My study year in Australia came to a physical close on June 20th. Hence, so will the updates on this web page "Dre Down Under". But the memories, friendships, and opportunities and will to return will keep on living. And so will I. Starting in August, I'll be a master student in media studies at the University of Oslo (Norway). From now on, my site
Mastermind is where you'll find my thoughts, crazy ideas, lame humour and many pictures.
Oslo will be far away for many of you, but I will be there 4 u. All you need to do with the address from this one is to add "4u" at the end of sindre.
Just like this:
http://sindre4u.blogspot.com I did not care to change server or template provider, so you will recognize the set up immediately.
Finally, I wish to thank all the regular visitors of this site and naturally all the magnificent people I met in Australia the last two semesters.
My love and prayers to all of you!
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Mitt studieår i Australia tok fysisk slutt 20. juni. Slutt blir det også med oppdateringer på denne hjemmesiden; Dre Down Under. Men minnene, vennskapene, og mulighetene og viljen til å returnere vil leve videre. Det akter også jeg å gjøre. Fra midtveis i august vil jeg være masterstudent i medievitenskap på Universitetet i Oslo. Fra nå av vil siden
Mastermind være hvor du vil finne mine tanker, ville ideer, slappe humor og mine mange bilder.
Oslo er for mange langt unna, men jeg vil være her for dere. Får å komme til den nye siden er alt du behøver å trykke
denne lenken eller legge til 4u (for you ( = for dere)) etter sindre. Altså:
http://sindre4u.blogspot.com Den nye siden har likt oppsett og server, slik at du vil kjenne deg igjen umiddelbart.
Til slutt vil jeg takke alle de faste leserne av denne siden og de fantastiske menneskene jeg møtte under mitt opphold i Australia det siste skoleåret.
Godtanker og bønner til alle sammen!
E: The center of the word
Q: What is the shortest chapter in the Bible?
A: Psalms 117
Q: What is the longest chapter in the Bible?
A: Psalms 119
Q: Which chapter is in the center of the Bible?
A: Psalms 118
Fact: There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118
Fact: There are 594 chapters after Psalms 118
Add these numbers up and you get 1188.
Q: What is the center verse in ! the Bi ble?
A: Psalms 118:8
Q: Does this verse say something significant about God's perfect will for our lives?
A: The next time someone says they would like to find
God's perfect will for their lives and that they want to
be in the center of His will, just send them to the
center of His Word!
Psalms 118:8
"It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."
Now isn't that odd how this worked out (or was God in the center of it)?
E: Computer help desk
As I haven't had time putting anything else on my page for a while (and there aren't all that much news), I thought I could make you laugh a little. A person close to me sent me this selection of computer helpdesk situations. Some are hillarious! Enjoy. Helpdesk: What kind of computer do you have?
Customer: A white one...
**************
Customer: Hi, this is Celine. I can't get my diskette out.
Helpdesk: Have you tried pushing the button?
Customer: Yes, sure, it's really stuck.
Helpdesk: That doesn't sound good; I'll make a note .."
Customer: No . wait a minute... I hadn't inserted it yet.. it's still on my desk... Sorry...
**************
Helpdesk: Click on the 'my computer' icon on to the left of the screen.
Customer: Your left or my left?
**************
Helpdesk: Good day. How may I help you?
Male customer: Hello.. I can't print.
Helpdesk: Would you click on start for me and...
Customer: Listen pal; don't start getting technical on me! I'm not Bill Gates damn it!
***************
Customer : Hi, good afternoon, this is Martha, I can't print. Every time I try, it says 'Can't find printer' I've even lifted the printer and placed it in front of the monitor, but the computer still says it can't find it...
*****************
Customer: I have problems printing in red...
Helpdesk: Do you have a color printer?
Customer: Aaaah...................Thank you.
******
Helpdesk: What's on your monitor now ma'am! ?
Customer: A teddy bear my boyfriend bought for me in the supermarket
******
Customer: My keyboard is not working anymore.
Helpdesk: Are you sure it's plugged into the computer?
Customer: No. I can't get behind the computer
Helpdesk: Pick up your keyboard and walk 10 paces back.
Customer: Okay.
Helpdesk: Did the keyboard come with you?
Customer: Yes.
Helpdesk: That means the keyboard is not plugged in. Is there another keyboard?
Customer: Yes, there's another one here. Ah...that one does work!
******
A customer couldn't get on the Internet:
Helpdesk: Are you sure you used the right password?
Customer: Yes I'm sure. I saw my colleague do it.
Helpdesk: Can you tell me what the password was?
Customer: Five stars.
*****
Helpdesk: What anti-virus program do you use?
Customer: Netscape.
Helpdesk: That's not an anti-virus program.
Customer: Oh, sorry...Internet Explorer.
******
Customer: I have a huge problem. A friend has put a screensaver on my computer,
but every time I move the mouse, it disappears!
*******
Helpdesk: How may I help you?
Customer: I'm writing my first e-mail.
Helpdesk: OK, and, what seems to be the problem?
Customer: Well, I have the letter 'a' in the address, but how do I get the circle around it?
E: Status homely
It’s 5:58 am Monday morning and I still have two hours left of my third (10 hour) night shift in a row. It’s been a week since I entered my family’s house again, and three weeks since I exited Melbourne airport’s international airport. So much has taken place the last twenty days. Thailand’s adventures, reunions in Oslo and Brøstadbotn, family visits, work, sports, school news and wedding preparations. Nonetheless, the day I left feels like the famous yesterday. Like I predicted before I left, Australia was an emotional tough case to depart.
I’m better however to deal with it all these days though. Being a man strongly aiming to focus on by what I’m surrounded, and not what I do not have, I start blending into my (re)new(ed) everyday in Norway. Yet, a demand for replacing my daily life is that it’s equally good (or better) than the previous. It’s still not there, and that will take time. This is one thing for which I keep you guys particularly responsible.
Saturday night I had a picture presentation (with “only” 406 pictures) to various family members on my Mom’s side, who were in town for some time this summer. It was nice to share and show to interested listeners, but it also reminded me of the splendid reality I lived Down Under. I showed them and explained about my travels, Australia (the whole year), Melbourne, La Trobe, Chisholm, church, soccer, volleyball, Focus, Christian Union, my magnificent friends and so on. I feel I left some of my excitement over there. But I also think it’s something that can be regained once I get used to Norway life again.
One’s occupation fills much of one’s hours. Mine is student, and my study plan for the coming two years was granted Friday. The
University of Oslo admitted me to the media studies master program. My first day will be August 17. Available housing facilities are at a standstill, but I’m on the case and in good faith. My desired location would be in the Christian student complex (Albums
1,
2,
3), in which I stayed my first two years of journalism studies (2002-2004).
Until August 14 I’ll be at home. I started working Thursday and have about 20 nights of work left before I move to Oslo again. Outside of work I’m planning the wedding for my female friend getting married. I’m excited about debuting as a best man.
The weather has been wonderful ever since I returned home with clear blue sky and sun around the clock. The temperature has been close to 30 degrees (Celsius). The last couple of nights have been somewhat cloudy, but cleared up for daytime. The temperature has lead to a bit of beach volleyball playing and swimming. Also, a couple of days ago I tried water skiing for the very first time in my life. It sure was more exhausting than expected, but I did not fall (which I did expect).
In not too long, I’ll post some pictures I’ve taken since I came home. For now you can enjoy
the last snap shots from my time overseas.
E: Aussie closure & Thailand through my camera lens
With the hottest busy-steem brushed off leaving Australia, exploring Thailand and returning to Norway, I uploaded a fair bit of pictures. The albums you can find in the menu at the right.
The following are the new albums:
My departure (June 20)My farewell (June 18)Great Ocean Road day-tour (June 16)Grampians day-tour (June 13)Aditi farewell (June 10-11)Weekend at Puntons (June 3-5)Chisholm mix 2005 (May 7)THAILAND (June 20th - 30th, 2005)
Bangkok & AyutthayaKanachanaburiKoh Samui ++
X: In between / Imellom
The sun hasn’t set since I came home (four days ago). Midnight sun, clear sky, blue sea and land dressed in green are delights for the eyes. The tallest mountains are still spotted with the white of the winter, but the temperature is lovely at bathing water level. Today Brøstadbotn (my home) has close to 30 degrees Celsius, and the temperature barely drops under 20 at night. One can go play soccer or take a swim any time. It takes time to get used to all the light, and time and time again I’m surprised when I look at the watch and realise how late (or early) it is as nature does not give a proper indication of what time of the day it is. The myth of the cold north is shattered.
My thoughts have set down under heaps since I stepped on Norwegian soil again. Barbeque, kangaroos and most of all close relations generate grief in my system. As I indicated in “
Farewell joy”, Melbourne is the one spot on the planet with the highest concentration of Sindre-friends. That causes bad weather inside.
Norway is a beautiful, well-functioning country. This is where I have grown up, know the culture and language the best, and this is where I’ll always be from. Yet, even if it was close to a bliss returning home, the emotional obstacles of leaving Australia levelled the happiness to about zero. The arrival at Oslo International Airport did not take place with great enthusiasm, nor with great disappointment. It was ok.
The first couple of days were spent in our capital (Oslo). Here I met up with a few well-acquainted buddies, including my best friend, which provided me with good moments. I have also taken care of the close-to-25-kg boxes I shipped from Melbourne through a freight company.
Here at home, north of the polar circle, I have been reunited with my family, ran into several mates, played some beach volleyball, arranged with my night shifts for the summer (living assistance), prepared a bit for the wedding where I’ll be the best man, organized a bit with studies and housing for the fall (master studies in media (if I get in)). The days have gone by like crazy, I have been busy, but feel like I’m in some kind of vacuum. I am doing good, but I’m not 100% present. I am positive, but not as active as usual.
I believe I am in some kind of in-between stage. A situation where something is left behind, something needs to be processed, something happens and lots are waiting to take place soon. Important choices are ahead and the future depends a fair bit on these. Fortunately I am calm. I put everything in God’s hands which gives me confindance that I’m in the right place.
Thailand, by the way, was a groovy place to be. I am very pleased for the time in the heat, for traveling, experiences and friendships. It was a great transition between Australia and Norway.
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Sola har ikke gått ned siden jeg kom hjem. Midnattssol, blå himmel, blått hav og grønnkledt fastland er en fryd for øyet. De høyeste fjellene har flekker av vinterens hvite, men i badevannshøyde er temparaturen er storfin. I dag er vi tett oppunder 30 grader i skyggen, temperaturen er knapt under 20 grader natterstid. Det tar litt tid å venne seg til alt lyset, og jeg bli stadig vekk overrasket over hvor sent det er, da naturen ikke gir noen reell indikasjon på hvilken tid på døgnet det er. Mytene om det kalde nord slås sønder og sammen.
Tankene har gått mye down under etter at jeg hadde norsk jord under skoene. Grilling, kenguru, men mest av alt tette relasjoner skaper savn i kroppen. Som jeg indikerte i ”
Farvelglede” er Melbourne det stedet i verden med høyeste konsentrasjon av Sindre-venner. Det skaper uvær i mitt indre.
Norge er et vakkert, velfungerende og trygt land. Det er her jeg har vokst opp, kjenner kulturen og språket best, og her jeg alltid vil komme fra. Men selv om gleden over å returnere til fedrelandet var stor, var nedturen over å forlate Australia såpass stor at jeg tror jeg kom ut omtrent i 0. Å ankomme Gardermoen skjedde ikke med stor entusiasme, men heller ikke med skuffelse. Det var helt ok.
De to første norske dagene ble brukt i i hovedstaden. Her traff jeg traff jeg gode bekjentskaper, inkludert min beste venn, som ga mersmak. Jeg fikk også tatt hånd om de nesten 25 kiloene jeg sendte med et fraktselskap fra Australia.
Her hjemme nord for polarsirkelen har jeg blitt gjenforent med min familie, truffet mange kjente, spilt litt strandvolleyball, fikset nattevaktsskiftene for sommeren (hjemmetjenesten), forberedt meg noe til bryllupet jeg skal være forlover i, styrt mye med studier og boplass for høsten (mastergrad i medievitenskap (om jeg kommer inn)). Dagene har gått unna, jeg har vært travel, men føler meg litt i et vakuum. Jeg har det bra, men er ikke helt til stede. Jeg er positiv, men ikke fult så energisk som vanlig. Jeg har overskudd, men ikke så mye energi.
Jeg kaller det en slags smellomtilstand. En situasjon der noe er forlatt, noe må prosesseres, noe skjer og mye venter. Viktige valg foreligger og framtiden avhenger mye av disse. Heldigvis er jeg rolig. Jeg legger alt i Guds hender, og vet med det at jeg er på rett sted.
Thailand var for øvrig et prima sted å tilbringe tid. Jeg er svært glad for tiden i varmen, til reising, opplevelser, og vennskap. Det ble en god overgang mellom Australia og Norge.
E: My Aussie year
This is a slightly modified version of the speech I held at my farewell in Melbourne 18th of June.Travelling and studying are the two things that make you grow the most. In Melbourne I have been able to do both.
I came to finish my Journalism bachelor. Haven’t learned all that much from my subjects, but I all the wisdom, knowledge, insight and understanding I have gained from living in Australia and being exposed to different people, culture, climates and so on – corresponds to many many credit points in the school of life.
My year Down Under is the year when I learned Spanish, practiced parenthood, and enhanced my chop sticks skills.
I did have some great Aussie experiences as well. I played netball, watched AFL, and have lived in a country where colourful birds, kangaroos, koalas and camels (only place on earth) live in the wild.
Having tried to describe Australians to others, I struggle a bit. I think what makes Australians Aussies is just that they don’t stick out. The stereotype of laid-back and no worries is truer than I thought – in my experience. There is no need for major patriotism, tensions, conflicts or thinking one’s better than anyone else. If there’s something you don’t know, they are humble enough to admit it. It’s all good.
But I did learn Australians love beer, sports, barbeque and beer. They eat 280 million pies a year. Where Norway has fishing villages, you have surfing towns. The story with the aboriginals is similar to the one we have with laps. My biggest (culture) shock was the fact that many Australians do dishes without rinsing the detergent. Even if you have water restriction and non-poisonous detergent – it’s still very awkward.
I have also travelled and seen magnificent scenery in Queensland, Cental Australia, Sydney, Canberra and Adelaide. In Victoria I’ve been to the Grampians, along the Great Ocean Road and had an excellent weekend in the country (Bendigo/Bridgewater). Ayer’s Rock and the Great Barrier Reef are incredible sights.
I am a people person though, who doesn’t really attach to places. I don’t care too much about what I do, but with whom I doing something.
I was away for a year from July 2000 as well, that time in Las Vegas. But I have known for quite some time already that it would be much harder to leave Australia. My new, close relations are to be blamed.
I have met a bundle of awesome people, with whom I have formed relationships. College life has been an excellent, multicultural and social experience. I’ll miss the lat night movies and even later night snack. It’s been very convenient living at campus, close to school and the greenery of Bundoora.
For the first time in my life I have been part of a bigger group of friends. We have actually bonded to a point when we joke with calling ourselves a family – last name Tu Tu Ru. We are not related to through blood, but love and care. We have formed dependent relationships that will last a life time.
Volleyball, the Melbourne Falcons, have been a wonderful experience too. Committed players have accepted me for the fresh and unskilled middle player I am (I normally play outside), and have not shut me out even though they knew I was leaving after this semester.
As for soccer, the Northern Pumas, has been a social and fun church team. The league does not hold Premier League standard, but the intensity and excitement weighs up.
I was supposed to go to Germany this year. Things happened, and I felt like going to Australia. Of all the cities and universities I could have chosen, I landed on La Trobe. I was blessed with a very smooth transition; Church, volleyball, soccer, college, uni and friends. It all just fell in place.
I don’t think things were as random as they may have appeared at first.
God has been there and I’m very thankful for that. Being a believer, I have been much involved in various Christian activities throughout the year – especially this semester. And the output has been great.
Monday Night Traning Mondays (seminars, talks, food and social), Public Meeting and chat with the Chaplain Peter Leslie Tuesdays, bible study group and church soccer Wednesdays, Focus (international student group) Fridays and church Sundays. All this things have enhanced my Australian experience. It has also made me grow as a Christian – I have become even more Christlike and serious about devoting my whole life to God.
The downside with travelling is that you have to leave someone.
The downside with getting to know people well, is that departing will cause sadness.
But if I hadn’t gone, I wouldn’t have met all these wonderful folks.
And it’s not like anyone’s dying. The world has never been more accessible travel-wise.
I don’t know when, but I know I’ll be back to Australia at some stage.
Good on ya, Australia!
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.
