Long time old friend...

Yes, you've heard it all before... it's been a long time since I last wrote, yada, yada, yada.

There is a lot that's happened since last I wrote. Two major things. 1. Lucas died the 9th of November, 2012. He had gotten a really bad case of kidney stones. The vet said that it was the worst case she had ever seen. She tried to take the stones out, but wasn't successful. She showed us what she was able to take out (a mixture of blood an stones) and I just broke down crying. He had been in lots of pain over a period of time without showing any signs. I felt like it was my fault, even though it wasn't. He was our baby and suddenly he was gone. No more snuggles on the couch. No more pictures (I looked at the ones I had and pretty much all of them were fuzzy...). No more having to watch our beer cans (he loved to lick the beer off them). No more carrot-loving kitty.

I tried to get someone to cover for me at work that night (because I was a big heap of a mess), but no one could. So I tried to put on a brave face, and went to work. I'm sure a lot of the guests were wondering why the waitress was crying.. but I couldn't help it. I had work the day after as well and tried to hold it together, but ended up snapping at pretty much everyone. I really, really wanted to go home, but stayed because of the persuasions of one of my co-workers.

The pain is becoming less each day, but small things always come along that remind me of him, my baby. My "Mister, mister" as I called him. I think having Brutus helped me get through it, but it also made me a bit overprotective of him. We made an appointment for him at the vet the week after. I wanted to make sure nothing like that was happening to him as well. Good news! He was/is totally healthy. The vet even said that his teeth were a lot nicer than most cats his age.

The second major thing that has happened since I last wrote is that I quit school (with just one year left). There were so many reasons for me quitting, but being offered a full-time job was the final reason I needed. I realized that I've never been happier doing a job, than I was (and still am) as a waitress.

The most important lesson I've learned from the whole process is that happiness should always be the main reason you decide to do something. Not money. Not prospects of longer vacations. Not because someone else wants you to. Not because of what others will/might think. But, your happiness.  

3. mountain trip

Today was my day off from work and the weather is perfect for a day outside. It's sunny and warm-ish. We went on our third mountain trip, and this time we borrowed someone's dog. Here's some pics:

First day of work

I had my first day of work today, and have to say I think it went quite well. When I got to the restaurant this morning I was surprised to learn that my first task was going to buy a work shirt. My next task was just as surprising. I was supposed to choose my hot drink of choice, and drink it (mocha in my <3 *smiley sticking tounge out).

I felt a bit like a lost sheep to begin with, but by the end of the day I was getting the hang of things (although there are always things to improve). I left work with a smile on my face. My co-workers seem very nice and they were welcoming. I have a feeling I'm going to thrive working with them.

When I came home I went for a run. I was quite exhausted, but I always feel better when I've managed to go for a run. A sense of accomplishment, I guess.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing how things work out at work. 

Finally summer

Ok, so yesterday was a bad day, but after going for a long run it became a bit better.

Today is thankfully a much better day. The day started off with pancakes for breakfast and a show about "the men that made us fat" (I love bbc food documentaries).

 Then we went for a walk in the wonderful weather. We went up to the tallest "hill" around. Then we walked down to the store and met/talked to a few friends.

We had bought drinks at the store, so on our way back up to our apartment we decided to stop at a lake and just sit and drink our drinks while watching the ducks (the ducklings have just hatched). 

I've really begun to wonder why I've always gone away for the summer. If you "have" to stay you find so many interesting/wonderful things you've missed out on before.

Raindrops keep falling on my head

Today has been a mostly sucky day....

I had what I thought was my last exam yesterday. Although I didn't think I would get an A, I thought my efforts were at least worth a C. So today when I woke up, and found a text saying I'd flunked, I was upset and paralyzed. It was a "presentation" exam and a lot of hard work/time had gone into it. So now I feel like all the time/effort was pointless. Plus it was in a subject I thought I was quite good at (goes to show how much I know....).

I've been doubting my choice of education for a while now, and this doesn't exactly help that feeling. It really sucks to work so hard and not get any credit. To always feel like you suck (even if you don't).

I keep saying that our grading system is totally screwed up. How the hell are teachers supposed to decide how good you are at something from a 30 minute presentation?! What if you, like me, get nervous giving presentations? You know so much more than you're able to say because of the nerves? Then you're asked questions where you're expected to read someones' mind, and not able to? I'm sure if I had been in a relaxed setting and been asked questions about our litterature I'd be able to answer very well.

Why can't the government change the grading system so that we're graded through-out the year, instead of just 30 minutes out of the year? It doesn't make any sense at all. Grrr... It all makes me soooo mad! And people say the education system is "really good" in Norway.... If they would get rid of all the crap teachers, and start grading in a more logical way I might agree.

I guess I've mentioned it before, but I've gotten into a bad habit of buying stuff (even if I don't have the money) when I'm upset (because it normally makes me feel better). Today wasn't an exception. I've been thinking of trying to cross more things off my bucket list for a while now. One of them is learning to play the guitar. So I went out and bought a guitar. Then after a lot of "grrr's" and cussing I learned "Sweet home alabama". I'm not going to lie and say it's perfect, but I can at least play a D-chord, C-chord and G-chord now. My fingers hurt like hell, and I unfortunately can't say my mood's much better... but at least I'm on my way to crossing something else off my list.

My new beauty

I keep telling myself life is too short to be upset about something like this, but it's not working. I just keep getting more angry. I want to hit something (either until it's well beyond breaking point, or until I start to bleed).... Maybe I'll go for a run later.

I guess a positive from today is that I officially got the summer job I mentioned earlier. So I have something to keep myself busy with this summer.

Here's to hoping your day was better than mine!

2. mountain trip

Here are pics from todays trip, as promised:

Mountain trip

For the past few years people who live in this area have been encouraged to become more physically active. One of the programs that has been made is called "Ti på topp". Directly translated it becomes: ten on top. It's supposed to be a play of words meaning ten trips to hill/mountain tops.

Anyway, you buy a starting package which contains maps and information about 20 hill/mountain tops. Then you register online and visit as many tops as you want/ have the possibility of visiting. If you visit at least 7 of the 20 you get a little prize. The trips have varying difficulty so people can challenge themselves.

As you're probably guessing, my husband and I decided to be a part of the program this year. The weather was incredible today (sunny and warmer than it has been so far this summer), so we decided to go on our first one.

Here's a few pics:

I was going for a little Saturday Night Fever action (since it's Saturday night :P).

You can see the top of the tallest mountain (out of the 20 from "Ti på topp") in the background.

The "Ti på topp" mailbox which contains the code you register after being there.

Found a rock in the middle of a "pond" and wanted to climb out to it, but in order to do that I had to take my shoes and socks off and wade out.

The ice hadn't totally melted, so I wanted to put my foot on it...

... needless to say, it was freezing cold. :P

When we came home the kitties were sleeping as usual. I've found out Brutus doesn't like the camera, but Lucas doesn't seem to mind at all:

 

  We're hoping to go on another trip tomorrow, so maybe there'll be more pics then. But now it's time for dinner (gonna make a chicken and broccoli risotto, YUM!).