I have too many thoughts in my head

Hi there. I'm back. Again. It's been a while. Been busy living. . .

All these winding roads and labyrinths we have to get lost in. I have started all over again and again and again. Two years ago I started traveling the world alone. I visited Australia, Vietnam, Thailand, Burma, Malaysia, Norway again, back to Thailand, and now suddenly I find myself relocated in a small British country town. THIS IS ENGLAND. I now face new daily challenges like two separate water taps on almost every sink (one where you burn your hand off and one where you freeze) and other small unimportant things we Scandinavians find funny or interesting when traveling beyond our own borders. I am not taking the piss, I am happy to say that I do not have too many worries at the moment. I am fighting nightmares and old ghosts though, but I know when the winter is over there will be a new spring. I know like all the billion buds will flower I will eventually blossom as well. It will take time. Time to create a new perception of the world we’re all so confused and living in. The past years I have spent so much time running away from my old life I almost forgot to live now. Always holding my guard, looking back over my shoulder. I am so fed up with being afraid all the time. Sun is shining outside my window, yet I only stare out at it, not yet capable of moving my sad lazy ass out there to enjoy it. Lazy, that’s what depression makes you. I don’t even feel sad, but I know it’s lurking behind there somewhere.

It is strange being a foreigner in a country so similar yet so undeniably different from your own. I feel like I’m lost in translation half the time. But this is the place I want to be. I have decided to make a new life here for the time being… Forever lost. I never expected to end up here. Strange, how life twists and turns sometimes. Life is slowly adapting and changing for the better. I have met so many beautiful and inspirational souls the past years of traveling I almost find it hard to memorize them all. I sit here with a heart heavy with gratitude. We have so much to learn from each other, by absorbing new scenery’s, by drinking wine, passing joints and making conversation. In this western world I feel like everyone is striving inside their own bubbles. Their own self constructed universes displayed on screens, shining with glorified pictures of the life we hope so eagerly the rest of world will remember us for…

Alien, that’s the word I’m looking for. Alienation. Hibernation. I know there are others with the same kind of mindset. It will just take some time. I will crawl out of my hole. Did I mention that I have already started? One third, at least! I work as a drama teacher for year 5 and 6 at a school once a week. KARMA. WIN. HARD WORK PAYS IN HAPPINESS. Now all I need to do is convince them to pay me some actual pounds as well. It still feels good to do what I love the most. Working with kids and theatre make me think good things of the world.

I am still traveling. Still it feels just like yesterday I left Gardermoen Airport in Oslo, heading in direction Heathrow – Hong Kong – Brisbane. I left everything I knew behind. And I haven’t looked back since. Maybe, that is only half way a lie. As far as home is concerned, I cling to the ones I love and see them on Skype whenever we feel it’s been far too long. I didn’t post much when I was exploring South-East Asia. But, some scribbles made it to the world-wide web.

I became a part of a marine conservation group (Eco Koh Tao) when I was living as a PADI divemaster in Thailand. I wrote some articles during my Eco Internship at Crystal Dive: Project AWARE – Eco Koh Tao – Mooring Line Project –  Reef Check Ecodiver Course. Feel free to have a look.

It’s late afternoon. Time to force myself to go outside. Sun is shining. Put my shades on. I will update more later I promise.

Tunes: Listening to Skambankt – Voodoo. I’m sorry if Norwegian is a bit tough to understand, but this song describes all the thoughts in my head right now. It just makes sense. Listen to the tune anyway, they don’t only have real lyrics they also got bad ass guitars.

 

Love and light, Kris xx xx

Back O’ Bourke

First night in Bourke went well, we’re staying with a charming family  who runs a restaurant and a motel in town. Just had a nice breakfast with scrambled eggs and bread at their restaurant named Diggers On The Darling. Our house is lying on the riverbank next to the Darling River. Now two girls from our class showed up and we’re off to our first photography lessons. Got my camera with me! Tomorrow I’ll add a bunch of pictures I promise you! Got so many beautiful views to show you. Peace and love from the outback, K.

Australian outback – Back O’ Bourke – that’s the place. Here they just call it paradise and I can see why…

HAPPY!!! Kangaroo and it’s alive! At least it was yesterday. It almost got hit by a huge truck as it tried to cross the road.

Me posing and playing with shadows.

Going down under

Last Monday I hit the road first by train, from Asker to Gardermoen. There I managed to get through the pass ports, drop my luggage at the right spot, find my classmates, and I even got onto the aircraft in time. Amazing. Been so stressed up I’ve hardly slept the last week. Now my entire world is turned up side down, and I finally find myself down under.

At Heathrow Airport in London I had the worst American pancakes ever. So glad I didn’t get sick or threw up on the plane. Anyway, after 40 hors of travel all of us – 16 girls and 4 boys, got pass the security guards at Brisbane Airport. In Hong Kong I saw the most beautiful sunrise ever, and I even got it on tape in 16:9. Hoho! We had a chill hangout there for like 6 hours, and experienced China for the first time. Lost in translation.

China is NICE. Living the dream! Could not upload more photos ’cause of the horrible internet connection.

The passed week I’ve not had any thrustful internet connection, and truth is that in Australia it’s horribly expensive. Right now I am at a shabby motel in Goondiwindi in New South Wales. Last night we were out on a local pub and it really was a good time. Guess we all got to know each other a little better. Hilarious! Had so many wasted laughs… Norwegians. Stupid Vikings. In an hour or so we’ll hit the road again heading for Bourke and the Australian outback. There we’ll stay for a week living with local host families. I’m really excited. Aboriginal culture, boomerang workshop, guided tours through the landscape, and outback bugs. One of the nights we’ll sleep under the massive sky and the Milkyway. The star constellations are insane. So up side down. Everything. Can’t wait to get out there. Tomorrow the lessons start, and photography is the first thing on the menu. We go by bus, a hippie-like small one managed and driven by two chill teachers from Griffith University. On our way out here yesterday I saw the phenomenon road kill. Dead kangaroos in countless numbers. The usually get hit by trucks in the morning hours. Makes me sad. Luckily I think I saw some alive ones too, and some wild goats. Now I have to go, and hopefully I will find some internet access in Bourke, and give you guys a better update. I’ll add some pictures just to get my folks at home really jealous – when I come to my host family. Gonna live together with Anne Berit, a cute friend of mine. I talked to my mum the other day and the temperature back home says 7° and there’s snow in the mountains. The last week I’ve shopped a 2nd hand vintage hat, and Australian classic, a Stetson, and three beautiful summer dresses. Second hand heaven is named Vulture Street, West End, Brisbane. HEART. Fuck, so happy I found that area. Wish my girls could have been there with me. Miss them so much. Right now I’m skyping with my homies back in Tomrefjord. Love and light K.

Bye bye Norway

Caught in a turmoil, makes my head spin.

Akkurat nå må jeg skrive på norsk. Ord kan ikke beskrive. Reisefeber!!! Skal straks legge meg og late som jeg sover i litt under fire timer. Sjukt at jeg reiser ifra alt og alle. Ikke en dag for tidlig! Blir godt å savne hjem!

Meg og en kompis!

Had to write some Norwegian… And then I’m suddenly on my way! Can’t wait to update later. Internet ain’t faithful and is probably ditching me again any second. Gotta be fast – My plane takes off from Gardermoen Airport 0750. 8 hours and then…. I don’t know really. It sure gonna be a big adventure. Heathrow first, then Hong Kong and finally Brisbane. 40 hours travel. Cross all my legs and fingers I wont get my period or catch a cold during the flight. Fuck, such irritating things tend to haunt me – especially when I’m up so something. Had my ups and downs today freaking out a bit and stuff but I think I’m all good to go now. Crazy…. Tomorrow I’ll be long gone. AWESOME! Now I just have to say goodbye to my friends. -Cry me a river jus like Dustin! Fuck, again. Pardon my language. Cupid is stupid. I get so sentimental. EMO. But it’s all good. It’s really all good… Love K.

Butterflies

They sure got an extra pair of wings, those butterflies in my stomach.

As I’m writing these words I’ve just started my adventure. This weekend me and some beloved lady-friends of mine went to the oldest known rock festival in Norway – Glopperock. Good times. I got a thing for these small festivals. Last Thursday me and my band VITO performed four songs at Open Mic in Volda. Last night we had our last jam session in 6 months. Got a Thin Lizzy LP – Black Rose A Rock Legend, as a going-away-present from my drummer. Then I got REALLY sentimental, and wrote a new song. Tears wont stop us being productive! Now I’m back in Tomrefjorden to say some good byes to my family. Gonna miss them, much! After a stressful summer I eventually notice the seasons ripe for change. Tomorrow I’ll head for the rail way station, one hour drive to a small town called Åndalsnes, located in the middle of Møre og Romsdal. Then it’s off to the state capital Oslo, baby. Then to Asker, to visit my love Nico. Monday September 3rd calendar says byebye everything I know – hello AUSTRALIA.

Along with 19 other fellow students on the Austral-Asian Culture program I’m going down under. To see the sun, to taste the salt water.. To get away. To the land of convicts, explorers, and adventures. Tomorrow on the train I’ll start dig down in history. A concise history of Australia – by Stewart Macintyre, pensum. Kangaroos and wallabies. Crocodiles and sharks! Can’t wait to see one! Got the rest of my stuff packed today. Credit card, passport, and my backpacker sack – CHECK! Hope everything goes smoothly with the tickets and stuff. Everything’s good to go. But, I guess with my pre history of bad karma I’ll forget my luggage at the wrong platform, oversleep, or get stuck in the doorway or something.. On the other hand I’m the luckies daydreaming bum since mom will take me to the train station. I’m not too good with time tables, busses, or any public transport, no doubt about that. I’ll cross my legs, arms, and fingers just to be sure… My sense of direction and intuition will be far more better in the next couple of weeks, I wish. Never thought it would be easy to get outta here. This great big challenge, I’ll have it anyway.

At the end of our first week in Brisbane our class will head out on a field trip to the outback of New South Wales, Bourke. I’ll post an update on the excursion later! The following five weeks I’ll be sharing apartment and travel with two happy guitar playing blokes named Martin and Marius, and an open minded globetrotter named Anne Berit. We don’t know each other that much yet, but I have to say at this point I’m pretty excited! Hippie spirit! That’s it for now. Gotta catch some rest before the new day arrives. Take care. Love K.

TUNEZ TODAY:  The Distillers – Coral Fang (Album)

Liebster Blog Award, thanks to Dear Kitty. Some blog

Dear Kitty. Some blog was so kind to nominate me for the Liebster Blog Award. Thank you!

“This award is to promote quality blogs & to help promote the work of bloggers who may not have a large following. Part of getting this award is giving it forward and to award it to 3-5 blogs you enjoy that have under 200 followers.”

According to the ‘rules’ (btw I’ve never done this before) – Presumably, one should add the Liebster Blog Award picture to the post on the award. Done…

Dear Kitty. Some blog fascinates me in so many ways. I wish more people in this world would share her point of view. Check her out!

Here are my nominees (I am not sure whether I have kept to the 200 or less rule, as not all blogs list their number of followers) (I have linked to the nominees’ blogs. I will notify them at their blogs):

just be. love all. live life.

dogsharon

SORRY, I CAN’T STAY LONG

The receiver of the award should copy & answer the questions below.
My answers are:

1. What’s your favorite word in the English language?

Fuck.

2. What are you listening to as you write the answer to this question (if not music, what sounds)?

A shy tinnitus buzzing in my ears. Can feel and hear my heartbeat, kinda. The sound of overdrive and distortion. School of Nirvana, and four songs with my band VITO. The open mic gig tonight was insane…

3. What was the last thing you ate that you really, really enjoyed?

A simple green apple. Enjoying it at this particular moment.

4. You’re at a job interview, and the interviewer asks you to make him laugh. What do you do or say?

I1d say I’m not that funny.

5. The world is about to blow up, but you’re being saved, and are allowed to take five things to another planet (aside from the clothes you are currently wearing), where you and only 999 other people will now exist (ignore the bleakness of this question). What do you take?

My guitar, my journal, a pen, a toothbrush, and a pillow.

6. What’s your favorite drink to consume first thing in the morning?

Milk.

7. What was the last book to make you cry?

Buddhas Children – A Journey Among People – by Torbjørn Færøvik.

8. What’s the most ridiculous or silliest way you’ve been injured?

Stumbled down some stairs, fell flat on my face, and ended up with a fractured ankle/foot – crutches for seven weeks. FML.

9. What’s your favorite city in the world? Why?

Stockholm. Fell in love at first sight. The Swedes got everything. Astrid Lindgren, Unga Klara – Suzanne Osten, Vår Teater, Stadsteatern, Kungliga Dramaten, Unga Dramaten. Also got good memories from Moderna Museet, and Beyond Retro. 

10. What’s the most embarrassing album in your music collection? (Be honest)

Aqua-Aquarium. First CD I ever got. I even know all the lyrics.

11. To borrow an old line from a Crowded House song, would you rather a mansion in the slums or a caravan in the hills (i.e. a nice house in a not nice area, or a tiny living space but with views)?

I’d like to live in a bungalow by the beach. Perfect view!

1. How long have you blogged?

Since 2005. Just random gibberish at that time, Gaffelioyet is the first “real” blog I’ve got.

2. What is your talent you are most proud of?

Never giving up..

3. You wake up in a shaggy hotel in a city of your choice with your best friend and a complete stranger of the opposite sex. There’s a kitchen-battle-axe on the floor with blood on it and an owl in the bathroom. What has happened?

We’ve played the game they play in Four Rooms, and the owl is the award.

4. What’s your favorite day of the week?

Any day after a good night sleep!

5. If you were an animal, what animal would you be and why?

A squirrel. Had to be one in a play a while go. Never got rid of the moves…

6. What are you doing for your living?

Traveling student at the moment. AUSTRALIA.

7. Where would you take me in your hometown, if I would visit you?

I would take you somewhere nicer than my hometown!

8. What is your favorite sound?

Waves.

9. Do you have a celebrity crush? Who is it?

I got two. Patti Smith, and Brody Dalle.

10. What is the first web-site you go to when you open your browser?

http://www.mangareader.net/94-8-1/bleach/chapter-1.html

11. What languages do you speak?

Norwegian, English, Swedish, poor Danish, and lousy French.

This rare evening… This week has been exhausting. Good though. Gotta show up at school in less than five hours. VITO – we had our best gig ever tonight, and I even got to perform cover of Nirvana with some other grunge blokes of mine. Open mic in Volda and the audience … mental ! Fuck. Then I got this award from http://dearkitty1.wordpress.com. What a day! I sure appreciate it! Don’t know what to say…

School’s up

Got all these nerves in a bundle. Don’t know if I’m scared, awkwardly shy, or just bashful about telling folks how I really feel. My knees are shaking, and inside my head – though I have never been there – I swear it’s JUST like Disneyland. Everything’s blinking, beeping, twisting, and turning. Bet some of it’s jumping too.

View from the place we’re staying in Brisbane – Kangaroo Point. I can get used to this!!! Mad. Pic downloaded here.

First thing I gained today was the knowledge that if you go East it takes one hour drive from Brisbane to locate the first surf spots. Up North, approximately one and half hour drive before you get great shores and waves. Whoop! I also learned the fact that I’ll have to befriend a surf-loving driver who’s in the possession of a real driver’s license. Or, I knew that already, BUT, we’ve been talking about this well known phenomenon – long distances. Very long distances. On the Australian continent there’s a lot of them. I guess I’ll forget about my favorite  activity as a non-driving hippie; walking. That was a joke, I prefer skating and bicycling. But neither will do. Gotta learn how to trust planes and cars. If there’s anyone in the Queensland area who’s up for surf in the middle of September let me know!

First day in my new class, and we’ve just started with the introduction course of the Austral-Asian program. Been chatting with some teachers from Brisbane, and we have started discussing different topics of our main major assignment. Children’s theater, shadow plays, masks, clay, costumes, traditions, plays, puppet theater, school system, vietnamese theater, aboriginal theater, culture for children – how is the situation compared to Scandinavia? And then there’s music! Oh, I’m such a nerd.

Australian phrase of the day: “No worries mate!”

The whole class had to say it out loud. At the same time. Awkward, and we all acted like small giggling girls. In front of the old school black board compassionate eyes of an urban globetrotter woman told me we still have a long way ahead of us. Not sure if our stuttering Norwenglish blew her away anywhere. Gotta work on my dialect! Then they started all this talk about spiders… and I went to get lunch. Now it’s back to class. Information about the seven day trip into the outback, more specific Bourke – is about to be given. I’ll welcome it with open arms! Stoked! Love K.

TUNEZ TODAY: Natural Mystic – Bob Marley & The Wailers, Flake – Jack Johnson, The Letter – Xavier Rudd,
Collie Man – Slightly Stoopid.

Turn over a new leaf

Due to an awful lot of stress, and horrible internet connection I haven’t had the patience to blog lately. But now I’m back, and there’s been a change in status; I’m finally on the move! The butterflies in my stomach have got an extra set of wings. My temper is jojo-ing like a roller coaster from calm and relaxed to hysterical and back, and recently I’ve become an check-list-maniac. Chronic absent-mindedness. Focus is this week’s goal. Monday, and my backpacker sack (I’ve finally found one!) must be inhabited, and ready for take off. First stop Volda, then Asker-Oslo. September 3rd the flight leaves 0755 from Gardermoen -> Heathrow -> Hong Kong -> BRISBANE. If I’d say that I’m anything else than euphoric, it would be a lie.

Third day of vacation. This week I find myself living in my family’s new house in Tomrefjorden, which is a little fjord below high mountains, far out on the Norwegian country side. Just had my grandmother over for a cup of coffee. Her visit did me good. Haven’t seen her beautiful face for a long, long time. She had so many clever words of wisdom to share. The last ten years I’ve been lost in a turmoil. She told me that it’s time for some action. A stern look she gave me. -You should NOT look back, she said. -Never!

She made me realize more than ever that life happens, now, as I’m writing these words. I have to gain control. Nobody will ever do it for me. Have to stop worrying ’bout other peoples opinions. I’m 22 years old, and up till now this has been a very tricky point for me to figure out. Been rooted to the spot. Haunted by ghosts from my previous life. Chapter closed. I’ll burn it all all down to ashes. Now is the time to die and start a new life. Metaphorically of course. Like the phoenix I will spread my wings and fly away. I’ll be the queen of my castle. I’ve finally gained the knowledge. Life goes on. I’ll keep her words close at heart. We sure cannot be all things to all men. I’m one step closer to Australia and Vietnam. One step closer to the person I wanna be. -Happy and free from misery! Big smile on my face today. I’ll share it with you guys. Love K.

A nimble mind. Wide awake. I gaze at the world as my feet take me further. 
Clearly, I can see now. One step, then two steps at the time. Free from the 
chains in my mind. One step closer. I can feel it now. Erasing all negativity. 
Fed up with this stupidity. Self loathing is a curse. Constantly looking back 
over my shoulder - just makes it worse. Heading now the opposite direction. 
Took me a time to understand. I see a new wave is coming ashore the land.

TUNEZ TODAY: Fiona Apple – Regret, Every Single Night, Daredevil, Hot Knife.

Peace in a puddle

Tonight I got Photoshop CS5 installed on my MacBook. I’m thrilled. Edited a picture just for testing. It’s me late in the evening dreaming for peace in a puddle. Tossing and turning. Another night of restless sleep. 4:13am. New day and I’m already on to it. Organizing. Preparations. Been reading and researching what to do-stuff in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. Early bird catches the worm. It also catch wrinkles. After a heavy power nap I’ll go look for a backpacker sack. Gonna seize the day!

TUNEZ TODAY: Band of Skulls – Lay My Head Down, and the rest of the Sweet Sour album. Loveit.