Copenhagen!

Hi my dear friends!

Just a quick update for now. Pictures have to wait!

As many of you know I'm in Copenhagen... but only for a short vacation and to check out our apartment. I'm moving all my stuff from Norway July 1st! (I managed to get most of my things with me from USA!(5 large suitcases)!!!

Our apartment is so cosy and nice, but it is missing some care and furniture. We have all the essentials we need (bed, sofa, coffee table, kitchen table, chairs and so on), but we need some more closets for my shoes and clothes. I am tired of living in a sofa, and so excited about getting all my stuff here! Luckily I have the best dad in the world, who is going to drive me and all my stuff over. It takes about 8 hours!

Yesterday Mr. Copenhagen and I bought our first furniture together for our apartment!!! It is a lovely white chest of drawers/commode with loads of colors from Novamobler.dk! It was reduced from 4449DKK to 2500DKK (around $450) - what a bargain! We have been looking at it for a year and I must say it was worth the wait! I'll upload some pictures later, right now our apartment is a bit unorganized...

Anyway, just wanted to say that I am fine and I hope that you are as well!! I'll try to update a bit more often!

Ohhh and if you didn't know: I have now a MASTER IN PRINT MEDIA (minor concentration: international marketing and management)!!!!

See you soon!

I'm sorry I kinda forgot about you...

So, I kinda forgot about my blog for a while, but I promise to update it more often. I also promise to cut down on the writing and replace it with some pictures instead, because I've got a new camera!!! Yes, before I went to Colombia I bought myself a new camera. Yes, I went to Colombia in November to visit my friends, Paola and Gustavo!  I had a great time fulfilled with para-gliding, delicious food, some shopping and sightseeing.  Thank you my wonderful friends and family, I had a great time!

 

For Christmas I went home to Mr. Copenhagen place first and then home to my parents to celebrate Christmas. I had an amazing time with my nearest family and was very happy that Mr. Copenhagen came on the 27th to join me and my family for New Years Eve. At the beginning of January we both went back to his place in Copenhagen. We went to the Royal Theater to see Serenade and to his caring and loving family for some belated christmas celebrations and later a family birthday. Now, I'm back in Rochester again, and tomorrow I'll give you another update of what is going on here.

Bye for now dear friends and take care!

Happy Days

This week is going into my memories as one of the most positive and happy weeks I have had in a long time and I am so excited!

First, after some long weeks with my thesis adviser to complete my thesis proposal, I was ready to defend it and it got APPROVED on Thursday November 4th. So now I can start the data collection process. For those who don't know what I am doing my thesis on, here's a short description: I'm investigating the usage of personalized print in Europe from a printers perspective. I am very excited about my thesis and have huge expectation for it to be a great thesis.

The second happening that made this week into the top ten was a visit from a very important person in my life. He came on Saturday and are staying until November 18th. It is so great to have him here and he lightens up my days by just being around me. After 2,5 months of communications via Skype it is nice to finally see and be with him again. The fact that he is here until November 18th just makes it even better.

Now, until the third and fourth thing that made this week great: I have no more finals at RIT! I finished my final in Product and Brand Management yesterday, and that's it! Only a presentation on how marketers should use Web 2.0 upcoming Tuesday and then I am done with classes. Now my total focus will towards my thesis. And fourth: I got my driving license today!! Yayy I know have a NYS license!

Well, that's the short update for now! Hope you all are well and take care!

Jea

Architectual Heaven and networking

Buildings in all different shapes, formats, heights, lengths and styles blended my eyes with their beauty and uniqueness in Chicago. I was very impressed and want to go back for more. But the buildings wasn't the reason I went to Chicago, they were only a big bonus. I went there to attend Graph Expo 2010. The expo was a great experience. I managed to get in contact with a lot of people in the industry and also create an interest about my thesis. I am planning to move back to Scandinavia when I am done here in Rochester, and therefore it is extra important for me to create a good network here in the States so my research can get published here as well.

Speaking about my research, or thesis if you want, I am making a lot of progress. My Thesis Proposal defense will be on November 4th and I can't wait. Right now I am busy editing my thesis proposal, and by Monday it will be ready for distribution to my committee.  A part from thesis I am working for Dr. Cummings as a research assistant and designer. Today, I am also attending the OPL general meeting and hopefully I will be able to help them with some design work this year as well.

The summer is moving away here in Rochester and Mr. Autumn are definitely back, but that's not negative, because with Mr. Autumn comes Halloween and soon Thanksgiving and along with Halloween comes Haunted Hay Ride's, Corn Maze's and Costume Parties! I will give you an update on the events by the end of this month.

For now, enjoy my images from Chicago!

 Me and Jade as Architecture Tourists

Back in Rochester!

Can't believe I haven't blogged since May! I am so sorry, but here's a quick update:
Before I left USA for the summer Søren had his graduation, I met his parents, we went on a wine tour (Delicious!) and I finished my proposal draft.


I left the states at June 12th. My dad and my brothers met me at the airport and it was so great to see them again. It was especially good to see my dad again and that he was in great shape and healthy. (He had an heart operation in February/March). My parents arranged a Welcome Back party for me and my brother and we had a lot of fun! 10 days later I went to Denmark to see Søren again and ended up staying there for over a month, then back to Norway again to go hiking in the mountains with my mum and stay at our cabin.

The view from Gaustadtoppen

On our 8 hour hiking trip to get cloud-berries (multer)

Another highlight this summer was seeing Jean-Michel Jarre and Röksopp preform at Akershus Festning! I loved the laser show and fireworks! 

Now, after 3 months of vacation I am back here in Rochester. This fall I only have one course; Product and Brand Management and so far I am loving it! I also are working on my thesis and plan to finish my literature review, send out my survey before I go back home for Christmas.  I also go twice a week to pilates and spinning, I have started swimming again and try to go out for a run a couple of times a week. I am also going to visit lovely Paola and wonderful Gustavo in Colombia in November! Yayy!! 

Have a nice Sunday everyone!

Gratulerer med dagen Norge!!!

May 17th 1814 Norway got it's own constitution and to this day this is one of my favorite days in the year! Kids and adults celebrating, eating ice-cream and just having fun! I MISS IT!

So here I am, in the lounge at my school studying for my exam tomorrow, not a perfect celebreation day, but I made a Norwegian smoothie with blueberries, strawberries and natural youghurt! Red, White and Blue, like the Norwegian flag!!

Norway, family and friends: I miss you!!! See you in a month!!! Hopefully I can wear my national dress this summer!!! 

Jeanette!! 

My happy and wonderful family! Savner dere!! 

CIAS @ ImagineRIT

To all of you who want to know a bit more about what is going on at my college during Imagine RIT!

See this video by Frank Cost

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g33nmVd-3E

Isaiah Thomas Award 2010

I would also like to mention the 2010 Isaiah Thomas Award in Publishing. This year, the award was presented to Mark S. Mikolajczyk, President and Publisher at FLORIDA TODAY. It was a great day and students were engaged, asked questions to Mark and had conversations with him. It was a really nice experience!

I designed all of the printed collaterals for the award. The program looked great and we got to print the cover for the program on letterpress! Thank you Arianna for all the covers!

Please check  out the News Media Initiative website for more information:
http://www.rit.edu/cias/newsmedia/

Kodak, Swede's, Imagine RIT and Persian Chicken

It's already week 9 in this quarter and only 2 weeks until my exams starts. In the mean time, I have papers and presentations due and I have to study for my exams. I can't wait for this quarter to finish! Summer is already here, and I am looking forward to not feeling guilty for spending some time outside in the sun doing nothing, when I should have done work! Again, can't wait for the 18th of May, then I'll be done for this school year! I am going to spend time on my thesis research this summer so my 2nd year, hopefully, will be a bit less stressful.


This last weeks have been filled up with both fun and work. Jenni and Magdalena, two girls from Sweden are here at RIT to work on their capstone project. They are, as me, very interested in personalization and we have had some good discussion around the topic. 


Last week I went on a tour at Kodak and it was great! After the tour me, Jenni, Magdalena and Su went to Dinosaur BBQ for some food and to A-Pub to see a friend of us and his band play. I had a great time!


This saturday it was Imagine RIT and OPL booth was awesome!! 30 000 visitors was expected to come and they sure did, it was great! I have never seen so many people at RIT before! If you want to come to Rochester and RIT to see what the students are doing this was the day to do it. I am so proud of being a student here and after this saturday my view on RIT changed. Yes, I have always believe that RIT is a great school, but Imagine RIT made all of the bright minds come together and showcase their work! It was great! OPL also won an award from Park Point for our booth! Yayy!! 

The OPL booth from a distance in the Gordon Field House

Alicia Millane took a great photo of the OPL people and our booth! 

Thank you!

I have also tried out some new recipes lately. Here is some picture from last nights dinner; Grilled Persian Chicken filets, Bulgur salad and home made Focaccia bread with olives and sun dried tomatoes! 

April update

It is time to update my blogg again. I realize that I haven't been updating it at all after christmas, and I also know that some of you is waiting for some pictures from Bahamas.

I spent christmas at home in Norway with my lovely family and friends, but I had also time to visit Søren in Denmark to celebrate New Years Eve. Christmas and New Year was amazing and I decided I needed a little bit of change in the New Year, so I got rid of my white/blond hair and dyed it light brown/honey. I loved it and people here in Rochester didn't recognize me from a distance! They got used to it after a while though, but it took a couple of weeks to get used to.

I ended up with all A's in my winter quarter courses! (Marketing Concepts, Contemporary Publishing, Research Methods and Trends and Management in the Global Environment). Ending up with all A's also resulted in a quarter without a lot of free time. I did not leave Rochester until Spring break.

Me and Søren went to Flordia for a week and had an amazing time. The weather wasn't as warm as we had hoped for, but the rocket launch at Kennedy Space Center was unbelievable and something I will never forget or maybe never experience again. We also went to Universal Studios, The Science Center and Circque du Soleil! It was a great relaxing week.

I am already in week 7 of SPring Quarter. My midterms went ok, I ended up with B's in two of them and the last one I don't know yet. The courses I am taking is Cross Media Workflow, Statistics and Decision Making and Marketing in the Global Environment. Only 5 weeks left and I have completed my first year as a graduate student! I can't believe how fast the time is going!

I have already started on my thesis for next year. My thesis topic is the demand/use of personalization in Europe from printers perspective. I love the topic and I am working with Dr. Patricia Sorce, who is some of the best in the field. She have written a book about Personalization which I recommend anyone in Marketing and Sales to read.

More post about my thesis will come later.  Here are some picture from my journey for you to enjoy!

Winter in Rochester

Jeanette's Winter Oven-Roasted Heaven

Søren and Jeanette's Veggie Pizza

Fastelavenboller!!! (hjemmelagd)

Exuma, Bahamas - this where the crew on Pirates of the Caribbean 

left out from every morning to shoot the movie! 

Stocking Island - Bahamas! 

Our favorite bar and chill out place!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBIN!!!

Gratulerer så mye med dagen min kjære bror!! 

Håper du får en flott dag!!

(Birthday wishes for my brother)

I also want to say HI!!! to my great family!! Savner dere! 

Summary of fall 2009

So, I am now in Newark waiting for my flight to Oslo... got 5 hours left to wait...

My picture this fall have been painted with memories from Exuma, Bahamas, paper, ink, printing processes, statistics, tone, color and web design. It's been quite and exhausting and exciting fall quarter! I ended up with and A in Materials and Processes and B in tone and color + statistics! Yayyy!! As my classmate Jade put it: "I survived"!!!

I must say, that my warmest, sweetest and best memory is from Exuma, Bahamas. Me and Søren decided to go there for our fall break (we have 1 week off between the quarters). I don't regret it at all!! It was amazing!! The best beaches I have seen in my life, funny and extremely friendly people and oohhh I must not forget Bahama Mamas! Mmmmm a drink as sweet as the life there!

I am now on my way to Norway. I'll give you an update later!!

Take care people!!

Merry Christmas/ Happy Holiday! Happy New Year!!!


Jeanette =)

Gratulerer med dagen Pappa!!

Pappaaaa!!!

Du er verdens beste pappa! Ingen er så sterk og snill som deg!!!

Savner deg masse masse masse! Gleder meg til å komme hjem til jul!

Kjempe glad i deg!

(It is fathersday in Norway today, so this post is a tribute to the best dad in the world!!)

Reaching for the stars

I've finally managed to decide on what courses I'm going to take next quarter. For all of you that are interested in what I'm going to challenge my brain cells on this winter, here is the list;

Research Methods and Trends (required)
The theory and applications of the principles of scientific research in the graphic arts will be covered, including a systematic study of the scientific method, hypothesis generation, the nature of theory, types of research design, and measurement. The study of problems in the graphic arts includes ink and paper, reproduction methods, and quality control. 


Contemporary Publishing
An examination of how various contemporary publishing entities are responding to changes in technology with an emphasis on editorial, production, circulation/distribution, and marketing issues and concerns. The course will begin with a review of historic book models and practices with respect to their continued influence on todayFs formats and designs. The advantages and disadvantages of the various kinds of publishing mechanisms are discussed, together with an exploration of the divisions now occurring between print- and web based deliveries of content. The degree to which the intellectual content of books is changing in response to technology will also be covered. 


Marketing Concepts
An introduction to contemporary principles and practices of marketing. The course is structured around the process of marketing planning leading to the development of successful marketing strategies, including the commercialization of products and services in domestic and international environments. Focus is on environmental scanning techniques, setting and evaluating measurable objectives, innovating and controlling the interrelated components of product/service offering, planning and executing the marketing mix (channels of distribution, price, and promotion), and enhancing customer relationships through the delivery of customer value.


Managing in a Global Environment
An analysis of comparative global business behavior and organization with particular emphasis on values, authority, individual and group relations, labor-management ties, risk tolerance, and motivational techniques. The course will prepare students to recognize different values and cultural factors in the global business community and how these shape and determine appropriate management behavior. The problems and opportunities of transferring management practices from one culture to another will also be examined. 


I'm very excited about all the courses and I can't wait to start, but first of all I have to finish this quarter..

Chinese dinner at Riverknoll

One of the greatest things about studying abroad is experiences new cultures. A main an important ingredient in a culture is food, and when it comes to the Chinese culture; delicious food. Two of my classmates made me some proper homemade Chinese food. Thank you so much! Now, I have to dish up some traditional Norwegian food - anybody got some ideas on what I should make? Please write your suggestions in the comment section! Thank you!

Trout

Soup

Vegetables

Shrimps + eggs

Noodles and vegetables

Amazing tea after dinner

Memories of Toronto

Concert!

The amazing band!

Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto

The building is designed by Frank Gehry!

CN Tower - Yes, we had dinner in the thing at the top!

Will I reach Manhattan with my knowledge in Digital imaging techniques and materials?

Maybe, maybe not, but I know a lot more than when I first moved here. I'm exploring the picture; gaining knowledge about different printing techniques, materials, processes, color analysis, printing standards, fundamental statistics and most of all my interest.

I have to start thinking about my minor concentration and I have, it looks like it's going to be marketing or publishing. Marketing will gain me most when I move back to Norway, but publishing, art history and typography is also interesting. My weakness is that I can find everything interesting. You might not think that it is a weakness, but when it comes to making decisions about my future, it might be.

I have to choose two courses for my winter quarter. The two others are already set, I have no choice. I have to take Research methods and Statistics; Decision making. My third course is going to be Marketing Concept and my fourth course will be either Typography, Bookbinding or Contemporary Publishing. As you can se, I'm keeping my options open whether I should concentrate on Marketing or Publishing. The courses I choose, will hopefully, give me an insight in both areas, so that I will be able to make a decision when spring quarter arrive. Will I go for marketing or publishing? Maybe something complete different, like design or art history?

But will I reach Manhattan? If I want to, I will, but my goal is not to reach the high society in Manhattan. My goal is to absorb as much of life as possible and be happy no matter where I am. I am happy now. I actually think I could be happy anywhere as long as I am challenged mentally and still have the opportunity to relax physically.

Relaxing is something I needed and did a lot of this weekend. After an exciting weekend in Toronto, the mid term week was crazy. 2 exams, 3 lab reports due and hardly any sleep. But I survived and I don't regret going to Toronto! I loved it!

We (Søren, Vince, Prashanth and I) drove straight from Rochester to the concert on friday (Oct 9th). Them Croocked Vultures - they where fantastic!! I loved it!! After the concert we went back to the hotel and headed out to get some food. On saturday we walked around town and spend 4 hours in AGO, Art Gallery of Ontario. Yes, three guys survived fours hours in an art gallery. I am impressed. I got lost between the 60's expression and the old Vanity fair photographs, my brain drifted and my imagination took me to another place. For those of you that haven't been with me to an art gallery or exhibition before, this is what happens to me. I get lost and I don't keep track of time or the people around me. I love it!

After spending plenty of hours on our feet we had a rest at the hotel and then went for dinner at the CN tower in Toronto. I had a four course delicious meal and it was all amazing. The tower moved around so we could see Toronto. To be honest I was more amazed by the food. Nam nam! After a perfect meal we were ready to check out Toronto's night life. On sunday I spent the day in the car with 3 hung over guys, but I was all worth it because I had some olives in the night! Søren and I actually made 2 quiches and a danish potato, egg, ham meal when we got back. Nam nam!

My time is running out, I have to go and play volleyball for the Cougars! More words, feelings, pictures and thoughts will be posted.

I think my pictures is starting to get overfilled with words, so I'll post some pictures to balance it.

random order

To my two amazing brothers: I miss you, you are both unique and I am so proud of you both.

To my beloved family and friends: I'm fine and having a great time. I'll see you at christmas.

To my mum and dad: Thank you! I miss you both so much!

To my rock star: I love you!

Sake bombs, bed shopping, OPL, America, Stefan Sagmeister and me!

Sushi

Sakebombs

Why is it so hard to set words on experiences and feelings? Is it because it's too personal or because our vocabulary isn't wide enough, or a mix of both? I don't have the answer, but I'll try to explain and tell my story now.. with words and pictures.. I'll share as much as I possible can, but I will still keep something to myself. Even tho "you have to experience it to be able to understand" is a cliche statement, I believe there is something true in it... enough philosophy.. Mum and dad I MISS YOU!

I haven't been updating my blog in a while (yes, I know this is only my second posting..) so I think I have paint backwards this time..

I saw Stefan Sagmeister yesterday! He is brilliant!! For all of you that missed his inspiring talk about life experience, design and happiness, you can watch part of it on www.ted.com. RIT (my school) arranged a design competition some weeks before he came were the students had to come up with a design that touched someone's heart. And here is some of the results:

I miss you mum!

When you sat down in the sofa you would be able to read the text.

By the way, the girl next to the sofa is Yi, my classmate and friend from China.

No explanation needed.

This is what made my day - creativity and Stefan! Oh and Søren did the weekly shopping that day! Thank you!!

A material object that have made my nights a lot more comfortable is my new bed. It was a new experience to make it fit in my room (I had to move stuff around, and there isn't that much free space in my room to do that), but I love it! It's huge and comfy! It is more comfy than my bed at home! It is making it a lot more difficult to get out of bed in the mornings, but it is worth it!

Apart from reading chapter after chapter about ink, color management and statistics, I'm working as a graduate assistant for one of my professors and for the OPL. Open Publishing Lab. I'm hired as a graphic designer on the ReDesign team for their homepage. (http://opl.rit.edu) So today I went out with Liz (another cool classmate) to get some markers and marker paper and I can't wait to make some sketches again! I do a lot of design stuff for my professor as well and my brain is so happy when it gets a break from all the technology science it have to absorb when I'm studying. Even tho my brain and I have to absorb a lot of new information I still love it. Every day here is a reminder of how much I enjoy learning. Listening to people stories and experiences. Expanding my knowledge. Exploring the bigger picture.

Ohh, bigger just reminds me of everything in America. It is big! Even the thin sliced cheese isn't thin compared to thin sliced Norwegian cheese. It is thick! Still tasted good tho =) And so far I haven't been able to finish my food when we've been eating out or ordering food. Or I have finished it, but the day after..

My words are getting boring - I'm done.

Impressions, RIT and a Hollywood Pig Race!

My first blog entry here in my picture - I'll try to paint my picture with words, thoughts, pictures and world questions and maybe some solutions as well.

After 1,5 weeks here in Rochester my mind is full of new impressions, information and relations. I've experienced chips for breakfast, an albino skunk outside our apartment, a Hollywood Pig Race, mosquito bites, food market, delicious Indian food, spicy wassabe that made my eyes water, enormous apples, filling bagels, name pronunciation confusion (everything from Chanel to Janetta), beerpong, pilates, jetlag, TV adds made from a cellphone by the looks of it... I could go on, but as you all get, there is a lot to take in, no wonder i always feel tired.

Apparently I have a slightly British accent, and apparently they don't say wellis (rain boots) or hoover (vacuum cleaner) here. But apart from typing color instead of colour I get along fine with the American language.

I'm guessing some of you back home might still not know what I'm doing here in Rochester, so here is a short introduction; I'm a graduate (master) student at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and my degree will be in Print Media. So this quarter (3 quarters in 1 year, instead of 2 semesters, which mean we don't have breaks when the others have breaks) I'm taking courses in; Materials and Printing Processes where we learn about.. take a guess... printing materials, right now they are teaching us everything about paper, from the characteristic of the fibers and how it relates to the paper and how to apply it to the printing process. Wish I knew a little bit more about chemistry, but I'm getting there. My second course is Tone and Color Analysis and third and final course is in Statistics! It feels good to have a mathematical related subject again and even tho the class is from 6-9 pm on monday nights I don't care, I still love stats!!

To get my mind off all the course work (yes, there is a lot) I have signed up for pilates and spinning classes every monday and wednesdays and to prevent me getting all fat and depressed. It's so easy to get fat here. Here is and example; I asked for 1 cookie and they gave me 2, you can't just buy 1! Chicken,tomato and pesto paninis are served with chips (potetgull/crisps), free refill on soda and huge portions of everything! My chinese dinner lasted for 2 days (dinner, lunch and dinner) and I still threw away food.

There is so much I want to tell you guys, just don't know how to get everything down in this blog. I'll start with some practical information; I live in Rochester, NY and to be honest, is not much of a town, and its a typical US car town. You have to drive to get anywhere. My flatmate is danish and superb. We're 9 people in my class 1 blond norwegian, 1 from India, 4 from China, 1 from Canada and 2 from the US, so a good mix of people. Everything from philosophers, mechanical engineers to designers and journalists.

You've all got a glimps of my life here in the US now, please comment and I'll try to answer all when I got time. (don't have a lot of it, but I'll try my best)

Cherrios amigos!