Sustainable Bonanza

August 31, 2009

Jetlagged

Filed under: General — Tags: , , , , — Kirsten @ 5:41AM

Why do I feel so tired after getting 11 hours of sleep?  It feels like waking up in the middle of the night even though it is 9AM,  Oh, wait, it is the middle of the night.  To my jet-lagged body at least.  Somehow I have managed to eat, shower, repack my suitcase, meditate and get down to the dock in an hour and a half.  I think this is pretty quickly considering I feel like my eyes need to close. 

At the dock I am waiting to catch the 91 ferry to Bygdoy for the museums.  Standing on the floating dock, I find myself moving gently with the water. 

Sitting in the warm sun while waiting for the boat is nice.  It reminds me of spring and the desire to get outside at every opportunity.

Remembering back to my trip to Kenya in January, I try to casually slid up my pant leg so that the back of my knees are exposed to the morning sun.  I remember someone saying that this was the trick to getting over jet-lag.

August 29, 2009

Nothing’s free

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , — Kirsten @ 1:31PM

Cheesy 80′s pop fills the air. That is why I first noticed Lovebakken’s existence. 

The fairly simple, boring menu of Christiana (on the map) drove me to check out this place next door (off the map).  Initially the prices almost scared me off.  In the end what made me walk through the front door was the pan-fried Monkfish with citrus risotto and pickled red onion.  I just couldn’t walk away from a treat like that, despite the nearly $40 price tag. 

I went in.  A clean atmosphere that bustled in a busy yet low-key way, greeted me inside the door.  Next came the hostess who sadly informed me that they had a special function going on that evening and that I could only get the 12+ tapas they had out for free, there was no access to the regular menu.  Seriously?  Yes.  I walked in thinking I would be spending at least $50 on dinner and it actually was more like zero.  I was out of luck with the wine menu as well.  The were only offering one special (which tasted like a Merlot) that was cheaper than my previous glass by several dollars and tasted good. 

American Pie ends and now ‘What a feelin’ comes on. 

Among the tasty treats set out for guests (customers isn’t the right word when it’s free) 
- Watermelon, feta and cucumber salad with red onion
- Tomato, olive and rosemary Focaccia
- Piles of soft smoked salmon
- Pork with either a slice of bacon or a strip of its own fat- either way it was delicious!

‘Take your passion.  Make it happen…’

I am so happily full right now.  Feeling tired, as well, as the lack of sleep catches up with me.

In the end I paid for two glasses of discounted wine and left with my belly full.

August 28, 2009

Norway, Day One

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , — Kirsten @ 1:15PM

It’s gray and raining here and I have a feeling that this is often the case.  People seem to either be prepared with rainjackets and umbrellas or to go on with their walking unfazed. 

The strangest thing happened at the airport.  I got off the plane, picked up my luggage and walked out the door for nothing to declare.  All of a sudden I was at the exit.  No questions.  No passport check.  No stamp.  No ‘look this way’ as they snap your photo to compare to a database of terrorists.  Does Oslo trust Amsterdam to not let bad people on the plane?  The only person I saw working was on the side where you could declare goods taken into the country and she looked like she hadn’t seen action in awhile.

I almost feel guilty about this ease of transit.  First, I get to keep my shoes on going through security in Amsterdam, and now no one harrasses me into the country?!  What is the world coming to?

Maybe the Norwegians rely on their rediculous prices to keep bad people out.  69 Kroner (~11.50 USD) for a glass of house wine.  Holy Crap.  Of course the struggling US dollar doesn’t help the situation.  At least the wine tastes good.  If it didn’t I might be more pissed about the cost.  It is definitely a different experience going from having the A/C on full blast to wondering if you can turn on the heat in the hotel room…

August 5, 2009

Goodbye Andromeda

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , — admin @ 11:32AM

I wanted to write about what I cared about. My cat is one of those things. And she is my bed now crying. Sick. Hopefully able to get better but since she is 13 who knows if this is a virus or old age.

I spent last night and this morning at the vets trying to make her better. Hoping that she would be okay. Knowing that I may need to put her down and not wanting to make that decision.

I love her very much, even when she got underfoot or sat on my paperwork when I was on a deadline. Pets require attention and often beg for it right when we don’t have time. Or I don’t. So I give what I can and go on.

I enjoy her company and how she reflects my personality and mood when I am not around. I love the sound and feel of her purr when she lays next to me while I am working.  I love her fiercely independent nature, which is so much like mine.

My eyes are gritty from a lack of sleep last night. Something.  I hope will not be repeated tonight.  I hope she feels better soon. This is hard to watch.

********

But after another sleepless night watching her slip away, in pain,  I had to put Andromeda down.

While incredibly hard to make that very final decision I know she is no longer suffering.

August 1, 2009

Charting a new course

Filed under: General — admin @ 11:55AM

I think I slacked off of my writing because I am just trying to write about work, which is not my only passion and this blog is supposed to be for all the things that matter to me.

What makes my world go round outside of work?
Family and Friends
Food and preserving food
Spirituality and lightwork/way showing
Reusing what others consider to be trash as either art or in functional ways
Being outdoors
Travel

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