A start, at least

I got a job.

I haven't started yet, all my paperwork is not in order, but nonetheless, I am relieved to put it lightly. I will be starting right after our Easter break (early April) as a server at what is in my opinion the best pizza restaurant in Hamar. If you think toned down Italian restaurant/Olive Garden, you've got the gist of it.

This is by no means my ideal job; while I do really enjoy waitressing, I did really want to find a day job. Instead I'll be working part time a couple nights a week starting early in April. I might also have to drop a soccer practice a week to actually be able to make a chunk of money that is respectable.

But at the same time--WHO CARES? I am desperately broke. Financially, things are not well and they are not getting any better as I sit around and wait, especially now that our computer is kaput and I can't give lessons. My future boss seems super cool, I know I can do the job, the restaurant is ridiculously close to where I live, not to mention that the uniform is not hideous! Plus I still can find a day job! Or I could eventually continue lessons! Or both!

In fact, my new boss (Atle) actually encouraged me to do so. In our laid back interview today, he was honest with me; at this point he can absolutely not offer me a full-time job and as long as I wasn't planning on handing out pizzas at one of the many other pizza serving restaurants in Hamar, he was supportive of that. He also seemed awesomely laid-back about weekends. Of course I am expected to take some weekend shifts but he seemed to really leave the extent of that up to me. My plan is to take any shift I can get my hands on--even if it does mean a little less Lars time. I am so ready to get back into a busy, go-go, money-making routine.

I think I have reached a point in my life where I just need to put my nose to the grindstone, give up some comforts and make some goddamn money. Oh well if Lars and I don't get to eat dinners together, oh well if my nights get longer and my days get shorter. . . Maybe I just have to do this for awhile until I can get back on my feet and contribute a bit to our apartmenthold.

Did I mention I get a legit discount on the food? I am mostly excited about the pizza. I love pizza and they do it right.
What a relief.

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Park Inn

Earlier this month, I hopped the train to an interview at a new hotel in Oslo called Park Inn. I made it there, found the place on time, didn't freeze to death, managed to charm the interviewer and found out she wanted to hire me (even before I showed up just based on my resume!). She said that she thought I was absolutely the best candidate for the job and someone they would really like to have on their team.

That's great...right? Don't get too excited--I wasn't either. No work permit = no work. Or at least not this kind of job (waiting on tables). The real kicker is that she wanted me to start when the hotel was having it's grand opening, just a week after the interview! First of all, I would bet all the few dollars that I have that this job offer would NOT result in a work permit, and secondly, even if it could, I know that it could never ever have been processed in a week. So the conclusion was--it was a dead end.

The worst thing is though is that I knew that before I went. I knew they would probably want to hire me and I knew that I wouldn't be able to take the job. But for some reason I went anyway. It seems strange to turn down an interview when you are desperate for work, even if you know it is just going to result in you wasting your time and money. Good practice, right? Well, I think I could have done without that experience and could absolutely have the 238,- kr (~$40) back in my wallet.

To tell the truth, I don't feel that sorry for myself. I am not sure the job would have worked out anyway. Of course I know I can wait tables like a champ and that I enjoy it a lot, but I am not sure if I want to commute an hour and a half (one way) to do so, especially when a hotel needs people crazy early and crazy late. Plus, the Norwegian train system hasn't been my best friend lately; every time I have traveled to Oslo as of late the trains have been delayed because of the weather. I even had to take a bus instead once!

Probably wasn't really meant to be. If I am going to have a job in Oslo it better be a job that lights my soul on fire! The interviewer did mention that she wants me to let her know as soon as I get something figured out. She said I always have a job there waiting for me if I am interested. I could foresee myself working there two mornings a week for example, and maybe staying the night with Stine or someone else that I know that lives in Oslo. At least it's an idea.

So I bundled back up and left the hotel happy that they liked me and frustrated with this immigration/work permit situation. Mixed feelings seems to be the story of my life these days.

Then I took pictures.

And it made me hopeful that something will work out. And soon.

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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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