Options

In the first semester of 2016 I haven't planned anything. It feels amazing, but it's really frustrating at the same time. When people ask me "what are you doing at the moment?" and I don't have a real answer, only "I might go there, or there, not sure!"

Option number 1 is travel to Nicaragua and do Development 2, if I were to complete that semester I will have my first year of a possible bachelor in development that I will continue to study in Oslo in August. I don't have any need to do this except for experiencing Nicaragua, I heard it's amazing there. School though, not so tempting. My semester in Vietnam was one of the best decisions I've ever made, that's why I keep Nicaragua as one of my options for next year.

Option number 2, Go back to New Zealand! I have a job, friends and freedom. I do love it here and it feels like home and it's a safe option because I know what to expect. However, it might be time to use those months on something new, so I can expand my knowledge even further.

Option number 3, Norway! Stay in Norway and just work and save money. Not tempting, but it might be necessary unfortunately. It only takes a month of being back before I go nuts. However I could work for couple of months then go to Scottland for a couple of weeks, Scottland is on top of my bucketlist.

Option number 4, Australia! This one I discovered yesterday, my old football coach put a job offer out there and I thought why not(??). So I might end up back in Aussie for some time working in a less fancy job that will bring in quite a bit of money and I will be able to get to know the Australian culture instead of the backpacker aspect of it.

Growing up

I can't remember the first time I went to a café by myself to have a hot chocolate and/or a meal, but what I do remember is feeling really awkward, not knowing where to look and what to do with myself.

At the moment I'm living a sweet life in New Zealand, where I spend my time catching up with people and working at a bar and kitchen three times a week. However during the day, literally everyone is at work and the only company I have is my laptop and myself. The easiest thing to do so far has been to just chill all day on netflix and talking to my friends in Norway, which I love (I'm a bed person), but when I do it everyday it gets old.

"Sometimes, you need to be alone. Not to be lonely, but to enjoy your free time being yourself."

Becoming independent is something travelling and being alone has taught me. My mentality now is "just do it" when it comes to doing things that are outside my comfort zone. Going to cafés alone might seem like a easy thing to do and a lot of people might not see how that can be scary for some people. I used to think it was scary as hell, like I explained in the first paragraph. Today I went to Pukekohe and I sat in a cafe waiting for my food and I felt so grown up. I could relax and I was enjoying my own company. My time so far in New Zealand has forced me to become more independent and I love it. And it turns out that all those "love yourself first" quotes are true. And I'm one step closer to finding myself.

Update

I've been in Vietnam for approximately 3 weeks, away from home for 3 months. What do I miss? I miss my crazy friends, a big bag of potato chips, my bed, extra light (TINE) milk, frozen pizza and friday night tacos. I used to miss proper bread, cheese and ham, but we found a western place that satisfies those needs perfectly.

To do some recap of the trip so far; 10th November me, Hanne and Inga began our amaziing journey down under. We landed in Sydney after some long flights. We stayed in an area that turned out the be where the hookers go at night, Kings Cross. We made friends with our dorm and I had my first sip of "goon"(its super cheap and sort of tastes like wine, but apparently its leftover fish). We picked up our rental car and finally our Sydney-Cairns road trip had begun! All in all Australia was a big success and I learned how to actually live as cheap as possible, especially when it comes to food and accommodation. We tried making dinner every night, but sometimes our pizza hearts screamed to loud not to buy 5$ dominos.  Cairns was our final stop, and it was one of the best stop for me personally. Our whole 8 bed dorm became good friends and we partied (almost too much for the hostels liking) and we had bad karma breakfast(insider) together.

Next stop was back to dear old New Zealand where we all spent a year in 2011 on exchange. We were met at 1AM in Auckland airport by loyal Emma and Kymberly and it was like nothing had changed, 3 years later. Me and Inga couldn't believe how exited we got from seeing New World (supermarket) and Waiuku College again. Waiuku is still a city close to my heart and my second home. Going back to New Zealand was amazing because of many factors; renting a car and finally travelling with no bounderies, my amaaaaziinng friends there, parties, the hospitality these people have, Globetrotters (Inga, Astrid and Laura) reunited again, Rhythm and Vines festival and a lot more. 

 My final and a bit more serious stop is Hoi An where I have been for a bit more than two weeks. Spent first 3 days in Ho Chi Minh where we met a lot of lovely people and me and Hanne got inked for the first time. Getting a second one in Hoi An at one point. To get to Hoi An was a challenge. Not only was it 23 hours, but we were both hangover as fuuck because we met two awesome Swedish girls the night before. We made it and suddenly we had arrived in what would be my home until May. I got to the local university along with 22 other students, the course is in English and we are studying development. A normal day for me is waking up around 6.30, breakfast 7am , school 8-11, bike for approx 20-30 minutes to study center at the beach and have lunch. At night we often have some drinks and smoke shisha. The house I live in is called "The Golden House" and 7 girls live here. We all bought our own bikes, easiest way to get around in Hoi An. Life is good and I wouldn't change it for anything at the moment. 

Oslo, costumes and a trip to Ålesund

Is what I've been doing this month. Last Friday I had to fly down to Oslo to get my Vietnam Visa. The process didn't take longer than 5 minutes.

So with no money for shopping and terrible weather, there was no cheaper option than McDonalds. I think I sat there for an hour before heading over to the central station to meet my sister.

A long day, but getting the visa was definitely worth it.

"Oktoberfest" is also a tradition in Norway. We dressed up and had a blast! 

On Friday 31st (aka Halloween), two of my dearest friends were celebrating their 19th and 20th birthday. 

And today it's 7 days until takeoff!! Me and Hanne met in Ålesund to do some final preparations for the trip. I finally got my international drivers license so I'm all set for Australia. 

 Change the background to the Sydney Opera house and that will be me in 7 days :))

18 days

There is so much I have to take care of so my feelings are mixed about leaving so soon. I have to go to Oslo on Friday to fix my Vietnam visa. Silly me didn't think about it earlier..It's too risky sending my passport in the mail so close to the trip

Other events this month has been going out to Rokken events such as open mic, quiz and disco. We should get a vip entrance because we go there so much. 

I bought hostel-chill-friendly clothes

Taken mirrorselfies 

And enjoyed the weather (from inside)

Yesterday I had an early shift at work so I watched three love-movies. First "The Fault In Our Stars" that made me cry 10 times. Since i cried so much I watched "Frozen" as second, and the third movie was "Endless Love". If you are a tumblr girl like me you must have seen gifs and photos of the movie and even reblogged stuff from the movie. I didn't know the gif bellow was from the movie. And while this car scene and a bunch of other cool scenes was playing, the best part was actually the song. Pumpin Blood- NONONO was playing and I was almost crying because I loved life as I watched the movie and listened to the song.

October

October is my favorite month. The colours, the weather and scarfs!

See why I love the colours??

We've also been drinking (ahah we look mean)

And me, Hilde and Madeleine went on a tinyy hike, 247 moh. Refreshing and fun trip that took us about 30 minutes up and down I think, haha.

Outlet and alphabet disco

On friday my sister came back home for the weekend, so on Saturday we went to an outlet in Sula (old industrial place) where they sell "winter" clothes. Since I'm gonna have a 5 month summer soon,  I didn't get as spoiled as my sister, buut I got socks and a scarf for the fall. 

Café

Then came Saturday night. We were not supposed to go out, but spontaneously we did and we found us some costume and began on the wine.. 

And now I'm ready for Rythm and Vines festival in New Zealand! loveit. 

speaking of R&V, Sticky Fingers (from Australia) were just announced to play and I love them! 

Last glimpse of Greenland

Melshornet (807 m)

This morning before work me and Hanne went hiking on Melshornet! It was hell. buut the top felt awesome.

there is nothing rarer and more beautiful than liking every song on an album

Roo Panes.. to see you live is now #1 on my bucketlist. 

I was snooking around on Spotify last night, because it happens a lot that I discover treasures like Roo Panes. Listen to THIS playlist and two of his awwwsme songs.