Summer Adventures. Part One: Norway

Well, I'm off on another adventure! For those of you who have not heard, I am studying abroad in Lithuania this fall. Yea, I know.. Lithuna-what? Well, Lithunaia is a little country situated along the baltic sea next to Russia. Why lithuania you may ask?? Well, random fact- I'm Lithuanian!! And of course, as a young child who loves the weird/unique things about themselves, I have been obsessed with the country since I did a report on it in sixth grade. So upon my arrival to APU, and finding out that they had a study abroad program located in Lithuania, I was pretty stoked on the idea. Now, while one might say that a third semester abroad is a little much, I say "Nay!" I like to think that I'm taking the most out of my college experience. I mean lets be serious, a semester in Yosemite, South Africa, and Europe all sound way better than main campus.

So.. now Norm and I are off again, to adventure, explore, learn, make friends, and find out if my weird family tradition of putting butter on your nose on your birthday, which my parents have always claimed to be a Lithuanian tradition, is actually Lithuanian. My semester begins at the end of August and my friends, Destiny and Logan, and I have all decided to travel together before hand. Logan, Norm and I are traveling to Norway for 10 days then meeting up with Destiny in Germany where we plan to travel from for the remaining 11 days until our semester starts.

Step One: Norway We made it! We are currently staying with one of my close friends, Lisa whom I know from APU, and who is a native norwegian. Today she showed us some great little hiking trails that can be taken to the grocery store. Literally, through a forest. It was awesome. Norway is absolutely beautiful. Lisa's house which is located on a peninsula, along a fjord, across from the main city of Oslo. The view from her balcony is stunning as we look out upon the sea and city. Along with the beautiful scenery and bountiful amount of wild berries, I have simply enjoyed relaxing and being with friends. I was surprised upon our arrival to find so many wonderful APU people waiting for Logan and I at the airport in Oslo. There are currently four of us staying together at her house and we all played a thrilling game of Hand and Feet, a popular card game which is slightly similar to Rummy with a few exceptions.

I certainly think that Norway has stolen my heart, along with my money. The only down side is how expensive there food (to eat out) is. However, being smart and savvy shoppers we plan on simply making our meals and enjoying the simplicity of life. I think we'll be eating a lot of peanut butter and bread. Yummmm....