School..guess that's the main reason I'm here.

First day of second week is over. My time table is finally as it should be, so now I can start studying for exams, quizzes, assignments and stuff.

Since I'm here, I figured I'll do some other courses than what I normally do or at least try something different. My courses are:

Anatomy

Endocrinology

Sport, exercise and fitness

Bioethics

Anatomy will probably be the hardest one considering all the memorising and details. But also the most interesting and exciting course. We actually get to dissect cadevas (Norwegian: lik) from next week on. In the first lab the professor showed us two cadavas. One was a lady in her 60's who died last September of leukaemia. Someone had already worked on her and to be honest, it smelt! The other one was a man in his 60's as well who died of cancer in his liver 2 months ago. The body was very well kept, white and dry in a way. I really think I'm going to like this subject.

Endocrinology seems like it will be very interesting. As it implies, it's all about hormones.

Sport, exercise and fitness is the same or very similar to a course I've had before. I'm just doing it that way so I'll be able to have a social life in between as well. Because, on top of all uni work here we have to volunteer with the international student organisation, IEEC. I am volunteering as an officer, meaning I work for one commmitee arranging trips during the semester.

My last course, bioethics, was actually recommended by my flat mate. It sounds really exciting. Each class we will discuss the ethics behind gene manipulation, transplantation, artificial organs etc.

Back to the trips. We are planning to go to Lake Tahoe for skiing.

Vegas for gambling

Grand Canyon for a view

Yosemite

Napa for some vino

Day to day

Time is flying! I've been in San Fran for more than two weeks now. Somehow it feels much longer, in a good way though. Earlier today we signed the new lease, so in a few days we can move in. I had talked to the landlord yesterday, and arranged to meet outside Macy's (a big store) next to uni in the afternoon. We all came, the landlord called, we met and he walked us into the shop. There his wife was waiting at the Ralph Lauren table with the contract. So over this table in the middle of this big store we stood discussing the lease and payed the diposit. It looked perfectly illegal. The landlord on the other hand did not seem bothered by the situation at all. It worked out well, we got the deal we wanted and on Thursday, September 1st at 5 pm, we will receive the keys and can move in.

After we got back to the hostel we have just been looking at furniture and small things we need to get before Thursday. It's gonna be IKEA heaven!

Tomorrow is Monday again and second week of uni. We have already had quizzes, homework and assignments. School here is crazy! The professor call the roll in every class, and if you dont show you have to bring proof such as medical certificate etc. I guess it will be ok, cause there wont be madness in the end. We just have to work gradually through the whole semester.

Stole some photos from a friends fb. They're from the Golden Gate Bridge.

Ida

The city of colours

I've settled in a bit and starting to looooove this city. It's something happening all the time, people everywhere. Busy and awesome!

I've also met a few people that are really nice, will be going to the same uni, and that I might move in with. The house hunting here is awful. It seems like there are too many people searching compared to available housing. So instead of searching for a single room in a shared house, we might have to rent a house together a few of us. Which is just as good though. We went to one house viewing the other day which was fantastic. It is in a suburb called Heights, with many nice small cafes and bars, second hand shops, restaurants and a bit of a laid back style. A little bit like West End actually.

Earlier today me and another friend went to look at another great house basically on the beach. You would think that's a good thing, but here it just means fog. The house was really nice, and we will apply for it. It is close to uni as well, and close to public transport.

Even though a lot of time is spent house hunting, we also get time to experience this amazing city. We tried to make it to the Golden Gate Bridge the other day. It is not that public transport here doesn't work, because it really does, it's just that I'm hopeless with directions, smartphones, transportation etc. Lucky for me I've had Eric and Ferdinand to guide me around.

I haven't taken any photos yet so I'm gonna use some pictures from weheartit. The houses in SF are unbelievable by the way. We have been out a fear bit walking in different neighbour hoods, and some of the houses around here are just breath taking. When I get my camera up and going I'll definitely take it for a walk to take some pictures.

Yesterday a group of us made it to the Golden Gate Bridge. To be honest I don't really see what is so special about it: It's just a bridge! What was amazing though is the weather there. On the city side the fog is thick and grey, and on the other side it's sunny and warm. The weather in SF is really fascinating me. Travelling about 20-30 minutes and the weather changes completely. Anyway, we had a good and cold walk across the bridge, felt the summer for a few minutes on the other side, then went back again.

SF is known as the gay capital of the world, and it shows. People here are very open and don't judge. If you ask for something, you can almost be sure to get this answer: It's San Fran, you can do whatever. No one cares.
Naked people here are no uncommon. One of the speakers at the orientation said that if you haven't seen a naked person during your first two weeks here, you haven't left the house enough. Also, if you react when seeing a naked person, you are the weird one. It's a very liberal city, where gay bars are the most popular places to go out, you can wear whatever or nothing, you have conversations with strangers on the bus....

I'm definitely prepared to live here for a year. The only thing missing now is a home.

Ida

Americans - one of a kind!

Had a pretty interesting first experience with these Americans. When I got to Iceland they were everywhere. As I was waiting for boarding this one man was escorted to the line.

- Please, follow us.

- No, I'm waiting in line.

- Sorry, sir, you have to come with us.

- No, I would rather wait here. (Angry tone)

- Sorry, Sir....

- WHY? NO!

- Sir...

- Get someone in charge!

- But sir...

- NOW!

- ...

- NOOW!

There had obviously been some trouble through security, so he had to be escorted all the way into the plane, but he didnt want to. He agreed to be escorted out again...

Some people followed me in the line. I shortly said hi and then kind of drifted into my own world. Suddenly they started talking behind my back as if I didn't speak English. How rude!

It was all forgotten when I got on the plane though, and sat next too a sweet old american lady in pink jeans, pink jumper, shiny pink jacket, silver purse and a small purple suitcase.

I arrived late to the hostel last night, but it seems nice here. I'm sleeping in a eight bed dorm, so due to some snoring etc I haven't slept much more than a few hours.

Today's to-do-list includes getting a sim card and a bank account so I can start calling some people for house viewings. So I better get started I guess...

Ida

OSL-KEF-SEA-SFO 17 h

Besten, Thea and me

Mor and me

Sitting at Oslo Airport with my sister right now, just waiting and killing time. I'm flying out in a few hours and Thea flies out tomorrow morning. Both of us to the US. It's kind of good to finally be on the way and get started. I know the first few days will be a bit stressful, but that's how it always is.

The last week has been fully booked as planned. Some of the girls and myself went to North Sweden for a few days. We had a great time together and agreed t go back next year for the Luleaa festival "luleaa kalaset".

All dressed up. Kjerstin, me, Elise, Stine and Sigrid.

Shopping in Luleaa City. Stine and me.

Relaxing time in bed.

Maria and Sigrid

I'll update when I get to San Fran, and you can follow Thea on howdydoody.blogg.no (Norwegian).

Ida