Long time no see. Since I last visited this wonderful thing we call the internet I’ve traveled from blizzards, snow and Christmas to summer vacation in the Caribbean. I have sunbathed and gotten a fine red burned skin that makes me look somewhat like a lobster (hurray for Norwegians in the sun, I always do this and I NEVER learn), visited Bahamas, St. Thomas and today we stopped by St. Marteen (the dutch part).

I’ve eaten loads of good food, gained a few pounds (which was to be expected as well) and bathed in the sea for the first time this year (if my memory serves me correct) on what is named one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world by National Geographic: Magens Bay.We – my dad, my sister and I – stood in front of  Joe Biden in the ATM cue while at ST. Thomas, after we’d been parasailing (which was OUT OF THIS WORLD btw) and none of us recognized him. Cool.. I have also watched an amazing water show twice at the boat, called Oasis of Dreams. (the cruise ship we’re on is called Oasis of the Seas, and it is currently the world’s largest cruiseship).

So in case you were wondering, I am having the time of my life.

Not your traditional family photo.

Pictures from Aspen (and Christmas), this place really resembles the classic winter wonderland. Beautiful.!
Today we had the most amazing day over at Snowmass (30 min drive from Aspen), taking the lift to the top (at 11.775 f, or 3589 meter) and then walking for about 15 minutes of the slopes to Off Piste Heaven. I fell 16 times, but it still was amazing and it took us about 40 minutes to get to the bottom (and we ski fast, family of advanced skiers).

But now we’re leaving this paradise and heading for another kind of heaven; Miami and the Caribbean. See you there.

The first day in Aspen consisted of sun-sun-and-more-sun..

.. and even though we were all swamped we still enjoyed a nice day in the slopes.

The next two days were spent in bed, sleeping ..

.. watching Christmas movies on TV ..

.. and drinking tea and reading the hilarious book I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell.

And then finally, it started snowing.

Merry Christmas <3

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When I found this among the dollars my dad gave me, my heart got a little warmer. In the spirit of Christmas I’d like to share it with you. For those of you who can’t read it, it says:

Jesus Loves All Colors. <3

Anneke, Benedicte and my dad.

My mum and sister in the foyer at the hotel. Love the Christmas tree.

Say Hello to my family and current travel companions: my sisters, mum and dad. Although I can grow exceptionally sick and tired of them at times, I still love them, and there’s nothing quite like a vacation with this lot. Like right now when I’m sitting in front of the fireplace in the apartment in Aspen, listening to Christmas songs and smelling the tasty smell of dinner (gawd I’m hungry). Feels perfect.

Has the Christmas vacation spirit dawned on you yet, or are you still working/stressing with pre-Christmas activities?

My morning stroll in Central Park resulted in some pictures that will be good memories I think. Even though Central Park was freezing cold at 8am, it was full of joggers and people walking their dogs. Made me wish that I could live here, go for walks in this park every morning, while drinking coffee and taking pictures.

This was of course before the snow started falling, and New York stopped working.

Right now it looks like we’re driving to Philadelphia and then boarding a plane there to get to Denver.

2012 meets Day After Tomorrow = it’s the first blizzard in New York. All planes are cancelled, and we’re stuck in the city for now. Let’s see what the day brings.

All settled in New York, and it’s already day 2 here in The City. Yesterday started with a complementary upgrade, which moved me from a crappy seat in the front next to two (although very nice) ladies with a baby, to the first class. Perks of flying alone. 5 course dinner, red wine, High Society on tv and a seat with enough room for 2 persons. I could get used to that.

Arrived in New York, took a taxi to the hotel (Hotel Parker Meridien on Manhattan), left the luggage there and then jumped into another taxi to meet up with the family at Ground Zero. Obligatory Starbucks Coffee, followed by some obligatory sports stores (my dad needed a Canada Goose jakcet and my sister bought a North Face jacket) and a quick and cold stroll down Broadway.

It’s definitely winter in NY, but it’s the wind that kills you, more than the actual degrees. Today the family went for a morning jog in Central Park, while me, myself and I went walking (and taking pictures). New computer (!) and no photoshop means that I wont be able to upload any good pictures until I get to Aspen on Sunday. So you’ll have to settle for a picture from Central Park.

Toodles.

I suddenly realized that although I feel like it’s the only thing I talk about these days (with the exception of my exams), I might not have told you what I am doing this Christmas. Well, not in detail anyways. So here goes:

N E W  Y O R K: Next Thursday I am boarding the plan to New York, to meet up with my family (they travel a day before me) and do some Christmas-shopping in the big apple. We’ll be living on a hotel right next to Central Park, visit the Empire State Building, shop till we drop (or at least till our bags are bursting) and eat American pancakes for breakfast every day. Or something.

A S P E N: Then we’re flying to Denver, renting a car and driving up into the mountains to Aspen to celebrate Christmas and get some serious skiing (or in my case snowboarding) done. According to wikipedia I can risk running into some celebrities like Hunter S. Thompson (well, his ghost anyways), Catherine Zeta-Jones, Antonio Banderas, Victoria Beckham and several European royalties, which I (of course) plan to do.

C A R I B B E A N: After checking of “white Christmas” on the list of things to do, we’re going down to Miami to board the new cruise-ship Oasis of the Seas and spend 7 (or 8?) days of bliss in the south Caribbean. St. Thomas, St. Marteen and Bahamas, New Years Eve on the world’s largest cruiseship and a healthy tan can’t hurt to much.

M I A M I: After our trip in the Caribbean we stay a couple of days in Miami, hopefully visiting the set of CSI: Miami (playing paparazzi) and enjoying whatever Miami has to offer, before returning to Norway and reality.

So now you know what’a keeping me alive and focused through all of this.