Oslo Marathon & Birthday Party

Yesterday I ran the ten-kilometer distance at the Oslo Marathon, named "10 for Grete", honoring Grete Waitz, a Norwegian who was a true pioneer in women's running. Last year she lost her battle with cancer.

 

 My awesome colleague, Trine,

to the far left with two of her girlfriends.

Trine and I kept each other company for

the first 5 km

If you'd told me I'd be running 10 kilometers without croaking six months ago, I'd gag from hysterical laughter at the idea.

It was a great experience, running together with so many people - I  hope to also be joining next year, so that I can improve my time; I finished in 1 hour and 6 minutes, and I know I can do it in 1 hour. Next year!

 Prior to the run, the gym company 'Elixia' provided some seemingly

impromptu warm up

- it certainly did not inspire me to join their gym,

that's for sure

Ten kilometers later:

 

I even got a medal!! (It wasn't just only for the kids)

 

Sure, I had to put it on myself, but so help me God, I got a medal

After the run, I went home, showered, and then Vidar and I went to celebrate:

(It was freezing yesterday, 

no wonder I got sick after the run)

 At IKEA! We bought a new rug for the living room. It's blue.

 IKEA food!

I said "Yes, a lot!!" to the IKEA man

when he asked me whether I wanted

red currant jam with my meal

- as you can see,

he obliged

Today we went to Vidar's momma's house for Vidar's 30th birthday dinner.

I was making a pavlova cake, and hesitant to leave it in the oven by itself, Vidar and I camped in front of the oven while it was baking, so that I could keep an eye on it.

It was completely unnecessary, but our 'picnic' was pretty cosy.

 I'm showing Vidar the first

season of Heroes!

And then we got dressed and headed for his momma's house

 

 Vidar and his brother, Lars

Both very excited 

Vidar thought he was going to a birthday dinner with close family, but in reality it was kind of a surprise party with several of his relatives, and Inger-Lise had even ordered super fancy catering food.

 Yum!

After dinner, I finished assembling my pavlova.

 

I had excellent assistance, provided by the daughter of one of Vidar's cousins; 12-year-old Karoline

 Nigella ain't got nothing on me!

 My pavlova cake was a hit!

Since Last Time

After nearly a month of silence, I got a worried comment by my sole blog reader, mr. Veerendra  (from Hyderabad, India).

So, before he organizes a search and rescue team; Mr. Veerendra, this one is for you 

 

The truth is, I can't be bothered pretending to have an eventful life to keep blogging about it several times a week.

I'm learning a real trade now, studying to become a social worker - it's serious stuff - and that process is very little entertaining to neither blog nor read about.

So, life passes by, and the only stuff I photograph is my dinner:

 

 I miss Korean barbecue in Beijing

 

 

Cooking a chicken with a can of beer

up its arse 

 

And sometimes, my finger nails:

Last week, I provided excellent moral support, watching Vidar put together our new bed.

That was a hoot and a half, as I'm sure you can imagine

 

Last week, I finally got to collect a souvenir that my friend Morten got for me when he traveled to Argentina nearly three years ago.

 This comes in handy,

especially since I'm trying out this new image,

being 'friendly-Kine',

so God knows I need an outlet

for suppressed 

annoyance and bitchiness 

 

And the other day my diplomas from

the University of Oslo

finally arrived

Oh, this one is a treat:

Vidar and I moved into our apartment in May, and some time later we went to IKEA, got a lamp, got it up  - and then found out, there's no light switch. FOL (Fuck our lives)

 And if we want a light switch we have to get an electrician to connect it, and pay for it ourselves. That's like, at least 1500 NOK. Ahh.

So that project is still unfinished, but now autumn has arrived and it's getting dark earlier - so we need more light!

 

 See, no light switch

 

 More dinner photos

Last weekend, after two and a half years, my mother and Vidar's mother met for the first time. It was pretty nerve wrecking, but my mother behaved well most of the time.

 

My sister is turning 18 next month!

(And she has cut her own bangs) 

Vidar turned 30 yesterday, woop woop!  

 We went to a restaurant in Oslo

called Alex sushi, 

where they sell expensive, raw fish 

 Fancy place.

The chefs are probably Vietnamese, 

but have been instructed not to speak Vietnamese

to each other in front of costumers, so they

speak Norwegian

- and occasionally "blurt" something

appropriate out in Japanese (seemingly with a 

Vietnamese accent).

Anything to maintain the 

authentic image, I guess