Long Days

Who would have thought there would be long days in fall? Okay, so my days are no longer long in the sense that the sun is around for twenty three hours. They are busy.

Today I left the house at 8:30 to get on the bus to go to school (God, I sound like a little kid). After classes at university, and then evening class at norskkurs, I finally made it home at 9:15 pm. Nearly thirteen hours is a long time to go between doggie cuddles!

During this first month of school, things are a little hectic. We're setting into norskkurs, and have gotten into a rhythm of doing classwork and presentations. I was the first to present this semester, and I spent nearly half an hour this evening discussing my time on Okinawa. It was a lot of fun, in fact. My class is a group of very relaxed people, so the stress level is much lower than having to do a presentation-come-tap dance before a panel of very grumpy colonels or generals (that has happened to me before, several times, and it is the measurement I use to compare all other presentations). The best compliment I received was, "You sound just like a Norwegian!" My teacher wanted to know how often, and how much, I read in Norwegian, and was rather taken aback when I told her, "Jeg leser ikke på norsk." Not one little bit. I enjoy reading, and I read very quickly. I devour novels like a fat kid on cupcakes--oops, sorry not too PC, like, um, a dog on a bone. I don't have the patience to read in Norwegian beyond the odd newspaper article. I deeply dislike struggling over language while I am trying to enjoy a story.

After a good evening at norskkurs I rushed home to switch out my backpack and fetch my little dog. I had arranged earlier in the day to meet a first-year student in order to loan him my ecology book from the year before. Ive decided I don't want to part with it for now, and loaning it out makes more sense than letting it sit on the shelf collecting dust. Plus, this particular ecology books runs a cool 1,200 NOK (that's $200!!) at the university book store. I got a good deal on mine on Amazon, and I couldn't imagine making someone shell out that much dough for a book. A book!

Anyway, here's the lesson learned for today: If a Kiwi tells you he will give you beer if you loan him your book, he will make good on it. I met the Kiwi at tram station between our two apartments and we made the switch (which, in all honesty, I had completely forgotten about). I crammed the beers in my backpack and continued home with my dog.

Have I told you I live a little ways from Akerselva, the river that runs through Oslo? Well, I do. Please don't stalk me.

Tonight was Elvavandring, River Wandering. Every year the bydeler, or city neighborhoods/areas, that border the river set up a night's entertainment along the river walk. Everything begins after 8:00 pm, and it seems the entire city turns out to enjoy the offerings. Max and I wound our way slowly home along the river, stopping to listen to a few bands. There were jazz players; a group of older guys banging away on banjo, bass, guitar and violin singing roughly about the joys of living in Oslo; a karate club giving demonstrations; light displays casting color over the water and trees; food stalls and who knows what else. Max proved a little too small and a little too dark in the crush of people. We found open areas where we could to watch the entertainment. It was a gorgeous night to be outside, not too cold with just the right amount of crisp, tangy fall air. We turned for home in order to top off the evening with a cold beer and the chance to relax. Thank Goodness tomorrow is Friday!