Holi and College Hoodies

Yesterday our school, belatedly, celebrated Holi, a Hindu celebration of love and colours. We covered each other in paint, fjord water and mud, the idea being that once we were all coloured we were equal (although they phrased it in a more beautiful way when they explained). It was cold, funny, amazing and just great. It's the things like Holi that make me happy to be at a place like this, where I get to experience such a variety of cultures.

On top of that, myself and the other organisers just sent off the orders for college hoodies, something we have been worrying about for weeks to no end, so it's nice that it's - almost - done. Next week, the Queen is coming and the week-and-a-half-later, we have Easter Break. Work is piling up but the weather is great and the campus has come alive again.

Spring forward

The view is beautiful from the Upper Road

Spring has finally arrived in Flekke and we're making the most of it. The motivation that has been lacking the last two, rainy weeks is back and I'm loving life right now. I even went for a run - those who know me knows that I hate running (I've done it probably five times since August) but in the sun it was amazing and I had a smile on my face the whole time. I've written a song, read about the Cold War and sent important emails.

The nice weather also makes me remember all the things we did last fall, back when it was still sunny and light. I really look forward to when we can jump in the fjord again, walk outside without shoes or just study outside without a jacket. Spring makes me very grateful for the winter - without it, this wouldn't be nearly as wonderful (especially since it's probably only a few degrees in the shade).

Happiness

What makes you happy?

The last few weeks have been like most weeks are here - busy but mainly very happy/nice/interesting. The pressure of IB is starting to get to us first years, but so far it's manageable. Terms like EE and IA are starting to make sense to us and this week we got our first grades. Mainly, I'm happy with them.

Things that made me happy the last few weeks:

This girl, my now nineteen years old roomie <3

Harry Potter marathon all night and most of the day with this girl and two others (who were mysteriously missing at this point)

Pancakes and fruit salad for breakfast a normal Friday

Studying not so much, but I've been postponing this lab report for two hours already so I better get going.

Gender Week "An expectation I don't like"

"Girls are bad at sports" - me

"Women are supposed to be beautiful" - L, Sweden

"Men can't have long hair" - M, Bolivia

"Women are submissive" - C, Norway

Me, throwing an idiotic gender expectation out

Let's talk about gender. Let's talk about how I'm supposed to be different than you because I'm born a different sex. Gender is not sex.

This week, we're organizing Gender Week at RCNUWC. If you want to take part, take a picture like the one above, trashing a stupid gender expectation. I'm so excited for everything that's going to happen, from swap-clothes-with-a-friend-dinner to Open Mic to Vagina Monologues. It's going to be great, I think, and so far people I never thought would show interest have, which makes it all the more interesting.

What gender expectation don't you like?