A cold season coloured warm!

Cold, cloudy and grey – that’s the typical Norwegian fall weather. But don’t let it get you down! As we say in Norway: There are seven kinds of weather in the autumn night...

Here are 7 things you can do in one night (now that the nights are stretching longer and longer):

1. Bake!
   Nothing beats fresh cinnamon buns straight from the oven…
2. Go for a walk
   Explore the Bygdøy area or stroll along the Akerselva river and enjoy the scenery!
3. Light a scented candle
   Take some time to think of happy memories which make you smile.
4. Read about something that interests you
   …and try to see it in a different light!
5. Make a new friend
   Ask someone you don’t normally hang out with to join you for a casual evening of games – how about some cards or a mind wrecking game of chess?
6. Go see a movie at the theatre
   Premiering today are among others the drama "One day" and comedy "Tower Heist.
7. Pay someone a compliment
   Let someone know why they amaze you! It will make them feel good, and yourself too!

How strange that the chilly fall brings out such warm colours in nature! The fiery leaves of yellow and red, the earthly browns of tree trunks and soil and the indescribable beauty of the peachy twilight horizon...

A minute of deafening silence

“I love you”

“I care about you”

“I am there for you”

“Take my hand, I will stay with you”

“I will listen to you and support you”

“Let me give you a hug and keep you safe”

“Let’s lean on each other and share our grief”

“Together we can get through this”

Yet sometimes words are just not enough. This afternoon, at 12:00, we will take 1 minute together to say all these things without speaking, a moment of silence to honour those who lost their lives, to support those who were injured, to keep safe those who are scared and to share the burden of grief with those who need it. We will hold hands and lean on each other, and our togetherness will lift the threat of these terrors. We care about one other, love one other and will be there for one other. This is how and why we are so strong, and so free.

At 18:00 this evening, there will be a gathering at ‘Rådhusplassen’ (The City Hall square) for peace and to honour those affected by these terrors. Bring a white or red rose, and walk with the people to ‘Youngstorget’ to show your support.

This event is organized partly via facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=235053733194180

With all our hearts, we give thanks to our guests for your amazing strength and calmness through these past days, to the international community for your concern and support world wide, to all of Scandinavia for your participation in this silent call of love, and for anyone helping to promote peace and democracy.

A clean canvas and bright ideas!

Skovveien 8 is now totally empty, all of the old furniture is taken out and inside we have sixty rooms to renovate, fill up with new and homely inventory, great colours and to make a home for you.

The job of renovating in it self is not easy, to do sixty rooms in sixty days and, to make a real homely apartment for our guest is even harder. Still we know that we can do this, we all believe in our self at Frogner House Apartments, and we know that we can create a home when you’re not.

We are filling up the building with great workers, we let our creativity do it’s best and we take all of the good ideas down to writing. Just after to weeks we are starting to see the great changing in the building. Skovveien 8 are being shaped as we have planed and hoped. All of this gives us great hope for the weeks to come. So we are still going strong and keeping up the great work. We are so exited to see the finished Skovveien 8 and most of all we are looking forward to wishing you welcome to a great home!

What to do on a rainy day?

When it rains I love going to the cinema! My favorite cinema in Oslo is definitely Gimle cinema. It`s old fashioned and very charming. You can even buy a glass of wine or two and take it with you into the movie theatre.

Gimle cinema is placed at Bygdøy Alle 39, just 5 minutes walking from Skovveien 8, and has since the opening in 1937 been well known to show artistic and quality movies. Right now, it is Woody Allen`s new romantic comedy A midnight in Paris. The film was premiering at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival in May, and is fable-like, with a sense of “when you wish upon a star” quality. I would say this is his best and most enjoyable work in years!

Gimle cinema also broadcasts Opera from the Met in New York.

If it`s raining, or if you just want to be entertained, I would suggest you visit Gimle cinema. It`s absolutely worth trying!

Check out: http://www.oslokino.no/kinofakta/gimle/
And the weather forecast: http://www.yr.no/place/Norway/Oslo/Oslo/Oslo/

Kolonihagen - Frognerveien 33

Just behind our main office at Skovveien 8 there is a fantastic restaurant/coffee/ eco-shop named Kolonihagen. The concept is genuine and well thought out: Their vision is to be an organic diverse concept where you can have coffee, enjoy a delicious lunch, eat a nice dinner and have the ability to purchase your organic vegetables and herbs to take home. The suppliers for the boutique are a hand-picked few - it is only the very best who get selected, and they often only have one supplier for a specific commodity. This because we as guests should enjoy the highest quality of what Norway has to offer!

The dishes at the lunch- and dinner menu are simple and appealing: They serve simple smørebrød, salads and soups for lunch and a bit heavier dishes for dinner. Something you shouldn’t miss when visiting this lovely shop is their bakery! Make time for a morning walk down to the shop and buy their popular muesli bread, and enjoy it during a late breakfast - this is something everyone should try!


Opening hours:
Monday-Saturday: 11-23
Sunday: 11-17

You can easily find more information about the parts of this concept which you find the most interesting. I’m adding a couple of specific links with this text to my personal points of interest:

For more information about the restaurant and cafe: Info

For more info on their bakery: Info

For more info on their vegetable sales: Info

A historic look around Ullevålsveien 1

What I find extra interesting about Frogner House apartments' different addresses, is that each location has historic significance. In the area surrounding Ullevålsveien 1, one can clearly define the development through time by the architechtural styles of the buildings.



(Map: St. Hanshaugen 1917)

 Remnants from early Iron Age habitation has been found in the area. Several man-made mounds towards the Stensberg park distinguish what was probably a defence point from 400 – 600 AD, before the population was Christianized in the late 1000’s. One of the oldest roads from medieval Oslo ran from the Aker church, crossing the St. Hanshaugen district and Ullevålsveien, connecting this church to the Akershus fortress by the Aker Brygge waterfront. Aker church is probably the oldest standing building in Oslo, built in the late 1000’s to support the local community silver-rich galena miners. This was the first mine in Norway, named Akersberget, and it continued production until 1579.

Surrounding Aker church were mainly farms and farmland, which were divided in 1629 by King Christian IV (Danish king and head of Union, see blog from May 16^th) and given to citizens of the city, which was then called Christiania (now Oslo). The citizens built houses there, creating a suburb of small houses and narrow streets. The area east of the ‘Akersveien’ street, including streets ‘Dops gate’, ‘Telthusbakken’ and ‘Damstredet’, consists of small wooden houses from the late 1700s, which are very well preserved. The upper part of the ‘Akersgata’ street developed in the early 1800s with more wooden houses with the typical fenced-in gardens.     

('Dops Gate' street)



As the settlement expanded and the population in Oslo increased towards the mid 1800s, the neighbourhood gradually grew part of Christiania city. St. Olavs catholic cathedral, just across the road from Ullevålsveien 1, was built in 1856, and the protestant ‘Trefoldighetskirken’ church just down the street followed in 1858. Both are built in the Gothic Revival architectural style. From the 1860’s, the area around Ullevålsveien 1 and the ‘St. Olavs gate’ street was developed with more mason townhouses ("swiss villas") . The St. Hanshaugen hill was developed by the district council in 1865, when 1275 trees were planted. The entire city, including the St. Hanshaugen area, experienced a tremendous growth spurt. In 1899, collective transportation ran up Ullevålsveien in the form of a horse drawn tramline.   

(Making of St. Hanshaugen Park stream, 1889)

Some Art Nuveau, or "Jugend", buildings mark the turn of the 19^th century, such as Ullevålsveien nr 48 and 50, as well as the old government building (now treasury department) in ‘Apotekergata’ street, towards the city centre. Further buildings in the 1900s are dominated by functionalism and neo-classicism, for example by the south-east corner of St. Hanshaugen Park by the streets ‘Collets gate’ and ‘Louises gate’. The public library, "Deichmanske bibliotek", from 1933 is the light green, neo classisist building seen on the left hand side down the street from Ullevålsveien 1. Further down 'Apotekergata' street, the government centralised in buildings resulting from an architechtural competition in 1939. These buildings form the government quarter, or "Regjeringskvartalet", represent what we call the 'brutalist' style, stemming from the "beton brut" idea of massive, untreated concrete exteriors popular in this industrial development era.

(View from the Government quarter, with Deichmanske library in the background)

 In 2005, the entire district of St. Hanshaugen, together with ‘Bislett’ and ‘Ila’, were proposed established as a conservation area. The real estate market prices in the district are the second highest in the country (after the Frogner district), and the current population is typically upper middle class persons between 20 and 39 years old and of higher education.

What are these landmarks known for today?

Iron Age mounds -> ‘Stensbergparken’ Park

Aker Church -> Still in use, and especially popular for weddings

Akersberget mine -> A wonderful restaurant is operating in the red wooden house by the mine entrance, serving high quality food and a great selection of wines and beers.

17-1800s wooden houses -> Still in remarkably good shape and habited by locals who often tend to their gardens with great diligence!

St. Olav’s Cathedral -> Only current catholic cathedral in Oslo

St. Hanshaugen Park -> Very popular for park-lounging, exercising and Sunday pizza at the restaurant on top. 

Deichmanske Bibliotek -> Still functions as a public library, although the building itself is criticized for being too ugly...

(Foto: visitnorway.no - Akersberget restaurant, interior)




(Foto: vibb.no - Akersberget Restaurant, exterior)





Aker Brygge

This unique sea-front boardwalk is one of Oslo's primary attractions. It is a very popular area with a shopping mall, apartment buildings, offices, restaurants, bars, a cinema and a theatre.

Aker Brygge is where people meet, mingle and visit. Oslo residents, tourists from all over the world, business people on the move, as well as musicians, artists, actors, A-, B- and C-celebrities find Aker Brygge their favourite place to hang out.

This area has something for every taste and wallet, but the selection is probably best for persons with well-lined wallets. The waterfront along the fjord is teeming with activity 24 hours a day, particularly in summer, and it doesn’t cost anything to wander along the quay and enjoy life!

Alex Sushi

The whole city of Oslo has countless of nice restaurants that can satisfy even the most discerning food lovers. So read, get inspired, book a table and enjoy Oslo and what its restaurants have to offer!

Today we present a sushi restaurant in the absolute higest level, the name is Alex Sushi, located at Cort Adelers Gate 2 just between our two addresses Skovveien 8 and Arbin Gate 3. The design of the restaurant is attractive with a larger bar in the middle of the room with several chairs around, there are also regular tables if this should be desired. However, in my opinion to sit at the bar is the most intrsesting to see the sushi chefs work with pride and glory of serving most of the sea's freshest ingredients.

The choices are many they have totaly four differents menus with diverse content that is adapted according to the season, if you want a own combined menu you can pick out the sushi you would like on your own. Prices vary depending on menu and drink, but if we look at a classic menu with wine, the price is around 800 Nok which I think is a relatively reasonable amount for a gourmet dinner of the highest quality.

Does the date 17th of May mean anything to you?

No? Well here’s another cultural treat for you! The 17th of May is celebrated by Norwegians everywhere, as it marks the day when our constitution was passed and we received our independence – so to speak. In short, what happened was…:



(Foto: Stortingets arkiv)

Norway had been part of a union with Sweden and Denmark, and had not had our own government for almost 300 years. To put it bluntly, we had no say in national or international affairs, and the proud Nowegians wanted their voices heard. A selection of educated patriots gathered at an estate at Eidsvoll to find a way to peacefully claim our independence. The Eidsvoll council drafted up our constitution and selected a suitable king. They finalized an agreement with Sweden, which was passed the 17th of May 1814. (At this point, Denmark was no longer in the union.) The story doesn’t end there, though. The new king, Christian Frederik, was deposed after only a few months, and Sweden still ruled Norway until 1905. However, we were allowed to keep our constitution, and gradually established our own consulate to build international connections.

(Henrik Wergeland)

King Karl Johan of Sweden, our regent at the time, was not happy about the celebration of the 17th of May, but the more he protested, the bigger the celebrations got. In 1928 in Oslo, a ship called ’Constitutionen’ (translation: ”The Contitution”) was received at the docks on May 17th by a mass of applauding people. The celebration was dispersed by cavalery and infantery. The people accused the government of using unnecessary force, and the author Henrik Wergeland became a key person in the fight for our right to celebrate constitution day. He wrote speeches, songs and supporting articles, and in 1930 our parlament beseeched King Karl Johan to acknowledge the date as a natioanal festive day.

(Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson)

Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, author of our national anthem (in 1864), was also a pioneer. He organized the first children’s parade in Oslo in 1870. The children met at Akershus fortress, passed the parlament building and continued up to the royal palace. The children’s parade is now the main event of our national day, and ever since 1906, the Norwegian royal family has greeted the children from their balcony.

The fight for our right to govern ourselves was long, even after we passed our consitution May 17th 1814. Still, we celebrate this date to honor the Eidsvoll men who rekindeled our belief in Norway as a free nation and the children as our future. So tomorrow, May 17th, take to the street and be part of our proud audience as the children make their way past the statue of King Karl Johan towards the palace. They will be singing the songs written by Wergeland and Bjørnson, cheering for the King and his family - who cheer back from their balcony.

(17th May 2010)

The full plan for the day can be found at here.

Sources: aktivioslo.no; visitoslo.no

It is not a rumor anymore, we are renovating!

These pictures say more than 1000 words, work has started and we see progress after each passing day...

Chocoholics paradise!



(Foto: AJ Chocolate)

Chocolaterie is opening tomorrow (Saturday May 7^th), just around the block from Skovveien 8. From the outside it’s looking very cosy, and I can’t wait to see inside!

Chocolaterie is both a shop and a chocolate bar, offering hand crafted chocolate treats based on old, Belgian traditions. Every morning, the smell of quality chocolate-making will mix with that of their fresh coffee. Yummy!

From experience, I know the dangers of working in close proximity to chocolate very well... And the pleasures of it! Seriously overpowered by chocoholism, I know you will find me there once or twice after work. Who cares about 'happy hour' when you can have quality chocolate and fresh coffee instead?

Pop by to have a look, buy someone a sweet treat, or sit down for a while and enjoy the search for your ultimate favourite chocolate!

Henrik Ibsens Museum

Just around the corner from our adress in Arbinsgate 3, and a few minutes walk from our other two adresses, we find Henrik Ibsens Museum. This is a museum that I would recommend on a rainy day!

Henrik Ibsen is recognized as the founder of the modern drama, and alongside William Shakespeare, he is the most performed playwright in the world! Henrik Ibsen, was a norwegian playwright and poet, he was born in Skien and died in his apartment in Arbins gate 1, in Oslo. Here he lived the last 11 years of his life and wrote his last two plays.

The apartment is now restored to its original splendour with authentic interior an Ibsen´s furniture. The apartment with his study, library, bedroom and dining room shows Ibsen's private sphere and tells about his life in later years. Ibsen had great impact on contemporary issues and current affairs, and his themes are still relevant today.

Get there:
Henrik Ibsensgate 26, Oslo
Take bus or tram to Slottsparken, or enjoy a walk from one of our addresses.
Opening hours and fees: http://www.norskfolkemuseum.no/en/Related-units/The-Ibsen-Museum/Hours-and-Fees/

LEADERSHIP

Earlier this week we held our second breakfast seminar, and this seminar was also successful. We had several guests who mentioned how the seminar was interesting and new for this type of branch.

The seminar was about leadership and how we in the industry often times can learn from leaders in sports, such as their way to lead a team or how a coach can push individual practitioners to achieve new goals. What the sport often does better is to convey specific messages, make quick decisions in hard situations and the most important: Always provide their colleagues with feedback!

It a beautiful day
so I hade to take
some picture of
the beautiful
Frogner. Enjoy!

Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry`s!

Today you can get a free cone of icecream at Ben & Jerry`s in Karl Johans gate. Free cone day is an annual event for every Ben & Jerry`s store worldwide. They are among other things presenting a new flavour from the fair trade market – so now you can eat really good ice cream with a really good conscience!

 Ben & Jerry`s opened their first scoop shop in Oslo in February this year, and it is definitely going to be one of my favourite places to hang out on sunny days this summer! Although a full cone of this delicious ice cream almost contains as much calories as you need for a whole day, it's definitely worth a try. Its oh so good!

The sweet story behind Ben & Jerry`s ice cream began in a gym class in 1966. Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield became friends since they both hated to run and loved to cook. Because of their passion for eating, they both took a 5 dollar corresponding course in how to make ice cream – and opened an ice cream shop in an old gas station in Vermont. The ice cream quick became popular and the rest is as you may know, history.

By: Maren

Weekend Notes

Frogner House has longed for and looked forward to Kaizers Orchestra live, this amazing band with amazing performances is something that must be seen and experienced. Listen to their new single "Philemon Arthur and the Dung", released in these days.

The band produced there first album in 2001 and become well known for its distinctive music and they set a new record of most sold albums in Norway. As you quickly may notes they celebrating 10 year anniversary, this will lead to a historical event on Saturday, don’t miss it! Order your tickets here

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!

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.

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!