Wanderlust Redux (PT.3)

July 2008 was quite a month for travel and I can't believe how smoothly it all went! Magnus and Sophie were so well-behaved and we were so proud of how well they held out during our such exhausting travel schedules.

Before we left for Prague on the 13th we spent one day and one night in Oslo's city centre. We didn't do too much shopping but did however get to IKEA and order our new kitchen. (Which should hopefully be here next week!) We had planned on meeting with our friends Atle and Noril but there just wasn't enough time and Atle wasn't feeling too well. At least I managed to pick up a few of the items I had been watching out for and mapped out a plan for our returning trip in Oslo.

Prague was great despite the two days of light rain and the one day when my stomach died. We shopped, took the kids to the zoo, and even managed to squeeze in some time for antiquing. We picked up the usual gifts of incredibly inexpensive alcohol and chocolate, soap, and cosmetics and skincare. The little extra money that we saved went towards mini-sprees at IKEA and antique shops. This did not include Ørjan's independent splurge at one of his stamp shops but I decided to let him decide what a fair amount would be. The zoo was fantastic! I didn't realize that it was rated as the world's 7th best zoo in 2008 until we did some research just prior to visiting (a few hours maybe?) but were so surprised and satisfied with our visit. Magnus loves animals right now and it was very special for him. He was however extremely tired and threw a few tantrums, but as soon as we managed to walk to the polarbears and the Indonesian Jungle his mood completely changed and he morphed back into the boy we all know and love. It's a very good thing that we opted for renting an apartment for the week because I'm not sure how the kids would have handled the trip. We needed the privacy and space and having an entire apartment with all the furnishings and ammenities that a regular flat has really helped. I didn't really take too many photos this time and was slighlty surprised I didn't take any pictures of our apartment, but we still have many great memories. It was sad to leave our favourite city behind, but I'm sure we'll be back again soon... without the kids!

The last couple of days we spent in Oslo were bittersweet. The shopping and sightseeing were great, but god was I disappointed about how badly that wonderful city is deteriorating. It didn't matter which street corner we had stopped at, or even which park we crossed, the streets were filled with panhandlers or drug users that were either obviously high or so sick that they were either vomiting or passed out. Sadly I am not exagerating any of these facts. I lived in and just outside of Toronto for many years and Oslo was 10x worse in my opinion. It's a great bustling city but I don't think I would want to take my family (my children) back there very soon. It's too bad. Although I live in an incredibly small town (are we more than 1200 now?) I'm still a city-girl at heart, but jeezs, Oslo is definitely not my city.

With our last few remaining days we went out to Onøy/Lurøy to visit his grandma. We refer to these trips as visiting his "grandma's island". Magnus has been a couple of times but this was Sophie's first visit outside my womb. We had gorgeous weather, spent some time with the grandparents (Magnus and Sophie's great-grandparents), and I of course went for a couple of walks and took some photos.

Now with vacation coming to an official end today I'm not sure how I'm going to handle Monday. Thankfully we still have the weekend ahead of us. With it now being over I just realized how badly I need another vacation as soon as possible!

Wanderlust PT.2

Ahhh... thank goodness for wireless in our hotel room. It's even more wonderful than a hot shower after two hot and sticky days. It took me half the day to shake off the feeling of the motion of the train. After 14 hours from Mo i Rana to Oslo I almost fell over at one point while changing Magnus' diaper. At 6:30 this morning we walked off the platform, ate breakfast, stored our luggage, and then took on the city. We went to House of Oslo to kill a few hours, made it to IKEA for some brief shopping, and even managed to walk around the city for as long as we could. Just imagine if you will two small ones (Magnus is 17 months and Sophie is 5 months) coming off the train at 6am and only napping for 1-2 hours at IKEA while we waited for the shuttle bus. They did so well and we were so proud of them. It was a long and exhausting day for everyone, but we achieved most of what we wanted. I wasn't able to hit many of the stores I wanted to at House of Oslo but I did however pick up a few steals at Åhléns. Items were 50%-70% off! I knew I couldn't buy too much because I want to keep the weight of our suitcases minimal for our departure to Prague tomorrow. IKEA was a complete success! We ordered our kitchen (Nexus gulbrun), ordered our bed in mellombrun (I was so disappointed that they didn't have the Hemnes bed I really wanted!), and even managed to sit down to a satisfying lunch. I was so proud of Magnus since he ate around 80% of this kidsmeal of meatballs. I ordered what I always order - IKEA's take on falafel and couscous.

I should really get some sleep. We have to get up early and get to the station and take the express train to the airport for our 11am flight. I can't wait to get to Prague. We really need this vacation. An added plus that had completely lapsed is that we have half a day both next Friday and Saturday to shop in Oslo. I can't wait to come back and hit up the shops I missed today.

Despite the wonder that is technology and free wireless, I am choosing to refrain from net usage while on vacation if I can manage it. This means my posting will resume when we return to Oslo next week. See everyone later!

Wanderlust PT.1

VACATION!!! (Yes, I am this excited!)

There are a million things we still need to do but I'm still on top of it all. Everything has been confirmed and double-checked, our checklists are being completed, and the only thing we really need to worry about are those last minute details. Ørjan's mum will be taking our cat for the week, I have everything ready for the kids, and I'm actually for leaving our technology behind or keeping it turned off. We only have 6 days and 5 nights in Prague and I want to enjoy it since we haven't been there for a couple of years.

We're taking the train from Mo Friday afternoon and will be overnighting in Oslo, and our flight leaves for Prague Sunday morning. I cannot wait to get out of here. I need some shopping, culture, and to be in a place where we can be alone as a family. This city is very special for both Ørjan and I and now we have our children experiencing it with us. Of course taking two young children along might be insane, but that's life.

Hopefully I'll have time to post something before I leave because I have so much to say but have so little time. For those of you that read this I should be back next Monday. (Og du, ja, jeg vet at du er tilbake. Hvorfor sier du ingenting?)

The good news post!

A few appreciated opportunities, promotions, and gifts have landed in my lap as of lately.

• I was offered an amazing job. I won't go into much detail now but I am still grinning. If only I had the time to accept it now. Hopefully when I'm ready to return back to the working world it will still be open.
• Futureshop's photo programme is closing and are moving their clients over to the kodakgallery. As a thankyou and new welcome gift, all current customers were given 100 free 4x6 prints. Although I'm not in Canada, I thought uploading and ordering prints would be a fabulous idea. It would make a great gift for my mom to have photos of the kids (since she's missing out on them growing up) and she could also pass them along to other family members over there.
• Yet another reason why I love ThisNext: Mavens received $10.00 gift certificates for iTunes. I'm not sure whether I'll use it, but you never know.
• Sales, shopping, and steals: With a new season approaching there have been massive sales online at Ellos and H&M. Although I probably only spent $50 on myself, I have spent over $300 on clothes for the kids. Hey - when there's a sale you need to stock up! Kids grow up fast and they always need new clothes for all seasons and occasions. We've also picked up items and antiques for our new home at various second-hand shops. I will post pics later when I find the time.

Vacation is also coming up soon. I can't wait to get back to Prague in July. We love this city so much and plan on taking advantage of our time there. A week in mid-July is just what the doctor ordered. I'm also trying to fit in an extra day to visit Stockholm but it's 50-50 now. At least we'll have a couple of days in Oslo to shop, visit friends, and take in the city. I can't lie - I can't wait to go shopping. Living up here in no-man's land doesn't provide us with many options for anything. The idea of having everything at your fingertips is overwhelming but welcomed.