A day wasted academically speaking, but with lots of thoughts (brace yourself).

Hokai. Back again.

Just finished watching "Moonwalker" on TV, when I really should have continued writing my essay due Fri. It was ok, but you could see that Michael's vids had been pieced together. A little... what's the word... "synthetic"? I didn't really manage to catch the very beginning of it, but with all due respect, Your Majesty, the King of Pop, it just didn't quite... do it for me. I mean, his vids are basically stories in themselves, so trying to piece them together into one story might be too much of a tall order. I dunno. As I said, it was ok.

Furthermore, I'd just finished watching the last part of the televised funeral of Ted Kennedy as well, so by all means, my opinion could have been a little affected by that as well. Catholic as I am, it felt quite nice to see how the ceremonies in the States were in comparison to those here in Norway. Mostly the same, though with a few tweaks to the sequence. By tweaks I mean omissions. But okay. I'll leave it at that. All of the people of political importance in the States seemed to be there: President and Mrs. Obama, Pres. Clinton and Senator Clinton, Pres. and Mrs. Bush, Senator McCain, Senator... Oh, what's her name? You know, the "pigs-wearing-lipstick" Senator... Sarah Palin! Right, that's the one. And then Kennedy's family was there: the few remaining members of the Camelot era (to put it that way) and their kids and grandkids. The eulogies were so moving. They mostly followed the same layout in no particular order: first an address to the family members and the congregation, then impressions of the mass and/or personal sentiments with respect to Kennedy's passing, personal experiences with him, then an alternation between general sentiments and personal experiences before rounding it off. Clichéd to some extent, I guess, but it was interesting to see how alike his sons were to himself - as well as JFK. The latter kind of resemblance (viz. between that of Ted Kennedy's sons and JFK) was the most striking, albeit obvious in that he was their uncle (!). I mean, the eyes, the slightly nasal voices, the marked angular jawlines, and the pronunciation + intonation were striking. Again, it didn't really come as no surprise, but it was so incredibly fascinating to watch the similarities. I have to say, though, that President Obama's speech was for me the best one there, even though -- or perhaps because -- he had a slightly more distanced relationship to the late Ted Kennedy than being a family member.

Oh, and the thing that moved me the most were "Panis Angelicus" (Bread of Angels) performed by Plácido Domingo and Yo-Yo Ma (worldwide reknowned cellist) and "Ave Maria" (Hail Mary; Schubert version) by... some soprano who, due to ignorance, will remain nameless. It might be because I haven't been well lately that I was moved to tears by these performances, but seriously, they were indescribably beautiful. Especially "Panis Angelicus". My God, to think You've created such beautiful voices is just downright amazing!

But pursuing the topic of me not feeling very well, this basically started on Fri. I had 2 classes from 8am to 12pm that day, so at the end of the classes I hadn't eaten since 7:20 or so. So you can imagine I was starving by then. The sound even resonated throughout the classroom (not to the same extent as in ExPhil for those who were so unfortunate as to experience that! Again, sorry...), but it was somewhat uncomfortable for yours truly, at the very least. Anyway, as I had some time inbetween the end of class and doing lunch with a friend of mine, I decided to hand in the police certificate to the faculty administration (to make sure that my criminal record was clean before starting the teaching practice at the school). So after having gobbled down some cottage cheese with strawberry jam, I noticed that my head was still spinning a little. I was clearly hungry. Nonetheless, I had to hand it in, as I wanted to get the whole shebang over with once and for all.

(I'd received a general police certificate which the admin. didn't accept because the relevant articles on teaching in Norwegian law weren't specified. The police sent me a revised one instead -- this time with the wrong name, address and social security number (!!!). Then, after 2 weeks, I finally got the right one (with an apology for the inconvenience on a post-it note).)

So yeah, I handed it in, and after a little hesitance from their part and a bit of 'splaining/telling them off, the administration accepted it. Thank God! I so didn't need that, especially when I was tired, hungry and prone to be exceedingly cranky at that moment. Blargh! Not a good combo.

Either way, I arrived at the cafeteria to meet my friend, I sat down, took off my jacket and waited. I remember feeling a little cold right then, but I didn't pay much attention to that. It persisted, though, and I really started to get a little worried, as my head was still spinning a little and my limbs felt like lead. So after having eaten and chatted a bit, I went home. I literally spent all of that evening lying on my bed, head spinning, limbs feeling extraordinarily heavy, muscles aching suspiciously more than usual after my first workout, and body temperature seemingly alternating between hot and cold. It was normal, though. I just couldn't understand what was going on. Was this a case of the swine flu? Knock on wood! Again, my temperature was around 37C, so I wasn't really sick per se. Just to be on the safe side, I took some paracetamol as I was lying there gulping down tea, chamomile infusion and orange juice (the last few deciliters I had left in the fridge) and tried to chomp on some bread for the sake of getting some solid food in my gut as well. Better to nip it at the bud if it were to be a case of a fever or flu. Didn't work. So before I went to sleep I took another paracetamol tablet and prayed for it to pass. Seriously, right now I don't have time to get sick! I have to have enough energy to finish up my essay!

Right now, after having alternated between sleeping and going to the bathroom during the night and after having spent too much time taking it easy when I woke up to make sure it was all out of my system before I did anything else, I feel much better. I know what it was, but what caused it is up for speculation. I reckon it was probably a combination of unexpectedly much wind and rain, me not eating regularly that day, sitting under a vent in the cafeteria, my sweating after having scurried back and forth from home to campus and around campus, and too much lactic acid in my muscles after my first workout. Mmm... lovely. I'm sure many of you can relate to something similar to this. It's not exactly cloud 9, to put it that way.

Besides uni and a new course program, there's also another issue that's been keeping my mind occupied. About 2.5 weeks ago, I got a text from my mom that a close family friend found a tumor in her uterus. The doctors said it was the size of a child's head (I guess by this they meant the size of a baby's head). They weren't sure if it was benign or malignant, but after having taken a CAT scan they could at least determine that it wasn't spreading, nor was the tumor growing. As this was a delicate matter -- and since she had told this to my mom -- I didn't want to talk to Mom's friend just yet to express my sympathies and support for her and her fam.

Yet just recently I plucked up the courage to send her a text, at least. By that time Mom 'n' Dad had just visited her and her husband, so I thought that she must know that I know about it by now. Anyway, I sent her a message expressing my shock and that she was in my prayers, trying consciously to avoid expressing pity. That's the last thing she needs at the moment. In such cases you want to tread carefully. Support, yes, but pity, no. I rounded it off elegantly with "big hug, Elise". Anyway, she really appreciated it and even told me "if only you knew how great hugs you give, Elise!". A tad awkward as this was more of a virtual hug rather than a physical one (I haven't seen her for ages), but ok. It was nice to get that verification that what I wrote didn't offend her in any way. You never know how people may react in such cases. Anyway, she told me she was doing fine and that she was going to have another run of tests in about 3 weeks time. Apparently the doctors don't want to take any tests of the tumor until they have extracted it completely. This to prevent any potential spreading of any cancerous cells. When this will be done, I don't know as of yet, but I reckon she'll either tell me or Mom about it. For the mean time they try to think as little of it as possible.

There are times like these when you get a slight wake-up call. We aren't as invincible as we'd like to think. We are but mere mortals. You think that these things only happen to those outside your circle of acquaintances, not to those within it. The thing is, they can. That's the cynical, cold, hard truth. I know this from experience, and those of you who have really stuck by me for eons know what I'm talking about.

When I think about this even more, I find that life in itself is basically a constant struggle for survival. You never really think about it when you're in the middle of it, but with every action, be it done consciously or unconsciously, you really are just ensuring that you'll continue living. The thing is just that there are only a few things that are under your control. To put it a little figuratively, you never know what will happen to you when you turn a corner. As Forrest Gump's mom always said: "Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get." This could never sound truer right now. But the key is -- as we all may be aware of -- is to just take what comes your way and deal with it when it comes. To worry too much about what comes around the bend will result in too much worrying and paranoia. Then again, to worry too little about it is apathetic and cynical. So the golden rule is basically to worry, but not worry too much. All things in moderation. And appreciate all the good things that happen to you, 'cause these are your life's little gems.

Man, this was deep. Heh, again, news such as this kinda gets you thinking.

Now, a little request for you readers out there who might be Christian/Catholic or religious in any way. You might have guessed it by now. Could you please include this family friend of ours in your prayers? Both she and her family need all of our support right now. She's being brave about it all, though, despite all of this. But still, what else can you do but be brave in such a situation? Who wouldn't have to accept what life throws at you? You'd be a fool if you didn't. As she told me: "Life isn't a cakewalk, but you just have to make the most of it."

I know your prayers help. Thanks.



Signing off,
Elise



Ps.: Here's Plácido Domingo's performance from Ted Kennedy's funeral plus the choir singing "Let Nothing Ever Grieve Thee" (Brahms). Domingo starts his performance during the Communion, at about 2:04. You can perhaps see/hear why it moved me to tears.

Ok, this was a little weird.

I'm still a little aghast about what happened earlier today. The thing is, I didn't really know if he was who I thought he was, and to this moment I still don't. Ok, here's the story:

I'd been writing on my Spanish lit. exam all day and I'd gotten a text from a friend of mine to meet up with her and some other friends for lunch at 2pm. So there I went, happy-go-lucky on my way to the cafeteria to meet up with them, feeling quite content with breathing fresh air again instead of the stuffy one inside my flat. It was raining slightly on my way there, so I'd brought my umbrella. Once I got to the end of the street where I could see my faculty building, suddenly this guy appears coming towards me. He basically wore dark clothes and had a black bag with him, probably on his way to the gym just nearby. He also wore a navy blue hooded sweater and had the hood covering his head because of the rain (go figure). But what caught my attention was the face I could distinguish from underneath it. The thing is, he kinda looked like the Crown Prince.

I looked at him, he looked at me and I thought to myself: "No, it can't possibly be him, can it?" and averted my eyes so that I wouldn't give the impression of staring unnecessarily at him. Still, as I was just about to pass him, I stole a glance at him yet again and I noticed that he was still looking at me. At that point, one word sounded in my mind: "Awkward..." I averted my eyes yet again and quickly passed him by.

At that point I thought: "Was it really him? Nah, it couldn't have. I mean, we're talking about "Krompen" here! (Mind you, that was the first name that came to mind at that time.) Why in the world would he work out at a place filled with students? And there of all places?! How random is that! I mean, seriously, the Royal Family must have some sort of gym to themselves, right? One would expect them to not have to mix and mingle with us commoners? The NRK weatherman is understandable, but HIM? Nah, that's impossible. Or is it? I mean, he did have the beard and facial features all going for him."

I turned around to see if I could still see him from where I was, but he'd already walked too far for me to check. Besides, to walk back, tap his shoulder and ask him in Jærsk: "Du, åm du verkele æ Krompen?" would not exactly be the way to go, would it? I mean, if he really was, I'd really be making quite a spectacle of myself. (His name still didn't manage to enter into my consciousness at that time either.) And besides, I would be too gobsmacked to say anything sensible anyway.

So I just stored that at the back of my head and continued with the scheduled lunch.

So yeah, needless to say, that was nothing short of strange. I mean, I sorta' knew that the Crown Prince goes incognito, but if it were him, it was still puzzling as to why he would work out there, of all places. I mean, he's not exactly a student anymore, now is he? At least I'd expect him to work out somewhere else, like SATS or Elixia or the likes. That sounded more like him, for some reason. But THERE?! Anyway - alas, alack - the answer to my question will never be answered. Hence, the identity of this guy will remain a mystery forever.

Unless I spend my time at the gym 24/7 for the next couple of months.


Signing off (puzzled),
Elise

Why didn't I think of this before?

A new era, a new domain. Big words are my passion. If this doesn't prove it enough, I don't know what will.

Meanwhile, major workout day today (*accomplished*), balanced out with studying (not as much as I had hoped for, but still). Also tried Chinese miso soup bought in SVG Asian shop. Tasted good (especially with dried seaweed and (soft...) tofu); had teeny tiny mushrooms in it (nothing special, to be honest); expiry date was good... so yeah. What a gripping life I do lead. *lol*

Will finally lunch with Spanish friend tomorrow (from whom I inherited new flat/room). Can't wait to see her, although we're only talking about 2 hrs tops. :-S Oh well.

*listening to the Solids' "Hey Beautiful" and crooning along*

Yeah, I should hit the sack, shouldn't I?



Signing off, (heading off to Bedfordshire (i.e. NOT procrastinating)),

Elise

Christmas time is here again!

That was a tribute to all you Beatle fans out there who might be reading this humble blog.

Aaah. At home at last. And I haven't been able to update until now as I've been busy with work and stuff. Stuff as in shopping Christmas gifts and sleeping. I haven't had proper time to rest since I got home as I voluntarily jumped on the bandwagon of vacant evening shifts at work. I'm done for now, but I've let them know that I'm available for other vacancies should they need more workers.

Anyway, tomorrow's the Day with a capital "D". All gifts have been bought, cards have been sent (albeit only one - and kinda late at that...) and I can't wait to put my feet up for some days and just relax.

Grades have gone as expected for now, but I still lack the results for SFG. Frankly I'm a little concerned. I mean, conventionally, we should get our grades before Christmas, right? For all I know it could just be that our teacher hasn't gotten the grading done before vacation, but still... I can't help but feel a little (i.e. slightly) distressed. Nevertheless, all that can be done is just to wait.

Meanwhile, I also need to get done my application to my pedagogy year next fall. I kinda wanna apply to more than this uni, as it only has 360 vacancies reserved for students outside the profession study program. I just want to make sure that I can complete it next year and not have to postpone it more than need be. Ideally, what I want to do is apply to various unis across the country and see if I get in anywhere else. Just to have something to fall back on in case things in Oslo go completely awry.

Anyway, academics aside, I haven't gotten the chance to see all of my friends yet, but I hope to do so as much as possible within the coming days. Seeing my best friend again was really nice. Obviously she's looking forward to her Big Day (i.e. the one after Christmas), although she appears to take it all with an air of ease. A good sign, I think. Besides, it won't be a big one either. They aren't exactly the people who like to have big and lavish parties in the first place. I still can't wait, though! :-D

Another thing I can't wait for is resting this vacation and really absorb the Christmas spirit. Me, Mom and a friend of hers went to a concert yesterday at Bjergsted (you know, the one with Bettan and Rein Alexander) and although it was almost straight after work and I was utterly knackered, it was still a really nice way of getting into the spirit. When it comes to Christmas songs, these guys can really evoke that warm, fuzzy feeling inside that you used to have as a child during Christmas - or at least a slight tinge of it. They even did Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli's "The Prayer". As in most cases, it doesn't beat the original, but it was still quite good, though. Not much of the vocal acrobatics from her side as in the original (not that I care for too much of it in a song, mind you), but it was still good.

So, without further ado, I round off for now with this Christmas greeting from the Beatles and a slightly tweaked Christmas classic - just to set you all in the right spirit. Or at least close to the right spirit... ;-)





Signing off (*bells jingling*),
Elise

A very enlightening conversation of nothing of consequence, i.e. "Much Ado About Nothing".

An SMS conversation between me and a friend of mine (and these are actual unrevised quotes):

Me:

My dear Ms. J.,

I write to inquire about our encounter on this very day. As I am aware that your prior engagements may be tentative, I would be very much content with a short account of your whereabouts for the day. Furthermore, as I myself have somewhat imperative matters to deal with (including extensive reading), I also wish to inquire if it may be possible to shorten our meeting slightly.

Yours respectfully,
Ms. Elise of West Frontier Hall

J.:
When should I present myself to her ladyship? Will around six be a good time to call?

Ms. C. of See-Around Cottage

(followed by...)

It is now my intention to do some slight exercise for 30 or 20 minutes slightly past 4 o'clock this afternoon. After which I will engage in stretching for an extended period of time. If God be willing, I will arrive at your stately mansion at around 6 this afternoon, or if it suits your ladyship, I will postpone my engagements an hour, and arrive upon your doorstep at the good hour of 7 this evening.

Yours truly etc.
Ms. J. of See-Around Cottage

Me:

My dear Ms. C.,

After having had time to ponder upon the time in which I will yet again have the pleasure of enjoying your amiable company, I believe it will suffice to place our encounter upon the sixth hour if, God willing, your time of exercise will not prove to be a vexatious conflict to it. If so, please permit me to offer an olive branch by adding that you may arrive at my humble hall at any time in concordance with your schedule of events between the aforementioned hour (the sixth hour) and the subsequent (the seventh hour). I look exceedingly forward to the encounter, my dear friend!

Yours etc.,
Ms. Elise of West Frontier Hall



This is some of the most beautiful nonsense in which I've been able to partake. Stay tuned. There may be more.


Signing off (while undergoing a giggling fit),
Elise