A Little Time Out from Everything

I always say: Work is where you get your money from. It is not what you live for. It puts bread on the table. That is what is is. Somehow for awhile, I forgot all these. For some months now (probably even years), my work was taking over my life and my family life.

I thought that putting up some pictures on my blog was relaxation enough. Therapeutic as it is, it was not enough. Some weeks ago, it became almost impossible for me to sleep because of all the problems we had with suppliers and late delivery. Physically and mentally, these drained me. It reached to the point where I was sleeping 3 to 4 hours a day. Like any machine without maintainace, it breaks down... I did. Sometimes, it is too late until one realizes that everyone has a saturation point.

I vaguely remember how I got to the hospital and I do not remember a few days of my stay. When I finally realized what was going on, I felt guilty I was there. I kept thinking of all the responsibilities I have. My family and my clients and the business. The problem was, I always feel guilty when I relax. When I was at the hospital, I was not allowed to do anything but think of myself. For the first time for a long time, I did. I forgot how lovely it is to just be alone in the sauna sweating, or how reading a good novel makes you run away from reality, or how the jaccuzzi makes your tensed muscles relax, or how a 30 to 40 minutes walk in the woods makes you feel free, and I can go on and on. I used to think that I am an expert when it comes to relaxation.

There is nothing wrong with working hard but every now and then, we need to have a little time for ourselves to be able to have better relationships with our loved ones and friends and to be able to be more effecient with the things that we do.

This is why I have been away for awhile --- I took a little time out (the hard way).

Stavkirke (Jenneth's Visit)


Here are some of the Stave churches we have been to. Stave Churches are built not later than 1200. Fascinating architecture and craftsmanship. For more information on Stave Churches (Stavkirke) visit :
http://www.stavechurch.org ( English site)
http://www.stavkirke.org ( Norwegian site)

stave2

Stave


stave6


Lillehammer + (Jenneth's Visit)

In 1994, the Winter Olympics was held in Lillehamer, Norway.

Lillehamer 1

A scary ride (I am scared of heights)

Lillehamer

Noreen (AJ's bestfriend), Jenneth and AJ

Lillehamer 2

I am seated beside Jenneth (and scared to death) on this photo
******
.... Some stops ...


WC1


fishing

Fishing again?

Jotunheimen

Lunch time at Jotunheimen

Mountain 2

at one of the camping places

Picture_0566

Tatyana with some company

Jenneth's Visit

John, my husband has an (adopted) sister - Jenneth Mesana. After her graduating from College (with honors), we invited her to Norway as a gift for her hard work. She stayed with us for three months.

(And as requested by Neneng, I am posting more pics I have at Vigelandsparken)



Vigelandparken - Jenneth

Jenneth Mesana

Vigelandparken

The fountain

Vigelandparken

John and Tatyana

Vigelandparken - John, Tatyana and Jenneth

John, Jenneth and Tatyana

Vigelandparken . Tatyana and Jenneth

Jenneth and Tatyana

Vigelandparken - Tatyana
One of my favorite pictures of Tatyana

Vigelandparken-Jenneth

Jenneth

Links you might want to visit:

http://go.to/Vigeland

http://www.vigeland.museum.no

Minette's Visit

In 2003, Minette, a friend from Lufthansa Town Office (Sales) in Manila, visited us for a few days.

Minette

Minette

Angelika Jane and Tatyana
Tatyana and Angelika Jane Playing on the ice

Minette and the kids
Minette and the kids
After 5 years living in Norway, I am still fascinated about the sea turning into ice.

Minnette

At Vigeland Park (by the Monolith)


Bjørnstad Family

Me and my family

18 years ago, in my sculpture class, we studied some of Vigeland's work not knowing that I would see the real ones in my lifetime. The park has over 200 fascinating sculptures. Everytime I am at this Park, I see something new and something to ponder about.

Family Visit in 2001

In 2001, we were blessed with another child in the family. We named her Tatyana. She was named after my husband's favorite Russian child Tatyana Govor - who lives in Novo Sibir and now 13 years old. We had a Tatyana's baptism in December 2001 and invited my mother and aunt to attend.


Mommy Elda and Tatyana

Mommy Elda and Grand daughter Tatyana

Tatyanas Baptism Party

Godparents Hanna, Ola, Grandmother Mommy Elda, Bestefar Dagfin and Auntie Bot

Philip's Visit

Over the years since I moved to Norway in 2000, we have been visited by friends and family from all over the world. The very first person who visited us was Philip Maupoy, one of my very good friends and colleauge from Lufthansa Manila. He is now working in Abu Dhabi as a ground handling agent for different airlines.



Philip Maupoy

Philip stayed for 5 days. As soon as he got to Oslo we got him in the car and drove to the direction of Folgefonna (third largest glacier in Norway).



At Folgefonna with Philip, AL, AJ

folgefonna

Philip Maupoy

Philip, AL and AJ

Some Links on Folgefonna:

Hordaland Mountains : http://impact.ii.uib.no/arnt/Peaks/folgefonnaS.html

http://nortrott.no/folgefonna

http://www.folgefonn.no

http://www.noorwegen.tv/Kampeerrondreis?page=11

Go Norway : http://www.gonorway.no/norway/township_bottom.php?ID=763936ba74ac13f

 

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