Back at School

         We're back at school now--our vacation is officially over--but it hasn't exactly felt like normal. For the first ten days that we are back, all of the classes must distance from one another. That means no sitting together at meals, watching movies in the classrooms, or hanging out in each others dorms. We also have no electives for this period, so we suddenly have lots of time on our hands. 

        So far, I've spent most of my time in the peisestue doing work and reading. It's a nice place to be because so many people come through, so even though we can't hang out or play games, we can sit apart and chat briefly. I've missed my friends here, and it's very strange not being able to be close to them. 

        The cafeteria might be the weirdest part. They have extended the room into the aula--by a removable wall--and placed tables a meter apart from one another, in groups separated into classes. We also eat at timed slots now, so my class goes to lunch at 11:15 with one or two other classes, and by the time the next group is in, we're basically done. The good part about this is we get first pick of the lunch food--those hungry reiseliv boys can't eat it all before us!

        We're all a little anxious, now that the covid situation has gotten worse in Norway. There are stricter government rules, and for the first time, someone that I know personally has gotten sick. We've been so lucky to live in our little bubble, where virus didn't touch us and I could spend each day with 100 of my closest friends. The gravity of the situation has definitely hit now, and it's going to take some time to get used to. Norwegians are still not told to wear masks, but as a school we are working to all stay here, and be safe and responsible. 

        To lighten up the mood, there have also been some very fun moments this week. Our class is small because quite a few members are quarantining, but the other day we spent class outside near the water, grilling hotdogs! Alina and I got fun hats for Xmas that we had to try out--we were told they were the farmers market hats, but now it seems they are kind of the farmers symbol, sort of a meme. Then yesterday, Marianne brought hot cocoa to class and we enjoyed that. Each morning, we take our songbooks out and sing to the quarantined students, watching from their windows.

        Last night, Alina and I were doing homework in the peisestue and were a bit chilly, so we asked permission and got a roaring fire going. We sat next to the fire and read our books, and it was wonderful--until the teacher in charge came in and told us that there was smoke all down the halls. This morning it only smelled a little smokey in there, and everything ended up being fine. I guess the same thing happened last time they tried as well. Hopefully when these ten days are over we can get back into the groove of things!