Rough start.

Our season officially started on Sunday. We hopped on a huge bus, commuted about an hour and half down to Røa (Oslo area) and got our asses handed to us.

I was just poking around on their website to see how to better explain what kind of a team they are and I came across an interesting tidbit: Røa as a club has recently signed Abby Wambach! If you are like most of the world and women's soccer is not one of your first interests, you should know that Wambach is an American professional soccer player and Olympic gold medalist.

Wambach of course will play on their first team. Their second team is in our division. However, they started the game with nine players from the first team, that is to say players that will soon be teammates with Wambach. That can probably give you a good idea of how out of our league we were. Read more about the game in Norwegian here.

Basically our keeper spent the entire game doing this:

And what was maybe even worse was they they subbed them all out in the second half and put in almost an entire fresh team! It was exhausting. But all in all, under the circumstances I feel like we did okay.

Also, I might have broken the last bone in my big toe. Not quite sure, but it's swollen and nasty.

*All these pictures were sent to our coach from Røa's photographer. Hello? They have their own photographer?! Ha!

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Racing around.

Holy crap, what a weekend!

After working 14 hours without a break on Friday and crawling into bed a bit before 3am, I can safely say that even though work went really smoothly and I actually had a lot of fun, that I had a nasty work hangover when Lars so gently woke me up relatively early Saturday morning. "Are you ready to leave in about an hour or should we take a later train?" I rallied: got dressed, packed, ate breakfast that Lars so sweetly made for me in time to hop on the 10:07 train to Oslo.

We got picked up by Øivind (long time friend of Lars') about an hour and a half later, drove to the apartment he shares with Kari (who is adorably pregnant with his son), and headed out into the streets of Oslo to enjoy the weather and find a tasty tidbit to eat. We chose a cafe near their place and secured a table outside. A chicken salad and a chicken wrap later, Lars and I were ready to run our little hearts out. We walked down to the park where we were supposed to meet the other members of our relay team and relaxed and lounged around in the sun discussed strategy and tactics until it was time to make our way to our starting destinations.

There were people everywhere! The relay has 15 legs and there were over 3,000 teams! So I can guarantee that I have never seen so many pairs of running shoes or that many legs in spandex before in my life! Holmenkollstaffeten (Holmenkoll Relay) is indeed the biggest relay race in the world! And Lars and I are proud to have been a part of it. If you can speak Norwegian, or are up for some visual stimulation, check out this video of all the different legs.

Personally, we both did well. Not super, but well. Lars ran 1.7k around corners and curves and up and down hills. I ran 1.1k around corner and up and down hill. Among our peers (business teams with mostly male runners), our efforts contributed to an outstanding 602nd place of 910 teams. We were 20:43 behind the team that took 1st place. All in all, not too shabby. But absolutely not spectacular either. It was, for quite possibly the first time in my life, the first time I was satisfied with just participating. Check out some of our fans:

Familiar faces, right? ;) Lars's parents made the drive down from Tynset and met Stine and Lars' aunt and uncle who live in Oslo to come out and cheer for us!

The race was a great experience, but what came after was possibly even better: dinner grill party with Øivind, Kari and friends. First of all, Kari and Øivind are great hosts, they have a sweet apartment, and it was no stress-no fuss being their guests. We enjoyed a great evening with good people and good food. Mmmm...shishkebab!

Did I mention Kari was absolutely adorable with an apron over her pregnant belly?

Sunday we stopped in to visit Lars' uncle and aunt at their new apartment before catching a ride home with his parents. We made it home, threw together a macaroni salad and made our way to one of my bosses' houses for another grill party! I think Lars and I were both pretty exhausted so we didn't really get to enjoy the party 100%, but we did get to enjoy some good food!

Whew. I am glad I don't have to work today. I am pooped.

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Vale,vale,vale

It's May.
What the hell happened to April?
I barely got to say hi to her before she took off.
Guess that's what having a job does to your free time.

It's going well, by the way.
Have worked every day this week
(and given some lessons!)
(and done some cleaning at the other restaurant!)
and am working a double tomorrow.






















Weather's been turning up.
Been able to eat ice cream
outside.
Which is exciting
because I believe it officially marks the end of winter
here in Norway.

My psoriasis is worse than ever.
Luckily I finally assigned myself a doctor.
Now I just need to get an appointment
and hope he can actually help
and that something will actually work.
Så lei!
































Soccer team is officially 2-0.
I am officially still warming the bench.
But it's looking up
and most importantly,
I am not feeling so sorry for myself anymore.

Am hosting a fiesta next Friday,
have spent hours working on ambitious piñata project.
Bit unsure 'bout how it's gonna turn out
But at least I know I will like the food
and the company.
Hosted by us: Rina, Lisa, Anna, Guro and Marita
for the rest of the girls/coaches on the team.
Vale.

On Saturday
Lars and I are taking part in Holmenkollenstaffeten.
It's a big ass relay race in Oslo.
The website claims that it's the biggest of its kind in the world.

So
that'll be our weekend then--
a trip to the city
staying over with Øivind and Kari
and running...
with a ton of other people
that are absolutely in better shape than us.

I had a hot date with Iselin last night.

We ate salmon at Linda's
and then took a little bike ride























bought some candy
came home
watched Titanic
(it was on tv)
and talked about death, faith and boys
into the wee hours.
It was effortless
and wonderful.

The way friendship should be.
¡Vale!

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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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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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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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Mixedfeelings

Thelastcoupleofdayshavecompletelyruntogether
andIfeellikeIaminadaze---
amIreallyleavingNorwayafter9monthsinsuchlittletime?!

SayinggoodbyesdinnerpartiesandatriptoOslo,
coffeecakespizzaandhugs,
tiredeyelidsheadaches,

AndIstillhaven'tevenstartedpacking.

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Oslo, with a Norwegian and two Americans

The economic decision to quit class couldn't have come at a better time--this weekend a long lost high school bud

...Kelly Joines...

came to visit me for a few days!

Kelly has been living in Garmisch, Germany since December working at the American Edelweiss Lodge and Resort so it was easy for her to extend a long weekend up into Scandinavia. She arrived on Sunday evening and left early Wednesday morning. Oh the joys of living in Europe!

When she arrived, Lars and I were busy with other guests--Stine came with Uncle Jarle and Uncle Laffen... and Uncle Bonden was not far behind. We had a full apartment and a freshly baked chocolate cake to go along with it. Stine stayed long after the Uncle Party was over as she was planning on visiting a school in Oslo the next day. Kelly and I hopped on the train with her Monday morning and were set to visit the capital with a real live Norwegian as a tour guide.

While Stine went to meet with an employee of the school, Kelly and I visited Oslo's new and modern Opera House. The building has been said to raise the bar for Norwegian architecture, and while I didn't necessarily see much need for bar raising, I can't help but agree. This building is unlike anything I have ever seen! You can essentially walk on the side of the building and (it's like a big ramp) and onto the roof for a great view of the fjord, which we did happily. Watch this time-elapsed video to see Operahuset built in just three minutes and get a feel of what it is like on the tip of a Norwegian fjord. Both times I have been here I have been overwhelmed with this funny magical feeling: the light, the clouds, the breeze...it is a special place with a unique atmosphere.

We moseyed on, leaving the Opera House behind, grabbing some coffee, sandwiches and scones at a bakery and making our way towards the King's castle. Stine met with us just in time to help us help some fellow Americans from North Carolina with their city map and to witness Kelly getting tricked by some camera men with a 200 kroner bill and some fake poo underneath. We definitely all had a good laugh on that one--it was absolutely hilarious. Who knows--maybe I will be on Norwegian national television after all?

After the castle, it was time to make it to Oslo's biggest tourist attraction which I missed out on my first time in the city--Frogelandpark or Vigeland Park. The park is HUGE--it contains 80 acres, 212 granite and bronze sculptures, a fountain, some sweet gates, not to mention lots of cozy grass and arching trees. If you are interested in history (ehem Ethan, Tim) read some more on Gustav Vigeland, the man resposible for every single one of the 212 naked sculptures in the place! Genius!

As creatively inspiring and as historically impressive as the park was, we couldn't help but get a little silly\inappropriate...I mean, come on. You do know me after all, don't you?!

We reluctantly left the park and stretched the 3km walk back a bit, hopping into different stores and ziz-zagging our way back to the pier. We did some ferry and people watching, braved one last tram ride and just made it onto our train and back to home sweet Hamar.

Even though I have spent two full days wandering around this city and I have become fairly acquainted with some of the major attractions, I still feel like there is so much more to see! Cities (especially big ones) are so overwhelming. How does one really get to know such a big place?!

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Hotell Parkgata

My cousin Gitta and I grew up spending a lot of time together--playing capture the flag with our older brothers, going to pony, basketball and any other type of summer camp you can think of, talking about girlish crushes and preoccupations, trying to dress like twin sisters and so on and so forth. Right now, Gitta is living in Brussels as an au pair. She has been living there for a few months now, honing her French skills and having a bit of a post-graduation adventure. She found time to come and visit me in Norway this past week, and since it was so close to Thanksgiving we thought we would at least attempt to recreate the traditional feast that we remember so fondly from our childhoods.

The first night Gitta arrived I was scheduled to work. Since I am so new I thought it was a bit dangerous to ask for time off (plus I NEED the money) but also felt rude for being occupied her first night in town. Luckily Gitta and I had a lot of fun at work, making Spanish meatballs and catching up with each other. The next day we woke up to see a bit of Hamar, but we also were on a mission--it was the day of the feast (sure, it was a week early, but we did what we had to do). We made a fairly accurate Thanksgiving meal: mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, fruit salad, rolls, and of course turkey...we even had a wannabe sparkling cider to really bring us back to the days of our youth! Gitta and I were both really nervous about ruining this sacred holiday, but we pulled it off and exceeded our own expectations. I invited Martin over to enjoy it with us, and I think he might have actually been the best at articulating what he was thankful for--you would have thought it was one of us Americans, but Martin came to compete! We rewarded him with an extra slice of warm apple pie to take home with him.

The next days, Gitta and I took it fairly easy, mainly just exploring and enjoying each others' company. We planned a trip to Oslo and hopped on the train Saturday morning. We got to know the city a bit by foot, but Norwegian weather was a bit extreme so we didn't get to see as much as would have liked. I am glad that we made it there at all, because who knows when we will be in Europe again together?! We were lucky enough to enjoy a great sunny day in the capital, and had a great view of the marina when the sun was going down. Gitta told me that of all the cities she has been to so far, Oslo and Amsterdam are her favorites, and it is easy to understand why Oslo makes the top of her list.

That night we stayed with Ibbe, a friend of mine from PLU who is now living in Lillestrøm, a suburb of Oslo. He is a really interesting guy--born in Iraq to Palestinian and Lebanese parents, moved to Sweden when he was 5 and has been living in the US and going to PLU for the past 3 years. I hired him to work the front desk in Kreidler and had become good friends with him this past year. He has just one semester left at PLU to get his degree but didn't get reissued his student visa. It was great to see him. All of my memories that include Ibbe also include great conversation and this visit was no exception. A friend of his stopped by and the four of us talked late into the night.

Gitta left on a express train to the airport at 5:15 am. I made my way back to Hamar that day and was completely exhausted. Traveling and debating really takes it out of you! But Hotell Parkgata wasn't closed just yet... Lars and I were having another visitor from the US! Jay Stevens, a guy I went to school with as early as preschool, had been studying all over Europe and Africa on this intriguing architecture program out of MSU. He has finished with classes and is now enjoying his time in Europe, back-packing around the place. He came into town Sunday night around midnight. When I was done with class on Monday, Jay and I explored Hamar a bit, walking out to the Domkirke. It was great to see another face from Indianola!

Hanging out with Jay really gave me photography fever. He has this awesome, really expensive camera. Most of our adventures were centered around trying to get some cool shots...I really like this one I took of him above (with his camera). I think the light and the texture combine really well in this composition. I saw Jay off on the train to Trondheim this morning...and I am sure that I will see him again soon since he left an entire bag of his stuff here to lighten his load. :)

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