by Katrine Sivertsen | Feb 14, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
We got up early to go to the cinema. Not for a movie but to watch the reporter Fredrik Græsvik, who previously worked for TV2, talk about the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Maybe not what you’d have in mind for a romantic Valentine’s date, but a great talk... 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Feb 13, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
I had two webinars to watch – one Terry joined, the funny one with Steinar and Cathrin Sagen, but the quiz was less popular. I ended up forming my own quiz team “Solo” and still managed a defensible score in the end. Terry helped remotely with a couple of... by Katrine Sivertsen | Feb 12, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
I was lucky enough to score some tickets for the sold out performance “Tollak til Ingeborg” on Finn, and we all went to watch this dark story by Tore Renberg. 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Feb 11, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
Trivandrum to Doha – 4 hours, and Doha to Oslo – 7 hours. Middle seat. ‘Nuff said. I thought the unwritten rule was that the middle seat gets both armrests, but on the last flight I didn’t get an arm rest or leg space. The poor sleepy fellow next to me had... 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Feb 10, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
One last day of meditation, yoga, Ayurveda food and drinks, swimming and lounging, massage treatments and walking about with a muddy face mask and a tea towel on my head wearing a green robe while eating dinner. And all week we’ve been seeing eagles circling above,... 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Feb 9, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
After meditation and yoga, most of the women spent their last day here up in the local shopping street. It’s a mix of both touristy and local shops. I was lucky enough to bump into our group leader on the way there and she guided us to the most amazing shop filled... 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Feb 8, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
The hotel offered a free taxi to Kovalam, the closest town. The catch was of course that we had to stop by the Fabindia shop. I went in with the intention of not buying anything, but that was easier said than done. I found a bright pink dress and ear rings and bought... 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Feb 7, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
The backwaters of Kerala brackish water canals that cover large parts of the state, home of many plants, birds and people. We took a boat tour through the canals today, and spotted a bright blue Kingfisher bird, several types of eagles, and a camel (a very... 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Feb 6, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
Another day of treating our bodies and minds to some rejuvenation treatments. Most of us are going through “purgation” tonight, a castor oil treatment, so this’ll get interesting. Yikes. Wish me luck. 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Feb 5, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
As a gift from the resort, our group received a spices, tea and a sari that we wore during this evening’s entertainment: a cultural dance show and traditional Kerala dinner served under the open sky. 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Feb 4, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
We have a fairly set routine at the hospital resort and I thought I’d write about what a typical day looks like. What time each person does yoga or has treatment is individual but this is my typical day: 6:50 wake up 7:15 group meditation at the yoga shala 8:00 yoga:... 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Feb 3, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
Other than our resort, there are two nearby resorts in the same family that we went to check out today. To my delight, the closest houses 7 domestic cats, and I was let in by their carer to play and pet them. I suspect this will be a daily activity. From our resort,... 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Feb 2, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
We were allowed a few hours of sleep before attending an introduction to Ayurveda by one of the doctors. I’m tempted to put “doctor” in quotation marks but these are actually licensed Ayurvedic medical practitioners by the government in India, and Ayurvedic treatment... 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Feb 1, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
Early up and off to Gardermoen airport before the birds woke up with my friend. First a stop in Doha and then to Trivandrum in India. And I was lucky enough to get the middle seat (but my friend was kind enough to switch with me on the second flight). But no more... 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Jan 31, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
During the day time I cleaned my friend’s apartment as a thank you for letting me stay and washed her and my woolies, especially to surprise her with a newly washed and clean sweater that my mom had knitted for her that had been in the laundry basket waiting for... by Katrine Sivertsen | Jan 30, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
Since both my siblings live in Oslo with their significant other, I took the opportunity to say hello and have some tea with them, and hand over some early birthday gifts. I am very happy to have my lovely family, and appreciate that we spend time together. 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Jan 29, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
Right next to Bogstadveien in Oslo is a building with a door with a staircase leading down to the only Bikram studio in Oslo. You can recognize it by the distinct smell of wet dog as you enter, similar to many hot yoga studios around the world. If you can get past the... by Katrine Sivertsen | Jan 28, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
An hour or so south of Oslo is a large spa complex called “The Well”, where my friend and I headed for some relaxation. It may be a bit out of the ordinary for some since bathing suits are not required. So I spent most of my day in a bathrobe lounging about, reading,... 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Jan 27, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
My good colleague and friend drove me to the airport after Terry and my parents left for the cabin. We first got to catch up with a cup of tea. In Oslo I met again with my best friend in Lillestrøm (who had also been to Stavanger and Burn’s night earlier this week).... 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Jan 26, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
Scotland’s great poet, Robert Burns, was celebrated today (technically yesterday, but we make allowances). We gathered at Terry’s friend’s place a dozen or two Scottish and international folk, and caressed our whisky while waiting for the haggis (and tatties and... 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Jan 25, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
We watched the incredible and amazing performance by the Bjergsted music, dance and drama students. It was far beyond expectations and just jaw-dropping. I highly recommend everyone go see it in January while you still can. What a feat. The only drawbacks were the few... 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Jan 24, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
Spending the day researching and planning Japan adventures. 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Jan 23, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
Nah, not really. But after half the travels done and half waiting for me, I stopped by the office to see if they remembered me and how things are going. Very good to see everyone again and have one of our infamous coffee breaks in the new office location that I saw... 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Jan 22, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
Someone had too much cat nip… 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Jan 21, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
This year it’s 100 years since “Jærens store sønn” (no, not Erling Håland) Arne Garborg passed away. Dad and I trekked out to Bryne to listen to Kjell Arild Pollestad and Torgeir Bygstad read from their new book with collections from Arne Garborg’s works. I was the... 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Jan 20, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
Alexander Medin is a former boxer and street criminal turned yogi, and is one of the most prominent ashtanga teachers in the world. This weekend I’m joining his workshop to kickstart my practice. I was lucky enough to take part in this and learn from him. But the real... 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Jan 19, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
Woke up early and got up to get some water and tea when this creature creeped me out following me with her eyes from the window sill. 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Jan 18, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
Terry and I served up salmon poke bowl for mom and us to slightly make up for the imbalance in who makes dinner more often while we’re visiting (Mom). 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Jan 17, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
Went to say hello to my kitties again but the black flash is not warming up to me. I guess she still has a chip on her shoulder from the vet visit I took her to last summer. Hiding under the staircase making every effort to incinerate you with her eyes per... 
by Katrine Sivertsen | Jan 16, 2024 | Blog, Katrine
Terry came home from his other home (Aberdeen) last night. Good to have him back, and also good to have had a break, we both agreed. We went to see Kongsgård’s school theater in the evening. It was good but I wasn’t blown away.