Proud Norwegian Ravenclaw

My pretty mittens

I knitted some typically Norwegian mittens (Selbuvotter) during my Christmas break, and I decided to do them in Ravenclaw* colours because...well, because I identify with that house (and I was sorted into it on Pottermore), and I love the colour combination from the films (navy and light grey). It was fun knitting from a pattern. The pattern I used can be found here (leave a comment if you want a translation). I am pleased with the result, although for my next house colour project, I will be using a lighter shade of blue (this one is too close to black, I feel). My next project will be a house scarf, like those worn in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (the film). I'll post pictures when I'm finished (which will be in quite a while, I think).

These mittens will allow me to show that I am Norwegian (everyone here wears mittens like these), and subtly hint to my house identity. I really like that double message. It makes them a bit special.

You know how I talked about reading loads of books in my Christmas holidays? Yeah...that didn't happen, as you can probably guess. I decided I wanted to knit more than I wanted to read. I ended up having read 40 books in 2012. This year I have decided to focus more on the pleasure of reading, reading because I want to instead of trying to complete a goal.


All the same, if I continue reading at the pace I have been so far this year, reading 50 books shouldn't be so hard. I've already read seven books since the start of January, although lying in my bed sick for a week might have accounted for that number. The seven books I have read have been extraordinarily good - I am off to a good start on my pleasure reading year. The books I have read so far are, in order:

Isn't this book pretty?

Trains and Lovers by Alexander McCall Smith
I read this on the train returning to school. It is, according to the author, best read on a train journey. I agree. It is a book that makes you examine your heart and it has a feel and pace to it that made me relax and feel good.







Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J. K. Rowling
This one is really good, but you knew that, right? I listened to the audio book read by Stephen Fry, and it made me appreciate the book in fresh ways.

Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern by Anne McCaffrey
This is another epic tale from the planet of Pern. It's good, but a little slow at times. I would recommend that you read other Pern books before this one - try Dragonflight for a taste of the world.



Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan
A message to all of us on how to treat each other and nature. Powerful and wonderful, the story of a woman's journey to learn valuable life lessons.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
This one is good, but I feel that I'm not really the right audience for it. It's really good nonetheless, and of course I had to read it after seeing the film in cinemas three times.

This cover is really nice,
one of my favourites

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
A really cool and kind of scary and creepy book that is packed with suspension and just makes you want to continue reading. A really good story with villains, marshes, an orphanage, magic, and love.

This cover is also
one of my favourites
(so stylish!)

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
A really good book about a mysterious circus that just suddenly appears, and is open only at night. The story is told wonderfully, even though the narrator seems kind of detached from the story. It works well, though, and I am left with amazing, almost living, wonders in my head.







* Ravenclaw is one of the four houses of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, and Hufflepuff.  Its house colours are blue and bronze in the books, although in the films this is changed to blue (navy) and silver. The other houses have other house colours. The Harry Potter series is mostly set at Hogwarts.

The Norwegian look

This past week, we've had some days with a clear blue sky. That means a cold night and a sunny and warmer day. Around this time of year, the sun is warm to the feel again. I know, that isn't technically a correct statement (you can't touch the sun, and of course it's always hot, it's a miasma of incandescent plasma!), but what I mean is that you can feel the heat from the sunlight that hits your face. In Norway, this isn't always the case. During the winter months, especially December, there is little or no difference between sunlight and shade when it comes to warmth. So, when the sun starts to warm you up again, it feels really awesome.

That is where the Norwegian look comes in. It is not the name of a fashion look or anything like that. It is the innate response of Norwegians to the sun warming them on their faces again after the long winter. It is a sure sign that spring is on the way when people stop and show off the Norwegian look in the middle of the street. Here is how to get the Norwegian look:

If you are skiing, plant your ski poles behind you, pointing slightly outwards. Lean a little backwards on them. If you are not skiing, plant your hands on your hips or lay your hands on the small of your back, and lean a little backwards with your legs planted a little apart. Raise your head towards the sun, shut your eyes (these two things define the Norwegian look) and smile a little. Can also be done while sitting down.

The Norwegian look while sitting down

There you have it. The Norwegian look. Remember, only for use in the late winter and spring. Enjoy soaking up the D vitamins in the sun!