. So sadly, no pictures from my camera today. And it turns out, I got my 10 kroner back after all.......sigh. At least aunt Kat got some photos today.
Even if I had the camera, the only piece that I wanted my picture taken in front of was The Scream, by Edvard Munch. I have been practicing my "scream" face for weeks! Turns out, that is the only room you are NOT allowed to take pics in...... Don't worry this was taken in the souvenirs shop haha! Hmm....photoshop when I get home....
Raining hard here in Oslo today, so off to do some last minute souvenir shopping and dashing through the big juicy raindrops!!
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At one point I thought I was going to pass out if I didn't get any fresh air!
And they don't allow you to bring bags/backpacks in(really has anyone tried fitting a painting into their pack in the past?) I forgot my camera in my bag that I had just put into a locker, which once you pay the 10 kroner fee I thought would only open once...... And I didn't want to pay 10 kroner just to get the Darn thing. So sadly, no pictures from my camera today. And it turns out, I got my 10 kroner back after all.......sigh. At least aunt Kat got some photos today.
Even if I had the camera, the only piece that I wanted my picture taken in front of was The Scream, by Edvard Munch. I have been practicing my "scream" face for weeks! Turns out, that is the only room you are NOT allowed to take pics in...... Don't worry this was taken in the souvenirs shop haha! Hmm....photoshop when I get home....
Raining hard here in Oslo today, so off to do some last minute souvenir shopping and dashing through the big juicy raindrops!!
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Location:Oslo, Norway
21 August 2011
Picture upload error
sorry folks I can't seem to upload any pictures at the moment, but I'll get em up as soon as I'm able!!!
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Trollstigen! Day 21
The mountain Trollveggen is the tallest, vertical rock face in Europe! At it's highest point it reaches 5950 feet from the valley floor to the tip top. 3300 of those feet are vertical, making it a stellar spot if you are an avid rock climber!
Don't worry, im just up here hiking around a bit ;)
This SO makes up for yesterday being a bust on the bus! I wandered around up here for 3 hours. Then, it began raining while I waited for the bus, but not to worry, the bus driver gave me a free ride fare back down!!!
Can I go again!!?!!
Don't forget to check out the picasa link(upper right hand corner) for the rest of the pictures! Enjoy, (I sure did!!!)
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Don't worry, im just up here hiking around a bit ;)
This SO makes up for yesterday being a bust on the bus! I wandered around up here for 3 hours. Then, it began raining while I waited for the bus, but not to worry, the bus driver gave me a free ride fare back down!!!
Can I go again!!?!!
Don't forget to check out the picasa link(upper right hand corner) for the rest of the pictures! Enjoy, (I sure did!!!)
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Location:Andalsnes, Norway
20 August 2011
Day 20 the Atlantic road
Today we set off to see the Atlantic road.
The Atlanternshaven highway is only 8.3 kilometers long(5.2 miles) there are 8 bridges that span it between small towns and skerries and local fisherman fish directly from the road in some places. We were about 43 miles from it so I knew today would be a lot of bus riding.....however, with where we needed to end up for the night (Andalsnes) we just did not figure "how much" back to back bus riding this day was going to be.
The weather is drizzly, so that's okay about being stuck on a bus......but after 8 hours and many stops along the way that we couldnt get off at, both aunt Kat and I were getting a bit restless, a bit frustrated and really grumpy!!!!
For how long it took to get to where the road started....we were sadly not so excited to see it once we were there....sigh....and do you know how tough it is to take pictures on a moving, rain battered window of a bus? (The top image is not one that we took)
Today was mostly a flop. Dont get me wrong, it was beautiful and a highly visited destination here in Norway, but I would recommend(even though it is extremely expensive) to rent a car if you ever come here and want to see it for yourself. That's what I would do if I could do it over.
Onward to the next adventure!
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The Atlanternshaven highway is only 8.3 kilometers long(5.2 miles) there are 8 bridges that span it between small towns and skerries and local fisherman fish directly from the road in some places. We were about 43 miles from it so I knew today would be a lot of bus riding.....however, with where we needed to end up for the night (Andalsnes) we just did not figure "how much" back to back bus riding this day was going to be.
The weather is drizzly, so that's okay about being stuck on a bus......but after 8 hours and many stops along the way that we couldnt get off at, both aunt Kat and I were getting a bit restless, a bit frustrated and really grumpy!!!!
For how long it took to get to where the road started....we were sadly not so excited to see it once we were there....sigh....and do you know how tough it is to take pictures on a moving, rain battered window of a bus? (The top image is not one that we took)
Today was mostly a flop. Dont get me wrong, it was beautiful and a highly visited destination here in Norway, but I would recommend(even though it is extremely expensive) to rent a car if you ever come here and want to see it for yourself. That's what I would do if I could do it over.
Onward to the next adventure!
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Location:On a bus :(
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