Week 2 here in lovely Ireland is now over! We’re done with our internship now, and today we said goodbye to Mill Strand Primary School. I’ve realy loved it there! The kids are great, and the teachers have really accepted us and been very inviting and friendly.
On monday, the school had some visitors: the Mwamba childrens choir from Uganda. They were unbelievably talented! The youngest soloist was only 9 years old, and was performing like a pro! I was seriously impressed. I’m just regretting leaving my camera!
On tuesday I started my art project with the year 3 kids.(6 and 7-year olds). I had originally planned to make masks out of plaster with them, but then we couldn’t find any plaster anywhere, so I ended up doing paper mache instead. Which was very interesting, because I haven’t worked with paper mache since I was about 4 years old, and the school didn’t have the right kind of glue. Oh well, it all worked out fine. They glued newspaper on balloons and I planned on cutting them into mask-shapes once it dried. The masks got a little thin though, and there was no time to do more layers, so I didn’t dare start cutting them up, in case the balloon inside would burst. In the end, they ended up making puppet-like things with cloaks. It took three days! One day to do the paper-macheing, then another day to do the painting and wait for it to dry, than another day to make the cloaks and get then stuck on the balloons. It was messy, noisy and sticky, but a lot of fun as well. I’ll post some photos later on.
On thursday, Eirik had his music project with the kids. He sang Tir’na Noir (a norwegian song) and had the kids join him when he sang Molly Malone. He also composed a song with them, using autumn sounds they suggested. It turned out pretty good, and the children loved it!
I’m realy going to miss the kids-they’re so sweet! One of the boys gave me a marble when I left so I would remember them, and I got a whole bunch of hugs! I just did not want to leave at the end of the day!
Yesterday, friday, we were invited to the teachers and parents Halloween party. It was held at a club in Portrush called Kelly’s. The headmaster was the DJ! It was alot of fun! We got free glowsticks, the music was entertaining, people were buying us drinks, and I even won a 5-course dinner for two! I never win anything, and now I get the main prize!! All in all it was amazing evening!
I’ve been in Portstewart for a week now, and I’m really liking it! 
On saturday the 10th(a little more than a week ago) we spent the entire night playing pool(Yes, the house we rented has a pool table!!!) and listening to music. It was a blast, and will definitely be repeated. We’ve been exploring the town a bit, and it’s really pretty and picturesque. We live very close to the beach, and Katja and Katrine went for a walk there a few days ago and said it was amazing. I was exhausted then, but I’ll definitely join them next time.
One of the local Portstewart churches
A local convent 
The first week working at the school here went fine. The people working there are friendly and welcoming, and the kids are soooo unbelievably adorable and sweet! We’ve been kind of tossed around between the classes though, and so far we’ve been through the entire primary school except year 4 and 6. We’ll be in year 3 all next week though, preparing for our “project”( aka our assignment from HINT). I’ll be making paper-mache masks with the kids, and teaching them a little bit about the history of Halloween.( for those of you who don’t know, Halloween started out as a festival of the dead in Britain. The Celts had the festival of Samhain on the same day, where they celebrated their dead relatives with games and bonfires. When the Romans came to Britain the festival was adapted to Christianity and renamed All Hallows Eve-now shortened to Halloween).
I took a couple of pictures around the nearest town, Coleraine, when we went there to see if we could find something interesting to do on our days off.
Coleraine
A church in Coleraine.
I love the buildings here! None of them are the same. If the buildings in an area has the same architecture, then there are so many details that makes them completely unique. I think all the houses in Norway pretty much look the exactly the same, so it’s fun seeing something different.
We’ve been exploring the shopping area in Coleraine as well, and I’ve officially fallen in love with the Waterstone’s bookshop there. It’s fantastic! I bought Marked, the first book in the House of Night series, Dr. Darcy, Vampire, and The Picture of Dorian Gray.
One of the first things we were asked when we came here was if things here are cheaper than back home in Norway. At the time we’d only been to a pub to eat, not in any real shop, so we said that it was a bit cheaper, but pretty much the same. Well…I can tell you now that it’s definitely cheaper here, especially the food.
I’ll be blogging more later on. I’m doing my paper mache project tomorrow, so I’ll let you know how it goes.
Ooh, and Katja found a really pretty, very strange butterfly. It just sat on her hand, and wouldn’t fly no matter what she did.
The pretty, pretty butterfly
Day 1
So I’m finaly here! Northern Ireland!! We spend all day yesterday travelling. First we took the plane from Oslo to Copenhagen, only to wait there for allmost six hours. I have to say though…Copenhagen Airport has to be one of the nicest ones I’ve been too. It was huge, but not too huge, and it had a gigantic tax free shop..The main shopping area outside the tax free made me feel kind of out of place though…Hermes, Burberry, Gucci….I was practically drooling outside the Burberry store.
We were all pretty tired from the bussdrive down to Oslo, so we spent most of the time in Copenhagen ust relaxing at a cafe. We almost fell asleep at the table (one of us, Katrine, actualy did *grins*)
So, after Copenhagen, we got on our flight to Dublin! Once we got there, we rented a car, and were on our way to Coleraine, Northern Ireland! It was dark when we drove, so unfortunately we didn’t see much of the country, but what we did see was stunning. I loved this medieval-looking town called Armagh. Loads of small allies and stone houses 
Of course we managed to take a few wrong turns, but at least we didn’t crash the car. It all went pretty well concidering that we were driving on the oposite side of the road from what we’re used too.
When we got to our house (Yes, we’ve rented a house! Or..Our contact down here has rented it for us) we got a pleasant suprise! It was awsome! We all have our own bedrooms with queen-sized beds, and we have a pooltable and everything!
On to day two:
Today we’ve pretty much just relaxed and tried to figure out where thing are around town. We found a grocery store pretty close by, and a great pub/restaurant, and now we’re back at the house, watching Top Gear We’re planning a night in front of the tv or Eirik’s computer.*grins* And on monday, it’ll be our first day working here! I’m quite nervous though…I have no idea what to expect! But I’m sure it’ll be fine.
Anywho…I’ll post some pictures soon,and keep blogging about my experiences here.
So, right now I’m blogging from the night-buss on my way to Oslo (gotta love low-priced buss companies that has a free wireless network*grins*), and tomorrow morning I’m be on the plane to Dublin! It’s s surreal! I have no real feeling of actually going anywhere yet…a few butterflies fluttering around in my stomack, that’s it. Usually I’m way too stressed out when traveling, but now I’m almost eerily relaxed.
I don’t know if I’ll have web-access when I’m there, but I’ll try to keep you guys updatedon everything that’s happening if I can, and post a lot of pictures, naturaly!
This time next month, I’ll be sitting in my room in Coleraine, Northern Ireland! We (me and the three people in my class that I’m travelling with) just ordered our planetickets three days ago. I seriously can not wait! I’ve never been to Ireland before, and it will be my first real chance to practice my spoken english properly in years!
I’m also close to done with my cupboard! It’s all painted and pretty now, so all I have to do is attach the shelves and the door, and some minor last minute decorating, like painting these tiny wooden stars silver and carving out my signature and the very special 090909 date. I like working with wood, and it’s been alot of fun, but all the sawdust in the woodshop gets stuck on my lenses, and has given me an eye infection that just won’t go away! Very anoying! I’ll post pictures of the cupboard once it’s done
I’m spending the weekend with my aunt, grandfather and my two cousins, and yesterday we went in to Trondheim to do some shopping. Of course, the Fantasy/Manga-geek in me couldn’t resist a trip to Outland, my number one source of mangas, imported dvd’s and literature. Going there can get quite expencive, and yesterday was no exeption: I got a few mangas: Nana vol. 17 and 18, and Vampire Knight vol. 3:
I bought a few other things as well- the L:Change the worLd dvd and two books: Cassandra Claire’s City of Bones and Caitlin R. Kiernan’s Threshold.
All in all, it was a great trip! I gasped when I actualy found City of Bones! I’ve loved Cassandra Claire’s writing ever since I read the awsomely epic Secret Diaries Lord of the Rings fic she created, and I have been trying to find the Mortal Instruments series here in Norway for a while. One of my friends, Jasnette, lent me her copy months ago, but I haven’t had the time to read it yet. Studying for my exams had to be a priority, and during summer holidays I had my head burried in the Wheel Of Time series, rereading it before the release of the next WoT book, The Gathering Storm, on the 27th of October. I seriously hope Brandon Sanderson doesn’t mess it up…Tor Books has released the first chapter on their website, and so far, so good. You can tell that Robert Jordan didn’t write all of it, but it’s still brilliant and epic. If the rest of the book is just as good, then I’ll be happy. I think Sanderson will do a realy good job carrying on Jordans legacy through the last few books.
Like I’ve mentioned before, I’m taking a half-year course in Art this year, and our first assignment is to design and make a cupboard *grins* Mine will be shaped like a guitar, and I’ll have some of my favorite cd’s there..At least that’s the plan. Making a cupboard is a lot more complicated than I thought it would be. Oh well…My teacher helps us out whenever we need it, so I guess it’ll be okay.
As a part of the course, I also have lectures in The History of Art. It was actually quite interesting. I was expecting it to be boring, but I didn’t want the class to end! We learned a lot about the Mona Lisa(which is quite an erotic painting, apparently*laughs*), and a few norwegian paintings. Most of the lectures will be on norwegian art history, specially the next month, as we’re going to Oslo sometime during the end of September, to see the Fall Exhibit, the new opera( as architecture is art as well), and loads of museums. Hopefully, it’ll be a lot of fun. I’m taking the nightbus down to Oslo, so I’ll be exhausted the first day, but I’ll survive.
A week of chocolate covered fruit, trips to the Red Dragon Inn and unspeakable horrors in Arkham
This past week has been awsome! On thurday, Jasnette, Nessie( yes, those are nicknames) and me decided to make chocolate foundue. I tasted chocolate covered strawberries for the first time, and I loved it! If you haven’t tried it, you have to! *pushes you toward the store and places you in front of the fruits and vegetable counter, and gets you a foundue set* Pineapple is yummy as well, and grapes and kiwi….*noms and sighs*We ate until we couldn’t possably stand one more bite, and then headed off to the Red Dragon Inn, and had a blast! It has to one of the funniest games I’ve ever played! “Has anyone seen my poison? I left it in a mug right here…” “Now you see me, now you don’t” *grins with glee* The next time I’m in Trondheim and close to a gamestore, I’ll definitly get a copy of my own!( We used Jasnettes).
On friday I got a kind of sort of suprise visit from Trondheim – Yv and Crazy K brought Crazy K’s amazing Arkham Horror set, which is three times the size of my own, and alot more complicated and fun. We played until a little past midnight, and we managed to beat the Ancient One…with a little help from a “few” Clue Tokens( photographic evidence will be posted as soon as Yv sends me the photos she took).
Jasnette, Nessie and me played another round of Arkham on sunday, where we used our home made Investigators inspired by the Harry Potter universe. I was Hermione( those of you who know me are probably rolling your eyes and muttering “of cource” right about now*grins*), Nessie was Sybill Trelawney, and Jasnette was Malfoy( and loved every minutte of it!*laughs*)
My first weekend working at Gyda went just fine, thankfully *smiles* It was stressful, but not nearly as bad as I expected. I actualy get more stressed out and nervous during the regular working week, when I’m there alone.
Also, I’m now officialy 24 years old! My birthday was this saturday, the 1st of August. My mom and stepdad got me a new bed for my flat!*bounces up and down with joy!* No more sleeping on an old, worn-down, painful couch! It’s going to be great!
So, school starts back up again in two weeks, and I’m realy looking forwards to it. I love being home, but it does get a little cramped and crowded after a while, and besides, I can’t wait to have a semester of only art and art history! I’ve always loved drawing, and maybe I’ll learn some new teckniques now, and improve my freestyle drawing somewhat. Oh, and I might be going to Northern Ireland for a month!! It’ll be awsome! And to make this school year even better, two of my friends are moving into the same building as me, just down the hall! *grins* We’re planning on yelling “bikini-wax” whenever one of us wants to have a movie-night, just to see how the others react! Why, yes, we do have a weird sence of humor, how did you guess? *giggles*
Anyway, it’s now 2.39 AM, so I think I’ll be getting to bed now. Good night, and do let the Cullens bite! ( My fellow Twilighters will understand that one).
Quote of the day:
“Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”
Two days ago I got a great phonecall: One of the places I applied to for a summer job wanted to hire me! An hour and and a half later, I was behind the counter at Gyda. Gyda is a kiosk, I guess, that sells candy, a few groceries, has a videorental, and sells burgers, pizza and baguettes. So for the past two days I’ve been learning how to make the food they offer( not as easy as it sounds), the cash register, opening and closing rutines, stuff like that. And the great part is that I get to work with one of my sisters best friends, so I allready know someone there. I’ll be working for two weeks now, until school starts, then the weekends when I’m at home and during holidays. Yey!
I’m kind of nervous about working saturday nights though, as ALOT of people who’ve been out parting end up there when they want food before heading home for the night. It’ll be chaos, I’m sure, but luckily I won’t have to be there alone.
So last thursday my uncle called me and asked if I wanted to come visit him…In Oslo…60 kilometers away…11 hours later I was sitting on a buss on my way south towards the capital of Norway *Grins* Oh, how I love impulsive holidays!! I just got back this morning, and the past week has been awsome. The first thing me and my uncle did when I got to Oslo was borrow one of his friends’ boat, and take a trip out on the Oslo-fjord for a swim. I was so tired after spending the entire night on a crowded buss( It left Trondheim at 11 PM and I got off at Oslo Bussterminal at 7.15 AM the next morning) that I realy needed the wake up-call the cold water gave me. After spending a few hours on the boat, we went to the airport to pick up my two cousins who were also visiting. The rest of the day was spendt relaxing in front of the tv with a few movies and pizza, and a deck of cards.
The next day we went to the movies and saw Ice Age 3 in 3D- which was awsome! The movie was hillarious and in my opinion every bit as good as the two previous ones. I’ve never seen a 3D-movie before, so experiencing that was pretty cool.
During the week we also went shopping, saw Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (WHAT did they do to the ending?? It ruined the entire movie!), a few more boat-rides, and went to Tusenfryd, an amusement park. Loads of fun* grins*
