love, laugh ; live ..

learning to knit pt. 2

sarajohanne — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 10:37:24 +0000

Okay, so I’ve actually started this, and I think it’s going great. As I said, this first one is just to get the hang of things. I already knew how to knit, since I learned it in middle school, but starting and finishing will be a first. Even though it was my little sister and mom that got me in to this, the thing that really got me to do it is that I find it very relaxing. For me, it’s like reading a book – only that I don’t have to think at all if I don’t want to. So, here’s the progress so far ;

This picture doesn’t do justice to the color, though. It’s a much brighter green IRL. But it’s the best picture I got. And for those interested; I’m using 4.5 mm needles and 100% merino wool yarn, thickness group B (3,5 – 4 mm). This site (link) was, and will continue to be, very helpful.

Now it’s just a matter of continuing this project, and finishing it, and then I can be able to say that I can knit (if anyone ever asks).

photo; private

learn something new

sarajohanne — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:03:03 +0000

As mentioned, one of my new years resolutions is to eat, see, learn or try something new. I would like to do all of them every month, and will do my best to do so. Even though eating, seeing and trying something new is hard to plan (I would like for this resolution to help me be more spontaneous) – learning something new every month takes some planning and serious dedication. Each month I’m going to post a new thing for me to learn, and update you on my progress. At the end of the month I’ll post a summary of the new things I’ve eaten, seen, tried and learned that month.

January 2012 – learning to knit

This month, I’m going to learn how to knit. I got the inspiration from my mom during the holiday, and even though I know a little about it already, I would like to be able to actually start and finish a knitting project. If I get really good, I could make some nice knitted gifts for Christmas next year. Who would like a nice pair of homemade mittens?

I think my first project will be a scarf for my childhood teddy bear – I know, it’s both cute and kind of pathetic at the same time .. But it’s a start, isn’t it? Just to get the hang of it, I mean. Anyway .. wish me luck!

photo; private

a new year

sarajohanne — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 20:14:08 +0000

My new year’s resolutions last year went pretty well. #1, move to Oslo, is completed. #2, look and feel healthy and fit, is still with me, now at the top of my list. #3, pass my exams, was done in June. #4, pay off my credit card, got done in September. #5, be nicotine free, started really good in September, but unfortunately it ended in December, and I’m not quite sure when I’ll do it again ..

This year, I only have three resolutions.

#1 – look and feel healthy and fit

It seems like old habits really do die hard .. I can’t say that my looking and feeling healthy and fit is any better from January 2011! But I joined a gym in November, and I’m going to keep pushing on this one till I can truly mark it as done. It’s something I have to achieve for my own good, and hopefully I’ll get it done this time.

#2 – eat, see, learn or try something new

I would like to make this a resolution that takes place each month, so that I’ll keep broaden my horizon all year through. Perhaps one ‘new’ of each every month? Try one new type of food, see one thing I’ve never seen, learning a new thing and trying something new every month. I’ll keep you posted on this one.

#3 – do it now, not later

I’m sooo good at procrastinating - and I do it all the time. It could be big things, like my last and current resolution ‘look and feel healthy and fit’, or it could be as simple as folding my clothes, taking out the trash or sending an e-mail. This has to stop. Why would anyone want to postpone anything they could do right now? It’s laziness. Plain laziness. But not anymore! If anything has to be done, I’ll be sure to do it right now. I probably need a good reminder for this, a poster or such .. I’ll make it right now :-)

Wish me luck!

osLove

sarajohanne — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:19:43 +0000

These are some pictures I took in Oslo today.

photos; private

water

sarajohanne — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:32:28 +0000

photo; private

cause i hardly ever see you

sarajohanne — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 13:34:40 +0000

oh when it rains, could you call me please? and make my day ….

photo; private

morning light

sarajohanne — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 11:05:37 +0000

Photo; private

autumn in norway

sarajohanne — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 20:02:54 +0000

photo; Kaja Fjeld

resolutions

sarajohanne — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 01:00:57 +0000

At the beginning of this year, I made a few resolutions. This is something I’ve done many times before, but for the first time in my life I’ve kept my focus on these resolutions, and taken real steps to follow them through. And of course; they haven’t been as unrealistic as the ones I’ve had before. The website 43things, which I’ve mentioned before, have taught me the power behind sharing – so I thought I’d share my resolutions for this year with you, and the steps I’ve taken and are planning to take in order to complete them.

#1 – move to Oslo

As some of you may know, I’ve already kind of done that; but I don’t want to mark it as done until I’ve spent my first night in my own apartment. Right now I’m staying with my sister, since I don’t get my apartment until September 1st. But I’m starting my new job here in Oslo on Monday, so I guess it’s safe to say that I really live here now. The road to completing this goal seems so long when I look back at it, but really, since setting my heart on it in early January – it hasn’t been that long. I had to stay in my hometown until summer anyway, since I had one of my other resolutions to complete there. The thing that has held me back from actually moving out before has been the lack of money, and the fact that it’s difficult to get an apartment in Oslo. But this time I got lucky, and I’ve been saving money for it by working all summer. So soon, very soon …

#2 – look and feel healthy and fit

This one is a tricky one .. old habits die hard? But I’m trying, more so now than I’ve ever done before. It’s really a goal to help my self-esteem - I need to be truly happy with myself in order to lead a truly happy life. A big part of this is losing some weight and get more fit, of course. In April I started using Herbalife’s products, mainly the shake; and now I have one for breakfast almost every day. That’s a big step for a person who used to skip breakfast all the time, specially before work or school. I also try to drink more water, and exercise on a regular basis. And it’ll be a lot easier to eat healthy when I live on my own, since I’ll be the one doing all the grocery shopping. I’m also going to maintain the somewhat regular sleeping pattern I’ve come around to in the months working in the kinder garden; I feel a lot more healthy when I’m not troubled by insomnia.

The goal also contains some mental aspects – I need to change my view on my self and my life to feel healthy and happy. I would like to do this by focusing on my good sides and learn to meditate. The world would probably be a better place if everyone knew how to find peace within themselves.

#3 – pass my exams

Done and done! I finished my last exam, and with that completing high school, on June 1st. It was a great feeling to see the results and know that I’ve actually done it, all by my self. I can truly say that I’m really, really proud of myself for doing this!

#4 – pay off my credit card

I actually think it’s sad that I have credit card debt at the age of 20 .. and even though it’s not much, about 7000 NOK, it’s still too much. So I’ve been paying more than the minimum amount for a while now, trying to get the amount owned down. It’s just pathetic that I’ve paid mostly interest for a long time. Once the amount goes further down, the interest will get smaller – and it’ll be easier to pay it all off. I’m close to getting an extra job where I can choose when I work, and what I work with – and the plan is that the money I earn doing this job will go strictly towards paying off my credit card. It’s a good plan, so I hope it works out. And then hopefully I can mark this as done by the end of the year! I can’t wait to make the last payment – and only have the credit card for emergencies.

#5 – be nicotine free

I think this is a resolution I added later on – but either way it’s going to be done this year. It’s such a stupid habit, and it costs a lot of money. I use snus (google it if you don’t know what it is), and I figured out that if I go trough three boxes a week, which I’m sure I do, it costs me 850 NOK a month – 10200 NOK a year (!!) .. it’s depressing to admit that I have a really bad habit that actually costs me enough money in a year to pay for almost two months rent .. or a really great vacation! Or a new phone, or a video camera … you get where I’m going here. It has to stop. As of right now – I have 9 boxes left, and I’ve made a promise to my mom that I’ll never ever buy another one. I’m going to keep that promise. Maybe it’s a good idea to make a list of things I could be buying instead? I think I’ll go ahead and do that – for motivation.

_________________________________

As you’re probably able to see; most of the resolutions have to do with each other. That actually makes it a lot easier to complete them all. In order to move out I knew I would have to finish my exams, and when I move out it’ll be easier to look and feel healthy and fit. To really look and feel healthy and fit, I would have to give up the nicotine. And moving out and living on my own is a lot easier when you don’t have to pay credit card bills all the time. I’m confident that these resolutions will be completed by the end of the year – and I’m really looking forward to having a better life because of it. Completing these will also make it a lot easier to go ahead and do a lot of the other goals I have listed on 43things. And if that isn’t great motivation – I have no idea what is.

grateful

sarajohanne — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 21:18:02 +0000

A funny thing about me – is that I find myself being more creative when I’m down than when my life is all roses and sunshine. And I’ve been thinking about how that affects my blog; it’s mostly depressing reading. That’s really not the way I want people to see me, because for the most part I’m happy and loving and living the good life. I have a lot to be grateful about, and I want to start focusing on the great part of my life. The depressing stuff is going in my diary from now on!

I want to share a list with the stuff that I’m truly grateful for right now;

My family; the most loving, caring, crazy family in the world. My mom and dad, who has done a great job raising me and my siblings – and who continues to love us and support us no matter what. My older brother, Joachim Alexander, who has always protected me and continues to help me with whatever geeky stuff I need help with. Charlotte Marie, my older sister, who always listens to my complaints and constant babbling and who is kind enough to let my stay at her place for three weeks while I wait for my own apartment. Benjamin Uno, my younger brother, who is so smart, and so tall (all of a sudden!) and who is already such a fine young man. Nicolai Timo, also my younger brother, who is growing up sooo fast, and is so smart and talented and helpful – and who is gonna miss me even though he doesn’t really know how to say it. My youngest brother, Theodor Keijo, also very smart and talented and loving. And my baby sister, Aurora Milja, who is the baby of the family, even though she’s nine years old and growing up so fast. My great grandparents – who has never done anything but support and love us all, no matter where they might be. My little baby, Mir Christopher, who is a cat (as in I don’t have a real baby, but I care for him as if he was my own son. I know, I know .. it’s a little sick) – and who lights up my day whenever and wherever. And I have a great bunch of aunts and uncles and cousins, who always have and continues to bring a lot of fun and love into my life.
My friends; who listens to me, laughs with me, cries with me and lights up my life every day. They support me and let me know when I’ve done something good or when I’ve completely screwed up. They’re always there for me – with the kind of unconditional love that I think is rare to find in friends.
My new job; that I got today, actually, and that I can’t wait to start. To work with kids is truly amazing and rewarding. So I’m really grateful that I get the opportunity to continue doing that.
My apartment; that I’ve waited on foreeeever … It’s just perfect! But even though I’ve wanted to move out for a really long time now, I’m gonna miss being close to my family and friends. And my beautiful cat, of course. (And my hometown … but just a little!)