Help from Lists

In an attempt to focus on positive thinking, self-love, and overall well-being I have been trying out a new method that I learned about from some inspirational blogs I have been reading. It involves making a ‘to-do’ list of sorts for each day, of 3-5 little things that I will be able to complete before the day is over. The point is to be as specific as possible so your mind is able to hone in on exactly what needs to be done and therefore adds more focus and motivation (I think). For example, instead of writing “go for a walk” you could say “go for a 30 minute walk in the park after breakfast” or something. Once you complete things on your list, you get the wonderful satisfaction of ticking it off! I have been making my list the night before, as well as doing a little journal entry about how the day went, how I feel etc.

The Airfield where I went running the other morning, in the rain!!

Although I’ve only been doing it for four days, I feel that it is really helping me to not only gain a sense of accomplishment but to also live in the present moment...focusing on TODAY and RIGHT NOW! My lists have been including things like ‘write a blog post’ and ‘go for a 30 minute run in the morning’ and ‘say 3 nice things about yourself every time you look in the mirror’. It could be ANYTHING you want to accomplish. It feels good to wake up each morning with a sense of purpose. And although you may not complete each thing on the list the exact way that you intended or not at all, it’s so important not to be hard on yourself. I am learning slowly but surely that beating myself up only creates more procrastination. A couple days ago I had set a goal to go on a 30 minute run and when I woke up, I really didn’t want to go!! Sure enough, the negative self-talk began to rise to the surface. Yes, on day two of trying this list idea, I was expecting perfection! I ended up going for a walk into town with Clarissa a bit later and counted that as my ‘run’ instead. “It’s okay, it’s okay...” I’ve been telling myself all day, “it’s okay that you didn’t go for a run.” After so many years of beating myself up, I need a lot of consolation!

I wanted to share this because I am just excited about it I suppose. I am still learning, but I feel that my life is moving in the right direction.

Forms in Nature

A closer look at the little bits and pieces of Norway. There are so many different textures and lines, as well as the cutest little shells and rocks! 

Maelstroms and Ferry Rides

Don't worry, those two things aren't linked in this case. Yesterday we had an awesome day trip up to Saltstraumen and then to Kjerringøy. Saltstraumen is a very narrow strait in this fjord, only about 450ft across I read. As the tide goes in and out, a lot of water has to pass through this little opening, causing these maelstroms. It was quite unbelievable! 

Next, we went up north past Bodø until the road ended and we had to get on a ferry! The ferry ride was only 10 minutes long, but it was absolutely gorgeous! Everywhere I went yesterday, I was just blown away by the view.

Food and Stuff

Inside the Coop Prix, grocery store

 As I put a pot of noodles on, I figured it would be an appropriate time to post a few pictures of what I've been eating here. Nothing out of the ordinary, except for how expensive it is! Yesterday, I bought a small bag of waffle cookie things and it cost around $8! The same price as that latte below....outrageous!

 

This is 'Sodd' haha, a good ol' meat & potato stew

Latte

Waffles with jam....soooooo good!

Fancy Some Lovely Scenery?

I managed to find a sandy beach!

Søren Christian Sommerfelt: a Danish Botanist

Polar Camping!

 Junkerdalsura: I think this little nature reserve is probably one of my favorite places I’ve been in Norway so far. Perhaps my most favorite nature spot EVER! I know I’ve only seen a tiny pinprick of Norway’s scenery, but I already know it’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever been to. I’ll admit, I was expecting a lot coming here and I haven’t been let down. The pictures I take don’t do it justice whatsoever, it’s actually a bit frustrating. There is just no comparison to seeing the huge mountains right in front of your face. Today I was describing the Cascade mountains in Oregon to Clarissa’s Norwegian friend. They gradually slope upward and are dotted sporadically down the western part of the state, some stand alone and some are in small groups. Here in Norway, the mountains shoot straight up out of the ground, creating these super steep slopes, gorges, and fjords. And they surround you (well, at least they do where I am), 360 degrees of mountains and ridges, some are miles long. It is amazing! People’s houses are right at the foot of huge mountains and I just love imagining what it would be like to see that view every morning.   

 

The rocks in this gorge, and pretty much all the rocks I’ve see here are so awesome. They are striped and speckled with tons of different veins that break apart into thin paper-like sections that create really cool jagged shapes along the cliffs. 

Long Shadows

Sun on a Sunday

It was a lovely day yesterday and I was happy to have the opportunity to go to another side of the fjord and have a little cookout of sorts. We made a fire, roasted sausages on sticks whittled from green branches of nearby trees, and enjoyed the view. I was astonished how the view changed so dramatically, just going around the bend about 5 minutes out of town.

Although the sun was shining, it was still freezing cold! The wind was icy and luckily we were able to situate ourselves beside the fire in a small cove, which provided some shelter. There is so much nature here. Miles and miles of wilderness, parts of it are possibly untouched. Being in another country plus being in this small town surrounded by mountains, I really feel off the radar. But by being so far away, I'm learning things about myself (many difficult things of course) that I may not have been able to sort through any other time. One day at a time, one step at a time. 

That is ketchup on my shoe