Remembering the days...

...of sun, sandstone, endless amounts of cracks, vacation and fun. Pictured above is Prince Charming climbing Super Crack (5.10), Indian Creek, Utah. Photo by JPB.

All work and no play

I've only been working for over a week now and there's still one more hectic week to go. I'm leaving tomorrow to go abroad to work. I'm sure it's going to be a lot of fun, familiar faces, interesting but also very tiring. I probably won't be able to put up a proper post until the end of next week. Please bear with me! For now, you can enjoy this very cool photo taken by Prince Charming when he was skiing last weekend. Oh, envy, thou are so green and deep!

The writing's on the stall

If you feel like having a chuckle, check this site out.

Trekking in Nepal - a traveler's guide

Trekking in Nepal - a traveler's guide by Stephen Bezruchka (ISBN 0898865352) was one of the books we purchased at Nomaden a week ago. It's exactly the kind of book I wanted, giving very detailed descriptions of everything you need to know (it seems). The first edition came out in 1972 so I have the 7th edition from 1997 (5th reprinting from 2004). The author must have been very early with his views on how to travel in the most environmentally friendly fashion to cause the least negative effects on both nature and communities. I believe this book will be invaluable while in Nepal. It tells you how to dress as not to insult the locals, that local food is the most energy efficient to cook and therefore preferable, how to hire porters (carriers of luggage) if you should require them, what to expect, how to treat them and so on.

My friend and I have discussed the issue of porters and both feel we want to carry our own load. Should this turn out to be the wrong decision we can hire a local porter along the way. This is actually the best way to hire porters and guides because the money then stays within the local community instead of going to a trekking agency abroad or in Kathmandu. "Trekking in Nepal" says that you some places can even find female porters and guides. The author recommends a female porter if you travel with kids since she will often look after the child and play with it.

http://basia.blog-city.com/international_childs_play.htm

Hiring a porter, Stephen Bezruchka says in his book, is the best way to get a real insight into the Nepali culture, language and way of living. We'll see what happens along the way but hopefully being only two girls trekking we have a greater opportunity to get close to the Nepali way than a larger party would.

It's going to be so exciting seeing how people live in such a different way to what we're used to. We wish to travel in the most sensitive way we can, hopefully learning as much about Nepal and the Nepali people as possible. And I believe that will also give us the best experience!

Jewelry on sale...

This whole "not shopping"-thing isn't going very well, I have to admit. I'm too prone to temptation. And especially now that everything's on sale! Most of the best stuff is of course long gone but a lot of what is left is so cheap now. 50% - 70% off! I was over at the shopping centre this evening to get a birthday present for my Grandma (which I did) and found some really great stuff. I photografed it above. A blue scarf from Neste Stopp for only NOK 39,- (US$ 6.50 / € 5), some earrings from Accessorize (ok, they were full price, but still only NOK 55,- / US$ 9 /€ 5.90) and a wonderful necklace from Next2 at half price stripping me of another NOK 98,- (US$ 16 / € 12.25). All of this for under kr 200,-! But I know, I know. I said "No Shopping". Sigh. I'm such a weak person.

Anyway. The earrings reminded me of the Triple Blossom Earrings I featured in the collage "Southern Comfort of New Years Eve?" from Zoe and Morgan. They're also pictured above. I'm going to take the small dangly flowers away as I think that will look sleeker. The necklace I fell for in a shop window, just asking the price out of curiosity. It was inexpensive to start with and now it was on sale for half price. I HAD to have it. I have a feeling it might become my new signature piece. As I walked out of the shop I came to think of the Marc by Marc Jacobs Cherry Charm Watch Necklace that is all over. It's pictured above. I don't think I'd actually wear the Marc Jacobs watch even if I could afford it because it's so hyped. Ah, what the - after having another look at it: of course I would! It IS cool!

Baggu!

These Baggu Bags are wonderful! I've been looking around for a shopping net to use instead of those plastic ones piling up at home. Canvas totes aren't really my thing and I most often go grocery shopping on my way home from work. These Baggu Bags, however, are made just like a normal shopping bag but out of nylon so they pack down really small. They even come with a small pouch so you can easily carry it around in your handbag. I know I'm not supposed to buy anything but these are good for the environment! And I won't have to spend NOK 1,- per plastic bag to take my groceries home. I know they're all excuses but these ones are worth it! AND they're very cool!

Hooked on knitting?

I don't often knit. I knitted a really long scarf this autumn but I haven't worn it much. A pitty, really. I'll make a mental note of wearing it more often! This animated clip here is very cute and I'm sure it'll appeal to those with a hobby knitting!

Great colours!

This picture is posted on The Sartorialist. His photos are very stylish and fashionable but a bit too high street for me. I'd end up feeling ridiculous if I were to walk around like one of the women he shoots in Paris or Milan. But they do look great! Sometimes he posts an outfit that I really admire. Maybe I wouldn't wear the exact same outfit but something about it is somehow inpsirational. It's strange but it's often just a detail, like a bright red bag to a neutral outfit or just an unexpected way to wear something. The picture above I really like because of the colours. I love neutral colours and the way she mixes camel and grey really makes an impression. And she looks so content and happy with who she is. Her smile makes the photo. Now I have to think if I have something grey and something camel that would work well together. Maybe it'll be a combination of two garments I have never worn before? I'll have to think about that one.

Nepal

Best - picture - gallery -Namche Bazar, Nepal, by Oliphant

Bhaktapur, Nepal A Nepali girl

Copyright: © 2000-2004 Mikey and Lou Samson

I've been writing about saving up for a trip and I guess now it's about time revealing where to: Nepal! Tickets have been booked for Kathmandu in May, and I'm going with a Swedish friend of mine. We're so excited about the trip and have already started planning lots. We're quite lucky to have contacts who can hook us up with the right people in Nepal since we're going by ourselves. Saturday we met in a travel shop called Nomaden (a very good shop too) and bought maps and guide books. From what I've read so far I'm fascinated about the people and the places and not only by the majestic mountains. I'll keep you updated!

I cracked up and crumbled!

I stopped by the shopping centre to do an errand but I couldn't help myself and browsed H&M and Cubus for cheap t-shirts. I've wanted some oversize t-shirts since all mine are skin tight (more or less). I ended up with four(!). I am exchanging one that was tight and at full price from H&M (still very cheap, though) but am keeping the other three. One is a flared top discounted 70% at H&M, one is a normal orange skin tight t-shirt for NOK 30,- from Cubus and the last one is a white t-shirt in size XXL for NOK 30,- from Cubus. This photo from Emma Nygren's blog inspired me to get an oversized t-shirt. A great blog, by the way!

Transition into spring

I'm imagining this as a good way to make the transition into spring. Luckily it's still a lot left of the winter and plenty of opportunities to go skiing but how does one shop the Spring News when they arrive and get to wear them right away? Why not get your summer dress a bit early and wear a turtle neck and thick tights underneath? Or wear your favourite dress from last summer through the winter. Normally I feature very expensive things from designers and websites like Net-A-Porter so this time I wanted to make the collage as cheap as possible. The dress is new for Spring from Ellos and costs NOK 99,-. The boots and the bag are on sale at Ellos for NOK 299 for the boots (they ARE real leather!) and NOK 99,- for the bag. The ring is also on sale from H&M for only NOK 14,50. The earrings are full price H&M at NOK 49,50. So are the tights for NOK 69,50. The turtle neck is from Ellos and costs NOK 179,-. The whole outfit totals to NOK 809,50 or about US $ 135. But I'm sure you'll have something similar in your wardrobe already!

Human Tetris

Very, very funny clip from a Japanese TV Show showing the Human Tetris Game. I watched a few clips from Japanese Game Shows last night and it's so different! Costumes, punishment and a lot about looking stupid in some way. Some of it is really funny, though. Like the clip above. It's fascinating to get an insight into such a different culture.

Glamorous Breakfast

I'm starting work a little later today so yesterday we bought a net of oranges and this morning I made freshy squeezed orange juice while Prince Charming was out buying fresh croissants. I love croissants! It's so lovely to make somthing special out of a totally ordinary morning!

A Big Surprise

What an extremely pleasant surprise! I got a call from a very nice florist in town telling me that they tried to deliver flowers for me yesterday evening but I wasn't at home. So I swung by on my way home from work with a suspicion on who the sender could be, considering the shop. And how beautiful they are! How exquisite! Thank you so much Maryanne! You totally made my day! Or week! Or month for that matter's sake! Wow!

More pictures from New Year's

This is taken December 31st 2007 and we're on our way to the summit. The sun was actually warming which is very unusual at this time of year. It felt like Easter! Later on we had to take our skis off and carry them on our backpacks to the top because the wind the previous day had rendered the slopes rocky and with very little snow.

Christmas is now officially over

It doesn't feel like long ago I decorated the apartment for Christmas with red baubles, small Santas and the whole thing. And already they're being packed away in their black plastic box until next year. At the same time it's nice that life is getting back to normal. I could't help myself from looking at new curtains today but I managed not to buy any. So the old ones from before Christmas were hung up today. I didn't actually find any I liked, to tell the truth. So I shouldn't make a big deal out of not shopping for new ones. This thing about not shopping is proving rather hard! Especially with all the SALE signs in the shop windows everywhere. But I'm still hanging in there!

Swedish Comedian with the truth

UnderbaraClara posted this youtube video on her wonderful blog. It's in Swedish and about equality between the sexes and how we're raised. Magnus Betnèr has a very good point here!

Missy Higgins

Missy Higgins isn't very known here in Norway yet, but a good friend in Australia once sent me her first album "The sound of White". I'm sure we'll hear from her soon!

It's snowing!

This is the view from my window this evening. If you look underneath the suspended streetlight you'll see the snow really coming down. I wish I could go skiing tomorrow! Unfortunately I have to work even though it's a Sunday. I have to catch up since I was off ill in between Christmas and New Year's.

Mum's Sweater

Since I'm saving up for my trip in May and can't go shopping I've decided to go through my wardrobe to see if there's anything I've forgotten about that could be fun to wear again. I remembered this sweater that my Mum made when she was younger. I've never worn it but now maybe I will? I love the pattern and the colours.

Waffles!

Waffles! Yum yum!

I should have posted a photo of the waffles but I didn't think of taking a snapshot until they were gone. So I'm posting a picture of my waffle maker instead. My Parents gave it to me for Christmas and we tried it out for the first time this evening. A success I have to say , although I made too few waffles...

A New Year Has Begun!

Is there a better way to end a year than by a couple of days of ski mountaineering?

Prince Charming and I went to Hemsedal, a famous ski resort in Norway on Saturday to visit a friend that lives there. Another friend of us was already there, so that made four of us for the weekend.

Unfortunately I've only got photos from the first of our two skiing days. The battery of my camera went dead. The sun was shining but it was quite windy on Sunday. Monday was Easter-like with the sun actually warming and no wind at all. A friend took some photos on that second trip, so I'll try and post one when I get them. All the photos here are from the windy Sunday.

Prince Charming in the wind at the summit. I was standing behind the cairn which is a big pile of stones common on summits. It is to mark the summit and in earlier times it was a way to see what summits had been ascended. I was out of the wind since the cairn was so big so I just look rediculous with the big goggles and my neck gaiter pulled up high.