We had the pleasure of hosting some new friends from Norway today! Let me tell you why Norway has special meaning to me.....my great-great-great grandfather on my mom's side is from there...I am part Norwegian :-) I even found out recently from a cousin exactly where my mom's ancestors immigrated from and it has been so interesting to learn more about that part of my background. Just a little side note....when they immigrated from Norway, they settled in Michigan...and we drove right through that area this summer on our way to Traverse City. Guaranteed we will stop and visit the town and surrounding area when we go through there again!!
Paul and I were in the Oslo airport a few years ago on our way to Denmark and at that time we really wished we could stay longer and do some exploring. Well, we're finally getting that chance when we go back this September on our way back to Denmark. This time we will be staying in Oslo for 1 1/2 days which is still not long enough but we will see all we can see in that short amount of time. We won't be able to visit the town where my ancestors are from because it is on the other side of the country and a little difficult to get to because of the topography, but at least we'll be in Norway!
Meanwhile, Paul became acquainted with Dr. Elsa Kristiansen from the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences in Oslo. She is a contributor to an upcoming book that Paul has coming out in 2013 and she has also published in his journal (
IJSC). During their communication, we found out that Elsa's daughter was coming to IU to be on the swim team!! So, because it is almost time for IU to start classes, we were able to meet them all today! It was such a pleasure!
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| Siri is taking our picture where we went for lunch....the Tudor Room on campus. |
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| Dr. Kristiansen presenting to a group of students/faculty/visitors. Paul will present to some of Elsa's students when we are at her school in September. |
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| Dr. Kristiansen with the IU Sport Management faculty. |
So, we are excited to have new friends from Norway and it's neat to realize that we will see each other again in September as well as any time they visit Siri here at IU. And, of course, we hope to see Siri on campus and cheer for her on the swim team! Connections like this make the world of ours not seem quite so big!
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| I wanted to add this picture because I just got it from Elsa this morning. Now you can see Siri too! |
