I have to show you Britain’s Got Talent

“You have the showmanship of a peanut” (Simon Cowell)

“It’s like watching giant condoms play the bagpipes” (Alesha Dixon)

“Can I just say, it’s a ‘Oui’ from me” (Amanda Holden)

You can imagine the Britain’s Got Talent auditions to be quite something, right?

What: Britain’s Got Talent auditions in London
Where: Dominion Theatre, Tottenham Court Road

How: Free tickets from Applause Store

A couple of weeks ago, Chelsea, Sandra, Kristin and I went to central London to be in the audience for one of the auditions for Britain’s Got Talent. Again, it is all thanks to Applause Store for letting us attend for free (!). Since we are all studying something media related, we thought it would be an experience to see how a TV show is behind the scenes and under production.

The ladies in the audience

Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures during the show as it is not sent on television yet and phones might disturb the production. But do not worry, I will describe our day for you.

First of all, it lasts foreeeeever. From we lined up to get in to the venue and to we sat on the tube on our way home, we had probably been there for about 5 hours. And we only got to see 10-ish auditions. So a TV production like this takes forever to shoot.

When sitting in the audience they can record you whenever, both image and audio. Therefore we had to look pretty at all times when in the venue, and make sure we did not say anything inappropriate that might feature on television (would be typical us though). We also had to look really engaged in the performances, even though some of them were really, really, really bad. I will just mention that one of the contestants sang “Spin your love, to the top, to the top“, and only that, for about 3 minutes straight.

As cool in real life as on television

And last, but not least, there are so many people involved in this production. The judges’ look had to be fixed between every contestant, and each judge had about 2-3 stylists/hairdressers/makeup artists each. One guy was just there to entertain the audience between the acts. 20-something people were holding cameras, and that was just the people I could see from my seat. We had 10-something people walking around with ear plugs doing something important (I hope), and so on. So you can imagine how many people are behind a production like this, and this was just an audition.

Until next time,
Silje

(PS: I do not think I have ever written a post so long with only two pictures, so apologies for that, but a blogger has got to do what a blogger has to do when there are no cameras allowed)

XFactor Final (Yes, this year as well)

The X Factor final might as well become an annual tradition for me. 

I am so lucky to have a friend like Chelsea. She is always updated on the latest celebrity news, concerts, where to see them and last but not least: always know how to experience cool stuff for free!

In December we went to the X Factor final 2015, as we did in 2014. And I have to say the experience just keeps getting better for each year. The contestants gets better, the live performances from already known artists and bands improves and the design of the stage and venue is as cool as always.

What: The X-Factor Final
Where: The SSE Arena, Wembley
When: Annually, usually in mid-December
How: To get free tickets to events like this, just register at Applause Store, find your country and apply for the tickets you want. It is completely free, but the selection is random, so we were just lucky to get tickets two years in a row. 

The one and only Adele

The stage

The X-stage

Panorama of the venue

Coldplay

One Direction

This year One Direction was doing their last live performance before their break, Coldplay sang their latest single (at the time) ‘Adventure of a Lifetime’ and the stunning Adele performed ‘Hello’. As I said, the performances just keeps getting better.

If you do not have goosebumps by now, you are not a living creature.

This year as last year, I had no knowledge whatsoever of who the finalists were. I blame it on the fact that I do not have a TV or a license in my flat. But after watching them perform on stage, I have to say the winner, Louisa Johnson, was a good choice. I wish I could sing like that when I was that young. Maybe in my next life.

Until next time,
Silje

Come with me to Trondheim

I just realized I have so much catching up to do on this blog. My iPhoto galleries are just flooding with pictures I was supposed to publish here this summer (woops). So you just have to bear with me while I update you on my life for the last 6 months.

One of my flat mates, Gina, is from Trondheim, Norway. Her birthday is in the end of July, so this summer Sandra and I went to her city to celebrate her birthday!

It would take me about 8 hours to drive (Norway is all about mountains you know), but it only takes me 45 minutes by fly there, the tickets were reasonably priced and I had never been there before so I thought “Why not?”

Reunion time

Happy flatmates

Blessed with nice weather

Flatmate selfie

Kristiansten Fortress

Kristiansten Fortress

My beautiful country

Kristiansten Fortress

What a view!

 

Considering that I had never been there before, we decided to go on an adventure and explore almost every corner of the city. In Bergen we are ‘blessed’ with over 200 days of rain a year, so I was pleased that the rain did not follow me this time (knock on wood)!

Trondheim

Old Town Bridge

View from Old Town Bridge

Nidaros Cathedral

Nidaros Cathedral

Nidaros Cathedral

Old Tower Bridge

Solsiden = The Sunny Side

Old Town Bridge

Nidaros Cathedral

How beautiful is this city really? I think I liked it so much I have already decided to do my Masters degree there, even though I do not know if they have a program I would like to do my Masters in (woops). I will figure something out, as long as I get to live in this city once in my life I am satisfied.

Until next time,
Silje x

I have to show you Friendsgiving

Happy Sunday! I can actually say this with confidence considering that I did not go out last night which really makes today so much better.

This blog has shown you plenty of Norwegian traditions that my family and I do at certain occasions such as Christmas and Easter. It is not so odd considering that I am Norwegian. Ever since first year of uni, Chelsea has been one of my closest friends and she is from Canada. Her other Norwegian friends and I have made her try a lot of our Norwegian traditions, customs and not least our food.

A couple of months ago, in November, we were invited to ‘Friendsgiving’ at her place. I know, right? ‘Friendsgiving’? What is that?

Very accurate description

(Description from Urban Dictionary)

Sandra and I brought wine while Chelsea and her flatmates was responsible for the food. I have never done a Thanksgiving dinner before, so my expectations were only from movies and TV series, but Chelsea did not let me down!

How amazing is this?!

And this was only for 5 people (wops)

We had turkey, two (!) different stuffings, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, green beans and vegetables! I do not know why other countries have not adapted to this kind of meal. Chelsea, if you read this, I am inviting myself over for ‘Friendsgiving’ this year as well.

Until next time,
Silje x

Longing for summer

Whoever said university is about making friends, going out and having fun was lying. At this moment I am a bit overwhelmed with all the uni work I have to do in the next couple of weeks. My social life is pretty much non-existent as all I do is to go to uni, go to the gym and read, write and study.

I was just thinking about a holiday the other day, and it made me think of my summer holidays last year when I went to Turkey for two weeks with my family. So right now, in addition to being overwhelmed, I am longing back to those carefree days on the beach.

Alanya, Turkey

Alanya Bay

Not too cold

Lazy days

Yep, I was here until 6pm

Strawberry beach

Turkish lunch

 

My mum and step-dad bought a flat in Oba, Turkey before it was built, and I remember I was thinking “Okay, that is a bit sketchy”, but I am so happy with it because it is one of the most relaxing places I have ever been to.

Oba is just outside of Alanya (which I am sure everybody has heard of), so it is only 5 minutes top by taxi to a more central place where you can go out, go on party cruises and explore some of the typical “chartered holidays”. The advantage of being in Oba is that you have everything you need, restaurants, bars, beaches and supermarkets, very close by but you also have a bigger city if you are keen on exploring the city life.

I could not find any good pictures of the complex where we live, but I found a video for you. (And I am pretty sure my little brother and nephew is featured in it)

I will just leave you there, longing for a holiday in the sun, just so you can share this feeling with me while suffering through a cold February.

Until next time,
Silje x

MTV Cribs version 2.0

Hi, again all (or none, I do not check statistics).

When I went back to London in September after a veeery looong summer holiday in Norway, I moved into a new flat with Sandra and Gina. After living in halls during my first year at university, it was so nice to finally have a living room, a functioning kitchen and a place to actually call “home”.

So welcome to MTV Silje’s Cribs version 2.0 (in case you forgot why this is supposed to be funny, I did a version 1.0 during my first year of my room in halls). First, the most important room: the bedroom.

My desk

One of my closets (with Sandra’s stuff)

My bed and view

I could get used to this

Many windows = light and bright

So much space

The number one deal breaker for us when deciding on this flat, was the living room. Last year when living in student halls, we had to use the kitchen when we wanted to have social gatherings. The kitchen was designed to fit 6 people, so doing a dinner with 12 people got pretty tight. So when we saw this living room, we fell completely in love.

Open and bright

A “fireplace”

Our art-contribution from IKEA

Dining table

The best sofa there is

I love our windows!

It is pretty huge am I right? My favourite part of living here is that we get to be the flat that hosts pre drinks, wine nights and dinner parties because we have room for as many as we like (as long as someone sits on the floor, because we have not bought extra chairs, woops)

Until next time,
Silje x

Come with me to Gingerbread Town

I know it is February, but I have not had the time to take you to Bergen this past Christmas. So come with me to Gingerbread Town, an actual town (!!) You might not believe me when saying this, but it is. They even have the Eiffel Tower and The London Eye there. The only downside is that you are not allowed to live there. In Bergen, every year we have an exhibition called ‘Gingerbread Town’ which consists of buildings, transportation vehicles and even people made out of gingerbread.

Gingerbread Town, Bergen

The contributions are made by kindergartens, schools and families in the city of Bergen. It is open every year in all of December and has become a tradition for me to visit every Christmas when I am at home. This year I went with Kristin, whom I study with in London, because she is from Bergen as well!

The house from Up!

Parts of the city

A church

Elsa from Frozen and her castle

It is all gingerbread!

The Flower Pavilion in Bergen

Watch this video below I found on Twitter, and you will totally understand why this has to be a tradition for anyone living in Bergen (or visiting)!

#Xmas Gingerbread Town is a tradition in Bergen, Norway each year 🎅 #godjul 🇳🇴 https://t.co/WMurZt9zfD

— Liam Ó Cairealláin (@Tungtvann) December 23, 2015

If you ever go to Bergen during Christmas, a visit to the world’s biggest Gingerbread Town is mandatory. You will not regret it, and your Christmas mood will increase by at least 100%. I promise!
Until next time,
Silje x

2016. Woah.

So, guess we have not seen each other since May 2015. I am still in London, still attending uni (knock on wood) and still enjoying life in the big city. And it is now 2016, can you believe it? I have been here for a year and a half already!

Considering that this blog was created due to a uni assignment, I sort of forgot all about it during summer holidays last year and when I came back to uni I did not have the time (or I was just lazy) to pick it up again.

But now is the time (according to my module teacher at least) to wipe the dust off this old friend of us called London by Silje, so we are officially back on track. Now I “just” need to plan what to tell you about, where to take you and what to show you. It is going to require a fair share of planning, so bear with me while I try my best.

Until next time,
S x

Come with me to our summer house!

Hi from Norway!

A couple of days ago, Amalie and I joined my family on a day trip to our summer house to check on the boat, the cabin and just enjoy a sunny day in Bergen. You know it is summer when Norwegians start to set their boats to sea!

 

Our summer house is based on an island (yep, only accessible by boat) about 1,5 hour from Bergen City. It is so nice to get away from the city and just enjoy the sea, sun and some time off. I try to turn my phone off while I am there as well, just to be able to relax the most.

Our guest house on the left there.

Guest house + cabin

Fell asleep since I just finished my night shift at work.

Cozy fireplace

Amalie and I

My little brother and my step dad

Selfie time

Bergen is beautiful by sea

Hopefully I will get to spend some time here during my summer break from Uni. I am now working close to full time, but I have to get a weekend off so that I can relax here again.

Until next time,
Silje

Monday blues

Sam Smith – Lay Me Down (Flume Remix)

Tove Lo – Talking Body (Gryffin Remix)

Ellie Goulding – Take Me To Church (Hozier Cover)

 

There we have some songs to get us through this Manic Monday as well. If you have any recommendations for me at Soundcloud, feel free to leave a message. Motivation needs to be shared.

Until next time,
Silje