Day 101 and 102: 17. mai! And grøt!

Hello!

I think this will be the most "Norwegian" post so far xD

Sunday 17. of May

Here are some facts why Norway celebrate the 17th of May:

Norwegian Constitution Day is the National Day of Norway and is an official national holiday observed on May 17 each year. Among Norwegians, the day is referred to simply as syttende mai (meaning Seventeenth May), Nasjonaldagen (The National Day) or Grunnlovsdagen (The Constitution Day), although the latter is less frequent.

The Constitution of Norway was signed at Eidsvoll on May 17 in the year 1814. The constitution declared Norway to be an independent kingdom in an attempt to avoid being ceded to Sweden after Denmark–Norway's devastating defeat in the Napoleonic Wars.

The celebration of this day began spontaneously among students and others from early on. However, Norway was at that time in a union with Sweden (following the Convention of Moss in August 1814) and for some years the King of Sweden and Norway was reluctant to allow the celebrations. For a few years during the 1820s, King Karl Johan actually banned it, believing that celebrations like this were in fact a kind of protest and disregard — even revolt — against the union.^[1] The king's attitude changed after the Battle of the Square in 1829, an incident which resulted in such a commotion that the king had to allow commemorations on the day. It was, however, not until 1833 that public addresses were held, and official celebration was initiated near the monument of former government minister Christian Krohg, who had spent much of his political life curbing the personal power of the monarch. The address was held byHenrik Wergeland, thoroughly witnessed and accounted for by an informant dispatched by the king himself.

After 1864 the day became more established when the first children's parade was launched in Christiania, at first consisting only of boys. This initiative was taken by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, although Wergeland made the first known children's parade at Eidsvoll around 1820. It was only in 1899 that girls were allowed to join in the parade for the first time.

By historical coincidence, the Second World War ended in Norway nine days before that year's Constitution Day, on May 8, 1945, when the occupying German forces surrendered. Even if The Liberation Day is an official flag day in Norway, the day is not an official holiday and is not widely celebrated. Instead, a new and broader meaning has been added to the celebration of Norwegian Constitution Day on May 17.

Jimmy and I went to the Norwegian cafe "Fuglen" in Shibuya to "celebrate" 17. mai. I also invited my friend Moemi! It wasn't much of a celebration, but it was awesome to eat Norwegian waffles with brown cheese and jam! Yum <3 

 Lemonade and choco milk

 The Norwegian flag! 

 YUMMMM!!!!! DELISH~~

 ~Moemi and I~ Moemi was an exchange student in Norway for about a year ago, so she can speak Norwegian. We had a good time speaking Norwegian, but Jimmy's swedish was a little too difficult, hehe.  Moemi's pronunciation is super good! And I'm very proud that she is still able to speak Nowegian even though it is a long time since she was in Norway ^_^

 The cutest little stand ever!

 After eating and chatting Moemi went home and Jimmy and I went to Omotesando in search for a cheese slicer (for my brunost). On the way we passed the Thai fest we were to yesterday, and it was EVEN MORE PEOPLE today! CRAZYYY!!! This was just on the way, you can think how the fest was!

 We didn't find a cheese slicer, but we went for a long walk in the sun. On the way we stopped at two different cafes to treat ourselves with some good food and drinks <3

 And on the way we saw some pretty things

Before going to bed I skyped with my family. They were in their prettiest dresses celebrating Norway. They ate delish dessert that I couldn't eat...So jelly... I also played with my nephew via skype! So much fun! I'm looking forward to see my family again <3
Monday 18th of May

In about 3 weeks we have our midterm exam in Japanese. And of course: I'm very nervouse about it. I asked and luckily the test is going to be the same as what we've been doing in class. That way I know what to expect and it's something I'm familiar with. But still; I really want to do good! Thats why I today went over all my homework in Japanese! I also need to learn more vocabulary... So much to dooo~ 

When I got home I made grøt! And it truned out very good! 

I'm going to make some for the people at the house tomorrow ^_^