http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_Central_Library

I am sitting in one of the coolest buildings I have ever seen: the Seattle Central Library. I have been meaning to come here ever since it opened a few years ago but today is my first time. Man, it is cool in here! And it's a library. I am pretty much in heaven right now: I am surrounded by books in a very funky building: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_Central_Library but most important: I am warm. Seattle was hit a few days ago by the third largest storm ever recorded here. It was pretty rad. The not-so-rad part of the story is that there is no power at my Aunt's house which makes for a pretty cold existence. We aren't sure when the power will be back because there are some gigantic trees that found their ways to some power lines all over the place. At the moment, however, I have learned to appreciate the value of heating in this cold season. And the candlelight and fireplace are pretty romantic.
I have been back home since November 30th and in some ways it feels as though nothing has changed. Obviously quite a few things are different but not as much as I thought. Or perhaps the changes do not seem as big a deal to me as they might have before. Everything is very familiar and easy. Yet I feel as though I have learned to appreciate places and people more in the last year. It has been so great being able to hang out with family and friends and I am excited to see the parts of Seattle that I haven't been to. I have a job now at a place called the Rock Bottom Brewery. It's in Bellevue but I try not to think about that too much and the people are very cool. It should be easy to make enough money there for my next adventure. Basically, everything is falling into place here and life is good. I am really excited for a Norwegian Christmas Eve with the family.


My friends Laura and Jessica. It is so good to be here with you again!

A day up on Montjuic (where the Olympic Park is)

Here is the sceptical look that I have grown very accustomed to.

A lovely sculpture built for the Olympics.

This Fortress looks down on the city of Barcelona. It also had it's canons pointing towards the city for many years as it was built to keep those pesky Catalans in line and under Spanish rule;)

So Many Pictures...

I have way to many pictures, so the ones here are not in any particular order, nor do they follow any particular theme. They are just glimpses I guess, of my time here.

Yep, that's me chillin' with Dali.

My flatmate from East London, Jeremy. I was surrounded by Brits during my course. The faith I had previously had in my English began to wane slightly.

The view from the Catalan Museum of Art on Montjuic.

A road in Barri Gotic.

Nighttime market in Barri Gotic.

Mmhmhm. Nothing like my usual cortado at the beach.

A Weekend in Spain...

Before I arrived in Barcelona, Albert told me firmly, "you are not going to be in Spain, you will be in Barcelona, which is in Catalonia. Maybe I'll take you to Spain for a weekend." True to his word, Albert arranged for us to visit his father, stepmother, and little brother in Alicante. You can see for yourself what a gorgeous place this is. Alicante is nestled on the edge of one of the bluest seas I have ever seen (heh, Mediterranean). We had a great time, seeing castles and fairytale mediterranean towns draping the hills during the days and visiting some funky bars at night.

Albert's stepmother, Ana and his brother Paul.

Way up there, you can see Albert's dad running up the stairs.

A Southern European Moment.

The lovely town of Altea, located just a little north of Alicante.

Just a great picture I think.

Barcelona!

What a city! My father once said that being in London is like someone taking your hand and saying "c'mon, let's go!" Barcelona is definately the same. There is so much to see and do, one day can be quite exhausting. Barcelona is very unique also in the sense that it is a very new old city. There are medieval neighborhoods and old Roman architecture. It has always been an important port in the Mediterranean sea as well as the home to many famous artists. But unlike other cities in Europe, like Venice or Rome, it still is an important port and a hub of industry and activity. The result is a mixture of old and new. A veritable mish-mash of different cultural neighborhoods and architecture all very close together. For example, my school is right in the heart of the new and bustling financial district. But just a few blocks away is an old medieval town wrapped around a monastary. This neighborhood is very quiet. In the other direction is the soccer stadium for Barcelona. I live in La Raval which is what you might call the medieval slums(pretty cool, huh). This neighborhood leads off of the very touristy street called La Rambla. I could go on and on but suffice to say that Barcelona has something for everyone. Art galore, incredible architecture, music, hippy neighborhoods, the beach, museums up the yin yang, amazing food and some of the best nightlife in Europe. Man, maybe I should be a tour guide and try to sell this stuff;) Here I am at Parc Güell, designed by the architect Gaudi. Some of the best views of Barcelona from here.

This is the main square in Albert´s hometown, Vilanova i la Geltrú.

The beautiful coastal town of Sitges.

Albert spending an afternoon with Dali.

How's that for a living room? At a different angle you can see that the lips are a couch and the nose a fireplace. The Dali museum is definately one of the most interesting I have ever been to.

Seattle

Sorry guys, this one is short and a little out of the blue. I started it before I left Norway and I have not had the time since to finish it. Enjoy my hometown and family!

Had to see a baseball game, Mariners v. Yankees. Not a great ending. Stupid Yankees:(

Tiffany and I

Best bum sign ever.

Joe!

Uncle Jack and Uncle Fred at my cousins B-day.

Asta Pasta, Tante Eli, Eleanor, and Eric.

Anna, Asta, Eli, and I

Seattle: Mia Città

Mom and I took a Seattle day on my last day in Washington. The weather was perfect and we saw a few of the more well-known Seattle landmarks. Sort of a touristy day, I guess. I was asked by numerous people where I was from... Pike's Place Market

A Seattle Barista, hehe, sorry I take nerdy pictures every once in awhile.

Mom and I and the Space Needle

The Space Needle reflected on the side of the Jimi Hendrix Experience Music project

Last Leg, more people I love

I spent four days in Florida where my dad, his side of the family, and his restaurant all live. It had been about a year since I had seen all of them and it was so great! I was almost disappoined that "Hurricane Ernesto" lived up to it's lame name and only rained a little over one day. That cost me a day in the sun. I needed tanning time man! Norway is not cutting it for this requirement. My Dad, Great Aunt Joe, and Grand Uncle Will. (He prefers being called "grand").
Best restaurant, ever. No really, I mean it.
My Dad laughing, one of the greatest, warmest sounds I know.
Brandon wants people to know that peeling an apple is what the average American guy, like him, does at night. See: we eat more than just junk.
My aunt Leslie
Uncle Sandy
The fabulous New Smyrna Beach at night. The sky was incredible, one of those things you can't record on a camera, you just have to remember and keep going back to remember other important things.