1. desember

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.