life!

Back to school!

2010-03-26T16:21:00.000-07:00

Finally we're back at school after the summer hollidays, and you should think that means that the days get boring. Epecially having in mind my new schedule:

Monday: 08.00-13.40 / 15.00-17.25

Tuesday: 08.00-12.55 / 15.00-18.10

Wednesday: 08.00-12.55 / 16.30-18.10

Thursday: 08.00-13.40 / 15.45-18.10

Friday: 08.00-11.10

Okay, I'll admit that the Friday is like awesome! But the other days during the week, I don't get back to my house until about 19 o'clock, or even later. Despite all this - I'm having a FANTASTIC time and I'm really enjoying every day.

Cool, huh?

Well, I kind of feel that I HAVE TO enjoy my days now - I'm leaving in 3 months! And the time is passing by way too quickly. But first I'm going to, among lots of other things, celebrate my 18th birthday in a week and a half.

Wohoo!! Party all the time!

Alle for Chile! (Everyone for Chile! in Norway)

2010-03-12T15:51:00.001-08:00

Shake shake shake!

2010-03-12T15:12:00.001-08:00

It's shaking all day long. But I don't feel anything. Thank God - for being so far far away just now.

Yesterday, during the presidential ceremony (bye bye Michelle Barcelet, hey hey Sebastian Piñera!), it was shaking again. Three times, the stronges one 7,2 degrees at Richers Scale (the earthquake at Haiti was 7,0).

These days there are many people living in fear. And this didn't make it any better. A tsunami warning was sent out, wich so they evacuated my school. Even though nothing actually happened here at the island.

It all happend really quickly. During few minutes the streets was filled up with hundreds of students, cars and parents searching for their children (the cellphones didn't work). Half an hour later, Castro was like a desert - it was hardly a person left.

But, not to worry! It was all very exaggerated. Mostly because of the lack of information. No one did actually knew what was going on. But we have all seen what happend after the 27th of February. That won't be forgotten that easily...

Teletón is over...

2010-03-09T16:46:00.000-08:00

Target: $ 15.000.000.000

Final result: $ 30.212.775.555

This means 43.373.787 Euros. Or 58.975.338 American Dollars!

Chile needs you...

2010-03-04T13:47:00.000-08:00

...and it needs you NOW!

The last three days voluntairs (mainly nuns and youths) from the church here in my town have been walking door to door, colecting food, carbon, water and carpets, that we now are going to send in cooperation with Caritas Chile to the most affected and needing areas. This is done all over Chile these days. The firemens (here in Chile the firemens all are unpaid voluntairs) are doing the same.

Friday to Saturday there will be a Teletón, a fundraiser, with the posibility to donate money (watch the TV show directly at Chile ayuda a Chile). In this occasion they arrange various activities all over the country to raise funds; concerts, shows and so on. The tennis club arranged a tournament.

So many people are working as voluntairs these days. Giving all to help their country - to help Chile! This shows the ones that want a different Chile, a BETTER Chile!

But there are many ways to help. Also for you out there, far far away from all this. Even at the other side of the world.

Here are some of them:

Caritas (International)

Caritas Chile (Chile)

Un Techo para Chile (Chile)

Chile ayuda a Chile, Teletón (Chile)

Aldeas Infantiles SOS (Chile)

Alle for Chile! (Norway)

Now we have to give - give to it hurts.

Someone's lucky...

2010-03-03T08:12:00.000-08:00

The whole world has heard about the catastrophy that hit Chile the 27th of February. But not everyone has to live the experience. The first 24 hours, it was all that was talked about. Now it's no longer like that. They hardly mention us. But believe me - that doesn't meen that this shit is over. It's far from over.

I was lucky. Got home from vacations near Concepcion a couple of days before the earthquake, and here at Chiloé there's no physical damages. But I was going to stay a few days more, had so many reasons not to return to my island, not yet. Was going to stay a week at my friends place in Concepcion. Or meet an other friend, stay with her and her family. Or stay with my aunt, uncle and cousins some days more.

But I didn't...

And that might have saved my life. At least it saved me from the chaos. My family, with whom I was staying until a few days ago, had to drive out at the country at night, while they saw how the pavement split up under the car. Some days they had to stay there, in the danger of a tsunami. During night the males (my uncle and two cousins) guarded the house - armed. This catastrophy has showes both sides of Chile, including the worst. Some have started to rob, making the chaos even worse. They get together in armed groups, take everything they can get and set fire on the shopping malls.

Because of this it's no longer permitted stay outside at night. And this is also why my family in the north had to guard their house at night. Now they're finally back home. The house is still standing strong, but inside it was a mess! They don't have the posibility of buying food, everything is closed. But they're alive, they have each other and they've got a roof.

It's not like that for everyone. Thousands and thousands lost everything they had got. They lost they're homes. Many lost they're family and friends as well. Many are still searching.

This will take time.

Over night a whole country got changed. So many things and situations. So many lifes. Now we're going to need a long time building this country. A very long time.

Today this is Chile. (Click for photos, vg.no)

Earthquake!

2010-03-02T00:14:00.001-08:00

I'm OKAY, I'm alive and I'm safe. Don't worry about me. I had a great deal of luck. But not everyone was that lucky. One night changed so many things. So many lifes. Changed a whole country. Pray for Chile! Believe me when I say they need all the help they can get.

...and they need it now!

Going nuts!

2010-03-02T00:11:00.000-08:00

...I say no more.

Been there...

2010-03-02T00:10:00.003-08:00

...done that!

It's said that I now have seen more of Chile than any Chilean.

Chiloé

- Chonchi: Living here.

- Castro: Going to school there.

- Lelbun: The beach.

- Cucao: The other beach.

- Achao: An other island.

- Ancud: Aunt, uncle and cousins.

- Dalcahue

- Queilen

Concepcion

Temuco

Arauco: Visiting family and enjoying the sun.

Lebu

Llico

Santiago:

- AFS Orientation

- visiting my Norwegian friend Pedro and his family!

Quintay: AFS Summer Camp

Puerto Montt: Shopping!

Puerto Varas: Visiting aunt, uncle and cousins.

Valdivia: AFS Orientation

Cool, or what?

Visiting the family in Arauco (one hour from Concepcion) in February.

Norwegians in Chile

2010-03-02T00:10:00.001-08:00

I nearly didn't set my foot at the island during January. After the AFS Summer Camp and before the AFS Orientation, I had some days in Santiago wher I didn't actually know what to do. How perfect wasn't it findinf out that exactly these days my Norwegian friend Pedro and his family was staying in the capital.

During the couple of days I spent at their place they showed me a totally different Chile that the one I had gotten to know in Quintay the last weeks. And I got to know the whole family; parents, sister, grandmother, aunt, uncles and cousins.

Weird! First time I met Norwegians in a half year. But having in mind that they spoke both Norwegian and Spanish, it wasn't always that easy to know what language to choose. Haha!

Thank you so much for having me! See you in Norway! ;)

A room with a view?

AFS summer camp!

2010-03-01T23:51:00.000-08:00

Every summer and winter AFS arrange a summer camp for the exchange, ex-exchange and pre-exchange students - and for everyone else who wants to participate. But this isn't a camp like any other camp. At "Campamento AFS Quintay 2010" Chilean youths, including 10 exchange students, worked as voluntaries. The goal was to help out by constructing a home for some of the most needing families in the small town of Quintay.

We had a great time, working during the whole day. At night we got the chance to relax, get to know the other teams and reflect on the day's impressions. Thank you guys, for making this an amazing experience in so many ways.

Some of the amazing persons in the team.

Working as a voluntary for AFS and Chile.

In the very beginning of the construation.

The carpet you see, was everything the family of three,

Don Valentin, Yolanda and Sebastian (11 years old), had.

Every day we had activities, breakfast and lunch for the children in Quintay.

We also helped out with some smaller reperations for other families.

The opening ceremony with the whole team and the family!

Almost!

2010-03-01T23:37:00.000-08:00

After some comments about my blog's name, I've commed to the conclution to explain myself.

I know we're not at the end of the world,

but we're pretty close though.

But I'll change my header "fin del mundo". It's now FIN DEL MUNDO ... CASI! (The end of the world ... almost!)

Greatest apologiezes to you all for this misunderstanding

...especially to Punta Arena - the real end of the world. ;)

...and the beginning of something new?

2010-03-01T15:45:00.000-08:00

When the year comes to an end, it makes you think ... a lot. About the things that have been, the things that'll come. Time's going by too quickly. Way too quickly. But what to do? What to do, but live?

Yesterday is history.

Tomorrow is a mystery.

Today is a gift.

That's why it's called the present.

Last year was a great year. Really! I've got so many good memories that I can't even count them all. Yes, seems like I'm a very lucky person. Hurray! All the things I learnt and experienced... Awesome!

Christmas was ... different. It wasn't that easy to realize that this actually was Christmas. Sun, not snow. Jeans, not dress. Chile, not Norway. But it was great! Of course it was. I celebrated with both family and friends, first with a delicious bbq-lunch with 20 friends. I would never in my life imagened me having a water war at Christmas Eve. But during the day the whole party ended up in the pool - with clothes, shoes ... some even with their cel. Wooops? All in all a very succesfull gathering.

At night we had dinner with the family. Around 22 we went to the mass, my host mother, sister and me. It was there, in the church, I finally found my Christmas peace, the feeling of Christmas I at first felt it hard to find. It was all there. And I cried a little. The Christmas presents was opened at midnight, with the whole family together. For lunch Christmas day we had invited an other family, and we spent a great time eating, watching Titanic, playing ping-pong, pool and so on.

New Years Eve, and the beginning of 2010 was celebrated at the disco, we were dancing from 1 a.m to 8 a.m - cool! But first we waited at home until midnight, watching the countdown at the TV, like they do at the movies. To bring good luck in the new year, we ate 12 grapes and a spoon of lentils. You're also supposed to wear yellow panties, but no one told me about that until it was too late.. Haha! Seems like there's no hope for me this year then?

The last time of 2009 was more or less like this:

The beach with my host mother and sisters.

Camping with classmates.

Shopping in Puerto Montt and
visiting family in Puerto Varas at the mainland.

Surprise sweet 16 for my cousin Bastian.

(Though he didn't get surprised at all, hmm?)

Three different school proms.

Christmas-BBQ with friends.

Christmas Eve and opening of presents with host mother, sisters, grandmother, aunts, cousins and house maid.

Ah, and by the way, my New Year's resolution number 1 this year is going to be: Learn how to cook. Oh yeah!

Wooops!

2010-03-01T14:41:00.000-08:00

It seems like this will take a little longer than expected. The thing is that I made a mess out of all my 12.000 photos, and then I mean a REAL mess. Yeps, I feel kind of stupid. :) And I who was going to make this totally fancy blog with lots and lots of great photos (all to get away from hours and hours of writing). It's a fantastic plan, I know. Or ... it WAS a fantastic plan.

But give me some time, and I'll be back on track!

English vs. Norwegian

2010-02-28T16:46:00.000-08:00

I was thinking of doing this thing in Norwegian, but then again I though that there might be (or probably not) someone out there, actually interested in all this, that DON'T SPEAK NORWEGIAN! So ... it will all be done the way YOU guys want it.

I'm sorry that I can't do it in Spanish. Or, sure I CAN, I just won't. After all, this blog is dedicated to my beloved Norwegian family, to my parents more than anyone, and as far as I know, they don't really speak Spanish.

Patience, my friend, patience...

2010-02-28T16:40:00.000-08:00

Having in mind that I haven't been blogging NOTHING AT ALL since Christmas LAST YEAR, I've got to arrange a personal blogging marathon. But I promise you that there'll be lots and lots of goodies.

And once again ... sorry.

2010-02-28T16:37:00.001-08:00

Well, yeah, I know ... I'm like REALLY bad at this.

(Yeps, talking about blogging ... not that fun after all.)

Feliz navidad!

2009-12-24T15:50:00.000-08:00

Feliz navidad! / God jul! / Merry Christmas!

Who's your daddy?

2009-12-18T22:06:00.000-08:00

Mams og paps, jeg elsker dere! (Mum and dad, I love you!) Gracias! :)

Mormor, jeg må rett og slett bøye meg i støvet for deg og dine strikkepinner. Kan ikke få takket deg nok for denne setesdalsgenseren, den er helt nydelig! Ser frem til å bruke den neste vinter, enten det blir den chilenske eller norske.

(Well well, look at this, I've got TWO amazing grandmothers. This beauty of a Norwegian woolen sweater kept the hands of my grandmother busy for the whole autumn. Thank you!)

- Anything from Norway?
- Mmm, I don't know. Just send me some Norwegian chocolate.
...and my prayers were heard.

Seems to me, that someone thinks that I just LOVE chocolate. Well, that's right!

Look what I've got!

2009-12-15T18:28:00.000-08:00

Tusen takk, farmor! Nå ble det jul i hus, med julehefte og allting! :) Og det beste av det beste av melkesjokolade - bedre kan det altså ikke bli. Glad i deg!

(Just thanking my amazing grandmother for the delivery I got from Norway today - with the very best of norwegian chocolate and magazines. Jealous?)

I won't forget...

2009-12-14T20:52:00.000-08:00

...to be greatful. ...to smile. ...to be happy. ...to live the life.

There are so many things to be greatful for. Things we're taking for granted. Things we are blessed with. So many reasons to wake up with a smile. To live the life with a smile. To laugh. To love.

"Happy is he who does not grieve for what he lacks, but delights in what he has." Demokrit

The joy of being. Enjoying being. I've learnt to appreciate more of every day. Living today, not in the past and neither tomorrow. It's all about here and now (even though it's not such a bad thing thinking a bit about consequences now and then). To enjoy the rain, as well as the sun. The stars, the ocean, the people around me. Thank God!

I want to say thank you. And this time especially to my host family - my amazing host family.. Quiero decir gracias. Y este vez en especial a mi familia chilena - mi familia chilena maravillosa. Por todo que han hecho y todavia estan haciendo para mi. No estoy segura si saben tanto que aprecio tener exactamente ustedes como mi segunda familia. Mamá, Vivi y Tania. De verdad que no podía ser mejor - son los mejores. Si alguien de ustedes esta leiendo esto: Muchas gracias, los quiero mucho mucho mucho!

They say that after three months, your exchange year will be different. Or something like that. Well, for me it was. Mostly because it was the greatest month of the year.

Well, here's the thing: Improved Spanish skills -> easier to do more stuff -> + friends -> +++ fun -> and so on..

And of course it all made me very happy. REALLY happy - I was smiling and laughing during the whole month. People started to wonder if I was falling in love, but not to worry Norwegian mum and dad; I'm NOT (or not yet..)! ;) Just having the time of my life.

"You will not find joy - You choose - You create - The little pleasure and the great joy. The joy of being." Halldor Skard

This November I learnt a lot about myself. And about life. Actually I learnt a lot about many things. And I had a great time learning it!

...I'll forever remember that November.

(Carrie Underwood - That November)

To overcome my biggest fear...

2009-12-14T10:27:00.000-08:00

Remember when I wrote about the song audition? Well, the thing is... I passed! Which means that I had to sing at a festival at my school, named "El festival de la voz". Really, I was sure they were joking when me told me that. Can you imagine ME singing ALONE at a STAGE with a MICROPHONE? These are things that just doesn´t fit together. Or at least they didn´t use to fit...

William A. Ward once said that "Opportunities are like sunrises - if you wait too long, you miss them."

To be honest I was TERRIFIED the days before the big happening. Actually I was thinking about dropping out, to save myself from whatever that was scaring me so much. But why on earth shouldn't I do it? This was my only chance, it was now or never.

So nervous that I could hardly breath. Ironicly that was exactly what I was singing about. Anna Nalick - Breath

Some of my fans haha! Thank you so much, Pachy and Vivi, for making this poster (respira = breath)! You two are amazing, it was so good to have you there.

The finalists at the end of the second day. An amazing group with so many talented youths. We all had so much fun doing this, I got to know new persons and learnt more - about them and about myself.

When I came home after the second day, I was so unbelievable happy. I had done something that I never would have thought I would do in my life. To do it was so important to me. Doesn't matter that I didn't get a prize - personally I won something even greater.

And I cried of happiness...

Sorry sorry sorry!

2009-12-14T10:06:00.000-08:00

Well, I kind of failed when it comes to blogging. Boooring. But I know (or at least I hope) that my beloved ones back home are a little bit interested in what I've been up to. And therefor I'm going to be a better blogger, starting from ... NOW!

My week, day by day.

2009-10-25T11:06:00.000-07:00

Well, I was thinking; why not? When I've been doing so many new things these days, why won't I write about it. Tell you all about how great things are right now? So, here it goes: My week, day by day.

Hmm.. Monday and Tuesday were quite boring, I guess. Don't remember really. But Wednesday was really interesting, I think.. Or not. Have to check my diary (in which I'm writing every day).

It's Thursday; let's go crazy! I'm not quite sure what I was thinking when I signed up for it. But why not? Why won't I just do it? I don't know. And therefore; I did it. I went to the audition. And I sang. Yeah! Honestly I was a bit terrified. And it didn't go that fantastic either. But I'm glad I did it though. I'd never thought I'd do anything like that. Not because I don't like to sing; in fact, I love it! It's just that.. I don't know. And yes, I turned into a red tomato. So what? Hahaha.

But the Thursday was still young, so I thought; let's go even more crazy. So, despite the rain and the wind, I went jogging 10 km with a classmate. Yes, it's true; no pain, no gain. And yes, I caught a cold.

We threw a "fiesta del curso" on Friday.. What do you call it? "Klassefest" and ... Thank you, google translate. Class party, if that's even a word. Anyway.. It was really nice. We made lots and lots of food. And we ate it. Yummi!

The Saturday was as usually "the day of tennis", but I didn't play for more than two hours. I like tennis, even though I'm really bad at it. And that's all I did at Saturday.

Rotary International's "5 km maraton" in Castro. 4. place really isn't that bad, having in mind that this was like second time in a very long time that I ran. And I got a diploma, hurray! Even though my legs are killing me now, I feel quite satisfied (no, not only because of the diploma). I think I'll continue running. I've missed being in good shape, and I'll probably have to work my ass off to get where I once were, but it'll be worth it.

And well, that's it. Todo bien.

When September ends...

2009-10-16T13:51:00.000-07:00

and October is about to end as well, I finally find my time to write to you again. The truth is that I have totally forgotten about my blog, and when I from time to another think about writing I don't know what to write. Or I simply don't feel like writing. But here I am again, writing to you all, about some of my experiences during the last month. Enjoy, I've already enjoyed it!

¡Felices Fiestas Patrias! ¡Feliz 18 Septiembre!

The whole week was used to celebrate Chile with traditional dance, food and music. And of course we ate a lot of empanadas! I went to a show at the school where mamá works to watch a show of youths dancing cueca, the national dance of Chile. I have started to take classes in cueca with some friends, and yes, I find it entertaining (even though I prefer salsa). But serously, who would have imagened that I ever would be dancing? Well, you can't live in the south of America without dancing. At least I can't - and I love it!
Some cute children wearing the chilean national costume in the parade the 17th of September. Chileans really are patriots, and than especially when it comes to football. Everyone watches the matches, and when Chile won 4-2 against Colombia (which means that Chile is going to play in the world championship in South Africa) Chile got crazy. The streets was like a huge party, with a lot of people, flags and music. ¡Viva Chile!
To be honest, I feel a bit blond... Obviously it isn't that usual to be blond down here, as you probably have noticed, which makes me feel even blonder. And when I (sometimes) need things explained over and over again to understand, I seem to be blonder than blond. However, this is me parading for my school Liceo Galvarino Riveros Cárdenas. Well, it rained... A lot! As it usually does here in Chiloé.

Primera Orientación con AFS, Valdivia, 25. - 27. September

I went to a orientation in Valdivia to meet all the AFS exchange students that lives in the south of Chile. This also was the first time I left the island since I arrived in the beginning of August. It was good to be able to speak with others in the same situation as myself. A funny thing is that we all spoke more or less Spanish, and not in English, as we did when we met in Santiago. All the orientation meetings were in Spanish, but I understood absolutely everything. That's weird!? And most of all promising.
Last time I blogged, I wrote that it was difficult to write in anything but Spanish. Well, that's like more than a month ago. So can you imagen how hard it is now. Qué pasó con inglés y noruego? No entiendo porque es tan dificil... Y todavía el español, o en verdad es chileno, no es perfecto. Entonces hablo como tres idiomas, pero hablo mal en todos. Jajaja.. (If you don't speak Spanish, you may use google translate. Apparently I speak Spanish, so I don't use that kind of things anymore haha! Seriously.)
Sunday the whole gang went on sightseeing in Valdvia, and the weather was brilliant! Sun, sun and more sun. We walked to the river, the marked and a "chocolateria". Anything related to chocolate is awesome, or what? But I miss norwegian chocolate, it's one of a kind. Do you want to send me a couple of kiloes? The inspector at my school wants to taste some.
Zoe (Zwitzerland), Noora (Finland), me (Norway!) and Marta (Italia). That's another really great part about this experience; I get to know fantastic people from all over the world. Having friends in every part can come in handy. By the way was Valdivia a really beautiful city!
And that's the rest of Chile aswell, so beautiful! At least the part of Chile that I know; Chiloé (you can see photos from Chiloé here). This photo is taken on the way back home from the AFS orientation in Valdivia, an 8 hours bus trip. Yeah, I slept most of the way..
Recognizes this photo? The same three teenagers at the same ferry, crossing the see from Puerto Montt to Chiloé. But 2 months after the first photo was taken. Last time we were only speaking English to each other, now it's nothing but Spanish (or actually, it's Chilean). The first to months passed so quickly, but we have learned and experienced so many new things.

La Caminata Jovenil Diocesana 2009, Chonchi - Castro, 3. October

"La caminata" is a pilgrim walk that is arranged once a year for catholic youths in Chiloé, but everyone that want to, may participate. Children, youths, parents and grandparents. There are different routs, but they all end in Castro. My friends and I walked 24 km from Chonchi (that's where I live) to Castro, where all the groups from the different parts of Chiloé, celebrated the mass together.
My sister Viviana and I. Both my sisters, Vivi and Tania, are adorable girls. Not a day goes by without a laugh, we can laugh until we're laying on the floor. In fact, whole my host family is pretty fantastic.
We walked and walked and walked. We sang and we laughed. I got to know great persons and the wonderful nature of Chiloé, it's almost like Norway - no offence norwegian patriots. And what a surprise; it did not rain! At all! Amazing, right? Oh, what a beautiful day.
When we finally reached La Plaza in Castro, after more or less 7 hours (apearently we walked REALLY slowly, having in mind that we drive the same distance every day, using about 20 minutes), my feet were quite dead. I'm not sure if I'll ever do it again, at least not voluntarily. But it was SO worth it, a great experience with both old and new friends.

All in all, things are still going just fine down here at the end of the world; Chiloé. I'm exploring. I'm dreaming. I'm discovering.

This is Chiloé!

2009-10-15T11:49:00.000-07:00

¡Viva Chile!

2009-09-07T19:37:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! How are things going back home in Norway? I miss you all! First I have to say, again, that I’m sorry. I know that some of you want me to write to you more often, but there really hasn’t been much time for writing. Instead I have uploaded lots photos at facebook, for those who have been interested in knowing a little bit about what has been going on down here. I’m posting some of the photos here as well.

Now I was about to write that another two weeks has passed unbelievable quickly here in Chile, but than I realized that the truth is that FOUR weeks has passed – and extremely quickly. A MONTH! My first 5 weeks in Chile are over and gone… Have I become a Chilote yet? Obviously I’m more Chilote than ever, I even understand Castellano now. More or less… Or not. But at least I have noticed that I have started to think Spanish, and that’s weird. In fact I’m thinking Spanish right now. Which makes it quite difficult for me to write in English. Yeah, my brain’s a bit confused.

Today it’s 39 days since I left Norway. I have never been away from Norway that long before. But there really haven’t been any big problems yet. So, as I wrote in my previous blog; don’t worry about me! I’ll survive, and more than that. Everything’s great actually, better than ever. Things have become so much easier during my stay, and I think that’s mainly because of the improvement of my language skills. Obviously it’s much easier making friends when you’re able to communicate with them. And luckily I’m not as shy as I used to be, that as well makes things easier. I’m not saying that I’m not shy at all, that would be a huge lie – but I’ve realized that it doesn’t make any good being too shy.

So, what have I been doing for the last month? That’s actually a good question… There have been so many new experiences, new people, new routines (actually everything’s new) that I have hardly had any time to think about what’s actually going on. That I’m spending a whole year in South America – studying in Chile, speaking a language I don’t understand. I must be crazy. And if that’s the case, I’m glad I am. Because even though it’s not as easy at it seams, I don’t regret at all that I decided to take the chance going on interchange. And of course I’m grateful that I got the chance – thank you mamma and pappa! And AFS!

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.
So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain. (Remember this, mamma?)

Well, I’ve spent a lot of time at my school; Liceo Galvarino Riveros Cardenas. Where things, by the way, has been going better and better. Well, not the subjects, but all of a sudden I started to understand what people were saying to me – and I’ve made lots of friends. They’re all really nice! My two first grades are 7s (which is the best grade possible); in sports and English – way too easy. I even won’t think about my other grades, what they’ll be. The last couple of weeks have been filled with thousands of evaluations, and I’m afraid that I’ll soon be receiving tons of bad grades. Seriously… But for the moment, that’s not what’s important. I have to admit that I could have studied harder, but instead I have focused on learning the language and making friends. For me, that was the right thing to do. But from now on, I’ll be studying much harder. Maybe get a person who helps me whit my homework after school. Anyone interested?

This is my schedule, so you can get a quick insight in how my daily routine is like. As you can see, most of the time is spent at school.

I have also been playing a lot of tennis; I spend about 8 hours every week at the tennis court in Rauco (3h Wednesday, 1h Thursday and 4h Saturday), and sometimes at our court here at home as well. Of course; I still love playing. Even though I’m really bad at the moment. But my goal is to be better then my brother, Eilif, and beat him when we play next year in Norway. Yeah! At the moment I’m also checking the possibilities for joining a choir at the cultural centre in Castro. Some of you might think that I have to relax, but there are so many things I want to do!

Next week, the 18th of September is Chile’s birthday – then we’ll be celebrating whit family, friends and lots and lots of delicious food. I can hardly wait!

I’ll write more another time. Maybe about how a weekday passes by, from I wake up until I go to bed. But I don’t know if that’ll be very interesting… What do you want to read about?

Lots of love from your Gudi!

¡Bienvenido a Chiloé!

2009-08-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

¡Hola mis amigos!

I'm sorry that I haven't been writing to you until now. There has been so much going on: School, tennis, fiestas and so on. In other words; I'm having a great time! The time is passing by so quickly, I can hardly belive that I've been here a week already. On the other hand I have experienced so many new things in such a short time. I'm very greatfull for this possibility, studying abroad for a year, learning and experiencing new things and meeting so many new people.

Here's a picture summary from my first week here in Chile:
Maia, Cecilie and I in Buenos Aires. We travelled together all the way to Santiago, nearly 30 hours. It's amazing how quick we became good friends, laughing and talking about the next year. Experiencing the airports in Oslo, Paris, Buenos Aires and Santiago - and surviving! Hope you're having a great time as well!
Austria, Switzerland and Norway at the airport in Santiago. It felt really good finally arriving in Chile after way too many hours spent at several plains.
"The scandinavians" and two of the AFS volunteers (Jose and Carlos) at the orientation camp in Santiago. Here all the AFS students in Chile learnt basic things about Chile, and also how to dance salsa, reaggeton, cueca (Chile's national dance) and so on. So many fantastic people.
It's really beautiful here in Chile! Here's the view of the Andes mountains from the orientation camp in Santiago. When the sky is clear, you actually can see it from here at Chiloé too.
Yeah, I'm still alive. And happy! I'm enjoying this so much, and I love everything about Chile - especially my new family and friends, they take really good care of me.
Me (Norway), Saverio (Italy) and Alvaro (Chile) at the ferry to Chiloé. We took the bus together together from Santiago to Castro, about 17 hours. But we slept most of the way, so it wasn't too bad. And of course; Saverio and Alvaro are very nice, so I had great company.
My first meeting with my host family, including three cousins. Both host families, mine and Saverio's, and people from AFS met us at the bus station. It was fantastic! Everyone were cheering when we got of the bus, and I was so happy to finally meet my new family. They are lovely!
My little sister Tani and me in our room. I have always wished for a sister, and now I have got two. I love them! My whole family is very friendly. And patient! Here in Chile people speak very fast, so it takes some time and repeating before I understand what they say. But luckily my host mother speaks English as well, so she can translate when it's needed.
At the AFS meeting on Monday. Norway, Italy and Japan in Chile! I also met the chilean youth that are going abroad this year, and those who already have been exchange students. It's amazing that we get this opportunity to experience so many great things in a completely different part of the world.
Vivi, mamá Juana, Tani and me at my host mother's birthday party. It's a totally new experience for me to live with only girls. But I like that too (don't misunderstand pappa, Eilif, Lars and Olav; I love you!).
Friends and family at the birthday party. The location is the activity house, where we've got a pool table, football game, tv, exercise machines and so on. This is where we hang out with friends and arrange parties.
My family's place consists of four houses, I think, and a tennis court; our house (mamá Juana, Vivi, Tani and I), my uncle's and aunt's house, my grandmother's house and the activity house. So we're actually like a little society, like some days we eat lunch or once together.
Hermanas! Tani, me and Vivi out walking in Chonchi at night. But don't worry, we weren't alone - Patchi (one of Vivi's two best friends), Bastian and Felipe (the two last ones are my cousins) took good care of us. And if you wondered; yes, it's very cold! And it rains a lot. But we're having a good time anyway.
Vivi goes to the same school as me, so the first days she followed me around and met me in the breaks so I didn't get lost. Thank you! Because it was a little bit scary the first couple of days, especially having in mind that I understood like nothing.
Vivi, me, Patchi and Tani posing over and over again. I'm meeting new interesting people every day, and I get so many new friends. Nearly no one speak English, but luckily everyone are very patient with me, repeating everything over and over again - like that I learn more every day that goes by.

I'm not saying that everything's easy, believe me, it's not! The first week at school I didn't understand much, and absolutely nothing of what the teachers said. But little by little, day by day, I understand more. The fact that I'm allready making progress is motivating. I really want this, and to learn and experience as much as possible. So don't worry about me, I'll manage - I'm actually having the time of my life!

By the way; my new name is Gudi, obviously Gudrun is quite hard to pronunciate. If not to mention my surname.. Hahaha!

I hope you all are okay, both friends and family back home in Norway. Next time I write to you, maybe it's on Spanish?

Chaoo!

Voy a Chile hoy!

2009-07-29T15:04:00.000-07:00

TODAY I'm leaving Norway! Unbelivable.. But I'm really excited and not at all nervous (well, that's weird). I actually think that everyone else, my beloved people that I leave at home, are more nervous than me.

I will try to update my blog regularly, but having in mind that school starts already at Monday, I guess I'll be quite busy. But I'll keep a diary, and give you a summary at least every second week (and hopefully more often). There will be pictures!

To update you all on what will be going on the next few days.. Today, Thursday, I'll go to the airport and meet Maia and Cecilie. We're going to spend 27 hours together from Oslo to Paris to Buenos Aires and then; Santiago! After arriving in Santiago I think there will be a information camp that lasts about one day. Because my host family lives far away from Santiago, about 1000 km, I won't arrive there until Sunday after a 18-19 hours bus trip. But in despite of this extremely long travel, I'm REALLY looking forward to this experience. Though it will be though sometimes, I think it's absolutely worth it.

And short about my host family: I'll be living in a little place on a great island far south with mamá Juana and her daughters (my sisters) Viviana and Tania. They are three lovely persons, and I'm looking forward to get to know them better and spend the next year with them and the rest of their family. I'm going to learn to play tennis! And a lot more.. This is going to be great!

So, the next time I write to you I'm actually IN Chile. Cool, or what?

Chaoo!

Vertsfamilie!

2009-07-02T15:16:00.000-07:00

Tiden går fort, og nå er det faktisk under én måned til jeg drar - nærmere bestemt 27 dager.

Og jeg har endelig fått VERTSFAMILIE! Kort sagt: Alenemor med to døtre (16 og 11), lite sted på øy sør i Chile. Og livet det er herlig!!

Kommer tilbake med mer, når jeg får vite mer. :)

De tre musketerer - ut på eventyr!

2009-06-12T07:26:00.000-07:00

Fra Norge er vi er tre jenter som drar ned sammen: Maia, Cecilie og meg. Jeg kjenner ingen av dem enda, har bare snakket litt med dem på facebook. Det blir egentlig litt rart å skulle reise så langt med noen jeg aldri har møtt. Men jeg tror dette blir en fantastisk reise. Det blir nok mye nerver og mange følelser, men med disse jentene tror jeg vi skal klare det! Alt i alt; dette blir BRA!

Oslo - Paris - Buenos Aires - Santiago

2009-06-12T06:43:00.000-07:00

Jeg merker at det begynner å nærme seg avreise. Mottar mye informasjon fra AFS nesten hver dag nå. Det er informasjon om alt fra bagasje og pakking til lommepenger og pengeforbruk. Og ikke minst om visumsøknaden.

Akkurat nå er det forresten bare 47 dager og 21 timer til jeg skal møte opp på Gardermoen. Ganske sykt å tenke på egentlig.

Det siste jeg har mottatt av informasjon nå er angående avreise/reise/ankomst. Har vært ganske spent på reiseruta, og her er den: Oslo - Paris - Buenos Aires - Santiago. Har regnet på det, og fra flyet letter fra Gardermoen til vi lander i Santiago tar det over 27 timer! Får i alle fall god tid til å glede/grue meg. Og til å bli kjent med resten av gjengen som skal til Chile! :)

Torsdag 30. juli 2009!

2009-05-22T13:20:00.000-07:00

Ja, dere. Torsdag 30. juli 2009 forlater jeg landet, til fordel for Chile.

Det er så spennende nå som mer og mer informasjon tikker inn i innboksen. Og jo mer informasjon jeg får, jo mer spent blir jeg. Selvfølgelig, dette er jo helt utrolig! Tiden går så fort, varer nok ikke lenge før jeg står på Gardermoen nå. Må vel innrømme at det er et par sommerfugler i magen nå.

Kommer forøvrig tilbake rundt 5. juli 2010. Gled dere! ;)

Endelig!

2009-05-14T09:57:00.001-07:00

Trrrrommevirvel, og TADA! til dere som tok turen hit fra bloggen min!

Saken er den at Chile har gitt lyd fra seg idag. Den aller aller aller første informasjonen ankom idag - og det er SÅ spennende! Altså, det sier ingenting om når og hvor, men er derimot et eviglangt dokument med side opp og side ned med mer eller mindre alt om det chilenske hverdagsliv og hvordan bli "en ækt chilenar"!

Det vil si alt om lover, skole (JA, jeg skal bruke skoleuniform haha - blir nok snerten i den, skal du se), chilenske folk, familier og hus, klær, JORDSKJELV, historie og geografi. For å nevne noe. Hurra! Dette har jeg ventet leeenge på. Spennende, og litt skummelt. Nå er det virkelig ikke lenge igjen. Og jeg gleder meg desto mer! :)

Hurra!

2009-04-27T11:51:00.000-07:00

"Kjære AFS deltaker og foresatte,
Gratulerer med plass på AFS sitt utvekslingsprogram."

Denne beskjeden mottok jeg 22. desember 2008. Og gleden var stor! Dette hadde jeg venta så lenge på, og at jeg faktisk fikk plass akkurat der jeg ville var helt supert! Jeg må jo ærlig innrømme at det var ganske uvirkelig å se det slik, svart på hvitt. Men fremdeles virket det relativt fjernt, så langt borte og så lenge til.

Nå har månedene gått, og sommerferien nærmer seg med stormskritt, så og si. Da er det ikke lenge igjen til avreise! Og jeg har enda ikke fått noe mer informasjon om vertslandet enn det som sto i opptaksbrevet:

"Gudrun har fått plass på AFS-programmet til Chile med avreise i august 2009."

Jeg er så SPENT på å få vite mer, og gleder meg noe helt vilt! Mer eller mindre prøver jeg å ikke ha noen forventninger angående familien, byen og slik - det beste er nok å være åpen og positiv for alt! Dette er noe jeg kommer til å vokse på, helt sikkert. Slik som alle dere andre utvekslingselever. Jeg beundrer dere virkelig, som tør dette; å velge annerledes, gjøre noe ut av mulighetene vi faktisk har!

Men hvordan begynte det hele? Vel, jeg har reist endel i mitt liv. For eksempel; i desember 2007 var jeg med på et solidaritetsprosjekt på Cuba med et ungdomslag bestående av 10 ungdommer fra hele Norge. Vi syklet, trente og konkurrerte med cubanerne, og hadde med sykler og utstyr vi delte ut på skolene der vi var. Dette var en sterk opplevelse. Og den gjorde noe med meg. Av de andre jeg dro med fra Norge, var det bare noen jeg hadde truffet én gang fra før. Dette gjorde at jeg måtte være med utadvent, noe jeg på det tidspunktet virkelig ikke var. Jeg var sjenert som fy! Helt til den turen...

Cubanerne var et herlig folkeslag, glade og inkluderende. Stemningen, atmosfæren, opplevelsene. Alt var så fantastisk! Jeg vet godt at det vil bli langt fra det samme i Chile, men den turen gjorde meg eventyrlysten, og gjorde meg obs på en helt ny kultur. Jeg opplevde et land på en helt ny måte, og det har jeg lyst til å gjøre igjen!

Og spansken - musikk i mine ører! Virkelig, det er det språket i verden jeg har mest lyst til å lære. Jeg kjenner også mange spansktalende her hjemme i Norge. Så det å få muligheten til å lære spansk ordentlig var vel inspirasjonskilde nummer én! Det kommer til å åpne så mange dører å lære et helt nytt språk.

Jeg lurer litt på hvordan det vil gå i starten, med bare ett år på videregående med spansk som grunnlag. Men man venner seg til et språk man omgåes til alle døgnets tider skremmende fort. Tenk, om halvannet år snakker jeg flytende!

Preorientering med AFS

2009-04-27T09:39:00.001-07:00

I helga 24.-26. april var jeg og omkring 40 andre ungdommer fra Østlandet samlet på Maridalen skole i Oslo. Målet med helga var å bli mer bevisst og forberedt på året i utlandet. Gjennom leker, diskusjoner og andre aktiviteter ble vi mer obs på diverse ting. Det var mye snakk om kultur, forventninger og ansvar. "Ting blir annerledes!" Det er om å være åpen, åpen for en ny kultur. Våge å ta sjanser, kaste seg ut i det. Jeg vet det ikke kommer til å bli lett, men det kommer til å være verdt det.

Når man automatisk har så mye til felles som alle AFSerne på preorienteringa hadde, så blir det et spesielt møte. Alle har en viss grad av forventninger, tusen spørsmål og en god dose sommerfugler i magen. Da blir det fort mye lettere å bli kjent med folk, få nye venner. Vi har alltid noe å snakke om, noe vi lurer på.

For mange, også meg, var utenlandsåret enda fjernt og uvirkelig. Det var før denne helga. Vi ble mer bevisste på hva vi har begitt oss ut på. Og det er bra! Jeg har enda ikke fått noe mer informasjon enn at jeg drar til Chile i august, og da blir fort ting litt fjernt. Men jeg forestiller meg at med en gang man får en dato, et navn og en adresse å forholde seg til, blir plutselig ting ganske mange hakk mer virkelig. Og mer skremmende.

Om halvannet år eller så er det tilbake til Oslo på reorientering. Lederne står med en bunke kovolutter. En til hver av oss, med vårt navn på. De blir delt ut, og vi åpner dem. Disse brevene har vi skrevet selv, på preorienteringa før vi dro til utlandet. Vi skrev dem til oss selv, før vi visste noe som helst om hvordan det neste året ville påvirke livet vårt. Jeg gleder meg jeg, til å lese brevet, om halvannet år eller så.

Jeg vet det var meningen å sette ned forventningene våre på preorienteringsleiren. Og ja, det som ble sagt og det vi gjorde fikk meg virkelig til å tenke på ting som angår det neste året på en annen måte. Noen ting tenkte jeg for første gang. Alt i alt; det fikk meg til å tenke! Ikke på en negativ måte, men på en mer interessert og gira måte. Jeg gleder meg enda mer enn før, samtidig som jeg er mer bevisst på ansvaret mitt og den virkelige meningen med AFSåret. "AFS står for fred!"

Vi sier alle at "fy søren, dette kommer til å bli konge". Men det som er viktig å huske på et at opplevelsen det neste året avhenger av deg selv. DU må ta sjansene, DU må ta ansvar og DU må gjøre noe ut av året - slik kan det fort bli det beste året i ditt liv, så langt.

Chile

2009-04-01T08:35:00.000-07:00

"Fra Andesfjellene til Atacamaørkenen, fra tropene i nord til antarktiske forhold i sør, lama og pingviner, Chile er et eksotisk land med et vennlig folk. Her vil du få spennende og uvanlige opplevelser du vil sette pris på hele resten av livet."

Kilde: AFS Norge Internasjonal Utveksling