the birthday boy 2

Gratulerer med dagen min skatt!(Happy birthday, my treasure!)

sunday snaps

In the trail of last weekend’s walking tour up to Ekeberg, Knut, Keng, Stein and I took ourselves down to the Oslo Fjord, passing through the medieval grounds of the Akershus Fortress and Castle, the car-zero quay of Aker Brygge brimming with sunkissed outdoor restaurants and Norwegians in stylish sunglasses, then Brasserie 45, a restaurant overlooking the National Theater and Karl Johan, the capital’s major thouroughfare, illuminated by the strong sun.

Here are some photos I took with my crappy phone.

A tank used in the 1950’s, as well as in the Vietnam War, resting on the grounds of Akershus Fortress, the old castle built to protect Oslo and now site of the Norwegian Military and Resistance Museums. The entire ground is open to the public in both winter and summer.
A partial view of the Oslo fjord from the Akershus Fortress, here seen with one of those docked cruise ships that ply its way to Copenhagen, Denmark.
Part of the Akershus Fortress.
The King of Norway’s (royal?) Ship. So small, eh?
The City Hall as seen inward from the Oslo Fjord.
Afterwards, Knut and I watched “Notes on a Scandal” with Frank and Luc. So riveting and such intense performances from Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett. “How can it be so wrong if it feels so right?”, quote not taken from the movie.

my name’s aphrodite

Last Monday, after a week of researching about growing and caring for it, I decided to bring home an orchid plant. Among the varied potted orchids in the shop, I picked up this dazzling white beauty. I think she looks very pretty. Very simple, yet very sexy. I named her Aphrodite, because that’s what her breed is, a Phalaenopsis Aphrodite. And incidentally, she comes from the Philippines.

Now growing orchids seems to be a daunting task, like a mother nursing her child to perfection. They need the right lighting, humidity, and watering. That’s why the research. And I also joined a forum group for orchid-growers. Their orchids are so beautiful! Makes me wanna raise some more. But I’ll struggle with Aphrodite first. Who knows, she might get a sister or two when I’ve proven to be a rearing mama.

And oh, since last Monday, Aphrodite has bloomed two more flowers. I was very excited watching each day as the buds slowly and silently bloom into dazzling white flowers. That must be the silent thrill mothers get when they first see their baby. Ah, sweet sweet life.

hot ticket: the sweet escape tour

Gwen Stefani extends her “The Sweet Escape Tour” to Europe and on the 9th of October, Knut and I are seeing her perform live in Oslo Spektrum, the largest indoor multipurpose arena in Norway! Sales opened at 9 this morning and although we could be closer to the stage by buying tickets for the standing area, which covers a whole lot of space mind you, we chose the numbered seats set further aback because I couldn’t stand killing my feet by standing the whole time. A lesson I painfully learned when I watched Gavin de Graw in Oslo and Darren Hayes in Stockholm.

Anyway, I can’t wait! Now if only we were able to get tickets to Justin Timberlake’s concert…

a walk to ekeberg

The snow has melted, the sky is a clear blue, the wind doesn’t sting, and the sun has been fiercer than ever. Spring is slowly coming to Oslo and like a change of the season, weekends are spent differently these days. So we kicked off the skis and the fur-lined shoes and changed to more comfortable walking sneakers as we headed off to Ekeberg, a 2-mile walk southeast of downtown Oslo, to see fine views of Oslo harbor and the fjord. Along the way, we spent some surreal, quiet moment in Gamlebyen or Old City, the nuclear site of Oslo eons ago.

At the old monastery ruins in Gamlebyen

After an uphill walk, we finally made it to Ekeberg Restaurant, affording a fantastic view of the city.

After taking in the view, although I didn’t channel Edvard Munch and paint “The Scream” from up there, I had a cup of hot chocolate which was sooooo rich in flavor and thick in texture, a carrot cake, and Bailey’s with mint at the restaurant.

The sun was so strong I can’t help but squint.

This is the full view from up there. One could span the fjord with the new Opera (the white building in the center) due to open in 2008, the city with the pitiful skyline, and the mountains that embrace Oslo.