Changes in Latitudes

This year has been great but now I'm ready for more! Bring on 2013!! I got a great new pair of running shoes and a water tight jacket for rain running. And those shoes didn't come from Santa (Rigmor & Tron) for nothin'! Marius and I will go to Lisbon at the end of March and I'm signed up for the Lisbon Half Marathon. I also got a blender (from Bestemor Odny) to fuel up for my runs with smoothies (out of the Sparkpeople cookbook from Marius). The slippers from Mom and Dad are super comfy for post-run relaxing...not to mention I'll wear my 'made in Detroit' shirt on race day! Maybe this year with all of the yarn I have I can actually make that raglan sweater! I am looking forward to submitting my thesis and finding a job. Let's hope that 2013 brings good news on the job front! [My sweet new shoes for winter running - now the snow needs to come back]

Carolyn arrived on Dec 18th and the next day she and I went to the Pepperkakerbyen (Gingerbread City) before the 8 hour drive to Oslo. The Engebrethsens have given us a wonderful Christmas with such nice gifts, food and skiing! [Marius and I made cookies to bring with us.] [Playing in Frogner Park - it was quite cold!] [We saw a free Christmas concert at Oslo Domkirke with Norway's Donkeyboy] [We watched "The Mistress and the Butler" and "Merry Christmas Mr. Bean" before decorating the tree] [Skyping family on Christmas Eve] [The Engebrethsens] [Socks that I made for Carolyn for Christmas]

[The decorations at Covent Garden] Marius and I took a long weekend in London to see Carolyn, do some Christmas shopping and see London's version of Christmas spirit. We stayed in a little sudio style room in the Bloomsbury area of London, very close to where Carolyn is living. It was a really nice little place that was quiet and central.  We went around to the different shopping areas that we didn't see much of last year: Covent Garden, Portabello Road and Brick Lane. And of course there was plenty of mulled wine sampling and eating. As well as a Christmas concert put on by Clare College Cambridge. Now we're looking forward to Carolyn's visit beginning on Tuesday night! [Giant reindeer and barrel tree at Covent Garden] [Beer/mulled wine at various pubs] [Breakfast near our place while planning our shopping strategy]

Finished my Norwegian exams and now feelin' good for Christmas! Just one meeting with my supervisors before the trip to London to visit Carolyn. This year went by so frickin' fast! [And it's a sonar image - so appropriate!] [The English version if you prefer]

[Out in the city] Thursday we were greeted with temperatures below freezing and a constant, slow snowfall through Friday night. The city was very festive, and just in time! Today was the Bergen Light Festival. Marius and I went to the city and took some photos with his new camera and had some hot cocoa at Baker Brun at Bryggen before the tree lighting ceremony. 30 minutes after the tree was lit was a fireworks display, and everyone holds torches. It was a great way to kick off the holiday season! [Hot chocolate and pastries at Baker Brun] [Torches lit with a beautiful mountain view in the snow]  [Fireworks after songs and lighting the tree]