Being a True Viking in Trondheim, Norway (Day Two)

My second day in Norway was quite eventful. And super snowy.

I loved every second of it.

Sonja and I started the day at the city center, doing all the normal tourist things. Mostly, I tried to figure out how on earth to walk on slush that had frozen over and become a solid block of ice. I'm quite proud to say I didn't fall on my ass once.

Evil, evil slush. You did not destroy me this time! 

I ended up taking way too many pictures, but can you blame me? Norway is one of the most beautiful countries I've been to. Poor Sonja probably got annoyed standing in the cold, waiting for me to take pictures of any and everything. It was refreshing to be in a place so picturesque, but not in a let's-please-the-tourists sort of way. 

BRING IT ON, SNOW. DO YOUR WORST! 

It eventually did its worst. My feet were about to freeze off, and Sonja couldn't stay outside for much longer (she's such a trooper). It was time to head inside for food: 

 A latte and some Skolebrød . 

 I forget the name of the above pastry, but OH SWEET LORD, it was a slice of heaven!! Norwegians sure know how to do their pastries and creams just right. 

We ventured back outside, but of course I had to stop and warm up when I found fire along the way: 

Honestly, the cold hardly bothered me...I was too amazed by all of this: 

By the end of the (way too short) trip, Sonja told me I was a 'True Viking' for braving the cold. As much as I love California, I now feel like I was missing out by not having a childhood with snow. There is something special about the white sparkly stuff that left me refreshed, shiny and new. I didn't feel exhausted from this trip whatsover. I just felt really, really happy. 

Norway is a new love. Sonja is a great friend. I miss it all, and I think I will have to visit again! 

Chillin' in Trondheim, Norway (Day One)

As I descended into Norway, I was honestly speechless for words about the kind of beauty before me. The snow covered trees looked like they were sketched in charcoal set against the wondrous mountains and rolling white hills. And it was all lit up with the soft glow of the setting sun.

Below is a quick shot of the airpot, but it still managed to be a beautiful picture!!!

Straight away from the airport, Sonja and I went grocery shopping for some local goodies:

This cart thingy really amused me...ha. 

But enough of carts. The show stopper in Norway is most definitely the snow. ALL AROUND. EVERYWHERE. I felt like I was in...heaven? The North Pole? This California girl has never seen a proper blanket of snow. Now, I think I am truly in love with it. 

 

My cute friend, Sonja! 

I chilled in Trondheim in two ways the first day: 

1. I took the morning to sleep in and lounge in Sonja's super warm and super nice apartment.

2. I walked outside and truly understood the notion of freezing one's ass off. 

A glimpse out of the bedroom window in the morning:

Sonja's pig radio that I dubbed Sir Francis Bacon. And honestly, Sonja's apartment is something straight out of IKEA: 

Norwegian apartments are as adorable as the people. There is simply too much adorable going on!

I asked Sonja (only half-jokingly) if I could live in her living room. But really. Can I, Sonja? 

I eventually peeled myself off of the couch to take a stroll outside...

That night, we went to a fancy hotel dinner close to the town center. 

To wrap up this first post, there was something quite special I found about being in Norway. Something I didn't expect. I spend so much time talking about my Turkish roots here, that I've neglected talking about my Scandinavian side. It's mostly because I don't know much about it, other than I have ancestors that lived both in Sweden and Finland...

Walking around Norway, I realized that I look immensely Scandinavian. I can't tell you the amount of times people talked Norwegian to me straight away, and it really made me smile. I thought to myself, "I found my people!" Which, of course, is a silly American thing to think (we're always talking about where our ancestors are from). Still, I felt it in my veins and it's undoubtedly cool to see where your family line stemmed from.

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Of course, my next post on Norway has the best pictures. I just had to split it up because I took so many! Just know you are in for a treat next time *wink*

Favorite Thing Thursday

Hello Friends! In the spirit of being grateful, here is a list of my favorite things:

1. Skyping With Friends

This has been a saving grace while being on the other side of the planet! To see my loved ones using one click of a button, this makes my heart so very happy. Oh and the morning monsters (seen above) are happy about this too. Ha! 

2. Garnier B.B. Cream 

source

I'm not usually a foundation girl, so this lightweight stuff is a no-hassle way for me to look a little prettier in the morning. Ugh. I hate mornings. Anyway, it hasn't made me break out yet, and it feels like nothin'! That's my kind of product. 

3. Norway

source

I suppose it's not a 'favorite thing' of mine just yet. But, today I'm off to Norway! This will be my first international trip while living in London. Apparently I am showing up right when the first snow of the season is expected. Ha! This California girl is probably in for a shock! With that, I'll be back next week! Have the best weekend...continue to be grateful for your life, k? 

A Little Bit of Music Therapy

I went to a music jam session this morning with two girls that have studied music therapy. One girl on the piano, one girl on the guitar and me singing along, shyly at first...then feeling quite free after the first song.

It was about repeating certain empowering lyrics and feeling it in your bones, of you believe that hippie talk.

But it turns out that I do sort of believe it. There is something quite special about live music, no? I honestly think it has to do with the vibrations actually shaking your organs up and loosening up the body. And however it works, anxiety definitely slips away. I feel good! I think this can be a daily practice for me--singing and dancing (and maybe even chanting a bit?).

Basically, I am starting to embrace the notion of looking like a crazy person. And being totally fine with that.

The [BADASS] British Museum

If you are a museum lover, the British Museum is honestly one of the most BADASS museums I have been to. I honestly wasn't planning on taking pictures, but just could not resist when I got to these exhibits:

This. This is an actual mummified body from Egypt. I stared at this thing for a good 10 minutes because I'm a little morose like that. 

On an ancient Persian wall. 

Weapons!!! Swords!!! Spears!!! I'm obsessed. 

The first known mosaic of Jesus Christ. 

The old Christian symbol.

Besides mummies and weapons, old jewelry is the other thing that I can stare at for hours. I feel as though these pieces are maybe the most personal things you can find in the museum. It's almost as though a little bit of someone's soul is trapped in the object; thus, I am entranced. God, I love history! 

This is the same museum that "owns" the Parthenon Marbles, also known as the Elgin Marbles. Of course, this is an interesting controversy as Greece has asked for the marbles back, but the British have sort of a 'finders, keepers' mentality about it all. There was even a plaque up explaining, in a very politically spun way, that if the British hadn't taken the marbles they may have been eroded, vandalized and destroyed. In a conservation effort, they say, they had to take and keep the valuable pieces. 

Ok, fair enough, I suppose. But maybe it's time to give it back? 

What do you think?