26 May 2011 – … And Thoughts!

Joplin, Missouri (CNN) – Residents of tornado-ravaged Joplin, Missouri, continued picking up the pieces, totaling the damages and counting their blessings Wed, killing at least 125 people… thoughts and prayers out to the people affected.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/US/05/25/missouri.tornado/index.html?hpt=T2

Linn’s cross-country and track coach, Tom Hammontree made a comment on FB: Linn I thought of you yesterday about OKC and am glad you don’t live there any longer. Thanks Coach for the thoughts, feel the same too! Linn & Jeff lived in Oklahoma City for a short period and that is part of the USA known as tornado alley! OKC is also where Katy is born and where the 1995 bombing killing 168 people.

Yesterday was a beautiful afternoon and had to be in Oslo on legal matters with the same lawyer handling all my legal situations since early 1980s. She is good! The bus to and from Oslo is NOK 90/S$20, must find out how much the bus cards here cost! Have to be more efficient about living here or end up using too much time on walking, smelling the flowers and getting nothing done! This morning sitting in the dining room with the overgrown lawn and weeds in clear view is no escape for the tired hands 🙁

The mind has been receiving strange inputs lately, like making cheesy comments on FB and  trying to find a good international word for cheers. Received some responses but came to the conclusion that maybe the best international way is still sign language by lifting up your glass… again shows that action speaks louder than words 🙂

Maybe breathing in too much of strong detergents and paint fumes are getting into the head! Or is it the side-effect of living in Viking-Land again! Received a comment that the postings are too short with words, which have never been my forte. If there is a one-liner to say it all and say it clear, that is the best! Apologies but will for the most remain short, like the blog owner… LOL

Sweet flowers are slow and weeds make haste – William Shakespeare

24 May 2011 – When All Doors Led to LaLaLand…

The last two days have been windy, can’t say much about the colour of the wind but quite serene to hear especially inside a nearly empty house. Spent a whole morning scrubbing the vent above the stove. Do not understand how people could make food in such filthy conditions! Was tempted to buy a new vent but the old thing still functions perfectly well and would be a waste to get a new one just because of laziness. Thank goodness for a bag of old rags in the attic which was most useful!

If only these layers of grease could tell their stories, that could have been interesting – just a few distractions to keep sane when doing such a tedious and non-thankful job which will shorten life breathing in the fumes of these strong detergents 🙂

Found the first poster of this design, Doors of Dublin bought in Dublin during the late 1960s and later framed it after the move to Norway. Another piece of my first is an embroidery of Norwegian vintage design of a klokkestreng/Bellpull, wall embroidery made in the early 1970. Do not even remember why these are in the attic.

Denise a FB friend posted a Simplicity 7975 Misses’ Pullover Caftan she made when she was age 19! Oh yes! do we remember those patterns, so useful for making the children’s clothes as well as Linn’s school dances’ dresses. Hmmm… Denise we were young and clever then or maybe just young 🙂 🙂

Those were the days, my friend
We thought they’d never end
We’d sing and dance forever and a day
We’d live the life we choose
We’d fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way
La la la la la la
La la la la la la – Mary Hopkin

22 May 2011 – … in the Attic

1981 when we moved into the house, the attic had no floor, thus was not usable or the insulation would be destroyed. The flooring was later placed only to the area where one can stand without too much of head-bumping! No children nor flowers in the attic, but children’s books and toys!! Went thru’ all the stuff in 2008 and threw away many loads of garbage. Was going to give the rest of the stuff to the salvation army or to whoever needed them. Linn & May had then voiced that they would liked for me to store the books and toys.

A Doll’s House was published on December 4, 1879, and first performed in Copenhagen on Descember 21, 1879. The work was considered a publishing event, and the play’s initial printing of 8,000 copies quickly sold out. The play was so controversial that Ibsen was forced to write a second ending that he called ‘a barbaric outrage’ to be used only when necessary… highly recommended play to read and watch if performed well!
http://www.enotes.com/dolls-house

When you’ve sold yourself once for the sake of others, you don’t do it a second time – Ibsen’s A Doll’s House Act 3
http://amylamsg.com/2008/08/17/henrik-johan-ibsen/

For those who have read and know this play, just a tease and my version to the ending of Ibsen’s play A Doll’s House! Nora returns to the attic to find two doll houses which have been kept for the next generation’s plays… hahaha 🙂 🙂 🙂

21 May 2011 – Judgement Day@1800hrs!

89yrs old tele-evangelist Harold Camping has predicted that at 1800hrs local time in each of the world’s regions the Rapture will happen and good Christians will be beamed up to heaven… which will not happened! But if it is does, heaven is fully booked with only good Christians, but not being one, would instead like to film this beaming on video to show to those who are not yet@1800hrs or not being beamed 🙂 🙂 🙂
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13468131

Spent Fri night here in an empty house but strangely it was rather peaceful and serene to hear one’s own breathing, foot steps etc echoing thru’ the house. Today have been checking around while it is daylight to assess what really needs to be done and believe me, there is quite some work there for the next 2 months. Took a walk to the nearest shopping center to discover some new short-cuts thru’ the woods. Even with these so-called short-cuts, would take app 15mins fast walk downhill. To get back is uphill all the way and that would take app 30mins… no wonder the AT was possible, considering all that walking done when living in Norway 🙂 🙂

Instead of following Harold’s signs, here are better signs to follow! To get to the suburb of Kolsås, take a bus from Oslo. After you get off the bus, follow these pictures to the neighbourhood of Løkenhavna taking Glitterudvn, thru’ the woods and you will find a little piece of peace@Piggsoppgrenda. Welcome 🙂

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds – Edward Abbey

20 May 2011 – A Garbage Affair!!

St. Hanshaugen/St. John’s Hill is a borough of the city of Oslo and the park is planted by the city in the years 1876-86, just 2mins walk from the apt. In the 1840s the inhabitants of Oslo began to use the park as site for their Midsummer Eve/St. Hans bonfire. St. Hanshaugen means Midsummer’s Eve Hill. It has a stage used for outdoor concerts and is hilly with great views to downtown Oslo; also the site of Kongene på Haugen, an annual local music festival.

This early morning with the weather on my side, took a beautiful stroll, watching life goes by at this green park. Some school kids were having their field-trip, people jogging and walking their dogs etc peaceful feelings. There is an impressive size garbage disposer and a disposer for the one-time used grills. Other public parks need to take note of this good idea! Enjoying this day before having to move out to an empty house tomorrow to start work on it. A good weekend  to everyone 🙂

If you put garbage in a computer nothing comes out but garbage. But this garbage, having passed through a very expensive machine, is somehow ennobled and none dare criticize it – Rory Bremner

19 May 2011 – …via a Historic Route!

Wed: lost count of the times of this walk but it still never fails to fascinate me. App 20mins walk is like walking thru’ many centuries on Ullevålsveien starting@St Hanshaugen Post Office towards the cemetery and downhill to the library. With a perfect morning walking weather, it took about twice as long with the new camera! Had to be at the library to print out some documents and courier them to Malaysia costing NOK573/S$128 taking 3 days and that is the speed post!!

Vår Frelsers gravlund is a cemetery created in 1808 as a result of the great famine and cholera epidemic. Its grounds were extended in 1911. The cemetery has been full since 1952. The cemetery is known primarily for Æreslunden/Norway’s main honorary burial ground. Many famous people are buried there,  just naming two which are internationally known are Henrik Ibsen & Edvard Munch. It is serene to stroll here.

Schola Osloensis or Oslo katedralskole/Oslo Cathedral School founded 1153, the only high school in Norway that offers the study of Latin & Russian. More commonly as Katta is a prestigious secondary school. Edvard Munch and the King of Norway attended this school!

St Olav Domkirke/St Olav Cathedral. A Catholic church inaugurated in 1856 and boasts a tabernacle in Italian marble, donated by Pope Pius in 1857, a bishop’s throne used by Pope John Paul II on his visit in 1989.

Vor Frue Hospital/Our Lady’s Hospital: St Joseph Sisters built this hospital in 1896 and ran it until the 1980s when Oslo municipality took over the building. Today with 39 beds, this hospital treats mostly patients with schizophrenia, long-lasting psychoses, severe personality disorders and mental illness combined with substance abuse.

Trefoldighetskirken/Holy Trinity Church was consecrated in 1858 and is one of the capital’s most beautiful churches.

Deichmanske Bibloteh/Deichmanske Library serves the county of Oslo and is Norway’s largest public library based upon a testamentary gift from the estate of Chancellor Carl Deichman/1705-1780. Through this gift, the library was bequeathed a collection of handwriting and books, nearly all of which are preserved today. The building from 1933 is much too small for the current level of activity. Plans are now underway for a new public in the vicinity of the Oslo fjord and City Hall. This will be a 24-hour Library, web-based services in addition to traditional on-site services.

Thank you to Ingrid for a yummy dinner, nice to end Wed by catching up and appreciations for the ride to and from her house in the cold rain. What started to be a lovely morning ended in rain. Luckily no rain on 17 May 🙂

A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life – Henry W Beecher

18 May 2011 – News & Sentimental Memories!

Dominique Strauss-Kahn, IMF chief jailed on Rikers Island, charged with attempted rape. What do you think the consequences will be when the charges are released on Fri? Guilty or not, his political career has come to a dead-end!
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/05/17/new.york.imf.head/index.html?hpt=T2

Wow, this is quite something. The Queen visits Ireland. The last time a British monarchy visited Ireland was nearly a century ago! At last some form of dialogue is in the progress…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13425722

Spent yesterday watching the celebrations and parades around the world. Yesterday was also Vesak Day, a public holiday in SIN too. Buddha’s Bday provided beautiful weather here for Norway’s Bday! Started celebrating 17 May since 1968 and have been doing so every year no matter where in the world and even after the children are grown. Memories from the 1st 17 May 1968 – in Dublin/Ireland where a breakfast was organised outside the apartment of 33 Mitchell House in Appian Way. Made 3 types of sursild/pickled herrings then. 17 May 1978 – where there was still snow in Tromsø/Norway! 17 May 1981 – invited the neighbourhood into the new house@Piggsoppgrenda 6/Kolsås, Norway as it was raining.

Pix postings are taken from yesterday’s Norsk Rikskringkasting NRK/Norwegian TV. Delighted for the nice weather but just as happy to be a couch-potato munching on Norwegian hot-dogs and ice-cream! The parade started 1000hrs with Hans Majestet Kongens Garde HMKG/Royal Guards (such handsome young men!) marching in amazing precision. The commentator said that it was one of the greenest 17 May ever, with full bloom of all the trees@Karl Johan Gate.

Learnt that there were 108 elementary schools which the royal family had to stand waving to from the palace balcony and that took over 3hrs! Universitetets Aula/ceremonial hall@the University of Oslo has been closed to the public the past 3 years, reopening in Jun and looking forward to viewing Munch’s mural Solen/The Sun again. This location has one of the largest collection of Munch’s work besides the Munch Museum.

Nature is not only all that is visible to the eye… it also includes the inner pictures of the soul – Edvard Munch

17 May 2011 – Hurra for syttende mai

Grunnlovsdagen /The Norwegian Constitution Day is the Nasjonaldagen /The National Day. Among Norwegians, the day is referred to simply as syttende mai/17th May is an official national holiday observed on May 17 each year. This is the second time back here for 17 May since moving away in 1985.

The Constitution was signed at Eidsvoll on 17 May 1814 which declared Norway to be an independent nation but was still under Swedish rule. After much debate between 1814-1905, 17 May was agreed to be the National Day. A noteworthy aspect of this day is its very non-military nature. All over Norway, children’s parades with an abundance of flags form the central elements of the celebration. The parade concludes with the singing of the national anthem Ja vi elsker dette landet/Yes we love this country. People typically wear red, white, blue ribbons and their beautiful bunad/traditional outfits.

Am not patriotic enough to brave the crowds unless there are really valid reasons to do so, been there done that! The children are grown and no grandchildren here yet that my presence is needed to support any parades! Pix credits go to Aftenposten/Norwegian newspapers and various sites.

I have no country to fight for; my country is the earth, and I am a citizen of the world – Eugene V Debs

Our hearts where they rocked our cradle,
Our love where we spent our toil,
And our faith, and our hope, and our honor,
We pledge to our native soil.
God gave all men all earth to love,
But since our hearts are small,
Ordained for each one spot should prove
Beloved over all – Rudyard Kipling

16 May 2011 – Welcome Welcome Welcome…

For those who have voiced interest to visit, check blog postings and

Do your own research on flights and dates online, it does take time and flexibility to get the best fares. The regular airlines sometimes offer promotion fares and there again check online regularly. Apologies cannot help there as you are the one traveling, thus know what dates and price ranges are within your budget. I flew budget airlines all the way and booked the long distances section with AirAsia at least 6 months in advance. Check posting: After Four Airports.
http://amylamsg.com/2011/05/12/four-airports/

http://amylamsg.com/2008/09/25/kolsas/
From the house, the nearest grocery and bus-stop is app 15/20mins walk. Do NOT have a car. House is located in Kolsås, a suburb and to take the bus/40mins one way into Oslo cost app S$9. Hotels are expensive. Even when staying in the house, you will need to budget in your food and travel expenses. Just having a cheap snack of a hotdog and and soda is app S$12.

You have to be an independent visitor doing the tourist things on your own. Will be here working until end July. Away in the USA month of Aug. Back again in Norway in Sep when it starts to get cooler and will not be able to entertain anyone as grandchild is due then.

Kat, niece from NY said after she was here a week,  Auntie Amy, Norway has the Fjordiest fjord where even a cup of coffee at the gas station cost US$6! Told her that out to the 11yrs living here, only went out to eat (ie at a place where you pay!) at most the times you can count the fingers on one hand! BTW, very seldom aurora borealis/northern lights south of the Arctic Circle (Oslo is way south). Winter is the time for the northern lights, mainly above the Arctic Circle and still there is no guarantee you will see them there, as the saying goes, the only guarantee is that we pay tax and we die!

This is NOT to put you off but to give some realistic figures on how much things cost here. Do your research work well so as not be surprised with $$$. Hope that this will answer some of the questions. Happy to help where ever possible from my side. Good luck with surfing online for fares and info!

Sun: there was a hail storm and rained most day after a beautiful Sat! Tomorrow is the National Day and Buddha’s Bday. Let’s hope that the weather will be nice to all the flag-waving parades!