E: Back in Norway
The departure, travel and arrival from Bangkok and Thailand went well.
I flew in to Oslo around 8 am this morning (Norwegian time).
It's green, warm (not too hot), good and strange.
I like it back, but I miss people in Australia (and Pete&Belle who were such great hosts and guides in Thailand). The price level ain't anything to brag about either.
I guess things will pick up when I get to meet my friends here in Oslo and from Saturday my family and people back home (Brøstadbotn). Not until I'm settled with my family will I be able to deliver some decent synopsis of Thailand and a little analysis of my year in Australia.
From soon I plan to establish a new web page for my time in Oslo.
It is going to be all right to be home for a bit, chill and recharge. But I haven't travelled for the last time.
A tired, but happy greeting.
E: Samui & Kanchanaburi
This morning I flew into the gorgeous isand of
Koh Samui - an hour's flight from Bangkok. Today me, Belle & sister Bo rented a car and visited many of the attractions and sites around the little piece of dry land. We are having a great time and stay at this most precious beach resotel on the beach. The weather is hot and the water is blue.
We left on a flight 6am this morning after returning from an unforgettable trip to Kanchanaburi where we stayed at exciting
jungle rafts on the kwai river. A lawa cave, waterfall, elephant ride (and feeding), mon village visit, excellent food, hammock relaxation and swimming in river full of current was awesome fun.
More about all later. Pictures and all. Got an early tour tomorrow morning. I'm doing well, but miss Australia. +, of course, I am exciting about getting to Norway also eventually.
E: Pretty Thai for a white guy
I am safe and sound in Bangkok.
I love it here, and it's been great seeing Bell, Pete and Bo (Bell's sister).
I like Thailand a lot, it's food, people and traditions - in spite the heat and congested city. haven't slept more than 10 hours the last 83 hours, so I'm kind of exhausted. We have been running full with programs ever since arrival. Lots of temples were visited on the first day, yesterday. At night we had dinner with a bunch of Pete's and Belle's friends. And today it was time for a visit to the ruins of the former capital. After returning home by a river cruise, Bell, Bo and I experienced thai boxing (as spectators).
I do miss Melbourne already thuogh, leaving behind so many awesome people. I guess the real test won't come until everyday life settles in Norway. Especially when daily life in Australia felt like a holiday because of all the fun, atmosphere and people.
I will be going away for 2x3 days, and I'm not sure how much Internet I'll see until the day before I head back for Norway. But I'm doing good - all things considered. It's now 22pm and I need to shower, shave, eat, pack and sleep before getting up and leaving around 5am tomorrow morning - for the third day in a row. Sleep is a waste of time, I know, but I will be looking forward to averaging a few more hours ;)
X: Famous departure/Kjendisavskjed
How often is leaving a highlight? Circa never. But with fantastic help from a bunch of good friends, my last airport visit in Australia (for a bit) provided a spray of laughter. We did a celebrity-skit.
With a self-important look, shades and a black-dressed girl in each arm (Darshini and Miriam), I entered the international terminal. In front and behind me walked three body guards in suits and shades; Cherrine, James and Ah’dhu. With a dead-serious face, we marched inward the terminal. About 100 meters further down stood three wild fans (Flavia, Kele, Sejal and Jess) who went crazy when we came by. With printed A4 sized pictures and pens they tried getting autographs and pictures of “Dre.” More fans (Vincent) joined in shortly. The guards did what they could to keep the fans away. Most, if not all, heads turned and looked as we went through the airport. A few dared to ask who this “star” was, and seemed to know who I was when they were told “Dre” . Boy did we laugh when we shared the experiences afterwards in the café.
It wasn’t all joyous to leave. Wasted is a better description for how I felt about going. The fact that I’ll be away for an indefinably period of time became evident right before, during and in particular after I passed the door for the international passenger-only section. On the flight to Bangkok I thought about when and how I’ll return to Bangkok.
Belle, her sister Bo and Pete came to the rescue at the airport. It was splendid to see them again, in spite being bombarded with emotions, impressions and sleep deprivation. After the reunion, I went to crash in Pete’s house. It’s been over 40 hours since I slept last. Så much occured the last hours before I was to leave that sleep had to pass. It’s past midnight and I’ll be getting up around 5am. But I’m excited about focusing on other things than leaving.
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Hvor ofte blir en avskjed et høydepunkt? Cirka aldri. Men med fantastisk hjelp fra et knippe godvenner, ble det også mye latter under mitt siste flyplassopphold i Australia. Vi utførte en kjendis-sketsj.
Med et innbilskt uttrykk, solbriller og en svartkledt dame i hver arm (Miriam og Darshini), entret jeg den internasjonale terminalen. Foran og bak gikk tre dresskledte livvakter (også i solbriller); Cherrine, James og Ah’dhu. Dønn seriøse alle sammen, ruvet vi innover terminalen. Rundt hundre meter lengre inn stod fire ville fans (Flavia, Kele, Sejal og Jess) som gikk amokk da vi kom forbi. Med utskrevne bilder (i A4-størrelse) og penner i hendene gjorde de det de kunne for å ta bilde og få autografen til ”Dre.” Flere fans (Vincent) kom til snarlig. Vaktene holdt fansen unna så godt de kunne. Mang et ansikt snudde seg, og et par kom bort for å spørre. Da noen svarte ”Dre,” nikket de og lot som de visste hvem de var. Vi lo godt da vi delte opplevelsene i kafeen etterpå.
Det var ikke bare velstand å forlate. Borkastet er et bedre ord. Det faktum at jeg forlot landet på uviss tid ble tydelig like før, under og spesielt etter jeg forserte den siste porten til den internasjonale sonen. På flyet til Bangkok, tenkte jeg på når og hvordan jeg kan returnere til Australia.
Belle, søstra Bo og Pete kom og hentet meg på flyplassen. Det var skikkelig godt å se de igjen, men litt søvnmangel og mange inntrykk gjorde det vanskelig å ta av. Belle og Bo er de jeg skal oppleve Thailand sammen med. Etter møtet dro vi hver til vårt. De hjem og jeg og Pete til hans hus med familiens sjåfør. Når jeg nå skal legge meg har det gått over 40 timer siden jeg sov sist. Så mye skjedde de siste timene, at søvnen måtte vike. Klokka har passert midnatt og jeg må stå opp om fem timer. Men jeg gleder meg til å fokusere på noe annet enn at jeg skal forlate.
X: Departure Down Under/Avreise Australia
It's early morning and I haven't slept. There was too much finalizing of packing, people over, CDs to burn, final greetings (notes) etc. I leave Australia in about 10 hours. Superstrange. I've had a suoerb time here. Saturday night I had the best farewell thinkable. More on this, my last days, my Australian anlysis and such will come sooner or later. Now, Thailand awaits for the coming 10 days.
See you, Melbourne!
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Det er grasotta, og jeg har ikke sovet ennå. Det har vært et hakk for travelt med pakking, beøks, CD-brenning, siste hilsner etc. Jeg forlater Australia om ca 10 timer. Superrart.
Jeg har hatt en kongetid her. Lørdag hadd jeg den beste avskjedsfesten man kan tenke seg. Mer om denne, mine siste dager, en analyse av Australia og slikt vil komme om ikke altfor lenge. Nå venter Thailand de neste 10 dagene.
Vi snakkes, Melbourne!
X: Farewell joy/Farvelglede
I realised tonight that Melbourne is the place in this world where I have more people close to me at one location than anywhere else. The number is higher than in Las Vegas, more than Oslo and a more numerous than home. The explanation is much given in the fact that most of my friends my age from Brøstadbotn (home) are studying or working – which is taking place other sites but in the past. However, the number of people close to me from Melbourne is high. Higher than what I expected before I came.
About 60 MB of pictures and 60 minutes of video can substantiate the best farewell party imaginable. At prompt I didn’t desire a take-off get-together because such occasions are generally not too cheerful and I don’t like fellowship where I’m in focus. But this night was one I will never want to be without. I’m very sad about leaving Australia. At the same time I’m overwhelmed about all the individual friends of mine who decided to show up and all they did for me. Hence I wasn’t able to be sad of the speeches, care and attendance. I was just happy for the love and care that I was shown.
Close to everyone I invited came. People really seemed to have a good time, and it amused and comforted me. The house of James, Chris and Andrew was filled by more than 40 mates from church, Focus (international Christian student group), bible study group, soccer team, volleyball team, Chisholm college (where I live) and a few others I know from outside. “Everyone” was there.
Other than arranging food, a quiz and a little speech, I didn’t really expect anything to happen. I was wrong. In the beginning, a few “evil ones” hung up more than a dozen crazy/no-good pictures of me. That I’ve been able to turn out that freaky so many times I guess is my own bad. Darshini and Ahdhu later came and “arrested” me after allegedly finding “drugs” (flavor in a bag) on me. Hand-cuffed to a chair, I sat through a “court case” where “family” and friends testified for my innocence. I was found not guilty after enough witnesses had given their statements. It was beautiful.
A digital video camera was installed in James’ room where the guests could (/had to) leave a greeting for me to look at when I get back. I’m very excited about this.
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Jeg innså i kveld at Melbourne er det stedet i verden med flest nære mennesker på et område. Langt flere enn Las Vegas, en del flere enn Oslo og noen flere enn hjemme. Dette skyldes i stor grad at frender på min alder fra Brøstadbotn er i studier eller jobb som ikke kan utføres der vi en gang var. Samtidig er det viktig å påpeke at antallet godvenner fra Australia ikke er det minste.
Rundt 60 MB bilder og 60 minutter med video kan dokumentere den best tenkelige avskjedsfesten jeg kunne hatt. I utgangspunktet ville jeg ikke ha en farvelsamling da andledningen ikke er videre positive og jeg ikke liker fellesskap med fokus på meg selv. Men kvelden i dag ville jeg aldri vært foruten. Jeg er skikkelig lei meg for at min tid i Australia snart er til ende. Men jeg er samtidig mer enn overvelmet av alle de som kom til farvelfesten og alt det de gjorde for meg. Derfor klarte jeg ikke å bli trist av alle talene, oppmøte, godordene og omtanken.
Nærmest alle jeg inviterte møtte opp og folk ga alle inntrykk av å stortrives – noe som er betryggende og godt for den som arrangerer. Huset til James, Chris og Andrew ble fylt av førti (+) kjenninger fra kirka, Focus, bibelgruppa, fotballaget, volleyballaget, Chisholm med mer. ”Alle” var der.
Vertskpaet var fantastisk. Darshini og Ahdhu ”arresterte” meg etter å ha bliitt påplantet ”dop” (mel i en pose). I håndjern måtte jeg følge ”rettsaken” hvor familier og venner vitnet for min skyld og uskyld. Jeg ble friekjent etter at nok vitner hadde roset meg for min uskyld.
På James sitt rom var det satt opp et digitalt videokamera der gjestene ga en muntlig hilsen. Denne skal jeg titte på når jeg kommer hjem. At James tok over 11 minutter av dette (ved et uhell) er nå glemt.
X: Friday thougts/Fredagstanker
¤ It ain't all that strange that old folks homes and such put the residents in front of the TV when they eat. That is what people do with themselves in private. For the older generation, it may not be that natural and desirable.
¤ Marathon runners, especially winners, often look like cancer patients in charity races.
¤ I found it odd that it's not more mixing among ethnical groups. Most people say they no longer care about people's appearance and geographical + cultural offspring. Still, even with much more mixture than before, couples form primarily within their own racial group. In the countryside of nations, there will naturally be a majority of some kind, but in metropolis & major cities, the racial division is fairly equal.
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¤ Det er er ikke så rart å putte gamle menensker foran TV når de spiser. Det er hva folk gjør med seg selv likevel på egenhånd. For den enldste generasjonen er det muligens ikke like naturlig.
¤ Maratonløpere, særlig vinnere, ser ofte ut som kreftpasienter i veldedighetsløp.
¤ Det er merkelig at det ikke er mer blanding mellom etniske grupper. Folk flest sier de ikke lenger bryr seg om folks utseende og kulturelle/folkelige opphav. Likevel, selv om det er mye mer nå enn tidligere, er det ikke supertydelig med blanding. Har vi (fortsatt) en frykt i oss for det som er annerledes?
E: Great Great Ocean Road
Yesterday I spent the entire day down at Victoria's coast with the state's most popular tourist attraction: The Great Ocean Road. The road was truly great. Pictures explain it so much better, they will come in not superlong, and due to lack of time I won't write more now than that it was totally worth it and I had a blast. I travelled with Ah'dhu and Anko from the Maldives.
E: Everything is never over
There is always something else somewhere for someone some other time. I finished school almost a week ago. I leave in less than a week. Yet the items of the list of what to do ain’t dropping. Until I have time to elaborate, I’ll briefly list what has been going on since Wednesday.
¤ Thursday was spent to get things organized, settle the remaining days of my stay in Melbourne and go to volleyball practice.
¤ Friday was spent in the city, touring Queen Victoria Market, Rialto Tower (its observation deck gives great views – as the office building is the tallest completed one in the southern hemisphere), immigration museum, national gallery and shrine of remembrance. After I returned, I went straight to Focus – the Christian international student group.
¤ My Indian friend Aditi left Australia Sunday. Saturday night we had an amazing last-night get-together in her flat. The whole “family” was there, and we sang, danced, talked, held speeches, told stories, ate, and watched video. We had a napping break from 4am to before 9am, when panckaced breakfast was served. We hung out until she, Aditi, entered the International departure gates.
¤ Yesterday was spent in the Grampians – a pearl of creation with enormous valleys of forests, lakes, hills and waterfalls, that can be consumed from various lookouts.
¤ Today I got some more practical things underway, before I took off to Mount Dandenong with Sam and Anderson – friends from Chisholm – to watch the sunset and the night mode of Melbourne city.
¤ Tomorrow I go on a day tour to Great Ocean Road with Ah’dhu and Anko.
¤ Saturday I have a farewell-party at James’ place.
As you can see, there is a little sign of the doing-everything-before-I-leave syndrome. I’m doing good though, in spite thinking more than often about departure – which brings a no-cool feeling.
E: Computer addiction top 13
I received this e-mail from a friend the other day, and found it funny enough to share.
Top 13 signs you are addicted to computer games13. You cancel plans with friends to play games
12. You skip lunch
11. You haven't blinked in half an hour
10. Your friend is standing next to you talking and you wonder what that distant buzzing sound is
9. You're out for dinner with your girlfriend/boyfriend, stare intently at him/her across the table, put your hand on top of his/her hand...and start maneuvering it like a mouse, clicking away
8, you skip dinner
7. You have back problems, bladder problems, and your eyesight is deteriorating, but you cant figure out why
6. You skip breakfast, lunch AND dinner
5. You haven't slept in 72 hours
4. Your girlfriend/boyfriend is lying naked in bed, but you barely glance his/her way
3. You haven't seen another human being in 3 weeks, haven't stepped out of the house in 3 months
2. You haven't lifted your hand off the mouse in 5 months
1. Your house is on fire but you remain glued to your computer
X:Last (of school)/Siste (skoledag)
My studies at La Trobe University is hereby over. The last assignment was turned in around 1 pm. I received a feeling of great relief, but at the same time down. It is awesome to finish a semester, but it also strengthens the notion of an sooner-than-ever upcoming departure – which ain’t great.
Left to do are packing, farwell-party, practice, playing volleyball matches, visit the city a few times, Great Ocean Road and the Grampians. The last two activities mentioned will hopefully take place Monday (potentially Thursday) and Wednesday. Ahdhu, Anko and possibly Wei (Anderson) will tag along.
Many things are taking place for the last time in Australia (in a while) these days. Today I had my last soccer practice and finishing my last assignment. I have had my last physio appointment (for my shoulder), blood donation, lecture, tutorial, bible study group and Monday Night Traning. For college I have played the last sport and gone to the last social event.
I believe one get more out of every day life when thinking of actions as if it was the last time they were performed. Alternatively, one can imagine leaving soon – always (wherever you are). By that one learns to value and treasure the experiences even more and you activity level increases significantly.
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Min studietid på La Trobe Univeristy er over. Siste skoleoppgave ble levert rundt klokken 13. Jeg følte stor lettelse, men samtidig noe nedenfor. Det er storartet å ha avsluttet et semester, men det forsterker også følelsen av at man snart skal forlate – noe som ikke er like oppløftende.
Nå gjenstår pakking, forvelparty, treninger, kamper, en rekke aktiviteter i byen, Great Ocean Road og Grampians. De to sistnevnte vil forhåpentligvis finne sted mandag (ev torsdag) og onsdag. Ahdhu, Anko og muligens Wei (Anderson) vil følge med.
Det er mange ting som forløper for siste gang. I dag var det fotballtrening med Northern Pumas og innlevering av siste oppgave. Allerede har jeg tenkt på den siste timen for fysioterapi, blodgivning, undervisning, bibelstudium og ”mandagstrening” (kristne seminar etc). For studenthjemmet (campus college) har jeg spilt den siste idretten og deltatt på den siste, større sosiale begivneheten.
Jeg tror man hadde fått mye mer ut av hverdagslivet om man tenker som om alt gjøres for siste gang. Eventuelt at man operer med tanken om at man skal forlate snart – alltid. Man lærer å verdsette opplevelsene enda mer og øker aktivitetsnivået betraktelig.
Etter å ha ryddet litt i papirer og andre saker, var det klart for siste fotballtrening. Like etter fotballskoene forlot gressmatta, sto besøk av Sambhav på planen. Pizzainntak og prat foregikk noen timer.
”Madagascar” kommer ikke videre høyt blant mine favoritter for animasjonsfilm.
X: Babel & crowd skill/folkehavegenskap
¤ The Bible (
Genesis 11) shares the story of the tower of Babel. Until God confused their language, everyone spoke the same one. Although it was probably undeveloped, someone was bound to be deaf, and therefore use sign language. My thought/question is therefore: was there once only one sign language? (Which is anything from true today).
¤ Does it require a certain skill to move and adjust to moving masses of people? Is it a talent you can developed or be born with? Maybe there is a gene for it?
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¤ Bibelen (
1. Mosebok, 11) deler historien fra tårnet i Babel. Før Gud forvirret språket deres, snakket alle samme tungemål. Noen var helt sikkert døve på den tiden, selv om tegnspråkhistorien ikke er den lengste. Det jeg lurer på er om det en gang var kun ett tegnspråk (som langt fra er tilfelle i dag).
¤ Er det å sno/bevege seg i svære folkemasser en egenskap som man kan trenes i eller ha talent for? Kanskje det finnes et gen for det?
E: Weekend at Puntons
It is very comfortable to do whatever least productive idea for as long as you want – without feeling bad for actively doing so. It is wonderful to have time for such recreation once in a while. A weekend at Bridgewater, by Bendigo, a couple of hours north of Melbourne, was a time for recreation, reflection, exploration and friendship. This is the first weekend in months and months I feel I have actually been able to relax. This is also the first time I have really been in the country after coming to Australia.
James Punton’s is my very good Aussie friend. His parents have a farm in Bridgewater with a supercosy and homely house, 1500 sheep, an expired junkyard with lots of cool stuff, heaps of acres of land without stress. We were given tasteful meals and caring accommodation. One learns so much by meetings someone’s parents – especially on their home grounds.
James’ girlfriend Caroline, and Caroline’s friend Yijun (from Singapore), helped complete the great time between 7 pm Friday and 5:30 pm Sunday.
Downtown Bridgewater was explored Saturday, including a walk by the river, skipping and dumping of stones in the rive, treeclimbing and rope-swinging above water.
Yesterday we dressed up for a conservative service in Bendigo with a friendly, little congregation where parents Punton go. After Church we explored the city, before Caroline drove me and Yijun back. James stayed until Tuesday for his uncle’s funeral today.
Helg på landet (3/3)
Den svært så konservative kirken til James’ foreldre, lokalisert i Bendigo, inneholdt et dusin trivelige kirkegjengere. Etter Gudstjenesten tok vi en bytur, før Caroline, Yijun og meg selv traffikerte til Melbourne. James ble igjen til onkelens begravelse i morgen.
Denne helga er den første på flere måneder hvor jeg virkelig føler jeg har fått slappet litt av.
Anderson (Wei) ble med til kirken, Bundoora Presbyterian Church (i Melbourne i kveld), og likte seg tydeligvis. Jeg har tro på ham.
The Ring ble endelig beglodd sammen med en usedvanlig munter Kele. Filmen var ikke like munter, men heller ikke videre skummel.
Helg på landet (2/3)
Det er behagelig å gjøre akkurat det minst produktive man har mest lyst til så lenge man vil uten at det gjøre noe. Det er nydelig å ha tid til slikt for en gangs skyld. Selv om vi returnerer allerede i morgen formiddag, har det vært godt og utbkolbende.
Hunder, katter, påfugle og koselam i hagen. 1500 sauer på svære marker, vi i dag kjørte rundt og ga føde. En utdatert søppeldynge med mye rart. Enorme arealer uten mennesker, og uten stress. Trivelige foreldre og søster. Smakfull frokost, lunsj og middag. Joggetur mens mørket seg på.
Midtveis tok vi en tur inn til Bridgewater ”sentrum”, travet litt langs elven, kastet steiner i elva, kastet flyndre, klatret i trær og svingte oss over vannet i hengetau.
Jeg har det godt. Det er trivelig å være sammen med James og co. Foreldrene hans er 59 og 69, noe som gjør at de kunne vært hans besteforeldre. Som sagt i går, er det interessant å observere familiesitausjonen i dette gamle, gode huset.
Helg på landet (1/3)
Man lærer så ufattelig mye av å mote foreldrene/familien til noen man kjenner. Et par timer i Puntons vertskap har gitt meg mye. Turen opp til Bridgewater og Bendigo var ikke den lengste, særlig ikke med et inkludert stopp for fish&chips på veien. Jeg, James, Caroline og Yijun (fra Singapore) forlot Melbourne rundt 7, og var fremme rett etter 9.
Tidligere i dag har jeg levert inn fire oppgaver. Alle tre for journalistpraksisen og skriptet til dokumentaren om religiøs bakvaskelse.
Selv om jeg ikke kom meg i seng før klokka 4 i går natt, sto jeg opp av meg selv før 10.
E: Semester's ending
One more assignment to go. Deadline is next Friday, but I reckon I will be done with La Trobe University by Tuesday. Today I handed in four assignments. Wednesday I had my very last tutorial and lecture. As it is highly pleasant to almost be done with another semester, it also means that my stay in Melbourne is coming to a close.
Wednesday was also the day for Sports Gala Night for Chisholm down at the bar Father Flanagans in the city. I was last of three to receive a recognition for the volleyball performance a few weeks ago. Will&Al played (music). So did Dhevy (Ahdhu’s & Riya’s band). Several friends and fellow Chisholmers were presents – which made the night worthwhile.
Today I got to Bridgewater next to Bendigo with James to stay with him, his folks, his girlfriend and a friend of the girlfriend. I’m looking forward to chill and get out of the city for a weekend.
Siste skoledag i Australia
Siste forelseing og gruppeundervisning er nå til ende for min del på La Trobe University. Følelsen er litt rar, men ettersom det akkurat er forbi, er det ikke tidlig nok til å føle fraværet av undervisninga. Siste gruppeundervisning i BEJ var betryggende, da jeg fikk god tilbakemelding fra læreren om at jeg var på riktig spor angående undervisninga.
Siste bibelgruppetime gikk også over dørstokk og bord.
Sports Gala Night skjedde på Father Flanagans fra 19-tida. Will&Al spilte. Det gjorde også Ahdhu&Riyas band med fler. Utdeling av priser for prestasjoner innenfor idrettsutøvelse og lagsstøtte var hovedattraksjonene. Jeg var en av tre som mottok diplom for volleyballspillinga. Flere gode frender var til stede og noen timer på plass gjorde godt.
På vei hjem gikk jeg, Darshini, Sejal og Cherrine til McDonalds. De tre førstnevnte lekte seg i lekerommet etter en burgermeny.
