the lil guy

Andreas, my little handful! :)

Out and About

Good news!  I've finally started my Norwegian classes!  We're learning Bokmål (BOO-kmaul), which is the official dialect taught to foreigners.  Unfortunately on the west coast of Norway, they speak Nynorsk (NU-nosh-k), which is a bit different than Bokmål (some words are pronounced differently, some words are changed entirely, etc.)...it's a learning process, but I'm so excited to finally start school!  Yea, I know - my nerd status is through the roof.

Here's what I've been up to this week...

Checked out a local "football" game in Kopervik.  We won!

Stine brought her friend's puppy, Tor Leif.

It was a big cold, but we managed...

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We finally went out last night in Haugesund (the nearest "big" city)

Grete and I at Krasjna (CRUSH-na)

Eirick being Eirick.

The boys.

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Today it was absolutely gorgeous outside!!  Not a cloud in the sky.  Grete, Ida and I hung out and enjoyed the sunshine (and recovered).  :)

Snakkes! (SNA-kahs -- talk to you later!)

Easter

Happy Easter! This past weekend we all went for a little hike in the woods and hung out in this cabin for a few hours.  It was a gorgeous day and we had a blast.  

Stian made some hot cocoa...it was bomb.

Truls!

Karina brought a mini grill and made pancakes.  They were sort of a blend between a crepe and a pancake.

Sous chef Ida.

Reke Smørbrød

Remember Norway's version of Pike Place?  The other day Kurt stopped by and got 2 kilos of freshly caught shrimp (reke).  Reke Smørbrød (shrimp sandwiches) are prepared by peeling as many shrimp as you like, and then placing them on a slice of buttered bread.  Then add a light layer of mayonnaise.  I was a bit skeptical at first, but once I tasted it....so refreshing!  The perfect summer meal.  Two very enthusiastic thumbs up!

Even Andreas got in on the action!

The final product.

Herligt!  (delicious!)

LONDON

I'm back, folks...I had an AMAZING weekend in London!  I highly recommend London to anyone who wants to travel to Europe...I can't wait to go back in May to visit the one and only Jill!  Take a peek at the pics...

At the foot of the Tower Bridge, near Sian's flat.

Double decker sight seeing bus!

Piccadilly Circus

Buckingham Palace's front gate

A lion and a unicorn?

The London Eye

(Jill - I didn't get to go on it this time around...maybe in May?)

Westminster Abbey - absolutely gorgeous.  One of my favorite sites.

Big Ben and Brittanni...no biggie!

I love this view.

For all you closet Harry Potter fans :)

Dad - this is for you...

"Waterloo Station, South Entrance, 10 minutes"

Inside Waterloo Station.

Wellington Arch.  The sculpture on top depicts the angel of peace descending on the chariot of war.  (Definitely one of my favorites.) 

Stopped by the British Museum.  It was almost closing time so I didn't get to see many exhibits.  :(

But I did spot the Rosetta Stone!

Spent a lot of time walking around, just taking in the scenery.  Check out the architecture!  I could walk around in London for days.

and last but not least...

A huge thank you to the one and only Sian!  I had an absolutely wonderful time!!!

London

I'm off to London for the weekend, more pictures and stories will follow! 

Cheerio, chaps!