....when given life, why not also handed a user's manual for it? It is a little more complex than a car stereo, after all.
Monday 13 February 2012
On the warpath
By Unni Helene on Monday 13 February 2012, 19:32
WHITNEY DIED!!!!!!!!! How could she? And after all she has given the world through her long life of self-sacrifice and....and....!!!! It is a catastrophy of unfathomable proportion. No wonder why Norwegian newspapers have room for nothing else. No wonder why the headlines cover half the front pages and why half the world and her cat are in grief. How can we... I repeat... how CAN we continue without her?
Meanwhile in less important news: In Saudi Arabia, the 23 year old journalist Hamzi Kashgari twittered a few lines. On the prophet's birthday, he dared to write this about him: "I have loved things about you and I have hated things about you and there is a lot I don't understand about you." And to top it off: "I will not pray for you" Within a scaringly short period, a facebook-group demanding his death counted 13.000 followers. Blasphemy is a very serious crime of course, and the young rebel had the good sense to delete the tweet and humbly beg for forgiveness. But God forgives no man, and realising blasphemy is punishable by death, he decided to flee his country. He planned on going to New Zealand I read, but the poor sod had a transfer flight in Malaysia. And in Malaysia they were waiting for him at the airport. There is no extradition treaty between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, on the contrary, they are bound by international law to protect refugees who will face death penalty for crimes of conscience. However, law, decency and human rights is one thing, religious brotherhood another. Claiming this is "an internal Saudian affair" and that Malaysia will never be a safe haven for criminals, they took it upon themselves to send the man back to Saudi Arabia.
Further reading:
It is best to do this properly, so that the next young man who thinks to himself that he might not be religious, will keep his dirty thoughts to himself.
My husband tells me I should start an atheism blog. The day when I have to is moving closer by the minute. With the way the world is developing I better do it soon while the combination "atheist" and "alive" is still possible.
Today's comfort from the psychologists. Power to them!!!
Sunday 12 February 2012
Just another manic Sunday...
By Unni Helene on Sunday 12 February 2012, 11:05
At school, trying to work. Planning on putting in 13 hours worth of work today. I am sure it will be much appreciated.
joyerickson.wordpress.com
Not a single person here today; we have mother's day in Norway so my guess is that I will have all the peace and quiet in the world. I have brought French books here also, and am hoping to make good use of this time. I thought of dropping by somewhere to buy something good to eat, but since my health seems to be failing me these days, I will settle for the wasa and apple I brought with me from home - so I can tell myself I am being healthy.
I was in quite a bit of pain yesterday. At one point Bjørn had the life-saving idea of giving me some extra strong pain-meds that he had, and that made such a difference. They also knocked me out to the point that I have slept my way through an entire night.... and I am so sleepy today that it actually makes working difficult since I am interrupted by spells of heavy sleep. I have brought more of them with me to work, so physical pain will be kept at bay today. Now I'll go downstairs and make myself a strong cup of coffee, hoping it will help me work a little more effectively!
Friday 10 February 2012
Very ill....
By Unni Helene on Friday 10 February 2012, 22:59
It will probably teach me humility or something.
Freezing, sweating, feeling all shaky and strange. My body ahces, I am unbearably tired. I feel as if I am 97 and have lived a good, long life and that my body has decided it is time to let go :D
It is probably just being overworked and tired.
But I am paid for it. I got a record-high salary today. As long as I keep up my work-robot life, all will be well. I just need a less human-like body to go with that.
Now I have two days with only French and no school work though. HOLIDAYS! Bring me a drink!
Wednesday 8 February 2012
Going strong....
By Unni Helene on Wednesday 8 February 2012, 20:52
First lesson: 90 min Norwegian. Second lesson: again. Third lesson: again.
Then some paperwork.
Home, quick snack.... and then my net-lesson in French grammar.
As always we had prepared by doing grammar exercises. I had no mistakes this time. Of all the additional questions she asked, I could answer all of them. And for the two most complicated questions, I was the only one who could answer. And yes, of course it is a competition :p
Tuesday 7 February 2012
Monday and Tuesday...
By Unni Helene on Tuesday 7 February 2012, 18:14
Between work, French, housework, lack of sleep and nasty nightmares, there's not much going on, really.
I can dwell on a nice thing: When I came home from work today, hubby served a delicious dinner. That made this day better!
Sunday 5 February 2012
Weekend in progress...
By Unni Helene on Sunday 5 February 2012, 11:35
Slept a little longer today, up at around 8.30. Had breakfast, let the dog out and fed her.
Then got started on one section of the downstairs livingroom. I thought of snapping a few "before" and "after" pictures, but decided I would be too embarrassed by the "before" ones, so I settled for the "after":
Now I will take out glass and metall for recycling, hoping it can be done in one turn, since I am not too fond of current temperatures. We had minus 23 Celsius yesterday. Not too bad, perhaps, considering they had minus 37 just a 45 minutes drive from here.
Ah, so... that was glass and metall and a round of more garbage. Maya always comes with me when I take out the garbage, and Pavlovian as she is, she goes crazy now each time I as much as LOOK at the garbage. I took her for a 20 minute extra walk since I was out anyway. I always let her run free, I do not even put a collar on her. She is a good dog and we have good chemistry.
Back inside, I went into the bedroom to hear if Bjørn wanted lunch. He said he did, so I made some lunch for us, we ate and I did the dishes. Then I scrubbed the kitchen floor, which was long overdue. I also cleaned the inside of some cupboards. There have been some big stains that I had a secret hope would magically diappear one of these days while I was at work, but obviously my household ferry must be busy doing other things. Good thing then that I did not need to go into work today, but have time for housework.
Well... there's the rub. I have time for housework because I have put aside French this weekend. My French has suffered lately, to the point that right now, at this very minute, I do not think I will be able to make it. I have not participated in the obligatory forums so far this semester. Just no time. I have not been to one single 3-hour Monday lesson this semester. No time. Last week we got another grammar paper to prepare for Wednesday the 8th of February - I have not yet looked at it, and cannot see how I will be able to finish it in time. Today we got another obligatory grammar paper to hand in by February 15th, I have had a look and there is a lot of work. And if I am to become ready for exams in May (14th May will be grammar exam), I do not only need to get the new stuff done, I need to repeat and re-read what is already done, or else I will never remember it. I just do not see how I will be able to do it. In two weeks' time I will have a winter holidays, which of course will be my chance to work like crazy and catch up on a few things. But three days before the holiday start, I will get 62 essays to grade, and 30 grades for in-depth studies to set.... and that alone will take 6-7 of those days. Had I known what life would be like this year, I would not have signed up for French. Now that I have, I do feel I need to try. But no doubt it will be on expense of free time, fun, health and happiness. And I am still not sure I will be able to make it.
That was the whining done for a while. I do too much of it, considering I have so little reason to....
...Time has passed. And during that time, I have spent less time whining and more time doing. I have now finished the grammar exercises that I needed to prepare for this Wednesday. It was difficult, but became easier as soon as a couple of things fell into place. But one wonders why they can't simply speak Norwegian or English like the rest of us :D
..... and even more time! Now I have had dinner (two slices of bread).....and I have cleaned master bathroom to perfection. AND..... I have made comments in all the obligatory French forums that I had missed. Which I think makes me about the only person who has participated in all of them. That took some intens time and effort though. I have been isolating myself down in my study, but will admit I welcomed the bearded face who peaked in to tell me he cared about me.
Now I will spend some time on the elliptical trainer and then... then I will rest and watch a movie until bedtime.
Ps: 230 calories - 19 minutes. And the music that made me survive.
Saturday 4 February 2012
Having a weekend off...
By Unni Helene on Saturday 4 February 2012, 17:29
There is no school work I HAVE to do this weekend, so it feels as if I am on holidays. It is crazy how used I am to having to work most of my weekend. I will admit this feels amazing!
Today I have tidied and cleaned the kitchen. It looked like a post-apocalyptic nightmare in there. I have taken out garbage in three rounds, I have vacuumed the entire house, groomed the dog, fed her, clipped her nails, put on a washing machine, paid bills, sorted out a massive pile of papers, taken in mail, had a quick look at some French.....
And it is only 17:30. I need more days like these.
An 18:45 update: We have had dinner, and then I cleaned up after us and did the dishes, followed by today's challenge, the elliptical trainer. It has been very long since I felt well. I have had a very nasty flu and for the last week an even nastier "something". I am drained of energy, I feel tired and sleepy all the time. Walking up one small flight of stairs now makes me a heavy breather. Now that I have been well for at least a day, it seems on time to start what will be a long way back to health and fitness. I was worried about how the machine would treat me, and it turned out I had reason to:
200 calories, 19:33 minutes.
That was all I had in me. The last year has taught me one important lesson: You can go from being relatively fit and in good shape to being terribly unfit and in no shape at all (well, as the joke goes - I am round. That's a shape) in absolutely no time. I have also learned, especially by watching Bjørn, that if you really put your mind to it, it is possible to make a very fast change in the other direction also. Gaining 10 kilos and becoming lazy and unfit can be done in a month. Losing 10 kilos and becoming healthier and relatively fit can be done in a month. The difference is this: The first option takes no effort. The second takes hard work, time set aside for exercise and demands that you do not have fever or throw up every chance you get :)
Anyway, I need to be stronger. The combination of being in bad shape and being stressed 24/7 makes my health condition spiral downwards fast.
Oh well. the best thing that can be said about me is that I have such an amazingly, wonderfully, huge room for improvement. It is my favourite room. It is where I reside.
Difficult days like yesterday also give food for thought. How incredibly lucky I am just for waking up in the morning! For having had 42 years on this planet so far. For having a day without losing anyone close to me. For being able to get back up when I fall. For being relatively strong, smart and able. For thinking that tomorrow might just be a good day.
Now.... a shower for me. And then a cup of hot chocolate along with "Harry Potter" movie number 5. Bjørn bought me the entire Harry Potter collection because I was enough of a child to want them :)
Hahaha... that reminds me... we finished watching "Boston Legal"... and then we bought a movie called "The Town". It turned out that the town in question was Boston. Then we saw another movie, and Bjørn paused the movie to go down to fetch something. The subtitles frozen on the screen was "It is in Boston"! Spooky. Looks like a nice city though. I am guessing Harry Potter will not be strolling around in Boston, so I should be good for this evening :D
Meanwhile, upstairs, Bjørn has upgraded my Ubuntu.
I actually wanted the infamous Matrix parody to go there ("Ubuntu? I know Ubuntu?"), but I was not able to find it anywhere, so I'll settle for cute Tux.
I am rambling. And stalling. Rambling and stalling both. Off now.
Friday 3 February 2012
A very sad day.
By Unni Helene on Friday 3 February 2012, 22:40
There are times when words simply will not suffice.
About 6 years ago I was lucky enough to become the teacher for what would be a remarkable class. I had them for three years, I was their contact teacher and I taught them Norwegian and comparative religion. So many exceptional individuals gathered in one class. Never has teaching been as fun.
Some of them I have stayed in touch with even after they left my school. One of them, an extraordinary young man who made an impression on everyone he met, sent me a message a few months ago. He wrote just to let me know he had just listened to a lecturer who had lectured with such enthusiasm and charisma that it had made him think of me. And then he told me he thought it would be nice for me to hear it :)
Yesterday he died, at age 21, while exercising.
Though he left school two and a half years ago, the whole school was grieving today. Everyone knew him, he was just that kind of guy. Pupils crying in corridors, teachers too sad to get work done.
I told my class I was not able to teach. We read a text instead in absolute silence.
He has left behind so many people who now have to bear the unbearable.
Thursday 2 February 2012
Not the worst of days...
By Unni Helene on Thursday 2 February 2012, 20:08
Still ill, but I have good news! Even though it is the 2nd, which is Unni and Bjørn time...I stayed at work till 18:00 today... and guess what? I am caught up! When I left, there was no work that needed doing. Of course there is always something I COULD do. But there was nothing I HAD to do. No papers to grade, no lessons to plan... I am all set... not only for today, but for next week! This means I do not need to go into work on Sunday. I can stay home and work on my French this weekend. And we can have some quality Unni and Bjørn time during the weekend instead. C'est formidable!
Came home at 18:30. By then I had not eaten anything, I did not trust my body to keep food down. Hungry as hell and as soon as I came home, I opened a can of tuna and mixed it with some mayo, cucumber, tomato (!!) and pepper. That did the trick.
During the day it has gotten ridiculously cold. Minus 16 here now and I wanted hot chocolate. In spite of just having bought some, we had none. We need some rules in this house about not emptying stuff without writing it down on a shopping list. I did not need to stay sad for long though, because Bjørn rushed off to the grocery store to buy hot chocolate. Right before he left, we talked about photography for two minutes. I missed my camera. There was not much to take pictures off. So... well.... Here I am. You are free to just skip looking at these - I am not good at self-portraits.... and well..... It's me. Sick, old and quirkier by the month.
Wednesday 1 February 2012
Alive....
By Unni Helene on Wednesday 1 February 2012, 22:06
... though today that has not always felt like a good thing.
Do not think I would have survived the day if hubby had not been around. He has brought me things from the store and made a dinner that I so far have been able to keep down.
Been home from work. Had not managed to go there today. I have not managed to leave the sofa. I have read a little, seen a couple of movies and have slept a lot. I still feel more dead than alive.
I have to go to work tomorrow though. I feel horrible for being away today. And tomorrow I have arranged to meet some pupils in my breaks, and I can not really let them down.
Bjørn told me yesterday that even though it probably sounded like a completely alien thought for me, I am hired by this school to teach my pupils Norwegian. I do not need to feel that it is my personal responsibility that each one of them are happy and well adapted. I'd sure like to though :D
I am glad he tries to make me take care of myself, even though he knows it can make me just a little grumpy to be reminded that I am NOT Super-woman. Hugs to hubby.
ifonlyihad superpowers.blogspot.com
Yeah, well...
By Unni Helene on Wednesday 1 February 2012, 00:59
I will not go to work tomorrow.
My body and my husband made some good arguments.
I am not well.
Tuesday 31 January 2012
So unwell...
By Unni Helene on Tuesday 31 January 2012, 16:19
Not been able to keep any food since Sunday morning.
Now 16:15, and so far today I have had two glasses of juice, none of which I kept for more than about 15 minutes.
Was at work today and had two fairly demanding lessons. Went home at around 14:00, though.
Dear hubby now out getting me some stuff from the pharmacy that I hope will help a little.
Feeling lousy. I really am.
Monday 30 January 2012
Not well-ish....
By Unni Helene on Monday 30 January 2012, 21:34
It is half past nine. I wish there was no work tomorrow, I am still feeling so sick and tired. It also worries me that since I have been too ill to do ANYTHING today, I have missed out on 6 hours of scheduled French. No idea how I will be able to make up for that, I need every second of French on the plan if I shall be able to deal with all this.
I do, however, have lessons tomorrow. And I need to be there, of course. Two 90 minute lessons with 3STD. God only knows how I will be able to do that.
But I will.
O M G !!!!!
By Unni Helene on Monday 30 January 2012, 19:55
Oh
My
God!!!
How big a chance is there, when randomly surfing the net, not even looking for my mirrored self/my essence/the cartoon version of Unni.... that I will actually stumble upon it?
I was, as I sometimes am, mindlessly surfing www.stumbleupon.com. It is a wonderful relaxing activity.
And there. There I was. Everything is right.
Owl... that is me, of course. For some reason the symbol of learned wisdom. I have always felt connected to the owl. They seem dignified, cool, awesome, insignificant, smart, different and very silly. All at the same time. They seem like the kind of species the world would not miss if they disappeared... but still, when you see one, you'll think "Ah... an owl.... I had forgotten they existed. What strange creatures.". And then you might smile.
And this particular owl... with a cup of coffee of course. I think I have 50 cups a day to keep awake and survive. And the clock. The clock that represents the dreaded alarm bell. That represents organising one's life, making lists and plans. The clock that stands for dead-lines and stress. All me.
And then... the owl itself. That IS me. Sleepy, tired, ill. Worn out to the point of being half-dead. Still, one eye madly alert and insane. The owl whose I-have-woken-up-too-early-and-am-completely-bewildered-but-you-just-give-me-an-hour-feeling.... has become a lifestyle.
I give you..... ME:
coolvibe.com
Me and deserted islands...
By Unni Helene on Monday 30 January 2012, 15:45
Since I looked a little out of it at work today, a colleague of mine suggested it would do me good to go off to some deserted island on the other side of the globe and just get a bit of rest. I thought that sounded like a good idea...
Read a mail from friend Clive when I come home where he told me he thinks I will soon either end up in hospital or in a grave. So I thought it would be a good idea to let him know I considered a deserted island. The reply made me laugh, so I decided it needed to go here (never asked for permission, but enjoyed this so much, I was not ready for a "no"...):
"Stay on a deserted island, ha ha ha!!! What would you do? Open a school for the animals or if there were no animals you'd be giving the coconuts lessons 24/7. I imagine there would be talking coconuts eventually, they would have no choice."
Ha! Oh yes, they would never know what hit them!
And since "teaching coconuts" of course gave plenty of hits on google pictures:
drdianateachertraining.com
So sick...
By Unni Helene on Monday 30 January 2012, 15:32
Spent the best part of Sunday at work. And for being so terribly sick, I got a crazy amount of work done. I finished a pile of grading, commented on some rethoric-papers, guided in-depth studies, prepared classes for a week..... But I also vomited, was sick, dizzy, cold and in quite a bit of pain.
Woke up very early today, freezing and in pain. Something is not quite right with this body. Had to go to work though, my poor class has already had more than a fair share of substitute teachers. And I did know when I took on 120% that it would wear me out and affect my health. It just needs to be this way. So, went into work, and I do not think my pupils much noticed that I felt sick.
Then thought I would have to wait for the meeting where I have to represent my union. But that one will be next Monday. As soon as I found out, I went back home. I am glad I did, because I have constantly been getting worse. A horrendous head ache, an intense and very painful stomach-ache. Very dizzy, very nauseous. Sleepy to the point of it being painful, but not able to sleep. Head is woollen and strange. Freezing and shaking. Spending most of my time in the bathroom, and the rest of it under two blankets.
I really cannot afford not to do French today. But I cannot see how I will be able to.
Saturday 28 January 2012
Oh, I just should not.....
By Unni Helene on Saturday 28 January 2012, 21:51
I have taken a day off.
My calendar says five hours of French on Saturdays. I should. I doubt I will be able to manage exams if I do not. I most certainly will never be able to follow classes again if I do not.
But oh my goodness how I needed a break.
Bjørn had to go to a clinic in Hamar today to get a scan of his knee. He hurt it when he had a bike-accident some months back, and lately it has been getting a lot worse. I told him i would like to come with him. My schedule said 5 hours of French in the morning and then rest of the day for social activities and relaxation and exercise. I said I could change it around and do French in the evening... so that I could come with him in the morning, and then we could do something nice after he had been to the clinic, since we never really have much time for each other as things are.
So, off we went, at around 9. The scan only took 10 minutes. Hamar is ok, but the nearby Elverum is a much nicer town, so we decided to go there instead.. we wanted to stroll down the main-street, do a little shopping and have dinner. And then Bjørn suggested that since we were going to Elverum, we could drop by his dad's place. I phoned them to hear if they were home - and they were. We drove there, and it was very nice to see them again. They had a cat! The neighbours' cat had decided it would much rather live at their place, so they had taken it in. Like most cats, it was beautiful. And it showed that it was very much enjoying Inger's cooking :D We stayed there longer than planned.
Then we enjoyed Elverum longer than planned. Since Inger had fed us, we did not go out to eat, but it was still 18:30 by the time we came home. And I was so sleepy and tired. And by the time I had fed dog and had a small evening meal... it was 19:00. French for 5 hours? I just could not. I could not even do it for one. I so much needed to relax a little.... and tomorrow I need to spend the entire day at work.
What I did do this evening, was to write a letter to our Minister of education. A very important issue concerning Norwegian as a subject in our schools will be decided soon. One has to do what one can to help them make the right one.... Fingers crossed.
Friday 27 January 2012
End-of-week!
By Unni Helene on Friday 27 January 2012, 19:59
Friday! How can one not love it??
I had first lesson with a hard-working 2STA. Then a lesson when I summed up language history 1814 - 1900 for 3STD before I gave them an assignment that was given at an exam 3 years ago. We need to very concretely work on how to deal with the upcoming exam in this class.
Then I rushed home, since we had an appointment with the local bank. They contacted us a while ago, asking if we would consider leaving our current bank and switching to the smaller, local one. After a few meetings, we have decided to do just that.
Bank-meeting done, we bought dinner and went home. Ate, rested for longer than I should (soooo tired)... and then did 3 hours of French.
I think my French is slowly improving. I had got back the paper I handed in a few days ago. For the first time I had a few mistakes. Argh. Anyway, most of it was good, and like the others, it got a pass.
The hardest part of today was realising that there is no way in hell I will be able to prepare for Monday's 3-hour lesson in French... so Monday will be the fourth time I will need to skip oral French class. That bothers me. On Monday I will also have an extra meeting. There is a meting at school where my union needs to be represented. I am a member of the teacher's union. The union has one leader and two board-members (in addition to leader). Last year there was an election for both leader and board-members, and I became board-member. So, since our leader can not go to the Monday meeting, it has fallen on me to represent us. That needs to go before French, leaving me with too little time to be prepared for my lesson this Monday also. Well, at least I do not need to sit around, being bored, wondering what to do with my time...
Before bed, we saw the last episodes of "Boston Legal". All 5 seasons seen. I loved it. It had depth and wisdom and humour that was smart and funny. I will desperately miss them.
Thursday 26 January 2012
Workworkworkworkwork....
By Unni Helene on Thursday 26 January 2012, 23:03
At work at 08:00. First lesson with 3STB was a good one. The 1930s and the cultural debate it brought with it in this country. 90 minutes of me and the blackboard. Interesting, intriguing, gripping stuff. Norway's cultural life divided in two groups. On one side the communists/atheists/pro-Freud (pro-a more free sexual life and a more liberal upbringing of children) group. They consisted of an academic elite who could and did outsmarten and out-talk anyone. On the other side the deeply conservative/very Christian/pro-church and its values/ group.
Ah, the debates and the literature it lead to!
And one of the most amazing Norwegians who ever lived - Arnulf Øverland. When he wrote, the pen WAS mightier than the sword. Øverland, accused of blasphemy, pleaded his own case and won. Øverland, the first persons to warn us against Nazism and Fascism (and doing so in one of the best Norwegian poems ever). And of course one of the first to be sent off to a concentration camp when our country was occupied.
nrk.no
Pupils looked interested and taken with the subject, they reacted to the texts we read and they participated. All a teacher could ask for.
After the lesson, I had a meeting with my boss. It is obligatory for her to negotiate our teacher's contract once a year. The contract is a silly thing, brought about by my own union, and I will not poison this friendly blog with writing about it. Then... grading... before lesson with 2STA. They worked with their project in groups. I waked around and listened in and answered questions. They do not want to tell me what they are up to, they all just promise me that their presentation is going to be AMAZING!!!!! I trust them, they are a good bunch :D
Then home. I went for an hours walk while Bjørn made a tasty Tikka Masala. We had a dinner guest, a girlfriend of Mahnaz who has just returned from Afghanistan, being there as a cook for the military. It was interesting listening to her stories.
After dinner I sat down to grade. Did 16 papers before I gave up. Finished at 21:00. Watched Boston Legal since. I should not be up this long, but I so desperately needed some awake-time when I was not working.
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