no joke

overcast, rain, overcast, rain..... that's life in Bergen for the past month. Oh yes, with one day of amazing sun about 2 weeks ago.  Who's ready for hibernation?!  Meeeeeeee.  Here's the forecast for the next week:

seriously seeking sunshine,

lisa liv

Bergen love around the world

Sweet Genna and Camille thinking of me from 'Bergen' in San Francisco last weekend.  Rachel also sent me a photo from this street when she was in SF last fall.  I'm going to have to find it next time I'm in that city!

Another rainy day in Bergen, Norway.  But, I knew that was part of the deal :)  All the better to focus on my thesis, right?  Right. 

klem,

lisa liv

home stretch

I've wrapped up 4 classes and have one more to go.  My new favorite study place is the University of Bergen library.  My school, NHH, is about 3 miles away from the city center which is a nice walk on a sunny day or a short bus ride on a rainy day.  But, it's still simpler to head to 'HF'.  And, I meet my friend, Martha, at 8:15 which is *great* motivation to get me up and going.  Keep in mind the sun doesn't rise these days until 9:13 a.m.  Ahhh higher latitudes!! 

And, this has been the library entrance the past few days.  Sorry it's a little burry- phone camera..

Welcome to Bergen!

For some memories of just over a month ago and my last 'relaxing' weekend before hard core finals studying started.  I give you, Italy!  Ahhh, such a great weekend.

Hiking in Cinque Terra

Vernazza- where we stayed for the weekend

On the Mediterranean with Jamie!

Friends from NHH in Milan!  Joe (Minnesota), me, Stefano (Italy) and Coni (Germany)

The Duomo in Milan

And, kind of fun, I've been selected (hired?  I get money at the bookstore- nice!) as a 'blogger' for NHH to write about being an international master student :)

god natt!

lisa liv 

and it begins...

..... Advent that is!  The first weekend of Advent Bergen celebrates with 'lysfest' which translates to Festival of Lights.  Last year I was unable to attend because I was prepping Thanksgiving for 70 international masters students.  This year it was raining hard all day but Martha, Nici and I donned our best rain gear and rallied to partake.  

Wow, wow, wow.  Music, fireworks, and Christmas cheer.

**note: these photos are from the web but give you the idea. Exactly the same tonight but add umbrellas

All I have to say is- Christmas on the Prado (aka December Night), you have met your match.  I just witnessed one of the most spectacular fireworks displays I think I've seen.  And I've seen a lot of 4th of July fireworks!  It was 13 minutes (yes, 13, it's on the schedule) of July 4th 'finale-style' fireworks.  I kid you not.  Insane!  And, everyone is around the lake (picture above) with the fireworks over the lake so you are right under the fireworks.  Annnnnd, they let you carry fire torches here.  I know, right?!  Real fire?!  Ahhh the things you can do in a place where all people respect laws and don't slap lawsuits on each other every 5 seconds. (I know, most Americans are this way too, it's just the few that ruin it for the rest of us).

Anywho, what a fantastic kick-off to the holiday season.  

God Jul!

lisa liv 

back in the Bergen groove

There's a saying along the lines of 'there's no bad weather in Bergen, just poor clothing.'  I didn't really get it last year because the city had a particularly nice fall.  Now I get it.  Hello rain!  It's rained almost daily since I returned.  But, I should say it's usually just a little drizzle, never a serious downpour.  Oh, it's good for these SoCal bones right?!  Riiiiiiight.  A little adjusting but, as usual, I'm good to go.

Sorry for my delay, I never intend to go this long.  But, school is picking up and I'm now in the groove of daily life so it takes a little more to make interesting posts.  But, there's always something to share.

Last weekend marked the first PAC-12 football game ever.  Weird.  I don't think I can ever really feel comfortable with the number 12 behind PAC.  It's 10, people.  Dare I point out PAC stands for pacific and I think we are using that term rather liberally with the new additions to the conference.  But, what do I know.  I'm an economist in the making. (I'd also like to point out USC won the first PAC-12 conference game!  Fight On!)

Last weekend also marked the first NHH American Football game ever.  NHH, my school here in Norway, decided to start up an 'American football' team in the spring.  The movement was lead by Norwegians and the team is almost all Norwegians.  My friend Michael from America, also here in one of the international masters programs, played QB in high school and at a small college so he's stepped in at QB. Sticking to my cheerleading roots, I had to go support my team (but I will leave the cheerleading glory days to my high school years).  Check them out, they are in the blue and white-

Just got back from a swim at the student center with my friend Martha.  Time for bed, Thursdays are my longest day with 6 hours of class back to back.

sove godt og søte drømmer

(sleep well and sweet dreams)

lisa liv