Happy New Year

Well, I guess I can start wishing you all a happy new year, because it already is 2007 in Australia, we are just a little behind here in Iceland. Hope you enjoy the future!

'Allo 'Allo

I have been home now for three weeks, and hardly done anything that I meant to do but done a lot of things that I hadn't planned on doing. Before Christmas I was too busy to even think about my essay, although I managed to squeeze in a three hour session where a few hundred words got added to the text. But except for that I was busy with preparation for Christmas as well as two days I spent working at my old job.
My Christmas was wonderful. Full of good food and prezzies and family. Boxing Day (Annan í jólum) I spent with my family at my uncle's house, again enjoying good food and playing Trivial Pursuit with my brother and two cousins. My brother won us this time. We also played a little Monopoly although at that time we were exhausted and stopped before it really started.
Since then I have been spending my days struggling over the essay. Two days, 500 words a day, and now the essay has reached 6700 words. I am quite pleased with myself, especially since I have been watching 'Allo 'Allo series 1 - 4 during the time I have been writing the essay. It always manages to lift my spirit. It is simply spectacular. But today I finished the series and am now finishing the last episode of Le comte de Monte Cristo. And I am beginning to find it strange the way every time I watch a film in a foreign language I start thinking in said language, like now, the thing that I most want to do is speak French.
I got a book from Amazon yesterday. It's the first Harry Potter book but it is in Irish. It is Harry Potter agus an Órchlach (or the Philosopher's stone). I can read it, I understand the words but not the sentences, because I have never learned modern Irish, so I am not always sure of the meaning, but I get the gist of it. Soon I will be getting the Welsh version of it as well. The Gaelic version will be added as soon as possible but the scheduled date for publication is not until summer of 2008.

The Yuletide lads - part 15 - THE END

On Christmas night itself
- so a wise man writes
- the lads were all restraint
and just stared at the lights.


Then one by one they trotted off
into the frost and snow.
On Twelfth Night the last
of the lads used to go.


Their footprints in the highlands
are effaced now for long,
the memories have all turned
to image and song

By Jóhannes úr Kötlum / Translated by Hallberg Hallmundsson
Pictures/Copyright©Olafur Petursson

The Yuletide lads - part 14

Candle beggar

( Kertasníkir )

The thirteenth was Candle Beggar

- ´twas cold, I believe,

if he was not the last

of the lot on Christmas Eve.

He trailed after the little ones

who, like happy sprites,

ran about the farm with

their fine tallow lights.

By Jóhannes úr Kötlum / Translated by Hallberg Hallmundsson

Pictures/Copyright©Olafur Petursson

The Yuletide lads - part 13

Meat Hook

( Kjötkrækir )

Meat Hook, the twelfth one,

his talent would display

as soon as he arrived

on Saint Thorlak´s Day.

He snagged himself a morsel

of meat of any sort,

although his hook at times was

a tiny bit short.

By Jóhannes úr Kötlum / Translated by Hallberg Hallmundsson

Pictures/Copyright©Olafur Petursson

The Yuletide lads - part 12

Door Sniffer

( Gáttaþefur )

Eleventh was Door Sniffer,

a doltish lad and gross.

He never got a cold, yet had

a huge, sensitive nose.

He caught the scent of lace bread

while leagues away still

and ran toward it weightless

as wind over dale and hill.

By Jóhannes úr Kötlum / Translated by Hallberg Hallmundsson

Pictures/Copyright©Olafur Petursson

The Yuletide lads - part 11

Window Peeper

( Gluggagæjir )

The tenth was Window Peeper,

a weird little twit,

who stepped up to the window

and stole a peek through it.

And whatever was inside

to which his eye was drawn,

he most likely attempted

to take later on.

By Jóhannes úr Kötlum / Translated by Hallberg Hallmundsson

Pictures/Copyright©Olafur Petursson

S.O.S work

An exhilarating day ... I am dead.  I got a call today from my old workplace, begging me to come to work.  Since there are so few that know how to do the job, they phoned me, because one of the girls was home sick today.  And since I am as good a person as I am, I couldn't say no, so I ran back home from the store we were at got ready and got the keys to the car from dad and ran out.  Got to work just after 2 o'clock.  I had brought comfortable shoes and my mobile charger with me, because my phone went dead, but as soon as I came in through the door at work, I was busy.  Couldn't even change shoes and couldn't start charging my mobile until just before six.  I didn't even get the chance to say hello to people before five o'clock and then not everyone.  And the few others that I passed on the way, barely noticed me because they were so busy, and others were so busy they didn't stop to think that it was a bit weird that I was there.  But it was soooo coool, being back there.  Seeing allt he guys, my boss couldn't stop hugging me for coming to their rescue.  And I didn't even do that much or so I felt, but no matter that because I feel beat tonight.  I met Þorgeir, Helga, Björk, Halla, Ásu, Ingibjörgu and my good old buddies Siggu and Brynju, it really was a reunion of old friends.  Loads of fun, and maybe I will get to experience it again if possible.  And even better I got a prezzie when I left, because I had been working there.  I did open it up when I came home but I can't say what it was because I don't want to ruin the surprise for others, but my advice, if you are not going to open it when you get it, put it in the fridge before Christmas Eve.

The Yuletide lads - part 10

Sausage Swiper
( Bjúgna krækir )

The ninth was Sausage Swiper,

a shifty pilferer.

He climbed up to the rafters

and raided food from there.

Sitting on a crossbeamin

soot and in smoke,

he fed himself on sausage

fit for gentlefolk.

By Jóhannes úr Kötlum / Translated by Hallberg Hallmundsson

Pictures/Copyright©Olafur Petursson

The Yuletide lads - part 9

Skyr Gobbler

( Skyr gámur)

Skyr Gobbler, the eighth,

was an awful stupid bloke.

He lambasted the skyr tub

till the lid on it broke.

Then he stood there gobbling

- his greed was well known -

until, about to burst,

he would bleat, howl and groan.

By Jóhannes úr Kötlum / Translated by Hallberg Hallmundsson

Pictures/Copyright©Olafur Petursson

The Yuletide lads - part 8

Door Slammer
( Hurðaskellir )

The seventh was Door Slammer,
a sorry, vulgar chap:
When people in the twilight
would take a little nap,

he was happy as a lark
with the havoc he could wreak,
slamming doors and hearing
the hinges on them sqeak.

By Jóhannes úr Kötlum / Translated by Hallberg Hallmundsson

Pictures/Copyright©Olafur Petursson

The Yuletide lads - part 7

Bowl Licker

( Askasleikir )

Bowl Licker, the sixth one,

was shockingly ill bred.

From underneath the bedsteads

he stuck his ugly head.

And when the bowls were left

to be licked by dog or cat,

he snatched them for himself

- he was sure good at that!

By Jóhannes úr Kötlum / Translation by Hallberg Hallmundsson

Pictures/Copyright©Olafur Petursson

The Yuletide lads - part 6

Pot Scraper

( Pottasleikir )

Pot Scraper, the fifth one,

was a funny sort of chap.

When kids were given scrapings,

he´d come to the door and tap.

And they would rush to see

if there really was a guest.

Then he hurried to the pot

and had a scrapingfest.

By Jóhannes úr Kötlum / Translation by Hallberg Hallmundsson

Pictures/Copyright©Olafur Petursson

Spoon Licker

( Þvörusleikir )

The fourth was Spoon Licker;

like spindle he was thin.

He felt himself in clover

when the cook wasn´t in.

Then stepping up, he grappled

the stirring spoon with glee,

holding it with both hands

for it was slippery.

By Jóhannes úr Kötlum / Translation by Hallberg Hallmundsson

Pictures/Copyright©Olafur Petursson

The Yuletide lads - part 4

Stubby
( Stúfur )

Stubby was the third called,
a stunted little man,
who watched for every chance
to whisk off a pan.

And scurrying away with it,
he scraped off the bits
that stuck to the bottom
and brims - his favorites.

By Jóhannes úr Kötlum / Translation by Hallberg Hallmundsson

Pictures/Copyright©Olafur Petursson

I look like a lamb and I got shot

Yesterday I got a perm, so now I look as cute and curly as a lamb.  But I like it, it's all bouncy and nice, and give's me a kind of stupid cherub-y look as well.  And now, today I got shot ... well, I got A shot.  I went to see my orthopedic surgeon about my knee and he gave me a shot in an attempt to delay further surgery.  It should help but he felt that it would be inevitable that I will be having surgery possibly sometime next year.  The issue is to postpone it as long as possible for me to complete my year at Uni and gratuate before it becomes an issue.  My leg is a bit numb now, around the knee, it is to be expected and it is also a bit sore, which he told me it might, but that it was a good indicator that the medicine was working.  Hope so, because getting a shot underneath your kneecap, is not the most pleasant experience, am just thankful there weren't more shots, although I should be accustomed being treated like a pincushion.  But I am willing to do anything if it helps.

The Yuletide lads - part 3

Gully Gawk

( Giljagaur )

The second was Gully Gawk,
gray his head and mien.
He snuck into the cow barn
from his craggy ravine.

Hiding in the stalls,
he would steal the milk,
while the milkmaid gave the cowherd
a meaningful smile.

by Jóhannes úr Kötlum / Translation by Hallberg Hallmundsson

Pictures/Copyright©Olafur Petursson

The Yuletide lads - part 2

Tonight the first Yuletide lad comes to town.

Sheep Cote-Clod

( Stekkjastaur )

The first of them was Sheep-Cote Clod.

He came stiff as wood,

to pray upon the farmer´s sheep

as far as he could.

He wished to suck the ewes,

but it was no accident

he couldn´t; he had stiff knees

- not to convenient.

by Jóhannes úr Kötlum / Translation by Hallberg Hallmundsson
Pictures/Copyright©Olafur Petursson

Yuletide lads - part 1

Let me tell the story
of the lads of few charms,
who once upon a time
used to visit our farms.

They came from the mountains,
as many of you know,
in a long single file
to the farmsteads below.

Grýla was their mother
- she gave them ogre milk
-and the father Leppalúdi;
a loathsome ilk.

They were called the Yuletide lads
- at Yuletide they were due
-and always came one by one,
not ever two by two.

Thirteen altogether,
these gents in their prime
didn´t want to irk people
all at one time.

Creeping up, all stealth,
they unlocked the door.
The kitchen and the pantry
they came looking for.

They hid where they could,
with a cunning look or sneer,
ready with their pranks
when people weren´t near.

And even when they were seen,
they weren´t loath to roam
and play their tricks - disturbing
the peace of the home.

By Jóhannes úr Kötlum / Translation by Hallberg Hallmundsson

Home

I arrived home on Friday, but I am sick. I woke up early on Friday morning with blocked nose, coughing and feeling rahter poorly. But I was going home, and nothing could stop me. My bags were heavier than hell, but I managed to bring them down the two flights of stairs by laying the bigger and more heavier one on the stairs flat and dragging it down. I arrived at the airport at 8 am, and luckily there weren't many checking in before me and it later turned out that there weren't that many on the flight either. My two luggage bags were in all 53kg and I also had to check in a smaller one that was almost empty, so a few extra kgs can be added. My flight was delayed but only for a short while, and I arrived home just a few minutes later than originally scheduled. I was so glad to be finally home. It was amazing, and I fell asleep shortly after arriving at the flat. A few hours later I was woken up by my niece, she was sooooo happy to see me finally. She didn't let me go anywhere she didn't follow. After they left I unpacked my suitcases and then I just left everything where it was and went to sleep, the rest could wait until I felt better.
So for the last few days I haven't been doing everything I planned. So this is me trying to make it all better.
My dear friend, Claire. Wish you all the best for your birthday ... that was yesterday.
And I am going to start my Yule tide lads program again, because of popular demand ;)
Well, happy holidays to you all, and rest assured you will be hearing from me again soon.

Coming home for Christmas

I am coming home tomorrow, in less than 12 hours my flight leaves.  I am soo looking forward to it.  I finished school just before four o'clock this afternoon and came home to pack my bags and tidy my room.  Dear God, it was difficult.  I actually had to re-pack at least twice, because I had to take stuff out, so that I could get more important stuff home for Christmas ... like Christmas presents!  That still wasn't enough I still had to pack a parcel with stuff for my friend Árdísi to ship home for me, because there was no way in h$%& that I could take it all with me.  This comes from letting me loose at a shopping mall.

But who cares, I am coming home weather Icelandair likes it or not.  I really think they should give me a blank card when it comes to baggage allowance, since I fly so often with them.  But anyway, I am getting tired, have to wake up at 7am tomorrow and I will be seeing some friendly faces around twoish tomorrow.  See you then.

Cinema blog continue

I am coming home the day after tomorrow.  So Árdís and I used the opportunity to go for a good meal, a cocktail and a movie.  So I want to add to the list of movies I have been to see at the cinema since october 26th.

27/10/2006 - Don.  A Bollywood film with my favorite actor Shah Rukh Khan.  It was amazing, thrilling and surprising.  Can't wait to get it on DVD.  And it was quite fun to go see a Bollywood film at the cinema, firstly you get loads of strange ads, about matchmaking websites and how to transfer money home to India and secondly, it's not easy to sit still in a cinema when you want to go boogie with the music.

22/11/2006 - Casino Royal.  Hadn't meant to go see it, not because I didn't believe it was any good, but because I just didn't feel compelled to go.  But since plans changed for my friend Árdísi, we decided to go see it.  It was really good, surprised me how good it actually was.  Liked it, and recomend it.

26/11/2006 - Pan's Labyrinth.  In Spanish, which I don't think many realised, but it was very good.  But I am a person that when it comes to something looking gruesome I tend to laugh out loud at the absurdity of it and I don't think it was quite appropriate with this film.  But it is very .... undescribable, I just have to tell you to go see it, then you know what I mean.

29/11/2006 - Stranger than fiction.  What do you expect when you see the name Will Farrell as lead act in a movie.  Something spoofy.  Not this, it was a very sweet movie in a quirky sort of way.  So you get this lovable goofy Will Farrell, but he doesn't over-act like so many other 'comedians' when trying to do more serious roles.  Seriously good, go see it before Christmas, it might just surprise you.

6/12/2006 - Flushed Away.  Who doesn't love cartoon.  Well, this is from the creators of Wallace and Gromit, and I just love them.  This isn't the plasticine characters but a computer animation but they still manage to retain that sort of plasticinie-y feel to them.  And the humor just cracks you up every time. Scrabble!

There was a tiny period where I didn't go to the movies, because I was busy with Uni work and also there wasn't anything that special I wanted to go see.  But this means, that I have gone to see eleven movies in the three months I have been here this term.

Good girl!