Positive Week

Very positive week at Frogner House Apartments! Breakfast seminar yesterday went as we said very well and we received good feedback from those who were there. The days have also included interesting meetings with suppliers, cooperating with us during the renovation here at Skovveien 8. We can not yet tell you who they are but it will be mentioned in the future.

We also reserved a meeting with our neighbour Magmalou yesterday, as we are very pleased that they have opened the store right next to us. We will show photographic evidence on their contribution on Thursday next week! Very interesting!

Finally, it must be mentioned that the delivery of our upcoming book and gimmick have been sent today! This is the so-called Idea book, which has won the award as 1 of the 100 best business books of all times. This book is something much more than just a readable book, the book serves as a tool in everyday life to develop and enhance your creativity. When we first read about this book, it was obvious that this is Frogner House Apartments and exactly what we stand for! We are passionated about new ideas, and everyday with us is to think outside the box and dare to be creative.

Breakfast seminar

The breakfast seminar today was a success! We felt that our guests found this meeting inspiring and fun; this was exactly what we wanted so we are very pleased with this arrangement. Our thanks to Steinar Aas from Klinikk Frogner for his insightful stories on stress management practices. We look forward to next seminar, which is 12:04:11. This date we have Anstein Krekke from Total Consult visiting to talk about how important it is to stay active and eating healthy!

A cultural lesson on proper “utepils” behaviour ;-)



(Kafe Celsius, Oslosurf.no; 2010)



I know we are going overboard with all this spring and sunshine and happy times talk, but you might as well get used to it: We are coming out of hibernation and it feels so good we can’t stop sharing it!

One of my favourite tips on how to enjoy this season like a Norwegian is to join in on the tradition of “utepils” - pronounced ooteh-pills. Utepils means outdoors beer, and is the concept of getting some friends together, finding a spot in the sun whether in a restaurant terrace or in a more rural setting, and enjoy your beer or other beverage together with the fresh flow of vitamin D.

Utepils can take place after work or around lunchtime if you have the rest of the day off. It is often intended to be just one beer, but tends to drag out making additional beverages and even food necessary. It’s therefore best not to have too much on your schedule for the rest of the day, and to drink slowly.

The social convention during utepils is to lean back in a slightly slouched position, angle your face to the sun and keep your eyes closed the majority of the time. Let conversation flow naturally, keep to light and humoristic topics and leave all else alone. Bringing up serious topics in this setting is a social faux pas; so just kick back and enjoy!

Recommended places for utepils depending on your location:

Arbinsgate 3 / Vika: Aker Brygge area (Map) 

Ullevålsveien 1 / St. Hanshaugen: Waldemars café (Map)

Skovveien 8 / Frogner: Forest&Brown (Map)   

Daylight saving time

As Stine was saying spring is really great and now it is official!
The night from saturday to sunday we turn the clock one hour forward and the outdoor furniture should be put on place. More information on why we are changing the time can you find here

At Frogner House Apartments we have started spring cleaning, we have placed new flowers in the reception, set up our classic umbrellas for sale again (The Scandinavian summer unfortunately includes some rain!). Furthermore this month we will have breakfast meetings together with our closest clients and we are working hard with our future summer event!

Spring in Oslo

Spring is a beautiful time in Norway, the snow melts and the sun warms us with it's gentle rays. Listen to this famous song "Spring" by Edvard Grieg, it's gorgeous. He really captured the norwegian spirit.

Change from 4 to 2 wheels!

So why not write a small text about bikes now when the spring is knocking on our doors, I hope and believe that there are more people than me waiting for streets empty from snow and until the day you can pack a picnic basket and ride out to Bygdøy or why not Frognerparken.

Is there something more exclusive and beautiful way to get around in the city than with a bike? a classic men's or bike for ladies with a saddle from Brooks, a sign of quality and convenience that makes definitive if not 100% sure more impression than a Porsche Cayenne in central Oslo.

In my opinion there are too few bicycles in Oslo, and I hope this will change, look at Copenhagen they have figured out that totally 36% take there bike to work and by 2015 they should reach 50% I think this is something Oslo should find inspiring, the city would be booth more beautiful and also sustainable! So we at Frogner House Apartments promise that from the 1 of April at least 50% of our crew will take there bike cycle to work.

FEELGOOD FOOD

Pancakes with fresh berries from the greengrocer’s on the corner

Bacon and eggs and fresh bread from the local bakery

Sashimi – buy some good, fresh, Norwegian fish, wasabi and soya

BLT – bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich.

Buy some high-quality mayonnaise, use the toaster

Salad – chop up your favourite vegs, and leave some in the fridge for tomorrow

Blue cheese pasta – all you need is pasta, some good cheese and a splash of cream

Soup! Buy a packet of soup and spice it up with a spoonful of crème fraiche and herbs

Thai chicken! Fry chicken breast with Indian spices, then stir in a little coconut milk. Perfect with naan bread

Chevre – white goat cheese on good, fresh bread with a drop of honey and a little rosemary

Courgettes – simply slice and fry in olive oil with a little thyme

Here it comes, little darlings!

(Foto: The Beatles' Abbey Road 1969)

Here comes the sun,
Here comes the sun, and I say
it's all right

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun,
Here comes the sun, and I say
it's all right

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun,
Here comes the sun, and I say
it's all right

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...

Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear
Here comes the sun,
Here comes the sun, and I say
it's all right

Here comes the sun,
Here comes the sun, and I say
it's all right

I’m not sure I need to say much more. It’s getting lighter, warmer, sunnier, greener, happier… And I’m not just talking about the weather: Norwegians seem to be coming out of hibernation mode, and all around the neighbourhood people are shedding their winter coats, wearing lighter and more colourful clothes. Their bright smiles and contact-seeking eyes light up the sidewalks and coffee shops. Go for a stroll, stop for a coffee, you’ll see for yourself. It’s a sure sign: Spring will come around this year too!

 

(Foto: Kyrre Lien / Scanpix)





(By: George Harrison; The Beatles’ Abbey Road, 1969)

International Women's Day

International Women's Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.It was first marked in New York as a National Women’s Day in 1908. But it wasn’t until 1910 it was established as the International Women’s Day.

This year in Oslo there will be a parade starting from Youngstorvet at 6 PM for those of you who wants to join. I will share with you a little short story about how you can manage anything if you don’t give up and don't listen if someone tells you that you can’t and won’t achieve your goals or make your dreams come true.

Happy Women’s Day to all of you Glorious Women out there!!

There once was a bunch of tiny frogs who arranged a climbing competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower.

A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants. The race began. No one in the crowd really believed the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower.
Heard throughout the race were statements such as, “Oh, way too difficult,” “They will never make it to the top,” “Not a chance they will succeed,” and “The tower is too high.”

The tiny frogs began collapsing, one by one—except for those who, in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher. The crowd continued to yell, “It is too difficult! No one will make it!”
More tiny frogs got tired and gave up. But ONE continued to climb higher and higher. This one refused to give up!

At the end of the race, all had given up climbing the tower except for the one tiny frog who, after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top!

All of the other tiny frogs wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it. They asked him how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal.

It turned out that the winning frog was DEAF!!!!

…Never listen to people who have the bad habit of being negative… because they steal the best aspirations of your heart!

Always remind yourself of the power of the words that we hear or read – always think positive!!

The World Ski Championship multinational cheer!

We at Frogner House Apartments are very proud of our winter athletes and their amazing achievements! 

 

(Foto: Erik F. Brandsborg,
Aktiv I Oslo; The winning smile!)

So far, the Norwegian participants have managed 5 gold medals, 4 silvers and 4 Bronzes. And take note: Out of our 5 golds, cross country skier Marit Bjørgen has won 4! That lady deserves a good cheer (everybody ring your cow-bells)! 

Honoring our Polish co-workers, it is important to include that their favourite for this sport Justyna Kowalczyk followed in 2nd place in both the 10 and 15 km races. Good job keeping up!

The male cross country skiing competitions have not been as reliable, as different contestants reach the top placement with each race. Norwegian Petter Northug is the only name that appears more than once on the medalist lists, with 1 gold and 2 silvers. Northug is famous for his powerful races to the finishline, something Sweden seems to have been preparing for as all their medals so far are from the sprint races!

Norwegian ski-jumpers surprisingly works best as a team these days, getting silver in the "normal hill" . We are eager to see how they will manage the "large hill" competition, which starts tomorrow afternoon. Poland keeps challenging...

(Foto: Lene Haug, Aktiv I Oslo.no)

The announcement ceremonies at Universitetsplassen in Oslo City Center has had a great audience, both in size and ambiance. It's become a gathering point for viewers after the competitions are over, and the "Happy Hour" hot spot for those of us who work. Put on your warmest clothes, find an out-door bar (open just for the occasion) and enjoy the good moods of everyone around you!

And there is still a lot to look forward to.

Today:

Men's combined ski-jump, large hill (NOW!)

Men's cross country leg race 4 x 5 km (16:00)

Medal ceremony at Universitetsplassen (19:30)

Tomorrow:

Women's cross country 30km (12:00)

Men's team ski-jump "large hill" (15:30)

Medal ceremony at Universitetsplassen (19:30)

Sunday:

Men's cross country 50km (13:00)

Medal ceremony and VM celebration at Holmenkollen (15:30)

One advantage of being a multicultural workplace is that as a team we're cheering for more than one nationality, and consequently we're pretty much invincible this championship! Even Brazil has 7 contestants, but we have yet to see them on the placement lists. We cheer them along anyway for you, amigo!



Attractive cities in 2011

Lonely Planet has listed the most attractive cities in 2011; and if they can, Frogner House Apartment can. So here is the list over the cities we at Frogner House Apartments (mostly me personally) find interesting and recommend our readers to take a look at in the year 2011.

1. Oslo – Spring is great! When a city has winter 7 month a year everyone can imagine how people wake up and get an extra big smile on there faces when the first sun arrives and the temperature goes over 10 + Celsius!
2. Amsterdam - A modern and urban Paris with a touch of New York, buy a bottle of Rose wine and enjoy it by the side of one of all beautiful cannels.
3. Miami – Our general manager, Arne, consider this city to be one of his favourites. He has many travel memories among others when he rented a cab and drove to the airport to pick up his friends with Will Smiths classic song Welcome to Miami playing on the radio. I think you get the picture!
4. Delhi – All the interesting story’s guests have told us about India and particular Delhi in the past year have created an enormous interest and personal feeling about this city!
5. Hong Kong – Combines’ the best of all world, enjoy the mountains, skyscrapers and history!

Now the moment we all been waiting for...

Who will be the lucky winner of our competition?

We have drawn out a fan from our facebook fanpage who can look forward to a memorable weekend here at Frogner House Apartments 4th-6th of March.

Big congratulations from all of us in Frogner House to

Bernt Skjelbred!!!

Competition!

Invite your friends to like this page! Today March 1st, we will announce one lucky fan who will get a free stay Friday 4th - Sunday 6th of March in a studio for 2 persons!

Tip: There are still tickets available to Ski-VM in Holmenkollen, and plenty of free events in the city centre!