dear readers

I'll write a little post about May 17 in Norway. In Norway is May 17th a very special day, it is our National Day, and we are celebrating that we got our own constitution.

May 17 all the school kids participates in parades with their schools. Later in the day, we also have a parade which we call the "Borgertoget". It involves many of the city's various organizations, such as various sports organizations, marching bands, etc.
and drink soda.


May 17 is the last day for the Russ to go with the red pants, but they are usually very tired that day because the night till 17th of may, they have their last Russ celebration, like the school they attended.They also have all the children running around them because they want "russekort" which is a kind of business card with their name, picture and often a funny joke or a saying printed on.

-Hedda

What to write about?

Hello all you faithful readers!

We admit it, we have been terrible bloggers lately. To be honest, we have run out on ideas on what to write about. We want to create a good blog, and to achieve this we need help from YOU! Please send in ideas and suggestions on what you want to read about on our blog. Do you want us to write about movies, music or celebrities? Do you want more jokes and youtube clips? Or do you simply want to read about our everyday life. You decide!

What do you want to see on this blog? :)

-Jenny

May 1st

May 1st is a very special day for those attending last year in high school in Norway. They run around in red, blue and black pants and scream and blow the whistles. The highlight of the day for these people, or the Russians as they are called, is to splash water on the younger ones that go to school. Suck for us, but probably fun for them.Russ has a list that is called svartelista (the black list), those who are in it, will be splashed on every school day and some students are afraid, and therefore eat lunch in the toilets.




The whole point of this tradition is to harass others, get drunk and still manage to pass the exams.




do you think this charming boy got good grades on his exams?

- Jenny;Hedda

Rødnesedagen

In the previous post, Jenny wrote about the “Clown Doctors”. We don’t have this program in Norway, but last year, a TV-company arranged a fundraiser called Rødnesedagen. Before “Rødnesedagen” you could buy red clown noses in selected stores. The profit went to an organization called Redd Barna (Save the Children). On November 29th 2009, one should put on these noses and do something funny in front of other people and they could give money.

We don’t know if this day is going to be organized this year as well, but it was a nice way to raise money for children in other countries, children who has been raped or abused and have no place to live.

-Hedda

Clown Doctors

You have probably heard the old adage "laughter is the best medicine". Medical experts in the USA believe that laughter helps hospitalized children relax and deal with pain.

Many hospitals in the USA, UK and Europe are using Clown Care to make children laugh and to lighten the serious side of hospitals. This is a program involving visits from specially trained clowns. Using comedy, magic, music and juggling, clown doctors distract children during their treatment. They reduse some of the anxiety and fear that many children experience associated with hospitals.

I found some facts on the internet which explains how laughter affects human physiology:

- Reduces pain. Our bodies produce pain-killing hormones called endorphins in response to laughter.
- Strengthens immune function. A good belly laugh increases production of T-cells, interferon and immune proteins called globulins.
- Decreases stress. When under stress, we produce a hormone called cortisol. Laughter significantly lowers cortisol levels and returns the body to a more relaxed state.

(http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/the-healing-power-of-humor/)

I think using Clown Doctors in hospitals helps children overcome fear and to feel safe during hospitalization.

What is your opinion about Clown Doctors? :)

- Jenny

A joke from nomad:)

Two ducks are swimming in a pool
One duck says "quack"
The other duck says "damn! I wanted to say that"


Thanks Nomad!

Check it out

Check out Fred's youtube videos on the right