Spending money

I have a friend living with me so I’m not alone anymore. Kaisa came yesterday and is staying until Saturday. I have decided to use some money while she’s here, so that we can have the best time this summer.Yesterday we watched a movie which the information said was a Thriller. This turned out to be a Horror called the Orphan, and it made us scared.  The movie ended pretty late and we went to bed, and because of the movie we shared my room.

Today we went to the beach and had a BBQ there, while Dollie was exhausted by the heat. After several hours at the beach we went home, and later on we are going to the city to have some beers while listen to live music. I’m having a great time and finally I feel like I have a life full of fun again. MMMM corn! :D

Two step closer!

I am now two steps closer to be ready to leave Norway. I have now sold my couch, TV and table. It’s actually a bit sad to watch it go, because I have a lot of memories, these being my first furniture. 

They cost me a lot of money back in the time and I sold it for less than half, because we all know it loses value over time. But the important thing is that I got enough money for travel insurance. Hours after they had picked up the furniture I purchased travel insurance with 100% coverage for my trip to Australia.  Now I’ll be safe in Australia and I’m covered in any case, if necessary.

First time I’m holding a big amount of my own money in a long time. And I only had it for a couple of hours until I purchased the travel insurance.

 I'm soon ready to leave to Australia, not long until the day's here! :D

Thinking back

I’m sitting here thinking back to my first visit to Australia, and come to think of it the trip was full of disappointments. I broke my new computer, a dude broke my new camera, my external hard drive broke down and last but not least I broke my ankle. Thinking of all this, my first visit seems far away from perfect. But I would describe my first visit to Australia as perfect even though, because when I think back of the time when I that I lived with good friends, got good grades and created great memories with the people I met. We traveled around to places I’ve never dreamt of seeing, we partied as we were exchange students and last but not least I met Luke. There’s no doubt that I have to conclude me trip as great, perhaps even perfect. I’m thinking back with a smile on my face and I’m looking forward to coming back to Australia.

Less than 4 weeks left now :D

R.I.P the people killed 22.07.11.

In the news all over the world you can now read and see what tragedy that stroke Norway yesterday. Read all about it here! At Utøya teenagers from all over Norway was camping when a man dressed up as a policeman started to shoot everyone he could. This happened 2 hours after a bomb went off in Oslo. There’s no doubt that this is the most terrible thing that has happened in Norway since WW2 and our nation is in grief. Several groups have been made and the Norwegian people are standing together and supporting each other in this horrible time. I’ve been at work today and wasn’t looking forward to look at the news anymore; one needs an escape from reality sometimes in a time like this. Unfortunately if you’re not watching the news, this is your option:

What it says it that the normal program for this channel will not be showed today because of yesterday’s great tragedy and on one of the programs you can watch NRK1 (which is only showing news).

R. I. P the people killed in Oslo and Utøya 22.07.11. You will always be remembered.

Katrin and I in our old town!

I had a great time in Halden, meeting my grandparents, who I love. It was awesome seeing them again and I’m looking forward to see them one last time before I leave. After our BBQ I said goodbye and left to my childhood best friend Katrin. We have been best friends since 1997, that's 14years of friendship!

We went to Trøgstad, the town we grew up in, and it was weird seeing it again in a fun way. We went to see or old houses, our old schools and the town church. We also found the old lake we used to swim in. Trøgstad has changed a lot but some of it is just the same. So many memories!

This is where I lived from the age of 4 – 14 (almost 15). The sign we had on our wall is still there, but the house didn’t use to be white.      

                                                             

This is the school Katrin and I went to. It’s so crazy how many memories we have here, not just in the school but in the whole town. We talked about the old days and laughed hard of how weird we once were.

It was great seeing Katrin again, and I’m looking forward to next time, knowing she’s a friend for life!

Insurance: check!

I realized that i don’t have any travel incurrence for my trip to Australia, so i started to look for one. I looked on different insurance company’s websites and called some of them to figure out what they had to offer, and for what price. It turns out that it is very expensive to get insurance for an 8 month long trip. I asked my mum and dad for advice but they didn’t know any more than I did. I nice man from one of the insurance company told me about a Danish company that might be able to help. I emailed them and it turns out they charge half of what the Norwegian companies does. It’s still expensive but I need an insurance and I have decided to sign up with them.

Family, BBQ and Dollie being a hero!

Yesterday was a great day!  My dad, brother, stepsister, Dollie and I went to a cabin in Hvaler, Norway.  My Aunt Eli was vacationing there with her husband Trond and their kids Andreas and Kristine, which I hadn’t seen in ages. It was great seeing them and it was a perfect sunny day for a BBQ.  Dollie had fun sniffing around and the kids were swimming and having fun in the cold water (I didn’t have a bikini with me so I sat on a rock watching them, but I didn’t mind). The best part is that I got to spend time with these people, which I hardly ever see. (Dad’s taking the photo but other than that everyone is here)

This wasn’t the first time Dollie was in a boat, and she behaved perfectly as always. She loves looking at the sea as we are doing on this photo. I love Dollie, my hero of the day, and here’s why: When we were down at the beach, Mariann’s matrass got caught by the wind and ended up on another beach 300 meters away. The girls went to pick it up and the guys went back to the cabin with Dollie. I decided to go back to the cabin, alone. I didn’t really remember where we came from and ended up having no idea where I was. I shouted “David” to see it the guys where close by, but then I recognized a tree and knew I was on the right way. However I didn’t remember where to go from here, it was several tracks I could go but only one of them was correct. IT had only been seconds after I shouted when Dollie came running as fast as she could from one of the tracks, it was clear that she had heard me shouting and came running for me. I knew then where to go and I was only 100 meters from the cabin! :P

A break from work.

I’m in Halden to meet friends and family for the last time this year. It’s a long drive from Kristiansand to Halden, especially when you are driving by yourself. But I’ve done it before and I’m here.  I’m glad to be here, and it feels great to finally have a break from my job. I think the time will fly past while I’m here and I’m really looking forward to meet everyone. I can’t believe that this will be the last time I see some of them until May next year, but I feel ready to move to Australia. Can barely wait to the 20^th of August, and I can’t stop talking about it. I’m thinking of Luke every day, and every time with a smile on my face. I’m looking forward to be able to do around him again, without having to talk all the time, just being together.  

(the photo is from last time Luke and I was in Halden, miss him!)

A Spare Boyfriend!

Time to tell you about my spare boyfriend here in Norway! He is a college of mine that goes by the name Mac! He is a shy and quiet man but he is a talented man. He has a special ability to seduce the costumers to buy whatever he wears! He loves to pose in the same position and he’s doesn’t like to change clothes alone. That’s why I always help him to change and the best part is that he wears whatever I want him to. Aren’t we just an adorable couple?

There’s another man at Stormberg that catches my eyes a lot, he goes by the name Rangis He is as white at Mac and he loves to make Mac jealous by looking at me with an intense look. You see, Rangis knows that there’s only one man in my heart that goes by the name Luke. He also know what Luke likes to ware and he chose the same outfit to got my attention.. Rangis likes to get my attention in front of Mac because it’s making him jealous. But Rangis knows that we can only be friends, and Mac is hoping for my heart. I might have tricket Mac but it’s all good because Rangis keeps reminging him that it’s only fun ;)

Expensive love!

I’m reading on the Australian government website about visas that I can apply to after my working holiday visa expires. Not just for fun because if Luke and I want to do this without getting married in such an unromantic circumstances  we have to think about keeping evidence of our relationship, about living together and how to show the government that this is a real relationship. If I understood everything right we are counted as a de facto relationship after living together for 12 months. After this time period we can apply for a temporary partner visa that I have to be on for 2 years until we can apply for a permanent partner visa. Applying for a temporary partner visa cost $2960 (about 17 600 kroner) if I’m on the working holiday visa I just got granted for one year. It applying overseas after my working holiday visa expires the cost goes down to $1995 (about 11 800kroner). The temporary visa is allowing me to stay in Australia with working rights while they are processing our application for a permanent visa. But it is a lot of money for a visa, and in addition to plane tickets back and forth this relationship is not cheap. Even though I know how much this relationship will cost and how much I have to sacrifice (and how much Luke already has sacrificed by quitting his job and moving to Norway for 4 months without a job) there is no doubt that I’m willing to try it. I believe in this, and I know Luke does too. In this case we need the money ( as I have said before, money and love is important in life) but we will gladly spend it in order to be together!

PS this is only my understanding of the government web page, it might not be correctly interpreted.

Getting rid of stuff

I put an add up for everything i want to sell. I haven’t heard anything yet, but I really hope I can get rid of it before I move to Australia. But putting an add up made me think how much I need to give up for this relationship. I have a lot of stuff because I have lived for myself and I needed it at the time, but now it is time to get rid of everything. So far I have sold my car and my PlayStation, now I’m trying to sell my TV, couch, table and washing machine. I have heaps of other stuff that I have decided to either through away of give to the Salvation Army. I always give clothes to the Salvation Army and it makes me feel good knowing that somebody might like it instead of throwing it away. Anyway when I move to Australia I will have nothing but clothes, shoes and some small stuff that I’m leaving behind at my mum’s. But  it doesn’t bother me at all, because it’s just stuff. The important thing in life is love and unfortunately money, because let’s face it one need money to live a decent live. I can’t wait to get rid of everything and travel the world for the one I love!

Harry Potter premiere!

Being apart it is important to do fun stuff with other people. And yesterday went by fast because I was looking forward to midnight, because my little sister and I went to see the new Harry Potter. I was surprisingly awake even though it was midnight, but once the movie was over we couldn’t stop yawning. It was really fun to watch all the people that were dressed up as different characters from the movie. And we didn’t mind waiting in line for 20 minutes because we were exited and it was a lot of decorations and so many people to look at.  We also got a poster while waiting, but I don’t know what to do with it now. I grew up reading all of the Harry Potter since I read the book and didn’t remember everything that happened. The movie was just the way I wanted it to be, recommended!  

Here we are on our way to the cinema!

Only the best for the best! Here we are in the VIP hall waiting for the movie to start!

Dollie

I’m enjoying every moment I have left with the best dog in the world! I can really feel that she’s lonely during the hours when I’m at work, but I’m trying to spend a lot of time with here when I’m at home. Every day starts with her waking me up by placing her head on my neck. From where we go for a walk and she follows me wherever I go. She is always in my lap when I’m watching TV and she follows me whenever I run up and down the stairs. Most of the times when I’m on my computer she puts her head on my laptop looking at me, almost like she is asking for attention. While doing this she has no idea that she is actually writing on my computer with head, and I find it adorable. She gets the attention she wants and then she goes to sleep, on my lap or right next to me. She is the best dog in the world and I’m really going to miss her when I move to Australia. I think I might bring her next year but I haven’t seceded yet. All I know is that I have approximately 6 weeks left with her this year and I’m going to make the most of it.

It doesn’t matter what i do to Dollie, pole her, move her in another angle or put stuff on top of her: She stays in my lap!

I forgot to mention that the world’s best dog is afraid of everything, including cats. If this cat moves her head, Dollie will be long gone. 

Changing my ticket?

I called Ebookers today and they finally picked up the phone. Been trying to call for days but I don’t have patience to wait in a line for more than 10 minutes. Anyway the reason I called was to see if I could change my ticket to a week earlier or so. She told me that should cost me 800 kroner but I was willing to pay way more than that. She asked me to wait a moment and when she got back she had bad news. She told me that no seats were available and she checked 9 different days. I realized that she couldn’t look on earlier flights than that because of work. So even though I really wanted to I’m going to have to wait patiently for the takeoff as I planned weeks ago. 

Movie night

My grandmother once told me to take care of myself, in every way. She would encourage me to get dressed, do my makeup and look my prettiest even on a lonely sad day. My grandmother was very controlling when it came to her house, everything needed to look perfect. She would say that if it’s nice around you, you’ll feel better about being there, even if it’s by yourself. Today I got really bored and I decided to take her advice. I decided to have a movie night by myself, but it was going to look nice around me. I made Chocolate Mouse and I put it in a nice crystal bowl. I poured some red wine in a crystal glass and prepared the movie. Now I’m sitting comfortable in a leather couch with a blanket over me and Dollie by 

my side; ready to watch the movie. This is turning out to be a good night!

Looking through old stuff: check.

So today has been good so far. I talked to Luke with Video through Skype, smiling the whole time. We talked about everything and it gave me a great feeling about us, even more when he texted me good night. After that I talked to Ina but their internet failed so I ended up looking through my old stuff to decide what to give away and what to keep.

It looks like a lot but it took me 10 minutes, because I decided to give away most of it. I’m planning on giving it to the Salvation Army, but that would have to wait for my mum to look through it. She needs to decide what is good enough to give away and what to through away. 

Best friend in Australia

As you already know my best friend is in Australia, living with Luke and his family. I’ve told you how this makes me feel, not having her help me through the long distance relationship. But I can follow her day through her blog, and communicate through Skype. I’m trying to keep in touch with both of them every day bit as they are online at the same time I’m afraid Luke gets most my available time. But as the good friend I am (I hope) I talk to her while doing other stuff. As you can see on the photo, I’m brushing me teeth (after doing my makeup) while Skyping with Ina. Haha

Kjempe glad i verdens besteste venn som teller ned dagene til jeg kommer ned <3

Silence scares me?

Lately I’ve been trying not to think of Luke, because every time I do my smile goes away and my eyes get shiny. This is a very sad image for someone in love, but it’s the hard truth of a long distance relationship. I miss Luke and every day I’m trying to keep busy. The reason I’m bringing this up again, is because it helps telling someone. It’s also because it’s Sunday tomorrow and I have nothing fun to do. I usually like a quiet day, without anything to do, but for the first time of my life the thought of a day without any plans scares me. Most of my friends are busy, and my family is far away. There’s plenty I need to do though, like looking through my old stuff to through away. I’ll probably do that, hoping the day will end quickly. Anyway time to go to bed. Good night.

A Skype Relationship

It’s not always easy to have a relationship with only one communication channel, the internet. I’m grateful for Skype and here’s a photo of how my relationship is today. Through Skype I get to see him, hear him, and play Skype - games. As long as we talk every other day, and keep the spirit up, we will be fine. The problem can be internet connection making it hard to hear each other, not able to see each other not even to play a game. But today it worked fine, and it was amazing seeing him again. Looking forward to the next time, but not sure when that is exactly. 

Write to you soon, Love Helene. 

A big deal

A college of mine asked when I’m traveling down under, and how long I’m staying there. I told him I would come back next may, but only for a month. He was surprised that I was going to stay for two whole years. When I told him that the plan is to move down there, he told me it was brave and that he wasn’t sure he would do that for anyone. I thought about it for a while and realized that I need to take one step at the time, because the thought of moving for good is way too big for me at this moment.

 I also realized how big of a deal it is to travel to the other side of the world for love, and that many wouldn’t. But I made a promise to myself that I would always go where my heart wants to be, and that is exactly what I’m doing. I think that’s why my family is OK with me going there, because they now I’ll be happy there. They also know that if my heart takes me home one day I’ll move back. But I have to say that I have never felt this way for anyone, and I doubt that I will come back any time soon.

Translate app!

I’ve been home sick from work today,. Boring as always, so I tried to figure out a solution for my blog language dilemma. I started the blog for my Aunty, thinking that it was a great idea for the rest of the family to check up on me when I move to the other side of the world. But several members of my family thought I should write it in Norwegian. I considered creating another blog, but realized that it would be too much work. It would also be too much work for people to copy my posts and translating it in Google Translate. I wasn’t sure what to do, but writing English comes more natural to me now, than Norwegian. 

So I tried to use my computer skills which I got from the unit “Dynamic webpage development” at UiA. After hours trying to figure it out I stumbled upon a translation widget that I could use. This is why everyone can choose a language in the bottom (right) of this blog, and Google will translate the blog’s content. I’m pretty happy about the result even though the grammar could be better at in the Google Translate app. Try it out =)

The List is working

The days are flying past, because I’m trying to keep myself busy. Working, meeting friends, entertaining Dollie and organizing everything for the 20th of August. I write a list and trying to finish it every day, The list contains everyday stuff such as going to work, making a phone call to someone, paying bills and so on. The meaning is to have something to do at all time, to make the days fly past. And it is working!

 The only problem is when the night comes and everything is silent. Every night I’m online hoping to hear from Luke, which is silly because it’s at the time when he’s at work. I need a plan for the nights, because I never fall asleep before 2 AM even though I’m up at 8AM. If i can find a way to fall asleep around 10 PM every night and the days keep on flying past as they do now, it would all of a sudden be the 20^th of August.

 

Fun!

So I'm moving from Norway, the most beatiful country in the world:




To Australia, the land down under:




But just so there's no confusion:



:D

One step closer

My best friend Ina has arrived Australia, and I can read all about it in her blog. Looking at photos on her blog that she took while hanging out with Luke gave me a weird feeling. I knew Luke was taking her out to eat and I trust them both a 100 % so it's not that. I would love to join them and have fun with them rather than  just read about it online. I’m glad Luke can be there for Ina until I come, and I’m very grateful for everything he has done for her. This is the situation we have been talking about for months and I knew it was going to be hard to be apart from both of them. Even though I knew, it was hard to prepare for it, and it just hit me when I was reading her blog. But Ina arriving Australia is one step closer to our goal. I'm happy that we are one step closer but it is challenging for me in a way I didn’t know it was going to be.

But let’s look on the good side: I’m counting down the weeks, and it’s 7 weeks left today!  

Visa granted

Since I wrote last time I have applied for the Working Holiday Visa on the Australian immigration website. They said that I should apply 6 – 8 weeks before arriving Australia, but it only took 3 days! This means that I can travel in and out of Australia as many times as I want for the next year. I was prepared with to show the 5000AUD in my account and to get a heath control, but it was not requested in my case. Getting the Visa is great news, even though I knew I would be granted a Visa. The only problem now is that I have no idea why I’m not in Australia. I know that staying here is the most reasonable thing to do, because I have no guarantee for a job during my stay in Australia so I need to work some more before traveling.
Another reason to stay is the plane ticket I purchased for August; it would cost a lot to change it. I am staying in Norway for another two months bit it is hard knowing that my best friend is having fun with my boyfriend while I’m thousands of mils away, missing them both.