International Business Program, Fall 2010

At least for a long time..

I hope we're all going to run into each other somewhere along the road! It's been a great semester, and I'm so happy to get to know you guys. Some more than others :)

Hope to see everyone at the farewell party, to say goodbye, or à bientôt!

♥ ♥ ♥

My "comfy" bed (or the park bench/operating table as I usually refer to)!! Just like it was on the day I came here.. This is so weird!!

This is everything I'm leaving behind. Who would have thought it would be this much?? Luckily I have friends who's coming to pick it up. They're going to give my stuff a new home - and I've told them to take pics and send me once a month to let me know the things are okay. Hahaha.

The people from the residence have already been here and inspected, so all that's left is turning in the keys and my badge before leaving tomorrow morning. I'm going out for the last "goodbye party" with the IBP students. Pretty sad.. :/

Anyway, I have to get to the train station to buy tickets. Don't want to risk having problems with that tomorrow morning! Wish you all a great day! ♥

The last three months have been rather hectic concerning schoolwork. It hasn't been hard work, but in periods a lot. In difference with Norway, the semester started in mid September, and ended at the same time.

As a true list person, here is to you at home who was wondering;

• Two French midterms
• Integrated Marketing Communications midterm
• International Strategy Midterm
• Group Project in Cross Cultural Management
• Olympic Bid Project in Integrated Marketing Communications
• Tagline Assignment Integrated Marketing Communications
• 15 page Term Paper in French Business Context
• Group Project in International Strategy
• Negotiation Presentation
• Group Presentation Michelin in French Business Context
• Two French Exams
• Integrated Marketing Communications Exam
• International Strategy Exam
• Negotiation Exam
• Cross Cultural Management Exam
• French Business Context Exam

Can you imagine how fantastic it feels to be able to cross all those things of my list? Cause I do have one!

Now; on to my next project. First pack, then clean. Or at the same time. Time will show. Just have to finish my coffee, and get started! Wish me luck !! :D

And for those of you who couldn't care less... A picture !!

Noo - it's not from 2006. It's 2008 :D Me and my lil bro. Just for the random in it - a bit of christmas spirit !! :D

See ya! ♥

Like I told you yesterday, the people from the residence is coming tomorrow around lunch. Which means I have to be finished packing, cleaning and having done the laundry before that. It's going to be a long night - but at least I have started :

Wanna bet if I can fit everything? Hahah!

Have a great day guys, I'm off to my exam pretty soon. Wish me luck, much needed !! ♥

Think I'm going to reward myself with a tiny trip to the christmas market to find funny french stuff after the exam tomorrow :)

Anyway, I'm going to continue straight on with my Negotiation exam. It's tomorrow at 2, so better start studying. But first, a quick dinner. :D

And also, I have arranged with the residence to come and approve my apartment on Wednesday. So after my exam tomorrow, it's straight home to pack, clean, clean and clean. They're coming around lunch, so I really don't have much time.. Now, Negotiation is up! See you :D

Just a few more hours !! Tomorrow is my last exam before christmas - heaven on earth. I only have three days left in France now. Doesn't seem to sink in, mixed feelings about it! But I can't wait to get back my social life! Haha! The worst part is; I actually look like a geek now !! Glasses and a checkered (hahah, fail, thanks Marie) shirt.. What's next?

Wish me luck, I'm going to need it! French history ever since the French civil war is not what intrigues me the most. But I guess knowing about Charles De Gaulle and all his little helpers will come in handy one day. Eeehh. Well. We'll see about that.

Hope you all have a good day !!

Tiril is one of my best friend's daughter. Just gorgeous! Can't wait to see them when I come home. ;)

♥ ♥ ♥

And of course, three candles. :) 

It's going to be weird waking up in Ålesund, knowing that I'm not going back to France. It's absolutely a crazy feeling, but MAN am I looking forward to it! I have no words. Seeing my family, my friends and all the people I love. Being away for such a long time makes you appreciate the "normal" things in life, those you realize you can't live without. :D But I'm also going to miss the great people I've gotten to know here. Lyon is a beautiful city, and I am definitely going back to visit!!

The picture is from La fête de lumières, I'm planning on writing a post on it later on

At the moment I am trying to study for my two final exams, but my mind can't seem to focus. I think I've already started my christmas holiday :D Have an exam tomorrow, in French Business Context, and one on tuesday in Negotiation. After that, it's packing, cleaning and leaving.

Haha, I think I have to rent a personal photographer for my trip home. Can you imagine me with three suitcases and hand luggage, on the metro, on the train, through two airports and a 5 hour wait? My gosh, good thing I'm looking forward to getting home :D

Today is also the third sunday in Advent, so I've lit the third candle. Where does time go?? The place looks like a mess from the packing, and I'm going to continue my studying. Hope you guys have had a great weekend!

♥ ♥ ♥

I love the counter - just look at it.. 







A perfectly made double espresso is never wrong



Ricky with her tea pot :)



I think many interior interested people will be jealous of this piece, and not least the things on top of it! 







One of the things France does best. ;)

What do you think?

Love! ♥

BLA BLA BLA. Am I the only one who struggles to find a cute, funny and catchy headline every time I write? To be honest, that's sometimes enough to throw me of. I open a "document", have lots of ideas, but no. No headline. So I quit it, and think "ah, maybe I'm more fun, exiting, humorous and great in a couple of hours". And then I forget.

Anyway.

I'lll give you a little update on the last few days :)

I spent a lovely day with Ulrikke and a some other girls from the Erasmus program. We started out at 3 o'clock at the christmas market, where we drank VIn Chaud (hot wine), ate chestnuts and looked around.

A sort of french christmas cake :-) 

After the christmas market, we went home to Ulrikke's apartment, where she lives with two french girls. We were going to make christmas cakes and cookies from our countries. Me and Ricky made gingerbread cookies, Lena and Wiebke made some lovely German christmas cookies and Elisa and Giulia made dinner.

Wiebke, Elisa, Lena and Natascha :)

Me and Ricky attempted to make Vin Chaud, but that wasn't too easy. :D 











Gorgeous Elisa :)



Norwegian "Merry Christmas" :)



Movie time! We watched a really old, classic, French movie - hilarious! 



Dinnertime!



Giulia's christmas tree pizza! :D 





Elisa, Giulia and Ricky :)









Ricky, Elisa and Wiebke



It was a great evening, but waaay to much food. I was planning on going to the Argentinians afterwards, but I had to go home already at 11. Felt sick, so went home to bed. It didn't get better, and I actually ended up being sick the rest of the weekend. Not fun!

So yesterday, Sunday, I had to study for my exam. It was also the 2. Sunday in Advent - so it called for two candles!

So today I've had an exam. International Strategy. Wasn't too bad, but I'm dreading the one tomorrow! Integrated Marketing Communication.

Therefore; I have to study. And by the way, it's only 10 days left before I'm home!! Time flies !!

Have a great evening friends :)

This has been a really tough week, with way too much schoolwork. Still, it's been a productive and efficient week, so I'm happy.

Had a crazy wednesday, where I actually stayed awake for over 40 hours! Had a huge task to finish in French Business Context, and fortunately I got it done in time. On the same day I also had two presentations, hence the 40 hours. Haha. Before going to sleep on Thursday, I had a lovely dinner date with Ulrikke, my cute, Norwegian classmate. We went to a fish restaurant in a really cozy street, and I think it was called "The Salmon House" or something like that. All they served was salmon, and it was great!

A bit bummed that the Nespresso shop was closed..

Anyway, today has beed a good day. I've tidied, cleaned, went grocery shopping and got some schoolwork done.

I'm really looking forward to tomorrow actually, I'm going to Ulrikke's to make christmas cookies, drink Vin Chaud and listen to christmas music. And first of all we're going to the market to look around. Yaay christmas spirit! There is also going to be a last party with the Argentinians, so fun and sad at the same time.

And guys !!! Know what? It's only 13 days till I'm going home !!! Crazyness. :D

The time flies faster than ever! I have exams on monday, tuesday, friday, monday and tuesday - and thursday I'm home! Can't believe it. I've said it before - but I know that this christmas is going to be fantastic!

And finally, the best dog in the world is turning 9 today. So even if you've all seen this picture a thousand times before;

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALI  ♥

So, have a great weekend!

I most certainly will :)

♥ ♥ ♥

I haven't gone to bed yet, and there is still quite a few hours to get through before I can go to sleep. In my bed - or operating table/park bench if you want.

I'm stressing like crazy with a final paper, which is going to be 30 % of my total grade in a subject. I've been working on it for days, and still can't seem to finish. Fortunately I'm starting to see the end of it. I guess I have to, since it's due today. Haha.

And just to make sure, the public transportation is not functioning because of snow. Happy days, I get to walk to school!

Anyway. I'm not even tired, I think something is wrong. My essay is not to far from being finished, but I feel hatred towards it - so I doubt that I'll proof read. I can actually tell you right now,  it ain't gonna happen.

Oh well. Shower is waiting, and I guess I have to start walking about an hour before class starts. Have a good day people! I most certainly will after I have handed in my essay. And by the way!! It is my LAST CLASS EVER in France today !! After this there is nothing but exams left, happy daaaays!

See ya!

My lovely, fellow Norwegian; Ulrikke :)

Hot chocolate - literally !

Hihihi :-)















So here I'm sitting with the first christmas spirit of the year, and I'm even more looking forward to going home! Still, I know I'm going to miss Lyon..

I'd love to stay outside and make a snowman and look at the christmas market some more, but I have a paper that's due tomorrow. And two presentations...

But tell me, do you have snow??

♥ ♥ ♥

This has in many ways been the shortest and most intense semester I've had, and still the semester where I've learnt the most. I've gotten to know a new country, the beautiful city Lyon, a new school, new cultures and lots of amazing people.

I can't wait to go home and see my family and friends, although I am going to miss everyone I've gotten to know here. Also I can't wait to go back to Norway and start appreciating the Norwegian school system! Haha!

I believe that this christmas is going to be the best christmas of all times, as I have mentioned before. Being away from everybody makes you appreciate them a lot more, and it makes you realize what you actually have. The last year I have also learnt to appreciate and see my home town in a new way. The mountains, the nature, my friends, my family. It's all I need! :-)

All that is left is my 7 exams, booking the plane tickets, saying bye to everybody, packing, cleaning and leaving the flat. A bit unreal.

Anyway, I am on my way for my first final exam - French. One today and one tomorrow. Wish me luck!!

EKTORP from IKEA

♥ ♥ ♥

Men uansett, jeg fikk laget provisoriske adventslys av telysglass som jeg tilfeldigvis hadde 4 av og litt riskorn:

Merker også godt at julen er på vei her i Lyon. De har satt opp det store pariserhjulet som visstnok kommer opp hvert år før jul. Veldig koslig :)

Tror jeg må få med meg Kristian opp i den en dag, sikkert herlig utsikt!

Det begynner jammen og bli kaldt også. Det ligger å bikker mellom pluss- og minusgrader, så nå kommer alt av skjerf, luer og varme sko med.

Glemte naturligvis å handle inn mat og diverse i går, og Frankrike er jo dødt på søndager. Så det blir kaffe og knekkebrød i dag, penger og kalorier spart. Med mindre jeg begir meg ut på leting etter noen småsjapper som visst nok skal være åpen.

Håper dere nyter første søndag i advent med såpelukt, bakst og lys. Misunner hver og en som har julestemning hjemme i Norge! Jeg skal jobbe videre - og forhåpentligvis komme litt videre på oppgaven min.

Birthdayboy!

Today's dinner is simple, affordable, tasty and really healthy. Give it a go!

You need:

(This portion for someone my size, adjust the ingredients after how much you eat)

• Turkey filet (100-125g)
• Whole grain penne pasta (50g before cooking)
• Broccoli
• Carrot (1 normal sized)
• Garlic
• Pesto (about 2-3 table spoons)
• Creme fraiche (1-2 table spoons)

1. Cook your pasta like shown on the package.

2. Fry the turkey filet




3. When the turkey is finished, you add the cut vegetables. Cook it together for 1-2 minutes, together with freshly cut garlic.

4. Add the mix of vegetables and turkey to your pasta pan. Put the pesto and creme fraiche in the mix, and voila!




If you want you can eat/serve it with garlic baguettes or fresh bread.

ENJOY!