Photos by YJ Productions As we get older and forge our individual paths into adulthood, it is natural for friendships to evolve. Friends move across the country (or even out of the country) for jobs, relationships, or other opportunities, which inevitably means the logistics of keeping up with the people we love get more complicated. […] The post Long distance friendships appeared first on Reason For...

Photos by YJ Productions

As we get older and forge our individual paths into adulthood, it is natural for friendships to evolve. Friends move across the country (or even out of the country) for jobs, relationships, or other opportunities, which inevitably means the logistics of keeping up with the people we love get more complicated. After moving to Norway, I am hundreds of miles away from some of my closest friends. Across the distance, I still try to maintain correspondence with a handful of close friends that I made at various stages of life — the kind who I can talk to for hours at a time despite not having contact for months.

Just thirty years ago, the thought of moving across the country would have doomed many friendships; fortunately, the rise of social media has enabled us to keep friends who would otherwise have faded out of our lives. But even with Skype, Facetime, and WhatsApp, it can be hard to keep in touch with friends you do not see regularly — schedules do not align, someone forgets, or misunderstandings arise. Here are some ideas to help your friendship stand the test of time (and distance):

1. Make time for video calls

Two of my closest friends from college live on opposite sides of the world — one in California and the other in Brunei — so we do not get to see each other as often as we did in college. That is why we have each others’ cities on our world clocks and find a time that works for Skype every few months, just to keep updated on each others’ lives — a lot like old times! Prioritising your face-to-face time means ensuring that your friendship continues to grow, even with miles between you.

2. Be open and honest

When it comes to long distance friendships, communication and honesty go hand in hand. It can be annoying when your friend does not return a call or takes three days to respond; and frustrating when it seems like they make no effort to see you. But know that it can be hard to focus on friends that you are not seeing on a regular basis — maybe your friend is still getting used to the distance, is overwhelmed with work, or is having a personal crisis. Check in from time to time, be supportive, and let them come to you. Remember, texting back and forth all the time is not a measure of how successful or strong your friendship is; it is more important to be understanding and appreciative of the time you do get together.

3. Small gestures make a big difference

Send a postcard when you are on vacation. Send a little care package of their favorite things. Send them a random text with an inside joke you shared. If you are shopping and see something that reminds you of them, snap a picture and send it to them. These are all little things that sum up to show that you are grateful for having that friend in your life.

4. Celebrate milestones

Always remember birthdays and other important milestones by sending (at least) a card with a sweet, thoughtful message. Be supportive and celebrate your friends’ wins like they are your own; after all, you are friends because they are awesome and inspire you, right? 😉

5. Quality > Quantity

Friends are around for a season, a reason, or a lifetime, so having truly good friends is so much more rewarding than having many friends. Only you know when it is time to move on and when it is worth putting in the effort. Friendships should fuel you, so know the real gems from the fakes and cut your losses if you feel that the friendship is draining you instead. Invest only in those who will have your back in the long run!

Shoutout to my long-distance besties, Josh and Farah, for inspiring this post!

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Initially completed in 1833, the Observatory is the oldest part of Oslo University. In 1834, Christopher Hansteen moved into the building and conducted scientific measurements and astronomical observations for the annual Norwegian almanac. Thanks to him, Oslo (then called Kristiania) moved toward standard time, weights, and maps. Architecture Designed by architect Christian Heinrich Grosch, the […] The post The Observatory appeared first on Reason For...

Initially completed in 1833, the Observatory is the oldest part of Oslo University. In 1834, Christopher Hansteen moved into the building and conducted scientific measurements and astronomical observations for the annual Norwegian almanac. Thanks to him, Oslo (then called Kristiania) moved toward standard time, weights, and maps.

Architecture

Designed by architect Christian Heinrich Grosch, the Observatory is a three-story building done in a neoclassical style (like most of the university buildings from that time). The focal point of the building is an ornately-decorated rotunda that led to the observation rooms.

Bust of Christopher Hansteen at the Observatory

The Observatory was recently refurbished to commemorate the University of Oslo’s 200th anniversary and is now adorned with instruments and decor from Hansteen’s time. Much of the 19th-century technology was reinstated, such as the mechanically-controlled opening roof in the Astronomical Tower (below).

The Observatory’s Astronomical Tower

The Meridian Room

Perhaps the most important room in the history of the Observatory, the Meridian Room is where Hansteen determined the longitude of Kristiania through fastidious observations of the North Star and collaboration with the Royal Society in London. Initially, he intended for the 0-degree (meridian) line to pass through this room; but the Englishmen beat him by having it in Greenwich (on the outskirts of London) instead.

The roof and windows open up for a 360-degree view of Oslo – from north to south

As the city expanded, the Observatory no longer stands unobstructed on the hilltop. Though it is no longer used for looking at the stars, the Observatory serves as a significant historical and architectural site in Norway’s past journey to become a sovereign nation.

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The past few months have been a busy period and, as you can tell, I have not been able to update the blog as much as I once did. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support and for being patient with the sporadic post schedule. Now that […] The post RFB is 2! appeared first on Reason For...

The past few months have been a busy period and, as you can tell, I have not been able to update the blog as much as I once did. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support and for being patient with the sporadic post schedule. Now that I am settled back into daily life, this will definitely change in the upcoming months

Photos by Emma Dell’Elba
Makeup by Gro

Have a great week ahead!

The post RFB is 2! appeared first on Reason For Beauty.

A few weeks ago, I went on a weekend trip to Trysil, the largest ski resort in Norway. Located about 200 km (2.5 hours by car) northeast of Oslo, the resort is run by Skistar and occupies the Trysilfjellet mountain. Radisson Blu Resort, Trysil We stayed at the Radisson Blu Resort behind the Tourist Centre […] The post Trysil, Norway’s ultimate ski destination appeared first on Reason For...

A few weeks ago, I went on a weekend trip to Trysil, the largest ski resort in Norway. Located about 200 km (2.5 hours by car) northeast of Oslo, the resort is run by Skistar and occupies the Trysilfjellet mountain.

Radisson Blu Resort, Trysil

We stayed at the Radisson Blu Resort behind the Tourist Centre for the duration of our time in Trysil and found the location extremely convenient, as there was only a short walk to the ski lifts and buses to the downtown area. Most of the rooms have a nice view of the slopes outside.

The hotel has several restaurants on its premises, as well as facilities such as spa, swimming pool, and bowling alley. On the right side of the lobby, there is a large ski shop for guests’ last-minute ski needs. Between the bar and the reception, there is a large lounge area as well as a round table with a fire pit in the centre.

Downtown Trysil

Though there are buses from downtown Trysil to the slopes, their running times are limited and are mostly designed to get you to the slopes and back. Since Trysil is a ski town, there is not much to do here other than snow sports. The downtown area was mostly devoid of activity but can be worth a trip if you want different food than that offered at the mountain hotels.

Trysil City Hall

Trysil Ski Museum

We stopped by Trysil Hotel to check out the microbrewery located there, but it seemed like the workers had gone skiing.

The microbrewery inside Trysil Hotel

Because of the later sunrise and earlier sunset during the ski season, skiing in Norway ends earlier than in many other ski destinations. Around 4 PM, the on-mountain pubs begin to fill with people in ski gear looking to unwind after a day in the slopes. This Norwegian “afterski” closely resembles clubbing, just in the afternoon and with ski gear.

Overall, I had a nice time in Trysil but wish that I could ski better so that I could fully enjoy the resort. There are plenty more things to do here in the summer as well, so I could imagine returning then

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This post contains affiliate links. The snow has finally thawed, marking the arrival of spring in Oslo. This blazer from Ralph Lauren is great for this time of the year because it is versatile enough to dress up a simple t-shirt or add personality to a preppy outfit. Paired with a beret, it lends a […] The post Red, white & blue appeared first on Reason For...

This post contains affiliate links.

The snow has finally thawed, marking the arrival of spring in Oslo. This blazer from Ralph Lauren is great for this time of the year because it is versatile enough to dress up a simple t-shirt or add personality to a preppy outfit. Paired with a beret, it lends a French feel and is great for sunny days that are not warm enough for a dress.

Photos by Clean Shot Photography – Eivind Nilsen

Beret: H&M
Blazer: Ralph Lauren
Trousers: Ivanka Trump

Get the look

Enjoy the rest of your week!

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“Created by nature, inspired by fire” Fire played a vital role to the Vikings, not only for survival purposes like meal preparation, but also in discussions, folklore, and even death. Viking funerals often involved cremation, whether the dead were buried in the ground or sent out into the open sea. At the heart of Stavanger, […] The post The FireLake experience appeared first on Reason For...

“Created by nature, inspired by fire”

Fire played a vital role to the Vikings, not only for survival purposes like meal preparation, but also in discussions, folklore, and even death. Viking funerals often involved cremation, whether the dead were buried in the ground or sent out into the open sea. At the heart of Stavanger, where the Vikings once roamed, FireLake Grill House returns to these roots by providing a unique grill experience that encourages amicable conversation and familial sharing.

“Connecting ancient Norwegian food culture to you”

You can tell that FireLake takes pride in its vision because the staff takes time to explain the restaurant concept to you—how everything, from the name to the menu items to the portions, revolves around the idea of fire uniting people. Here, you can really take time to enjoy your meal and your company.

Viking “Mjød” bread was traditionally made from water, spices and honey.

Hand-picked limousin sirloin and 12-hour brisket with smoked chili mayonnaise

From the impeccable service to the delectable taste and presentation of food, FireLake provides an outstanding experience for locals and visitors to Stavanger alike. I highly recommend the 12-hour brisket with FireLake rub (pictured above).

If I ever visit Stavanger again, FireLake is definitely a stop I will make!

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