Whistler-Ren

When I see Christmas stuff in the stores this early, it makes me feel like the Grinch was really on to something when he wanted to steal Christmas. I just want to tear all the items down, stuff it in a storage somewhere and not bring it out or think about it until around mid-november at the earliest. Christmas present shopping, that I understand. But this unholy attempt at tricking us into the Christmas spirit (and spend a lot of money doing so) long before we're supposed to... that's just wrong.

My reaction today:

something like that, anyway.

My point is, childishness isn't all negative. Because children and childhood isn't all negative. Children do, in fact, have a lot of traits that can be overlooked, admired or even envied. Working in a kindergarten, with children from age 1-3, I am reminded every day of the wonders of the child mind. I see the way they light up from the sight of a new toy or a good meal, from watching a bird in a tree or water in a sink. I see the way they can sit for several minutes just studying the dust in the corner with sincere fascination. I see the motivation and the drive that makes them go up the ladder to the slide in order to slide down, over and over and over... They notice the most amazing things and they are amazed by the most unnoticeable things. And that, I believe, is something that a lot of adults forget sometimes. They forget what it was like to be a child, and to see every detail in the world as if it was the first time seeing it. They forget how to do it.

Of course, a lot of adults keep a hold of this habit to notice the small things as well, and I also think that a lot of people are reminded of it when they have kids of their own. When you're with children - and I mean if you really take the time to meet them at their level and see what they see - it's remarkable how many new things you notice. It's like rediscovering a world you thought you forgot. And perhaps it is childish to attempt to see things like a child, or act like a child. But how can it be bad when it makes the world seem a little brighter and more interesting?

Life is full of beautiful and fascinating things, if we just take the time to see them for what they are. And life is full of interesting and joyful moments, if we just take the time to embrace them. Whether it's a raindrop sliding down a window, a bird singing in a tree, building snow men and making snow angels, or just getting a comforting hug - they are a far bigger deal than you think, when you think about it. Allow yourself to enjoy them. It doesn't take long, and it's always worth it!

But she was whispering. 

At first I wondered what the heck was going on. I watched some of the video, scrolled  down to read the comments. Not a single person had pointed out the fact that she was whispering, a fact she gave no information about. So after a while I just started assuming that perhaps she was sick with a cold or had a throat surgery or whatever, so that she couldn't speak. Seeing as she seemed to expect that the watchers had watched her before and knew about her Norwegian lessons, I just figured that whatever "throat sickness" she had, these people would know about it already.

I shrugged it off and cut the video off because it annoyed me to have to strain my ears to hear what she was saying. I thought that would be the end of it.

But no. Today I came across ANOTHER video of whispering Norwegian lessons, from a completely different person. Now this is where I started wondering if this shit was contagious and not to mention why people would bother making videos if they would have to whisper their way through it.

Now curious, I decided to search for "norwegian lessons whisper". And guess what I found. It turns out this whole whispering Norwegian and stuff is a thing. It's ACTUALLY a thing. There are a bunch of videos, not just people teaching Norwegian through whispers, but people simply whispering in Norwegian.

What. the. fuck?

Who would want to listen to a person whispering for 15+ minutes? Seriously, what's the point of these videos? From what I've gathered it's supposed to be listened to when you're trying to relax or fall asleep. It's supposed to be "soothing".

It makes me want to tear my hair out or continuously stab my pillow to death with a kitchen knife - how the fuck is this supposed to be soothin?!

Now don't get me wrong, I don't mind whispering. Working in a kindergarten, whispering tones sounds like heaven sometimes compared to the screaming and crying and shouting and laughing. But this is different. This is trying to relax while your brain hears someone whispering and you have to desperately strain your ears to catch the words they're saying and understand what the fuck they're talking about. To me, this "soothing" experience is like a trip to insanity land, with various stages:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Soothing...? 

Yes indeed.

Since I wrote earlier ranting about how scary this day (and the coming weeks) would be, I sort of feel obliged to write a follow-up to that. Today I travelled for the first time to the far southwest of Norway, where I will be spending the coming year (for now, perhaps longer, who knows). It's not like I've moved to a different country. It looks a lot like the city where I used to live. Only flatter. Less mountains, more flat terrain, and a different dialect. I'm pretty used to the dialect, I've known people from this part of the country, and it's usually not a problem to understand them. I just hope they'll understand me : P (I'll make sure to speak my own dialect as broadly as I can, to make sure I get at least ONE what-the-fuck-did-you-just-say-look : P No, I kid, I'll be nice. But seriously, I want to try my best to maintain my own dialect. If I don't, my family will bully me when I come home or talk to them over the phone. No joke.

I moved into my own appartment today. First time ever living alone, and I. AM. LOVING IT!! I've got so many rooms! So much space! And it's all my own! I don't have to share a kitchen with anyone, or bathroom with anyone. The only mess I have to live with is my own! And I've got my own back door with a patch of grass where I can sit in the sun if I want. AND the couple I'm renting from are keeping an eye on the neighbour's CAT! And I got to say hello to it! That was probably the highlight of my day. No, seriously. I'm going to end up becoming a crazy cat lady some day.

The flight and everything went so smoothly I could hardly believe it myself. I'm usually a nervous wreck when it comes to even taking the bus somewhere, and God forbid I have to take the train... But today... I was hardly nervous at all, and it was my first time flying alone! I think some super-confident alien ghost possessed me today, because I could hardly recognize myself. 

So now I'm here, and I'm exhausted. Currently stuffing my face with pizza, while occasionally checking that the oven is really cooling down like it should after it's turned off. That oven is a bit of a bitch. But I hope we'll get along as we get more used to each other~

Man, I'm looking forward to going to sleep tonight. Mainly because I had only a couple of hours of sleep last night, starting my travel at half past 4 am... That's way too fucking early to be out of bed. But at least it meant I got here earlier and had more time to adjust and stuff.

Also, the middle-aged couple I'm renting are so kind I just want to hug them and kiss them - well, almost, anyway. Seriously, they volunteered to pick me up at the airport, hugged me when we greeted each other (and from my experience, Norwegians generally do not do that when they meet strangers. With some expections, but still)! And the appartment was so clean and nice when I came here, and they are so helpful! I am SO buying them flowers as a thanks! They really know how to make a girl feel welcome!

Ooh, it's raining. Sorry, random observation. It was so sunny earlier today, but some rain doesn't hurt. Perhaps it'll get a little cooler, because it's seriously been HOT these last few days! Although I'm sure as hell not complaining, seeing as most of July has been cold and rainy. 

Anyways, internet works great! TV not so great. Still haven't got that up and runnin'. Guess I'll talk to the guy I'm renting from, the one who deals with all the tech-stuff, apparently, tomorrow.

Enough ranting. I'll finish my pizza now and just relax until it's no longer too early to go to bed. ^^

The coming weeks are going to have so many firsts for me, that I'm not sure how I'll survive. First time travelling by airplane alone (second time ever). First time renting my very own appartment, living truly on my own. First time going that far south in Norway. First time getting a steady job with steady income, as opposed to studying. And those are just a few of the firsts I'll experience. 

For someone like me, who dislikes big changes a LOT, this is all very overwhelming, to be honest. Part of me wants to hide under the blanket in my bed and cry my eyes out. Another part wants to tie myself to a chair here at home with ducktape and never leave. And then there's that part of me that's able to stay somewhat calm and positive, telling me that things will sort out for the best, and that it'll be a good experience. Understandably, there's a bit of a conflict going on inside me... But it's okay. I'm used to that. This isn't the first time I throw myself head first into something new. And it won't be the last.

All things considered, everything has gone so smoothly so far. I feel that I'm actually meant to go to this new place and meet all these new people and experience all these new things. I feel that this is what I am meant to do. This is the right road to travel right now. And I know that I'm not travelling alone. My family supports me, my friends support me, and I hope and believe that God supports me too and watches over me. That's all I really need to know. Things will be okay!

But I'm not sure if I'll get much sleep tonight.

Oh well.