12 Aug 2012 – Nils Bays vei

Sat: tkx to Mette for a roof over the weekend while M&B are entertaining family with 2 children! Bidding farewell for now and capturing memories from our 1983 Ibiza trip. Appreciations to Mette for sharing the pix from then…

Nydalen is a neighbourhood in the Nordre Aker borough in northern OSL. Since the late 19th century Nydalen has been a largely industrial area. Beginning in the 1990s, it gradually transformed into a mix of lighter service industries and residential areas.

The relocation of the Norwegian School of Management (BI) to the area in 2004 also boosted the area’s development. In 2003, a new subway station opened. Many people have moved into new residential buildings in the late 2000s.

Akerselven/Akers River flows through OSL. It starts at Maridalsvannet in Oslomarka, and follows the urban areas Nordre Aker, Sagene, Grünerløkka, OSL centre and Grønland. The entire river is about 8.2km and has a difference in altitude of app 149m.

This river is OSL green lung and many parks and nature trails are to be found by its path. A walk from along this river from the rural Frysja down through the different parts of OSL all the way down to the city centre is an amazing experience and a walk through the history of OSL. After 150 years of industrial and sewage discharges along river, a local initiative to limit emissions and revive the flora and fauna started in the 1980s.

Interesting pub, graffiti, etc. Parts of the path is diverted due to constructions.

To Mette and Kirsten, blessed to have you both crossing life’s journey.

For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one – Khalil Gibran

8 Aug 2012 – And Museum

The last time here was Oct 2008 with Kari where a most delicate guardian angel was a gift to guide and protect life’s journey. This time round last weekend with Mette&Sturla to see the museum which was missed out on the last trip. Also to experience a fish dinner at the Kokkestua Restaurant***

Hadeland Glassverk/Glassworks in Jevnaker is situated in serene surroundings on the banks of Lake Randsfjorden (app 1+hr drive NW of OSL ). Here one can experience Norwegian traditions, history and culture and see the latest trends and designs in glass. The 250yrs anniversary stamp is a klullflasker (designed in 1874) and the glasses to match/1876. Today the same design is still in available costing app NOK5,000/S$1,200 for the bottle and NOK700/S$146 for each glass.

Local designer Magne Furuholmen from pop-group a-ha/1982

The glass works is the oldest (since 1762) industrial company in Norway that can claim continuous operation since its foundation. With its 190 employees, the glass works today not only represent a large and thriving industry and boasts a significant historical and cultural heritage, whilst at the same time focusing on continuous development and new design and is thereby one of Norway’s most popular tourist attractions.

http://www.hadeland-glassverk.no/english/

You use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul – George Bernard Shaw

6 Aug 2012 – with Ai Weiwei

A weekend of goodbyes to friends while M&B and Olai (his first train ride/6+hrs) are away in Oppdal. Sat with Ingrid & HansK grilling and enjoying the outdoor fireplace. There was a huge fire earlier with an apartment block in town and we could see the smoke from the garden. Appreciations to the Hustads for this lovely day and evening.

Sun: drove by Utøya to pay respect to the victims of the shootings a year ago. It is difficult to imagine that such tragedy took place on this idyllic island.

App 45mins drive north-west of OSL is Kistefos Museet, situated in beautiful surroundings by the river Randselva. This might be the only time it is tempting to be between 4-8yrs again as that is the age limit for the playgrounds 🙂

The former wood pulp mill is today an industrial museum and the only remaining wood pulp mill in Scandinavia. The museum offers annual art exhibitions and the sculpture park i lush and green and perfect for picnics thanks the efforts of investor and art lover Christen Sveaas. 

Thanks to Mette & Sturla for this wonderful day. Hadeland Galssverk will be included in the next posting. What a nice way to say farewell for now.

The featured exhibition here today is Ai Weiwei the communicator – the documenting, analyzing, interweaving artist who communicates via many channels. Weiwei already used photography in his New York years, but especially since his return to Beijing, he has documented the everyday urban and social realities in China.

Ai Weiwei was detained on April 3rd 2011 by the Chinese authorities because of his political activities, and released on bail June 22nd 2011. But Ai Weiwei is still today, banned from leaving the country.


All of Nature Flows Through Us – Marc Quinn/2011

3 Aug 2012 – Movie Buff

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19078948

Vertigo (1958)*****starring James Stewart and Kim Novak is named ‘greatest film of all time’ and also my favourite Alfred Hitchcock’s movies. Seen it in the early 60s and then in the 80s and still remember parts of it. Got hold of a copy to view again and yes, it is still good!

Have been borrowing tons of movies from the library. Recently even joined Video Nova (no membership fees required but it cost to rent) to catch up on newer movies that have been missed since May. Wonder how many of the movies watch over the past 4 decades will still be in the memory after 2020, ie if still kicking…

The Help***Southern-style racial equality in 1960s Mississippi. Having fond memories of Ann Gerken who was from Savannah and recalling her stories from that era. Good acting and a touching movie. Tried to read the book (thanks to Aileen) last summer but found it difficult to read the written lingo of the afro-american slang. As it is, need to even concentrate to understand their verbal communication! 

Best Exotic Marigold Hotel***7 travelers who are financially distressed of retirement age lured by promises to make those final years truly golden — and for a fraction of the price at home at the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel in Jaipur/India.

Upon arrival, they discover a place that is far from the luxurious retreat that its advertising claims. encouraging and interesting to see how they handled the situation. An entertaining movie for this stage of life!

W.E.*** is story of 2 women – Wally Winthrop/WW and Wallis Simpson/WS, separated by more than 6 decades where WW, obsessed with what she perceives as the ultimate love story. About King Edward VIII’s abdication of the British throne for the woman he loved, American divorcée WS and WW’s research reveals that the couple’s life together was not as perfect as she thought… not a Madonna fan but well worth watching it!

Coincidently the link below just posted on FB for the group of International students to add to their adventures after their semester in SIN/SMU. Sometimes do wonder if vertigo is one of the issues but having been with the group to the Forest Adventure in SIN, the issue is probably imaginary!

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/25/travel/worlds-coolest-zip-lines/index.html?hpt=hp_bn8

I tried so hard with movies like Vertigo and Middle of the Night and others. I felt those would show me that it’s only a matter of time before I’d find the right one to reach out and touch people – Kim Novak

1 Aug 2012 – Is the Earth Overpopulated??

The environment has always been on in the mind and keeping updated with issues like the recent weather changes is important in this life’s journey. Food is not the main problem…while it may be true that we could feed a couple of billion more people, it is also true that people around the world are starving right now – and not from a shortage in global food supply, but because of wars, or crops already hit by climate change, or being too poor to afford food.
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20120725-population-overload

Thank you Martin Williams for hosting the 7 May 2009 AT Thru-Hike Talk for the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) in Hong Kong.
http://www.rgshk.org.hk/public/general.php?pageId=87 

Thanks again to Martin for this well written article. Agreeing with him fully, the weather changes do need to be addressed and taken seriously. We all play a role and are culprits contributing to the pollution on this lovely planet. The question is how to limit our needs, comfort zones, wants, greed, etc????
http://www.hkoutdoors.com/hk-island/hong-kong-weather-outlook-warmer-wetter-wilder

The wildlife bridge in the Netherlands provides a crossing for wildlife amidst the danger of highways.
http://www.businessinsider.com/wildlife-bridges-pictures-2012-7

This is just one of the ways we do our part to help with the environment but to be realistic are we really aware that we are destroying our planet and ourselves day by day?? For those who have lived a longer life, we must not forget to take consideration for the future generations!

Not the whole of Planet Earth is overpopulated, but many cities and some areas are certainly so. Would you like to be at this beach in China??? Pix credits to various sites.

http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Overpopulation.aspx

Aug Special Dates:

5 Aug – Happy Bday LAM ChengEn

8 Aug – Keith & Marianne

9 Aug – Happy 47th Bday SIN

18 Aug – Ingrid & Hans K

23 Aug – Guri & Hans Olav

The human overpopulation issue is the topic I see as the most vital to solve if our children and grandchildren are to have a good quality of life – Alexandra Paul

30 Jul 2012 – University of Florida

For the first time in the history of London, a non-British marching band performed on The Mall – just in front of Buckingham Palace. The University of Florida and the Gator Nation is truly everywhere!

https://www.facebook.com/#!/UFGatorBand

The Gator Nation is certainly everywhere, even in the memory with Gator alumnus like Linn (1997/undergrad, 1998/Masters), Jeff (2000/MD) and May (2001/undergrad, no pix for this camera-shy daughter who completed her Masters in Norway). Way to go Gators. L&J’s 11yrs old dog is even named Gator. Amazing with all the years at UF and so proud of them 3 who attended with full scholarships and graduated by keeping their scholarships throughout! Those hours driving to Gainesville from Orlando (app 2hrs) to visit them are good memories!

The University of Florida (commonly referred to as  UF or U of F) is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research U located on a 2,000-acre/8.1 sqkm campus in Gainesville, Florida/USA. The U traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since Sep 1906. UF is ranked 19th overall among all public national universities in the current 2012 US News & World Report rankings and consistently ranks within the top 100 universities worldwide.  It is considered a ‘Public Ivy,’ a designation reserved for the top public universities in the USA.

Study without desire spoils the memory, and it retains nothing that it takes in – Leonardo da Vinci

29 Jul 2012 – to take before you die

Did not even watch the opening ceremony of the Olympics in London or any of the events even when in the same time zone! Have been enjoying time with Olai in the day time and in the evenings DVDs borrowed from the library. Jul is soon over and France and Belgium are in the plans for mid Aug.

May has this interesting book by Steve Watkins and Clare Jones (A Firefly Book printed in China!) with 30 walks and this life’s journey has not even been to any. Will start with Lofoten Islands/Norway with 2 childhood friends, KK & PP in Sep. Was actually planning to bicycle on these islands last year, but the house had to be taken care of then. Looking forward to this trip. The last time in Lofoten was in the early 1980s.

Let’s hope that Sep will be dark enough to experience Aurora Borealis – if we are lucky! Would like to see it once more before this journey is over and would also like to do some of the 30 walks…

Was going to attempt the Coast to Coast/England last month, but Ireland’s calling was stronger!! Just as well or would have been surround by water with the recent floods.

Two more walks that have been in the mind for a long time. Inca Trail/Peru (in the book) and Camino de Santiago/Spain & France (not in the book). These are still on the list.

In the meanwhile will start with Lofoten Islands in Sep and plans for shorter walks in hopes that the body and mind are still up to long distance walking in the future. Pix (except for the maps and the Inca trail which are from various sites) are from this highly recommended book for those who like to walk.

Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness. I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it – Soren Kierkegaard

26 Jul 2012 – Left or Right??

Both ways are correct as long as one is content with the chosen path or road. If not, never too late to turn around and change directions as long as there is life. Sadly some people keep going in the direction even though they are unhappy with the choice. Perhaps there can be too much choices like the spaghetti junctions! Tkx Aikeen for the less or more difficult pix (30 Jul) 🙂

What about the old saying or proverb? You’ve made your bed, now you can lie in it.

For certain situations that may be the case but certainly not for all situations. Not everything is right or wrong, black or white. To be able to find a balance can seem like walking on egg shells and even worse when grey areas appear. Mind is a grey mass, so instead of walking on egg shells or grey areas, took a peaceful walk to  beautiful and green crossroads 🙂 🙂

Beautiful evening at Frognerparken

Colosseum Park with expensive condos, Nordea (bank), shops and places to eat. The feung-shui master will probably have much to say with the modern sharp edges designs 🙂 🙂 🙂

Majorstuen Folkeskolen where Olai will be attending if he continues to live in this area. At present it is under renovations to be ready in 2014.

The school was designed by architect Bredo Berntsen and was built in 1908, extended in 1924 (parts of today’s main building) and rehabilitated in 1987 and 2002. The school building is 5 floors and is built and organized as a traditional classroom education. The school also has two non full physical education halls and its own small swimming pool.

Majorstuen school is on the Cultural Heritage Management Office list which generally limits renovations of the plan and facade-related interventions to the essentials of fulfillment of requirements for universal design, light and fire escape. The conversion will contribute to more efficient areas, and given opportunities for flexible space designed for different educational models.

Random pix within 1-5mins walking distant from the school. The electrical car is the way to go in cities but will need find places to recharge and this parking lot has them. All E-cars here in Norway have registration plates beginning with EL. With trees absorbing the CO2, E-cars etc will hopefully make this area more environmental friendly!

If Ibsen’s ‘Enemy of the People’ were alive today, he would recognize the ethic that has informed capitalist and communist countries alike – economic growth before public health and well-being. The true enemies of the people are those who continue to sacrifice our long-term interests for short-term gains. But perhaps we should all look in the mirror – Susanna York

23 Jul 2012 – Happy Birthdays to grandson James (1) and grandnephew Lucas (4)

Convenient location to be living in. Less than 1 min walk is  Lille Valkynen Kaffe ogTehus whichwill be opening next month. 6 other cafe just around the corners, including fast food chains BK and McD. How do these places survive? The explanation must be that Norwegians enjoy their baked goods and cups of coffee & tea anytime. Have not even included the restaurants, kiosks and grocery stores yet!

Kaffebrenneriet, 2 branches of Baker Hansen (one across the road from the subway) and WB Samson as you leave the subway main entrance.

Across the street is a deli cheese shop, Fromagerie with assortment of smoked hams & sausages and at least 60 varieties of cheese. For cheese fans, this is it 🙂

United Bakeries (next to the cheese deli) is my favourite location here when not crowded, ie 0900hrs opening time! A place with personality and a beautiful wall of old shelves and decorated with coffee grinders & various coffee machines from different era! Had only a cappuccino and a pastry there (thus no ratings) but will try the rest of the food someday when time permits.  Valkyriegata 9-11, Majorstuen
 www.united-bakeries.no

More important, the subway station, bus & tram stops and the local library are all within 2-5mins walk from the street where M&B and Olai live…

For lo! the board with cups and spoons is crowned
The berries crackle, and the mill turns round …
At once they gratify their scent and taste
And frequent cups prolong the rich repast… Coffee (which makes the politician wise
And see through all things with his half-shut eyes) – Alexander Pope

21 Jul 2012 – but where did they go???

All pix are downloaded from various sites.

When one has arrive at the stage and there are 6 grandchildren in life’s journey, good to be aware that even as time has gone by like a blink there has been and still will be many more wonderful blinks. Also to close the eyes is a good way when the blinks are not pleasant… 🙂

Here in OSL/Norway baby sitting youngest grandchild Olai, soon 1yr and the reflexes are still OK, ie still faster than a 1yr! The day when the reflexes slow down is the day when one should not baby-sit. M&B are back to full jobs and trying to be helpful (hopefully in constructive and positive ways!) is one of the joys of being a grandparent.

Olai is a delightful baby, sorry no pix his parents are camera-shy! Enjoying every moment with him as these blinks will never be the same. 2 months ago he could not even crawl and now he is all over the place like a lightning. Stands when he can grip on to a secure hold, making cute blabbing sounds only a grandmother could understand. But this is of course very subjective and most grandparents will also share my sentiments about their own grandchildren 🙂 🙂

NOT going to be easy to leave in Sep but then the consolation will be 5 grandchildren who are across the ocean en route with life’s journey! The mode of transport looks an interesting way to travel for the future 🙂 🙂 🙂

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/things-that-will-make-you-feel-old

Need some distraction after yesterday’s news of the shootings at a cinema in Colorado/USA. Does not help with the upcoming one year reminder of the 22 July 2011 bombing and shootings here in OSL/Norway. So difficult to understand, relate or comment to such sad situations. This kind of news do make me feel old! Prayers and thoughts are always out to the victims and their families, but how can anyone prevent this from happening again, as it will inevitably happen again…

The years teach much which the days never knew – Ralph Waldo Emerson