Back to School

Hi everyone!!

Remember me? It's been a crazy long time since I updated the blog! I've been in an all-out vacation mode, so I'm sorry if you were checking for updates without finding anything new.. :(
Gulli already told you about our trip to Japan, it was super crazy mega awesome! I got so much inspiration and plans for the future that I don't even know where to start. First of all, I'm definitely aiming to take a year abroad. I know it will be hard mastering the language differences, exams and all that, but it will be worth it. I guess it would be more fun for you as well, if I can update the blog directly from Tokyo!  ^^

During my stay in Tokyo I also got the opportunity to explore different fashions, and I got to taste a bit of the lolita style I've always been longing for. We don't have that many pictures of the clothes we bought yet, but I'll try to update you on that later. I'm bursting of fashion inspiration after spending many long afternoons at my beloved Harajuku. Seriously, it's not just a myth. Harajuku is just as freaking amazing in reality as you picture it to be!

I have to admit that I feel a bit lost after finally returning home to our little town. It felt like traveling back in time, actually. It felt like waking up from a fantastic dream and realizing you're still in your bedroom.
I didn't feel ready to leave Japan, so it was a bit painful. We got into the new lifestyle so naturally, it somehow felt like I've been doing the same for years. Getting up early, eating breakfast with the host family, sleeping on the local train to school, grabbing a coffee before class starts.
It all became so nautral for me that I still sometimes close my eyes and pretend I'm at the same train again, at the beginning of a new, fantastic day in Tokyo.
Oh, this became very nostalgic. At least you got a feeling of how our trip was.

School starts in a few days here, and autumn is about to make it's arrival. I'm not sure if I'm ready for it, but in my lack if a time machine I just have to accept it. I'm sure many of you feel the same way ^^
Enjoy your last days of vacation to the fullest, and remember to bring the good memories and experiences from the summer with you when everyday life starts again!

Family picture ~ From the back left: our lovely host mother Noriko-san, Gulli, myself, our host brother Jan from Switzerland
Front left: our super kind host father Osamu-san, and Noriko-san's older brother Shingo-san ^^

Talk to you soon!

Just one week until departure! \^.^/

Hello everyoone! Remember me?

Today it's just one week until Gulli and I take off to Tokyo! I'm soo excited! The whole trip has always been something "far into the future", so I got a little shock when I realized we're not talking about months or weeks anymore, but days... Now I have to think about packing, learning the rest of the Hiragana (Japanese signs), and go through my checklists. Do I have enough copies of my passport? How much clothes should I bring? (Considering the fact that I will be shopping a lot.) Come to think of it, what is the weight limit on luggage again...? Do I need to bring this much shampoo?
It's so typical of me. I always slack off and take things lightly until the last minute. No wonder I'm always late. Even though I'm talking about it now, I probably won't start packing until the night before...

A-N-Y-W-A-Y!  Our schedule for the trip is super full with super fun stuff!
I'm really hoping we can manage to make a dairy out of it. It would be more realistic to call it a "every third day-dairy" or something though, as I'm guessing we'll be pretty dead tired.
If we see the opportunity we could maybe make a vlog too, with Gulli's cute little camera that was sent in that crazy huge monsterpackage you saw in the last post.
Some of you have may seen our introduction video? It was pretty amateur-ish, but at least we learned some valuable lessons about video blogging. Such as:

1. Don't make a video if there's a party downstairs. 
2. Steer clear of noisy roads and camping cars.
3. If two people have to stand under an umbrella, use a big one.
4. If you don't have a big umbrella, at least stand still so that you don't hit the other person.
5. Avoid camera men that laugh at everything you say. 
6. Don't use almost full memory cards. 
7. If you're going to speak English, learn the difference between "dairy" and "diary". (Big fail from my side.)
8. Once you're at it, learn the difference between "trip" and "tour" as well. 

Well guys, I hope you'll stick with us through the learning process, so that we can make better stuff in the future!

I know this is super delayed, but I have some pictures from the 17th of May (Norway's national day), to those of you who wonder how a Northern Norwegian national costume looks like ^^
I guess it's okay to upload some patriotic photos before I leave, so I won't get all blinded by Japan's glory. Or something like that.

 
Talk to you later ~

Summer vacation soon! ~

Hi sweeties! Long time no see!

I really wonder where all my energy went. It's the final days of school over here now, next Thursday I'll be graduating... So I'm really using my last energy reserves before summer vacation to get over and done with it. Today we got to know our subject and theme for the final oral exams that will be held on Tuesday.
I got English! My theme is "Being young on the edge", so I choose to focus on youth rebellion. Finally a task where I can express some of my own opinions, not just the endless mathematics!

Yesterday we had a day off, so I got time to catch up on non-school stuff. There are so many things going on now, you have no idea! I'm really tired, and I can't wait for the vacation. My grades are finally where I want them to be now, so I can relax with good conscience ^^
As you may know I'm self-studying Japanese now, and that won't take a break just because it's vacation. The blog won't take a break either, of course! I hope I'll have more time to write here once school is finished. Also, a few days ago I got chosen as the new leader in our theater for next season! I'm really looking forward to begin with a new play! Luckily I got a co-leader, so I won't take on too much responsibility.
Since I had some time on my hands yesterday, I took on a long neglected task: bathing my dog Tinto.
Tinto has A LOT of fur, and he really dislikes water. Sounds like fun, right?

"I thought... I thought you loved me :("

"Do you see how much pain I'm going through because of you? :(("

"Please stop... I promise I'll be good for the rest of my life!"

"Wiiih, finished! ~"

And here's a practicing sheet from my Hiragana studying. It's starting to look okay, right? :D
Now I just have Katakana and Kanji left... 

I can't believe I'm graduating next week. I haven't had the time to think about it, so I realized just now. I'm really excited to see what lays ahead of me now that I'm finished with this period of my life. 

I'm sure you all are feeling excited for the summer as well! Remember, no matter how hard things may seem in the present, there are always good things waiting for you in the future! 

Stay well, everyone! Until next time ~

Future blog plans! ^^

Hello lovelies! ~

Sorry for my lack of blogging lately... Guess who was lucky enough to get drawn in math for tryout oral exams too? Oh yeah. The math is seriously following me. I'll probably get drawn in math for the real oral exam at Friday as well ._.
In other words, I've been stuck inside preparing my tasks until yesterday, and today, of course, my class had to take a long bus ride in order to visit a quarry (?). It's quite common for businesses and other workplaces here to invite school classes. They want to convince us that a bright future awaits us right here in our local community, and that it's not necessary for us to move anywhere else. Nowadays most young people on the Norwegian countryside move to the cities to work and live, and it has turned into a problem in many areas.
Oh well, I think they should have credit for trying. Even though I think every person should get an opportunity to decide for themselves what they want to do with their lives, before anyone else tells them what's smart or not.

Anyway, Gulli and I have decided that we'll make an introduction video of ourselves and the blog for our half year-anniversary! It will (hopefully) be up on the date itself, which is 23rd of June ^^
I'm a bit nervous for showing all of you our crazy personalities, bad sense of humor, and weird accents... But it's about time to show ourselves! Heh...

Since there's no doubt you guys have a lot of interest in fashion, I'm thinking about making more fashion posts soon. It takes a bit more work than ordinary posts, but I think it's fun and I learn a lot by researching different sub-trends. I hope you will enjoy them as well! ^.^

Now I'm going to enjoy the rest of my Friday night, talk to you later! ~

PS. To all of our readers in center Europe that's been affected by the flood: I hope all of you are doing all right, and that things soon will return to normal!  

5 tips for making the summer even better!

Good evening cuties!

Wow, it's so hot here now. In fact, Northern Norway just got a new record on amount of sunshine in May. And our town got a new heat record for May month! I can't believe it went so fast.
I mean, where did spring go? It feels like we jumped straight from winter to summer. I've barley had time to adapt to the changes. Summer is great though! I've been wearing some summer dresses lately, and it feels so light and feminine. (That is two words you really miss when you walk around dressed like an Eskimo in a blizzard.)
Every season has both good and bad sides, so in this post I'm going to write a little about how to best enjoy the summer!

1. Stay safe and protected!

You thought I was going to write about molesters and rapists, didn't you? Nope. Your enemy is the sun! Of course, sunlight is good as well, but that's what makes it all so dangerous. The worst enemy you can have is an unstable one. The sun might hate you then love you then hate you again. Your job is to ensure that you can handle it. First of all, you must must must use sun lotion! It doesn't matter if you live far north, south, east or west, the sun rays are still harmful. And just because you don't get burnt, it doesn't mean that your skin doesn't get damaged. Did you know that getting tanned is a sign of damage? The skin is building up its protection after it's been hurt. The results of bad sun protection might not show up right away, but in the future. Too much sun lowers the quality of your skin, and gives you early wrinkles and uneven skin tone. You may also develop sun rash, even though it often appears a year after the damage's been made.
Just to clear up; I don't want you to avoid the sun either! Sun light gives you a lot of important D-vitamin, and it makes you happy. Just enjoy the sun, but protect yourself at the same time.
It's not that important to get a deep tan either, though many of you might think so. Learn to appreciate your own, nautral skin color, and you'll have a much better summer already. And it will save you from sun burn disasters.

My long time favorite sun lotion from Hawaiian Tropic. It gives good moisture and protection, and smells addictively  good. 

After sun is important too!

      2.  Feel confident in your own body!

Yeah, yeah, we've heard about it before. "Summer work out!" "How to get the bikini body!"
Of course working out and staying healthy is important, but when it comes down to it you can't completely transform your body figure. It's something we are born with. You can't starve away your hip bones, or stretch your legs longer. If you are healthy, it will shine through anyway. We have to understand that there is no such thing as ideal body, because everyone is born with an unique one!
Find the good points in your look, and highlight them. A tiny, almost non-existent swimsuit might be sexy, but self confidence is sexier! Don't be trapped in your own body just because someone else told you that you're not good enough. Wear whatever you want, your friends don't care. And if they actually do, you throw them in the trash can together with that crazy diet magazine article.

     3.  Live it!

There are two types of to-do lists; things that you have to do, and things that you want to do.
Summer is the perfect time to focus on the last one. Write a list of things you want to do, see and experience during two effective months, and make sure to get as much as possible done!
May it be BBQ-party, road trip, boat trip, summer boot camp, working as a street musician or whatever project you got hidden in your brain; sign up those involved and start planning!

Random picture of me taken in Thailand, because Thailand was amazing.

     4. Create your summer playlist

I always create a playlist on my iPod for each summer like "Summer 2012" and so on. The music varies for each year depending on what I'm doing, so every list has a different "theme". Music is a great way of remembering stuff, so you can always sit down later and dream yourself away to ice cream and blue water.

     5.  Meet the summer in style

Okay, so this might come natural for many of you, but refreshing your wardrobe and make-up palette really helps putting you in summer mood. I don't think you should spend a lot of money, or throw away all your old clothes, just refresh. Summer is the perfect time to experiment with bold colors and accessories, especially if you're not used to it. We tend to get more daring and playful then usual, so use the opportunity!

 I hope all of you will have an amazing summer! Of course, it's hard to beat Gulli and I who's going to Tokyo, but...

Talk to you later! ~

A mobile post written in half-sleep

Hi everyone! How are you doing?

I'm just making a short mobile post from bed to let you know that I'm still around ^^

Summer has finally arrived in our town! Today it was almost up to 30 degrees (c)! That's a lot for being so far north. We really reap the benefits of the Golf stream here. But that's just part of what makes Norway great, I guess ^.^

This afternoon some friends from class and I played sand volley ball. I don't usually do it, but I realized I should. This is one of the few ball games I actually have a chance of sucseeding in...
Tomorrow our class is going out to relax in the sun and swim (wash, I'm sorry, wash. After all, swimming is against school regulations). I'm looking forward to it! (Especially since the other half of the class are stuck inside with English exam. Who's laughing now?)
I'll try to get some pictures for tomorrow as well as some from today. I doubt they'll be pretty, but oh well.

Sorry for having nothing fancy in this post, but I'm dead tired and not a fan of blogging with my phone. Why can't you guys just follow us on Facebook instead, so I can prove my continued existence by posting an awkward picture or something. When it's a blog post I feel like it should have a higher standard, you know.
My feet hurt. And my eyes. I'll stop here.

Good night, sweeties! ^^

I'm back and (almost) finished with exams! :D

Hi sweeties!

Wow, one week since my last blog post... I'm really out of it. Sorry! But don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you! I've been making ideas for what to do for our half year-anniversary, and I've been busy with my math exam. I had it this Tuesday. I must admit I had this strong sensation of freedom when I walked out of the school door after five hours of non-stop math. I really surprised myself though.
I pushed myself to sit the whole time, and to do the all the tasks, even if I didn't understand them.
I feel like I did my very best, so if my grade doesn't improve... I think I might just lay down and cry.

As Gulli told you, it has finally become close-to summer up here in the cold north! Wiih ~
I'm really in summer mood now, and when I finished my exam it felt like my summer vacation just started. A bit sad to think about the fact that I have another exam coming up in June. Oral this time. If I get drawn in math this time too... Yeah, I think I might just lay down and cry.

I felt so sick and tired today that I stayed home from school. (They probably just messed around the whole day, anyway.) I try to make the best out of these re-charging days. I relaxed and tried to get rid of my headache. I had crazy PMS too, so it was probably the smartest to keep me away from people. After all, we don't want me to punch anyone ^^
While I was having so much time on my hands, I ended up re-discovering one of the bands I listened to before; Cross Gene. They've changed so much! For the better, luckily. I was also happy to see that they made their comeback in Japan, and they've started to make songs in Japanese. They have turned into a J-pop band, in fact! o.o
(Cross Gene is an Asian band with members both from South Korea, Japan and China. That's why they make their songs with many different languages. They speak good English too ^^)

Of course I'm a big K-pop fan too, but it can't compete with the thrilling feeling I get when I can actually understand some of the lyrics without any translation. It makes me relate to the music even more.
And also, let's face it: the K-pop industry have taken some wrong turns, and it bothers me to know that some of my fave bands might just be puppets for greedy label owners.

I got to sleep now, but of course I'll post a music video from the "new" Cross Gene before I leave:

Cross Gene - Shooting Star

Talk to you later! ~

BTW: Everybody please answer in our little question thingy up here, so that we know what to do for our half year anniversary! ^^ 

Can math be cute?

Hi sweet people!

Yes, I am alive too. Despite all the little things that's been troubling me lately. God, the Devil, the angels, nature spirits, aliens or whoever is in charge out there must be having a lot of fun.
Since our last show Friday night and up til yesterday, I had a constant headache. Mom was convinced it was a reaction on finally having nothing to do. (That doesn't really makes sense, or...?)
Today I was actually feeling just fine, until I got to school and the Principal told us which exam we'll have.
What I got? Math. Which happens to be the the subject I'm worst at.

At first my reaction was this: 

Then I was like: 

And suddenly I was like:

After all, we'll be finished first. Our exam is on Tuesday, while the others have it many weeks ahead. In that way it won't take too much time, and I can focus on other things. 

Not to mention that our teachers actually do a good job in teaching us in the preparation days. I'm sure it's gonna work out just fine! ^^ 

To cheer myself up even more I found these pictures presenting math in a cute way:

(To me, everything that's cute is okay)

Wii ~

Let's just hope that all this self manipulation gives me good grades too. 

Good night <3

The big day!

Good morning everyone!

Today is the big day! Our premiere starts at 7 pm tonight... We're heading over there around two to make everything ready. I'm not freaking out, but I can start to feel a little anxiety. What if I forget what to say? What if someone else does? Will we get a big audience?
Now I'll focus on giving myself some pampering before the craziness begin.

 Gulli will bring her camera, so if we get the time we'll shoot some pictures of our styling. The play happens in the 1920's, so we tried our best to match the styling back then. I think especially the hair and make-up was fascinating, maybe even a little bit creepy. I ended up looking like a old-fashioned porcelain doll... Luckily my costume is bright colored, so I won't scare anyone!

By the way, I just found out that in June the blog will have it's half year anniversary! I'm thinking of celebrating it in some way. Do you guys have any ideas? It would be much appreciated!
Can't believe time's moving so fast...
Anyway, I gotta jump in the shower now.

We'll be back soon with more ~

My dual personality

Hii everyone!

Good news: we're not dead! Just half dead. Both Gulli and I are down with a cold, and it's just two days until our theater premiere! Such a bad timing...
I stayed home from school today to nurse myself a little, and I figured it would be a good time to blog. It feels like I haven't blogged for ages now!
As Gulli told you we've had Russians over for a visit, it was so much fun! It really drained my energy though.
I had three living in my house, and only one of them spoke (a little) English! It was a bit exhausting to try to explain and make yourself understood on every single thing.
Of course, having foreigners on a visit is interesting too. Like that time they all stopped to take pictures of the scenery I walk past everyday. Russians are also so polite, and the boys are much better gentlemen than Norwegian ones. (Sorry, you guys.)
I was so surprised when one of them opened the car door for me! He had only known me for half a day.

Anyway, I'm really starting to feel my energy drain now. Yesterday my mother freaked out and claimed she couldn't remember the last time I seemed this tired. Apparently she has a sixth sense when it comes to my energy level. I know for sure things will be crazy the next days, but after Friday we'll get a chance to relax. This may sound weird, but I'm not sure if I'm looking forward to it or not.
Everytime we finish a play, I get this empty feeling inside. After all, we've worked for this since last autumn, and now it's suddenly all over.

In other words, I need to find new things to focus on! Working out comes high up on the priority list, as well as the blog of course. I've decided to use the upcoming time well, instead of sipping around because the theater season is over. Maybe I should practice cooking as well?
I've also thought about joining a local kick boxing/fighting sport club. I need a way to release all my frustration. I'm a good girl most of the time you see, so I tend to lock negative feelings away. This has started to transform me into some type of dual personality. (To those of you who are familiar with the term: I'm a 100 % yandere.)
I have these moments when I feel really psychotic, and almost opposite of my normal self. An evil, bitter, violent Silje, and I'm not kidding.
I've prepared a list with series I only watch in psycho-mode, and I have a playlist on my iPod designed to fit my evil thoughts. It has started to get pretty freaky by now, so I think it's about time I try to handle it.

I want this teddy bear so bad! It feels like we understand each other ^^ 

Ah well, I gotta run for theater practice now.

Talk to you later sweethearts ~

Things I got in Oslo + Outfits~

Hi everyone! ^o^

How are you?
Guess what..? I've managed to catch a cold. So today I'll just sit home under my duvet and drink tea and eat soup. Just made me a ramyun noodle soup, and my nose has already cleared up quite good. It was super spicy. Hopefully I'll be better until I'm meeting my friends later. Our theater is hosting a Russian theater group who is in Norway now. Some of them are staying at Siljes house actually, and we're gonna meet up with everyone and eat pizza later today. They are really awesome, and I'm looking forward to get to know them better.

I thought I'd also show you guys a sneak peak into what I bought when we were in Oslo! This is the Asian/food I got. We went into some Asian food stores and found so much yummy stuff including Pocky, Funwariyaki (red bean cake/bun) and a Chinese steamed bun. I so want to eat that every day. Also got some Japanese stuff like a hiragana study book and some Rilakkuma stuff. Also got some clothes, but I don't have any photos of them right now..

<3

At Starbucks with Anja <3

My super yummy White Caffe Mocha

Here are some outfits from Oslo:

Ready for dinner

Going out to eat burger~ 

Hope you found this entertsining ^^
Bye Bye~

A Norwegian's life in May

Hello everyone! 

Remember my post on how much I wanted light pink hair? Well, guess what, I still can't get it out of my mind. I've decided that I at least should wait until I'm completely sure on what to do. However, I can't keep myself from bringing up the matter to discussion all the time. I've discussed it with everyone from my hairdresser to my dog. When I get an idea I just can't forget about it...how annoying.

Also, my hairdresser is huge fan of long, healthy au nautral hair. She's not too keen on the idea of bleaching it. In fact, she thinks it could be considered a crime to bleach hair like mine. 

She's got a bunch of good arguments like how damaged it gets, that I probably will have to chop it all of and so on. (Don't you just hate it when you have an awesome illusion and some super logical, reasonable person comes along and ruin everything?) 

We'll see, we'll see. But I have to admit that it would be sad to chop off my hair. Now that I've almost reached my goal to the hips and all... 

Another thing that's a little bit annoying: spring is coming soo slow! 

I slept over to a friend last night, and we got shock when we woke up this morning. It was snowing! It was freaking snowing on the 1st of May! 

I feel so sorry for all the little flowers and birds and sprouts that finally arrived thinking winter was gone and away. Do you think flowers can feel the pain of freezing to death? I don't know, but it's almost like I can hear their desperate cries when I walk past our flower bed. 

What else is it to say about our lives at the moment? It's busy as always.

In fact, May is a crazy hectic month for all Norwegian students. Not only do we have all our exams and finishing tests, we also have our national day and lots of other days that's holy or important in some way. And the russ (such as Gulli) spend almost more time drunk than sober. Wow, she's going to be so broken by the end of the month.

Speaking of "russ", on Friday we'll have visitors from Russia! It's a Russian theater group that comes to visit our theater group. All this is arranged by some cultural committee I've never heard about before. 

But hey, they'll treat us a meal at a restaurant, and in my head anyone that gives you free food are nice people. (It's plain luck I haven't been abducted yet.) 

Despite everything that's going on I'm very happy at the moment! Spring may be slow, but it is coming, and I'm loving it. The streets in our little town will soon be crowded once again by dandelions and tourists that takes pictures of everything. The other day I saw a bunch of them standing on the docks and taking pictures of the water. I guess it's rude to laugh at foreigners, so I tried to keep a poker face. Didn't work...

A happy cloud to make up for the mad one ~

Talk to you later ~