I am not normally the one to blow my own horn (I think) but in this case I think I’ve deserved it.

It’s been a while since I updated last, I would apologize but I don’t actually know where the time went, I didn’t realize it had been ages until people started pestering me again. I’m going to try summarizing some of the things that has happened since I last updated.

I've turned eighteen...

(Yeah, you would think that was something I’d feel like sharing on the day, wouldn’t you?)

Spring has come to Alloa and, when the typical Scottish weather isn’t being its usual temperamental self, that’s rather nice:

One of my mates and her family took me on a road trip around the Scottish country side to make sure I get to experience it while I'm here. We went to a place called Queen Elizabeth Forest Park which shows Scotland's country side from its best perspective. We also visited several small towns and other places like Callendar (which is just lovely) and my personal favourite; Kilmahog. Get it? I’ve also seen Scotland’s only lake(!) and walked along Loch Lommond which we visited by coincidence but just so happened to be one of two loch’s in Scotland that I’ve really wanted to see. You see, I know a song about this loch (at least I know the chorus) and I promise to sing it to everyone who’ll listen once I get home, cause it’s just that awesome.

Then, one sunny Tuesday morning, I received a nomination for an award at my school… Or at least I would have received it, had I been there. It just so happened that I missed the bus that morning and at my school they don’t let you into the assemblies if you’re late so I was sitting in the hub, blissfully unaware of what I was missing out on. However, I did get it later on once I managed to find the teacher who had it and full of pride wowed to have it framed. Something I still intend to do, once I get around to buying one. My teacher found it rather amusing.

Lena was here again at one point, so no, she’s still not dead. She just doesn’t care I guess, that or Blackpool really is such a horrible place that she can’t find one good word to say about it.

…when I think about it, she did seem awfully relieved when I first saw her after she came here.

Easter Holiday’s were good, it lasts for two weeks over here and my family went away to go skiing so I got the house to myself for a whole week. It was nice because between Lena being here and my mates coming over, I was barely alone at all.

I went to a fun fair with my host sister one day down in the park just along the road from where I live and that was an experience to put it mildly. The fair is run by gypsies and safety is not a word in anyone’s vocabulary as far as the rides go.

I tried this one (£2 for a ride – a scam, I know) and even though it was quite funny I will be surprised if no one is killed or at least severely injured by the time the fair has come to an end. It’s like a big wheel where the partakers are seated along the circle on a bench; no seatbelts or anything, nor are you at any point asked to take of your shoes or leave your bags or any loose items before going on the ride. The ride itself consists mostly of the big wheel spinning rapidly and bouncing up and down at regular intervals, not to mention that they tip it until it’s almost at a 90 degree angle while it’s going. The idea is that gravity is supposed to keep you rooted to your seat during the whole ride. In reality however, it doesn’t work quite like that. If going on this ride you should be prepared to hold on to the inconveniently placed railing behind you for dear life or face the consequences and thus become one of those people who fall out of their seats and spend and extended amount of time on the floor of the ride where you desperately try to get yourself back into a seat – any seat. It’s even worse if the ride is full as everyone keeps sliding around on the bench and will from time to time inadvertently push someone out. In either case, whether you manage to stay in your seat or not, you should be prepared for some good humored bashing and bruises to show for it.

And then we have a more recent happening; the school prize giving. I’ll admit I was quite pleased just to be allowed to come as I’ve never taken part in anything like it, actually getting something was an added bonus. I won (and here comes the boasting part which I already feel embarrassed about on my own behalf) first in Int.2 Drama, which sort of means that I’m best in my Drama class. Int.2 being an abbreviation for intermediate 2 which is the level of drama I’m taking. Who says acting doesn’t make you rich?

Doesn’t look to impressive I guess but I'm actually really proud of it. I also won, and this might just possibly be the first time in my life I have ever won anything sports related, a bronze sports award for my “outstanding performance in girls rugby”. I'm on the school’s girl rugby team by the way, have been almost since the beginning of the year, I'm not sure I mentioned that.

And last, but most certainly not least, I won the prize I was nominated for earlier in the year, it says “Alistair McLachan Trophy for best senior performance in the art of speaking”. I received it due to a presentation I held as a part of the English course I'm doing which was apparently very good. It’s one of a limited amount of special awards and it’s been given out six times now. I can proudly announce that I am not only the first foreigner to receive it, but also the first girl. And guess what, I get to keep it for a year! They’re even letting me bring it back to Norway as long as I promise to return it by this time next year.

Isn’t that a pretty thing? I must admit I was a little disappointed that they managed to spell my name wrong when they engraved it (e.g. my first name is now Ann) but I was told later that they had misspelled a boy called Marc’s name as well and his name is as common as rain in Scotland so I’ve decided not to be offended.

In general, I’d say things are going pretty good. We’re planning our mock-up day on school now (the last day of term where we’re allowed to just mock about – make sense, eh?) and prom will be happening at some point as well. I still don’t have a dress but one of my friends has taken the responsibility to find me one and she is taking it very seriously so I’m sure everything will work out. And it’s sunny a good deal of the time which makes me quite pleased if I may say so.

The Christmas Edition...

...Belated much? Aye, but I'm posting it anyway.

Before I came here, everybody asked me whether or not I would spend Christmas abroad. When I told them I would they all said something along the lines of; poor thing. Once here, everybody at one point started asking if I was going home during the holidays, when I told them no they responded in pretty much the same manner. Personally I have never seen the problem in spending Christmas here and quite frankly, I thought it was brilliant.

I’m guessing most people would think it would be weird not celebrating on the 24^th of December, as the norm is in Norway, but I can’t say I thought too much about it. It was just like any other lazy day in the holiday, with the exception that I talked to both my families on the phone. Ever my brother wanted to talk to me, imagine that! The 25^th however I did find a bit queer, both because of the informality of it all and the happenings through the day. Oddest of all though was the opening of presents in the morning. For those who don’t know this, I am generally speaking more than a little half dead in the mornings, and opening all ones Christmas presents in something bordering on a comatose state was certainly interesting to say the least.

On the 27^th my host family went skiing in Italy – lucky bastards – and I went down to London to visit my aunt and spend the rest of the holidays there with Lena. Remember her? She’s the one that’s supposed to be in Blackpool this year – and telling you all about it. Yes! She really does exist. And no, she has not died.

We spent two memorable days in London in which we actually managed to get around the city by ourselves without getting lost in the tube. But I guess that’s just how it is with such a brilliant guide as myself. Seriously though, for all my bad luck stalking me whenever I try getting anywhere that could be called a journey I actually know my way around London. And I’ve actually got some pictures from the trip as well.

After wasting pretty much all of the first day with shopping – shocking isn’t it? – we visited Tate on the second day after recommendation from my aunt. Which was very cool, but apparently it’s not allowed to take pictures in there. Of course, Lena and I realized that a bit late…

After that I successfully managed to get us to Picadilly Circus where we visited Hamley’s, the toyshop. When I first visited London, that was one of the things that made the biggest impression on me (never mind that was quite a few years ago) and it might sound childish but I still think it’s something worth seeing if you’re around because I dare say it will make quite the impression. Me, never acting my age anyway, was having a blast.

(Here would be a good place to have pictures)

On the 30^th – I think – Lena and I got on a train and, after some minor mockups courtesy of me, managed to get ourselves down to Devon where we spent New Year’s with some friends of my aunt. Our last train – which was really a horrid bus on rails – brought us to the tiny town of Barnsville (which Lena insists on calling Barnstaple by some reason) where my uncle came to pick us up and drive us to the house where we were staying, for those of you who know your way around Devon, a small place called Lee close so Ilacombe and Ilfacombe. I’m sure that made plenty of sense to most of you.

(And here would have been nice too...)

The celebration of New Year’s Eve itself was great – my aunt’s friends were all lovely – waking up the next day with an ear infection and discovering that you had somehow lost your voice while sleeping however was not as great. We went back to London the next day and Lena left for Blackpool the day thereafter again. The plan was that I, who had been blissfully hyped up on painkillers since that wonderful morning, should leave the same afternoon. We decided instead to put it off for a day and visit the doctor instead, who in his turn had a quick look down my throat and in my ears, wrote me a prescription for antibiotics after me and sent me on my merry way.

To sum it up quickly; after that, I left London the next day and spent about a week in bed in Scotland feeling thoroughly sorry for myself, willed myself to get well (the meds might have had something to do with it as well but they’re not gonna claim the honor, are they?), came back to school and have been busy with prelims and NAB’s ever since. It’s all been jolly fun, I tell you. But to those of you who feels like there had been a huge gap since I wrote something last, I just have to say that to me it feels like it was yesterday. And now I’ve written a massive post (which Biljana no doubt will complain about) to make up for it as well, so you can all consider yourself as in the know.

PS! Some may notice that there are next to no pictures in this post, they will be put up later – more specifically when Lena has sent them to me… which I guess will be never. But you’re creative; you can fill in the blanks.

Snow is falling…

…all around me,

Children playing,

Having fun…

It’s the season,

Of love and understanding,

Merry Christmas everyone!

(© Colgems-emi Music Inc)

And so this is Christmas...

Again the updates are coming slowly, what’s going on you may ask? I have no idea myself. I really don’t, I recon I just don’t fancy writing blog posts right now. My apologies to all of you anyway.

But here’s something new for all of you. Christmas is coming up, okay so it’s basically here, and as the responsible person I am (or at least the responsible person I’ve become - no joke) I actually finished most of my Christmas shopping early this year, hence why you all will receive presents from me in the nearest future. Hopefully... cough mum cough. And how awesome is that people? Of course, the people in the same country as me may not be so lucky. But hey, where’s the fun in Christmas if you don’t run around like a lunatic the last days before the big night (or the big morning as it is in my case) desperately trying to wrap up everything you’ve postponed for weeks? Beats me I’ll tell you.

My personal opinion is that Edinburgh is worth the trip any time, but at Christmas…wow.

Let’s just say that when I left my wallet was a good deal lighter, as it tends to become when I visit this city, but my list of presents to organize before Christmas was still as long as it had been when I arrived.

My picture taking skills are the same as always though…

… Sorry ‘bout that.

I’m taking the opportunity right now to send a collective thanks to everyone in my family who has sent me Christmas presents, and I’m going to thank my friends beforehand even though I doubt I’ll see much of anything from them before march sometime (considering Biljana is in charge of sending them). Nevertheless I want you all to know that it’s very much appreciated and that it warms my heart (although I feel a little stalked by the post service). Cheers everyone!

And finally I just have to show off my new kick ass socks to my dad, which I bought solely in honor of him of course. Ta da!

Jealous much?

Package hunting

Coming down for dinner some days ago I was met by a small red slip waiting for me at the table, telling me that someone had sent me a package, that no one had been home at the time the post person arrived and that I could come pick it up. Excited and quite curious I left the house in the early morning – well, as early as my mornings ever are – the next day and walked to the post office.

Once there I was kindly explained that; no, they did not have my package. I would have to go somewhere else to pick it up and unless I had a car it would be something of a walk. Did I mention it was raining? The clerk drew me a map and sent me on my way. Now, since I believe very few people reading this knows their way around Alloa I’m not going to describe all the roads I walked in detail, I’ll just tell you they were many. I also asked quite a few people for directions, to the ‘ATM’ as the clerk had marked the place holding my packet as on the map. Oddly enough no one had even heard of it, which I found a little peculiar, not so strangely – no one could understand the map either. It really was a poor map- I would show you but after having been rained on and then crumpled in my hand it really wasn’t worth carrying around, and I may have lost it at some point too. Possibly.

Finally, somewhere down a street I had never been before, I asked another random bypassed if they could point me in the direction of the ‘ATM’. This lady had never heard of it either but took me into the shop where she was going anyway to ask the shopkeeper as she figured she’d probably know since she worked in town. The shopkeeper had never heard of it either but after a brief debate with the woman I met on the street they managed to work it out between themselves where I was supposed to go.

Apparently, Alloa keeps a separate post office where you can pick up your packages. And somewhere near this office there is a tire service, known as the ATM. It also turned out that this office really was quite far away, not to mention all the time I had already spent searching for it, but the lady I had asked for directions was kind enough to take me down there in her car. And then, as it turned out we live on the same street, wait for me and give me a lift home as well. The kindness of strangers never ceases to amaze me.

Finally back at the house I had at least managed to figure out who the package was from, but I was still very much curious as to what was inside it.

As it turned out, my super sweet stepmother had knitted and sent me a throw along with other bits and bobs, like this star which my sister made especially for me. Admittedly it came with clear directions to hang it on the wall but I’ve never paid all that much attention when people tell me to do things and I figured the window was close enough.

And here is the famous blanket! Picture taken off my stepmother’s blog – because she’s much better at taking pictures than me and it would be a shame not to show this lovely thing from its best side.

Finally I feel like giving a small birthday shout out for my grandmother who has been faithfully following this blog, despite the lack in updates recently, and whose birthday it is today! Happy birthday grams, you know who you are because only one of my grandmothers actually reads my blog.

I’m a prefect! …Now send me my baby photos!

Yes it’s true, and in my opinion so cool; I’m a prefect! I knew Scotland was the place to be, just check this badge out!

Lena had her autumn break a couple of weeks back and I managed to talk her into getting on a train and come visit me for a few days. After the obligatory travelling incidents (I never travel anywhere without some sort of accident and I like to make sure that people who travel to visit me has to go through something similar) she finally arrived in the middle of the night, effectively stranding both of us in Stirling. Just in case I haven’t mentioned it before, Stirling is the closest large city to Alloa; it’s about fifteen minutes with the bus and sort of big. I don't really know, anything becomes big compared to Alloa. At last we finally did manage to get back and I spent the weekend trying to do some speed sightseeing, with myself as our tour guide despite me not really having seen any monuments myself, by showing her both Edinburgh and Glasgow in two days. My autumn break had already passed of course, which meant I had to go to school once the weekend was over and Lena had to entertain herself for some time. As I had expected, she used a lot of the time to sleep. Or so I’m told.

Anyway, you might wonder what on earth this has to do with my newfound prefect status. Or maybe you’ve all just figured this was some clever way of me to change the subject. But no, you see I got my badge the Monday Lena was here and I told her sheepishly, or not so sheepishly, that I was mainly in it for the badge. Seriously though, how can you blame me? Lena at least thought that was perfectly understandable.

In reality however, being a prefect is a little more than just wearing a cool badge. You have prefect duties which mean you patrol the halls or something, I haven’t really sorted that part out yet, and you’re also obliged to help out on parents’ evenings and such. And of course you have to set a good example for the other students, e.g. not coming in late or forgetting your things ect, ops?

At the moment, there’s not that much going on. I am battling a virus that may or may not be on my computer, and at this point the virus is winning. This week is really short; I don’t exactly know why but we’re free both Thursday and Friday, something I at least have no complaints about, and later this week I’m going to the cinema with some girls from school to see the new Twilight movie. Which is really just an odd thing to call it as it is named, and I should know this very well, New Moon.
Let’s look at that again, shall we?

I’m slightly worried I’m going to turn out like a Percy-ish prefect.

I feel kind of proud for keeping my post so short for once; normally I just can’t shut up, can I? I have to admit I have had a pretty bad writers block lately and this is the sort of thing that just gets worse the longer you wait. But, here it is. A new post, just for you! And the person you have to thank for that this time around is, wait for it, my mum. (And now you get the explanation for the second part of the title as well.) Because she has been holding my baby photos hostage; blackmailing me into writing this. So a big applause to my mum who has forced me to write and by that has given you all something to read. Ain’t that just wonderful?

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK

Alloa vs. Blackpool, round three!
Scoreboard:
Alloa: 2
Blackpool: 0
Challenge of the week: Coolest school

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Blackpool; Lena’s school – Blackpool Sixth Form College:

Alloa; Ane’s school – Lornshill Academy:

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Now remember to press the button at the bottom of the page that says Alloa, I mean vote! Remember to vote! You have one week!