Im done with exams!!!

I just got home after my english test... And guess what!?! It went so well... It feels really good. I haven't gotten the results yet, but they said they had to discuiss if they were going to give me the best grade or not. It was so cool, I went in there and they gave me a listeningtest saying... New York! So I got to listen to a 3min text about two girls from New York. And then I had to tell the examinator what they said. After they asked questions about the city and so on. And I was so happy since I've been there. It made it so much more exiting to talk about. They also commented when I first came in, that I had an American accent.
:-)

The next thing I had to do was to choose a paper with 1 or 2 on. I picked nr 1, and that was a text about American people that I have read. So I just had to talk about American people. It was so perfect! I was one happy girl when I walked out of there. They said I knew so much that they would like to give me the best grade. But I wasn't talking gramaticly correctly all the time. So I just have to wait and see... But Im really happy anyway! I really hated english so much last time I took it. Then I would never have belived that I would take an english exam again, and absolutely if I didn't have too.... lol!

So, now I can just relax and prepare everything for Becky, who comes on Saturday!!! But now I have to go and feed Gabriels animals. My brother can't do anything, so I feed his animals twice a day. Poor guy... Ragnhild said I could get some of her pictures(from the rescue with heilcopter...) She also had a test today, and she did well too...

I just got my results from the exam. I got a 5... The same as my biology test. They said it was a very stong 5, but they couldn't give me 6(which is best) because I didn't talk gramaticly correct all the time. But Im very please with 5... Much better than last time!!! :-)

Here is a picture from when I drove home from Egersund(where I took the exam) Beatiful, isn't it?

My american Happy birthday note!!!

Pictures from last year when I turned 20. I celebrated my birthday up in Wisconsin with Leslie's family. It was very nice... They even made me breakfast in my bed... mmm... Very good!!!



Happy Happy Birthday Aud!!!!

You are a very special person - and we thank God for you daily. Here's a few reasons why we think you are so special (your name is frankly not long enough so I've given you a middle name of Rogers ... this shall be your official American name!)

A -- Amazing knitter - come on, who can knit, read, and watch Grey's Anatomy!
U -- Underhanded card player - ok, maybe you didn't cheat but frankly you won a little bit too much don't you think?
D -- Dinner Lover - :) Thank you for eating whatever I made while Kris was gone. I am going to tell your Mom that she should be so proud of you! ;) Seriously though, who wouldn't like spaghetti 5 nights a week?

R -- Runner -- Who else can take Kris and whoop his bootie on a run!
O -- old - we love it that you are older and will introduce you to Sam when you return...;).
G -- goofy - you must keep rogers as part of your name because this g is so necessary! We have never seen someone take such goofy pictures and we are sure we have not seen 20% of them!
E -- Entertainer - You know how to make all of your friends so comfortable and enjoy themselves. You also entertain us with your moose hunts with Jack's motorcycle, the pictures of us that you helped the kids draw and put on the walls, and the great music you introduced us to! Heeve a hoy!
R -- Ron - Ron likes you Aud - that is a big deal. ;)
S -- Skiing - who else gets up at 1 AM during the olympics to see their Norge's take on the number one country.... :)

F -- Food - you make wonderful food! Pizzas, casserole spaghetti dish...we miss that!
E -- Emme, Erik, their brother - they say "We love you Aud because you rock!"
E -- Everything - you are confident that with God's help you can accomplish everything! WE are too!
D -- "Died on the cross" - Jesus did die on the cross and you say it loud and proud, reminding us that we having something to praise God for every day! God bless you Aud! He most certainly blessed us with you!


And Ron and Karen... I got your note in the mail yesterday. Thank you so much for the pictures, card and the pin!

Im 21...!

...and it doesn't make me feel any different. Luckily... Of course there is not much different, or indeed, im old enough to buy beer in the us now... Not that I need it since I don't drink, and since Im back in Norway too... But of course it's nice to be one year older...one more year with memories, and experiences... and the best is yet to come! There is a brand new year coming, and I get to go Africa. And hopefully back to the US for a visit!!! Im looking back on the last year and all my pictures with many thoughts. Mostly Im happy because all the good memories I have, but Im sad too, because I miss everybody so much. I wish I could be both in Norway and the US at the same time... and what happens next, I go to Africa, and then I'll miss both places.... So I guess I just have to get used to it! But it's very nice with the internet, emails and mail... The world is not so big any longer!

Well. Today have been very busy. I woke up at 9, and ate breakfast with my mom, before I went to work at Tonstadli (The place where I usually work in the kitchen), and I worked for 3 hours before I came back home. Then I had a fast dinner with my mom and talked with some friends on the phone, before I was off to work again. I had promised to work evening shift at the nursing home. So i've been feeding old people and talking with them most of the day. It's very funny, because they say those weird things. Like they look out in the air, and start talking about things nobody can see. But you also have to be very patient, or else you would go crazy. One person asked me the same question 10 times tonight, and I try to answear like I've never done before every time. Poor people, they forget everything.

My brother also came home from the hospital today. He had a big cast from his toes all the way to his knee... He also got some stitches in his arm, poop guy! Im glad it's not me. He cann't walk on his foot for 6 weeks, so I have no idea how we are going to get all the work done on the farm this summer. But I guess we just have to lay it in the hands of the lord. He'll take care of us!

Right now, im counting days until Becky comes. I hope to take her hiking a lot, and then I also hope to show her some of the cities here... I think she'll love Norway!!! My parents are very exited too...

But I need to go to bed now. It's been a very long day and Im ready for some sleep.
Take care, don't break any bones!

May 28th

It's my last day as a 20year old.... Yeah... let's party hardy! lol :-) People at work ask me all the time about how old I am. And when I tell them, they always say that I look much younger. I don't know if it's a good thing or not. but there is not so much I can do about it...not that it really bothers me.

Well there have been some stuff going on since last I wrote something. On Sunday morning my brother Gabriel were up in the mountains. He fell and broke a couple of bones in his foot. And it was so far up in the mountains that they couldn't get him down with a fourwheeler. So they ended up calling 113, (same as 911 in the US) and they came with a helicopter and picked him up. And then he had to have surgery when he arrived at the hospital. So he needs to wear a cast for the next 6 weeks. Not very good news when your are a carpenter and a farmer. So poor guy! One good thing is that we have taken all his sheep outside now, so he doesn't need to worry about feeding them.

This morning I saw a moose when I drove to work. He was standing like a king in a hill right above the road. They look very majestic. I wish I could have taken a picture, but I was driving, and my camera was in the back of the car.

It was a special 4day weekend and my all my brothers were home this weekend. They had a youth/college group summerparty on Saturday. It was amazing how many people that showed up. My town is very little, and there were maybe 40-50, which must be a new record. We were grilling, playing volleball and soccer and just hanging out.

And then Im working as much as possible. Some days I work both at the nursing home and the kitchen.

Well for now, have a good week!!!

" It's your birthday, dude!!!"

Erik the red, The energy bunny, the winker, your nicknames are many as well as your interrests and personalities. You can be wild and crazy, but the next second you're the most thoughful child ever. You say those amazing things, that goes straight to people's hearts. You are super outgoing and make new friends were ever you go. You will get really far in the world, no matter where you choose to be... hmmm Did you ever think about Norway??? :-) And Erik, Im so proud of you. In a few years you have learned wonderful things. You draw the coolest pictures ever, you know all your letters and is starting school in August. You can almost tie your shoes by yourself. You play soccer like a norwegian boy, as well as pronounce your norwegian very well... Gratulerer med dagen! (happy birthday) I love and misssssssss you so MUCH!!!!! I hope you have a wonderful day... Your present is hidden in the Rogers house... hope you find it!!! :-) THE BIGGEST BIRTHDAY HUG EVER TO MY BOY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE OCEAN!!!!

Celebrating 17th of May

The day started with church at 10...Then there is a parade where everyone takes part...
The parade always stop at the nursing home where our ordfører (president of the county, or something) holds a speech. We went into our grandpa to visit him.

newly named lambs!!!

This is the Rogers gang... The white one is named Emme, Erik is the black one with lots of curls and Jack is the one with horns... (wonder why..hmmm, Nickname Sinnataggen!)















I helped my mom in the barn yesterday. And I have to say that I love sheep. Their newborn lamb are so very cute. They are just adorable!!! We also have some lambs that have been taken away from their mom. This caused of different reasons like the mom died, or the mom doesn't have enough milk or is sick. Right now we have one bin with 3 lambs and another with 7. So I was sitting in there cuddling with these awesome animals. And it suddenly hit me. I should name them... So I did name some of them. So there are some lambs in the barn named after Americans right now!!! I hope you guys don't mind :-) My favorite lamb is Becky, she is really cute and soft. She also likes to be patted on the back. She is actually Gabriels lamb but lives in my dads barn right now.





My favorite lamb is Becky, she is really cute and soft. She also likes to be patted on the back. She is actually Gabriels lamb but lives in my dads barn right now.











This one is Maddie. This lamb is very sweat and full of energy








This one is a little bit older. I didn't name it after anybody since I didn't want to affend anybody... He's the boss in the barn and has big horns. Do any of you have any advices what we can name it?

Visitor from the US

I just got a message from Becky today, and she got her ticket to come and visit... She will be here in less than two weeks...It almost seems unreal. Im very exited to get to speak english again and show Becky my beatiful country!!!! GO NORWAY... hehe... She will come to Norway the 2 of June and stay for two weeks. So I hope we get some nice weather. I'll try to teach her a little norwegain before she comes, since my parents don't speak english at all... :-) So Im very exited tonight... I'll think about all the fun things I'll do with her... But right now, I have to go take a nap. Im worked last night and nightshift again tonight.. I really like it. We go around and check on the patients at the nursinghome when they are sleeping. Last night we found one patient that had pied on the floor, so there is all kind of stuff. But overall it's very quiet and I can sit and knit when people don't need help.

One YEAR ago!!!

It's already one year since Mike was confirmed, and we flew up to Wisconsin. We had a wonderful week up in Minnesota before we drove down to Milwaukee...

You are all in my thoughts and prayers... One day I'll be back... sooner or later!!! :-)

Nightshift...

I feel like im back in the US... Espcially when I think about my sleeping rutine tonight. Last night I worke a nightshift for the first time ever. I don't really have problems staying up late, so i didn't mind. It was very quiet at the nursinghome though. So Im a little bored when I don't have anything to do. But I brought my knitting, and we were three people together, so it wa very nice. Before I left this morning, I went in to see to my grandpa, and he was very shocked that I hadn't slept yet. He said, get yourself home and sleep now!!! hehe... (of course in norwegian...my grandpa only knows "I love you" in english)

So im going to clean up a little and then my sister and brother in law come tonight. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!

The day before the day...

Tomorrow is a really big day in NORWAY. It's 17mai... our independence day. At 10am we usually go to church, then after there is a big parade. All the kids and most grown up's participate. We all dress up in nice cloths(a lot of people weat their national costumes). At the parade everyone carries flags and sing national songs, and scream " Hipp hipp hurra!" Later after the parades, there are lots of games for the kids(like carry a potato on a spoon, and kicking a ball into a goal...that kind of games). For every game they get a prize, free icecream, candies or snacks. It was so much fun when we were smaller... We ate so much ice and hotdogs that day. I remember it beeing a big day, almost like Christmas. And then there is a lot of speeches, and different kind of entertainment the rest of the day.

Iam going to work at the nursing home at 2.30pm. So that will be nice. Old people are very thankful that Norway is independent and the 17th of May is a big day for them. It's fun for everybody, but it is really special to people that lived while Norway was occupied by the Germans in 1940-1945.

So, everybody.... Shout "Hipp, hipp hurra" to someone and tell them that it's independence day in Norway!!! GO NORWAY... Norges Rock!!!

My new neigbours!!!

When I left Norway in August 2005, my oldest brother just moved out of my parents house. And since then a lot has happened. He has married my very good friend Ragnhild. And how many people are so blessed that they get their good friends as sister in laws? I feel very lucky to have such a good friend and neigbour to spend time with when Im home.




I've only been home for about 1,5half week, but I've already been there a lot. They have invited me on dinners(or maybe i really invited myself...). But it's very nice to have a friend that lives so close. On Sunday night Ragnhild and I decided to feed the animals because Gabriel was out of town... So we went out in the barn at 11pm. The problem was just that we didn't have gras from the silo. So we had to climb the ladders and use the lift to get some food for the sheep and the cows. But we did it! Ragnhild maybe used to be a girl from the city, who didn't liked the smell from poop. But now she is really something. She can do the work at a farm and is a real farmer girl!!! Proud of you Ragnhild!!!

NORWAY vs USA

Here are some things I really miss about the US...
- The Rogers family!!!!
- Walmart with everything in one place and open 24/7
- Busicuits
- Fried chicken
- the carpet up the stairs to my bedroom
- the sunny weather
- cheap things, it's aweful expensive in Norway
- the coffehouse 235, and starbucks, with good coffe. People here don't get why I put sugar in my coffe.
- Kris and Leslies cooking... (ehh spagetti...hehe)
- playing with the kids, and having an excuse for beeing silly
- First Baptist church
- meeting new people all the time
- wearing summerclothes all the time
- I never thought I would say this, but I really miss talking english with people.
- geocaching with Becky
- polite people, who holds the doors for you and smile at you when you meet them. (Norwegians are really shy and rude sometimes...)


Some things I love about beeing back in Norway...
- I can go hiking in the mountains whenever
- I don't need to repeat my name, when I introduce myself
- norwegian chocolate
- I get to see the spring over again, because the seasons are later here.
- I can spend time with family and old friends. It's very nice that my brother and sister in law are next door neighbours. I also get to play games with my sister and brothers, something i love to do.
- My grandpa is very sick, so I get to visit him. I work in the same nursinghome so that's nice.
- two out of my three exams are over over and done with
- It's very easy to fix things. I could go to the health department and ask about my shots, and they ordered them right away, and I could come back two days later and get the first ones.
- it's less days untill I go to Kenya, and then hopefully come and visit people in the US after...
- My parents got wireless internet while I was gone, so I can check my emails even when Im home
- enjoying areas without any people or traffic. You go to the store, and there is nobody else in there. You don't even have to wait in line.

I love my country and my people, but it's very different to come back after so long. Sometimes I feel like a foreigner in my own country because I don't know the tv shows everyone talks about, or I haven't tried the latest stuff in the stores or even the humor is very different from the us. You kind of see pro and cons when you go somewhere and come back after a while. It's almost weird that I have been so used to everything.

The mountains...

I decided Thursday evening that I would use my two days off to go up in the mountains. It was always two years since last year I went hiking up to my parents cottage... My dad said I could bring his dog, something I really regreted later... The dog is almost years old and not very well trained. She was jumping up on me, and did not listen to anything I said... Really annoying!!!! Im having a biology test on Monday and brought a book so I could study... So here is what I did, I hiked for an hour and then stopped and read a chapter... And then when I was walking I went through all the information and talked with myselv while I was walking... It is pretty nice when there is nobody around you! You can sing, screem and whatever you want to do! But back to the problem. The dog jumped into every muddpuddle we saw, and then when I tried to study, she jumped on me and made pawprints in my book. And then when I tried to eat, she would not leave me alone!!! Stupid dog... Thats all I can say...

But everything else was absolutely beatiful. I really enjoyed beeing up in the mountains all by myself. It's really relaxing to get away from everything. No cellphones, no tv, no ipod or computers and no electrcity(or we have a little energy now, by solar power)... So it's kind of like going 50 years back in time. So I brought my biology book and my knitting and then everything was perfect! Unless the dog, which stole all the shoes in the hallway and started chewing on them.

I had the perfect weather too. It was very sunny and about 50 F... But very cold! There's a lot of wind on the top of the mountains. It was also a lot of snow still... Some places I went sliding down the hills, it was easier than walking... so much fun!

Well...To all americans, when you come to norway I'll show you the beatiful nature here... Our God created a beatiful world, and Im so happy to be a part of it! What a wonderful maker...

May 10th

<
Today is a big day in my life... My first step toward going to Africa is taken... Or maybe I did that a really long time ago... But I started taking the shots today. I was a little bit worried about it. But I had no reason! I had the same nurse that gave me all the shots when I grew up. She is working as a school nurse part time. So, if I haven't told you. My town is super small and everybody know each other. So whereever you go, everybody is starting to ask me about the US. So it's almost like in the US, where I have to tell everybody about Norway and stuff.... Don't get me wrong, it's very nice that people ask, and I love talking about all of you!!! I tell everyone that they should go there!!!! To be honest, I really really miss the US. Im not going to the store here at all because it's so expensive... Or I went to the store to buy some norwegian milkchocolate...(Yes, Leslie I have some for you too!!!)

And then I have had fun visiting a lot of my friends and family the last couple of days. After I took my written english test on tuesday, I went to Jearen... That's the western part of South Norway. Both Magne, Jon and Dorthea lives there. My cousin also live there, and I went to see her "new house". They tore almost everything down inside, and redid everything. It looks very different, and absolutely beatiful! And her kids are some adorable children too. They wanted to play all kind of games with me. I had brought some skittles from the US... (The sour ones) And I gave it to them, and they just wanted more and more... Even Torvald who is 16 months ate the sour candy, and made some funny faces!!!

Later on that night I went to my sisters house, and we had lots of fun talking, eating, shopping(though I didn't really shop) and watching tv. We even went for a walk at the beach... It was nice to see the ocean again... Imagine... Fresh norwegian air and the sound of the waves at the ocean... It was very nice. God did a great job when he created the earth!


People in Norway are also surprised that I drink coffe, even though they don't get why I put creamer and sugar in it... Well, I tell them that's what the crazy americans thought me... lol!!!

On Wednesday morning I went to see Anne Berit... Ragnhild also lives very close by, so I went to eat supper with her..! She had made the best pai ever... So I had some very nice, but busy days... Now Im back home at my parents and tomorrow I'll go up in the mountains by myself for two days... Then I start working on sunday... So lots of things going on...!

I hope all of you are doing well... I miss you all very much, and if I could I think I would come back right away... hehe...

Take care!!

I love sheep!!!

Im back at the farm, and today I went to feed the animals with Gabriel and Ragnhild... This is one of the newborns, soooo cute... It's about 3-4 days old...
ba
My brother is out of town for tonight, so Im gonna watch the sheep for him tonight... so i have to get up at 3am in the morning and see if there is any births or problems... And then I feed all the animals on his farm tomorrow morning... cows, sheep and a cat... So I better go to bed now... Have a great week everybody!!!



bahhh!!! bahh!!!

IM IN NORWAY

I just wanted to let you all know that I arrived safely earlier today. I was a long journey, but I made it!!!! It feels good to have all my stuff in one place at home, but what a mess...! It was also very nice to see my brothers with cowboyshats waiting at the airport, and Ragnhild, Dorthea, Ellen, my aunt and my cousins two young boys where also there... We had a very nice day together. So, im at my parents farm now, and it's like seeing everything over again. There are so many new things in the house and it's different to come home after two years...

I really miss everybody so much. I'll tell you a secret.. hehe... i don't usually cry, but I couldn stop crying at the airport in Nashville. It was so hard for me to walk away from the Rogers crew... im already missing the noise and their smiles... So, keep me in your prayers, and I'll always remember all of you. I think americans must be my favorite kind of people!!! lol.... you guys rock!!!

I must say that I really have problems speaking norwegian too... One the plane from London to Norway, I was so happy that I got to sit with some real british people(they have a very funny accent), so i didn't have to speak norwegian with some strangers. I don't know why, but it's hard for me to speak norwegian to people I don't know, and also really hard to small kids... I automaticly say things in english... you guys have brainwashed me... Well... i need to get some sleep or I'll be miserable tomorrow... Have a nice day!

Packing up my stuff...

I can't belive it... It's the 3rd of May and I have to pack up all my stuff and put it in my suitcases. I probably have to jump on top of them to get everything to fit. Where did all ths stuff come from? Last night I went to the coffehouse for the last time. It was kind of sad, because we've had so much fun there. But at the same time we learned about trusting the lord, and that's what im about to do. It's time for me to go. I don't know what road im gonna head down later, but right now it's Norway and Africa next.

And thanks everyone for all the nice things you have given me as a go away present. Im gonna keep them forever and think about you.

so i better get out of bed, and start packing...

GO AWAY PARTY!!!!

I had a go away party here in Clarksville this sunday... And it was totally awesome! I can tell you, we had so much fun. Maybe it should have been a sad day since Im leaving soon, but we were just doing all these silly things together... First we had lunch.. Turkey, ham, rolls, salat and chips... It was very very good!!! And Leslies dad got the cooles cake ever... it had a norwegian flag on it and said NORGES ROCK! pretty cool... It tasted very yammy too...

Then it was time for the big egg hunt. Leslie and I had hidden lots of eggs. Each egg had something written inside of them that people had to do. E.g one egg said... Walk around the neighbourhood and tell people that the norwegian is leaving on friday... (and they forced me to come with them...!) Another one was, paint norwegian flags on 5 peoples faces. It's too much to list all of them, but it was just a great time with friends and the Rogers!!! And thank you Karen and Ron for coming!!! Very good turkey, and a fancy cake!!! (...I do like your norwegishe cooking...)

Later on we had a big waterballoon fight... Most people left the party soaking wet. But some were chicks and hid inside cars or the house.. hmm...!

Well. Thanks everybody for coming. It's been so much fun hanging out with ya'll, and I'll mis ya. But you can come to norway, and I'll come back and visit sometime...

take care