Sommerferie

So a lot has happened since the last time I wrote a blog! Summer Holiday and beautiful sunny weather is already long gone but with it being so full of excitement and fun I thought I just had to share it!
Well I will just write as things pop into my mind! Hopefully I don't miss out too much!

First of all I had a very social start to the holiday as I joined a Christian youth group on a trip to Sweden! Was great getting to see a bit of Sweden on the long bus ride there and to make some new friends throughout the trip. There were around 40 of us so you can imagine how much energy we had when heading to the Liseberg theme park in Göteborg. Somehow we managed to keep the hype up all through the day as we had pack loads of fun from 11am to closing time of 11pm! Other activities that kept us occupied on the 4 day trip was shopping, starbucks and movies!


Not long after Sweden, there was a Christian festival nearby where I live, where thousands of teens came out to be apart of the fun and worship! I met with some friends I had met on the Sweden trip and joined in 2 of the 5 days. It was great to be with them and my host brother as we all enjoyed our time soaking up the worship environment which seemed to be in all the big canopy tents around the island.

Next it was time for the farm and horse riding! For one week during the 2 month holiday I was lucky enough to spend one week at my host moms, brothers farm in Kongsberg. I spent the week with Ingrid, my host siblings cousin, riding horses everyday! Each morning, or I guess it was closer to afternoon, we woke up grabbed some breakfast and were straight out to the stables!

Cleaning went fast and then we were straight on the horses and out into the beautiful farmlands before we made our way through the forest which provided us with some shade in the hot summer sun. The horses definitely knew when the time had come to turn and head back home as each day once they got the signal from us they span on their heels -if that was possible- and sprinted back up the sandy road. This unforgettable week with Ingrid was awesome and I was headed for even more fun as I took a train straight from the farm to Oslo airport to meet my sister!!

Finally after not seeing her (not including skype) for 7 months, Cianne had finally arrived in Norway! Was so good seeing her again and we spent one night together in a hotel in Oslo, we found much to talk about and was great fun sight seeing Oslo together.. we even managed the navigating alone! At one point we decided to be real tourists and get one of the artists who were painting people on the streets, to do a drawing of us 2 together!
After 2 long days in Oslo we caught a train to the Sætha family whom I lived with for my first week in Norway. It was great catching up with them and we got to see a bit more of the cities and farmlands as they took us to see Drammen city, Oslo museums, walks through the forests to see drop dead gorgeous scenery which seemed so unrealistic it was hard to even consider that it was real life and not just a painting from an over imaginative artist! .. The view was real! We also went for a walk up a Canion which was really just as crazy!

Finally we headed home to my host family in Gjeving, after being away for around 3 weeks I was greeted with a very loving and long hug from Klara and soon after the rest of my family too. I enjoyed introducing my sister to my Norwegian family and was so glad to show her where I have been living the past few months! Found it very funny how she kept pointing out the hills around the place as she had not seen any in Estonia for the last year! I finally got to show here 'THE stone age' which I had been waiting for, for so long! We went swimming almost daily and had fun playing cards together with all my siblings! I met someone Cianne had met in Estonia who's home town was, strangely enough, this little town Gjeving! We were invited to join her Bible group in Kristiansand and were therefore lucky enough to go see yet another city in Norway together! I met lots of new people at this Bible group and I laughed when I realised that Cianne knew more of the Norwegians than I did! She had met a few of them in Estonia already!

Cianne got to experience a bit of the southern Norwegian waters and islands aswell when my host mom invited us to join her for a boat ride out to an island called Furøya. Emma, Klara, Cianne and I spent the day out on the island relaxing, swimming, sun bathing and swinging on an enormous swing which we found amongst the goats and sheep. Overall it was fantastic spending time with all my siblings together and amazing to be with Cianne again! We ate very much Toblerone the 2 weeks she was here and never ran out of things to say. Thanks for coming Annie and look forward to see you soon!

After that Emma and Ulla worked at an island called Risøya while Klara and Simon attended a Christian camp there. Just about every night of the camp Ellen, Peter and I headed out to the little island of fun to join in with the evening church service which took place in the "Mountain church" directly translated. The outdoor church was amazing as we sat among the tall trees and candles which had been placed all along the way up the steep rocky hill creating a great atmosphere with meaningful messages! Amazing experience!

Another thing I will not forget about this summer was the time spent with my siblings during the few days I found myself home. We found activities such as playing "football", not soccer.., jumping on the trampoline and many swimming outings in lakes and fjords nearby to make the most of those warm summer days!

Next family activity was the trip to my host families farm where we photo / video documented the two weeks work! After not being in use for 20 years the farm needed a lot of work to be up to scratch again but with a tight schedule and many hands we managed to get quite a lot done in the short time, cutting down the overgrown bush and trees we started restoring the land. At the end of a tiring days work in the sun we headed to a nearby lake and went for a swim to freshen up. With there being no electricity we found other ways to entertain ourselves in the evenings like drawing pictures, climbing a ladder- which was not leaning against anything- and playing card and board games. Lighting big bonfires was another fun thing! Roasting marshmallows in the flames and backed potatoes were another advantage of the bonfires!

Last but not least the week before school started up again was quite a busy one!
We celebrated my 18th birthday with the whole family! Coming home from school it was great to receive the "Happy Birthday celebration day!" from Simon and when I managed to squeeze past to get in the door I saw some balloons hanging above the dinning room table! We celebrated later on with a fantastic, family outdoor grill organised by Ellen, with chops and millies for dinner! (Food I remember so well from South Africa!) Was very pleasant with, for the first time in my life, both the Norwegian and English version of Happy birthday being sung! After which we moved inside to the ''balloon table'' for some delicious ice-cream, freshly made brownies and sweets! If there was any confusion as to where I would sit it was all sorted when I looked at the table and saw a pile of wrapped gifts sitting on a plate... well guess that's my seat then! :)  We ate and then it was prezzie time! I was spoiled by my family and am very grateful for the thoughtful and useful gifts I received from them!

On the day of my birthday I was woken with the sound of singing..was it.. happy birthday? When my brain finally registered what was going on my eyes opened to a Klara and Peter where the song was coming from with a candle in ones hand and  a Bacon and Eggs breakfast in the other. Whilst eating IN BED, my host dad pointed out that I was now allowed to finally open the presents from my family in New Zealand. Yet again very nice gifts!! After school Peter took Klara and I for some waffles, ice-cream and coffee in a cute little town called Risør. Boats on the still water and old Houses transformed into little shops made for a typical South Norway looking town with the sea side life feeling coming through nice and strong.


Just 2 days after it was my host moms 50th birthday and Peter and Ellens 25th anniversary celebration! Many guests were invited and we all got dressed and ready for a fantastic day of true celebration. Tables were set throughout the lounge areas of the house and moose soup was the main dish. Amazing desserts of many different cakes, brownies and Cloudberry pudding were served! Many speeches were held and a great history of how Ellen and Peter came to life together as it is now was made into a story by my host siblings who made a lovely show with piano, narration, whistling and singing! So many lovely people there to                                                       celebrate a lovely person and marriage!

The next day was a bit of a turn of emotions as the happy day of yesterday faded the into the quiet day where both Emma and Simon were off to the next chapter of their lives called Folkehøyskole. Well they went off and that was that, gone. Quite a sad day in contrast to the busy day before but we made it through. Thankfully we do and will get to see them every once in a while!

Much more has happened for Gypsey here in Norway since the summer holiday but I think that can wait for another blogging time!