As from today, my journal has moved over here 

Suddenly I got a reaction from someone who had received my brochure, and was invited for a talk. It is one of the hotel owners here in town. He told me he sometimes needs people helping out during the summer. It was a very nice talk, not really like an interview as such. During the talk it came out that I like to be 'all-round', finding out about all the ins and outs with running a hotel.

One week later we had a second talk and I will be set up in the schedule, but with... a possibility to get a steady contract after the summer! What kind of job that will be, we will find out about during the summer period

It feels a bit double, somewhere I feel I start from scratch again (for the third time), but on the other hand am I SO happy that I finally managed to get something! It will be hard work again to prove myself, and there will be a lot to learn. But that is something that doesn't scare me, it's a new challenge

In the meantime I also got a reaction on a normal application that I had written, and was also there invited for an interview. It's almost like the weather: running or standing still; all or nothing...
That interview also went very well, and it was a job that really fitted with my background and education. Unfortunately I heard yesterday that I hadn't made it to the second round... They had some internals that also applied, and who ended up first because of knowing the organization already, and the work they do  
Really a pity, since I really believe I made a good chance. But ok... Disappointments are part of life, you pick yourself together again, and look at the good things that are there. At least I am really happy (and a bit proud too), that I was picked out as one of the candidates from 158 (!) letters that they received, and on top getting a compliment about my own application and my Norwegian

Now I am going to concentrate to get everything out of this job that I did get! I expect a call one of these days to hear when I will start. To be honest: I find it a little bit scary, and oh yes, I will be nervous hahaha, but isn't that part of the fun?

A strange but good feeling: I HAVE A JOB!!!

Goodbye, my little old friend... you who where called my little blond brother. I remember when you came into our family. A tiny little fur ball who developed itself to a beautiful long hear cat.

We sometimes wondered who your father might have been. You didn't look like your sisters or mum at all. You, with your long hears reminded us more of a Norwegian Forrest cat. You showed up very sweet and attached. When my mum hopped olé-olé-olé with you during football you just started your little engine. Attention was one of the things you loved...

Together with you playmate you really could misbehave and make a mess; You opening the fridge, him taking everything out, and together eat from the different forbidden fruits... Or tumbling over the garbage can and empty that one over the floor in the hope to find something eatable... We did find some mess

After Kootje died, it looked like you searched for him for some days, while meowing sad and loud. In the end you gave up and resigned to your loneliness... my parents were still there. You became a bit lazier though and as a result, heavier, so you needed a small diet. During the holidays I took a lot of times care of you, always with big pleasure.

Water has always had a special place in your life. You loved it! Drinking from the tap and playing with it was your biggest pleasure. In the end, you had become weaker, more unstable on your feet and deaf, but somehow you always knew when the tap was used. By that time you showed us your fun in life also through that way.

The last day you became to weak though. You didn't manage to get there anymore. The energy was fading away out of your little body. Last weekend the decision was made: you couldn't continue like this. You had kept on to life, but your body was giving up on you... Monday evening you would go to the veterinarian... You sweet, beautiful, brave and full of life cat... you didn't let it come that far. During the morning, while you were asleep, your heart stopped...

The last time I saw you, I knew it would be the last time we met... I am glad that I could say goodbye and that you where strong enough to give me some cuddles and prrrrr's back.

I will miss you my little friend and buddy...

Mum and dad... In my thoughts I am with you. Hang in there...

Last Friday was a 'normal' working day. Since I first got instructions for the job as exam guard, I needed to be there at eight.
The day didn't start completely as it had to though... I left in time for the bus, but... being so used to taking the bus direction Skien, I only noticed that I was standing on the wrong side of the road until the bus the other way had passed... Ups! Luckily I knew that there were at least three busses going from the main station, I didn't really lost a lot of time. The second good thing was that I really left early from house, just to be sure. This is one of the things that will happen you once and never again

I must say that it was really fun to do! I was prepared for the fact that it might be a bit boring (those exams take five hours), but only the first hour went a bit slow. For the rest you have on regular base something to do: handing out new papers, escorting the students to the toilet or outside (for a smoke or some fresh air), helping when they need to borrow something from fellow students, etc. Looking at them, working on their papers (it was mathematics) I couldn't help thinking back of my own exams... I am glad I was sitting on the other side this time

Last Saturday Silje came home for the summer holidays. It takes a bit of adjustment again to have some one extra in the house, but you get used to it quickly. She has become a vegetarian, so I threw myself on some recipe sites, to find some nice meals for her. Most of the time it is reasonably easy to combine her meals and ours. Also when it is just for us two, I sometimes have some vegetarian meals (although Geir Olav really likes to have meat or fish with it). The internet sites give me an extra guideline in possibilities and variations.

In the meantime the work in the garden continuous. Looking at the weed getting more and more yellow and brown, it seems that the round-up starts working. I wouldn't be surprised if we need a second round, but at least something is happening. Geir Olav has been working the whole day with the concrete mill again last Saturday, and the path between the house and the garage is almost done now. After that we have to find a way to make kind of a stair against the hill up to the garage.

For my birthday I got a 'drawing tablet' for the computer. I use it now all the time, instead of a mouse. It's a lot more relaxed! It did mean though that Zadi couldn't lie above my keyboard anymore, like he was used too (and often laying half on top of it), but he has found a new way... I wonder what that cat has with the keyboard...

Well... I better continue here. There are still some errands to do. Lately I haven't been updating here as I should  I hope I can change that (as well as trying to visit more of my dear journal friends again. Sorry guys for neglecting you: I haven't forgotten you!)

A lot has happened since the last time I wrote (at least for my feelings). I had another meeting with the benefit office, and managed to get something for one day. I know... it is not much, but at least something. The 2nd of June I will work as a guard for the exams on one of the schools here. At the same time they have put me up for two other jobs. Last Friday I got a call from one of the job agencies where I am registered, and also they have 'nominated' me for a job. In the meantime I am every week sending out around 10 brochures to companies in the area. If this won't work to find something...

Last week I also had a big laughter about myself... In the morning I really need a cup of coffee to get awake. Usually I am drinking espresso from Nescafe. It's powder, but I really love the taste of it. We have a special tin in which we keep it, and that one needed a refill... Obviously it was wrong of me to do that BEFORE having coffee, although I think I would have really woken up after drinking this...:

In the meantime we have finally started with the garden. Geir Olav has chopped down around 25 trees (bigger and smaller ones). It really was necessary. It is almost a relief to see how it is now. We left around four different kind of trees standing, but at least we can get a good overview now about the area, and what else we need or want to do. Yesterday evening we started with fighting the weed. It is all over the place, so I guess it will take some time till we are done with that. Slowly plans of how we want it are taking shape. We expect it will take some years before we are finished. It's quite a big area which also has a rather steep hill in it.

One thing is for sure... We want a bird friendly garden . I have a small book about garden birds with tips and tricks for your garden. At least they are already happy with us...:

Both coletits and sparrows are eating from it. It is really cute to see! It frustrates Zadi a little bit... no way he can reach them. The birds don't really seem to bother that the cats are sitting in front of the window. I think they have understood by now, that they can't reach them .

Finally I have some time to sit down at ease and write an update here. Our trip to Holland was in one word GREAT! The trip down went very smooth and the weather gods were very friendly. All the time the temperature kept up to above 20 degrees C. Beautiful summer weather. It was great to see my parents again .

We had every day long walks, long talks and too short nights  My parents gave me a real nice surprise on my birthday: they decorated the whole house. Geir Olav and I went to visit the Anne Frank house, and when we returned they had hung up flags and decorations...

So sweet of them. You immediately feel much more like it really is your birthday  We had dinner at a Chinese restaurant that evening. Walking through the neighbourhood I saw more flags then I ever remember from seeing before (The 4th of May is Memorial Day in Holland). We watched the official ceremony at the TV that evening. I found it a bit emotional. Even though I burn here a small candle every year at home, it is different to see it and hear the immense silence at eight for real...

Friday Geir Olav and I went to Haarlem. It was a long time ago that I had been there. A friendly town with a very old station and city center. Geir Olav made a picture there from me. I look a bit frowning... Probably because he kept clicking with his camera hahaha

The time went incredibly fast, and before we knew it, it was time to go home again... I always hate those goodbye's My parents decided to take the same train and to go into town, while we got off before. It makes things a bit less intense... Mom, Dad thanks for a lovely time, and a beautiful birthday! You two have taking really good care of us, and we enjoyed every little second!

Still... there was one little friend that I said goodbye to in a deep way: my little 'half-brother' as we call him:

Bessie is by now 18 years old, and when I saw his this time again, it really scared me a bit... He had become so thin and fragile. Really a little old man. Some time ago he got kind of a stroke, but recovered quite good from it. But still... he is definitely not the same; quickly tired and you can really see that he is tired. The funny thing is that you still can see he has fun in life! As my mother said: 'he is hanging on life itself'. Don't try to open the water tap when he is in the neighbourhood: you have to 'fight' with him to use it. He is absolutely crazy with water! He also loves to be cuddled and all the attention he gets. Bessie is not ill, but the energy is slowly fading away... I have a feeling that I won't see him again, and that causes a pain in my heart... Just look at him, isn't he pretty?

The last couple of years I have had some troubles with falling asleep. It seems that those problems are less now, but the last couple of nights another thing occurred: already for four mornings in a row I wake up between four and five... Of course that has happened every now and then before, but more in the way that after a quick look at the alarm, I just felt 'Mmmm, I can sleep a bit longer'. Just turning myself around with a smile and let myself fade away in the world of dreams again.

This time it's different. I feel almost completely awake! Yesterday even that much that I was actually really considering to get up. If it hadn't been for the fact that I know that five hours of sleep is not enough for me to manage the day, I would have. Snoring sounds beside me don't make it easier to catch the sleep again though. After a couple of nights laying awake for at least an hour in the early morning, listening to my honey deep asleep an being jealous of his innocent and comfortable sleep, I moved myself yesterday morning over to the sofa. I got directly company from one of the cats, but having his soft fur against me, and the monotone and relaxing sound of a soft purr helped me to sleep a bit more.

Where not being able to fall asleep after going to bed doesn't affect my mood or performance, these early morning awakenings do... It makes me feel a bit grumpy and offline all day. I am glad to say that this morning I managed to fall asleep quite soon again and that I feel a lot better.

I just wonder what suddenly is causing this and hope it won't last.

For the rest are we both very much looking forward to our trip to Holland. It's only a couple of days left . I already have collected some things to bring, and can hardly wait until I can start packing for real!

I didn't come to writing the last couple of days. Silje came over for her holidays, and Geir Olav had some days off.

Last week we went to the hairdresser. My hair is now at least 15 cm shorter; It feels and looks a lot better again . Often I wait too long... going to the hairdresser is not one of my favourite things to do.

Geir Olav was off as from Wednesday afternoon. Thursday and Friday before Easter are here official holidays and everything is closed. You need to think a bit practical with your shopping’s in that way. We did everything on Wednesday afternoon, so we didn't need to go into overcrowded shops on Saturday and avoided the crowd on Wednesday. Still... it was good we were able to do them early. When we were done a long cue with cars was standing up to the main road... waiting for a parking place...

Friday evening we had dinner at Geir Olav's parents place. The last time pinekjøtt as a 'goodbye to the winter'. Kind of a tradition here to have that food for the last time with Easter. Now we have to wait till Christmas again before we eat it. It was a cozy dinner. Silje Geir Olav's nephew were also there. We didn't make it late and left after the coffee. The rest of Easter we relaxed, did some small things in the house, watched some movies (not forget the Easter crimes on TV: also a tradition here), and have been reading a bit.

Silje left yesterday and tomorrow normal life starts again. In the meantime is the weather getting better and better. I really got a spring feeling when I looked through the window and saw some other white than snow... I took my camera and sprinted out to the garden. This is what I found:

Nice isn’t it?!

Just one of those days to smile and be satisfied with life. No special reason or maybe a lot of special reasons... who can tell..?

With every day passing, some centimeters of snow are disappearing. I search the ground for every small little spot of earth that becomes visible. Almost like I am capable to watch the snow away... We had some snow showers, but the new snow is not able to keep it's white form and shape on the parts of earth that are clean. I can feel and almost smell spring in the air. She might be late, but is even more welcome because of that. It feels to me that I am waking up from a long winter sleep, like a bear... longing to be outside, feeling the energy increase by the lengthening of the days...

Last Sunday we went to a theater show made by the students of one of the schools in town. It is a school with main subjects as drama, dance and music. I didn't know exactly what to expect (age of the students between 16 and 19), but was extreme impressed! Seeing those youngsters perform like it was a second nature. Especially some of the singers where so outrageous good!!! Crystal-clear like nightingales... More than once I was sitting with goose bumps allover. Especially one song (and the act with it) was so good that I got tears in my eyes. Imagine a 17-year old girl singing so clear that her voice could break glass. The song was about her farewell: she was dying. Looking almost like an angel... It was just so beautiful and overwhelming.
I think the rest of the audience had the same. After she had laid down, two other angels came and laid a white thin fabric over her. They sat down beside her and closed their eyes. Then the music faded, and for some seconds you could hear a pin drop... So beautiful...

After the show we went to sport for an hour. It still feels very good to do so. We will go again tonight, trying to keep up to work out twice a week.

Tomorrow it is my mum’s birthday... Wish I could be there to give her a big warm hug and kiss, but I know it won't be long before I can for real... Less then four weeks left For now I leave my hugs and kisses also here: These are for you, mum:   

On Tuesday afternoon I went to the dentist for my half-year 'cleaning appointment'. I was a bit nervous...
Beside the painful sensitivity and 'electrical shocks' (what's new) everything went fine, and within half an hour I was standing outside, feeling that the pain was already fading. All in all it seems that it is really is going better

Geir Olav was supposed to land at 21:40. I expected him to be home around eleven in the evening. I followed his flights on the net. First from Berlin to Copenhagen. That flight had a slight delay, but nothing serious. He had to wait anyhow in Copenhagen for his connecting flight, so it was no problem. I saw that his flight home left in time... Good! That meant he would soon be home.

Short time later I saw that the had renewed the arrival time: 20 minutes delay. Ok, probably heavy wind in the nose. Only 20 minutes is not really something to break your head over. I started watching TV, and around fifteen minutes before landing I checked the net again: another new arrival time appeared: 23:00 hours

Strange... so much delay while being in the air??? I didn't completely understand and got a bit of a strange feeling with it. There was not much to do about it though, so I decided to watch a bit more TV, while waiting.
In between I kept checking, but no new time appeared.... It became after eleven o'clock, and still no sign... The nervous ball that I felt in my stomach started to grow, and at 23:30 I tried to call the airport a couple of times. Nobody took the phone... I just got a stupid tape...
Suddenly a new time appeared on the net: 23:50? I was really close to crying, afraid and worried... What the f*** was going on??!!

It became five to twelve, twelve, five past twelve, and then... at ten past twelve my phone gave a signal... They had finally landed!!! Not here, but at the airport in Oslo...
Due to fog the plane had been circling for quite a long time above the airport, and finally decided to fly to Oslo, to land there...
The relieve from my side ended in a complete break down, and no way I could have stopped my tears. I was SO HAPPY! SO relieved!!!

It took some time before transport was arranged from Oslo back to Sandefjord. From there they could take their own bus, who still had been waiting for the group to arrive. At four o'clock I heard the front door... Geir Olav was finally home  I couldn't help plunging some more tears, relieved and happy...

I think it must have been around 06:30 before we went to bed. Safe and close again
What a night...

Something I don't understand: why couldn't they just have given the reason of delay on the homepage??? They have that possibility, why not use it! It would have prevent unnecessary worries, uncertainty and fear...