Social solitude, fabulous brothers and migrant-"problems"

It has truly been an interesting week, but it isn't over yet. Let me take it from the start:

I've had the house for myself for the past week, because my little sister was away on a schooltrip to Greece (it's a wonder that it didn't turn bankrupt while they were there...) and my parents was in Washington. This was because my dad follows an exhibition around the world with fish and other creatures from the deep, deep sea, and my mother chose to follow him this time.
But was I lonesome? I wouldn't say so. Solitude can be positive, in order to get a chance to think. I find it pretty difficult to concentrate, so to be able to hear my own thoughts was a huge relief.
I put away the curriculum for a few days (maybe that was a bad idea, but it was driving me insane), and just enjoyed the freedom. Some of my best friends came over for dinner, and I've proved that I'm not a lousy cook, just very traditional (don't ask me to make anything fancy...that will definitely get your kitchen burnt down  ^^)

 

So I made my favorite-dish: Raspeballer.

This was followed by some great movies and lots of talking. When things are working out perfectly, I tend to be quite a talkative person. Hugs were given and received and I could go to bed with a smile on my face.

THANK YOU

But I have also made some new friends this week. Two students from Germany and Finland desperately needed a place to stay for the weekend, and asked me :D

They turned out be some fantastic people, and we had so much fun during the 3 days they were with me. I showed them my city, and while doing so I discovered that I know much more than I thought. I felt more alive then ever while telling the stories about the kings, merchants and witches of Bergen. so if you want a good story, just ask me...

Today is it only two days until freedom, and thanks to all my friends, I have found my way back to both inspiration and motivation. I want to to this! I want to show the world that I can manage to tell the story of the Irish immigrants in Boston and New York in a good way, a way that would (hopefully) make an Irishman smile....

Drawing by Thomas Nash, depicting the Irish as a bizarre 

hybrid between a boxer and an orangutan

Last but not least: my brother. He had his exam today, and since he's training to be a classical singer, he had to prepare a 45-minute concert. And what a concert!

He sung 6 pieces by a pretty unknown composer named Carl Loewe (1796-1869) and it struck that my brother is the born actor. The way he changes his voice and "behavior" to mimic the different feelings and even persons was just amazing to see.

The next he sung was in a total other direction tonally: Hugo Wolf's "Michelangelo Lieder" no 2 and 3. His eyes were shooting lightning while singing, and it seemed that he believed in what he was singing.

Then we got a very famous aria from "Eugen Onegin" by Pjotr Tchaikovsky; Gremins Aria. this was a true pearl, and wonderful to listen to :)

The two last pieces was from La Sonnambula (The Sleepwalker) by Bellini, and Simon Boccanegra by Verdi.His voice was so tender, and still so strong. you could think that he was crying....

So it has been a wonderful week, and I thank everybody who has been a part of it

To Germany

Good evening Europe, and a special welcome to you; Germany
I want to thank you for a wonderful song and an amazing artist. She really held her head high during the whole thing, and she is a worthy winner.
Now I cannot wait until next year, when the final is in....GERMANY!!!



PS: a small congratulations to Ireland too...you beat the UK, and we loved you no matter what tonight
Cheers for Germany and Niamh Kavanagh!!

A hug can save a life

It has been hard lately, and I have crashed down several times. The oral exam is closening up, I've re-lived some nightmares from my childhood and lost all my motivation. But what can I do when I'm home all alone, with thoughts trying to bring me down in my solitude?

I can try to keep them away, but the best help I've discovered is: A hug!

To receive a hug from a friend brings light into my heart again, make me see that the clouds is drifting apart and that a dream is possible.

And you know who you are:

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE HUGS YOU'VE GIVEN ME

For if you don't know it: You have saved my life and I'm forever in your debt

so people:

GIVE A HUG TO SOMEONE YOU CARE ABOUT

17th May in Pictures

Here are some pictures from Norways Constitution Day. I let them speak for themselves ^^

The banner of my old school

Buekorps

Look at the parade!

Even policemen are even more handsome today...

The Commitee

The Firebrigade

Bergen Pipe and Drums (look! men in KILTS ^^)

Here are one of the drummers...the band have their own tartan :)

Me like the yellow flag...LION!

Nothing is quite like seeing these guys march

The University and its headmaster; Sigmund Grønmo

More men in kilts...and they are singing!

Yes, they make a lot of sound...

But they are VERY cool

They got style

The older look after the little ones

And believe it or not: you can find some pretty decent lads there

Wesselengens Battalion

I cannot complain about the view ^^

And last but not least: our national anthem

Bang!

Yesterday was really a day when I could be proud of my city and its traditions. Because this was the "Buekorpsenes Day", when they would show who was best in town. For you who doesn't know this tradition or what a buekorps is, I will give you a little update.
Buekorps (can be translated with archer brigade) is a tradition from Bergen who started in the middle of the 19th century. When the men was drilling and rehearsing, the boys where standing beside and mimicking them. Many of the neighbourhoods around the city-centre has their own "brigade" and they are divided into Saturday- and Sunday-brigades. The one that marched/ drilled on Saturdays were the ones that had parents that had money, and therefore could give their sons the day off that day. Sunday was for the working-class boys. Now anyone can join them :)

from ba.no

Yesterday they were really showing off, and one guy from every brigade had to prove that his brigade was the best, either by drumming or carrying the banner.
I could feel every beat from the drums from my head to my toe, and I couldn't stopp smiling. This is Bergen, my beloved hometown ^^

There is no sound on this, sorry :/

But here are some pictures of those gallant guys ^^

Rapport no 2

I'm back at Finnegans again, and this time the nice weather has made a normal day pretty good. It looks good for the next couple of days, since Norway have its Constitution Day on Monday, and I will walk in the parade with my old school, carrying something resembling a tassel ^ ^
I hope for good weather for two reasons: it is much more fun to parade in sunny weather AND I'm gonna wear my irish kilt...that will not be a pleasant thing to do if it is raining...or maybe I will do it anyway :p
Anyway, I also have to make myself a garland of dandelions, because that is my school-symbol; we have it in our "flag"

 This was me last year ^^ Euphoric!

The Heart of the Ocean

 

Candlelight dies at the window
And the night wind blows soft from the sea
Though I lie in your arms, I'm a thousand miles away
On the waves sailing fast, sailing free

Now I'm bound for the heart of the ocean
I'm riding the sea in my soul
In the dark and the deep
She will rock me to sleep
Down below... where the black waters roll

When the sea birds cry out in the morning
And the sun lays it's kiss on the sand
I'll be drawn to the shore
Like so many times before
As I long to be far from the land.

Now I'm bound for the heart of the ocean
I'm riding the sea in my soul
In the dark and the deep
She will rock me to sleep
Down below... where the black waters roll

I can still hear your voice on the trade winds
I can still taste your tears on the foam
But the lure of the tide that I'm feeling inside
Will not rest till my heart finds it's home

Now my heart is the heart of the ocean
There are storms from the sea in my soul
I'm restless and deep
And before I can sleep
I must go... where the black waters roll

This song is one of the most beautiful by Gaelic Storm. It's like the ocean itself that speaks to you while listening to this melody and this lyrics

YES

I'm free again! My bachelor-thesis is now delivered and I can soon enjoy a well-deserved pint of the Black Stuff^^ And the funny part is that I didn't have any panic-attack the last 4 days. The people who know me will say that I have a bad habit of doing things almost too late every time. And this thesis was no exception.
I had lacked inspiration for more than a month, and knew that the deadline was approaching too fast for my taste. But I knew I couldn't just give up, I had to show myself and the world that I could manage this task.
So I pulled myself together, and the thesis found its form through some tears shed for the emigrants, lots of coffee and long discussion with friends and family.
So today can I say: I DID IT
So the only thing I can do now is to cross my fingers, and seek inspiration in the nature and among my closest friends.

2 days left

Well, it's only 2 days left in Hell for me this time, and with a foot that hurts and a fever, things aren't going so well. The thesis drives me mad, and I cannot wait to get rid of it!
My notes, filled with details on sterilisation, riots, Englishmen and Irishmen, are flying around the room.
It's  kinda depressing to read about all the unfortunate souls that didn't make it...and that in the jails in New York in 1859, 55 % of the inmates where irish compared to 7 % english.

I better get going now, because the road to  Hell is long and painful

Wish me luck, please

To Plunkett, Pearse, McDonagh and Clarke

Today is a day of sorrow, for today were 4 gallant men shot dead for their belief in a free and independent Ireland.

These men will stand among the heroes of Ireland until the day of doom and even further, and will continue to inspire young men and woman in their quest and fight for a better world.

You will not be forgotten, nor your dream of freedom and liberty for good men and woman.

May you rest in peace