Day 4, dear diary and all that jazz

It has been four days since I arrived here in Pune, and somehow I am already starting to feel at home. I mean, everything is new all the time, but people are to helpful and open and interested in getting to know us, that I am sort of floating on a cloud of "everything is new and interesting". It also helps a lot to live in a room with two other people, cause we talk all the time. That makes it a lot easier to sneak in questions about where to go, what to do and things like that.

Right now I am trying to use all the extra energy I get when I something is new and exciting, and so far, I have to say I think I have been pretty good at it. There are tonnes to do with school and administrative "new in India" kinds of things, but what I am thinking is that it is probably right now that I have the most time and energy to spear during this year. I mean, ever the most exciting things become everyday things as time passes. That is why I want to see and experience as much as possible right now, before the focus has to move towards homework and exams.
So.. Here are a few of the things I have done and noticed since last time:
I had an amazing lecture today in a class called strategic marketing management. I would have neer thought it would be good when it startet. The lecture started with the professor throwing the door shut, and then locking it with a bang. Man, I was shocked. From there I really thought there was no chance I would like the class. But from there, it got really good. We solved a casestudy in groups and then in plenum - it was three hours of heavy discussion. I loved it! Everyone here discuss the topics in an incredibly intelligent way, and they obivously knew what they were talking about. The best part about marketing is the fact that there is not one right and ten wrong answers to how to solve an issue, so you can be disagree completely, but still both parties might be right. The debate is on. During the same lecture I realized I am going to learn a lot here, cause their focus is very different from back home. That was exactly why I wanted to come here.

In the evening one of the guys in my class took me out on his scooter to show me parts of the city center. That was, I think, the very first time I have ever sat on of those. And it was sooo much fun! We were driving aroung on that thing through big parts of the city, we had northern indian food (yes, there is a difference), we ate ice cream with coconut taste, and we went to an indian optician. That last one was a big mistake of course, because it turned out I actually need glasses. So, after six years (God, has it already been that long) of studying I have managed to burn my eyes properly. Well, the journey to this point has been good at least.

By the way, one liter of gas costs 72 rupees in India, which is something like 1,2 euros. So it is a bt cheaper than back home. Still, there is a huge difference in the average salary there and here, which must mean it is a lot more expensive here. Even so, I haven`t heard anyone complain about it.
Outside the campus, it is quite obvious that people notice me. A lot of people are stearing at me when I walk in the streets or go shopping or something. So far, I have just smiled and greeted them, which works pretty well. Most people smile back, some even stops to talk. And I don`t want to sound weird or anything, but I am getting a lot of phone numbers! It seems like people here spread them out everywhere. I can call them at aaaanytime if there is an issue, or I need something or want a tour of the city or anything. Back home I would have taken it as the worst pickupline in the world, but here it feels like they actually mean it. Either that, or I am a lot easier to charm than I thought.

Another thing is the fact that people are more than extra helpful. The rickshaw-drivers, the waitorers, salespeople.. They come running when they see me and they are willing to do anything. In addition to that, they are more than willing to charge me pretty generously for it too.

I haven`t really had a jetlag in any organ of my body, exept from my tummy. I wake up in the middle of the night here, and have to pee like never before. It happens pretty much exactly half an hour later than when I usually went to bed in Berlin.

And yes, I have tasted a lot of good food here. When I was leaving, I was told to be extremely careful in the beginning. I haven`t. I figured I will probably get sick at some point anyways, so I might as well eat well till it happens. Also, I made the o so big mistake of drinking tap water already the first day I was here. There was no big reaction to it, so I have just kept doing it, in small portions at least.
At this point there is not a lot more to tell, but keep dropping by -  something might show up. There is quite a big pile of pictures waiting to be posted now, I just have to find an internet source that lets me post them. In the meanwhile you will just have to "hang in there" or get a life or something like that. If that isn`t doing the work for you, you can visit google.in og search for Hinjewadi.That is where I live.


Bits and pieces
Karen


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Hello, India

So, I finally arrived in Pune, and my life as an Indian student has begun. So far, it all seems p-rr-etty promising. The lectures here started on the 1st of July, and in addition to that, I entered the students second year together. If this had been back home, I know it could have been quite difficult to become a part of the class environment so quickly. Here, somehow felt like a part of the class from the very beginning.

Yesterday I landet in Mumbai at 04:30 in the morning, where I - after spending one and a half hour in the security check - was met by Praveen, my former classmate in Berlin. From there, there was a three hour drive to reach our school. Exhausting, but still a pretty good way to get to see a bit of India. So, yeah, I travelled for about 20 hours to get here. Then at the school, there was paperwork and lectures waiting for me. They arranged for quite a soft start for me though, I 'only' attended two classes in the afternoon from four till nine.

What else? A lot of people worried on my behalf about how it would be for me to be the only blonde girl with blue eyes and see-throughal skin, but I can now say that in the school, nobody really makes a big issue out of it (rumors has it that this is a different story outside the campus, but looking at the schedule that is being laid down for me here, I don't think there will be to much time to notice. So far, the only effect I have seen of this within the school, is that the lecturers and students have no doubts about the fact that there is a new student in their class. Which..you know...there is.



Here are some of the things I can tell you about my new life so far:

- When people ask you about the weather here, it is a trick question. There is a monsoon here right now, and they love it. What used to be the safest thing to answer in my former entire world, does no longer have the same answer.

- It is also usually a trick question if they ask you if you like the food you are being served, but so far - I have not identified the right answer. I suspect that Indian students, like German and Norwegian students, do have as many opinions about their cafeteria as we have about ours. So far, the safest things seems to be to just eat, and eat more (note to self).

- If you are new in a school in India, it doesn't take to long until you no longer are

It might be a little, but not particularly overrated when you here rumors that Indian students have class twelve hours per day. After this, it should be studies for the next day. Yes, I still believe they are human machines. How on earth can they do it?

- As compensation, they do live five minutes from the classroom, they are served three meals per day, there is a cleaning lady coming to wash their room twice a week, and a laundry cleaner on campus (This part I think I can get used to).

- If you are to late for the campus curfue at night, they will no let you in. Period. I do plan to keep this an unconfirmed rumor though.

- If you turn up indecently dressed for class, they will not let you in there either. So far, this is unconfirmed too.

- Out of all the meals served during the week, only three of them contain meat. And yes, seven times three equals twenty-one. If there were any doubts about that part.

- So far the Indian bureaucracy has nothing to stand up with compared to the German one. Please note the so far in the beginning of this sentence. I heard rumors about this point too.


And yes, everyday I will have access to a certain amount of Internet. Then it all stops working. For now, that means I can either talk to my friends and family on skype, or upload approximately one picture here. Guess who is winning? I will see what I can do about it in a while though, this blogging thing does after all contain all my years as a student. It would be kind of sad if I had to stop it now. In the meanwhile, I will be busy trying ti keep track of where I am supposed to be at all times. An impossible task, for sure, but it helps a lot to be in a country where you are supposed to take things as they appear in front of you.


Bits and pieces
Karen


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22nd of July 2012

I almost cannot believe it has already been a year since the terrorist attack here in Norway. Before leaving for India, I decided to go to Oslo today and participate in the 1.year National Remembrance Concert - together with my family and a good friend.

So how are concerts like these in Norway?
The governmental owned TV-channel was in charge of the whole evening - which was a great thing, because it somehow included something for everyone who was there. Well known Norwegian writers, surviving kids and adults with their stories, the primeminister held a speech thanking everyone who have helped afterwards and many of our most beloved artists had small performances with new songs written more or less for this occacion. And roses, lots and lots of roses. A good way for everyone I think.

It was an amazing experience being there today, and I felt a tonne lighter when going to bed today than I have for a long time. Even though this night definitely wasn`t about me, the attack did something to absolutely everyone I know here in Norway, and it is such a relieving feeling to be able to share theese kinds of moments with so many people that you know feel the same way as you in some way.

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A weekend in southern Norway

My last days in Norway before leaving are definitely here, and I am trying to get as much out of them as possible. Therefore, this weekend was spent with my family and a very good friend at my parents cabin in the southern part of Norway. I don`t hink I know anything that is as nice as summer in that region. Especially when you can combine the great weather we had, seafood, family, a good book and that magic smell of the ocean. 

Here are a few quick looks at the beauty I am talking about. 

(The picures are from a city called Risør, about an hour away from the cabin)

Ah, we spent so much time cruising the ocean. I really love being on the sea, it makes me calm in a way I don`t think I feel anywhere else. My parent`s dog Balder on the other side, he has his ups and down on the sea:

 

But after a while he gets tougher:

And after a while he is like the king of the ocean:

And... oh, wait a minute: somehow I ended up buying new shoes to.
But I swear they were on sale. Honestly

 But over to more important events: we caught 37 (!) fish in what.. an hour and a half? Pretty cool, huh?

So, summered up, it was a pretty sweet way to spend the last weekend in Norway.
If I may say so




Bits and pieces


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Why it all begins here

So... This is going to be my first real blog post in English. And honestly, I have no idea where to start. I know it`s weird and all wrong when you write a blog, to say that you do not like writing about yourself. And I don`t believe I would be doing it myself either, if it was 100 % true. Still, I am sort of uncomfortable starting off here, not knowing exactly who will read this, or how they will interpret things.

Therefore I figured I might as well start this blog off by getting everyone on the same page, conserning who I am. And then, after a few more posts, you might get a feeling of what this blog might actually contain.



OK: This is how I looked when I was all cute and everything: 

Today you will usually find me in more awkward situations, looking more messy and less cute like this: 

Some people are fooled by my half shut eyes and think I either look really tired, unhappy or full of thoughts all the time. But don`t be fooled. My hair is blonde, and it does not lie. When I look like that, it is usually just because it takes me a while to realize what is going on. 

That is one of the reasons why it had to be a pug that day when the decision was made to bring a dog into my life A dog is supposed to look like his owner, right? Well, I worked really hard on finding one, but it turned out, there is an animal out there that has the same kind of half shut eyes and funny proportioned look as me: 

Anyways, I guess it is time to get back on track with the timeline here. This is a serious blog after all - in case you hadn`t realized it already.

Me? I grew up in a small town in Norway called Eidsvoll. All my life I have loved to read and see things, and I am so restless, I always wanted to do a little bit more of something. Preferably a little sooner than necessary. That last point started at the time I was born, when my mum gave birth to me the very second she entered the hospital. Figured I might as well keep that speed up somehow. While getting older, I have to admit the speed part might have calmed down quite a bit though...

Eidsvoll is a perfectly OK place to live, but since there are no possibilities to study there, it was quite obviuos to me I had to move when I finished high school. So I did, and I moved across the country to another nice Norwegian city called Stavanger. It turned out to be such a nice place, I chose to stay for five years; basically till I kind of had to move if I wanted to study something new. 

And that is how I ended up moving to Berlin, Germany. 

My Berlin life started in October 2011, and I had my last exam less than a week ago.So now, I am a masters thesis and one and a half year away from finishing a Master of Arts in International Business and Consulting. I am enrolled at Berlin School of Economics and Law, a school I had basically never heard of before I discovered it in a case competition I participated in two years ago. Not such a mystery why, since it is as good as new. Still, they managed to put together a group containing some of the most amazing people I know:

So that was the story about how I got to this point: July 18th 2012, 2 am in the night. 

Right now I am sitting in my parrent`s couch here in Eidsvoll once again, after a wonderful going-away party thrown for me. And the reason why? I am moving to Pune, India 

I have gotten one of the places in the double degree programme my school has with Symbiosis International University, and therefore I will be studying there for the next eight months. And you might not have guessed it, but I am kind of unbelieveably excited about it. I keep counting the minutes. Actually, I was supposed to be there already the 1st of July, but since the exams just ended, there is no way I could have reached there in time.

In the meanwhile I am doing all the research my mind is willing to do in what seems to be the last few days of "pressure free moments" before the big trip begins.

Everyone keeps asking me if I am scared or worried about moving to a third world country like India is. And I guess, as any normal human being, I am thinking about it. Coming from such a.. protected..? place like Norway is, I know it will have to turn out to be different from what I am used to. But that is a big part of why I want to go as well. We learn so much about these differences in school, on TV, from the books we read and the stories we hear - but I have never really experienced it my self. I really hope to get an understanding of what living in India is really about. 

Also, the programme I will be taking part of, also ensures I will not be going there alone. One other student from Germany is going, and also two students from the Indian part of the programme will be traveling there with me - and all three of them will be living in the same campus as I. It really eases the worries a lot to be able to ask stupid questions to someone who knows exactly how it is there. Also, these three guys are amongst my best friends from Berlin, so I know we will be there for each other if anything comes up while we are there. These are the guys:

I am leaving for Pune in about one week. First there are a million things that has to be done, like getting my insurance, making sure I have all the finances needed in place, taking the remaining vaccines, meeting the company I want to write my thesis with, saying goodbye to all my friends and family - and packing. Oh, my God, I have no idea how I will ever be able to pack only one suitcase for a year in India. Any kinds of tips are welcome.

Bits and pieces

/Karen

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Why don't you start blogging in English, now that your life is getting interesting?

Well.. As my class mate Radek put it: "nobody really cared about the pictures I was posting while I lived in Berlin, but now that I am moving halfway across the earth - people might actually start wanting to read what I have to tell"

I am not so sure my life will turn more interesting or worth reading about, but since the complaints keep coming in about the quality of google translate, I figured I might just open this blog to do my part in maintaining Radek's inner world peace.

The plan is to put in as much as I can of my posts here as well, but if the posts come too seldomly for you, you are welcome to continue the google translating of my Norwegian blog instead of biting your nails off. If that could ever turn out to be the alternatives you are left with.

Bits and pieces
Karen

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