KIA-ORA NEW ZEALAND

For the past year or so I've been posting inspirational quotes on Facebook, Instagram and on this blog. I've preached about following your dreams no matter what. Well I can finally reveal I'm about to live up to my teachings.

For the past 16 years I've been in full-time education. I've gone through primary, secondary and college in Norway and then university in the UK. For 16 years my life have been set and decided for me.
So I decided many months back I wanted to try something different, something completely crazy. Over the past year I've reading book in and book out about travelling. I've messaged several travel bloggers asking for tips and tricks. And I've managed to save up every singly penny I had left over. When I was a young boy I used to watch Travel Channel at my grandparents place, cause they had cable TV. The things I saw... I remember sitting thinking that must amazing.

HOW
It was one morning that changed my future. It was 07:30 on a chilly April morning and I was at home having breakfast before my physiotherapy. I sat there, sleepy as a sloth, eating oat porridge halfway asleep. Then I stumbled over this post from a Facebook page I've LIKED:

I read it. I liked it. Then two hours later, whilst in the gym, I ended up having a 20 minute phone assessment with their UK representative.

After this, the process of getting a medical examination, police certificate and visa started. In the beginning I wasn't sure if I wanted to travel that far away, but every single person I spoke to said do it.

HOST FAMILY/EMPLOYER
Four days ago I had an email of the Bartle family. She really liked my profile and my introduction video and wondered if we could set up a Skype chat. Half an hour later, we were on Skype. I got to talk to both her and her boys and we immediately clicked. We spoke for about 40 minutes, really about everything. The place, New Zealand, the kids, the job and about rugby and sports (with the boys that is).
She said that she love for me to be their Au Pair, so I said I wanted to consider it for a bit. Within 24 hours I had accepted.

GOING
I've now got a 6 month contract for a job in New Zealand and I'm leaving Norway and Europe on the 2nd of September 2013. I CAN'T WAIT. And this is where I'm going to live. Mt Maunganui, Tauranga.

Guess where I'll live? One street from the beach, meaning the beach will practically be on the doorstop.

WHERE
Mt Maunganui is about 2,5 hours away from Auckland. The boys dad lives in Auckland and they go up there every other weekend, so I can get a free ride every other weekend.


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Why now? Well, like I've told others who've asked that; I haven't got a mortgage/apartment contract. I haven't got kids. No one in my immediate family is dying. And Europe is a sinking ship... Why shouldn't I go?

Why New Zealand? Have you seen the place? Many say it's one of the most beautiful countries in the world and I actually believe them.
Also I've got a couple of friends down in that region, mainly Australia, whom I haven't seen for years and would very much like to visit.

So what is my plan?
- Leave in September
- Work as Au Pair for six months
- Travel round New Zealand for 1-2 months (I'll be living 30 minutes away from Hobitton!!)
- Jump over to Australia and travel and work for 2 months

Throughout the year I'll be doing freelance work, filming and taking pictures. I'm also in the process of setting up a new blog and have contacted companies for getting sponsorships and so far so good.

When am I back? I'll be gone for almost one year. I'm definitely back by August 2014, because then one of my closest friends in the UK is getting married and I wouldn't miss that for anything in the world. I told her that even if I have to crawl back from Antarctica, I will be there.

Aren't you scared? Oh yes, I'm really nervous. It's on the other side of the world for Christ sake. But I know that if I don't push myself, if I don't test myself, I won't experience anything and I won't be happy in life. Travelling the world has been my dream for years and years, so I just decided it's time I start following MY dreams and go out into the world MY way.

It must be somethings in my blood, seeing as so much of my family members have traveled the world either in the air, sea or on land. The notion of settling down, getting a house simply does not appeal to me, at least not yet. I'm young. I'm wild. I'm going travelling.

Let this inspire you. Never let anyone tell you what you can't do, because it only means they're scared to try it themselves. Dream big and do it. Regrets are for people who are afraid to follow their dreams.
Over the next few weeks, you'll see several things change. I'll be posting more about the job, about why I'm doing this, more detailed travel plans, the process I've gone through, how I can afford this as a student and much more. So stay tuned and thanks for following :)

This is one the songs I've listen to over, over and over again for months now. I've been wanting to do what she does in the video. Just totally smash everything and take off to somewhere amazing.

Today's song: Avicii vs Nicky Romero - I could be the one
 

RUNAWAY VIKING: cause it's time for you to shine

Three years ago in last February, I made the decision of moving to UK and to Swansea. I wanted to experience a different culture, a different language, but above all, create a life for myself.
The three years that have passed since 2010 have been amazing. They have been the best three years of my entire life. For the first time I felt like I was creating a life for myself, a purpose. I've become accustomed to the local community. I've become a part of it. The people that I have lived with for the past three years have become like family.

I love my housemates with all my heart and we've all become quite close after living with each other for almost three years now. Oh my god, three years. Can you believe it? The years have just flown by.

Some of the amazing people I've met is the Rose/Scullion family. They are a loving bunch, who I've grown quite close to. Nothing like being invited up to a homemade Sunday roast by Rachel or attending the Christening of one of their beautiful children.

I've experienced a lot in the past three years. Fun, love and happiness, but also pain and heartache. It's that roller coaster of a life that makes you into you. I remember arriving in Swansea in September 2010. It took us two-three days just to get a basic understanding of the dialect. Kick starting the whole thing was Freshers, two weeks of partying and enjoying life. I remember going to my first pub shortly after arriving together with fellow students and student union staff. That first pint is a memory I'll treasure forever. I remember talking to the welfare officer Kaceigh, the university's own "mother". She was probably the most happy and giggly person I've ever met.

Over the past three years we've had some amazing fun. We've had amazing house parties, eventful nights out on town and lazy BBQs on the beach. We've cried, laughed and fought, sometimes all at ones. I swear, our lives have sometimes been like a scene from the Hangover films, cause random stuff just keeps happening.

In uni I've gotten to know some amazing people, many of which I class as some of my closest friends. Take my friend Laura for example (top left). She's getting married August 2014. Even if I have to crawl back from Antartica, I wouldn't miss that wedding for anything in the world.

Outside uni, I've gotten to work with some amazing people, both young and old. My job in the union have allowed me to meet some of the amazing students and events Swansea has to offer. I've worked as a videographer for Student Swansea Events for almost two years. And even though I felt knackered in the morning after finishing work 02:30 in the morning, I loved my job. I've got to meet and film some of the biggest acts in UK. I've danced on stage, I've interviewed artists like Rudimental and Tim Minchin and I've partied, sensibly of course.


Outside uni and work-work, I've volunteered for a charity and met some amazing kids. This part of my life have given me immense joy.

And now comes the dreaded summer... I can feel the country I ran away from three years ago is trying to pull me back. Of course I miss my friends and my family in Norway and I can't wait to see them soon.
But I'm so conflicted between UK and Norway... I feel that my "family obligation" is pointing towards Norway, but my "personal obligation" is pointing far away. I see it like this; Norway is my childhood, UK and the world is my adulthood. I find Norway odd now.

I love my family and friends, and Norway is a beautiful country, don't get me wrong! But the one thing I've come to dislike after moving is Norwegians as a people. Norwegians are often (on a general level) perceived to be a cold and rude people when you first meet them, which is true. Also, I just get so ashamed and angry when I read about Norwegians who go on strike to get 20 KR/£2.20 more an hour, so they can have 189kr/£21.10 an hour in total, when there are people in UK, Greece and Spain having to sell everything they own just to put food on the table... Too many Norwegians are spoiled and take stuff for granted.

I decided awhile back that I wouldn't be moving back to Norway, at least not for many years. The only thing for me in Norway is friends and family. That's it. (Which I'm going back to see in a few days.) Even though I feel really guilty for leaving my family, I still feel I need to explore the world MY way. It's MY life. I am the only person who should control MY life.

The easy answer to all of this, is that I have a craving for knowledge. And the fact that I like going to a shop and have a wide selection of food/clothing. I like being able to have a pint of Guinness when watching the rugby without having to pay £9.50 (Norway). I dream of living in a crazy country, live by the coast in a nice house/apartment and a thriving urban life.



I think it's just a bit unusual feeling, not having school anymore. I mean, I've been in school for the last 16 years, which is crazy. So I think it will some time getting used to, not being in uni/school.

The question every graduate HATE, which people always asks, is "What's your plans now?" and often they'll throw in a suggestion what THEY think you could do. How do I know? Jesus... Let us get our bearings first will ya'.

So what are my plans?
Well, I've tried keeping them hidden from my family, but that made nothing better, so here we go.

I've got two major plans:
1. Travel for up 12 months, working holiday.
2. Get a job in Cardiff, London or Bristol

That's my plans, both of which I've been working on for many months. I've applied for a job in a different country (secret), which I really hope I will get. After having traveled/worked around the world, I think I would like to try my luck in Cardiff, Bristol or maybe London.

Source: Backpacking Mate

I think I need to travel more and/or live in another country in order to be able to appreciate Norway more when I maybe return in a few years. So hopefully in 5-10 years from now I'll be the most patriotic Norwegian there is! I'm leaving for Norway in a few days, but only for the summer. After that, only fate knows what will happen.

If you're considering studying in a different country, I've only got one thing to say: Do it. Don't look back and go. You will be a bit scared and people will try to stop you, but you must never let them. Because when people are afraid of something they don't want you to do it. Those people you should never listen to. The brightest minds in the human history were odd and people told them to stop, but guess what? In the end the shut other peoples negative opinion out. That's what both you and I need to do.

Fear only makes us realise that something is worth it. Fear of the unknown is what makes it all so exciting. Pushing yourself to the limits of your comfort zone is the only way to live. The cultural and languages experiences you get from living in a different country are HUGE and will benefit you later in life. The people you meet and the friends you meet, will benefit you hugely in the future. You'll be able to view things differently to those people back home-home.

Live, laugh and love, but above all LIVE

I never thought I'd make one of these, but now I have. Just a tiny selection of photos from my time in Swansea.



Owl City is one of my favourite artists, right up there with Pink and Katy Perry. Let's be shooting stars.

Today's song: Owl City - Shooting Star