Our main goal for the day was to drive up the west coast of Mani to see the Diros caves. The caves are unusual in that it’s half-filled with water, so you go through most of it by boat. The roof of the cave is very low at times, and we all had to bow our heads down quite far, which was quite loudly told us by our guide who steered the boat for us. It was a spectacular view inside though... you are viewing thousands of years of water doing its work through the lime stone cave system and it leaves you pretty awe struck with its natural beauty... it is like a different world or planet!
The underground river is moving through the limestone that makes up the cave system. It said in my guide book that cave divers have attempted to explore the cave and it is believed that the river system goes as far north as Sparta. Human remnants from the Neolithic times have been discovered in the caves. Which is to be expected because it is one of the only sources of fresh water in the area.
Diros Caveshttp://www.greeklandscapes.com/greece/peloponnese05_diros.html
Diros Caveshttp://www.greeklandscapes.com/greece/peloponnese05_diros.html
]]>
Looking through my pictures, this is about the only one I shot this day! Lazy day at the beach mostly again, gearing up for our two day road trip the next few days.
]]>
She called the dolphin Delphi - very fitting for a dolphin bought in Greece!
Friends!
Overview of the whole beachside
Beautiful evening light
We ate a ridiculous amount of Olives, especially Emma - that and feta cheese are some of her favorite food, so she was pretty much in heaven the whole time we were here
]]>
The castle of Bourtzi
Emma in Napflio
Streets of Napflio
Sara at dinner in the evening, back in Tolo
Restaurant
Moonlit sea
]]>Lots of seafood obviously in a fishing village
Sara and I had our own pedicure session, making our toenails pretty for going to Greece the very next day :)
]]>Shot this just down from where I live, while waiting for my ride to work... I had a meeting quite early and having to get the girls ready for school as well as an almost one hour long bus commute would have made me late for it... so good thing my friend Bjørn Olav works at the same place, and that he was going a bit early as well this day, so I could hitch a ride with him - it only takes a bout 10-15 minutes to get to work by car. Sad but true! While I am glad there is a way to get to work by public transport, it does suck it takes such a long time.
]]>]]>
Black and white version
Performing!
The beautiful park
Sara and her best friend goofing around. Most of the time spent at the park, the two of them were playing Harry Potter - running around re-enacting scenes from the films/books. They are both obsessed with the books and films, which is so awesome!
I love trees. I feel deeply connected to them, and they have always played a vital role as a source of spiritual inspiration and comfort to me. The older and more crocked/tall, the better. With big, deep roots. In mythology, trees are regarded as very powerful, and almost every mythological system has a powerful tree as part of their myth. In Norse mythology we have Yggdrasil, or the evergreen world tree. It represents the world's meridian and serve as a connection between people, the powers of the heavens and the earth. In mythology, trees take on magical powers and become the centre of our fascination – they offer us a sense of the unknown. Of our past even beyond ourselves. They offer us a living reminder of events so wondrous as to be beyond our comprehension. To be able to see and touch such a tree is a powerful experience, although we cannot physically draw from it any of that power - we are unable to grasp the complexity of these feelings, the tree has a superiority over us.
A sense of belonging is something many people strive to achieve in a community. The tree with its firm base symbolises that concept of ‘roots’ and an element of an ongoing relationship with our surroundings. The canopy drawing in energy from its environment is symbolic of our need to absorb our cultural heritage in order to feel in tune with our evolution from times past. The drive to find an historic link with our present lives is almost instinctive and propels us forward as if on a quest to attain status and find a reason for being. The material strength of the trunk and its part in holding the tree together is perhaps symbolic of our need for inner strength.
(Tim Partridge)
A different shot and edit
]]>
The view up towards the mountain situated right behind where I live...
]]>
]]>
I made this Italian chicken dish called Pollo alla Diavola for dinner today. It was very good! My 8 year old daughter ate so much, and claimed it as one of her top 3 favorite dishes. The dish had chicken breaded with a mix of bread crumbs, garlic, chili, salt and pepper, and the side dish depicted here was braised spinach and mushrooms with salt, pepper and lemon. Scrumptious!
]]>
The passage that runs in-between the gardens of our apartment complex and the one behind us. My place is the one at the very end there, second floor... the balcony that belongs to me is the sort of hidden behind those branches there, not the top one.
]]>This last week with the warm weather everything exploded nature wise. It had been so cold up until a week ago - May 17th the girls had to wear wool underwear under their dresses, and it was almost sleeting! The trees were not green, and hardly any flowers had sprung. But now, with temperatures up towards mid 80s Farenheit, it was only a few days at the cabin before we were bombarded with lushness and colors and fragrances! Absolutely amazing. It is the little things. :)
Emma went fishing with her dad and Grandad today as well, and they came back with a nice pollock we had for dinner!
]]>
Sara enjoying the boat ride
Emma exploring the island
Sara at the beach
Sara wading
]]>
Emma and her friend
The girls' friend
Emma chilling with her book
Sara enjoying a snack
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
Here comes the sun
The Beatles
Here comes the sun (doo doo doo doo)
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right
Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right
Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear
Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right
Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right
It's all right
As cold as the Saturday was, the Sunday appeared with sun and warmer weather. We spent all day outside, in shorts and t-shirts instead of huddled around the fire place in wool sweaters as we had been the day before. In all, very typical April here. Or spring in general As I'm writing this more then week later, we've had days in May were it snowed! All meals as well were digested outside - here is Emma eating a bowl of strawberries for lunch.
]]>
Went to the cabin on quite the chilly day, but there was promises of gorgeous spring weather the next day. I went out to photograph the sunset behind my favorite tree again, but decided since I just recently posted one of those photos, I'd rather share one I shot a bit later after the sun had set. I had a few shot with different amount of light in them that was not bracketed though, but still tried to make a HDR image... and while the separate photos didn't match up correctly so it created a "ghost" effect, I found the end result of it to be unique. And a piece that could stand on it's own and that worked better due to the "imperfection".
]]>
Some changes occur suddenly like a brilliant flash of lightning striking across a dark sky. These changes are stunning, exciting but can be quickly forgotten. Other changes happen slowly, gradually, like a flower blooming in early spring, each day unfurling its petals another fraction of an inch towards the warm, nurturing sun. These changes are as inevitable as nature running its course; they’re meant to be.
Suzi Davis
Not driving a car has it's advantages. You get to see your surroundings so much better, the small details that you'll miss for sure whipping past in a car. Even if some days I don't walk more than to and from the bus stop, I am capable of taking in how things shift and change, especially when it comes to nature. These flowering trees is not very far from where I live, and I have been waiting for them to bloom for awhile now.
]]>
]]>
]]>
Every year the philharmonic orchestra hold a family concert where they involve school classes to take part. This year, Emma’s class was asked to make their own version of Grieg’s Dovregubbens Hall (In the Hall of the Mountain King), and play it with them in the great concert hall Grieghallen. It was such an honor, and the kids had so much fun doing this. Since Emma plays the piano regularly, she was asked to be one of the kids doing so during the concert. Here she and a friend is waiting for the piece to start. I like how that young violinist looks at them.
From Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra’s web page:
The Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra dates back to 1765 and is thus one of the world’s oldest orchestras. In 2015 its 250-years anniversary will be celebrated. Edvard Grieg had a close relationship with the orchestra and was its artistic director during the years 1880-82.
The orchestra and the kids from Kronstad school playing together at the Bergen philharmonic orchestras yearly family concert
]]>On the mother-daughter day, Sara asked to get a curling iron, which I bought for her. Here is the result of the first try!
... and when Emma got home she also got some curls!
And I have new shoes on!
Shot with my Samsung Galaxy SII and the Camera 360 app
After this, we went into the city to renew her passport so she is all set for when we go to Greece in June. And after that, we had a mother-daughter day! Shopping and going out to eat was part of it.
Shot with my Samsung Galaxy SII
On the city tram later in the day
Shot with my Samsung Galaxy SII, using the Camera 360 app
I am testing out some HDR shots. I am by far an expert, but it was fin to dabble with! Might have to buy the program, as you can see I only used the test version for now… Wasn’t sure which shot of the ones I dabbled with to use for my 366, so picked one randomly. It was fun,and also took me out of my comfort zone and made me try something (fairly) new – all goals for me 366!
On Sunday I went for a hike up in the mountains behind where we live. I opted for the less traveled route of Landåsfjellet, since up towards mount Ulriken, people were walking in a line! It was a very steep, straight up climb at the start of the trail, but once I got up on top, it was flat and nice for a long stretch. My plan was to take a round up there and end up pretty much where I came up, just going down a different trail since I really didn’t want to walk down a close to 90 degree inclined slippery trail! I followed some light posts that are part of a trail where they have put up light posts so it can be hiked and skied even in the dark (necessary here in the winter when it gets dark at 3 pm!), but I followed it a bit too far and ended up on yet another mountain top – Nattlandsfjellet. And it took em awhile to get back to my starting point on the roads from there! Oh well, meant I really got my workout for the day, burning 1700 calories! I have a exercise track app called NOOM, which I love, that tracks my every movement.
More can be seen here.
]]>
Sara and I spent most of the day together, jsut the two of us. There was a flea market being held at a neighborhood school, and a lot of people we know are involved, so we wanted to show our support. It was a gorgeous day so a lot of time was also spent outside on the playground of the school. This pretty much sums up my youngest daughter – physical active, fearless, silly, smiling and happy. And a big goof – meant in the most endearing way! After we were done at the flea market (she found herself some toys, clothes and yellow bag with flowers, plus Chinese checkers which is a game she has wanted for a long time!) we walked a long haul to go grocery shopping. It was a nice walk on a gorgeous day, and it meant I got my exercise in for the day.
I’ve never really thought about it before, but it’s a miracle how many kinds of light there are in the world, how many skies: the pale brightness of spring, when it feels like the hole world’s blushing; the lush, bright boldness of a July noon; purple storm skies and a green queasiness just before lightning strikes and crazy multicolored sunsets that look like someone’s acid trip.
Lauren Oliver
The sun is finally up high enough over the top of the mountain we face, and long enough in the evening for me to be able to enjoy my backyard sunsets again.
"What are you going to do with your life?" In one way or another it seemed that people had been asking her this forever; teachers, her parents, friends at three in the morning, but the question had never seemed this pressing and still she was no nearer an answer… "Live each day as if it’s your last’, that was the conventional advice, but really, who had the energy for that? What if it rained or you felt a bit glandy? It just wasn’t practical. Better by far to be good and courageous and bold and to make difference. Not change the world exactly, but the bit around you. Cherish your friends, live passionately and fully and well with the means you got, within what is. Experience new things. Love and be loved, if you ever get the chance.
David Nicholls
Shot this on the bus on my way home one day with my Samsung Galaxy SII. I spend a lot of time on buses each day to and from work, which more than anything makes me tired! I need to try and bring coffee with me on my way home especially.
It has now been almost exactly 4 months since I started my new job. It has been a steep learning curve, which I actually like. And the training is far from done. I now feel very comfortable with the tasks given me so far, and at the end of April I am again flying up to Leikanger in Sogn to learn some more.
This day, however, I joined an all day class together with the people I usually serve and help, the case workers. You see, the software we use has different interfaces, and "mine" is much more intricate and complex than the version they use of the same software. And I didn’t really know how their interface looked like and worked, which is a problem when I am eventually going to teach them and support them in using it! I have been able to help them some, because a lot of time the problems are not software, but hardware or network troubles. I did catch on much easier then the rest due to my knowledge of the other interface, but still, it was a necessary class to take!
Some things don't last forever, but some things do. Like a good song, or a good book, or a good memory you can take out and unfold in your darkest times, pressing down on the corners and peering in close, hoping you still recognize the person you see there.
Sarah Dessen
Memories, even your most precious ones, fade surprisingly quickly. But I don’t go along with that. The memories I value most, I don’t ever see them fading.
Kazuo Ishiguro
I spent all day today cleaning up in the attic. Part of that required me to go through lots of old letters, cards, photos and other memorability. It is both emotional going through lots of old memories (not at least the girls' baby stuff!) and taxing physically to haul all the stuff around, but the feeling of accomplishment when it was all done was great.
Can't believe I have made it to day 100!
]]>
My oldest daughters loves to climb trees, and enjoy it every time we are at the cabin.
Awhile ago I bought this huge trout on sale, and today I decided to cook it for dinner. I stuffed it with lemon, butter, rosemary, salt and pepper, wrapped it in foil and put it in the oven. It came out sooooo good! And we have lots of leftovers we can make salmon (trout) patties out of.
Shot with my Samsung Galaxy SII
]]>The cold weather continues, and it has even been snowing a bit. not unusual for April – it has been known to snow even on my Birthday the 3oth of April several years. Other times, it has been summer temperatures, Typical April! I refuse to dig my winter boots out again though!
Shot with my Samsung Galaxy SII
I decided to take a walk outside during my lunch today, since it looked so nice out. I thought maybe even though it had snowed earlier, that the sun would warm things up. No such luck! The wind was bone chilling!
Shot with my Samsung Galaxy SII
The cold weather we’ve been having made the morning dew into icedrops.
The girls and I walked our way to go grocery shopping today, a 5 kilometres walk! Originally it was only I that was going to walk over there, and then the rest of the gang would come after in a car a bit later – I needed to get out moving, since the weather was so nice. Cold, but sunny. But then, both the girls decided they wanted to walk with me! This walk takes us past several places I used to live… one of them being where my husband and I recided the first few years he was living here in Bergen (he is from Iowa, USA). This playground is situated right by where we lived, although it was not there when we lived here. It is a beautiful area down by the harbour in an otherwise very industrial and traffic jammed greater area. We had a few rest stops along the way, and here was the ice cream one, portraied by my oldest daughter! They girls did great and didn’t complain once.
Water have always been important to me. I love the sea, the rivers, the waterfalls, and dream of having a small house near by the ocean one day. I love swimming, and learned to do so at a very young age, and loved it when we went hiking in the mountains and I could take a swim in the melted glacier water. Freezing cold, but tit didn’t bother me. Still, I will wade or swim in water so cold everyone else shudders just thinking about it. I grew up spending so much time in or near water, and would be lost if I had to go too long without seeing the ocean, a lake or a river.
As a grown up, I’ve learned to treasure the healing spirit of the water… it cleanses, not only the outside, but within.
We all feel the physical stress of life bearing down on us. I exercise as part of dealing with the stress, but the shower afterward is a huge part in the "detox" as well. We all have so many things on our plates: family, friends, work, social structures which takes a lot of effort, care and attention to keep on track. Spiritually, in our lives we encounter people, concepts and situations that we are forced to deal with in our daily lives that cause us to feel unsettled or challenged.
I stand in the shower a long time to saturate my body with water. Allowing my body to feel relaxed and open from the new energy I am being provided with through this element. The water is cleansing, healing, washing the impurities of the daily chaos away.
Shot with my Samsung Galaxy SII
]]>
My oldest daughters class (5th grade) and the 7th grade performed the Easter musical this year, something that has become a tradition at their school. Normally it is the 6th and 7th grade that have performed it, but apparently the teachers decided since there were so many great actresses and actors in 5th grade this year, they’d take part.
This would be one of the girls in my daughters class as Jesus on the cross.
The songs and their performances of them were really great, so much power and umph!
This is my workplace… being rebuild into a bigger office that will fit two people. Me and the other woman that works in my department will from now on share an office. I am actually looking forward to it, as we already sit and holler across the hallway as it is, and we get along great. Besides, she only works every other week. And the bonus is that we will get all new furnitures, new floor, new interior. It is going to look great in the end!
Currently I sit right across the hall from this building place, and it is loud! Knocing down walls and drilling and sawing makes a lot of noise! Yesterday I went home with a splitting headache due to this. But, I’ll live, only a few more days…
It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.
Charles Dickens
The light which puts out our eyes is darkness to us. Only that day dawns to which we are awake. There is more day to dawn. The sun is but a morning star.
Henry David Thoreaux
… when arriving at work today.
Shot with my Samsung Galaxy SII
The kids stayed with their grandparents from Saturday to mid day Sunday, so we went out to eat with a friend who was also kid free since his kid was at her mom's place for the weekend. Really delicious Indian food at a place I have not tried before, and afterwards we went to a pub for some beer. Good times, good conversations, planning for trips in the summer with our friend and his daughter. Our kids have known each other for close to 8 years, since day care, and we have spent a lot of good time with her father as well. He's been through a rough patch, and is now eager to do all the things and see all the places that was difficult before. Made tentative plans to go to Ireland or Sweden/The Baltics in the early summer with them... We'll see
]]>It was sunny here today for a chance, and I had to rid myself of my coat (you can see it hanging on the left there) when I was on my way to do the weekly grocery shopping after work.
Shot with my Samsung Galaxy SII
]]>On Thursday afternoon Sara had 3 friends from her class over to what they call "friends group". The class has been divided into groups of 4 or 5, and once a month they take turns at getting together the house of one of them, this Thursday being Sara's turn. Her class has grown a lot over the past 2 years; 11 new pupils, mostly immigrants, so it has been an important thing to do to get the new kids acquainted with the "old" ones and vice versa.
They got to us straight from school and needed dinner. We had them make their own individual pizzas - that way they all got to decide what to put on theirs.
]]>