Charlie Brown in a popped collar.

So it's been awhile since I've updated you all on my Nordic life; I attribute this lack of motivation to the fact that I've been in the thick of finals, conclusion of classes and the like. So here's the update, finally.

The end of October holds special significance for those reared in the social and cultural milieu of American capitalist thought. Yes, I'm talking of that holiday where kids dress up in funny or scary costumes and patrol the streets asking strangers for candy. It's also that holiday where adults also dress up in funny or scary costumes and patrol the street asking for candy; well, "candy" in the sense of sacreligious merrymaking. HALLOWEEN. Here in Europe, this hallowed event doesn't hold much in the way of a significant holiday celebration. It's seen as simply another party weekend where if you dress up you are really into it and if not then

you're fine. But being the American transplants here in Oslo we took it upon ourselves to show them how it's done: we hosted a vorspiel before the International Student Union's Halloween party at Amatøren, which was nice as this was right in our studentby. People came dressed in all kinds of great costumes. There was a Bride of Chucky, Frida Kahlo, an olympic skier from Lillehammer '94, a Joker, Sharon Osbourne, and yours truly as Charlie Brown complete with a Peppermint Patty partner-in-crime. The Vors was great and the party was even better as the pub was packed like a can of mackerel. As the music forced the hands to pound in the air, the beer flowed causing the costumes and the levels of inebriation to get even better. All in all, it was great fun and Halloween was given her due.

Last friday, the flat right below my own hosted an American-themed party, called "America...*%@$# Yeah!". Come as an American pop icon or your idea of America. Since I am American I figured I didn't need to do much (also because I didn't have money to spend on a costume). So I pulled on a polo, popped the collar, and was good as any to go to an "American" house party. Ben, Ulla, Laur and I decided to pre-funk in our flat and practice a bit for the beer pong gauntlet that was to go down. As a nice warm-up we ventured down the long half-flight of stairs to the party venue. It was a loud mess; the kitchen was 

packed, the coat room was filled with drunk girls and guys, the line for the bathroom was as long as the hallway and the beer pong room was adequately drenched in lagered partying: just like American house parties!!! It was fun :D It was the biggest flat party I've been to in Sogn and it was a blast. Our flat, undeniably called "Flat 21: The KILLERS", won two games in a row. As we wiped the table clean of our hostesses cups, we rejoiced in the unbreakable bond of flatmate comraderie. America....#@$% JA! 

Til neste tid, ha det bra!