Babykino *EDIT*

If you're been following along, or have ever been to Norway, you've probably got it by now that some things are a bit different here.

Portion sizes are smaller, foods are less processed, most everyone drives a stick (and not a Hummer) and garages are seldom part of the house. Sick and maternity leave are legit. Like really alright. Maybe even too alright (but hey that's another post for another time!). There's a lot more political parties, a public transport system that works a tad bit better and of course a measuring system that is actually logical.

I feel like more people smoke here. Or maybe more often. And get drunker. Maybe they drink less often, but get more intoxicated when they first get to it (although I must add Norwegians are super stars when it comes to NOT driving drunk!). There's also a lot less of...well everything. Less choice when it comes to food, activities--you name it. And less accessibility. Stores close early on Saturdays, aren't open at all on Sundays or holidays. If you forgot the turkey for Thanksgiving (which is obviously not celebrated here ;) but just a good example), you're out of luck; there's no Albertsons open until five to save the day. There's also the classic "open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and every other Saturday but not from 11-12.30 when they have lunch" kind of hours.

Movie theaters are no exception--I've never encountered one that opens before 4pm. But today while reading the newspaper, soaking up the sun (the weather has been incredible lately!) and drinking a glass of white wine in my bikini on our awesome balcony after a glorious chicken salad dinner, I learned that once in awhile there are 12 o'clock showings at the Hamar movie theater. They are called babykino. Baby means baby, kino means the movies or movie theater...so Baby Theater? Something like that...but the point is babies are allowed--welcome even!

This is one of the many, small reasons why life in Norway makes me smile. What a great offer for moms or dads that are staying at home enjoying the awesome m/paternity leave offered and bonding with their kid over a cinematic adventure, all while simultaneously NOT ruining the entire experience for other kid-free viewers.

Go Norway, I like the your style.
Babykino, what a great idea!
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*EDIT*

I got some great comments on this post right away, pointing out that Babykino in some forms also exist in the US! I suspected this might be true (because seriously, finding things Norway has that the U.S. doesn't is a heavy task!) and thought I threw a disclaimer in there, but that slipped my mind. Must have been the wine. Or the slight sun burn. ;) So that's great. Go USA, I like your style too.

And since I'm in here editing my post already, I would love to give a shout out to my life long friend Tim who is currently living in Australia who wrote me an email commenting on this post. I have copied his work for years and see no reason to stop now. His thoughts cracked me up:

your piece about store hours and such in Norway was close to my heart.  Oz is the same way, it's a strange adjustment some days.

for any of the negatives, I really appreciate how countries like ours (adopted) actually focus on taking care of the populace.  what a novel fucking idea.  what's that?  time off when you bring a new human into the world?  a minimum wage you can actually live on?  healthcare so you won't go bankrupt from a hospital admission?  affordable education?

and for all that, we suffer a lack of 24 hour Walmarts where we can buy cheap shit we don't need at all hours because you can't afford to staff the atrocity.  i'll take it.  

Plus how cool is it that he calls my blog post "a piece"? I love and miss this man. 

And since it is "winter" in Australia, I will conclude with this glorious picture of Tim and myself:

We used to make Muddy Buddies (Chex Mix coverered in everything bad for you and sprinkled with powdered sugar? Nasty) and drive them around to all of our closest mutual friends. Now that's holiday spirit! 

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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.

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Licorice!

I have always liked licorice and I have always associated it with my Dad. When I was a kid he used to buy this huge bag of Red Vine licorice that contained what I believed to be every kind of licorice possible, which was essentially a lot of different shapes, sizes and textures of red and black licorice. I even remember that he would twist together a red and a black vine and eat them at the same time--something I thought was so "Dadish" (gross and cool at the same time).

Later I tried Twizzlers, which is basically still plain 'ol licorice, just with an added plastic taste. :) They introduced me to strawberry flavored licorice. And that was all I knew--Twizzlers and Red Vines.

Licorice in Norway (lakris) | lah.crease | is a totally different story. It seriously blows my mind.

I took this picture a couple of weekends ago at a carnival\fair (Hamar Marten) that was in town for a few days in the beginning of October. This is almost half of the licorice stand that was tempting youngsters to spend their kroner and even here you are overwhelmed with flavors: sour blueberry, blueberry, mint, Coca-Cola, tropical, Hubba Bubba (?), raspberry, sour Tutti Frutti, melon and of course salt and super salty licorice.

It's incredible. And salt licorice? Not my favorite...AT ALL...but definitely popular here.

It's a pretty big deal.

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the Puget Sound

I have been gone for 16 days. Gone on what most people call my vacation and I tend to refer to as an all too short visit home, that was filled with too much traveling, sleeping and shopping and not enough family time, relaxing or catching up with friends. I'm glad we went, but two weeks is just not enough. It went soo fast. Short but sweet, I suppose I can say. Bittersweet even. Let me repeat: two weeks is not enough.

But in those two, short precious weeks, I was reminded daily of a clever Norwegian phrase that reminds me oh so much of home:
Samma henn je ær i væla bære je ser mjøsa.
The phrase (is in the local dialect btw, so don't be discouraged if you can read some Norwegian and didn't have much of a clue there) can be translated to: It doesn't matter where I am in the world as long as I can see Mjøsa. And I get it. I am proud to live next to Mjøsa as well, and have most definitely fallen in love with it. I am sure you all have at least a crush on her from some of my pictures and adventure telling.

But the phrase of my heart goes a little something like this:
Doesn't matter where I am in the world as long as I can see the Puget Sound.

I love water, and I especially love the Puget Sound. Ever since I can remember, one of the best things I knew was a trip down to the beach to splash in those tide pools or jump off those docks. I grew up goggling at them, swimming in them, kayaking on them, and riding the ferry on them--I adore those waters and the surrounding landscape. ADORE.

There is nothing that makes me feel more at home or more nostalgic than those waves, the smell of those beaches and riding those ferry boats.

I ♥ the Puget Sound.
And I ♥ Washington State.

I am glad I got to visit her briefly now and am already looking forward to my next visit. Why is it that we miss things even more after we have just visited them?

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Looking forward.

Have I mentioned I'm excited? And anxious?

I have so much to look forward to over the two+ months. And so many plans to make!

First of all, Lars and I (and maybe Sondre) are heading to Trondheim this weekend to meet up with my American friend Colleen who is on vacation in Sweden! I can't wait to see her; I am not sure when I saw her last. . . but man do I miss her. In college we worked together, had class together and chalked up a lot of goofing around (and managed somehow to graduate together) --I can't wait to reunite!

I am also stoked to explore the city where Lars lived while going to school. I've heard nothing but great things about Trondheim and am so up for the adventure!

And then after the weekend it is just one little week left until we MOVE! This may be what I am most excited for of all...it is at least what is keeping my mind spinning at night when I'm trying to sleep...I seriously am looking forward to it so much.

Then it's a work filled month of August and sometime in September I get to go home. Ahhhh yes, home to WA, USA, home to the Pacific Northwest, home to my family. I miss them. And my friends too. It's been almost a year since I was there last so not so weird that I miss a lot of things about Little Norway. I just keep adding all of them to this never-ending list of things I am looking forward to! Lars and I are even going to drive to Montana for Annē's (another great college friend) wedding!

It just keeps getting better too...Did I mention one of my best friends ever (Erik) is moving here in September? He is half Norwegian and is coming to live with his mom in Oslo for awhile. And a cool girl (Danielle) that was recruited to play PLU softball when I graduated is coming here to study in August! And after the new year Elise (who also happens to be half Norwegian and coincidentally Danielle's roommate) is also coming to study!

Hamar is a happening place people...you might as well get on out here!
It'll just give me one more thing to look forward to... ;)

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The Help

I'm not gonna lie, I haven't been much of a reader lately.

It's funny too, because I remember laying in my room for hours and hours on end when I was younger reading and rereading books that I loved, books that were boring, books that I didn't understand or books that were way too easy for me--absolutely anything and everything I could get my hands on I read.

I loved the escape into another time or place, the feeling of being in another person's shoes. I loved getting to know the characters and giving my brain a workout. I plain 'ol loved reading.

Nothing has really changed. I get sucked into books and don't really come back to reality until I can finish the story. But lately I just haven't picked up anything that's clicked. And I haven't really tried that hard either.

I started The Island, by Victoria Hislop in Norwegian (Øya). It didn't do much for me. I think the book is actually pretty good, but the combination of having reader's block, the book including lots of terms and names in Greek and of course the entire story being written in Norwegian did not pan out well for me. So I stopped reading it. Yes fellow readers, I quit a book.

And moved on to a book the lit me on fire: The Help, by Kathryn Stockett.

Set in the 1960's in Mississippi, this story explored themes I love reading about: injustice, ignorance, racism, unwritten rules, bravery, cowardice. I absolutely devoured and LOVED this book. I don't even really want to tell you much more about it, but that it's good and it will touch your heart. Read it.

And there. Just like that, reader's block was no longer. Guess The Help really did help.

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Some things don't translate well.

Like holidays for example.

Last weekend Lars, Martin and I took a trip to Tynset for the weekend. We took it fairly easy, wandered around town, went to a concert Saturday night and did our best to celebrate the 4th of July in Norway.

Lars grilled some homemade burgers, Stine made a pasta salad and we had strawberry shortcake for dessert. Good company, good food, good times...

Most of the puzzle pieces were in place (just missing some fireworks and of course the American friends+family) but for whatever reason it just didn't satisfy my July 4th appetite. Maybe it was because we were a bit worn out from the party the night before, or that we didn't really have much time since we had to travel back to Hamar that day--I'm not really sure.

Maybe some things are best celebrated in their county of origin. I'm not certain 17. mai would translate too well to life in the US either. I mean...ugh, I dunno...it's just not the same.

What I am sure of, however, is that it made me more homesick than ever! It's been too long; I NEED to visit home.

The end.

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Helgøya

It's been a long time since I've participated in "Sundays in my city" but after our trip yesterday I just couldn't resist!

Martin, Lars and I were your typical "sunday drivers" yesterday. We dodged some rain clouds and took a leisurely trip to Helgøya, an island out in Mjøsa that we have all seen a lot of but never been to. The island is about 18 km² (Norway's largest freshwater island) and is home to around 600 people (one family of which is a fellow blogger: Amy over at Eventyrhus). As far as I know, the island is known for its farms, fresh air and great biking opportunities.

My good friend Linda lived on the island and worked as an au pair her first year in Norway. She said that Skafferiet was an absolute must-see if I was ever to go there. It's a really cute cafe and boutique in the middle of a big 'ol farm. Even though the cafe was insanely busy and we had to wait a loooong time to get our order, it was a wonderful experience.

We enjoyed each others' company, some sunshine and some birds chirping in the meantime. And while we waited we were comforted with the fact that there must be a reason the place was so packed with customers right? There had to be a reason that so many others had thought a trip to Helgøya and Skafferiet for some refreshments was a good idea for a Sunday afternoon, right? After we ate our helpings of carrot and chocolate cake and and drank some tasty coffee, we all agreed it had been worth the wait.

Then we moseyed onward, got our shoes a bit dirty and fed some animals some grass...

...and walked some more...and ogled over some Shetland pony ponies (?).

We drove around the island and "sight-saw" with the best of 'em. Then it was back over the bridge and back to the mainland.

And eventually we made our way back home to Hamar. Lars and I decided to enjoy the weather a bit more and headed down to the park to try out his new baseball glove!

I can't describe how surreal it is to play catch in a Norwegian park. Baseball (much less softball!) is just not so popular here. I do believe people think it is pretty strange to see us throwing around what looks like a huge grapefruit.

Man oh man it was great to throw a ball around a bit! It has been a long time! Despite feeling a bit homesick, it was an absolutely wonderful and untypical Sunday. Yay for almost summer.

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Baloo comes to Norway

A good friend of mine Ethan is also known as Baloo the Bear. I need not explain, just know that it is so.

We met as freshman at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA and after surviving many late night German study sessions we miraculously graduated together four years later.

(2008)

Now that I think of it, we've experienced a lot together. In addition to our many college adventures, we road tripped to Southern Oregon to watch a mutual friend get married; Ethan braved his fear of children and visited me and my family in my hometown of Poulsbo; I checked out his hometown Lynden on a break from a business trip in nearby Bellingham; I visited him while he was studying in Salzburg, Austria; and we survived (some of us better than others) a fairly hungover jaunt to Germany...

(2006)

...and now he has managed to visit me in Norway!

(2010)

We spent our days catching up with each other and moseying around Hamar: walking on the frozen lake, checking out the church ruins at Domkirkekoden, popping in and out of cafes/pubs and meeting with my local friends.

Our nights were spent indulging in other equally as entertaining activities. I will say that I am slightly disappointed that Ethan did not at any time burst out in spontaneous dance or imitate German police officers. There's always next time and a few additional local brews, I suppose.

A highlight from his visit would certainly be grilling up some hot dogs and eating some smash in the sun on the Mjøsa. If we weren't surrounded by snow and/or sitting on a tiny island frozen along with the lake, I think we could have easily been tricked into thinking it was actually spring in this part of the world too!

I was also glad Lars, Ethan and I found time to check out Vikingskipet before he left. Especially since we all dig the Winter Olympics so much.

Then before we knew it, it was Sunday, and Ethan was set to leave. We drank our sorrows down with some tasty, authentic hot chocolate from a relatively new coffee shop called Tante Gerda...

...and then made our way to the train station where we quickly said tschüss. With whom, tell me, am I supposed to eat fish sticks now?

We've been through a lot over a handful of years, Baloo and yet our friendship hasn't changed much at all. Thanks for that.

Looking forward to our next reunion...Vermont? Toronto? Hawaii? Who knows!

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Happy 101

Amy over at Eventyrhus gave me an award! :) I believe I found her blog via another American's blog via another blog via another blog and it turns out that we live only 30-40 minutes away from each other! Maybe someday we will venture out of blogland and meet up in real life. What is even crazier is that I play soccer with a girl that knows one of her daughters. What a small world!

Anyhoo, here is the award:

Cute, right?

Turns out most awards in the blog world are actually disguised chores (I mean this in the best possible way). This being my first award, I will do my best to fulfill the obligation which is, in this case, actually quite a pleasure! All I have to do is list ten things that make me happy! The real challenge is: how the heck do you do that without sounding cheesy, ridiculous and/or self-centered? I think the answer is that you don't!

So I am just going to jump right in and will most likely manage to accomplish all three.

• Teaching. Absolutely love it. There is something addictive-ly good about sharing what you can do and what you know with others, especially if it is helpful to them in a significant way. Hard to explain how incredible it feels when you see someone succeeding or improving as result of your efforts.
  
• Learning. Important to include this right after I mentioned that teaching lights my fire. I understand they are at least equally as important. Knowledge is power, right? Luckily for all of us there is no end to what we can learn, especially about and from each other.
  
• Sweating. A bit odd? Maybe. But satisfying? Absolutely. Nothing beats a good sweat. It can be from a team sport, the treadmill, a pair of skis or my own sick moves on the dance floor--whatever the cause, beads of sweat rolling down your face is a sign of hard work and that is pure happiness.
  
  
• Creating. Nothing gets me out of funk better than being creative--taking pictures, baking/cooking, scrap-booking, painting, writing--there are endless ways to express your own creativity and that is something I find refreshing.
  
• Exploring absolutely delights me. Whether it is a brand new place halfway around the world or my own back yard, I love poking around. And yes of course it is great in good company, but I dig adventuring alone too--especially with some good music in my ears and my camera in hand.
• Cleaning. I have to admit cleaning is not necessarily something I always enjoy doing and it wasn't something I even wanted to include on this list. And don't get the wrong idea, I am not whistling as I work or skipping around with the broom. However, when it is all said and done, I do think I am truly happy when I have a tidy place to call home. It just feels good.
• Music and smells. I didn't know how to make this fit into my present progressive verb theme here but I couldn't complete my list without these two items. I group these two together because I find them equally as powerful--both having the ability to calm you down, take you back in time or change your mood instantly. Ace of Base's song "All That She Wants" will always remind me of rocking out in my Mom's living room just as the smell of fresh cut grass will always remind me of my Dad and home.
  
• Connecting. Just the other day I met Iselin for a cup of coffee and we ended up sitting discussing everything under the moon long after our cups were empty. I left on such a high! Talking and sharing with others makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. . . especially when people come to trust you and you know that in return you can rely upon them.
  
  
• Giving. Boy oh boy do I love giving gifts! Gifts that are homemade, bought or only able to be measured by time, can let a person know that you care for them. I love giving! I love loving!
  
• Pushing my limits. Only when you make yourself uncomfortable do you have a chance to grow!
  

So that's that! Now I suppose it is again both my obligation and pleasure to pass the award along!

Here, here folkens...
You are now AWARDED:

Ethan@ With the Lights Out
Meredith@ La Buena Vida
Caitlin@ Caitology
Sheena@ The Jensen Family
Sarah@ Sending Lots of Love from Texas! (invite only, I believe)
Sonya@ Home Cooking with Sonya
Kirstin@ Lost in Oversettelse
Ilmi@ EricaBalo

(*NOTE* I took the award fairly literally. Since it asked for "things" that make me happy I did not mention people who I hold near and dear to me. Obviously the list of people that I love and adore would have been much longer than ten...)

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