bowling night

Tonight, we had our first family bowling tournament and the girls won! Woohoo. Alright, the guys didn't know that my sister would actually count the scores from all games and make it look like it's a girls vs boys event. We were just ahead by a point or two and my dad said that if he had just known, he would have shown his A-game!

I'm glad we set this thing as we do not always have the time to spend with each other - as in all of us together playing. As far as I can remember, the last time we actually did it was when we were still young, playing scrabble with newspaper sheets all over the floor as we were also eating pomelo at the same time.

How I love these kind of moments with my family. Until next year! :)

My brother and sister-in-law in a close game. Yes, this duckpin bowling place had been here since we were kids and is a good place to hang around and play. It's never been upgraded to automatic system so there are still bowling boys behind the pins to fix it for us. So we always had to be careful, making sure that the bowling boy is off the back lane before letting go of our ball. Hehehe.

written 2013.02.19, 0745hrs

Picked up my gift today, although I don't know what to do with it yet, and then met up with one of my closest friends since grade school. Talked about our past year events, future plans. Catching up from noon to evening. Girls can do talk, don't you think? LOL. Especially when you have so many things to share about.

Life is good. Thank you, Lord!

written 2013.02.19 0911hrs

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Started the day early with a mass at the Cathedral today with Papa and Mama.

Our early Christmas breakfast, which I requested: arroz caldo, pandesal (which was not really pandesal, only my dad though so), and Edam cheese. Yummy!

Then out of nowhere, this one kid opened the gate and rushed past us to his gifts. My crazy nephew was wide awake so early in the morning that it was still dark outside. My brother said that he kept on waking them up that they couldn't make excuses anymore so without taking a bath or anything, and in their pajamas, they headed to the house for their gifts. The little one though was more calm as he slowly walked towards his gifts. LOL.

Now I'm trying to remember if I was that excited too, when I was a little girl during Christmas morning. I think so. I still remember our socks hanged on the banister inside the house, filled with candies :)

HAPPY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!

Christmas Eve

It's Christmas Eve and waiting for Jesus' Birthday!

We had early dinner with Kuya and his family. The two kids are a riot! :D

Chriskndlmarkt

I had so wanted to see a Christmas Market when I was in Europe last month but unfortunately, the dates when these markets would open did not match the dates I was there. Fortunately, SM MOA created an event like this so Mons and I decided to go. It was held in its ice skating rink (probably to give a semblance of cold, therefore winter), which was matted up so people can walk around and only a part of the rink was dedicated to ice skating.

It was not really what I was expecting because it was too organized for me with rows and rows of stall. It was advertised that there would be lots of European products (hoping to buy lots of Gouda and German beer) but it was not so. There were shops for bakeshops that is common in the country, a telecommunication company, travel agencies and shops offering "European" products but were mostly from Australia and New Zealand. It was pretty disappointing but tasting a Gluwein, made by Germans themselves, made up for it -- a bit. And the German beer barrel that I bought for my dad and the German sausages and the mini-plaza/square where there was singing and story-telling (but there was one storyteller that lacks entertainment factor that most kids left and played around instead). Yet there was no Gouda in sight and I didn't notice any hot chocolate stall. There was a windmill though.

The setup though looks good in picture:

 
written 2013.02.19, 0826hrs

schiphol (mis)adventure

[temperature: 5-12C]
written on 26.05.13

I should have checked-in earlier as my friend Rx had suggested. When I got to Schiphol, I went straight to the Baggage Lockers to pick up my two luggages and to repack my stuff. They were kind of heavy and I was hoping that it won't exceed 23kg for each. Also, I got a big shock when I was charged with 7Euro x 2 luggages x 2 nights for the luggage locker rental (must get the CC pin next time so I won't be charged that much with the lockers!). Since I couldn't bargain there or anything, I just had to pay up. Argh!

The second misadventure of the night is when I couldn't find the check-in counter for KLM's flight bound for Manila. I was directed to one area which was far away only to end up going back to where I was before that. I asked again and found out that check-in is done personally on the machines found all over the place. Fortunately, the attendee was kind enough to direct me step-by-step on how to check-in and directed me to the luggage check-in counter. Here, the next misadventure of my night began.

As the KLM personnel in Stavanger already charged me with excess luggage onwards to Manila, the luggage attendant couldn't figure it out and had to make me wait while she went to an office to confirm that I need not be charged with an excess luggage. When this was alright, she weighed my luggage and saw that it was one kilo overweight. She told me I had to pay for it and the charge was 100Euro. Whattheheck?! So I decided to repack my bag again. I left the queue, found a place where I can seat and just right there, I opened my bag and repacked everything. Makes me remember the time when I was at Ciampino Airport and I had to do the same. Some stuff I placed in my backpack and messenger bag and the others, I had to throw in the trash. It was unfortunate but I had to leave them or get charged with 100Euro. When it was done, I am glad that my repacking worked and my luggage was 23kg flat.

Inside the pre-departure area, I planned to buy a book so that I won't have to carry my Euro coins back home. J.K. Rowling's Vacancy book was already there but I keep on reading and reading the book description but it did not stick. I don't know if I was just tired or just not totally interested so I tended to pick the book up, put it back down, look at the other books and couldn't find one that I like, then go back to that book until finally, I left without buying it or anything else.



Funny conversation at the boarding security check though. While in queue to the xray machine:

Me: Do I still have to take out the camera or only the laptop?
Officer: No, just the laptop. No duty free bag?
Me: No, just this.

I wondered why she asked that and when I looked around, all the Asian (mostly Filipino) passengers where carrying duty free bags. Okay, I think I'm the only Filipino there without one! LOL.

Finally, the plane was ready and we got called to board the plane. See you in a few hours, Manila!

But before that, another stop in Taipei for a security check. Passengers get off the plane carrying all their bags. Passengers get new boarding passes, go through security and x-ray checks, wait for about thirty minutes, only to board the same plane. But this time, with a different crew. How tiring!

last minute amsterdam

Today is my last day in Amsterdam. Instead of going to The Hague to see a friend, I decided to stay in Amsterdam to see the van Gogh exhibit at The Hermitage, which I missed last Friday. My friends and I woke up early so that we can have plenty of time to roam around before I head back to the hotel at around three to finish packing and leave for the airport around five in the afternoon.

We started walking towards the market where they sell the famous Dutch flowers - the tulip. As we were still early, we got to enjoy the quiet streets and the opening of the shops along the Bloemenmarkt. Again, I just had to buy ref magnets! And take photos of the beautiful flowers, buildings, canals and graffiti (singular: graffito). After this, we went more south to the Rikjsmuseum where the famous "I Amsterdam" signage is located. We tried hard to find the best spot where the whole thing will fit into the shot and fortunately, we got some, although I can't say that it is people-free. There were a lot of tourists there that it kinda makes it hard to fight for a spot for a pose without any of them ruining the shot.

After this, we started walking towards the Albert Cuyp street where it is said that the street market is at its best. Unfortunately, when we arrived there, there was nothing! I thought I misread the map (which is near to impossible!) or got lost but when I asked a lady if that was actually the street, she said that the market is closed on Sundays. Yeah, bummer! So my one companion and I decided to walk again towards our ultimate destination - the van Gogh paintings at the Hermitage. But before that, my friends and I shared our last lunch together at a Mexican place at the corner of the Hermitage. It was a good lunch, with my favorite - pork ribs and fries. Although the food is good, it is also a sad time for me, sharing this lunch one last time with good friends in a wonderful city that I am to leave in a few hours' time. We had laughter, serious conversation, promises of a visit and the likes. Yet I know, it would be quite sometime before I see us all together in one place. Lunch ended and we headed to the Hermitage.

Lucky for us that John insisted that we buy our tickets at Centraal last night because even in the afternoon, the queue to the museum was still long. With our tickets, we were able to skip that and pass on the other door and upon entering the building, we were both very excited with just seeing the van Gogh name. There were lots and lots of van Gogh paintings some of which I am familiar with and others I just saw there and would remember for a long time, like his study of the Potato Eaters. I didn't even realize that van Gogh also painted Japanese style themes. But it was a disappointment (yes, I didn't check) that my favorite painting, Cafe Terrace at Night, was not there. There were still a lot to see but I had to say goodbye to John finally, as I have to go back to the hotel to get my stuff and head to the airport. It was a bittersweet parting and I hope I'd see him again in the near future. He is one of the nicest friends I had in my eight weeks stay in Norway.

At the hotel, my other companion who went his own way after our lunch, was there to help me with my stuff and accompanied me to the train station. I am grateful that he thought of taking me there and helping me with my stuff. There was a long queue at the ticket booth (should have bought it together with the museum ticket last night!) and I got a bit worried when the line wasn't moving as fast as I wanted it to. I didn't want to be left by the train. Eventually though, I got my ticket, my friend helped me with my stuff up to the platform and watied with me. When the train arrived, there was just a swell of passengers trying to get on the train. I found a coach that seemed to still have available seats, turned back and bid my companion goodbye. As we would be seeing each other in two weeks' time, the parting was just a goodbye and see you soon.

The train ride to Schiphol was uneventful with one long stop a few minutes after leaving Amsterdam Centraal.

Cologne in one day

[temperature today: 6.8C-8.3C]

The day has finally come, the day I've been looking forward to, the day I'm finally going to visit Germany again.

I only have less than three days in Amsterdam but I definitely had planned to visit the nearest German town I found - Cologne. So weeks before the end of the course, I have already bought my ticket which cost me Euro63 return fare. Not bad, right? I so miss Germany. This time, my new friend John has decided to go with me.

Last night, as I was telling me officemate about my plan for today, he also decided to join us. So early this morning, we headed out early towards the Centraal Station, which is like I said, only a couple of minutes away from our hotel, so that the two guys who decided to join me can buy their tickets. When I heard that they're tickets were only Euro60, I was so glad because I thought it would be expensive. Only to find out that their ticket was just one way! My goodness. I guess it really pays for being early sometimes. Also, my ticket allows me to use the subway because it's a German ticket, unlike theirs, which is Dutch (there's a difference?), like what the kind conductor explained to us.

So anyway, the train ride going to Cologne was a bit less than three hours and the guys spent most of it sleeping. I tried staying awake for the whole trip so I can see the countryside but unfortunately, I also found myself asleep after an hour or so. Maybe it's also because the sky outside was so gloomy gray. When we left Amsterdam, it was really cold, around 6C, and it was drizzling.

One thing I actually learned during the train ride was that (although I should have expected it), when the light is red beside the chair, it means that the seat is reserved.

Arriving in Cologne, I learned that the Metz station is only a stone throw's away from the central hauptbanof (I was puzzling over it when I was planning my trip) and that entering the city, one would be greeted by the Dom (like how it was that the Fortress site would greet you upon arrival in Salzburg). J and I finally decided that we would see that first. True enough, that was what greeted us when we left the station (okay, our first exit from the station was at the back so we had to return and exit on the other side).

The Dom is pretty spectacular especially it's ceilings and stained glass window. I particularly like one tapestry which really, really looks old and has the image of Christ on the cross. I didn't get to see the inside of the front, though (I would later find out that they say that the bones of the three Magis lie here). After the Dom, we passed by the tourist center located in front of the Dom, and then later take pictures of the old Roman ruin just right in the center of it. We then proceeded towards the Rhine River where we could walk towards the Chocolate Museum -- one of my many goals in that trip! But before that, J and I took a look at some of the Roman ruins that are being displayed in the museum beside the Dom, while C was taking all the pictures that he wanted.

 

(Top left clockwise: Auf Wiedersehen! Entrance/Exit from the Cologne Station; stairs leading to Platforms 4 and 5 at the Koln Hauptbahnof; Hauptbahnof from the outside; inside the train going to Koln; a worker putting up Christmas decors at the station; bread shop; taxi stands in front of the Koln Cathedral)

However, as I have noticed that we have different interests, I suggested that we separate and just do the things that we want to do, and just meet up at the train station later in the afternoon for our ride back to Amsterdam. J decided to go with me so we headed towards the famous bridge across the river. There we saw another wonderful thing - padlocks along the bridge signifying a couple's undying love for each other. The padlocks come in all shapes, sizes, designs and colors. It was really cool. One day, I'll have one like that of my own.

After taking pictures, we decided to go back and walk along the Rhine towards the Chocolate Museum. But this was already lunchtime so we decided to go into this one restaurant beside the river. When we entered, I had a few qualm about staying because on one side of the bar, there was a 'crowd' of guys drinking beers and were so rowdy that the waitress already looked stressed serving them. Fortunately, they left before we even have decided on an order. When the waitress finally gave us the menu, I looked and suggested to J some food and we decided on a Cologne Tapas set which was later served with one huge platter which was really a 'to-share' size. There was dry bread, spread, salad, cheese, potato, chips, sausage, and bacon. The sausage was particularly good and when I asked, the waitress said it's a 'blood' sausage. I'm so glad I ate it first before finding out what it is or else I would miss the chance of tasting something really good in the German cuisine.

After lunch, J and I decided to go on again with our walking tour and we ended up in a Nutcracker store. It was really a fine example of German craftsmanship although I am not sure about German hospitality. The proprietor looked cross, his work we cannot even touch nor take pictures of. But definitely, the items were really amazing - all handcrafted, even to the tiniest detail, like the sheep in the Nativity Scene.

While going towards the Chocolate Museum, we bumped into C again and he decided to walk with us going there. The museum is quite big and has the machines which makes the chocolate. The windows are clear so we can see the whole process of making little chocolate bars. One of my particular favorites in the museum was the world map which shows where significant cacao are being farmed -- like the Philippines! But of course, compared to Africa and Latin America, we only provide the world with little percentage of the whole world need. The second favorite of mine is the rainforest. My goodness, I didn't realize it could be that warm in a rainforest! I thought I was burning due to the heat and humidity but it was fun seeing familiar plants like banana, anthuriums, palms and of course, cacao tree. My third favorite is being served chocolate on a wafer stick from this huge table of Lindt chocolate (with a huge golden cacao behind the server). The chocolate was so good I had to go for a second round.  Just so yummy. Last favorite is the chocolate store where one could find lots and lots of chocolates. Unfortunately, I couldn't buy everything as I am conscious of my baggage allowance. Though one of my favorite buys is the coffee-flavored chocolate with a cover whose design is hemp. I bought some for my boss and my officemate who particularly asked for a chocolate with hemp from Amsterdam. I couldn't buy him one like that for fear of getting caught by the Philippine immigration so this chocolate will have to do.

The day was so fast but we were still able to visit a couple of Churches which were built during the Roman period. It didn't look quite what I expected (more modern that what I thin a Roman church would be) but I guess over the years, they had been renovated but if one would look closely at the stone walls, it is particularly old.

Our last stop though was a German souvenir shop where we bought our ref magnets and postcards. The snow globe which my friend Anni requested, I bought at the store beside it, because the first souvenir shop doesn't have a snow globe with Germany written on it. My best buy though is this cute, 5-6" high wooden Christmas tree. I so, so love it!!! :)

While walking back towards the center (even before the souvenir shop), the rain started falling and the wind turned really cold and even at around 4-5p, the sky was already dark. Although I love the town, I would have wanted to stay in one place already and feel warm. Inside the train station, I also saw men putting up Christmas lights. How I wish I could stay longer and experience Christmas season in Germany, especially the Christmas market. Well, someday soon. But for now, we had to get back to Amsterdam.

first day in amsterdam, part 2

In the middle of our walking tour, we had to go back to the hotel to see if our friend already checked-in and to put our bags in our rooms (we left it earlier at the baggage area since the rooms was not ready yet when we arrived). Seeing that he was not in yet, we started our walking tour again, this time making our way towards the center then towards the Centraal Station and down south again to the Red Light District (this time, I bought a map already - cost around 2Euro - so I won't have to rely on my old travel guide).

We walked around and around until our feet led us to the De Nieuwe Kerk and the plaza in front of it where doves were being fed by tourists. I went looking for the Coster Diamond tour but ended up in a souvenir shop where I bought my ref magnets. Well, maybe next time I get to join that tour to see where the girl's bestfriends are! :P

Walking towards the Centraal Station, we also saw a van Gogh exhibit but unfortunately, it was already closing and they were displaying "remastered" paintings in 3D form. It would have been nice to see them but I wanted to see the real ones.

The Centraal Station is a really cool building with its size and color. I just had to have a lot of pictures taken of me here - just to say I was really there! LOL. Anyway, I'm a tourist, right, and that is what you do! According to Wikipedia, this main railway hub is used by 250,000 passengers daily, excluding transferring passengers. It was designed by Pierre Cuypers and A.L. van Gendt and opened in 1889 (wow! very old!) and features a roof span of about 40 meters (I told you it's huge!) fabricated in cast iron by Andrew Handyside of Derby, England. Hmmm... Isn't the Eiffel also made of cast iron? Imagine this: this railway station was opened only a year before the Philippines declared its independence from Spain at Kawit, Cavite. When there was so much progress happening on the other side of the world, our country had still been struggling for its independence. We've got a long way to go.

The next stop was the -- yes, you guessed it right -- the Red Light District. I don't think one should pass up a walk at the Red Light District when in Amsterdam. It was not yet nightfall but there were already windows with red lights switched on and women being displayed, doing their jobs. While walking, I was not sure how to act actually. Should I smile when we make eye contact or should I ignore them? May I look (or stare) at them and not make them feel uncomfortable? But it seems that it's me who is uncomfortable. Blocks and blocks along both sides of the canal, red lights switched on one by one, and people just pass by with some of them occasionally looking at the "display." There were young women and old women. On the chubby side, and on the skinny side. Blonde, brunette and other colors of hair. Yet all of them made up and wearing the uniform lingerie (or a robe). Then I realized, that just near my hotel, is a building with clear windows and there were red lights on it. Apparently, the hotel I chose for us, is still near the Red Light District. No wonder I also smell weed while taking a shower. The smell permeates -- I thought it was only my hair that smelled.

The sky began to turn dark and my companion and I decided on a last adventure - see our classmate and his family for one more time and have dinner with them. The only challenge was, their hotel was way out of the city center. Fortunately for us, there was this old lady whom I talked to and helped us get off our stop. We saw our friend, ate abon (yummy!) with his family, and played with his kid. Sadly, time flew so fast and we had to say our goodbyes. We took the tram again back to Centraal Station, walked towards our hotel and happily see that our friend had arrived (but nowhere in sight) since his stuff is all over the place.

It was a tiring day, starting with only a few hours' sleep, teary goodbyes, airplane ride, teary goodbyes again, train ride, hotel hunting, walking tour, dinner with friends, goodbyes and hellos again.

Tomorrow is a brand new day and I'm excited about it. I'm going back to Germany!

first day in amsterdam, part 1

[temperature: 7-10C]
 written on 26.05.13

So we were in Amsterdam's Schipol Airport and all we could do was feel sad about saying goodbye to Stefania but at the same time, so excited about sightseeing at Amsterdam :)

To get to our hotel, my companion and I purchased our tickets to the Amsterdam Centraal station (around E3.80). The hotel was just a few minutes away by foot and when we were walking towards the place, we got a taste of the biking city with me almost getting hit by one as I stepped on the red concrete. That was my first lesson, never step on a red concrete without looking -- it is the bike lane! I thought the hotel was easy to find (I thought I had the map memorized in my mind) but we ended up asking someone where the street was (we passed by it apparently). That was were my second lesson happened - the street is not pronounced "s-pu-wi-strat" but "s-puy-strat." No wonder the guy didn't understand me the first time and I had to spell the street name before we can understand each other! :)

We could have chosen another hotel but i wanted a place near the station where I could just easily hop on a train (since I am just staying until Sunday evening). I didn't want to waste time and it saves more to be able to walk to the station than taking a ride from somewhere else just to go there.

Eventually, we arrived at the hotel and right after checking-in and leaving our stuff at the locker room (our room was not ready yet) we decided to go explore the city of Amsterdam. As I was more "familiar" with what to see in the city, my companion just tagged along. First was picture taking along the canals on our way to the Anne Frank House. But first, we happened to see a Cheese Stand which really looked inviting and I'm glad that we decided to stop by and see the place -- I got to sample different kind of cheese! and I get to scout how much a Gouda cheese cost to compare later when I have to buy one already to take home. Here's what's inside the Cheese Stand:

 The Anne Frank statue was so small that if not for the other tourists converging on that area, I would not have noticed it. The next stop was the house itself and we fell in line to see the inside. The house museum is so heartbreaking. Imagine a little girl living in secrecy with her family for years only to be caught in the end and then sent and separated in concentration camps during the Second World War - just because they were Jews. More sad to find out that she died just a few days before the war ended. It was said that she died of a sickness, the same one that took her sister. It might also because she had probably lost hope, thinking that she had no family left. It is more heartbreaking to find out later in the tour that her father lived and he was the one who commissioned to have the house made into a museum to show how it was during that time. Sad story and it makes you realize how lucky we are to live in a time of peace and people are more accepting of one's beliefs.

The next stop we went to was the church on the next block of the Frank's House. We did not stay long as there was nothing much to see there as they were renovating the place.

Outside, we decided to rest for a bit on the chairs along the street and just watch the world go by -- and to look around for somewhere to eat. It was cold and I had to put on my sweater's bonnet, my scarf and close up my jacket. Yet it was fun sitting there on the cold wooden chair, watching tourists and Dutch people go about their business, look at the buildings and the different transportation passing by. I was trying to guess what make the cars passing by were. Unfortunately, I did not do good at that.

It was also funny that while we were just lounging around, I happened to see a card stand and when I looked at it closely, it was of a gay theme. I realized then what it really meant when the area said that it is a Homomonument. If only I knew what my friend's address is at Auckland, I might have sent him one! Here's a photo of some of the cards there. Pick the one you like, Mau! :P

...more to write in the next part...

goodbye stavanger

[temperature: 4.8-7.3C]
written 04/24/13 1600hrs

after the crazy, tearful goodbyes of last night (or early this morning), last minute packing and two hour sleep, cuth, stefania, fadia and i were set to leave for the airport for our early morning flight to amsterdam. two of us were staying for a while to sightsee at amsterdam, one is going to paris and the other is going home to bolivia. leaving the hotel, we were bidded farewell by good friends karren and hassan and that led to another bout of crying for all of us girls all the way to the airport. it was a good experience and saying goodbye, not knowing when we'll see each other again, was hard.

i guess the weather was with us since when we arrived at the airport, it was freezing cold. a fitting temperature to the heavy hearts that we have, leaving stavanger and our new friends behind. however, we had to go on and trust that what we have gone through together will stay with us forever in our hearts. after checking in, paying my extra bag all the way through manila, and saying goodbye to fadia, we were on our way to board our plane. we did not even have time anymore to look around and shop!

on the plane, i was so tired i was asleep as soon as the plane took off. the only time i was awake was when i took pictures of alfred (my seatmate in class) and i and when i gave him my airline breakfast.

the flight was smooth and when i woke up, we were in amsterdam.

this is it, goodbye stavanger.

ikea!

[temperature today: 6.1C-9.4C]
written 2013.02.21 0747hrs

So I guess Maria took pity on me since I have been sad these past days because nobody wanted to go with me to Ikea -- granted, many were busy preparing for the last presentation. But today, since we've finished with our final presentation (and did fairly good), Maria told me that we could go after finishing our turnovers (of laptops, heaters, etc) around 230p. Woohoo!

So instead of going back to the hotel, we hopped on Bus #6, which only runs every 30 mins, from the NDP. We did not expect the trip to be long (about 20 - 30 mins?) however and we feared we could have actually been lost. Fortunately, the person I'm sitting with at the bus told me when to get off the bus. From the bus stop, we still had to walk a fair distance since we were let off at the back of the Ikea building. But when we finally saw the building, wow! It was huge. I wonder how it would be inside?

It was funny though because one of the organizers asked us why we were going and we told her that we won't be buying anything, we just wanted to look around. 'Good luck to that,' she said. Now I understand why. It has so many cool things displayed and cheap! I was even able to buy (yes, buy!) a fire blanket which I have been looking for for the longest time, and some stuff for my mom like cute table napkins and cookie cutters. You won't believe what Maria bought, though -- a curtain and some other stuff. Now we are wondering how to put it in our already packed luggages! LOL.

Going back, it already turned dark around 5PM and Maria asked that we get off at Kilden first so she could buy a new watch so off we went again, shopping! :) Then in the freezing wind, we walked towards the hotel. LOL.

This was a great last outing for us and I thank my friend that she went with me. I guess she did not regret it anyway :) Now off to pack my bags again before the Graduation Dinner tonight :)

*****

I am just wondering how people can easily say Yes to other people but not to others, especially when you think that that person should be the first one to accompany you somewhere? Hmmmm...

just a few days to go

[temperature today: 1.9C-8.5C]
written 2013.2.18

Ilang tulong na lang, Jollibee na naman!

Just a couple of days and I'm finally home! :)

Salamat, Lord!

[temperature today: 4.2C-6.7C]

Konting trabaho na lang, Lord! Salamat po at okay na :)

happy birthday to us!

[temperature today: 5.5 - 9.5 C]

We got to visit the Petrad offices today. It's really fun because when we got there, there was a cake for everyone whose birthday did not fall on the Petrad course weeks. The cake was yummy and we had lots of picture taking and chatting with our classmates and the organizers. We also had fun looking at the previous classes' gift to Petrad. Even found one belonging to one of my officemates.

It will be very hard to say goodbye to these lovely people, I know.

john's late night birthday celebration

After arriving from our sumptuous dinner and fun at the Red Sea House, we sneaked up to John's room to give him our simple birthday gifts: a cake and a singing card. This really is one happy night!

 John's happy birthday cake

We couldn't all fit in his room and still have space to move around so we decided to move his night celebration at the class lounge. This is the hotel's staircase, so you can see where we can mostly be found rushing about early in the morning.

post-fishing meal

[temperature today: 0.2 - 5.5C]

After our vigorous fishing expedition, we tagged along with Karen to eat at a Persian restaurant which she says is good. Once we went inside the place, it was really cozy and the smell coming from the kitchen is good. When we finished eating, we were full and happy about the spicy meal with rice.

tapa bar and birthday

[temperature today: -0.5 - 6.6 C]

Today is YS' birthday so we went out for dinner tonight. It is so cold outside tonight but we are making the most out of our remaining days here in Stavanger. What better reason that to celebrate a friend's birthday, right?

 On our way to a restaurant. Well, we haven't decided yet where to go...

 Finally, decided on a Spanish tapa bar which was still open at that time. You know, the hassle thing about wearing lots of layers against the cold (coat, bonnet, gloves, scarf) is having to take them off when you get inside a restaurant.

 Yummy bread and dips...

And found one lovely drink from back home. Who would have thought?

 And they food plates just got devastated from our big appetite!

Happy times with good friends. Happy birthday, YS!
Thank you Ufo and Cuth for the pics.

farm life

[temperature today: 0.2C - 3.3C]
written 2013.02.21 0848hrs

We were told that we are going somewhere after class but they would not say where -- until we reached a FARM! So this is how a Norwegian farm looks like. Interestingly, the one who owns this farm works at the cafeteria. If you have been living in the Philippines, you wouldn't have believe that someone who works at the cafeteria would own such a big farm and big house. Obviously, there's no such thing as rich or poor in Norway.

The farm, as I said, is huge with a cow barn, milk processing machine, chicken shed, donkey barn, sheep and a beautiful, huge, warm house with a nice view of the outside from the kitchen. Feels so home...

The cow likes to lick stuff - including my bonnet. So I had to wash it clean when I arrived back at the hotel. LOL.

laundy

[temperature: 7.2-11.1C]
 written 2013.02.22

I hate getting my feet wet whenever it's raining. I don't like going out when nobody can take me home, or when it's gonna end later than the last train schedule going north. I am choosy. But I can let go of some comforts when I know when it is necessary -- like when I'm on the field. Yes, you may call me spoiled.

our laundry room

Anyways, I remember the first time I did my laundry here in Norway. The first time I did it, I had to wake up at 5 o'clock in the morning to be the first, and therefore have the use of the two machines and dryer afterwards. I only had a basic idea of how to use it - putting of the clothes and then washing powder inside the machine. It did fairly okay but the dryer died on me. It wasn't working. Yet my main question is, how do I put on the fabric conditioner?! I like my clothes smelling nice when they come out of the machine.

So next time I had to do laundry, I was so glad that a friend was online and helped me through the steps of placing the stuff into the machine.And yeah, I got told that I've grown so spoiled that I don't even know how to do a proper laundry thing using the machine. Well, I know how to do handwash, though. So what's spoiled with that?! :P

shrunk

[temperature today: 6.5 - 11.6 C]

Look what they pulled out of the dryer.

LOL. My classmate forgot to put the laundry/dryer machine in the right setting.

written 12.11.13

ending sirdal break

Good morning, Sirdal!

[temperature today: 6.3 - 10.4C]

Waking up to this beautiful view. It's like early Christmas for me.

 Trying to make a snow angel in a cm thick snow. Can you figure it out?

And here is a snow man. Beside him are other snowmen made for our family back home :D

 

 A team building activity before we go...

 Another scenic view on our way back to Stavanger...

Visiting an events place carve out off a mountain.

Then visiting a place, Byrkjedalstunet, where they have lots of souvenirs for sale...

Hassan is enjoying a nice, brisk wind outside the shop

 Mrs. Claus

Santa Claus in the sleigh...

...and the best pancake I ever tasted!

 This moraine is a site of blocks broken off by glaciers. This is also a historic site where Norwegian soldiers took cover from the enemies during the WWII.

No doubt the water from this river is so fresh, one can just drink from it right away. This view also reminds me of a poem that we discussed in high school, about a nymph talking to a shepherd. So idyllic.

written 12.11.13

Sirdal R&R

[temperature today: 6.9 - 11.9 C]
written 11.11.13

Woke up early for breakfast to prepare for today's activities. Last night, there was so much dancing but since we had a long day and I wanted to be ready for today, I left early. This was one of the scenes from last night.

Last night, I also signed up on the town tour instead of climbing the mountain, thinking that it is not safe with me only bringing my sneakers instead of hiking shoes. So this morning, we started with a walk downhill towards the town center not knowing the obstacles we were going to pass through...

 Houses with roofs that have plants for insulation...

 We are not halfway through...

 A very unusual troll, showing himself during daytime...

 Walking through a scenic route. Lots of pictures were taken here...

And another scenic view of simple Norwegian farmland

 

 

Turning around, I just looked at the slope of rock where we all came down from to get through the other side. That is one pretty high, steep slope with only a rope and a hand to help you down.

 And now walking through mossy area with our poor shoes getting wet. My sneakers now need to be replaced.

 How I love the look of these moss. Anna said that the white ones are gathered for home ornaments. They can place it in bowls with water and it will stay alive for days. How cool is that. The white moss can be used for Christmas decor, don't you think?

 Then we walked some more along a swampy area. Poor shoes, I'd say! Somewhere here, our classmate Isaac found a large mushroom, almost the size of my palm, color red, which looks like the ones they draw on cartoons when I was young.

After a relatively long walk, perhaps an hour?, we arrived at the town center and was greeted by the former Mayor who let us watch a video on the beginnings and what we can find in town. After that, we were treated to a very big lunch. Right after this, we went off to pursue recreation activities that were ready outside. I chose to bike.

 This is my bike after I fell the first time (I think). Lucky that my biking buddy, Romulo, was still a few feet ahead of me. Okay, I fell once and had to stop again once because I heard an unusual sound with my bike. Since this was the first time I biked after a long time, I had to be careful. What was just so confusing is how one old man, Abdullah, can bike uphill when we, the younger set, could not even go up halfway. We ended up going back to the center. But the view is still incredible while we were biking. I just had to stop to take some pictures like these:

I am so glad we went back earlier because I get to try this! It was so cool. I am glad Hassan is a sharpshooter and a good teacher. I managed to have my arrows shot on the board the first few times while the others just flew off it. There was also a gun shooting happening on the other side but I chose this. I guess that if they make me choose again, I'll still choose the bow and arrow over guns.

Unfortunately, something bad happened to our other classmates who were trying to climb the mountain. Nia fell and had broken her wrist and needs to be moved to the hospital at Stavanger as soon as possible. We left early, with the bus picking us up, and went all the way up, up the mountain until we saw the patches of snow.

The guys were kind enough to let us off for a while to let us play with snow. I wanted to make a snow angel but the snow was not thick enough and patches of grass where still visible. Yet I still went down and tried to make one!

Later, I got up and joined a snow ball fight, only to find myself being hit in the face with one! Now I know how cold and how hard a snow ball is. And how numbing. Unfortunately, that ball was meant for another but it got me. Ouch.

 The winding road going down, down.

After going down the mountain, here we are at another fjord. The mountain on the left was where my classmates tried to reach. By this time, Nia was on her way to the hospital. We are just hoping that she would be okay.