Archive for June, 2005
June 26, 2005 at 4:08 am · Filed under Uncategorized
Hehehehe! Just making sure that i make use of the internet cafe here in the city. Though we have a computer back home, still It’s something new. In an attempt to divert our desperation (for whatever), we decided to visit oslo in one of its busiest days…the celebration of midsummer day. Indeed, oslo was crowded when we arrived. After checking in at a hotel, i grabbed my camera and together with venus we disappeared into the crowd.
Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without dining in mcdonalds (our sort of tradition when visiting oslo since it familiarizes us to Pinas.) There were many artists displaying their talents on the street. There were a variety of bands, on the spot painters, the human statues, etc. Of course, i took some pics though it may take a while before i can post it. Since we’re here, we decided to watch a movie(mr and mrs smith) . Today is sunday, we woke up at 7am and headed out to the port and took some pics. My very loyal and patient VA though not that interested in photography, stood by my side and offered suggestions. Well, i did bribe her but i know she’ll forget about it later. Unexpectedly, by noon the streets were busy again… with tourists. Now, after this short stop we’ll search for a catholic church and hopefully, we’ll be able to at least say a little prayer. Hmmmm…have to go now so as not to pay so much for this short stop. Ha det!
June 20, 2005 at 1:40 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
All Norway celebrates Jonsoksdag, also called St. John’s Day, St. Hans Day, or Midsummer Day, June 24th.
Before Christianity came to Norway, Midsummer Day was a celebration of the summer solstice. It was considered bad luck to start new work projects on Jonsok eve. People stacked piles of wood at traditional sites, usually at the top of a hill or on other high ground. The ceremony would begin with community members dressed in their best in procession to the bonfire site. The fire was lit at twilight and the celebration would begin. Music was played while children played games and adults danced until dawn. It was a time of great joy and celebration. The celebrants believed that starting fires on Jonsok would protect both people and animals from illness; the fires would strengthen the sun.
In early Christian times, religion adopted this pagan holiday. Jonsok night because a time for contemplation and midnight mass. When the country embraced the Lutheran faith, the celebration remained virtually unchanged; a Lutheran service was held at midnight that included communion. Today Jonsoksdag has lost most of its spiritual significance. It is still celebrated as a time to share with family and friends.
***being here in Norway, i’m lucky to celebrate st. john’s day in a different way than the way i’ve been used to celebrate it in the Philippines. Norwegians/Norwegian families go out in their back or front yards wherever the sun is, grill whatever they can grill and sit there until the sun sets. And just like what was mentioned above, they gather to a particular place, have a bonfire and dance. They really celebrate the midsummer day….why shouldn’t they when they’ve waited six mos or more for the sun to shine!!! It’s their time to enjoy their environment and it’s not uncommon for norwegians to walk without shoes (i don’t know in oslo), neither is wearing two-piece while doing household chores. These days, reading books, watching tv, and staying inside the house are a no-no and gardening, sun bathing, swimming and basta outdoor activity…are in!!!
Yesterday, i went out to document how long the sun shone. I took a picture of my favorite house (shown somewhere here) and it was taken at around midnight. Yes, daylight? Well, hear this… at around 1am i could still see daylight and few days before the sun usually appeared at around 2:30am (i really sleep late these days since i’m hooked watching ikaw ang lahat sa akin and kampanerang kuba) so doing my math…the sun disappears for 1.5hours max. Imagine, i’m living south of norway!!! Well, hopefully i get to visit the north one midsummer day…looking forward to that!
June 9, 2005 at 1:56 am · Filed under Uncategorized
Hmmmm! Got some bad news or is it? For us who were left by this beautiful person, it is bad! We’re left remembering how it was when she’s with us. The hardest part of death is accepting our loss…that there’ll be a space where there once was this person playing a role in our life. A loss that we know whatever we do for as long as we live will never be replaced, that when we wish it to be there, it’ll never come… not again. It’ll forever bring a pain that’ll make you smile and wet your eyes. A loss that we have no control….a LOSS! I often times wonder if God smiles when we die…thinking He’ll be having his child back…again on his lap.
A friend passed away a few weeks ago. I remember her daydreaming of her dying and being with God again. It was her dream, her wish and so for her…her passing is the best news ever! And i would say….’ikaw talaga, praning ka!’ and she’d say, ‘eh totoo naman ah, bespren.’ As much as i want to be happy for her, i can’t…not now. I never got to see her this year (when i flew home), i was actually expecting to meet her and her partner since we made a deal last year to have a roadtrip again this year. Another sad thing is…i thought of contacting her several times but i got caught up with things that i thought i must do.
she’s one of the sweetest persons…one of the purest…one of the kindest…a person who not once ever said anything bad about another person…this is true, as in literally. A person who weird as she was…ok kasama! She’s in love too often and too fast. Starstruck! A poet wannabe…i believe nagawan nya ng poem lahat ng kilala nya! I was lucky…she made me several poems. Hey Cherqui…this time ako naman ang gagawa for you…
An angel i met…nothing but kindness;
A crazy child…the purest heart you have;
Troubled mind…you fought for so long;
Leaving me…this place of pain you left;
thanking you…for your beatiful soul;
peace you wished…peace you got;
Smile for me…God beside you!…..love you, bestfriend!
June 5, 2005 at 11:35 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Wow! Five weeks went by too fast! I loved my vacation. I got to do so much, learned so much and ached so much, too. Haaaay! It was hard leaving Pinas, this time I managed not to cry coz I knew when I start…tears would just flow endlessly.
Got back this Sat. after lunch and at
6pm
I was already drowsy from lack of sleep. Lack of sleep? I wasn’t sure if I slept alright during my flight but I was pretty sure I did get more than 3hours of sleep. Jet lag!!! Yes, at
6pm
here, 12mn in Pinas. I regularly slept around
11:30
-12mn that’s after memories of
Bali
and All About Eve. Hehehe! That night we slept early then I woke up around 12mn coz I usually wake up
5:45am
in the Phil. Early riser? I was! I had to coz I was taking tennis lessons with my cousin. You see, my bros house is situated in front of two tennis courts. When I got up in the morning those were the ones my eyes would see when I open the door. I was sleeping with my mother so as my 2 nieces, 2 cousins and a sister. Yes, I slept on the floor and in front of a TV. So even without getting up, I’d just slide the door and then there they were… 2 tennis courts. After the lesson, breakfast! We always had sinangag for breakfast. Then bath, then on my way wherever my lakad was. I had photo lessons too, for five days…Tues and Thurs. It’s from
6:30 9:30pm
. I didn’t really get much from both lessons…I mean maximized it since I couldn’t really manage my time. I was really full! I also felt I had little time with my family although we went out often…I didn’t really feel that I was with them bec we’re a big group and had to think of pictures to take. Anyways, still I enjoyed my stay esp. our last day…I went out with my pamangkins and since we were all ‘kids’ we just did what we like to do…play and eat candies!!!! hehehehe! That was fun! I never really had time to shop. Hmmmm? Maybe a little. And I wasn’t able to meet up with friends. I saw one and she had to visit me at home one early morning. Kakahiya talaga!
We missed work today…lungkot pa eh…we slept at
8pm
last night and woke up around
4am
. I still don’t feel like going to work tomorrow but I guess I have to. I feel sick, it’s like I’m getting a flu. My head and my joints ache and I feel flushed. What do you think? Funny coz it’s our third day here and we haven’t got out of the house. Sa pinas…it never happened. There was never a day I stayed the whole day and night sa house. Iba talaga! So we’re thinking…that we really have to find a way to make things happen…find a way so we’ll never have to go back here and leave the
Philippines
!
