DEDICATING THIS YEAR TO THE MEMORY OF MY GRANDFATHER STANLEY H. CROW &
THE ENDURING SPIRIT OF MY GRANDFATHER
FREDERICK O. LANPHEAR

To Be of Use

The people I love the best
jump into work head first
without dallying in the shallows
and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight.
They seem to become natives of that element,
the black sleek heads of seals
bouncing like half submerged balls.
I love people who harness themselves, an ox to a heavy cart,
who pull like water buffalo, with massive patience,
who strain in the mud and the muck to move things forward,
who do what has to be done, again and again.
I want to be with people who submerge
in the task, who go into the fields to harvest
and work in a row and pass the bags along,
who stand in the line and haul in their places,
who are not parlor generals and field deserters
but move in a common rhythm
when the food must come in or the fire be put out.
The work of the world is common as mud.
Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust.
But the thing worth doing well done
has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident.
Greek amphoras for wine or oil,
Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums
but you know they were made to be used.
The pitcher cries for water to carry
and a person for work that is real.
~ Marge Piercy ~


Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Life in Norway






The days have begun to merge together, I am really getting into the "groove" of life here in Norway. I wake up 20 minutes later then I set my alarm clock for every morning, eat a quick breakfast and rush to school. Ok that might sound a little bad, but its not it only means I am feeling more at home, and adjusting to life here. I am enjoying school more then I ever expected to, and I have made great friends quickly. I can wake up with a good feeling in my stomach now, knowing that the day will be filled with many unexpected but enjoyable things. School is still very difficult because i still don't know the language, but i can really feel that I am going to grasp ahold of this incredibly difficult language soon. In school I usually sit in class listening to the teacher talk, and to me it really is just listening (no comprehension what so ever) but I am starting to be able to pick out words I know and and try and fill in the other words that i think might be right. I think this is a good step for me, it gives me confidence in this challenge of learning norwegian.

I am so grateful to be making friends in Molde, it has really made my life exciting here. The people here are all so kind and welcoming, they invite me to parties, soccer games, hand ball games, dinners, and my favorite is when they invite me to jump on their trampolines!

The days are going by so quickly now, I can already realize how precious everyday here is, and that I must enjoy every moment I have in this spectacular country. 3 weeks in and I can already say that this year is going to be remembered for the rest of my life. I am more then grateful to have been given this opportunity and I could never thank the people that made it happen enough! but for now one big TUSEN TAKK!! :)

I hope everyone is doing well, I miss you all sooooooooo much, but I am being strong and enjoying life to fullest! Please leave me comments, I love hearing from all of you!

Find the things you love the most and hold them close, enjoy life, enjoy the beauty that surrounds you and be appreciative of it. We can all find happiness in our lives, grab life by the hand and run free!

Much love, Noah!

P.S. here are some pictures of places I have been the past couple of weeks, doing the most incredible adventures!! ask me about some of them :
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3 comments:

  1. Nina RhysSeptember 8, 2010 at 8:19 AM

    Great post sweet boy. I love reading about your adventures, but mostly it's just wonderful to hear that you are doing well.

    I love and miss you every day, and I am so very proud of you.

    Love,
    Momma

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mama KangarooSeptember 9, 2010 at 12:18 PM

    Sounds like a good start to your AFS year! Check out fellow AFS blogger, AmericaninLatvia--the language adjustment seems about the same. Have a great year!

    ReplyDelete
  3. TraciJanuary 2, 2011 at 4:13 PM

    Hi. :) my name is Savannah, and I am planning on going to Norway for a year in 2012, and I was wondering if I could talk to you about a few things... If you could, my email is sav1996@gmail.com it would be much appreciated. Thanks! -Savannah

    ReplyDelete

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