Also,

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Because I'm just too big of a nerd not to. 

Happy Star Wars Day!

- Kirby

Afternoon Sun

it's friday. great start to the day. find out i aced my spanish final. the day gets even better. no history class today...school ends at 13.15 then. it's the weekend already. the sun's out. don't feel like walking yet. why go home already? stay one hour longer than necessary. just to read. just to soak up some sun. just to for once be the sister who waits for the other, and not the other way around. we walk a different route home. i figure why not, it smells like flowers. flowers, summer's here. get home, talk with that person i haven't talked to but missed for almost a week. we talk about serious stuff. get upset. but we figure things out. that feeling of knowing you're there for one another. starving. leftover tomato soup. eat outside on the porch. it's warm in the shade. not even the breeze is cold. almost summer now. disappear into the book. pages fly by. don't even notice moving out into the sun. stretch out. sun on my skin. maybe i'll finally get a tan after all. page 139. realize i want to experience that too. be that close to such a gigantic animal. stroke the trunk. get lost in those ancient amber eyes. i'm stretched out on a tanning bed in early summer 2012 somewhere on the east coast of spain. but i'm standing three inches away from an elephant in a circus tent in the late summer months of 1931 in a tiny town in mid-east united states. mosquitoes bite. i don't notice. elephants in the afternoon sun. elephants. and the afternoon sun.

 - Kirby

Great Wall of Stuff

Ever since we moved in August, I've had this big piece of wall right above my bed that I've had absolutely no idea what to do with. Initially I'd planned to put up a board of some kind as well as a few framed things, but due to this and that and the fact that this exact wall is apparently paper thin and full of water pipes, I haven't been able to. So for months and months I've wrecked my brain for some creative solution to the big splash of empty yellow. I not exactly what you would call a minimalist, so you can imagine how annoying it's been to have a wall (especially the wall over my bed) to be a huge piece of just nothingness.

Well, finally, when I was at my lovely friend Loke's during spring break I began admiring all the different posters and things she's put up over the years all over her room, and it finally got the little wheels in my head to start turning. And for the past two weeks, I've been working on and now at last completed my very own Wall of Stuff:

As might be implied by the term "stuff" the whole collage in general basically consists of things I like, jokes I find funny, random pictures I'm fond of, and people I love. I'm so excited about finally having figured out what to do with the no longer huge space of emptiness, and seeing as it actually turned out so much better than I originally expected makes me even more happy.

The process itself turned out to be a lot more complex than I'd expected. It's like working on a puzzle you neither know the actual appearance of nor whether or not you have the necessary pieces to put it  together. But seeing as I don't often work on creative projects like these, it turned out to be an entertaining challenge - even though I have to admit that it frustrated me to the point of hair-pulling at some points. Still, since the outcome turned out so great, I figure it was all worth it.

 - Kirby

The Joy of Vectors and Probability

Just wanted to let you guys know that, no, I did not mysteriously disappear in Norway. I am alive and well! And completely buried underneath study work for final exams. Meaning, my dear, lovely math final. Tomorrow, my life as I know it will come to an end. It's gotten to the point where I don't even fight the upcoming doom, rather, I welcome it.

No, it's not as bad as that, but I really am nervous. It's not as much that I don't know the material, but I have such a hard time...what's the word.... handling it. I have a serious issue with the way the Norwegian school system teaches math. It might just be my personal opinion, but they make everything (and by everything I mean everything) so unnecessarily complicated! I don't know, I just have a really hard time dealing with it, and I have an awful feeling in the pit of my stomach that it's going to show all too well on tomorrow's exam...

Well, at least it's Friday tomorrow. I have to have one positive thing to hang on to for dear life. Positive thoughts Kirby! C'mon!

Hope your Friday afternoon will be a little better than mine :)

 - Kirby

Norway Next!

Bags are packed, tickets printed out, cameras and iPods charged, and at least for sis' part, nerves on high gear. Can't blame her, though, seeing as she hasn't been in Norway since early August. Due to my short trip earlier this month, my nerves are a little calmer but it's safe to say we're both excited!

On a completely different note: For the duration of three days now I, and sis too actually, have become completely obsessed with Lily Allen (thanks, tumblr!). So much, actually, that we've exhausted my Spotify account and their stupid time/plays limit, and are now slowly eating through sis' too. The melodies, rhythm, and especially her lyrics are just priceless. Can't get enough of her. And don't try to tell me that I'm late to start liking her (and the fact that her last album came three years ago). I'm not one for music trends. Seriously. I stumble onto and start liking artists regardless of when they started/stopped releasing records. So for the present Lily Allen is what keeps me (well I should say us) musically entertained.

(Putting this on the Internet for the sole reason that sis - the one with the crazy grin on my right - said I resemble Emily Blunt in this picture. Sorry, but a compliment like that simply can't go unnoticed. #EmilyBluntface ...or?)

Everyone's At It - Lily Allen

Well, off we go then. Hope all of you have a fantastic Spring Break!

 - Kirby

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll of Mr. Hyde

When I was in Washington D.C. two summers ago I bought two books by the much acknowledged author Robert Louis Stevenson: "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" and "Treasure Island". About an hour ago I finished "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", and I have to admit that even though I felt that it had more potential (causing me to give it no more than three stars on Goodreads), it contained a lot of great stuff. It's a really well accomplished reflection piece on people's struggle between the different aspects of one's personality, and of course the big good vs. evil. So kudos Mr. Stevenson for this little gem of a book! Can't wait to start Treasure Island and see what other thoughtful ponders/exciting adventures he'll throw my way.

 - Kirby

Hello world!

Been gone for a while, but considering that things have been kind of hectic lately, I have to admit I don't feel that guilty about neglecting the blog for a little bit.

Norway was intense. Even though we were off for a bit of a rocky start we managed, things turned out alright in the end, and the fair itself was just...awesome. Simply awesome. And the hotel? Whoa. Delicious breakfast buffet, spa/pool; suite with 2x plasma tv's, just that view, huge beds, and fancy tiny soap bottles? Yes, please. In short: We all had a pretty great time.

We've been back to school for about a week-and-a-half now, and guess who's managed to get herself on her third round of antibiotics since Christmas? Taaadaaa! You guessed right, little miss tired face here. Thankfully it's not as a bad as last time, though: I've already started getting back on my feet again. And in just four short days, me and sis are off to Norway! (again). My sister to spend spring break with the cutest cousins in the whole entire world, and me with none other than the simply baws Loke. Can't lie, I'm counting the days, if not hours. I can't believe I haven't hugged her in over seven months! Aah, Sherlock BBC, tea, tumblr, movies until 3 in the morning... I think I have a pretty sweet spring break coming up ahead.

Hope you're all doing good. And don't forget to set your clocks an hour forward tonight! (Well, for those of you in Europe anyway)

See you soon. Maybe? We'll see. #winkyface

- Kirby

Noreg, kjære Noreg

In less than 24 hours I'm finally off to Norway! I can't believe it. Haven't been to my dear old Noreg in more than 7 months, and you can't believe how excited I am. I have to admit I'm a little nervous about the competition, but at the same time the excitement kind of exceeds it. Plus that I'll be spending two whole days with the cutest cousins in the world! Even the teensy hiccup about getting to Gardemoen before 4 in the morning on Sunday has been resolved, so now I have nothing to do but look forward to everything! Not only that, but I'm pretty much done packing and I've even managed to dig up my old Nokia and get it to charge. #accomplishment

Oh yeah, Nokia 3200 ftw!

Asdfghjkl. Norway here I come!

 - Kirby

The Sinus Curse

Been stuck at home for the past week and a half. Turns I have a bad sinus infection which most likely has been dormant ever since I was sick during Christmas. I swear, there's got to be some kind of curse on my sinuses, because there's always something wrong with them. Always! However, not to fear: I've been put on antibiotics (again), a very suspicious-looking cough medicine, and prescription nose drops so I'm slowly but surely getting better. I think.

No but seriously. My battery's still flat, I have about 0% energy, but other than that I can feel the infection slowly releasing its claws from my poor, beat up sinuses. And it has to! I mean, I can't go to Norway in this state, and I tell you, there is no way I'm not on that plane Tuesday evening. Yes, on Tuesday we're finally leaving for the competition in Lillestrøm! And I am excited. Very excited.   
( you might have heard me mention this before )

So all I can do for now is stay stuck in bed, read a good book, drink some tea, and patiently wait for my three prescribed saviors to do their job. They better.

  

  - Kirby

Octavian the Fish

72. Get a fish

Just over a week ago I had to make space for a room-mate. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Octavian! Yes, you read it correctly, his name is indeed Octavian. Naming bettas after Roman emperors has been kind of a tradition to me ever since I decided that the male betta in the aquarium we had when I was little, simply HAD to be named Caesar since, you know, he was the boss. (In case you didn't know: if two or more male bettas are placed in the same aquarium/bowl they fight to the death. So, to little me, that automatically made him the boss of all the other fishies. A conclusion I still stand by up to this day by the way.) So since Caesar had already been used, Octavian was next. And I have to say, the name really suits him. He's a tiny thing, just a tad bigger than in the picture above on the lower right, but he's got a fierce attitude, sleeps like a koala, and is just downright awesome.

So with him and having added another hole in each earlobe, two new things have been crossed off my 101/1001 list these past two weeks!

13. Get an ear piercing

 - Kirby

Day 20: A Photo of You, Taken Today and the Outfit You Wore Today

(oh hello seriousness)

There's nothing like spending a friday sick in your pj's :)

 - Kirby

Day 19: Your Favorite Color

Cobalt blue.

 - Kirby

Day 17: A Photo of You and Your Brother/Sister

The most wonderful, crazy, weird, beautiful, insanely kewl sister in the whole wide world! Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the lovely Anna-banana :)

 - Kirby

Day 16: Some Photos From Your Last Holiday

Summer 2011:
(Yup, that's right. Haven't had a "real" holiday since summer. Not one where we've gone away, anyway. So here you go :)

- Kirby

Et lite essay om det å bli voksen.

I de siste to ukene har vi øvd på å skrive essay i norskfaget. Mest sannsynelig den mest irriterende sjangeren jeg noen gang har vært borti, for å være helt ærlig, men likvel må jeg si at jeg ble ganske fornøyd med sluttproduktet. Temaet jeg valgte meg var "det å bli voksen" og siden det er under 24 timer til jeg selv trer over i den fasen av livet tenkte jeg at jeg kunne likesågodt skrive litt om det på bloggen og i og med at jeg ble såpass fornøyd med essayet jeg skrev, så hvorfor ikke bruke det? 

*

Da jeg var mindre, var femten den gylne alderen. Når man var femten hadde man kule klær, hørte på kul musikk og var nesten voksen uten å trenge helt å være det. Da slafset man med tyggis så mye man ville og sang høyt i dusjen uten å gi en dritt hva mamma eller pappa sa, sneik seg ut seint på kvelden og brukte litt for mye lipgloss og maskara bare for å sjekke om det så kult ut. Men likevel var det noe som overgikk selv den gylne alderen, og det var å bli atten. For var man atten, da var man voksen. Da var den ekstra lipglossen lagt vekk, klærne var blitt sofistikerte og livet var blitt til en dør ut i den store skumle verdenen som man kunne gå rolig og distingvert gjennom. Da hadde man alt på plass og visste så godt som alt om allting. Nå, når jeg sitter her kun få dager unna den store dagen, er jeg ikke så sikker lenger. Døren kommer til å åpne seg, det er jo klart, men om jeg kommer til å gå rolig og distingvert gjennom er en annen sak.

Ifølge både den norske og spanske staten er det akkurat det jeg gjør 15. februar, 2012. Da blir livet fylt av regninger, skatteoppgjør, selvangivelser og et titals andre dokumenter jeg ennå ikke kan navnene på. På slaget tolv den 15. februar forsvinner det lille barnet Kirby og blir erstattet med den myndige, selvstendige og ansvarlige Frk. Hopstock – i alle fall ifølge det lille røde passet i bunnen av vesken. Om det skjer noen drastisk endring med den slappe kroppen i sengen er jeg ikke sikker på. Men at verden rundt kommer til å forandre seg, det er det ingen tvil om. For når jeg setter meg opp, bustete og gjespende, den morgenen kan jeg faktisk gjøre akkurat hva jeg vil. Selvfølgelig har jeg ting jeg bør ta hensyn til, ansvar å forholde meg til, skolen kan man jo ikke bare skulke sånn uten videre, men…jeg er jo voksen, så hvem bryr seg egentlig? Dette kommer ikke til å skje. For å være helt ærlig er jeg alt for pliktoppfyllende og ansvarsfull (utrolig nok) til å feire min første dag inn i voksenlivet på den måten. Men faktum er likevel at jeg har lov. Sant nok, å skulke skolen er i og for seg ikke ”lov”, men om det skulle skje at jeg fikk svi for det er det likevel mitt ansvar. Fullt og helt mitt. Foreldrene mine trenger faktisk ikke vite om det en gang, for jeg er jo blitt voksen. Og da styrer jeg selv.

Jeg har en følelse av at jo nærmere de kommer attenårsdagen er det mange som tenker sånn. At så fort de har blåst ut lysene på kaken og fått bilnøklene i hånden slipper de bremsen fullstendig bare for å se hvor fort de kan kjøre. Bare for å markere hvor frie de endelig har blitt. De lar korken fly av flasken og heller i seg, ikke fordi de ikke har drukket seg sanseløse før, men fordi nå har de lov. Kanskje det er derfor man som oftest har nærmere et år igjen på skolen etter at man har passert den store dagen. Kanskje det er for å gi oss en slags prøvetid. For å gi oss tid til å lære å skrive en selvangivelse, fylle ut en jobbsøknad, at det å kjøre fort får det til å svi i lommeboken og at å komme fyllesjuk på skolen – selv om man har lov – ikke er så smart med tanke på det nye livet vi snart kastes ut i. Kanskje det er derfor vi har russetiden også, ikke bare for å feire slutten av ”det barnslige liv”, men for å gi oss en sjanse helt på slutten til å få ”festet” oss litt ferdige. Ikke at det har noen synlig effekt, av den grunn.

Jeg titter bort på den så godt som tomme lommeboken min på kanten av skrivebordet, undrer på hvordan jeg noensinne kommer til å få til alt jeg har gledet meg til helt siden jeg var liten og sukker stille til meg selv. For er det et spørsmål som har surret rundt i hodet mitt de siste dagene, disse siste dagene før den virkelig store dagen og at verden gaper så fritt og åpent mot meg, så er det: Er det å være voksen en alder… eller er det en tilstand?

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 - Kirby