3rd time's the charm

Victory!

I have officially made some candy. And it is delicious. Dangerously delicious.

I tried three times before I made anything edible. I was using a recipe from Ann Asher, the mom of one of my favorite friends. Turns out I was impatient; I didn't have a candy thermometer (which as it turns out, is not a necessity) and just plain 'ol didn't cook the business long enough. Her recipe was not flawed, I just hadn't honed my skills yet. Anyway, I read most likely 50 different recipes on the net and ended up making my own that went a little something like this--

Almond Roca

• 2 cubes butter

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 1/2 tsp water

• some sliced, chopped or hacked toasted almonds
(use more or less to your taste, I used about two cups)
(if you're tempted to use untoasted almonds go ahead, but you'll miss out on some serious flavor)

• chocolate, broken into bits
(chocolate chips would be awesome)
(if of course the country you are living in has those !$%&# and then a bag or so will suffice)

Melt butter, add sugar and water. Make sure to mix well together. Have a wooden spoon and be prepared to get your stir on from the time this mixture comes to a soft boil until it turns caramelish brown. I read this can take anywhere from 5-12 minutes so see what happens for you--but whatever you do--WAIT until it turns color. Seriously, WAIT...

Then add most of your almonds and stir. Pour onto a greased baking sheet (I actually used parchment paper underneath just in case). Let it sit for some seconds (like 18) sprinkle on your chocolate bits or chips or chunks. Let those sit for some seconds as well (more like 30) and then spread them to cover. Sprinkle with the rest of your almonds and then wait. Seriously, WAIT. Be patient, let it sit.

Then you should be able to break it apart no problem. If you are like me the first two times I attempted and you didn't cook it long enough, it won't harden and it will taste like elf poo.

But the third time, after some heartache and some wasted butter, chocolate and sugar I was patient and there was Roca. And it was good.

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Christmas Changes

Having Christmas in Norway means a lot of changes for me. Instead of opening presents Christmas morning (stockings first!) in our pajamas, we open them Christmas Eve in fancy clothes. Instead of going shopping the day after Christmas to take advantage of great deals, we'll take it easy at home and maybe go skiing. Instead of hoping for a white Christmas, you just hope it's warm enough outside to enjoy the snow. Instead of the Gilberts and noise and craziness, I get the Kindølshaugs and coffee and cakes!

OF COURSE I miss a WA Christmas...but I did get a dose of it right before I left! My family surprised me with a flood of gifts--Christmas came in early November, two days before I got on my plane! Ha! But as cool as it was to be showered with presents (that I somehow managed to pack) that isn't really what I miss about Christmas at "home". I miss the night before where the entire family gets together to exchange pajamas--the one tradition that has never died--and then play trivial pursuit and argue and eat pie. I miss the morning of where everyone is awake sooner than they want to be, nibbling on Costco muffins, Dad's cooking bacon and drinking mamoses, nieces and nephews making a mess of the living room floor with shredded wrapping paper, grandma sitting quietly picking away at her stocking stuffers, sisters, brothers-in-law...the whole gang together. Ah. That's what I miss.

But don't feel bad for me. Really, it's a win win situation. Yes I am nostalgic and would love to have both Christmas experiences, but really some things about the holidays never change for me, no matter where I am. There is still lots of love shared and I am still lucky enough to be with a group of people I adore and consider to be family. I just have too many families :D; it's impossible to be with all of them at once!

Like the extension of my family in Reno, for example--my biological mom, little sister and little brother (Susy, Emily and James, in that order). I can't remember the last time when we were all together at Christmas! But this year, they sent a little bit of Christmas our way.

Honestly, how exciting is it to get a huge box with Christmas goodies inside? The box was seriously STUFFED TO THE BRIM with presents for me and Lars. . . and seeing as how it came all the way from Nevada it means that it cost almost as much to send that box as it did to fill it up! International mail is NOT cheap, this I know from personal experience!

Check out the little Santa and elf that came from Reno's Santa:

Pretty darn cute, right? And thanks to this Santa and her elves our plastic Christmas tree has a much more appropriate smell--PINE!

Now, there is snow on the ground, pine scent in the air...I guess it really is almost Christmas!

P.S. It's -4 °F and there is snow on the ground. Wouldn't expect it is going to melt anytime soon!

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So much to learn...

...about my early Christmas present!!

I am beyond excited to refine my craft and get to know this new machine. Lars is seriously way too good to me. This was OUR present to US (that he bought). Well I bought the memory card? Haha. He's the best!

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Fy faen i helvete!

I saw this on another American's blog (who also happens to be in Norway). Look out, inappropriate (and hilarious) content:



I'm curious how this guy manages to be so likable while saying really "nasty" things. I wouldn't expect the American version of this video would be as charming.

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Enough about Obama, let's talk about me

As I am sure everyone knows, Barack Hussein Obama the American President and the acclaimed most powerful man in the world was kind enough to spend a whopping 26 hours in the humble Northern European country of Norway in order to accept the Nobel Peace Prize. He perhaps summed up my opinion better than any other could (including myself) later that evening when he said that the opening speech almost convinced him that he deserved the award. My opinions on Obama, the peace prize, Afghanistan, war etc. are many, but this is not the time or place to get into that and this pales in comparison to the true nature of his visit, which I will of course indulge now.

My dear friend Martin recently posted on my Facebook wall the following:

Latest news: President Barack Obama will ask the Norwegian prime minister, Jens Stoltenberg, to give the U.S. citizen Lisa Gilbert a job in Norway. They'll meet in Oslo today when Obama will receive the Nobel Peace Prize. This will increase the aggregate Norwegian productivity and improve the Norwegian tax base, says the President in a press release.

Great! But I have not yet heard anything from Stoltenberg. Perplexing. Shouldn't the job offers be flocking in by now? Hasn't UDI received notice that I should be granted a work permit med en gang (right away)?

Alas, there has been no news. So I inquired further with Martin. I responded via the incredibly professional Facebook website explaining that I hadn't heard anything from Stoltenberg. I asked Martin if he thinks there might be more than one Lisa Gilbert in Norway, which of course could supply the simplest explanation to the confusion.

Martin's reply was equally as professional as his first report, and more than satisfied my curiousity. He posted this:

Resultat av navnesøk

Du søkte på kvinnenavnet: Lisa Gilbert Det er 4409 kvinner som har Lisa som første fornavn. Det er 2443 kvinner som har Lisa som eneste fornavn. Det er 79 som har Gilbert som etternavn. Det er 3, 2, 1 eller 0 kvinner som har Lisa som første fornavn, og Gilbert som etternavn.

This says that there are only 2,443 woman in Norway who have Lisa as their only first name, and 79 that have Gilbert as a last name. Therefore this website predicts that there are 3, 2, 1 or 0 women named Lisa Gilbert in Norway. I know that it is a legitimate source and estimate because it came with its own chart.

So that explains it. Those 3, 2, 1 or 0 women just got offered my work permit that Obama went out of his way to secure for me. You don't think he traveled all the way here just to accept that gold medal do you? Oh no, he had bigger fish to fry! Too bad those 3, 2, 1 or 0 other Lisa Gilberts got in the way. Guess it just isn't meant to be just yet...

... so the search continues!

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It's beginning to look a lot like...

Well I can't completely say Christmas. True, Lars has been to two work-related Christmas parties, we had the Christmas beer tasting, we have put up our little tree, AND I have wrapped all the presents we've bought so far...

...and taken out the hand-made doilies that one of Lars' aunts made us last year and the little Santa statues that are our entire collection of Christmas decorations. I've even started baking cookies and trying to make fudge.

All the shops have Christmas stuff everywhere and I am daily popping some chocolates out of my advent calendar. I am also lucky enough to be trying my luck on an scratch ticket calendar as the days tick down to the 25th, courtesy of Lars.

(No big money yet.)

There is til og med a huuuge Christmas tree up in Østre Torg...but I have to admit something fairly important is still missing. Maybe I am spoiled but, um NO SNOW!?? What is Christmas in Norway without snow? Blasphemy, I tell you. Blashpemy!

(This picture was taken over a week ago, even that snow is GONE)

This time last year I was practically snow-swimming to and from my Norwegian classes and now I am instead greeted with the slush and mud of a typical Pacific Northwest winter. Varmegrader is the name of the game lately (which literally means warm degrees) That's the term Norwegians use to describe any temperature above freezing.

(Even if it's not much.)

The point is--I actually want it to get COLDER so the slush can turn back into snow and it can hang around for awhile! Who would've thought? But regardless of what the weather situation here in Hamar is, I am confident there will be snow waiting for us in Tynset and that's where we'll be for Christmas, and most likely New Year's too!

Even without the snow, I can't help but get in the spirit. I frickin' love Christmas.

(Although I do still maintain that Halloween is my favorite holiday.)

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Resemblance?

This is mormor, or my grandma on my mom's side. I totally dig that in Norwegian you rarely have to ask to clarify which side of the family grandparents come from, by the way. It is seldom that Norwegians use the generic grandparent words (bestemor in this case also means grandmother); instead they use mormor (mom's mom) or farmor (dad's mom) to make it known who is who. This, coincidentaly, can give a lot of Poulsbohemians insight into what the heck that restaurant downtown is called and why (Mormor Bistro and Bar)!

Anyway, her name is Corinne Self, and this was taken in June 1948 when she graduated from Wayne State University. Think we look alike?

My memories of Grandma Corinne are few, but precious. I remember once she was driving me in Poulsbo and I mean to ask, "Grandma, are we going to the antique store?" And instead it came out as, "Grandtique..." and I caught myself and we both started laughing. I have called her Grandtique ever since.

I also have a decent sized box of really old grandtique-ish gowns and dresses that she used to wear and gave to me once when we were visiting. And I also remember puking all over her nice clean carpet in her condo.

That's about it. Good 'ol Grandtique.

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You Decide!

Honestly, this blogger has said it so much better than I have ever been able to. Check out this post on My Little Norway and decide for yourself whether it is easy or hard to get a job in Norway.

I am leaning towards hard, fyi. Or at least time-consuming, frustrating, and ridiculous at times.

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Check, and check!

(Norway's national stadium, Oslo)

I have checked two professional sports events off my list of "I've nevers" in the past month! The soccer game Lars and I went to in November was technically my second pro experience, but the first one we didn't even have seats in the stadium (we stood behind the goal) and all I really remember is how damn cold my toes and fingers were. So the check is officially made now. :)

This experience was a lot more fun; Lars and I had great seats (compliments of his employer Norsk Tipping) and the game was the Norwegian Cup Finale. Needless to say, the energy in the stadium was tangible.

(Fans of the winning team Ålesund)

On Tuesday, it was ice hockey, again compliments of Lars' company. Now soccer is my game, I know it inside and out and have been playing it for years amidst various cultures. Baseball I feel like I have an intimate understanding of, and most other sports I get, but hockey, I must admit, is a game I admire but know embarrassing little about (I know you are cringing Melissa). But that sure didn't make it any less fun to watch. Even though Storhamar (team from Hamar) ended up losing 5-3 I actually thought they played really well. Not that my opinion should really matter at all, since I have already admitted that I am completely ignorant of the subletites of the game. Hmm.

But even if you have no idea what was going on during the action you could have just showed up for the opening festivities. We are talking cheerleaders (slightly sarcastic here), lights, music, fireworks, flags, cannons and a flaming dragon. I mean this was NBA caliber showmanship. And the rink was used for ice skating in the '94 Winter Olympics.

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BRR.

Well folkens, it's getting cold here. Yesterday was something like 8.5° F. Today it's warmed up though--it's about 25° F. Haha, "warmed up". Well, I guess winter is finally here.

The beauty of the Norwegian lifestyle is that winter doesn't ruin your day (most days). It can be much below freezing outside and you just put on more clothes and get out for a tur. Lars' mom always says that it is important to air yourself out a bit! And I can only agree, after spending many cozy nights inside by the roaring fire with candles lit and good food and drink...it is good to air yourself out once in awhile! Especially after a huge turkey feast the night before. So Sunday, home in Fåset/Tynset that's exactly what we did.

(Stine walking Raja)

(Randi with the neighbors' new dog Tira)

Tira is exceptionally timid, and didn't like me much at first. But...she couldn't avoid me forever. I plan on being around that part of the woods fairly often for ...uh ever I guess. So I dedicated a few extra minutes to letting her run skittishly around me, sniffing me etc. She licked my face and hung around enough for me to get this blurry but endearing shot:

I think we'll get along just fine.

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Gobble, gobble

Lars and I took off Friday afternoon to make a Thanksgiving feast in the house he grew up in. We made the now familiar three hour drive to Tynset and relaxed that evening, making some dinner and catching up. I also made some layered jello salad and my grandma's famous cheese pie in preparation for the feast the next day.

(Downtown Tynset)

The next morning it was into town to pick up some last minute fixings and of course to visit Waagans for some coffee and cakes. I ordered the same thing I do every time there--a latte and Napoleanskake. The cake is seriously the most delicious treat and it goes really well with coffee. I am not sure if it has another name in English (it literally translates to Napolean's cake not Bonaparte's but Napoli's) or if any of you have tried it before, but man oh man I hope I can learn to make it. Although I do think trying to compete with Waagans' version is a bit of a lost cause. Lars and I have done a bit of Napoleanskake sampling and honestly no bakery can compete.

And then it was back to Fåset to get our gobble on. Normally in the Gilbert household the turkey gets prepared and into the oven nice and early in the day to prepare for a 4pm ish meal. This year we were shooting for a 7pm ish evening launch. I worked on the stuffing while Lars made the green bean casserole. Randi had taken charge of the turkey (and later made some awesome gravy from the juices). Stine set the table and Jan tidied up the place to prepare for our guests. It was truly a group effort; it made the preparation seem so easy when everyone pitched in (and all the shopping was done beforehand).

Gjertrud and Vidar arrived around 7 and the food was ready to go. After accepting their generous contributions of wine and chocolates we all sat in the living room for a pre-meal toast of...apple cider. That's right, APPLE CIDER. Last year Gitta and I searched and searched and searched to find some of the fizzy beverage that reminded us so much of our childhood Thanksgivings. We thought it was just another piece to really make this American holiday abroad complete, but we had no luck. This year we had it aplenty (guess I just didn't know where to look). But enough about the cider--on to more important things. While everyone was waiting patiently in the living room Lars and I could finally dish out our big surprise: turkey hats!

Oh yeah, we are that cool spending much more time than necessary crafting construction paper turkey head bands for everyone (names included). Let me tell you, this made for lots of laughs. Imagine trying to take someone serious with a turkey plastered across their forehead? It's really not possible!

(Me, Stine, Gjertrud toasting before dinner)

The dinner was a total success. Everyone was happy with the food, and helped themselves to seconds! Now that's the American spirit! The pie was also warmly welcomed, with coffee, drinks, laughs and games galore. It was the perfect Norwegian-American Thanksgiving. The only thing that was missing was the cranberry sauce (plus about 14 other family members, but who's counting?).

I must say that I never would have thought that I would be expressing what I was thankful for in a foreign language. But I guess no matter what language it is in the list stays the same...and I must add that I am beyond grateful to add this group of Norwegians to that long and growing list.

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New Students!

I forgot to mention that I have recently acquired two new students: Miyoun, a South Korean looking to improve her English for business and Lucia, a Spanish woman (from Murcia, close to Granada where I studied/lived) who is now living in Miami, Florida. From her mouth: "the U.S. is just not a place to come to practice your English; all of my friends here speak Spanish." Pretty insane that she is in the U.S. and has to pay a native speaker online to chat with. (!?) I want to go to Miami.

Anyway, I am really pleased with both of these students. Lucia's English is excellent. She is a Spanish teacher right now in Miami and is hoping to feel more confident explaining tough language concepts to her students in English. I am actually a great outlet for her; I know what it is like to be a Spanish student and, imagine that--I command the English language! We are a match made in heaven (it's so nice to feel useful!). She is also my first student that has turned on her web cam, which was super strange but simultaneously endearing. She is really likable and watching her body language gives me some serious throw backs to Spain.

Miyoun's English is not as good, but that just means we have more room to grow! She is really a sweet woman, and is about my same age. And she wants to just have half an hour classes, which is really a blessing in disguise. Sometimes forcing conversation for an hour (even though it is twice the money) is really exhausting, for both teacher and student.

I have also reunited with one of my favorite old students: Sergei. He is from a city outside of Moscow and is so easy to work with. He is always bringing his own material and is just a joy overall. It looks like we will keep meeting two mornings a week.

So it looks like I have a little bit of income, even though I am still unemployed! If all these students remain steady, maybe I will be able to make around $200/month. That might be enough to pay 1/3 of my bills? Maybe? Ugh, I need to get a "real" job.

Well, at least I have a kick ass view.
(Plus working in your underwear/pajamas ain't so bad).

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Close, but no cigar

I got a phone call yesterday from a lady that was responsible for the hiring process for Yara International. I had applied for a position there as an Executive Assistant maybe two weeks ago. Yara, and I quote from their website, is "the world’s leading chemical company that converts energy, natural minerals and nitrogen from the air into essential products for farmers and industrial customers." Sounds pretty legit, right?

Well, don't get too excited--I didn't get the job. However, I see this experience as a very positive one. First and foremost, I survived a professional phone call in Norwegian--a feat that I do not take too lightly. Also, it seemed like the woman was genuinely interested in me and my skills, as they came across on paper in Norwegian. This is a bit of a relief to me, as it has been very easy to suspect of late that I just am not going to get anywhere with this job search på norsk.

And I actually think she would have hired me (or that I would have had a good chance) IF I had had plans to move to Oslo. Her client (who happens to be an American who doesn't speak Norwegian!) sometimes needs someone on a short notice. She explained that if they were to call me in early that even if I left right away I still wouldn't make it to their office for realistically an hour and 45 minutes. Apparently they need someone that lives closer. I am not really sure why this position would need to be "on call" in that way, but I guess they know what they are doing. And I am not sure if she was just being nice, but she also said that they would be sure to contact me if there was a position available somewhere closer to me.

Exciting on some levels, devastating on others. I think that job could have very well been a ticket to a work permit...but I guess that is a bit unfair to say since no one really knows what UDI has up their sleeves.

I suppose the good news is that I have applied to many similar positions and if this company thought I was worth a phone call, then hopefully others will as well.

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Christmas Beer Tasting

I don't really like beer, but I do like a good excuse to get together with friends! On Friday night it was Martin's traditional Juleøl (Christmas Beer) tasting night. Some of the usual suspects were in attendance--André, a college friend of Lars and Martin, Magnus, who I met for the first time that night and of course Martin Lassen, Lars and I.

It seems like just another good excuse to kick back with some beers, but don't be fooled--this was a serious undertaking. Martin had prepared fancy spreadsheets with sufficient room to evaluate different aspects of the ten different holiday brews...aroma, taste, foam, packaging etc. etc. Finally each beer was awarded a point value on a 1 to 10 scale. Let me show you exactly how serious these boys took their task...

(Magnus analyzing his sheet while Martin looks off thoughtfully into the distance)

(André, pretzels in hand, concentrating on his task)

But you know that sometimes, no matter how serious a task can be, that things can get a little silly. Especially when it comes to the holidays. That just makes everyone so jolly.

(Magnus, who is one of my new favorites)

Just so you know, I tried almost each and every one of the beers (I know some of you are very very proud). I did not gag ever. So that's a sign...of something, I suppose.

P.S. I did not get the job at Energisenteret and I am not disappointed. I have still been applying for tons of jobs and will be sure to let you all know if something positive or otherwise extremely exciting happens.

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Weekend happenings

Another weekend, come and gone. And what do I have to say for myself?

As far as productivity goes, not a whole lot. I made an awesome loaf of banana bread Friday afternoon and for Sunday night dinner had the best taco salad I have ever imagined. Seriously, anytime I can add a crunch to a salad (sunflower seeds, tortilla chips, croûtons, pretzels, you name it) I am in heaven!

Weekend excitement not related to food you ask? Hmm....well it snowed maybe a total of 5 inches (maybe more) on Friday afternoon/evening. We went for a walk as it began Friday, and another when it was finished and had covered Hamar in white Saturday midday. It warmed up a lot throughout Saturday and all of that beautiful snow has since melted into mush and slush on the streets.

But really other than that, and a quick reunion with some soccer girls and some other friends at the re-opening of Siste Indre (one of our favorite bars) we didn't do much of anything. Which was awesome, by the way.

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SOLD

About an hour into my journey across the Atlantic I finished a book called Sold, by Patricia McCorkmick. The book was almost poetic in structure so that explains why I whizzed through it so fast (besides of course the well-known fact that I am both an insanely fast reader, and a genius).

I recommend the book. It was a moving tale that made me think, inspired creativity and stretched my mind. It was easy for me to connect to the main character, 13 year old Lakshmi, and I would think it would be easy for almost anyone to do the same (assuming you have a soul).

Here is a summary of the book that I borrowed from TA Book Log:

...Thirteen year old Lakshmi lives in the mountains of Nepal with mother, baby brother and step-father. Her family is so poor they cannot afford a tin roof like the other families in the village. Lakshmi wants to go to the city to work so that she can send money back to her family but her mother wants her to stay in school. After a horrible monsoon that washes away the crops and destroys the already tattered roof, Lakshmi's step-father says that she is to go to the city to work. Lakshmi is happy, proud that she will be able to help her family. She soon learns that her job in the city is not the maid job she thought it would be. Lakshmi's step-father has sold her into prostitution and now she is stuck in India forced to pay off the price that was paid for her. Lakshmi struggles to make it through the nightmare her life has become and dreams of the day she will be free again.

I of course, will not give away the ending. Let me know if you check it out.

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Interview @ Energisenteret

Did I mention I had a job interview on Tuesday?

I hopped the train to Lillehammer, and then hopped another train up to Hunderfossen Familiepark, which is basically your typical theme park. In the back of the park is this cool place called Energisenteret, or The Energy Center. I would compare it to the Science Center in Seattle (if you are familiar with that), or at least it is the same kind of idea: an interactive learning center. This one in Hunderfossen is smaller than the Science Center and is focused specifically on energy and electricity.

(Main entrance to the Energisenteret)

The job I applied for is as a veileder, is part time, and would be executed mostly in Norwegian. If they somehow want to hire me, then after extensive training and learning about sustainable energy and getting to know the exhibits and center, I would be leading groups of people through the center highlighting certain things, explaining others, answering questions and leading some small scale "presentations". I would expect there to be a bit of babysitting as well as most of the groups are high school kids or younger, haha.

The job is by no means ideal for me. Don't get me wrong--it sounds interesting and just briefly walking through the center definitely sparked my interest in all things electric, but I cannot honestly say that energy and turbines and wires have ever really been high on my list of life passions. Additionally the job is part time, about 12-16 hours a week and will absolutely not be magically granting me a work permit anymore than my barista job did last time around (work permit worthy jobs are full time, among other things).

I am thinking all these factors combined to give me a really relaxed, care-free attitude while på vei to Energisenteret. Honestly--no part of me will be disapointed if I don't get this job! I was going into it thinking of it as practice for other interviews and a chance to explore, and not much more. And I must say, that is easily the most empowering feeling when you are going to an interview, to be held in a foreign language (that you haven't spoken consistently for months), somewhere in the wilderness where you have never been before!

Typically, I should have and would have been nervous. I probably would have started sweating awkwardly and unknowingly made some sexual reference in Norwegian when trying to break the ice. At least it would have made for a good story. The real story is much less exciting actually; after getting off the train in the middle of adventure land, the sun busted out from behind a cloud and shone on the thin crunchy layer of snow. I had to walk through the abandoned theme park to get to where the Energy Center is (the absolute back of the park). I actually hopped a low gate to get in, and then wandered around a bit since I was early. The park seemed like it would be a lot of fun, when it's open that is. Otherwise it was a bit creepy to be the one and only visitor.

Which probably should have made me nervous, but since in such a positive way, I didn't really have much riding on the job itself, the situation just made me chuckle. I met the interviewers, became an interviewee, miraculously impressed them with my Norwegian and made them laugh and then headed home. I think I will hear tomorrow if I am in the running or not. Pretty exciting... of many other perks that I am sure come along with working in adventure land (did I mention the wage was $52.04 an hour?), I would get to walk by this princess castle everyday on my way to work!

I have also applied for numerous other jobs, most of them being receptionist or administrative assistants in Oslo. I have no idea what to expect, no idea if I will get interviews, get laughed at, get hired or what! Guess we will just wait and see! Gotta love the waiting game!

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Seriously?!?!

While I was wasting away in the Heathrow airport for hours on end, I gave Lars a phone call to let him know I was alive and so forth. The charges just showed up on my online banking site. Just take a wild guess what those few minutes of my life cost me... Just take a wild guess...and take a gander at the look on this lady's face. I am sure she was just as naive as I...smiling! Ha! Wait until you see your bill lady!

The call cost me $50.72! Are you kidding me?! That's absolutely ridiculous. Oh, don't forget the additional $0.95 fee for something I am unsure of.

It's so bad and so ridiculous to spend that chunk of money on a 8 minute phone call. It's so bad all you can do is laugh.

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I made it

After 25 hours of traveling, sleeping on benches in airports and in awkward positions on airplanes, I made it home safe to Parkgata 12 and back into Lars' arms. As I was flying into Oslo, snow was falling. On our hour drive home it was pretty sweet to see the ground getting covered with a thin blanket of snow.

Amazingly, the snow melted as of the next morning. It hasn't been cold enough to keep snow on the ground at all, and it has actually rained a bit since I have been here. Wait, which country am I in? Am I back in the Pacific Northwest? ;) Besides a bit of weather confusion, it has been pretty obvious that I am back in Scandinavia. I am back to slicing my own bread and walking everywhere. Back to everything being in Norwegian, including about half of the TV we watch. Back to having a roommate and back to making plans for two, instead of one.

I think today might be the first day where I am NOT feeling the effects of switching time zones. I am really hoping that I am done being jet-lagged.

So that's that. Will write more, soon I am sure...seeing as though I am unemployed and all.

Spaghetti for dinner. Mmm.

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Another reason why we love fall...

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