I was actually hoping to spend Christmas in the US this year, but money and work wise it just didn't work out. So that's a bummer. But luckily, I have grown to love my norsk jul and even though I am disappointed that I don't get to see my family, I must say I really do enjoy and look forward to what my Norwegian December has to offer. :)
The town has recently been lit up with streams of white lights, and I notice more and more Christmas decorations around Hamar with each passing day. Shopping for loved ones is definitely on people's minds; I have already been asked multiple times hva jeg ønsker meg til jul (what I want for Christmas). The landscape is blanketed in snow (and ice), which definitely adds to the ever-growing Christmas spirit (and my fear that I will meet pavement), and also IT'S COLD. Like -4° F\-20° C cold. Brr. Definitely makes walking to work an adventure.
We have definitely felt the Christmas spirit on the job as well--it has been crazy busy! Norwegians are good at celebrating a year well worked. It is common to have a julebord, literally "a Christmas table", where one dines and wines and drinks and drinks and drinks with a group of friends or coworkers. Hopefully we will get to have a julebord sometime soon so I can share a bit more about this Norwegian tradition. We'll probably have to have ours after Christmas haha--I think I can count my days off before Christmas on my own fingers.
December 1st is a day worth noting as well; it's the day Christmas-y type activities should officially begin, according to many, of whom the most notable in my life is of course Lars. Christmas is pretty sacred to him and I do believe it's a bit scandalous in his opinion that stores come out so early with seasonal supplies. Speaking of the 1st---I am so grateful that it has come and gone! Of course it means that payday is around the corner (thank god) but it also means that I am finally allowed to drink julebrus!
Julebrus is a seasonal Norwegian soda that I do believe was originally created as a substitute to Christmas ales for minors and\or those choosing not to drink alcoholic beverages. There are quite a few different kinds, but I won't really go into that, because the only one that counts (there is a lot of friendly competition and discussion as to which julebrus is best you see) is of course the one that Lars grew up on--which you see in the picture above. It's sooo good. I love it and was pretty pleased with myself when I got to crack open a bottle of it today at work.
Ahhhh..........tastes like Christmas.
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Based on all the presents under our tree this year, I guess we were all pretty nice!
One of my favorite Christmas moments so far was actually talking to my family in the U.S. It's been a long time since we've talked and it was wonderful to be able to wish them a "Merry Christmas". Plus, they always have the best stories to share! For example, one of my nephews admitted that he didn't think Santa would let him sit on his lap because he hadn't been nice. Of course my sister asked why, and he answered striaght up that he'd hit his sister.
