Australian Lotto Frenzy

Australia is going crazy with lotto fever, with 90 million dollars (NOK 470 million) up for grabs in tonight's lotto draw. The jackpot is shattering all existing records and people have been queuing in long lines all over the country in order to secure a ticket. At my local shopping centre there was even a specially fenced-off area at the newsagent for people who wanted to buy a ticket.

The newsagent at my grocery shop was not as busy as the one at the shopping centre, but still had a steady flow of people buying lottery tickets the few minutes I was there.

My housemate Kate is definitely ready.

I caved in too and bought a ticket. I assume this is the winning one. With a 1 in 45 million chance to win, why not?

A Year Older

I celebrated my 22nd birthday by migrating north towards the warmer temperatures. Vas had a job in Mackay, a mining and harbour town about an hours flight from Brisbane, so we spent two days touring the area. And even though Mackay is usually warmer than Brisbane, it was a pleasant surprise to find that the region was experiencing a bit of a heatwave, with daytime temperatures in the high twenties.

Thanks for all presents, mail and messages!

Det er deilig å være norsk

- i Danmark*.

Most of you have probably heard it through the grapevine, but just to confirm – I will be spending most of the next two years in Aarhus studying a Master of Corporate Communication. And please do not ask me what that involves, my knowledge of it is pretty vague. At the moment I am searching for a place to live, so if you by any chance have a small apartment in Aarhus for rent…

Also, I am coming home on Friday 31 July and Vas is joining me on Monday 3 August for a week or two in Norway. We have a deep wish to visit the hytte in Tranvag. Is that possible?

*It’s wonderful to be Norwegian in Denmark. It is the slogan of a long running advertising campaign trying to lure Norwegians to spend their next holiday in Denmark.

Once Upon a Time

I have not updated here in a while, so I will give you a rundown of what I have done in the last couple of weeks.

Norwegians in town

Marie and Ida, who i went to Sandnes Vgs with, were passing through Brisbane on their around-the-world trip. I usually hijack the people I know, or sort of know, passing through, so we had them over for dinner. The picture is taken at Mount Coot-tha lookout, on an unusually cold night in May.

17 May 2009

I paraded through the streets of Brisbane with hundreds of other Norwegians. The weather was great and Vas, Tim, Danni and I had an awesome 17 May breakfast at Yeronga flat with hot rolls, smoked salmon, scrambled eggs and chocolate.The festivities at QUT were a bit disappointing compared to earlier years (where was the brunost and melkesjokolade?), so we left early and went to IKEA instead.

Danni, Tim and Vas feeling the 17 May spirit, despite the ungodly hour.

University life

I have finished my bachelor degree, and I all that remains is for the university to hand me my piece of paper. I have had a pretty easy last semester, since I only had three courses due to taking an internship course.

This semester has been the first semester I have felt I have been given my money's worth in terms of facilities, so in that sense it is a bit sad to be leaving. The journalism building has moved from its old, wooden building to a newly renovated, high tech place. And one of my electives, Religion1000, was based in probably the most expensive lecture theatre on campus, stuffed with touch screens and technology.

The University of Queensland is known for its sandstone buildings and historical campus, but their indoor facilities has been a bit lacking compared to the newer universities. They have definitely taken the hint though, and the campus is being constantly improved.

The Cape Byron Lighthouse

Just went on my first trip to Byron Bay, a charming little surfing village a couple of hours south of Brisbane with a picturesque lighthouse.