Hola peeps,
After about 2 weeks of working straight I sat down and could finally relax a bit and enjoy the Blues Weekend in Odda. Whilst relaxing is a concept I am no longer too familiar with, there seem to have been a time in my life when I once explored it. It was rather nice to have the weekend free as the music was flowing though the streets of Odda. Music could be heard through the city from dusk to dawn. I shall admit it that I am addicted to music and that is no joke;) There could not have been a more perfect time to be off work. I went to party with a lovely person who has become a very good friend. Who would have thought that the two of us would end up getting along and most of all be good friends? I sure did not, but those are often the best friendships, those who grow with time and shape with low expectations. I think, well I think that we all are guilty of expecting too much of each other sometimes. I remember one of the things that felt heavy in NL was to feel expectations pushed on me and onto others because of the need to control a situation and avoid failure. The failure must be to expect too much and miss out on life if you ask me. I learned this the hard way and being on my own for a while has thought me what immense pressure can make another person feel like. I regret having been a person who expected too much of people and of myself. I missed out on so much and in a way starting over back in a place I used to hate has thought me that the more pressure you put on yourself and others, the harder the fall...no matter what the subject matter is. Of course if you succeed you feel great , yet you always want more more more.
It is good to work towards something and it is great to do good things. But like I said to my nephew tonight when he told me he is not always a good boy... this is human and we are all a bit bad sometimes.
I arrived in Stavanger today after a few days in Haugesund with Irene and her family. They are such a sweet little family with lovely kids. Since I know the city well it was nice to do a little shopping and chilling with some coffee with Irene and the kids once there. Her boyfriend actually picked me up in Odda and drove me all the way to Haugesund. Nice huh?? Well after some fun times over there and a pinch of babysitting they drove me to the busstation where I jumped on the bus to Stavanger. The friends I was supposed to stay with had a leak in her house so I am currently babysitting the kids of my sister and crashing on her couch while I am here. Just hoping I will not be too much in the way, but I see they have a big couch so I think we will manage until Tuesday ;)
Stavanger is a city I have visited a few times before. I had a boyfriend here when I was 17 or so. I lived across the fjord and took the boat over in the weekend. And even after it ended we remained friends and met up. I always liked the city because it has a charming way about it. Not too big nor small and just like Haarlem it has some beautiful historical streets and monumental buildings and even more history. People here seem relaxed in a way but maybe that is just at first glance. A lot has changed after the effects of sinking oil prices hit the city. It is like a small crisis within Norway with regards to people loosing their jobs. Stavanger is a oil city you see. Mostly known for the industry connected to this trade. When the prices dropped a lot of people lost their jobs here and the domino effects are felt far down the hiring ladder. I hope the work situation here will pick up and that I can find a job that can finance my life and some extra studies I wish to do on the side.
Anyhow, tomorrow I hope to have some time in the city to see my friend and watch the Suicide Squad with her. That would be awesome. Then Tuesday I am heading for AMSTERDAM babyyyyy!
Until next update,
XX Viking
