15.01.2015kl.12:03 i
Jeg har vaert kristen hele livet. Likevel har jeg har ikke skj?nt hva det egentlig vil si ? vaere frelst. Hva det vil si at jeg er tilgitt for alle mine synder. Kanskje fordi jeg alltid har f?tt h?re at Gud elsker meg uansett hva - noe som har gjort at jeg har tatt n?den som en selvf?lge. Selvf?lgelig elsker han meg, selvf?lgelig er jeg tilgitt, selvf?lgelig kommer jeg til himmelen. Jeg har ikke fryktet noe annet. Ettersom ?rene har g?tt og jeg har blitt eldre har erfaringene mine endret mitt perspektiv p? livet. Alt det man ikke forst?r som barn - det de voksne skjermer oss for som sm?, blir plutselig virkelighet. D?d. Hjelpel?shet. Usikkerhet. Krig. Elendighet. Synd.
Jeg har dager der jeg er s? langt nede at jeg f?r lyst til ? legge meg ned i senga og aldri reise meg igjen. Der jeg bare f?ler for ? lukke ?ynene og leve i m?rket. Sakte men sikkert forsvinne. S? lukker jeg ?ynene, sovner og v?kner opp neste dag bekymringsl?s og har alllerede glemt hva jeg var s? trist for. Jeg kan f?le meg hjelpesl?s, men s? er jeg likevel trygg. Jeg venter ikke p? neste bombeangrep. Dager hvor jeg f?ler meg nede kommer og g?r. Men det gj?r det ikke for den lille jenta som har mistet hele familien sin, eller gutten som ligger og kaldsvetter om natten fordi han vet at han neste dag m? ut i krig som barnesoldat. De kan ikke skyve problemene sine bort. De er barn som aldri fikk muligheten til ? oppleve den trygge siden av livet slik jeg har gjort og enda gj?r.
Jeg blir redd n?r jeg tenker p? at mennesker som meg og deg dreper. Dreper for ? f? frem et poeng, for ? f? mer makt, for tilfredstillelse av egne behov, fordi de blir tvunget eller fordi de m?. Hva er det som driver disse menneskene? Jeg har s? lett for ? d?mme alle andre, men hva er det egentlig som driver meg da? Hva er det som f?r meg til ? snu hodet bort n?r jeg leser om alt det forferdelige som skjer i verden? Jeg har selv kjent p? trangen til ? gj?re det som jeg vet er galt. Jeg synder hver eneste dag: misunner andre for deres suksess, lyver, d?mmer, tenker onde tanker om meg selv og andre. Hva er det som f?r meg til ? tro at jeg da er s? mye bedre enn terroristen p? andre siden av jorden? Jeg kan velge ? klandre Gud for alle verdens problemer. Anklage han for at han ikke griper inn. Men s? kan jeg ogs? stille meg selv det samme sp?rsm?let. Hvorfor griper ikke jeg inn?
En dag jeg gikk hjem fra t-banen s? fikk jeg ?ye p? en uteligger som satt p? bakken med hodet b?yd og en kopp foran seg. S? kom det en gutt forbi og tok koppen hans med seg. Jeg s? denne gutten rett inn i ?ynene og m?tte et blikk jeg aldri kommer til ? glemme. Det var som om han bare s? rett gjennom meg, s? likegyldig, f?r han sprang videre med koppen i h?nda. Jeg stivnet. Fikk ikke til ? reagere en gang. Det gikk s? fort. Jeg kan tenke at jeg var forferdelig som ikke grep inn - men s? er det jo ikke alltid s? lett ? vite hva man skal gj?re heller. B?de i slike situasjoner og n?r man ser terroren som hersker i store deler av verden og ikke aner hva man skal gj?re med det. Men hadde l?sningen vaert enkel, s? hadde vi vel hatt fred i denne verden for lenge siden.
Jeg har ikke alle svarene og komme aldri til ? f? dem heller. Jeg har ikke kapasitet til ? forst? hvorfor s? mange lider. Hvorfor depresjon har blitt en landeplage i Norge - som er et av verdens rikeste land eller hvorfor s? mange menneskers liv kun best?r av elendighet. Jeg m? bare velge ? stole p? Gud. Stole p? at han har kontroll selv n?r hele verden raser sammen. Stole p? at frelsen er nok til ? redde meg og andre. Fordi jeg er en synder p? lik linje med alle andre. En synder som trenger Jesus. Jeg er like fanget som den fangen Jesus hadde ved sin side p? korset da han d?de. Det g?r sakte men sikkert opp for meg hva frelsen faktisk innebaerer og hvorfor jeg trenger den s? mye som jeg gj?r. Hvorfor jeg trenger Jesus.
Men jeg synes det er s? vanskelig n?r jeg er selv er langt nede eller n?r jeg ser hvor langt nede verden er. Det er s? vanskelig ? takke Gud for alt det gode n?r det er s? mye vondt. N?r jeg ser hvor mye b?de menneskene som st?r meg naer og mennesker som jeg ikke kjenner p? andre siden av jorden lider s? skulle jeg ?nske at han grep mer inn. Jeg blir sint og frustrert. Jeg skj?nner hvorfor s? mange mennesker velger ? vende Gud ryggen og sliter med ? tro. Jeg sliter med det selv og har nok ikke opplevd halvparten av den smerten de har. Men s? ser jeg for meg en verden uten han og alt h?p forsvinner. Da blir jeg vertfall redd. Hele meningen med livet forsvinner.
Jeg har ikke telling p? hvor mange ganger jeg har feilet eller snudd ryggen til og g?tt i andre retning av hvor Gud vil jeg skal g?. Av en eller annen grunn har jeg hatt og har fortsatt en trang til ? gj?re det motsatte av hva han ber meg om. Hvordan kan jeg egentlig klandre Gud da? N?r det er jeg som vender han ryggen, og ikke han som vender ryggen til meg. Jeg er f?dt i synd og er og forblir en synder. Heldigvis for meg s? hater Gud synd, men elsker synderen. Han elsker meg.
Jeg er ikke bare frelst fra min egen synd. Jeg er frelst fra en verden full av ondskap. Jeg er reddet og ingen kan ta fra meg livet. For selv om jeg d?r s? lever jeg evig sammen med min far i himmelen. Det er ikke de som d?r det er synd p?, det er de som blir etterlatt. De som m? leve med savnet og smerten. Som sitter igjen med alle sp?rsm?lene om hvorfor verden er som den er. Jeg er ikke reddet fordi jeg lever. Jeg er reddet fordi jeg har evig liv selv n?r jeg d?r.
29.03.2014kl.19:28 i
Du skal ikke tro at du er noe. Du skal ikke tro at du er like s? meget som oss. Du skal ikke tro du er klokere enn oss. Du skal ikke innbille deg at du er bedre enn oss. Du skal ikke tro du vet mere enn oss. Du skal ikke tro at du duger til noe. Du skal ikke le av oss. Du skal ikke tro at noen bryr seg om deg. Du skal ikke tro at du kan laere oss noe.
Jeg har aldri blitt mobbet, eller f?tt stygge kommentarer p? utseende mitt eller oppf?rselen min. Da jeg var yngre brydde jeg meg lite om utseende, og jeg syntes det var svaert merkelig den dagen jeg fikk h?re ei venninne si at hun hadde for store l?r. Store l?r? Var det i det hele tatt mulig ? ha for store l?r? Etterhvert som tiden gikk, fant jeg raskt ut at store l?r bare var en av mange ting som kunne vaere galt med kroppen. Dette fikk tankene til ? svirre.
P? et tidspunkt i livet mitt tok det over. Som en tyv i natten snek det seg innp? meg og stjal selvtilitten min fra meg. Jeg skapte et ideal om hvilken person jeg ville bli og hvordan jeg skulle se ut - som var helt umulig ? oppn?. Etterhvert var det ikke bare utseende det gikk utover. Det ble overf?rt til naermest alt annet ogs?, og rakket ned p? livskvaliteten. Fotball, skole, vennskap. Det f?rte til menneskefrykt og usikkerhet. Var jeg i det hele tatt god nok for noe, eller noen? Jeg f?lte jeg ikke hadde lov til ? vaere forn?yd med meg selv. Om det var noe som faktisk var bra, s? f?ltes det helt unaturlig ? skulle si det til noen. Ville jo ikke virke selvgod heller.
Det handlet om hvordan andre mennesker s? meg. Hvordan andre tenkte om meg hadde s? utrolig mye ? si. Utallige ganger kom jeg hjem med t?rer i ?ynene fra fotballtreninger fordi jeg ikke f?lte meg god nok - p? tross av alle gangene jeg fikk h?re at jeg var det. P? skolen naermest sank jeg gjennom gulvet om jeg fikk en firer p? en pr?ve. Da jeg etterhvert fikk meg jobb p? kiwi, gikk det ikke en dag uten at jeg gruet meg til jobb. Nettopp fordi jeg var s? redd for ? feile. Jeg hadde satt s? h?ye krav til meg selv. Noe av det vaerste m? vaere den d?rlige samvittigheten som fulgte med. For hvordan kunne jeg som hadde det s? godt, g? rundt med slike tanker? Jeg hadde jo egentlig ingen grunn til ? f?le meg slik som jeg gjorde, ikke sant? Det spilte ingen rolle hvor mange ganger jeg fikk h?re at jeg var bra nok. Innerst inne f?lte jeg meg aldri god nok, uansett. Jeg pr?vde ? vaere likegyldig, pr?vde ? skyve f?lelsene bort, men ingenting funket.
Og n? har det fulgt meg hele veien til Kina. Det har vaert en stor utfordring ? jobbe med autister. Det ? bli avist av sm? barn, f?ltes som et slag i trynet hver eneste gang det skjedde. Noe som gav meg en f?lelse av at jeg var elendig med barn. Det var flere ganger jeg f?lte meg helt ubrukelig, og satte sp?rm?l med hvorfor jeg var der i det hele tatt. Det har vaert et evig jag etter bekreftelse. Bekreftelse p? at jeg er god nok for menneskene rundt meg. Det er slitsomt ? hele tiden tenke at man m? tilfredstille alle andre, saerlig n?r alle har ulike meninger om hvordan man skal vaere. Det sier seg selv, at det g?r ikke. Jeg har vaert frem og tilbake p? om jeg i det hele tatt skal poste dette innlegget, akkurat som jeg er like usikker p? hvert eneste innlegg jeg skriver. Bare fordi jeg er redd for hva andre skal si, eller tenke om det. Vi lever i et samfunn som er preget av janteloven s? til de grader. Et samfunn som sier at du ikke skal f? lov til ? f?le deg god nok. Du skal ikke tro at du er noe. Det virker som det er viktigere ? tilfredstille alle andre enn seg selv. Men det mange glemmer (inkludert meg selv) er at ingen har kapasitet til ? n? alle kravene som stilles. Ingen er perfekte. Dessuten, om jeg pr?ver ? vaere alle andre - hvem skal da vaere meg?
Skulle ?nske samfunnet v?rt var mer preget av denne tankegangen: Husk at ingen er som deg. Du er spesiell p? en m?te som bare du kan vaere. Vaer stolt av deg selv. ♥ Katrine
14.03.2014kl.10:52 i
Det finnes s? mange mennesker i denne verden som har det vondt, akkurat n?. Som sitter bekymret og venter p? svar. Lever pappa? Som venter p? neste slag. Kommer hun til ? sl? meg n?? Som leter etter meningen med livet. Er det noen som er glad i meg?Hver time, hvert minutt, hvert sekund. Jeg har lenge trodd at for ? redde verden s? m? man ut i verden. Dit fattigdommen r?der. Dit krigen st?r p?. Dit jeg trodde mennesker trengte min hjelp mest av alle. N?r jeg h?rer om alle de forferdelige tingene som skjer rundt i verden, s? blir jeg naermest handlingshemmet. Fordi jeg f?ler meg s? hjelpesl?s. Hva kan jeg gj?re? S? f?r jeg d?rlig samvittighet. Men det jeg ofte glemmer, er at verden er en t?ff plass ? leve, uansett hvor man bor. Hva med den gamle damen p? gamlehjemmet som sitter helt forlatt og alene uten noen? Mannen som nettopp mistet konen sin til kreft? Den unge jenta som f?ler at livet ikke er verdt ? leve lengre? Eller det barnet som blir mishandlet av sine foreldre? De menneskene som trenger at noen er der for dem, akkurat n?. Du er viktigere enn du tror. Du betyr mer enn du aner. For noen, kan du bety alt. Det er s? utrolig viktig ? spre kjaerlighet til menneskene rundt seg. Hvorfor ikke si til den jenta du tenkte var fantastisk vakker, at hun er det? Hvorfor ikke smile og si hei til den fremmede mannen p? gata? Hvorfor ikke fortelle de du er glad i, at du er glad i dem?// There are so many people in the world that are hurting in this moment, right now. Worried and waiting for answers. Is dad alive? Waiting for the next stroke. Is she going to beat me now? Looking for the purpose of life. Is there anybody out there who loves me? Every hour, every minute, every second. So long have I thought that to save the world, you had to go out in the world. Where the poverty rules. Where the war is going on. Where I thought people needed my help the most. When I hear all the terrible things that is happening around the world, I get paralyzed. Because I feel so helpless. What can I do? Then I feel bad. But what I tend to forget, is that the world is a tough place to live, no matter where you live. What about that old lady at the oldcenter, sitting there all alone? The man who just lost his wife to cancer? The young girl who doesn't feel life is worth living anymore? Or the child that get abused by its parents? Those people who need someone to be there for them, right now.You are more important then you think. For someone, you mean everything. It is so important to spread love to everyone around you. Why not tell the girl you thought was amazingly beautiful, that she is? Why not smile and say hello to the stranger on the street? Why not tell everyone you love, that you love them?♥ Katrine
26.02.2014kl.11:27 i
Jeg startet dagen tidlig p? morgenen - det var ikke snakk om at jeg skulle miste toget. En time f?r det gikk satt jeg klar. Selve reisen gikk overraskende bra. Jeg fant frem p? metroen i Shanghai, kom meg til flyplassen og f?lte meg rett og slett litt flink. Jeg sto spent og ventet ved terminalen. Hjertet hoppet over noen hakk flere ganger, og jeg innbilte meg at jeg s? dem. I r?d skrift blinket det "arriving at T1" p? skjermen. Jeg konluderte i hodet mitt med at det betydde at flyet var forsinket. Men etter ? ha st?tt der en god stund ble jeg litt usikker, og m?tte sp?rre en mann ved siden av meg hva det betydde. Det viste seg at jeg sto ved feil terminal. "Du m? g? til terminal 1!" Er det mulig, tenkte jeg bare. Pr?vde desperat ? ringe dem, men fikk kun en kinesisk stemme til svar. Det g?r ikke. Hva skal jeg gj?re? Tenk om jeg ikke finner dem? Tankene svirret. Var jeg
i det hele tatt p? rett flyplass? Jeg var s? varm. Jeg fant skiltene som viste veien til terminal 1 og sprang avg?rde. Etter en lang joggetur, fant jeg den. Jeg speidet utover folkemengden. Kineser. Kineser. Kineser. H?y hvit gutt med caps. Kineser. Kineser. Vent litt. Spol tilbake. Kunne det vaere? Et smil bredte seg om munnen min, og jeg begynte ? sm?l?pe. Desto naermere jeg kom, desto tydligere ble de. Jeg spurtet, rett inn i armene til mamma. Etter en laang klem sier Simon: "Ja, skal ikke vi ogs? f? klem..?" T?rene rant. S? uvirkelig. Men endelig var de her. I Kina. Sammen med meg.
// I started the day early - I couldn't miss the train. Not today. One hour before departure, I sat ready outside the gate. The journey went okey. I found my way on the metro in Shanghai, got to the airport, and felt like I was doing pretty good on my own. I stood outside the terminal. So excited. My heart skipped a beat, and I imagined seeing them several times. "Arriving at T1". For some reason I concluded that the plain was delayed. But after standing there for a while, I had to ask a man what it actually meant. It turned out that I was standing at the wrong terminal. "You have to go to terminal 1!" he said. So typical me. I tried desperately to call them, but only reached a chinese voice. It doesn't work. What do I do now? What if I don't find them? The thoughts swirled. Was I even at the right ariport? I found the signs that lead to terminal 1. After a long jog, it was finnally there. I starred into the croud. Chinese. Chinese. Chinese. Tall white guy with a caps. Chinese. Chinese. Wait. Reverse. Could it be? A smile spread out in my face, and I started to run. The closer I got, the clearer they got. I ran and ran, right into the arms of my mother. After a loong hug, my brother asked: "Won't we get a hug as well..?" The tears flowed. So unreal. But they were finally here. In China. Together with me. ♥ Katrine
08.02.2014kl.00:06 i
"Pappa, kan du fortelle meg om da du var liten og trengte hjelp til ? knytte skoene?" Med innlevelse fortalte han historien jeg sikkert hadde h?rt tusen ganger f?r, og jeg la meg godt til rette under den varme dyna mens ?ynene sakte men sikkert lukket seg igjen. Han slukket lyset, men lot d?ren vaere ?pen. Det beroligget meg, og jeg f?lte meg trygg. S? sovnet jeg. Som liten var bekymringene f?. Det f?r meg til ? tenke p? deg. Du som ligger v?ken om natten, uviten om du er i live eller ikke til solen har st?tt opp igjen. Mamma og pappas armer holder ikke. F?lelsen av ? vaere trygg, er borte for alltid. Vennene dine ble drept rett foran ?ynene p? deg. Du aner ikke hvor familien din er. Hjemmet ditt ligger i ruinene av bombeangrepet. Du er helt alene. Hvordan f?les det, n?r de som egentlig skal ta vare p? deg og beskytte deg, er de som jager deg ut av landet og myrder alle du har kjaer?Jeg ble f?dt i Norge, verdens rikeste land. Jeg vant i lotteriet den dagen jeg ble f?dt. Men det gjorde ikke du. Du ble f?dt i Syria, hvor krig og elendighet forf?lger landet. Hvorfor?
Har jeg noen gang m?tt deg? Har jeg sett deg inn i ?ynene, uviten om hvilke grusomme hemmeligheter som sjuler seg bak fasaden? Smilte jeg til deg? Jeg leser. Snur hodet bort. Forferdelig. Vondt. Her sitter jeg i Kina, langt borte. Borte fra min familie. Mine venner. Huset mitt. Fra deg. Forskjellen p? meg og deg, er at jeg vet med sikkerhet at jeg en dag vil f? se alt igjen. Verden er s? ekstremt urettferdig. Vi er alle mennesker. Likevel dreper vi hverandre. Meningsl?st blir liv revet bort, som f?lge av andres selvopptatthet og gr?dighet. Alle skal vi en dag d?, men n?r er det ingen som burde ha makt til ? bestemme. Uskyldige mennesker, sm? barn, drept og torturert. For hva? Konflikten i Syria har s? langt krevd mer enn 100 000 menneskeliv. 250 drept i bombeangrep i mot Aleppo, deriblant 73 barn. Totalt er det n? 2 millioner syrere som er registrert eller som venter p? ? bli registrert som flyktninger. Mer enn 11 000 skal ha blitt torturert til d?de. Barn mishandles p? det groveste. (, , )Hva kan jeg gj?re? Jeg f?ler meg s? hjelpesl?s. S? liten. S? langt borte. Hvordan kan det ha seg, at jeg var den heldige?// "Dad, can you tell me the story about when you were a child and needed help to tie your shoes?" He told me the story I certainly had heard a thousand times before, and I laid down under the warm duvet while my eyes slowly closed. He turned out the light, but left the door open. It calmed me, and I felt safe. Then I fell asleep. My worries were few.
That makes me think of you. You who lie awake at night, unaware of whether you will be alive or not until the sun rise again. Mom and Dad's arms are not enough. The feeling of being safe, is gone forever. Your friends were killed right in front of you. You have no idea where your family are. Your home lies in the ruins of the bomb-attack. You are all alone. How does it feel, when those who are suppose to take care of you and protect you, are those who chase you out of your country and murder everyone you love?
I live in Norway, the worlds richest country. I won the lottery the day I was born.
But you did'nt. You were born in Syria, where war and misery haunts the country.
Why?
Have I ever met you? Have I starred into your eyes, ignorance about the terrible secrets hidden behind the facade? Did I smile at you? I read. Turn my head away. Awful. Here I'm sitting in China, far away. Away from my family. My friends. My house. From you. The difference between you and me is that I know for sure that I will se them again one day.
The world is so extremely unfair. We are all people. Yet we kill each other. Meaningless, life gets torn away, as a result of someone else's selfishness and greed. We all are going to die one day, but when should no one have the power to decide. Innocent people, children, killed and tortured. For what? The conflict in Syria has so far claimed more than 100,000 lives. 250 killed in bomb attacks against Aleppo, including 73 children. In total there are now two million Syrians registered or waiting to registered as refugees. More than 11,000 have reportedly been tortured to death. Children abused at the coarsest. (, , )What can I do? I feel so helpless. Too small. Too far away. How can it be, that I was the lucky one?- Katrine
04.02.2014kl.17:36 i
If you need a place where you can run, if you need a shoulder to cry on: I'll always be your friend. When you need some shelter from the rain, when you need a healer for your pain, I will always be there time and time again. When you need someone to love you, here I am ♥
Det er fire m?neder siden vi begav oss ut p? reisen, som skulle vise seg ? forandre ikke bare oss, men ogs? vennskapet v?rt for alltid. Jeg trodde jeg kjente deg p? alle omr?der, men der tok jeg grundig feil. Etter ? ha bodd s? tett p? hverandre over s? lang tid som vi n? har gjort n?, har jeg f?tt lov til ? bli kjent med den jenta du virkelig er. Du er aerlig og ikke redd for ? si din mening. Noe som gj?r at du sjelden bukker under for andre, men st?r p? dine egne selvstendige ben. I starten kom det litt som et sjokk p? meg, og jeg gikk ofte i selvforsvar. For du er ikke bare aerlig om det positive, men ogs? det negative. Mennesker er ofte redd for sannheten, saerlig n?r det g?r p? egen bekostning. Du har f?tt meg til ? innse, at noen ganger er det faktisk bare jeg som kan gj?re noe. Noen ganger m? jeg selv ta tak i problemene mine, for at noe skal skje.
Selv om du st?r for det du mener, lytter du med et ?pent sinn til hva andre har ? si. Du er villig til ? gj?re en forandring med deg selv, for at andre skal ha det bra. Noe som krever ydmykhet og viljestyrke til ? gjennomf?re. Du er en ?pen person som gir av deg selv til alle rundt deg - en person man fort blir glad i, med andre ord. For ikke ? snakke om hvor fort du blir glad i andre mennesker selv. Alle er gode nok som de er, og du slipper dem til. Marthe, du er s? utrolig bra!
Vi har hatt b?de gode og vonde dager. Men gjennom alt, s? har du virkelig vaert min beste venn. St?tt ved min side n?r jeg har hatt det som vaerst, men ogs? n?r jeg har hatt det fantastisk. Jeg f?ler jeg kan vaere meg selv hundre prosent rundt deg, selv p? d?rlige dager. Vi b?de krangler, smiler, gr?ter og ler om hverandre. Det har vaert dager der jeg har vaert s? irritert p? deg at jeg kunne spist sokken min, og jeg t?rr sverge p? at du har f?lt akkurat det samme. Men det har ogs? vaert dager der vi har hatt ustoppelige latterkramper av alt og ingenting, og levd livets glade dager p? en rosa sky. Det er ingen jeg kan le s? mye med (og av) som deg. Du gj?r hverdagen som kan virke kjedelig, s? mye morsommere. Som de gangene du sitter med totalt latterkrampe i sofaen, og jeg sp?rr deg hva du ler av -s? viser det seg at du ler av deg selv. Vi har s? lik humor. Trenger ikke mer enn et blikk fra deg, og jeg vet at vi tenker akkurat det samme. Jeg er sikker p? at vi kunne bodd i eventyrland sammen med Peter Pan for alltid, hvor barn aldri blir voksne. Jeg tror b?de du og jeg er prakteksempler p? at slutten p? ten?rene, ikke automatisk skyver deg inn i de voksnes rekker. Baesj- og tiss humoren st?r fortsatt like h?yt som da vi var 3 ?r. Selv om store deler av v?r daglige samtale, inneholder mye tull og t?ys - er det ogs? en stor del som best?r av seri?se samtaler om viktige temaer. Hvorfor er verden s? urettferdig? Hva kan vi gj?re med dette? Eventyret i Kina har forandret oss begge to. Allerede f?rste uka var vi sl?tt ut av alle inntrykkene, men sammen fant vi en m?te ? komme gjennom det p?. Du har g?tt fra ? vaere min beste venninne, til ? bli min s?ster. Idag er en spesiell dag. Ikke fordi det er 4 m?neder siden vi reiste til Kina, men fordi det er 20 ?r siden Marthe Andreassen kom til verden. Gratulerer s? mye med dagen, vakre deg. For noen ?r tilbake sa du til meg at du skulle gj?re alt du kunne for at dagen min ble bra - og n? skal jeg gj?re alt i min makt for at din blir det. Jeg er s? utrolig glad i deg. Du gj?r verden til en bedre plass ? leve. Til slutt vil jeg oppfordre alle som en til ? sende en bursdagshilsen til Marthe p? mail: m.. Da vet jeg at hun hadde blitt veldig glad! Stor bursdagsklem fra Katrine ♥
03.02.2014kl.07:38 i
23/11/2013
Today can be summed up in one word: WOW. So many impressions, so many things to see. I don't even know where to begin. The day started with a good breakfast, consisting of noodles and buns with beefmeat inside, before we turned our nose towards the countryside. The further away from the city we drove, the more beauitful the nature and the view from the car-window got. Tall peaks surrounded us on every side. The moment we passed a few chinese women dressed in what looked like the norwegian national suit with a chinese twist, walking along the road, was the moment I realised that this was going to be a trip out of the ordinary.
After a while we arrived the "downtown" area, where people had put up stalls along the side of the road, to sell everything from costumes and pencils - to pigs and puppies. The animals were squised together in small cages. The ducks had something that looked like tumors in their faces, and the dogs were full of lice. We walked around, observing everything. But we didn't stay there for long, before we went further on.
Next stop was Wachang village, where we were welcomed by girls dressed in colorful and glittering suits. The village was placed on top of the mountainsides, and the view was amazing. After having a fotoshoot together, they showed us what they were doing in their daily life. We walked along the mountain, to get to the place where they were working. What they did, was that they cultivated indiogo-plants, and used them to make the color indigo. They had made some watherpools where they stired it in. The method they used has been used in over a hundred years. I felt like I was taken back in time. The big happening of the day, was when Marthe manage to slip into one of the pools. It turned out to be a great thing though. They found one of the most beautiful suits they had for her, and she went from being humiliated and embarresed, to become a princess. How to make indigo color: Step 1: Putting the leaves in water for several days, and stir it. Step 2: Take it out of the water.Step 3: Add chemicals to make it firmerIndigoplantsThe next stop on the way, was Dee Township Meji Village, where they were making skirts, and colored them with the indigo color from the other village. It took them twelve hours to make the pattern on the skirts, then the next step was to color them. It was so detailed, and professionally made. They used honey wax to make the pattern. This man was so sweet. He straightened up for the camera, and wanted me to take a picture of him. We also visited a project that was started in 2012. Their goal was to improve the situation for the pregnant women in the villages: to prevent sickness and death and give them the routinecheck they need during their pragnacy. A really good project.
This is a little excerpt from my diary, from the first day in the villages when we visited the countryside in Guanxi-province in november. We traveled together with NMS, The Amity Foundation and some of the leaders from the province. The purpose of the trip was to start new projects in the areas we visited. It was a really interesting progress to be a part of, and an amazing trip, which created memories I will never forget. ♥ Katrine
31.01.2014kl.12:48 i
Usually I fight my way through the endless crowds of people, getting smashed everytime I enter the subway. Trying to stay at my place in line, while there is always someone who desperatly is trying to get in front of me. Having aqward situations where I want to pass someone, and they don't want to move so I almost crash into them everytime. People everywhere, along with the hunking cars, scooters and bikes who almost run me over everyday. But today, the only sign of life in the streets are the remains of fired fireworks. No stalls selling food, almost all the restaurants closed and the streets completely empty. So quite. I must admit, I miss all the people. Today is the first day of 2014, at least if you follow the chinese calender. Moving from the snake year, to the horse year. Spring festival is one of the most important traditional chinese holidays. It is a time when everyone travels home to their hometown, to celebrate the new year with friends and familiy.
Considering that my new years celebration didn't exactly turn out the way I planned this year, sitting in a taxi when the clock struck twelve - I seized this chance to celebrate the new year one more time. This time, with a better view than the backseat of a car. Me and Marthe started the day at the Fuzi Miao temple, which we heard was the place people gathered to watch the fireworks, and to ring the bells at midnight. It was so beautiful there, with colorful lights and lanterns hanging in the trees. But as the time went by, more and more people left and we figured that it wasn't going to be any official fireworks there after all. We got to talk with some other foreigners, who was wondering the same thing as we did. They told us that the best place to watch the fireworks from, was probably on top of a tall building. So, when time passed midnight, I was standing on the rooftop of a building, with my bestfriend screaming "xīnnián kuàilè!" to all the residents of Nanjing, while we watched the fireworks together. It was a little hard to see anything because of the smoke and the pollution, but it was amazing anyway.
Xīnnián kuàilè everyone! Or in other words: HAPPY NEW YEAR!
♥ Katrine
24.01.2014kl.21:07 i
Today I was sitting alone at work, scetching at a time when there was nothing else to do. It took me a while to notice the little boy standing behind me with his pink lollipop, laughing like he didn't have a care in the world. I wish I could be that happy. Just let go of all my worries, and laugh unstoppable. A lot of the time I spend at the center, is spent observing. I get time to notice some of the golden moments. When they laugh or smile over like running after a ball, singing, jumping or even just stare at a ping pong ball bouncing up and down.
One of the girls has been afraid of me since day one, and hid away everytime I tried to make contact with her. But suddenly one day, she just ran into my arms and let me hold around her for a little while. When I left work that day, she blew me a kiss goodbye. When they talk to you, hug you or give you a smile. It is just amazing. Working with autistic children can be challenging, but the small moments you get means so much more. ♥ Katrine
22.01.2014kl.22:31 i
It is soon about four months since I took a giant step out of my comfort zone, and landed on the other side of the world. Leaving everything that is safe and sound behind, in favor for the unknown. The great wall, flying lanterns, cute pandas, ping pong tables on every corner, karate kids running around and old men with long mustaches wearing straw hats - those were the images I had in mind when I pictured China. In other words, I had no clue. This journey hasn't been like living on a pink cloud, riding a flying unicorn in the sky. The only unicorn I've seen is the one lying next to me in my bed. It has been tough, and challenging in so many ways. First of all, I have moved out from home. Making food, cleaning, washing clothes, doing the dishes, folding the clothes... All those things a teenager has no time to do, is now part of my daily routine. My mom isn't here to do it, neither is my dad. It's all on me. And when I say it like this, it sounds like I am a relly spoiled.. Which I actually am. Second, I have experienced what it means to have a real culture shock. It stroke me like a lightening the first week of my arrival. Everything was wrong. Work was hard, nobody was smiling, people were coughing and spitting everywhere, the food was wierd... Nothing was like I thought it would be. But who would know, that the moment I left China, was the moment I realised it had stolen a piece of my heart? Why is it, that we don't realise what we have until it's gone, or far away? Yes, maybe things didn't turn out the way I thought it would. I have been sad, despairing, disappointed and sometimes I've just wanted to give up. But, at the same time, I have learned so much. I thought to myself at work, that the kids just had to get used to me - then everything would be okey. I thought that it was them who had to trust me, but actually it was me who needed to trust myself. If you had said to me one year ago that I was spoiled I would come up with a thousand excuses to why I am not. Now, I count all the reasons to why I am. I have gone from refusing to pick up the finished folded clothes - to cleaning, taking the dishes, washing clothes and fold clothes all by myself. From getting lost in my own hometown with seven thousand residents - I now find my way alone in a city with over seven milion people. I have gone from being sick of school to looking forward to start studying again. I have learned much about a the chinese culture - but also a lot about my own. I have traveled around China, visited Shanghai, Hongkong, Suzhou, Longlin (where we visited
the countryside of China) and now Thailand. How lucky am I? I have figured, that it is important to appreciate the things we have, when we have them. Notice the things around us. The beautiful nature, the amazing people and the small things that makes every place special. It doesn't matter where you are: Africa, Norway, China, anywhere. Just take a look around you. Make the best out of every day. I know I will.♥ Katrine
05.12.2013kl.10:04 i
I am lucky.Not just because I have a welthy life, with money to buy whatever I need.
I am lucky because I can go to bed each night knowing that I am safe.I have a family who loves me and friends who care for me. I can go to school and get a good education.I can study whatever I want - be whoever I want to be.
I am wanted in the society I live in. I can allow myself to have a dream.I can marry whoever I want - whenever I want.
I have plenty of food. I have clean drinking water. If I get sick, I can go to the hospital to get the medicine I need.I have freedom of speech. I can believe in whatever I want.I am protected.
I have hope. I have a future. I have a dream.And even though I sometimes loose my way - I will never be alone. Why are you lucky?
23.11.2013kl.18:27 i
is the one you get when a child gives you love.
This must be one of the happiest moments in my life.
Matthew 19:14: Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."♥ Katrine
19.11.2013kl.15:19 i
Last week me and Marthe went to Hong Kong to get our visa renewed. Tom and Marieke opened up their home for us, and let us stay there for the whole week. During this time, we did a little work for nms, went for a hike, visited 10 000 buddahs, and hang out with our new friends. It was really nice! Pictures from the hike with Tom: 10 000 buddahs:
Me and Melanie in front of the beautiful christmas decorations:
Tomorrow we leave Nanjing, once again. This time we will travel to the countryside to visit some of nms and the amity foundations projects. The city is called NanNing, and I really look forward to it! ♥Katrine
03.11.2013kl.12:16 i
After living three weeks squeezed together in a tiny room, it was a relief to finally get an apartment. Before we could move in, a thorough cleaning was really necessary. I don't think I have washed or scrubbed this much in my entire life. Dirt in every corner, dust that made the brown floor grey. And not to forget, the worst of all... The other day I was laying on the bed, relaxing. Then I saw something black in the corner of my eye. I screamed, and ran out in to the livingroom. Marthe came out of her room in despair, wondering what was wrong. I pointed at the bed, almost falling apart. She took a look, and sighed when she saw the little cockroach crawling on top of the duvet(google transelate sa det betydde dyne). I didn't know I was such a wimp, but these creepy insects are worse than spiders. Soo disgusting. And they are everywhere! I fear they're crawling all over me in my sleep.
Not to brag, but the hard work paid off, and now the place actually looks very good. The coach was yellow and almost tearing apart, but the grey sheet did the trick. I also think the roof is nice. So this is the place we will live for the rest of our stay here in China, together with my new friends, the cockroaches. Our new home.
♥ Katrine
02.11.2013kl.12:35 i
When I tell people I am from Norway, I often get answers like: "oh, that's such a beautiful country!" and "I've heard they have a blue sky there!" I picture Norway. Tall mountains sorrounding the oceans, valleys, wild forrest with moose and twittering birds, a clear blue sky. Glittering white snow and northern lights shining in the dark and starry night. Fresh air.At the center, I work with many students that are volunteering from the Nanjing University. When there is nothing for us to do, I often get a chance to talk with them. I tell about Norway and show pictures. Many times they say to me that I have such a colorful life. I just laugh and say no, because honestly that thought has never hit me. My life - colorful? Comparing to other norwegians, my life is quite normal. Then they ask me what I want to study after this year. It is hard for me to answer, because I don't know yet. There is so many options. But I tell them I have thought about studying journalism. The other day a girl told me that they often have to give up their dreams, because finding a job is more important. In China there is so many people, and finding a job is hard. Often the girls tell me they study engineering. I have wondered why, but now I know. Many of them don't have a choice. They have to.I have been reading this book latly, called "China - a journey on the river of life(Kina - en reise p? livets elv)". One thing that explaines the society today is the history, with the old chinese emperors. In the 1700s, a emporer called qialong forbid all contact between the chinese people and foreigners. Mao sent people that went to far in prison. But now, things have changed, and the motto is: "learn other languages, make contact, travel to other countries, China need new impulses!" Things are in other words chaning, and peoples opinions get a new direction. But still, the society is affected. And when I say this is my gap year here in China, the students are amazed and tell me about their dreams about travveling abroad. Further on we talk about family. I tell them I have three brothers, and they're like "wow!" As you might know, they have a one child policy in China. Having ciblings is therefor rare. Me and Marthe were talking about it the other day, and we figured out that having no ciblings resaults in having no aunts, uncles or cousins either. A boy told me that it was hard for him as a child, because he had no one to play with. But it was okey now. He told me that friends becoms sisters and brothers. At the center the children call us: "La wai, jie jie" which means "foreigner older sister". I thought it was so nice that they called me their sister. But I guess that is just one of the resaults of the policy. All of China is one big family. My life suddenly went from grey and boring to blue, green, red, orange, yellow and pink. I have so much to be thankful for. - Katrine
30.10.2013kl.15:10 i
It is wednesday, and our third week here in Nanjing. Im sitting in a cafe with my computer on my lap in a comfy chair, while Im drinking warm water and a blueberry smoothie. It's crazy to think about that we have been in China for one month. Time has gone by so fast! We are now living in our new apartment, where we have a kitchen, three bedrooms, a livingroom and a bathroom. Also work is going much better, and the kids are amazing. Im like: "oh, he is so cute", "she is so beautiful" and "ah, look at her!" I end up with the conclution that they're all adorable. Here is some pictures from this week: This is the way we walk every morning to get to work:
The entrance to amity children development center:
The playroom:The internet is very slow. I will post more pictures from the apartment tomorrow. ♥ Katrine
24.10.2013kl.19:26 i
Today we visited the Amity bible printing in Nanjing, together with Jimmy (the director of Amity) and Mark (a guy from the states, who is going to be an english teacher). We got to see how they make bibles, and had a tour around the workshops. It was nice to see, and to hear about their work through the years. Actually, this printing is the biggest in the whole world. I think that's pretty amazing. It just shows how far they've come with accepting christianity in China. The work they do is so important for so many people. One thing that made an extra impression on me, was when we entered a room and a guy was sitting there typing. He was blind, and had worked for the amity foundation for seventeen years.
The printing make bibles for the blind, and the cool thing is that when the letters are worn they can send the broken bibles back to the printing and get a new one for free. And sending a bible by post in China is free, no matter how far you send it.
Their commitments are:- To give priority to printing bibles for chinese christians and churches- To print bibles for bible societies and other bible agencies worldwide- To serve chinese society and the chinese people
The company was established in 1988, with the mission to serve the christian church in China. Now they export bibles and exports to customers in over 70 countries. In 2008 they had the capability to make over 18 million copies per year. Amazing or what?
This picture is from Amitys homepage. Visit
and check it out.
♥ Katrine
21.10.2013kl.18:42 i
Stay positive.That was the encouragement I gave my classmates our last day at hald, before we were spread all over the world. Think positive, be positive - even when it's hard, don't give up. Look at all the good things that can come out of every situation. Yet I forgot one important thing. I was talking to myself as well. My emotions are riding a roller coaster. Up and down, up and down.. Sometimes the drop is steeper than others, and I can go from really happy to depressed in two seconds. Small things become big things.
Today, I tried to help a little boy at the center. I have struggled a lot with the kids, and felt like a monster when they scream at my face and run away as I try to make contact with them. This day was no different. He started crying, hitting me and stared at me with frightened eyes. That was when my cup overflowed. I had to run out of the room, and struggled to keep it together as I ran towards the bathroom. I felt so weak. Thoughts like: "Why am I here? Why did they choose me for this job? Do I have what it takes? Am I strong enough?" went through my head. I have said that it is through the challanges we learn. Yet I end up standing in a toilet feeling sorry for myself when they come along. If life gives you lemons, make lemonade. What this child need is not someone giving up on him. He needs love, and care. So that's what I got to do. As I stood there, I cried out to Jesus to give me strength to make it trough the day. This year is not about me. It is not about what I can or can not do. It is about them. It is about giving, and receiving. Bad days are necessary for good days to excist. Think about it. If there were no challanges, how could we accomplish something? How could we dance in the rain, or be light in the dark? You see, they are combined and relay on each other. Neither one of them would excist without the other.
Later this day, the childrens were having activities, where they were doing tasks like jumping on a trampoline, balance exercises etc. Close to the end of class, they asked me to take care of the same boy again. I was afraid, as I reached out my hand towards him, thinking he was terrified of me. He hesitated for a second. Then suddenly, unexpected, he took it.
"God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain. But He did promise strenght for the day, comfort for the tears and light for the way."(picture )♥ Katrine
18.10.2013kl.05:40 i
>> By your side - Tenth Avenue North
It is 10:23 PM or AM (haha, Im not sure), friday morning. The sun is shining, my nudles are ready and Im sitting by the window in my new pink, ugly pajamas that I baught on the marked yesterday. It is cold outside, and fall has arrived Nanjing. Last friday I walked around in shorts and singlet. Now I have to wear a jacket, long jeans and sometimes even wool underneath. Actually, at wednesday, me and Marthe had to leave work to get our wool because it was too cold. The weather turned fast from hot and sweaty to cold and freezing.
Yesterday was our first studyday. But despite the fact that we have been more asleep than awake the last days, we still felt tired. So, this day we slept even more and woke up at five o clock. We dragged our bodies out of the bed, went to get some food and ended up eating pizza and chickenwings at Pizza Hut. We also thought about buying some new clothes, but as we walked down the streets in slowmotion, we didn't get very far. A lack of energy resaulted in a lazy night with candy and movie in bed.
I really want to write something good. But I don't have anything to say. I feel empty. The only interesting thing I can come up with right now, is that I washed my clothes for the first time in two weeks yesterday. So proud. The weekend is off, and I think that is something we both need right now. This week has brought a lot of new impressions. Hunking cars in the streets, dirty air that make your nose turn black, people everywhere, new place, new job, new life. It is a lot to soak in. This weekend will be spent filling up our storage and regaining some strenght. Then, hopefully, we will walk into a new week with new energy and a lot to tell about.
Visit Marthe at her blog: www.martheandreassen.blogg.no.
♥ Katrine
16.10.2013kl.17:59 i
>> Hjerteslag - radiate
Tomorrow, it is one week since we arrived Nanjing. We still live packed in our suitcases, squised together in a tiny room with one bathroom and a kettle which we frequently use to boil nudles in. I feel like I care less and less about hygine, and washing my clothes hasn't been my highest priority. Mainly because I don't know how to do it. And I keep telling myself I'll do it tomorrow, which is basicly the worst thing that you can promise yourself. I can tell you for sure: tomorrow never comes.
Thursday was a short day for us. After travelling far, and getting a cheeseburger without the burger (they obviously didn't get plain cheeseburger) at the airport, we both were exhausted. I felt like a zombie walking down the streets, while Olivia (our contact-person) showed us around. As soon as we entered our room at the hostell, we fell asleep shortly afterwards.
The next day I woke up, after fifteen hours of sleep, still tired (is it possible to get too much sleep?) - ready for a tour at the Amity foundations office. Olivia is really sweet and kind to us, and after showing us around she introdused us to two girls who were taking us out to buy a few basic useful things. So after buying detergent(vaskemiddel), washing-gloves, toilet paper and new simcards for our phones we were ready to go. My new chinese number is btw .
The weekend was off, and friday and saturday eavning we were free to to whatever we wanted. So, apart from eating and sleeping, we actually went out to find some new friends. It is no secret that we love to dance, so both friday and saturday eavning were spent out dancing and having fun. Chinese people have a really funny way of dancing, and I love it. There were in particular two guys, who kept on jumping up and down giving us high fives. It made me laugh. At sunday we went to an international church called Mochoulu Church. It was really nice, and I think this is a church I can thrive in. It was a relief to finally be fully understood, and not have to worry about whether they spoke english or not. One of the people we briefly got a chance to talk to, was Hunter - a guy from the states. He later that day sent us a textmessage, saying that he forgot to ask us if there was anything he could pray for this week. After talking to him for only a few seconds, I think that was a really nice gesture. Little things like that, actually matters a lot.
Then suddenly it was monday, and our first day at our new jobs, working as volunteers at the amity children development center. Me and Marthe have been seperetaed in each our class. I am in the moon class, while she is in the sun class. There is also a star class. The three classes are devided in different levels, depending on how "sick" the childrens are. In my class, one of the parents or grandparents have to be there all the time, while in Marthes class they don't need to. Which means that she has a little more responsobility than I have. I find it a little hard to connect with the kids, espesially because I don't have much experience with autistism. The language differences is also definitely a big challenge. But I survive.
Later this day we went out eating at Pizza hut. Unfortunally (and surprisingly), it is a little hard to adapt to the chinese food. It is not the same as in Norway, for sure. After eating we went further on to a marked in the city, where they had everything from hairdryers to turtles. I really wanted a turtle. They are so cool! But luckily Marthe is thinking a little more in the future than me. I didn't even think about where the turtle was gonna live after we leave in april. Stupid.
Tuesday, our second day at the job, was okey. The kids are adorable, and I wish I was better at talking to them, and hug them. But there are so many teachers, parents, grandparents and other volunteers around, that it is hard to just interrupt them in their work. Sometimes I feel like Im just standing there, watching like a wierdo. But I guess that's normal in the beginning. We start work at nine in the morning, and finish at half past four in the afternoon. This day we got to know one of the other volunteers from the Nanjing University, and she took us out to eat dumplings - which is our favourite chinese food so far. I have to say, the young chinese are really nice people, and most of them speak english - which makes it easier to get to know them. After eating, we had to hurry to make it to a muslim celebration with some of our new friends from Saudi Arabia. It was an outside barbeque. I love how easily it is to connect with people despite the culture differences. We are experiencing so much, and I now have a worldwide friendship zone because of this.
Finally: today. Our third day at the center. It was better then the previous two days, because I felt useful for a change, although it was just small and simple things. One of the kids is half indian, and he always(since monday, haha) calls me his foreigner older sister. That makes it easier for me to connect with him, and also easier for him to make contact with me. This job requires taking things step by step, and I have found that I have to be patient, and just be myself - and give the love that I can give. God placed me here for a reason, and though my work seems a bit pointless sometimes, I am sure it will mean much more in the end. I have to remember that this is my first week, and that I have six months ahead of me. I can't give up just yet.
And I just wanted to end this post by saying thank you all so much for the response at my last post. It really means a lot to hear from you. Thank you for all your thoughts, prayers and kind words. You make me smile.
(NB: My blog looks much better is you use internet exlporer or mozilla firefox etc. Google chrome is bad..)
♥ Katrine
12.10.2013kl.12:06 i
...He will bring you trough it.
>> Oogway Ascents - Hans Zimmer, John Powell >> If you're out there - John Legend(I am going to start writing one, or several songs that I have been listening to latly in every post from now on.)It has now been two days since we left Hong Kong. Nine days since we waved goodbye to our parents at the airport in Norway, and took our first step towards a new world. Now, im here. In Nanjing, the mainland of China. Looking out the window, I can see clothes hanging out from the windows in the block on the street above. One of the first things that I had really looked forward to arriving Nanjing, was to finally wash my clothes. And I can. Just not in a washingmachine. We have to wash our clothes by hand. At least for this week, until they can find us an apartment. Now we're staying at a hostell, where the beds are made of wood - or at least, it feels like they are. Still we managed to sleep almost 15 hours our first night here. My first impression of the city, is actually not that good. A little in shock, maybe. Although I have been prepard for this. The streets are full of dirt and it smells funny. People throw garbage everywhere, spit, and the air is thick. If you want to cross the road, you have to walk really carefully. It is not like in Norway, when the cars stop and wait for you. No, here, the cars just keep on driving, hunking like crazy to get everyone out of the way. The cars, scooters and bikes are allover, and though it might seem like there is no control - in a way there still is. There is some sort of pattern, and if everyone follows it, it actually work.
So, yeah. It is pretty different from everything that Im used to. In Hong Kong things were more simular to home, so the real shocker came when we arrived here. But in all this chaos, there is still a lot things that facinates me. The first night, when I was feeling a little sad and tired at the same time: a chinese song, or a sort of fleut melody, was playing from the streets. There is a lot of people, and resturants everywhere. You can find both western ones like pizza hut and mc donalds - and really small chinese places. We have to eat with eating sticks, which I think is pretty fun now that I got a hang of it. I am walking around to everyone trying to speek chinese to see if they can understand me. And when they do, I just want to talk more and more. They laugh at me when I try. I don't understand why. Some of my goals this year was to deal with the challenges that came along, to jump into things and to not be afraid. I can't say that I havn't been afraid. Already the first day in Hong Kong I had to sing: "I got an angel that follows me, everywhere I go", out loud, walking in the jungle with all the monkies running around. But in every step I take, Jesus is walking with me. I can feel his present in every move I make. He is there. When I am afraid, he gives me comfort. When I struggle, he helps me. I just want to say thank you to everyone that is praying for me, and let you know that it is working.This year is about experiencing new things. To meet challenges, and deal with them. To feel the joy of overcoming them. To respect, and accept. Already, after nine days I can feel things starting to change. My attitude, and my way of thinking. Although Hong Kong was amazing, I almost ruined it with all my emotions. But I have learned a really good lesson, which actually is from one of my favorite movies, said by Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the caribbean: "The proble it is your attitude about the problem." As long as I stay positive, things will work out.
"I can do all things, through him who gives me strength."- Katrine
05.10.2013kl.21:40 i
Today has been an amazing day. We went to the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. After a long walk in the montains, we arrived a village that was located near the beach, with small restaurants and houses near the waterfront. Wild cows were walking around, and dogs were chilling in the sun as we walked by. And I the feeling I got when my feet touched the water - was the best feeling I've had in a long time. Wish I could freeze the moment. We surfed on the waves (with our bodies) and swam for a long time. Oh, how I love Hong Kong.
And after going to the beach, me and Marthe went to the city in the eavning, alone. I was constantly reminding Marthe that we actually were all by ourself, and how amazing it was. I felt so grown up. Im not a little girl anymore, and I just realized that, today. We were walking down the street with all the colorful signs, just watching all the people and the activities that was going on. Some old chinese people were dancing a rather strange dance, and suddenly an old man asked me to dance with him. I couldn't refuse the offer, so there I was. In the middle of the crowd, in the middle of Hong Kong city, dancing with an old man like it was the most natural thing to do. It was funny, but a little aqward as well.
Beautiful Marthe. Me and my new pal. Look at his serious pose. But now, I really have to go to bed. The computer clock says it is almost ten o clock in the eavning, and I no worries, it is still early. But then I remember the computer is set to norwegian time, and that we are really six hours ahead. It is four o clock in Hong Kong now. Wups! Good night!
04.10.2013kl.16:59 i
The last burn. The view from our hotel/apartment. - Katrine
03.10.2013kl.13:07 i
Right now, Im laying on the bed with my pink unicorn right beside me. Outside our window monkies are running around, both big and small. We live in the middle of a jungle, and snakes are sneaking in the bushes. But among all this, the nature is really beautiful with palms reching towards the sky and butterflies flying among the colorful flowers. And not far from us, maybe a quarter by walk is the city with shopping centers and restaurants. The tall bulidings are stretching out behind all the trees.I can't believe it. I am in China. More exact Hong Kong. I thought that the minute I took my first steps on chinese eart, would be the minute I could finally say: now everything make sence. Now I know how I feel. Like every answer to peoples questions would stroke me like a lightning. But it hasn't. It is all so unreal, but at the same time amazing. I didn't know what to expect. Didn't know what this world so far from home could bring. And of course, I still don't know yet. This adventure has just began. And I look forward to the next chapter.- Katrine
02.10.2013kl.11:24 i
I am Katrine Sangolt. A nineteen year old girl, born and raised in Lyngdal, a small city south in Norway. Here I grew up in a safe enviorment, among friends and family. With three protective older brothers, a loving mom, and a caring father I consider myself as one of the lucky ones. Living in Norway is like winning the lottery. I have been a christian all my life, which I am really grateful for.
I am the girl who loves to draw, take photos, travel, meet new people, watch disney movies, eat, sleep, hang out with friends, smile, be ridiculous and listen to music. But I am also the girl who is scared of the dark, absent-minded, still sleeps with her teddybear and screams everytime she sees a spider.
A little affected by my brothers, I started playing football in an early age. It was here I first met Marthe. The first thing the coach said to me was: "you have to take Marthe, she is a though one!" And boy, was he right. At this time I didn't think that me and Marthe would become as good friends as we are today. And I certainly had no clew we would end up traveling to China together and live there for six months! It is crazy how things work out. My friends are very important to me, and I am so lucky that I actually get to travel with one of the best.
Afther a while, as the years went by, other things took over, and the footballshoes were replaced. At highschool, I tried both volleyball and climbing. I started working at kiwi, wearing green clothes from top to toe. The time went by so fast, and before I knew it, high school was over. The summer was spent working, and then I suddenly found myself in the beginning of a new chapter in my life.
This year I am a student at Hald internatinal centre. The last six weeks has been spend in Mandal, studying cross-cultuar communication and international work. We have been learning about how to meet a new cultuar with respect. Sometimes we think that our way is the best, but then we have to look one more time to see if it actually is. We have also had classes about how to work in a team, biblestudy, developing selfconfidence, poverty, techniques of how to teach and many more. Through this I have already learned a lot. But the biggest, and definitely hardest challenge is yet to come. I am going to live in China for six months, working as a teacher for internally driven refuges, and with autistic children from the age of six and down.
The reason I applied for hald, is first of all because I wanted to help. But also because I want to change myself and my way of thinking. As I mentioned above I like to sleep. But somewhere else someone is struggeling to find shelter for the night. I love food. In Africa people are starving. This is not fair. I want to see the injustice with my own eyes. I don't want to be the person who just sit in the coach and do nothing. I want this experience to be lifechanging. This year is just the beginning of the rest of my life.
Me and Marthe are sent through NMS as exchange students, and are going to work with the amity foundation in China. I am a part of the connect-program, which focous on mission, message and building. We are also peacecorps-participants. If you want to know more about hald and the connect-program, visit hald.no.
By reading this blog you will get to know me even more, and see parts of the chinese culture from my perspective. I am going to uptade regulary, and I hope you will read and follow me on this journey!
28.09.2013kl.01:16 i
"Seek his will in all you do, and He will show you wich path to take" proverbs 3:6
Now its only twelve days until we're sitting on the plane, headed east to the other side of the world. I can feel the butterflies in my stomach, but I must admit that Im a little scared too.
China, the worlds most populous country, with a population of over 1, 35 billion people. Nanjing. The capital of the province Jiangsu. A city where there live 5, 3 million people. A "tiny" contrast from Lyngdal, with 7000 residents, where you have passed the centrum by car in under ten seconds. Here I'll stay for six months. It will definitly be a challenge, and its going to be hard. But I am ready to face it.
Lucky for me, Im traveling with my bestfriend - Marthe. This girl knows how to put a smile on my face even when I don't feel like smiling at all. She is the person I can talk to about everything from clothes and makeup - to questions of life and why we excist. And she may not know this, but she is my inspiration. She has a caring heart for the poor and the ones in need, espassially children. When she has a passion - she never gives it up. Visit her on her blog: .
We are ready!
(Since I have a lot of new english friends at Hald, I will try to write in english from now on so that everyone can understand me!)
Follow me, and read about my year of another world!
Les mer i arkivet
Hello! My name is Katrine Sangolt.
This year I am a student at Hald International Centre, and through this school I will exchange, and travel to China.
Follow me and read about my year of another world.
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