livingdownunder10

It feels so good to be back on track, after five long days staying at home. Thank you Alexandre for stepping by to check on me every day - you're the best. Now the flu is gone, I'm back at the gym, school started again and I'm surrounded by great people! Life is good. I was wearing a big smile the whole Monday. It didn't matter that we had long hours of grammar lessons, or that it was unbelievable cold for the season. I still felt like it was my day! Something that deffinitely contributed to my cheerful mood was the phonecall I had with my boss in Oslo. She told me I'll be needed to work 5 weeks this summer. I'm so releived! Now I am looking forward to another summer in my previous student city, with some of the best people I know. I now know that I have a place to go to in 5 weeks, which makes it much easier for me to enjoy my last weeks here in Montpellier. I found peace with the fact that I'm leaving, even though it's going to be difficult to pack up my things and walk down to the trainstation for the last time. After all, I love the easygoing life here. However, while I was ill, I felt like a mess of feelings of nostalgia. I missed my time in Oslo so badly; my old university, the long hours I spent there with my friends. All the ordinary things we used to do together. I suddenly felt so far away from everything, and I had a sudden urge to text my friends in Oslo, getting the latest update, hear what they were doing, how they had planned their summer. Those messages of replies made my days.

My friends always give me a warm welcome when I come back (I always end up in Oslo) and I hope they know how much that means to me. They actually give me the confidence to change my life for a while. Because I know that what really matters will stay the same. However, some days ago I got caught by fear that some day when we'll all be spread around in different cities, I'll regret that I didn't stay longer in the same place. Which again got me thinking; what am I gonna be doing the next years, and where am I doing it? That choice is bigger than I first though. I know that I have to spend some more time in France to really get the language under my skinn. I don't think it's possible to leave France thinking that you'll never come back to stay longer. I just don't know when I'll return. In any case, I just wanted to let you guys know that whatever I do abroad, I wish I could share it with you. I would love to invite you all over to my place to eat cake and talk all night. I realise that the result of settling down in different places means leaving parts of yourself behind when you leave. Parts that you will always be missing and longing for, but that you can never get back. In return they help you build a new perspective on life into your conscience that will forever be a part of who you are. But in order to grow, nothing is more important than your roots. And I know perfectly well where I can find mine. See you soon Oslo.

Montpellier

Oslo

 As I'm writing this I'm more or less isolated at home with my faithful Tiga, on my fifth day of having the flu. I'll give it two more days, can't waste time like this! Besides, it's a mystery how this good climate has effected my health - this is the 4th time I'm having the flu since I arrived in September.. Hm, however, there will again be sunny days, and in the meantime I'll write you guys an update on my travels! I was lucky to be perfectly in shape the whole time while I was travelling through Central Europe, so I'll stop complaining. Here you go!

Prague (6th-9th of April)

What was the greatest thing about Prague? That I was greeted at the airport by my friend Aléna, who I met in Australia almost two years ago! Amazing how it feels like when you've stayed in touch with someone that makes a difference to you, and then you're suddently able to create memories together at another side of the world. She showed me that Prague is not only for people in love, as we visited the Easter market, trying local food and absorbing the atmosphere. Although full of tourists, I could sense the charming spirit of the Prague castle and the bridge, slightly overcrowded as they were. I felt so well taken care of, and Aléna always made sure that I took enough pictures;) And even though it ended up snowing (..) and I got a fine on the tramway (..) the weekend was spent in a good mood. Thanks to chzech beer, memorizing about Australia, charming streets and a funny language lesson. Ùzasny! (Awesome!)

Vienna (9th-13th of April)

Next cith on my travelling route; Vienna! The best part here was definitely that I met up with my bestfriend Mitra, who was in the area at the same time! What a happy coincident - we ended up having a great night eating schnitzel and having fun at the hostelbar. The place didn't really matter, as long as we could chat, laugh and drink until the early morning. We even made some french friends, right Mitra?? When she left the next day, I was spending a whole day walking around the city half asleep, taking in as much I could of the Austrian culture. Ok, I didn't find it at Starbucks, but a chai tea latte helped my wellbeing. I also met some cool Americans who made the touristy things more enjoyable. We went to the Opera to see a ballet show and had a picnic in the gardens of Schönnbrun Palace. We also made sure the dancefloor in the hostelbar was moving. Thanks for a great time Kevin, Mary and Justin!

Budapest (13th-16th of April)

At this point, my feet were really starting to hurt after all the city sightsing, but I was still excited to see yet two other friends. This time Àkos and Gábor, two Erasmus students that I met in Oslo one year ago. Àkos, you were a great host! Even updating me on the national history and of the history of the city. Really profitable, especially when it was combined with Hungarian wine (which I didn't know existed), goulash stew and walks around the city. I also (literaly) reach the highlight of my trip at the hill of the statue of Liberty, having an amazing panorama view over the city at night. It made me speechless. I also got to learn that Hungarians start clubbing at 8pm after having been drinking homemade Palinka (It makes so much sense!). Memorable. Would do it again anytime. Thanks guys, I'll miss you both!

That was definitely 10 enjoyable days - it feels like I've been away much longer. I guess it's good to go a bit further than France once in a while. That can't hurt, even for a francophile like me..^^

xxx

Time to be a bit nostalgic. From time to time I get these rushes of memories hitting me in the stomac, reminding me of something that once was. Like the summer before I left Norway to move to France. That summer when I was working fulltime, just waiting for the sunny days to pass buy, so that autumn could arrive fast and I could board my flight to Paris. I wanted the days there to go fast too, so that I could take the train to Montpellier and start my new life. Remembering all that very clearly, in one way it seems like last week. Or it could as likely be 2 years ago. Change confuses time, but one thing is for sure; time flies! When I read in a norwegian newspaper here the other day that the studentlife at the University of Oslo was in full bloom encouraged by the lovely (and early) spring weather, it brought me right back. I could almost smell the library and my most vivid memories about the lunch breaks with my best friends. Ha, funny how some things stick better than others. Now when I think back, I spent some pretty awesome moments there, spending everyday life surrounded by my favourite co-students.

Now, after almost 7 months in Montpellier, I started to take things for granted. The tramway, the small and lovely "petites rues" in the city centre, my local grocery shop, the polite way french people talk in and the relaxed southern spirit. Things I do and see everyday have melted into my conscience of normality. Not to mention the people I see every week, my friends and classmates. I've getten so comfortably used to the whole picture. To be honest, I hadn't thought about actually leaving before a friend of mine suddenly burst out ; "hey, you know what? We've only got about two months left here!" And oh dear, he's right. How time really flies. But he kind of put things in perspective, cause what he said made me realise that I don't want to take everything for granted these two last months. I don't want them to be just a transition periode before I turn the page to the next chapter in my life, like I did last summer in Oslo. I'll start valuing small events and random meetings with people more. Because in a bit more than two months it will all be a part of my past. Wow, that sounded very melodramatic, but it's true. So I'll make damn sure that I make the most out of the time I've got left here!

No use in waiting. This Saturday I'm going to Avignon with Alexandre, a beautiful and old city not so far from Montpellier. And next week-end, three good friends of mine are coming visiting!! So excited about that. However, in between going to uni and enjoying these warm days of spring, I also had to continue planning the future. Last weekend I progressed a lot with my research for masters in Paris, and all in all I found three different universities which offer something that interests me. And thanks to Amélie, a good friend of mine, I finished my "dossier" for one of the masters I've chosen to apply for, just in time. The deadline was today! I'm more hopeful now than before, because I have several options in the same city. Can't say anyting else than that I hope the wind blows me north. But not too far;)

Some pictures from a daytrip to Carcassonne from last weekend. Enjoy!

Peaceful sunset from my balcony :)

Have a great weekend everyone,

xxx 

Another birthday, another year has passed! This time I got to celebrate it in France, enjoying dinner with three of the people that are the most important to me here. Eventually, I ended up having the flu this week, still doing my best to recover from it, but last night turned out to be exactly what I needed; warm and intimate. Thanks to you, Alexandre, Amèlie and Mary. And it got me thinking. Another birthday also means another year ahead! As long as I live it with curiousity, passion and courage, it will make me happy. I'll be focusing on enjoying the ride and not worrying about what's next. I think people in general tend to have a need to plan their lives, which is probably a part of human nature. But honestly, I'm so glad that I don't know where I'll be in 2 years, or 5 or ten. Ok I would like to know where I'll be after this summer, but I'll find it out sooner or later. I know people are very different at this point, but I'm just so grateful of my unpredictable life. I know mum, you don't understand where I get it from, because you've always appreaciated stability and safety. I can't explain it either, but maybe you and dad, by creating a safe space for me to grow up, even though it was separately, gave me a ticket to go out there? That you gave me this spirit by insisting on that I can manage whatever I want? That's what I think, and I appreaciate it a lot. 

But sure, some planning is good. For example, I do have to start planning what I'll do when this semester is over. Which is a pretty important choice! Yes, Paris is an easy first option, but the tricky part is to come up with all the back-up plans. First I was thinking "it could be anywhere - I can do my master anywhere". In theory yes, probably. But it is difficult to find a reason to leave France when I'm getting used to the lifestyle, and especially when I speak the language, more or less. Oslo is an option, only becaue I could be reunited with those I love the most, in a city where I created a lot of great memories. But on the other hand, I kind of feel like I would be taking a step backwords. I guess I'll just have to bring all the options on the table, and then, in some months, I'll see where the wind blows.. In the meantime, I'll have to get better soon, cause spring is here!! I don't know how it works down here, if the temperature can change back, but seeing a guy in shorts today can't be anything but a good sign^^

I have now experienced that no place is free of winter, not even the south of France. I had started to believe that spring had come early, after having experienced a week in January measuring 15 degres. Then winter came along! I've been slightly confused, since the temperatures only have been down to a couple of minus degres, but hell it's cold. The raw climate and the wind makes it quite fresh, to put it "mildly". And I have to mention the snow! By snow, I am refering to those two times last week when the snow was falling for approximately two hours. Oh how fun it was to see the panic. I seemed to be the only one thinking "it will be ok". Yet, to the disappointment of most of the other Norwegians in my class, it was gone almost before it started.

However, what is now bothering me more it that I seem to be living in a freezer. Not joking. I'm living in an old building, and I would guess it's about 10 degrees in my studio!! So far I've been wearing about 5 layers at all times (even to bed). I guess that's the big advantage of winter in Norway - it's always warm inside! However, there is better times ahead - I'm guessing this coldwave wont hang on much longer. At least I've decided to believe that. In the meantime, my mum kindly agreed on sending me a storage of whool socks and whool underwear, as the french don't seem to distribute those kind of necessities. Thank you mum<3

However, something else made Montpellier much warmer this week-end. I was lucky to have Mitra, one of my bestfriends, visiting!! We had a lot of fun, which included partying, sightsing, talking, eating and a visit to a jazzbar. So nice to have you here! Sorry for making you believe that spring had arrived, but I hope and think that you had fun anyway, my little sunshine! 

This crêpe night was also warming a lot :)

Amélie making crêpes for 6 people

Alex eating for two..;)

Arriving!

Sightsing

Botanical garden

Reading from the tree of wishes

Arc de triomphe

Eating french food with french cliché looking waiters

Glad you enjoyed your crême brulée ^^

Place de la comedie

Clubbing at Villa Rouge

A cold, but great week-end!

xx

As I'm sitting home, sipping to a glass of my new favourite wine, I thought it was a good occation to write some positive thoughts. And for the record, I just decided that it's completely ok to be drinking alone, if it's to avoid the sin of wasting any leftovers after the week-end. French spirit for sure. Anyway, I started to think of my reasons to smile right now, January 2012. The phenomen of smiling in France is much related to having a reason for it, whish maybe seems fair enough, but it also includes that smiling to a stranger just because you feel like it can seem a bit odd. At least so I've read. So, here are my reasons! Some more important than others, but they're all contributing;

1. I just started my second semester of french studies, realising that I now have no problems of following the classes.
2. Two of my french friends from Australia just moved into an appartment 3 min walk from my place.
3. I finally learned to feel good spending some time alone without being restless.
4. I've booked tickets to visit a friend in Lyon for a weekend!
5. This so-called winter in Montpellier hasn't offered any minus degrees so far.
6. My bestfriend Mitra is coming to visit me next weekend!!
7. My favourite wine, muscat de Rivesaltes, only costs 4 euro.
8. I've extended my workout program, doing 4 fitness classes a week. Gives positive energy!
9. My weekends start on Thursday.
10. I've dreams and goals for the future.

Voilà, ca y est! Sometimes it's easy to think of the things that are missing in life, but reflecting and focusing on the positive aspects will make your everyday life much more fulfilling. So, actually, I really don't see a reason why I shouldn't smile to a stranger if I feel like it. After all, some culture"crashes" are easier to deal with than others.

xxx

Another Christmas and another holiday is (soon) over, and this one has left an extra strong impression on me. There is of course something wonderful with indulging to the Christmas spirit every year, maybe because along with it comes a feeling of appreciation. You start to value what you have, and especially the people you are glad to have around you. However, I can't remember to have felt so strongly about this before this year. Cause this year was different; I was home for 1 month, and then I had to go back to my current city, Montpellier. After having experienced another perspective of life, how it can be without those close friends that will back you up whenever it's needed, I've had an incredible holiday in the best company. After having spent the previous months with up's and down's related to different events and challenge, it was just so amazing to come home to all that is stable, real and predictable. I've always valued my friends highly, and being around them again made me feel extremely happy and full of appreciation. Isn't that the best feeling in the world?

I spent my days moving from one café to another, and doing dinners and gatherings in the evenings. Talking about things that matters with those I know will be there in the future. Loved every second of it, even though I was a bit tired in the end. I guess I was afraid of losing any time, so I was not really seeking any time for myself. Well, I'll fit that in later. Oh and also; the climate was reasonable. We had a perfect amount of snow, and I could still feel my legs when I left the house. Every year I try not to exaggerate my complaining about how minus degrees below 10 makes me grumpy. I also try to hide how ennoying I think it is to see how every second norwegian mean the opposite, sitting on the subway with their new pair of skis. Nah, this year it was ok. After all, they had to wait until january.

But I wont try to look past another reason why I had such a good time. It was also because I was not afraid of leaving again. This time I knew that I had something and someone to come back to in France. And I know that I'm not done with that life yet. I came back yesterday, home to a lovesick cat. Starting to get ready for my second semester with french, and I'm curious of what it will bring along. The one thing I know will be awesome is that two of my french friends from Australia will be living in Montpellier. And honestly, I can't think of a better start!

Wishing you all a good start of the new year, and who knows, maybe this year you'll go after your dream? You decide.

xxx

New Year's Eve

Oslo under the snow

Time has been going so fast lately! It feels like ages ago that I arrived in France, and yet it hasen't been more than about 3 months. Bizarre. When that is said, I've been feeling a bit strange lately, regarding the weather and the approaching Christmastime. Last week was sunny and surprisingly warm - 18 degrees! As the lownmower at the university's campus was constantly in use, the familiar smell of cut grass made me think of anything except Christmas. Even though there is a massive christmas three in the centre, so far that doesn't help much. But one thing is for sure. When I'm having a Christmas "workshop" with my two "vikings" the 1th of December, there will be a christmas spirit forced upon us. That's decided.

However, what actually did get me in the right mood to start the Christmas preparations was my trip to Paris. I have to write some lines about my week-end in the capital. It's funny, because I never get tired of visiting that city, and each time I go, I discover something new, something different. And of course, I never get tired of visiting my friends. Although this time was rather different. I didn't speak any English!! Being able to speak with my french friends for the first time in their own language was nothing but a happiness boost. And as I was writing down words and expressions the whole week-end in my "carry-around-notebook", I am sure I learned much more than after a week at school! I feel home in Paris. Much because of my friends who welcome me every time, but also because I feel that I fit into the whole picture. Hard to explain, but that's how it is. Hopefully I'll be living in Paris next year..  Oh and about the christmas spirit! It was definitely present in the streets and the cafés, and not to mention in all the shops. And it worked! It got to me for a while. Now I just have to wait for it to reach the south.

Right now, I'm looking forward to;

• Visiting my good friend Alice in Lille this week-end!!
• Watching two of my friends performing a play at school
• Building a ginger bread house with Simon and Martin
• Being done with my exams, which start next week
• FLYING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!!<3  

Have a good week - with or without a proper christmas feeling xx

Since last time I wrote, I would say that I've reached a turning point of my stay. And I've also gotten to understand much more about myself. To start with, I have to say that even though I might seem to be that kind of girl that moves around without roots or without boundaries (at least that's how I used to see myself), the last month I've realised something. Yes, it's really fulfilling to change my habits and throw myself into new challenging situations, cause that's my way of reminding myself that I'm living and that I'm capable of taking lifechanging desitions if I want to. At first, when I had some troubles with the basic necessity of finding a place to stay in Montpellier, I guess everything else was put on hold. Finding somewhere to live was without doubt a timeconsuming project, which gave me some worries. However, it was after all a materialistic issue.

In the weeks that followed, I was occupied with trying to make some stable friends, friends that I could rely on and not just friends who could get me in a partymood. I realised that since the majority of foreign students down here are looking for an Erasmus experience, they were not at all matching my needs. That's why, some weeks ago, I was feeling homesick for the first time in France. I was not homesick when I arrived, not even when I was struggling to settle down. But when I felt that I was lacking a network, I would've done anything for a day back home with my closest friends. I felt like the days just went by without meaning, and that I didn't have anyone I could call if I needed someone to talk to or to keep me with company after a tough day.

However, after confronting myself with all these feelings, and before I tell you about the turning point, I realised something very important. I don't miss Norway at all, but I miss my friends. I miss my family. And it means the whole world to me to know that they're still ready to stand by my side, even if we're not sharing the same country code at the moment. And it gives me strength to know that I have people in my life that I would do anything for. Because that's what's important. I know, I'm living my dream, but dreams are not given to you for free. You have to sacrifice something. In my case, I had to start rebuilding my everyday life, but luckily not from scratch. I've been scared, but what's kept me going is my old friends and family. I guess what I've learned the last weeks are that nomatter where I am, it's my friends who make my world.

And so to the turning point! First of all, I now know who I can call friends down here, who I can have fun with, but also who I can trust and who I can turn to if I need support. You know who you are - thank you for making my days! And secondly, I finally met my neighbours!! After living in my studio for one and a half month, I've hardly seen anyone in the starecases. But this weekend when I got home Friday night, there was a party, and I was invited in! THAT's my turning point, and my first step to integration^^

So I guess the point I am trying to make goes like this; you don't have to take the same path as your friends, as long as the paths cross eachother! And since I'm in France, I allow myself to add a tiny cliché; with close friends in your heart, you'll never be walking alone;)  

That's all from my corner - have a good week!

À bientôt xx

Since last time I wrote, the weather has gotten slightly different, and I have to admit that the "winter" is on it's way. So far, that means rain, and I guess it's fair enough, since it hasen't been raining at all the last 2 months. But no reason to put life on hold for that matter! Since this week-end was combined with two days of holidays, I went to Bordeaux, the wine capital of France in the west. I've been wanting to travel there for a long time, and finally I got the oportunity. Together with one norwegian friend and two friends of he's, we took the train and where ready to act as tourists again. First impression of the city; it was like a mini Paris! However, the city was much bigger than I'd expected, but it had the familiar parisian architecture of Haussmann. Great buildings everywhere, no funny french accent, not over-crowded but still alive. Bordeaux has my vote! Apart from wandering around in the city and profiting from the nightlife, my favourite experience was to visit two wine castles. We got to learn about wine production, see the wineries, and taste of the production in a real wine cellar. Oh what a life, living of wineproduction.

Some winefacts;

- The wineproduction started when the grape plant was introduced by the romans, 2000 years ago.

- In France, wine can be called wine when each bottle contains a maximum of 2 gr. sugar.

- The grape plants are considered to be contributing to top quality wine when they are between 25 and 35 years old.

- Rosé wine is made when the skin of the grape is removed early in the production (and is not, as I thought, a mix of red and white wine..beginner mistake!)

All in all, I was very happy to spend some time in a new beautiful french city, the fifht largest in France. And what about everyday life in Montpellier? Even though I enjoy my life here, I realise that it's difficult to build close relationships with people when my policy has been to only speak in french and try to avoid the use of my mothertongue. I do have french friends here who I appreaciate a lot, but I also realise how I miss the people that really know me, back home and around in France. Therefore, I desided to do some travelling in order to see them! I'll go to Paris in two weeks to visit my great friends from Australia. Now I'm finally able to speak french with them - such a fantastic thought! And my dear friend Alice, who I met in Oslo three years ago, she'll get a visit in the beginning of December. I will probably be busy studying for my exams soon, but the great thing is that I'll be practicing french. It's a win-win situation between studies and leasure!^^

Here are some pictures from Bordeaux;

The cathedral

Archacon, costal town close to Bordeaux

Sushi - our favourite!

Wineries!

Château Rousselle

This was my second glass, I promise!

Château Falfas

Ok, I stole some grapes, but it was off season..

That's all for now from my corner, have a great afternoon! xx