Marit Bjørgen

This Norwegian obsession with Petter Northug is slightly ridiculous. For such a sleaze, he sure gets a lot of attention. Whether it be roller-skiing without a helmet or playing poker in Vegas, Northug seems to find his way into the spotlight one way or another.

From the sports page to loaves of bread at the grocery, Petter's face is everywhere. His pompous, "All-About-Me" attitude is fed by the cheering Norwegian crowds. Yes, it is exciting to have a winner on your team! But I think Norwegian fans are focusing on the wrong athlete. The real hero of the Norwegian skiing scene is Marit Bjørgen.

photo courtesy of NRK

This woman gives a new definition to the word fast. Marit Bjørgen has won five of the six races she has competed in this season. She won the most medals in Vancouver, three out of the five of which were gold. She won the World Cup in 2005 and has a bucketful of World Championship medals. 

photo courtesy of VG

On Sunday in Davos, Switzerland, ski legend Bjørn Dæhlie said he was "very impressed" by Bjørgen, and gave this compliment:

"I do not think I've ever seen a female skier who has gone so fast."

Marit's goal is to beat Dæhlie's record of 46 World Cup victories, and she is well on her way, with 41 under her belt as of yesterday.

American skier (and my personal ski idol) Kikkan Randall said she was looking forward to "testing herself" against Bjørgen, calling her “perhaps the greatest female skier of all time.”

“She’s definitely firing really well—it’ll be fun,” Randall said in an interview with Fasterskier.

Podium at Davos sprint, 2010 (Arianna Follis, Marit Bjørgen, Kikkan Randall)
photo courtesy of Fasterskier

In an interview with Fischer Sports, Marit was asked to describe her position on the Norwegian team. Her response shows how much of a team player she is:

 "I don’t think I have any special position on the Norwegian team. Sure, I had some good results, but so did the others. We're a group that treats all its members equally and we all work together." 

Just this last weekend, that cooperative spirit came through. In the 10km Classic race, Bjørgen caught Polish competitor Justyna Kowalczyk with a couple of kilometers to go, but with her win already solidified, she didn't pass her. After the race, Marit told NRK that she "didn’t want to give Kowalczyk an extra boost" that could have helped her beat her teammate, Norwegian Therese Johaug.

Need some motivation to train? (Photo from La Crete Noire)

So this season let's turn the Norwegian spotlight on the person that deserves it. Northug's results have been less than impressive this year and his attitude seems to be stuck in pretentiousness. Bjørgen is the one bringing home the hardware. She is an incredibly strong competitor and an equally strong teammate. 

2010 Vancouver Olympics
photo courtesy of LA Times Olympics Blog

Thief

I have a confession to make.

Only one of the ski ties that I have with me in Norway are mine. The rest are all dutifully signed by their rightful owners, yet somehow ended up on my skis, and although I feel a bit guilty for swiping these years ago, I am elated every time I see a familiar name tucked in my pocket after a great ski.

 So thank you, victims of my ski ties crimes. You have snuck into my thoughts even though you are an ocean away. Thanks for skiing with me friends.

Green Oslo Project

This semester, I took a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Course at the University of Oslo. Our final project was to focus on an aspect of the city that was connected to the environment in some way, be that open green space, public transportation, or recycling stations. Our group decided to look at the city bikes program (which I introduced to you earlier) and the accessibility of students to the bikes. After too much time in front of the computer, here is the final product!

We concluded that the density in the city center was great, but as you travel further out, the accessibility is much worse. In fact, two of the largest universities in Oslo, UiO and BI, were outside of the 15 minute walking buffer. We proposed five more sites for the city bike program to place bike stations:

Ride on!

Rubbing Elbows with the Pros

On my ski this morning, I was up at Ullevålseter when a father/daughter combo came skiing up beside me. After starting in Norwegian, and my explanation of my limited language skills, the woman asked if I had found any other groomed tracks on the opposite side of the sports hut. The man seemed uninterested in my response, but very intrigued by my water bottle carrier.

He asked me- "Soldier Hollow?" 

I responded with a confused smile- "Uh, yeah..."

I still have my trail pass from Soldier Hollow, an incredible ski venue in Heber, Utah, close to Park City and the site of the cross-country events for the 2002 Winter Olympics. I had forgotten that it was attached to my hip!

"I've been to Soldier Hollow. I raced there in 1983."

WOW! Meeting nordic legends on the trail is no laughing matter! 

After some small talk, I continued skiing as they took a water break. Not long after, I heard the sound of skiers behind me, and with good trail etiquette (and being a bit star-struck) I jumped out of the track so that they could pass. I heard some giggles from the father/daughter duo as they scooted over into the other set of tracks. My concession would have been necessary in a race but for a weekday morning ski, it was a little overboard, a bit too polite. They thanked me anyway, and I had a chance to ski behind them for a few hundred meters before they flew into the woods.

No complaints from this gal. Sunny days (regardless of how short they may be), almost done with school, skis on my feet, and sharing the trails with Norwegian ski racers of all ages. Needless to say, I'm wearing a smile.

Welcome, December!

November was the toughest month for me in Norway thus far. The darkness was setting in, classes were coming to an end, and the month seemed to drag on without promise of the light at the end of the cold, dark tunnel. 

To wrap up November, I went for my first classic ski of the season! It was so cold in the morning that I deciding skating would be miserable, so I hopped the first T-bane into the city center, bought some kick wax (and maybe a few other ski related goodies...), and scooted my way through Nordmarka for a marvelous afternoon on the trails.

My journey took me to Ullevalseter, then on to Holmenkollen. I left my apartment at 2 PM, and just an hour later, the track lights flickered on. I had some incredible fading-sun views when I reached Frognerseten, a few kilometers above Holmenkollen. The picture doesn't do the view justice, but here it is anyway:

This morning I wanted to give December a proper welcome so I set out to watch the sunrise. The great thing about living at 60〫North latitude this time of year is that you don't have to wake up ridiculously early to watch the sunrise. In fact, I slept in, enjoyed a cup of tea, bundled up for my morning walk and still had plenty of time until the sun came up. I took the following picture at 9:00 AM on the dot:

I couldn't help smiling all the way back home. The sun's presence the past two days has put me in a great mood and wiped away any residual November funk. With the countdown until I see Paul well under three weeks, this month is looking good already!

Happy December from Norway!

Getting It Right the First Time

One of my information packets given to me by my study abroad advisors states:

"The Americans most likely to go overseas are the people who have been most successful at home. If the people going abroad have not experienced failure and if they have little tolerance for it, they are in trouble."

I would call myself a "borderline perfectionist". I like things done right. I love personal efficiency and organized systems. I rarely enter the grocery store without a list. So it goes without explaining that when I mess up, I'm irritated. Seeing a list of synonyms for "failure" makes my palms sweat. Being an independent, capable woman is really important to me.

Living abroad has been a test of my patience in terms of my perfectionist tendencies. I do a lot of math in my head to figure out the best way to pull money from the ATM, pay rent, and keep the fees down to the absolute minimum. Everything from laundry to language creates a challenge that there must be a right answer to. I knew this was something that I would confront while studying here, and part of my intent in leaving my sheltered home university was to see how I would respond- would I flounder, get frustrated with defeat, and in turn, only sign up for things I knew I could conquer? Or would I blossom in the face of the failure, develop creative solutions and turn any uncomfortably desperate situation into one I could handle?

The result: I do a bit of both. In fact, I feel like I cover the spectrum from Gutsy Problem-Solver to Timid Conflict-Avoider, depending on the day. Let's face it: We can't all be on our A-games everyday of our lives.

And that last sentence shows how far I've come. I'm coming to terms with the fact that not having the perfect solution the first time doesn't make me any less capable, which is a big step for a "borderline perfectionist."

Another Week Gone

Wahoo! I was able to sneak a ski into my study days early this week! The snow pack is still quite small, but I had to give it a go. For Willie's birthday on Sunday, I pulled on my boots and hit the (icy) trails. I had a fair number of tree roots and rocks to avoid, but it was worth it, and my skis fared fine. There still isn't enough snow for the groomer so the trail is just packed by foot traffic. Regardless of less-than perfect conditions, it was a blast to get on my skis again! It kicked my butt, though! 

But most of my week has looked like this:

I had a big exam in Geology on Tuesday, so the books were hit. It was blustery and cold, and the library was filled with fellow crammers. I won't bore you with school specifics, but the lack of blog posts has a lot to do with school. That's all I'm sayin'.

And just like that, the days are flying past me and I realize I only have three weeks until I'm headed to my next adventure, the next chapter of this ever-changing year abroad. 

And as for more skiing, I'm thinking that good things come to those who wait.

Simple Saturday

Skies were gray, but the fantastic library on campus brought light to the day. I spent my morning studying for an impending Geology exam, catching up on assignments, and finalizing upcoming travels (stay tuned for an upcoming trip to Scotland and the much anticipated Christmas in London).

I returned home to a fantastic package from home! Thank you, thank you! There is nothing like tea, newspaper clippings, books, and pens from the bank to make you feel comforted. 

I'm entering exam season, so school will be foremost on my mind for the next few weeks. I'm stunned how fast this semester has gone by, and I'm glad that I have committed to staying the whole year. I am not ready to go back yet. I still have a lot to learn and experience, and although jumping into a whole year may have seemed a bit daunting at the time, I need the whole year to really live here. I'm so fortunate that I've had the support from those around me about my decision to do so! That includes my school, my team (who are working their tails off! Keep it up, ladies!), my family, and my partner in crime. Thank you! How did I end up with such a great support system? I'm one lucky lady.

Winter Wanderings

The snow is slowly infiltrating. Last weekend, we got a great layer, small but persistent, growing as you reached higher elevations. Just 30 minutes away from the sleepy little student village on Saturday morning, it looked like this:

No, not skiable yet. But soon. The taste of ski trails is in the air. We are so close! The snow silenced the woods, creating that buffer of white that plugs the sounds from the outside world. While countless 20-year-olds were attending to hangovers from Friday night, I was out HERE. There is no where else I would have rather been.

We haven't seen any more snow for a couple days, and the sidewalks have turned from powdered fluff to black ice, and I hear grumbling from fellow students. Yeah, that wind is bitter cold, and the gray skies may not be the "frosting" on the city that you expected. But if you go away from the city center, away from the bus station and grocery store, it still is pristine.



That says something about my experience here: On these days of little light, now that some of your shining expectations have lost their luster, take a little walk. In those quiet woods just a short walk away, you'll find what you're looking for. It's not about just showing up. It's about seeking out what you are looking for.

Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.

Rachel Carson

Stockholm- Venice of the North!

Last week, I traveled to Stockholm for five fantastic days of sightseeing and exploration. I had heard so much about the "Crown Jewel of Scandinavia" and I had to check it out myself! I decided to purchase a 3-day Stockholm Card for middle section of my visit. With the Stockholm Card, I had unlimited access to all public transportation, including buses, trams, and the underground. The card covers the entrance fee to more than 80 museums and notable sights, and although I didn't visit all of them, I did get my money's worth!

My hostel in Stockholm

On Thursday evening, I arrived in Stockholm, picked up some information at the Tourist Office downtown, and walked from the bus station to my hostel. After checking in, I hit the streets again to find some grub, and I stumbled upon this awesome Malaysian restaurant. I bunked with some fellow American students from Middlebury who are studying in Germany.

Skansen was the highlight of my first full day in Stockholm. Covering 75 acres, it is "Sweden in Miniature!" Artur Hazelius founded the museum in 1891, and traditional buildings from across Sweden have been brought to or built on the current site. It is the oldest open-air museum in the world, and home to traditional farmsteads and native Scandinavian animals, like Brown bears, Wolves, Reindeer, Wolverines, and Lynx.

Bragehall

Sami Camp

The Bakery at Skansen

The Furniture Shop at Skansen

The afternoon brought a visit to Junibacken, a museum/tribute to Swedish author Astrid Lindgren. Her best known work is Pippi Longstocking, but her list of work is extensive and includes screenplays, novels, and short essays. I took a ride on the Story Train, a theme ride through Lindgren's novels.

Next stop was the Vasa Museum. Vasa was a war ship made in the 1600s in Stockholm under the rule of King Gustav II Adolf. Sweden was at war with Russia, Poland, and Denmark for parts of his 21 years as ruler, and he used Vasa as a symbol of power to show the other nations how tough the Swedes were. Not only was the vessel exquisitely decorated, displaying signs of power in the sculptures and carvings, the King insisted that more and heavier cannons be added. This was to be a ship to rule them all! Unfortunately, things didn't quite go as planned. After setting out for the maiden voyage, Vasa was overtaken by leeward winds, from side to side, then began to sink as water flooded through the gunports! That was the end of Vasa, until more than 300 years later, when the wreck was located, salvaged, and restored to its current condition, which is 95% original. Today, Vasa is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Europe.

The next day brought sun and I hit the streets early. First stop: City Hall. Stockholm City Hall is the host of the dinner following the Nobel Prize Ceremony every year in December. It is an incredible building, with numerous styles and influences. A guided tour was included with the Stockholm Card, and I was sure to take advantage of the guide's knowledge!

This is the "Blue Room" of City Hall. As you can see, its not blue. After 12 years of construction, the architect, Ragner Östberg, decided that the he wanted to keep the bricks red. The room was designed like an Italian piazza and the ceiling was intended to stay open, but the Swedish climate didn't agree with the building design...  A pipe organ with over 10,000 pipes is situated above the terrace in the Blue Room and plays the national song as honored guests enter the hall for the Nobel Dinner. Östberg knew how important the building would be for the city, and he anticipated that the Blue Room would host many significant events. The staircase was an integral component to the space, and he wanted something that was comfortable and elegant. To pick the best design, he had his wife walk down staircases of every dimension in a ball gown and heels to find the right fit. 

The "Golden Room" has gold tiles that total over seven kilos! The artist asked for six years to complete the project and was given less than two. How's that for a deadline?!

The ceiling in the main chamber of the city hall was exquisite. Originally, it was to be a flat ceiling, but the Östberg changed his mind during construction (again) and wanted to keep the beams visible. Many Swedes believe that it looks like the underside of an overturned Viking ship. Vikings would bring their vessels on land and turn them upside down for shelters. Meetings were held under their protection, so the idea that major governmental decisions are still made under the protection of a ship carries some significance.

In the afternoon, I took a (long) journey to Södertälje, a township west of Stockholm. I was headed to Tom Tit's Experiment, a children's science museum that was included with the Stockholm card. It was quite the trip out there, but worth it! I'm a sucker for cool experiments, and despite the entire museum being in Swedish, and not having an experiment partner, I kept myself entertained!

An auditorium with the layout of the periodic table. How cool!

On Sunday, I managed to visit eight (8!) museums, a full day to say the least. I'll try to keep it brief:
I started off with a visit to the largest spherical building in the world, the "Globen." I got some nice views at the top, but not much more than that. Next, I visited the Post Museum which I really enjoyed!

The Royal Palace offered three museums, and with that handy little Stockholm card, I made my way to all three. The Royal Apartments were a step back into Swedish royal history, with ornate furniture, silver cabinets and carpeted walls. I was reminded time and again that the decisions that these kings were imposing on the citizens of their countries were what immigrants to the USA were trying to escape from. Now, people from around the world come to admire the finery of royal life in the 1500 and 1600s. No doubt it was exquisite, but it was important for me to take a step back to examine the lives of regular folks during the time period.

I hopped a bus over to Tekniska, the Musuem of Technology, followed by a visit to the Natural History Musuem.

I watched the sunset from Kaknastornet, the TV and radio broadcasting tower on the edge of Stockholm. At the end of Day Four, my instinct was to sit down on the escalator, so I knew I had seen enough.

I spent my final day wandering through the Ekoparken, the National Urban Park that streches six miles through the city. You can find more about the Ekoparken and Stockholm's role as 2010 European Green Capital here. I also spent a few hours in Gamla Stan, the oldest district of Stockholm.

You know what they say, "When in Sweden, eat Swedish meatballs!"

It was an excellent visit and I am sure that I will be back in Stockholm sometime in the future. With that said, when I landed back in Oslo, it really felt like home.