Copywriter meets web 2.0

I’ve been all over the place in Porsgrunn, Viola’s hometown, enjoying beautiful forests, parks, rivers, and lakes. Norway can be compared to the ‘New Zealand’ of the Northern Hemisphere, or ‘Fraser’s Hill’ country. The air is fresh, cool, clean; very unlike polluted PJ. It’s late spring, average daytime temperature is 14 degrees Celsius, nighttime can be a cold 8 degrees.

After getting engaged on the 21st, we had a BBQ-birthday-engagement party at the patio of the house. Thick, juicy pork steaks aplenty! Oolala! Three delectable cakes! I was trying to speak basic Norwegian (Norsk) as best I can :) Viola’s mom and dad speak very little English.

I had a jolly time in the woods recently with Viola’s relatives. We actually chopped down a pine tree for firewood! I got to use a chainsaw and learn how to chop wood wth an axe! Beats sitting in front of my desk chewing up briefs and spitting out copy.

Viola and I visited Oslo yesterday. It was a couple of hours’ drive from Porsgrunn. The capital is a small city with 700,000 residents. A must-see is Vigeland’s Park with over 200 statues. I loaded a photo we took in the park into Picassa.

Today is Sunday and I’m taking it easy at home. Viola spoils me continually with coffee, cocoa, and food of all kinds. Speaking of food, I’ve been feeling very at home with the Norwegian spread I’ve been given :P Meatballs made with beef, fried Trout, Salmon, brown cheeze (yum), very high-fibre bread, itzallgood. To not put on weight eating all this Carbo, I’ve been going to the gym to work out.

The Norwegian government takes care of its people really well. I mean REALLY well. Say if you’re broke, the State will give you money to rent a flat, buy you a stove and a fridge, give you money for food and expenses - even pay your bus fare to work!

Every citizen who gives birth in this country receives about 18,000 Ringgit immediately, per kid! The new mother gets a year’s paid leave, i.e. the government pays her to take time off from work to take care of her baby. The father gets 2 months’ paid paternity leave. Working or non-working mothers get money every month, a minimum of RM500 per kid, until their kid turns 18. These are only a few of the numerous benefits the country gives its people. I don’t think there is another country in this world that does so much for its countrymen.

To look at a few photos, click here.

We were sitting with our backs on the rockface of a hill,

a grassy patch was our small mat, an ancient cleft on the rock became a seat for two,

we had 180 degree views of a wide river winding lazily past the hill,

a few houses hardly lining the riverbanks were in view, berry red walls, white window panes,

it was cold but the spring sun was shining gloriously on our faces,

and it was there I took out the ring and asked her to marry me.

After pausing a moment, she smiled, and said Yes.

We drank in the wonderful intimacy as we watched the wildflowers dance,

The wind offered its music, the breeze blowed the scent of our love

and my deep, satisfied sigh, far, far, away.

High on coffee in Starhill.

Entrance to JW Marriot, KL, from Starhill. ‘Stars’ change colour!

Seeing clearly in Ming Yen’s farewell in Social, Bangsar.

Effects of Carlsberg factory visit. (Desmond the Bunnie).

More after effects. (Chee Wee the Cancer Stick Rabbit).