Peace, Love, and Lutefisk: Adventures i Norge

Today was one of those days that makes you not want to leave Tromsø. It was pleasant in that it was a fairly normal day, just that everything was great.

I woke up at a decent hour, arrived at the university and spent the morning and afternoon actually producing. I enjoyed a great lunch, good conversation, a few visits with friends on campus, and beautiful northern lights on my way home. Then I ate dinner and talked with Stian, Jostein, and Maaike for two hours in the kitchen while Maaike and I tried to learn how to say fun norwegian words like omskjære and tenk i koffert. After slowly eating and enjoying some conversation with the "family," we all sat downstairs and watched a movie together, Borat at that, which provided even more for discussion. The four of us then took a nice walk to town together and sat at the comfortable and hip Verdensteatre where we enjoyed a glass of wine. Almost all of my good friends were there: Stian, Maaike, Jostein, Marjaana, Hanne Rachel, Fredrik, and Martin. We just enjoyed lively conversation and a fun evening. Then, Maaike and I walked home and enjoyed the second-most amazing northern lights i've seen this year. Somehow the entire sky was covered in a fog-like green and the white northern lights moved within the green northern lights that covered the sky, and it actually lived up to its name, somehow making the city and our walk more light. Upon our arrival home, Maaike and I rehashed the night over a plate of nachos...ok, two plates. Then internet and bed.

I think everyone can feel Christmas coming and our departures sneaking up on us, so maybe I'm recognizing the otherwise common-place, but tonight was great. Normal, but great. And that's a great feeling.