Alt for Norge Daily Journal: Day 44 - June 5, 2012 (Episode 7)

Johnathan and Jessica doing the Johnathan-pose at Vigeland.

Today is individual challenge day and will bring us down to 6! Half way there! The Blue Team got up to leave at 10:00 a.m., but our team didn’t have to do anything until noon. With that, I slept in until 10:00 a.m., got up, had a 30 minute run in Vigeland Park, and met with Johnathan and Jessica to walk around the park for a little bit. Then, at noon, we met with Mama Christine for lunch and finally headed to a park at 1:00 a.m. for the results of the individual challenge.

The remaining seven, before the results.

While waiting for the results shot to get set up, I spoke to all three participants separately and got the impression that it would be between Austin and Amy for the bottom, based on their attitudes and expressions. Apparently, each person had to go up to a board and look at 18 different pairs of photos. Each pair includes something that was Norwegian and something that was Swedish. (For example: There would be a picture of the Swedish Prime Minister and a picture of the Norwegian Prime Minister.) Then, they would have to pick the one they thought was Norwegian. At the results, we learned that CJ got 16 out of 18 right! Then, the big announcement was made. Amy got 12 of out of 18 and Austin got 11 out of 18! Austin, who was in his first individual challenge, was going home! A very bitter sweet thing, since he was probably my closest friend here, but possibly my biggest threat! Crazy! We are down to 6!

Okay, with it being only half of the original crew now, it’s time to rank everyone again. Here’s how I see each person in order of how much of a challenge they pose to me winning this thing: 1) Jessica – the most well-rounded player, with both physical and mental abilities and has proven herself in four individual challenges already. 2) C.J. – doesn’t pose much of a threat physically, but is by far the best when it comes to a memory/mental challenge. 3) Alf – Pretty well rounded, but he may struggle a little in mental challenges. 4) Johnathan – Will be the best with anything language related, but doesn’t seem to be much of a threat when it comes to physical challenges. 5) Amy – Okay mentally and at this point could probably challenge Johnathan when it comes to anything language related, but most likely would struggle in true physical challenges. That’s how I rank everyone now, but by making it this far, each person has already proven themselves to be quite the competitor, so I can’t take anyone lightly!

After the results, we did some short interviews and then said goodbye to Austin. (With him living in L.A. and getting back to Wisconsin to visit family, I’m sure I’ll see him again.) Then, we headed back to the apartments to film our closing scene and hand out the troll. Out of the six of us, CJ was the only one that hasn’t received it, so we were all assuming it would be him, which it was. He has a free pass to the semi-finals! However, this also means that whoever is on C.J.’s team needs to win, otherwise, they go into individual challenges with just two people!

After we finished filming, Mama Ane took us out for dinner. We went to some Mexican place and when we were all finished up, Mama Ane took off, but the rest of us decided to stay and have a celebratory drink! Problem was C.J. is constantly borrowing money from all the cast members to purchase cigarettes, so we knew he didn't have money, Johnathan and Amy are students or just out of school, so understandably, they don’t seem to have a lot of money, and Alf just found out that the funds that he was using for his expenditures were getting low. Basically, Jessica and I seem to be the only ones with any money right now. Knowing that and knowing that I just had a big sale (We are allowed to check our bank accounts from time to time) and since everybody bought me liquor for my birthday, I thought I should return the favor as well and celebrate my sale/birthday! I bought everyone a couple rounds of some local beers and then we walked over to another bar and I did it again. Jessica also chipped in and purchased a round for everyone. It was expensive, but it was a lot of fun. I just don’t want anybody to feel like they have to leave or can’t party with us because they don’t have the funds. I may have to work a little harder when I get home to make up for my spending, but these memories are well worth it! (The highlight of the night was splitting the 6 of us into two groups and creating a challenge to see who could get back to the apartment first. Along with that, we did some mock-results with Johnathan playing Henriette. Even on our off-days, we're challenging each other!)

Eventually, we made our way back to the apartments and had a few more beers there well watching the movie Snatch. It had been a crazy day, but also very celebratory. We had reached the final 6 and only have 3 episodes left!!

Day 44 Over!!