At the request of a friend, this blog is topped with cherries :|

Anyway, the teachers over here are striking, which measn I have "vacation" right ow. Well, it's still 3 weeks until the real summer vacation starts, but this is a nice warm-up :lol:

Speaking of the sun (or warmth), we're having really, really nice weather here now; during the day it's in the thirties (in the upper nineties/lower hundreds on the Fahrenheit scale), and it's not any cold at night either (it's not very dark either; living so far north means I almost have midnight sun (have to move a bit further north for that though; at the lowest there's around 4 hours of night).

Oh, and I've finally gotten The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess :D The game totally rocks so far. I've always loved the Zelda games, and aside the ones for NES and GC, I've played them all. Twilight Princess has captured the place of favorite arleady; it's just so good. The story is amazing, I love the soundtrack, the world is so big and awesome; I'm simply in love with the game at the moment. I just managed to get my hands on the Master Sword (no Zelda game with respect for itself excludes that sword), so I'm gonna have some fun collecting Heart Pieces and all that (being able to change from wolf to human form does give me a lot of more places to reach, and along with the Clawshot I can get to even more places).

So that's about it for an update on life. I hope I'll blog again in not too long :P

(BTW, if you can see what's wrong with this blog you'll get an award (and it's not a spelling error))

These last days, I've noticed that there's some heated confrontations between some person on this site. Now, I don't know a lot of what's going on, but from what I picked up some persons are really angry on a person who has done a lot of bad stuff using multiple accounts. Apparently. My point is, I've seen one of those angry persons post blogs in which she openly says bad things about the person with the multiple accounts. Now, the person she flames might have done bad things, but does that justify her flaming that person openly like that? No, is what I mean. Instead of posting things about the person that can get you reported yourself, report the person. Much better, much less painful in the end. And I don't care if I know the full extent of the situation, this just what I believe. What is your opinion on this? Does one person doing bad things justify another person saying bad things back?

On another note, it's recently come to my attention that a lot of people have to pass major tests every year to be able to get into the next grade - HSA, LEAP, final exams, you name it. Here in Norway, the final exams are a major part of the grade we get - in other words, we have to do very well if we don't want our grade ruined. And it's the same with the others - it's one test, one day. Screw up on that day and you're done for. I'm actually agaisnt that kind of testing. Sure, you need to know if they're actually good at the subject before you let 'em pass the grade, but there's plenty other ways to do it than this way. Why? Because people have bad days, some more than often. If one of those bad days coincide with a big test day, you can be pretty much done for. And likewise, if you have a good day, you might get a grade better than what you're actuallly at (which can be both positive and negative). This is very wrong if you ask me. Ibelieve that the induvidial smaller tests and projects during the school term itself is sufficient - but if they have to measure your skills at the end of the term anyway, do it without having to make that measurement something that can mess up everything - count it equally towards the other test and project grades you've gotten, I say.

Any thoughts on the two subjects I've discussed?

Laziness: Okay, I'm really lazy and procrastinating lately, so I'm a bit late on making a new blog. It was also shown by me making an entire 20-page Social Studies project on the final day, instead of doing bits and parts here and there during the previous weeks. Yeah, I know it's bad, but I can't help being too lazy nowadays, it's like I've just been struck by a disease.

Constitution Day: Yesterday was the Norwegian Constitution Day (May 17th, and it's of course a lot of celebration and fun. Me being in the school band meant a lot of work for me. First, I have to get up at 7 am (it was a Saturday!), and at 8 we marched around some of the local neighborhoods, playing marches (duh), and also the national anthem to flag hoisting. Later, there was a big parade around our local area, with many of the klasses from our school, local kindergartens, and ofcourse the school band. I play the tuba, and it's not so fun to march with, even if I have a harness to help :P After that, we had to work - the school band is hosting everything that happens on the school grounds (we're selling stuff, we're having a lottery, we're organizing games for the kids etc.). I sold tickets for the lottery, and boy, that's stressing. Suddenly you find yourself with 50 people almost jumping on you with money in their hand because they want to buy tickets to the lottery. And I have to be fast. Calculating change and all that was not the problem, but finding the correct change and dealing out the correct number of tickets can be a bit of a hassle, especially when everyone's about to jump on you.

Editorships: I didn't mention it earlier, but I got my tenth and eleventh editorships some days ago; for Pani Poni Dash! and Himitsu - Top Secret. The first is a comedy show which I've yet to watch, but I heard it's great. The second is a rather interesting anime series; new this spring.

Music: We're having a "test" in Music klass at school. We're gonna play a song on an instrument (either one they have on school or one we have at home), and we'll get graded on that. I'm playing the song Hokage's Funeral from Naruto; a really nice piano theme.

Norway: Ah, I just must talk about the best country in the world. Actually, I'll share some videos of my wonderful country:

Video 1, Video 2, Video 3, Video 4, Video 5 (Norwegian nature is the prettiest in the world!)

Video 6 and Video 7 (Norwegian football FTW.)

Video 8 (Norwegian national anthem: "Ja vi Elsker")

As you can see, we have some of the most beautiful nature in the world, and we're especially known for our fjords and beautiful mountain scenery. If you want to experience the midnight sun, northern Norway is the place to travel to, or maybe you want to experience the dark period, when no sun rise above the horizon for weeks? (you know what I find funny? The Japanese word for "midnight sun" is Byakuya - which just happens to be a character from one of my favorite anime series, Bleach)

Norwegians are a very nice people; friendly, warm and patriotic.

Norway has a lot of great music, for example from the most famous Norwegian band A-ha (their song Take on Me is amazing, and the MV is even better - a ****c to say the least). Other bands and singers include Hellbillies, Bertine Zetlitz,Sissel Kyrkjebø and more. Norway is also a major player in the black metal genre. We've also got a lot of folk music, mostly played on instruments like the violin.

Culturally, Norway was very big in the 1800s. Norway is the birthplace of several famous people from the 1800s, including writers (Henrik Ibsen, Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, Camilla Collett among others), composers (Edvard Grieg) and musicians (Ole Bull, Myllarguten).

Norway was also the home of the Vikings, who had their golden age around 800-1 000 A.D. They were excellent traders and fearsome in battle, known for both their raids on the British coast as well as trading with far-off countries.

Norway has two official languages, Bokmål and Nynorsk, which hare essentially two versions of the same language (a somewhat good comparison is British and American English, only with larger differences).

Facts about Norway:

• We've ranked first in the Human Development Index for 6 consecutive years, we're ranked 1st on the Worldwide Press Freedom Index, and we've been rated as the most peaceful country in the world on the Global Peace Index.
• We have the second highest GDP per-capita in the world.
• We have a very low unemployment rate: ≈1.3 %
• We have 4,7 million inhabitants; with a population density of 12/km² (31/sq mi)
• About 4 million Americans are of Norwegian descent.

I hope you enjoyed learning a bit about my country :)

Hey, people, what's up? Me? I've done some small changes to my blog layout - mainly making it easier to see where a new subject starts, and I'm also asking you a question from each of the subjects I talk about in the blog. Else? Read my blog, duh.

Summer: We're currently having summer conditions here in Norway. Well, at least in my town. Temperatures in the 80s and a blue, sunny sky is the best and only way to describe the current weather. 8) How is the weather where you live?

Laziness and McDonald's: No one at home wanted to make pizza - which we have pretty much every Saturday night - tonight, so we ended up ordering takeaway from McDonald's. My mom, me and my sis ordered a large Chicken Nuggets menu (Chicken Nuggets are just so awesome!), and my dad ordered a double Big Mac menu. It was really delicious, but that's a given, since it's McDonald's. It's probably only because we rarely eat McDonald's food, though. I'm not a fan of it even though it's really delicious - it's way too unhealthy. What is your opinion on McDonald's?

James Bond: Ah, what would the world have been without the world-saving lady magnet known as James Bond? The movie industry would've lacked something great, at least. Anyway, we watch James Bond movies almost every Saturday night - "we" meaning my mom, I and my dad (who falls asleep halfway through the movie and much to me and my mom's dismay begins to snore) - tonight we're watching The Man with the Golden Gun. This one features my favorite James Bond actor, Roger Moore, as well as the oh-so funny character Sheriff J.W. Pepper. I can't wait :D Do you watch James Bond?

Diamond: I've recently begun to play Pokémon Diamond all over again. It's a really fun game, especially when I've got a DS emulator (computer program which allows me to run DS games on my computer) that actually works without lagging at all. And no, I have no intentions of actually buying a DS, because I've spent too much money lately on things like a Nintendo Wii - which by the way rocks -, a piano and (soon) a new monitor for my computer. I'm planning on a 21" flat screen - it'll be a great improvement from my current 17" lump of a monitor :D Do you like Pokémon?

Lots of Work: I'm talking about school here. Now listen up. This next week, I have a Science test (Genetics) on Wednesday, a 5-minute minitalk in English about the Cold War on Wednesday, a major Norwegian test (Literary History) on Thursday and a 20-page Social Studies project about the difference between the poor countries in the world (Africa, South America) and the rich (Europe, North America, Oceania, Japan). I've not started the project in Social Studies, nor have I begun preparing the minitalk, but I've read to the tests. I know Genetics already, so I don't need to read much there, but the Literary History test is a little tougher - mainly because I have very few good feelings towards that subject.

Also, from next Friday and throughout the week after that we're having written final exams (we have both written and oral final exams). This is the first final exams for us 10th graders, so it'll be fun! We get either English, Norwegian or Mathematics for the written exams. Depending on what subject we have, we have different days for preparation and exam days; here's a list:

English
Preparation: Friday 16th, Monday 19th
Exam Day: Tuesday 20th.
Days off: Wednesday 21st, Thursday 22nd, Friday 23rd

Mathematics
Preparation: Monday 19th, Tuesday 20th.
Exam: Wednesday 21st
Days off: Friday 16th, Thursday 22nd, Friday 23rd

Norwegian
Preparation: Wednesday 21st, Thursday 22nd
Exam Day: Friday 23rd
Days off: Friday 16th, Monday 19th, Tuesday 20th

Have you had your final exams, or do you have them soon?

Anime: I want to watch the series InuYasha badly, but I can't find any subbed version. Anyone feel like helping me there? I won't watch the dub version, no matter what, because of my preference to watch stuff in the original language, even though the dub is actually better.

I've still got a lot of new spring anime episodes to catch up; the list goes down and up frequently. I'm looking forward till after the written exams; it'll be an easy ride until graduation from there (I'll get back to you on the whole graduation deal later). Which spring anime are you watching? (if any)

Other: Well, I don't have so much to say, really. How do you like my new blog layout?

Song: Falco - Hitomi Shimatani

And some pictures which made me go rofl (that's rare)

Yeah! :P

Later!

Yesterday was a pretty fun day :D Me, my brother, his girlfriend and her brother went for a hike in one of the mountains around our town (Bergen is known among many things for its seven mountains (hence the name Bergen; German for "mountains")). We started the day by taking the 14.30 bus into town. We then bought some chocolate (the kind of chocolate that's good to have on a trip), and began our trip. We took Fløibanen (a cable car) up the mountain, and from there, we headed inwards through the forest, until we reached our destination, a small resting area. Here, we enjoyed our food, before heading back; now in a different direction than earlier (we walked the whole way down).

Panorama view from the top

After the trip, we stopped by the nearest Peppes Pizza restaurant (a really, really awesome pizza restaurant). We got seated almost immediately, and we decided on which pizzas we were going to order. Firstly, we decided on some nacho chips (only the chips) with some salsa dip as an appetizer. After that, we got our pizzas, which we enjoyed in the cozy environment in the restaurant.

By the time we finished, the clock was already 18.30. We bought ourselves some ice cream, which was perfect in the sunny (albeit slightly cold) weather, and we headed towards the bus stop, where we just managed to get on the next bus.

Yeah, that was my enjoyable Saturday :P

Oh, and I just reached Level 49 here on tv.com! Not far from the Top 100 now (that will be my 25th emblem, by the way).

I've now caught up with the most recent Shippuden episode, so now I've gotta catch up on some of the spring anime (I have 7 hours worth of anime waiting to be watched). Right now, however, I'm gonna enjoy playing Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Jedi Academy :D

Song: Yui Makino - Euforia

Later!

It's now one year since I started watching anime. The first series I watched was Love Hina, which I started May 1st one year ago. In one year, I've finished watching 25 series, and I am currently watching 28. The total number of episodes I've watched is 1 828 episodes; making it an average of 5 episodes per day.

Also, I've passed 5 000 contributions today (To be more specific, I have 5 180 contributions, which means I've made 250 contributions since the last update yesterday). That means that I'll get a new emblem sometime during the day:

Yeah! Now, on to 10 000 subs!

Song: Voices - Akino Arai

Hey people, what's up?

In tv.com news, nothing much has happened, really. Iæm progressing steadily through level 47; I'll probably hit 48 before the weekend starrts.

Speaking of which, we have yet another long weekend now; there's no school tomorrow (since it's May 1st; both Ascension Day and May Day). Fortunately, we also get Friday off, making this a 4-day weekend :d I'm gonna spend the weekend on finishing some anime series, and sub to tv.com :P

Also, on myanimelist.net, I've gotten a place on the Most Helpful Reviewers list, which means I'm among the fifty most helpful reviewers on that site :P

I also finished the original Naruto series, and made a review, if you feel like reading it (I've got some good and many bad feelings towards the show, be warned). I've started Shippuden as well, and so far it's much greater than the original series. I feel that it has the same pacing problems Naruto had, though :(

Song: Cruel Angel's Thesis - Yoko Takahashi

So.. lately I've gotten some TCs... I have now six of them. I'll get me another Editorship soon, too. I'll probably be level 47 with the next level update as well; I'm only 5 or so levels away from the Top 100 emblem too.

Oh, and I have to do some school work today as well. We're having a project in Social Studies the next three weeks, so I have to finish up my work for the previous two weeks (I'm really behind in Social Studies). Also, we had our last mock exam on Friday; it was Math. It was really simple, but time-consuming. I finished one hour before the time limit... the first in class to leave (aside the two dudes who don't pay attention at all... they left as soon as they were allowed to).

In other news, I watched The End of Evangelion yesterday. One word... wow. The riginal series (Neon Genesis Evangelion) was great, but the end was horrible...they didn't explain anything, and that's what's great about The End of Evangelion. It kept the series' greatness, whilst at the same time providing an alternate, much better end to the series. I posted a review, if you wanna read it.

That's all for now.

Song: For Fruits Basket - Ritsuko Okazaki (Guess what anime it is from? :P Anyway, that songs really calms me down... you should listen to it)

So, finally a blog about something on my real-world life (excludes tv.com and anime). That's a long time since right now...

School is very enjoyable at the moment. This week, we're doing nothing but Arts and Crafts klass To be more specific, we're doing either embroidering or knitting. Yeah, sounds boring, huh? Well, it's not :P I've chosen embroidering, and it's going great so far. I'm gonna land a B/B+, I think. Considering that it's Arts and Crafts, that's a very good grade for me :P

Yeah, today was really relaxing at school. We were supposed to go down to this large klassroom with the two other tenth grade klasses (they're also doing Arts and Crafts this week). However, a few students in klass wanted to stay in the klassroom instead. Those students were me and six others, making it seven in total. So, during the entirety of the school day, we sat and relaxed, embroidering/knitting, talking together, telling jokes and enjoying ourselves. Of course, we also enjoyed the nice weather we have now by having all the windows open. And the weather sure is nice, it's like summer outside; past 20 degrees (in Celsius, that is; it equals past 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and a clear, blue and sunny sky. And guess what? My town is located as far north as the southern part of Alaska :lol: I love Norway...

Well, I'm doing well in school aside that. This is the final year of primary education, so nex year I'll attend a new school. I've already been accepted into one school I applied for, but there's one I want to get into even more; I hope I get accepted into it. I need a ~5.4 grade average; (6 is the highest grade in Norway and equals an A) :P Well, I think I'll manage, because I'm 95 % sure about which grades I will get (the remaining 5 % is for eventual major screw ups the next two months :P). Here they are:

Norwegian(writing): 5
Norwegian(oral): 5
New Norwegian(writing): 5
English(writing): 6
English(oral): 6
German*(writing): 5
German*(oral): 5

Math: 6
Nature Studies**: 6
Social Studies***: 6

Religion: 6
Arts and Crafts: 5
Physical Education: 5
Food and Health****: 5
Music: 6

* German is an optional klass and don't count against the grade average
** Includes subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Science, Anatomy and so on.
*** Includes Geography and History as well.
**** Includes both Cooking and Health Education
Also note that our language grades (except new Norwegian) are separated into written and oral skills, despite being the same klass

With these grades, I'll get a 5.5 average, enough to get into that school :P Og, and if I do get in, here's which subjects I'll have there

Math
Nature Studies
English
Electronics
Work

Now for some explaining. The school I'll take is a combined generic and vocational education, directed towards working with electronics (I'm going for electronics engineer). The generic part includes a few normal subjects, as well as advanced Math and Physics (only from the second year and onwards; the first year has normal Math and Nature Studies instead). The vocational part of it is working with electronics at school, as well as working at one of the workplaces the school cooperates with two days a week (of course, it's working with electronics).

Yup, sounds fun :D Also, it doesn't cost a thing, which is unusual for secondary education in Norway (usually the books must be bought by the students themselves in secondary ed.). In fact, we actually get paid from the workplace :D Yes, I'm gonna get a fixed salary :P Oh, and the klass at school isn't very large either; only 15 or so students, so that'll be great! I'm soo looking forward to it.

The only bad thing is that I'll not be able to see my old friends so much after the summer :( Well, not that it's a huge matter, because we're not that tight anymore (I definitely won't tell you anything about that, curious as you might be). But I'll definitely miss them. However, it's a good opportunity to make new friends, too :P

Oh, and I have to get up early in the morning - I'll need to catch the 6.55 bus from here if I want to get to the school in time, because it's far away (I'll grab the 7.30 from town, and I'm at the school between 8.00 and 8.15, not counting any delays). After that, I'll have at least half an hour at the school grounds before it starts (the buses are very inconvenient that way :P)

Yes, I'm severely counting my chickens before the eggs are hatched, but I'm really sure I'll make it into the school :D

Now, I've written quite a lot, but I hope you bore with me all this time

:)

Song: Last Kiss - Bonnie Pink

Okay, I don't have much to blog about, so I'll just present you with three unimportant facts I've found out about tv.com lately (Don't ask how I found out).

1. The mods don't check the sources. At least not all of them.
   
2. The amount of CPs, not the total number of submissions, is what affects your level score.
3. Simply putting in a 0 in the comments section makes it appear to the Editor as 'no comment.

___ ___ ___ ___

I'll come with updated reviews on the season's anime next week, I think.

___ ___ ___ ___

Oh, and let's do some advertising for things that I do. Just becasue I'm bored :P

I'm currently reviewing anime shows I watch on the site myanimelist.net. If you want, you can read them here, and if you find them good, you can vote for them as helpful.

Also, do you see the two links in my blog header? If you visit these daily, you'll make my internet city grow. Please visit them daily :)

___ ___ ___ ___

Song of the blog: If Dreams Came True - Eri Kawai (be~au~tiful song!) (the artist has a funny name, by the way :P)