Not my job-YOURS!

All I do lately is think, work, sleep JOB JOB JOB. But this is not about my job...this is for all the girls that have contacted me asking for advice on how to get a job in Norway!

I came across this job announcement via a group on Facebook so I know basically nothing about it...but you guys should probably check it out. . . seems like a fairly decent opportunity for a lot of you ladies that have contacted me!

Horn Publishing AS was established in 1994 to market Norway and its commercial enterprises internationally by publishing, and regularly updating, a series of promotional books and their Internet portal, Norway Online - www.norwayonline.no.
Horn Publishing has since developed a series of publications for the Swedish industry - www.tradingsweden.se and is strengthening the sales/project management team with qualified persons to develop the new publications for the US market.

Job Opportunity: US SALES CONSULTANT B2B

We are expanding into the US!

Are you American? Living in Norway? Read further...
IDEAL CANDIDATES:

• American people aged 20 to 30.
• Some experience in using the telephone as a work tool is requested, but not essential.
• Must possess good people skills and exceptional communication skills (Norwegian language skills not necessary). Should also be socially-intelligent, results-orientated and enthusiastic.

• Average/good PC skills are requested, but not essential.

• Preferred: someone with relevant education/experience. E.g. with sales, commercial marketing, business development, etc.

WE OFFER:

• 50-90% position with hours around 15:00-22:00 Monday to Friday.
• Daily training and coaching.
• 6 weeks vacation every year.
• Excellent salary with bonuses.

+ the opportunity to be a part of building up a brand new US sales department at our office!

Interested? Take a look at www.norwayonline.no - Email me at anders@hornonline.com or call 22 88 19 37.

Lykke til!

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Some practical information.

I have been contacted numerous times by other Americans that are in similar situations to where I was when I first came to Norway and started navigating the labyrinth of immigration bureaucracy. I am more than happy to help in any way I can because I so desperately needed advice and support myself and just didn't know where to find it. I remember so well how many dead ends and frustrated hours I spent trying to find a solution for me and Lars and a life for us here.

Not only has this been a time consuming and exhausting process, it has also been expensive. The first application I submitted cost me a little under 2.000,- kroner, the one that ended up going through cost a bit over 3.000,- kr; I have taken numerous trips to Oslo (train travel is not cheap, let me tell you) to the American Embassy and been charged all kinds of different fees. And today I had to shell out some more cash.

The permit that I was issued last March is only good for a year. So that means I have to renew it. And in turn, that means I have to take a trip to visit one of my favorite buildings in Hamar (drum roll please): the police station.


I sat and waited patiently, like the nice foreigner I am, and made sure all my paperwork was in order. When my turn came I approached the desk, explained my case and was reassured that I had done everything correctly.

All that was left was to pay up... a fee of 1.100,- kr! As of right now that's $186.41! Ugh, killer. I don't understand why it is that expensive just to renew a permit. I do understand that it costs money for the government to employ people to sit there and sift through application after application and make decisions on people's lives, I get that, I really do. But my application is as cut and dry as it gets--they have already issued me the permit! All they have to do is just print out a new sticker and slap it in my passport! Why the heck does that cost so much?

But whatevs. What's one to do really? It's a necessary evil. And to be honest, I would much rather be in my shoes paying a chunk of change every year than where I was in 2008 trying to find a loophole in the system. That's a tough spot to be in. This, believe it or not, is much better.

PLUS, my day could not be ruined. I was so pleased with myself for making the correct decision to wear long underwear, a hat, a scarf and my awesome Norwegian mittens (it was cold today!) that nothing was going to stop me. I have at an age of 24 finally learned how to dress myself properly!

Good luck to all of you trying to work the system, both here in Norway and elsewhere!

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Yes, I'm alive.

A few friends have emailed me or messaged me on Facebook wondering where the blog posts be at yo! I'm alive friends, thanks for the inquiries and nice to know you are reading and that you care. I actually do have lots to update on (and lots of pictures to share as well) but I have limited computer access. Lars' little laptop that could--can no longer. I am really hoping that we will be able to retrieve all the pictures stored on that little guy. This also means I had to cancel my lessons for this week :(, that I am posting from the library right now and that I am putting my internet addiction to the ultimate test!

Although it is extremely inconvenient, maybe it has come at a good time (??). Less procrastinating from home on the computer should hopefully translate to more time spent out in the real world securing a job! Did I mention I officially almost have the green light to work here in Norway? I am just waiting on some paperwork to go through...Will explain more later...but yes, really happy good news!

Hopefully I can get hired soon, get rich and then Lars and I can buy matching laptops. That day will undoubtably come soon and thus you all can look forward to some updates on our awesome ski experience watching Lars' dad among others race the Birkebeinerrennet, our successful St. Patrick's Day party and more not to mention the joy that was the day I got a permit slapped into my passport!. For now, feast your eyes on this picture of Stine and I cheering on the Birkebeiners on Saturday!

P.S. It's still cold here. We got a few new inches of snow here on Sunday morning! Isn't it almost April!?

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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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Fotball begins again!

Last night the Brumunddal women's team had their first practice of the year. I wish I could say with confidence that WE had our first practice but I am trying not to get my hopes up like I did last season (where I was told I wouldn't be allowed to play the week before games started!).

So this year the plan is to practice as a guest and not become too attached. I have a real problem with this though, which I think is understandable--when you are exhausted and sweating and bonding via team sport it's just difficult to remain detached. I have never been one of those players and have always been arguably too involved with my various teams over the years.

So I am trying not to be too excited but I am anyway. This year offers a lot of new and exciting opportunities--a new coaching staff for one:

(New head coach in the middle, top row)

For two--practice three nights a week (yes, I think this is positive) and finally a legitimate, fun way for me to get back in shape! Jeg gleder meg!

Now I am just hoping more than ever (if that was possible) that I find some kind of solution to my residency here in Norway. Did I mention that has to happen before February 4th when my tourist visa expires and I turn into a pumpkin?
Uff da.

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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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You Decide!

Honestly, this blogger has said it so much better than I have ever been able to. Check out this post on My Little Norway and decide for yourself whether it is easy or hard to get a job in Norway.

I am leaning towards hard, fyi. Or at least time-consuming, frustrating, and ridiculous at times.

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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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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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The hits just keep on coming...

So I think I have may have mentioned before that is was possible that I might not be able to officially play soccer for Brumunddal. Today my worst suspicions were confirmed, and NO I will not be allowed to play soccer just yet.

So here's the breakdown: to play soccer in Norway, everyone (including Norwegians) have to pay for a license, or lisens. This only costs a couple hundred kroner and it serves as some sort of insurance. Brumunddal Fotbal was even going to pay for it themselves, which I was pretty stoked on. That was of course, until I saw the form that accompanied the international player's request for said lisens; it required a copy of both my passport and my work or residence permit. Oh. Shit.

So that's it folks--I can't play in games (which just happened to start this weekend). Basically if I do and someone finds out that I didn't have a license my team would have to forfeit the games I played in...which at this stage in the season looked like it was going to be every game. I have been starting every game at right back.

I am really disappointed. Soccer was one thing I could always count on to release some stress. I didn't have to look good, remember my textbooks or really speak that much Norwegian if I didn't feel like it. I could just show up, tackle some people and kick the ball around. And even if I didn't perform well it still felt so good to compete, to sweat, to run. Of course I can still practice, and that will serve some purpose (to keep me in shape for one)...but I want to continue being part of a team! I want to compete! I want to wear a jersey proudly on my back and feel the game-day knot in my stomach during warm ups!

Let me repeat: I am really disappointed. Now the real world has officially crept into every aspect of my life. I just want it to go away and leave me this one little thing to enjoy! Okay I give--I can't work, I can't travel out of the country...I have no money, no job, no concrete plans for the future, I am far away from almost all of my loved ones and friends--but can't I at least be allowed to play soccer? Is that so much to ask?

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The Pacific Northwest

I am excited to see this Poulsbo place again.

And it looks and seems like I might have the chance sooner rather than later.

As I have mentioned before, the work permit appeal case processing time has been bumped up to seven months. While it is legal for me to stay here in the country while my case is being processed (we think) I don't think it is financially possible for me to remain here for an additional seven months without an income. Granted I still have over 24 000, kr coming to me, but how and when that is happening is still up in the air.

Oh yeah, and did I mention that if I leave the country I absolutely CANNOT re-enter for 90 days? Sorry I forgot that part. Oh, and if I want to just start over and re-apply for a work permit (or student permit, for that matter) from the U.S. like a good girl (even though there is no foreseeable way to actually get a work\student permit with my current education\situation) that process would also take at least five months, during which the applicant is, of course, not allowed to enter the country. Yep. Then throw into the equation that I have another wedding party obligation on the 10th of October...and it looks like I will be back in the good 'ol US of A for quite a few months. (I will not be coming back to Norway and flying back to the U.S. between the two weddings. There is no way I can afford that at this point.)

So that leaves me... where exactly? Oh yes, unemployed still, except now searching for appropriate jobs in both countries, but mainly focusing my efforts on the WA area. At the very least I will be in the U.S. for 90 days, during which of course I will be desperately hoping to engage in some kind of money-making endeavor. I am not picky--nannying, waitressing, sun bathing--whatever someone wants to pay me for sounds about right. Any leads?

And to be realistic, I will actually be there for a bit more than three months. It is hard to find a boss that wants to employ someone for just a measly three months, right? Sometimes restaurant owners are into that, or maybe parents looking for a summer nanny...but then what? Back to Norway, just to be kicked out again, but this time after the traditional 90 day tourist period?

And really, will it be so bad to see the family again? Of course I will miss the new family and friend base that I have created here...but I guess one can't have it all.

Who the heck was it that thought international relationships were so romantic anyway? Good thing I love Lars to death because this is a lot of juggling! :D

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On Hold

I decided I wanted to give UDI a call since we saw on the website the day before yesterday that the processing time for cases such as mine (appeals) has been extended to seven months. A nice progression don't you think? It used to be two months, then it was three months, and now it is seven--SEVEN months. If we are counting from Feb. 10th when I turned in the application to the police, that would mean that I will not hear back until SEPTEMBER. This is a year after I came to Norway. I cannot continue living this way for six more months! It just doesn't work that way...I have no income, I am depending on Lars for everything, I have bills to pay, loans that have been deferred but not paid off, etc. etc. etc. Turns out I am not even allowed to be playing soccer when we get down to paperwork and licenses etc. I am paying to attend a class that technically I was finished with some time ago and I have earned a substantial chunk of money that I can't get my hands on. I feel like I am idling around with no purpose. And like I am running out of gas.

I am beyond frustrated. How is it that I have two job offers and I am not allowed to work? How is it that I am just supposed to hang around here and wait with my thumb up my ass for seven plus months?? And why the hell am I still on hold???

At least my banana bread smells good. It better taste good too, or else I am going to throw it through the window.

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Money money money

A week ago I got 3 000,- kr from my boss (he still owes me well over 24 ooo) and since I have been resisting urges to spend it all at once--on anything! I could buy three thousand kroner worth of oranges and apples at this point, it is THAT nice to have money in my wallet. I can't even explain how nice it is to be able to buy a frickin' loaf of bread or a carton of milk if we need them!

At the same time, it is painful as I watch each little ore slip out of my hands; it is really hard spending money when you have none coming in! I really hate this feeling of not knowing. . .

AND NO, THERE IS NO MORE NEWS ON THE WORK PERMIT!

Still waiting...

However, I have not just been sitting here idly waiting for the ax to fall. I have mentioned a few posts ago that I was going to speak with a woman who works for Folkuniversitatet (a school that offers a variety of night classes)(the little red owl is their symbol). I had seen on their home page that they were looking for Spanish and English teachers. Turns out they didn't have any open positions at the time, but the woman I had been in contact with wanted to talk to me anyway. Long story short, the 'interview' went GREAT. So great in fact that the woman began to coach me in how I should go about my first English lesson! Cool!

It's not as easy as it seems though. This job needs a work permit just like any other, so again, I am still waiting. It is comforting to know, however, that I do have other options in Hamar besides just making coffee and sandwiches. And, if I do have to go back to the U.S. and reapply from there, having a job as an English teacher is a much more appropriate reason for UDI to grant me the oh-so-desired permit of work.

*Also, for those of you that read frequently enough to notice (or care)...sorry about the ADD with the blog layout. I can't seem to find something that I am satisfied with for an extended period of time. Bear with me.

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Jobs

As I haven't heard anything back from the NRC yet, I am assuming the worst. I really think the first position I applied for was over my head, and they say on the website that they have finished the recruiting process for the second one (the administration assistant). I feel like that means a bit more than they just aren't accepting more applications, and I am thinking I am out of luck on this one. Unfortunately.

So that means my search continues. I picked up this pamphlet from school that was advertising all different kinds of classes and I tuned in quickly to the language classes. They offered so many, and among them Spanish and English...hmmm...so later on I checked out their site and in small print at the bottom it just happened to say that they were looking for English and Spanish teachers! Allrighty then!

Needless to say, I was thrilled and I contacted them immediately. I sent them my CV (resume) and I have been in conversations with this woman named Anne. She says that while they don't currently have a need for Spanish or English teachers (who knows how long that has been on their website) she wants to have a chat with me anyway! So next week I will be going in to talk with her. I hope something comes of this...I am at my wits end!

*I realized that I haven't explained why I am looking for other jobs. I still have my job at Poesi waiting for me, HOWEVER I am thinking that if I get denied the work permit again (which I feel like I might) then maybe I will have to go back to the states and reapply from there. I don't feel that I will be granted the work permit for this barista job even if I go about the application process the right way (from the U.S.) because it is not a job that they need to import someone to do; anyone can do it, i.e., a Norwegian. So I am trying to find a job in Norway that really NEEDS me for my skills and talents. Then if I find something like that, and I reapply from the U.S. like a good girl, they shouldn't have any reason to reject me again!

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It's a small world after all.

Awhile ago at work a girl about my age seemed a bit shaky with her Norwegian as she ordered a hot cocoa with whipped cream. I shrugged it off, assuming that she spoke a dialect I wasn't familiar with. The girl who accompanied her however didn't even give it a try and just asked for her whipped cream cocoa in English with an obvious and striking American accent. I of course, eagerly accepted the offer to speak in English and asked her where she was from. The conversation went as follows:

"The United States." She answered.
Duh, I thought. "Where at in the U.S.?"
"Washington State."
"Oh yeah? Where at in Washington?"
"Well I am from the south of the state, but I go to school in Tacoma."
I couldn't believe it. "Tacoma huh? PLU maybe?"

It was her turn to be shocked and surprised. I told her that I graduated from PLU and we kept chatting. Then to my surprise, more and more obviously American students (the hooded sweatshirt and sneakers really give us away) came in and began to sit down. They were all from PLU, and were on a J-Term trip touring Sweden, Iceland and finally Norway. What a small world! What are the odds that 15 PLU students would be in Hamar, and then decide to come into my coffee shop?!

Their professor approached me as she had heard that there was a PLU alum working behind the counter. I told her my name, and she said she had heard of me. She then told me her name: Claudia Berguson. Oh ho, then I remembered her well. She is a Norwegian language and Scandinavian studies professor. I had communicated with her via email before I graduated while I was gathering information on potential job opportunities in Norway. She had told me in so many words that it was impossible to get a job in Norway as a non-Norwegian speaking American (that is of course unless you marry a Norwegian). Her email had really deflated my sails when I was first investigating my options. Needless to say, I assumed that she was more than a bit surprised to see me working there in Hamar. :)

But I didn't feel much like gloating. I didn't feel like I had proved her wrong at all. However, it is seeming more and more like she is right. While I have been working, I am not sure it is correct to say that I am employed. I haven't had a paycheck or much of an income at all since August '08. It has been MONTHS and I still have not heard anything promising from UDI. All they have told me thus far has more or less followed what Pf. Berguson warned me about. While I was bitter in our communications last spring, suddenly I was grateful for her honest and blunt information that she gave me. It was, after all, and unfortunately, the most useful and realistic thing anyone told me.

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Angry Americans

To fully understand the ridiculousness of an immigration office employee's recent statements, we have to travel back in time to November 7th, 2008 when I first visited said office. This day I went to the office with the hope of sitting down and talking with someone about my options and the best way to go about things in the quest to obtain a legal right to stay in Norway above and beyond the 3 months granted by my tourist visa. I never intended to turn in my application; I didn't have any money with me, or the passport photos I knew were necessary. Just going to INQUIRE. When it was my turn, I was welcomed to the counter with a friendly vær så god (which among other things can mean 'after you') and a smile. But I am telling you, as soon as that lady saw my passport her attitude took an abrupt 180. I explained my goal, and my purpose for being there and she looked straight into my eyes and said, 'Well you've just done this all wrong'. 'Uh...ok...the application, or...what do you mean?' 'Just everything. You can't just come here and get a job and start working. If I did that in America it just wouldn't work out would it?' Now, if I would have been a bit more assertive, I would have asked for my papers and my passport back and I would have walked right out of that office. However, that is not what happened that 7th day of November. I was desperate to find out more, and desperate to work it all out (and most likely, I was intimidated by the huge sheet of thick, clear plastic slobbered with forehead prints that separated me from this employee. So I continued to ask...and finally understood when she said that I had done it 'all' wrong that she meant I should aplly from within the U.S. and not from Norway.

Got it. Lars and I had both read that on the UDI site, but the problem is that the site and the laws contradict themselves so many times it is hard to keep it straight. Also, it seems a bit challenging aka, impossible, to have the incumbent job offer before you arrive in the country. But then again, maybe that's the intention anyway. But since I had in fact NOT applied at all, you would think she would just tell me that it is really best to apply from the U.S. and send me on my way... but no...

She had already stamped and notarized my application and she told me that there was a chance that it would be ok. I supposed that I had to go through with it. She told me she had all the information that she needed, but just needed the 1100, kr to get my application along its way. Oh boy, you should have seen the look on her face when I told her that I hadn't brought money with me. But I suppose you don't have to if you can just imagine a contemptuous voice saying 'Well it isn't free you know'. I borrowed the money from Ivana (I would say a friend, but that is a bit of a stretch) who was in the waiting room and hesitantly suggested that maybe, oh just maybe we should include the a picture that is requested on the top of the application. 'Yes, I suppose that would be good,' she answered.

So it would be easy to assume that this woman just had a huge bunch in her panties, or that she was just generally an unpleasant person. But I had noticed that she greeted me warmly, and that she treated the person before me with grace. So I suspected that it was something about me that really turned her off. I think I left the office thinking that it had to do with me speaking English to her during this interaction, which was something I felt guilty about already. I didn't know much Norwegian at all back in November (when I had been in class for about 2 weeks).

So it was with renewed hope that I visited the office again with Lars this Tuesday. I thought that the interaction should be a much more pleasant one now that I could converse in Norwegian. And I couldn't have been more wrong. After waiting an hour to have our turn at the plastic monster, we were greeted by the same, condescending, assuming, over-tanned and thus over-wrinkled, bitter, middle aged woman with the same suspiciously friendly 'vær så god!'. My spirits, which were already dwindling, dropped to the floor in a shriveled little ball. I took a big swallow and approached the desk and said in Norwegian that I got this letter in the mail. The letter has all the information that she needed, so luckily I didn't have to explain more than that. And 'luckily' for me, since there was a Norwegian person with me, she would successfully ignore me and talk in Norwegian as if I wasn't there and couldn't understand a damn thing -- even though I had explained to her (in Norwegian) that I could manage her language.

But it only gets better. As she read us the rejection letter I could feel Lars' tension mounting. You see, he has spent the past days researching the Norwegian laws and finding what I feel are more than just loopholes but instead actual paths that my application could have, and most likely would have traveled upon unhindered. To this woman's credit, she is not the one that has made the decision on my application, it is UDI who has done that. But Lars began to explain to her, that if someone (HER, for example) in this office could have helped me properly when I came in November and gave me some answers to my questions, then we could have done it the right way and avoided all this trouble in the first place. Her response to that was that of course she would help someone that came in asking questions, as she snook a nervous glance at me. Lars continued, and asked if there was someone that we could sit down with and talk to. Nope. Absolutely not. And with her next words I finally and completely understood her reaction and general attitude towards me. In response to the hastiness with which she, or excuse me, someone 'processed' my application in November she basically said, and I quote with my own translation and paraphrase, 'Well we just get so many angry Americans in here that think they have rights in this country, when they don't, so we just go ahead send their applications right away in so they can get their negative response.' It was obvious that there was also an implication that their negative response (was one that they deserve) and that they just send their application in (so they don't have to deal with us self-righteous Americans). Great. So that's when I lost it. I managed to squeak out the Norwegian equivalent of, 'But I wasn't an angry American...' before the tears really started streaming down my cheeks. I was so mad and overwhelmed with this woman's unfair prejudice that I almost left. She was truly unbelievable.

So that is the story. Apparently this woman hasn't learned a lesson that many of us learn in our early youth--that you cannot assume things about every member of a group based on the actions of one, or maybe to give her the benefit of the doubt, the actions of a few, or many.

I realize that I haven't even mentioned why they rejected my application because I have been so caught up with this hellish woman! But they rejected it on the grounds that I applied from within Norway and not from the U.S. So from here, I will be putting together an appeal which will include all the things that I should have had in the first place that make my request reasonable and much more likely to be granted. I have to appeal within three weeks, and then I am allowed to stay legally in the country for the duration of the appeal, which according the the UDI website is approximately one month. If my appeal is not accepted then I guess I will have to head back to the U.S. and try again from there. Who knows.

So now I just keep playing the waiting game. Love it.

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Not Good News

I'll make this one short. Lars' dad knows someone that works in the police department in Tynset (also who used to work in Hamar) and he asked him to look into the ambiguous letter that I got in the mail on Friday. Long dramatic story short...he found out my application for a work permit was denied.

Rejected: I am not really sure what this means. I know that I can (and will) appeal the process, and basically reapply. This has come as a shock to everyone (besides me...I had a hunch of what the outcome would be from a dream). But Lars' family, my boss, our friends, everyone that doesn't have freaky dreams was surprised...I am sure my coach would be shocked as well if I had told him. Everyone thinks it is strange and that there is no good reason for this decision. The contact in Tynset said that he thinks I just got unlucky. I am worried that I will have to go back to the U.S. for the duration of the appeal which honestly I can't afford to do right now.

I can't help but be really worried for my boss. If I left, he would be screwed as far as employees go, and I am also concerned that the way this situation looks on paper could be troublesome for him.

Complicated. A bit scary. Frustrating. Irritating. Sad. Strange. Overwhelming.

However, as far as being overwhelmed goes...the feeling that outweighs all is that no matter what does happen in the next weeks everything is going to turn out okay in the end. But still--yikes.

Oh yeah, it's snowing again.

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Søknad om Arbeidstillatelse

Basically every day my heart flutters a bit as I jam the key into our mail box (sometimes it sticks) and wing open the little metal door hoping that there will be something there for me...and especially something from the police replying to my request for a work permit, or arbeidstillatelse.

The past couple of days there has been absolutely nothing, zero, zilch in the mail for us--not even bills! I have been getting more and more anxious ... I am quickly running out of the money I had saved before I left and if I don't get paid soon I won't be able to continue paying my bills. Needless to say, the whole situation is a bit worrisome.

Then today it was as if all the mail from the past couple days had been stopped up somewhere and it came all at once: my bill for school, something bill-ish for Lars, a message that I had a package at the post office (!), AND a little envelope addressed to me from Hamar Politiet!!!!! I ripped it open at once to read the most ambiguous message imaginable:

Basically it just says that I need to come to their office as soon as possible to hear the verdict on my application. Ugh, would it have been so hard just to deliver a verdict and then ask me to come in? Something like, 'You are obviously a valuable addition to the Norwegian society and we are more than pleased to grant you permission to work in this country. Please come by the office to finish some paperwork' would have sufficed. Or if the verdict is to be negative, fine, great! But just tell me already! Something like 'You are American, unnecessary and unwanted. Get the fuck out. Please come by the office to finish some paperwork and also so that we can ensure you are getting the fuck out' would do the trick.

Whatever the reason is, whatever the verdict is--why can't they just tell me? Waiting is torture. My boss has also been getting anxious. He is asking me every time I see him if there is any news from the Politiet, and I always have to tell him no. So as soon as I heard something today, I stopped in to let him know. He dropped everything and called the man that signed the letter, some Bjørn Willy Otterstad, to see if he could find anything else out for me. Unfortunately this Bjørn character said that they cannot disclose any information over the phone. It has to be in person. Ok fine, Tuesday it is.

Also, it cracks me up that they so kindly suggest that I should come within in a week. Are they crazy? A week? Come on! If their office was open today, I would have been there as soon as I opened the letter! Lickety-split! I would assume it is fair to say that anyone who is awaiting on one of these decisions is in a similar situation as me--their life is hinging on the outcome of this application. And ever so conveniently, the office is only open on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I received the letter on a Friday. From what I can see, there is no worse time to receive the letter...I have the absolute maximum waiting time possible.

But at least I have been summoned. Now I just wait for Tuesday...

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Psoriasis

Hi, my name is Lisa and I have psoriasis.

Gross. But it's true.

Over the course of my life thus far, I have been known to have a few weird-o type skin irregularities from time to time, which everyone in my life has insisted are a direct result of stress. I guess now at least now I have a name for the beast--psoriasis. And yes, stress can trigger it. Before, I was always convinced it was a result of wearing my dirty sports bra or sweat-soaked Underarmour a few too many times without a wash.

Even though we know that stress can trigger it, psoriasis is quite a tricky bugger--no one really knows how you get it, what causes an outbreak and most unfortunately, there is no cure. At least it's not contagious, right? My skin is just all confused: a normal person's skin cells reproduce about once a month. In areas where I have psoriatic outbreaks, my skin cells are working a bit too hard; they are reproducing every three to four hours. I guess if you didn't think I was an overachiever (or a freak show) before, now you are convinced.

Luckily for me, however, my relation with psoriasis is not as intimate or serious as it could be. I guess you could say we are still in the courting stage. There are many different types, but the one that I am plagued with, and the most common type, is called plaque psoriasis. Things that can trigger outbreaks are the weather (thanks Norway), stress, diet, injury or allergies. Even though I am probably prey to all of the above unproven triggers, my outbreaks are very mild and contained. Thank goodness too....Some of things I have come across while educating myself really make me hope that mine remains mild.

Like pictures, for example. See the one above here that I found on the good 'ol world wide web. I am warning you now to NOT search for images of psoriasis...it can be a bit traumatic and I was honestly sick to my stomach looking at some. Search at your own risk, I suppose. There is nothing posted online that is as mild as mine, so I suppose I should just be grateful that I am more fortunate than others. And really, the outbreaks on my body are one thing. Tolerable. Yes of course having small skin irregularities has been an unforeseen and devastating setback to my career as a supermodel, but I can live with that. Scalp psoriasis on the other hand, I have had about enough of! Fortunately I have a LOT of hair so when it is inflamed it just looks like I have dandruff. But come on, no one wants to have dandruff either! I have to use these nasty smelling shampoos to treat my scalp and I am pretty sick of it. I just want my hair to feel and smell nice again. And I need a hair cut really bad. That's not psoriasis' fault, but I figured that while I was bitching I might as well tag that on.

Oh yeah, and to add to the mess, psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the joints--psoriatic arthritis. Apparently, anywhere from ten to thirty percent of people with psoriasis have or will develop psoriatic arthritis which can, by the way, become crippling with age and overuse. Good thing for an athlete to hear eh? When I visited the dermatologist this summer she told me that if you are going to develop p. arthritis it will usually act up about ten years after the patient's first outbreak of psoriasis. This little tidbit of information finally solves the mystery of my knee and wrist problems of the last two years (had my first outbreak around age 12).

To continue with my melodramatic 'tude---I just hope that I don't become a cripple before I have to flee from the Norwegian Immigration Authorites.

Ooh and this just in! Breaking news from the National Psoriasis Foundation: Psoriasis is also associated with other serious health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and depression. At least I have something to look forward to when psoriatic arthritis leaves me incapacitated in a wheel chair.

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Ferdig med skole.

Today was my last day of class for the year. It was pretty obvious school was closing down for the year because the entrance to our school has been converted into a tree lot!

To be honest, I am really excited to have a break. Of course I want to speak and understand Norwegian better, but it has been so exhausting to try and keep up with the students that are so far ahead of me. That is not to say that I haven't been enjoying my classmates--on the contrary! They are really great! And so is our current teacher. His name is Pål and he has stepped in as a vikar for Aud because first she injured her leg, and then she got really sick. He has been really great--a lot more focused than Aud, and he has concentrated a lot more on grammar in combination with culture and discussion. I have benefited a lot from his style. After Christmas however, we will have a brand new teacher and I am a bit anxious about that.

Below you can see our classroom! We had been writing a little diktat (the teacher reads something aloud and you try to write what you hear...much harder than it sounds actually haha). I think it is really cool to see all the different handwriting styles...from Serbia, Iraq, Russia, Burma, Poland, the U.S. etc.

Unfortunately I have nothing good to report on the work permit front. I tried to call a number they had mailed me, but it didn't work. I emailed them and too many days later they got back to me with a generic email that basically regurgitates the unhelpful information they have on their website:

We refer to your enquiry dated 12.12.2008.The case is being processed in the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration.The processing times are being updated regularly, and therefore they may change. The estimated case processing time for applications for work permit is currently 2 months from when the application has been registered. This application was registered 04.11.2008.The estimated case processing time also covers the case processing time that other agencies/public bodies (such as the police, the labour market agency and others) use on the case. Many cases will be processed faster than indicated, while some cases will have longer processing times. This may apply in cases where the application has insufficient information, when there is a need for document verification, or further investigations.As soon as the case has been processed, we will send the decision to the police who will then inform you.

So I guess I just wait. The strange this is that the police station told me it would take a month. Hmm. But at this rate, two months isn't too far away anyway.

Oh yeah, and to put the cherry on top of the whirlwind sundae, Lars and I have been without a washing machine for about a month. We actually bought new underwear and socks to get us by, and I also washed some by hand. BUT, today it finally got fixed! Hallelujah! Even if I am going to get kicked out of the country, at least I am going to leave with fresh panties and a clean shirt on my back!

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