And so it goes

Yesterday, it snowed huge snowflakes (think the size of those gold wrapped chocolate coins that you get for Hanukkah)!!! It was so magical and pretty and it made me want to gift wrap. My personal feeling, which I'm assuming you want because you are reading this, is that if its cold enough for gloves, it should automatically snow. Every time. It made me realize I need to start thinking Christmas decorations... Good thing I have all the time in the world. Seriously though, looking for jobs equals so depressing.

Going to the grocery store is pretty entertaining. This is how my conversation with the cashier goes:

Pregnant cashier lady: in Norwegian, Would you like a bag?
Me: no thanks, I have my backpack
Cashier: in Norwegian, Would you like your reciept?
Me: no thanks
Cash: in Norwegian, Have a good day
Me: thanks, you too

People, I am having conversations in Norwegian. Big stuff. I should be getting a letter any day now with my social security number. That will be a good day because then I can sign up for free language classes and get a bank card, along with several other acts of freedom. I will probably also buy myself a nice cuppa coffee too, because you know, freedom. 

A toast, to new beginnings

Sundays are my favorite because we usually spend the whole day with Jan's family, eating and talking and eating even more. My father in law is succch a good cook and he always prepares a feast, which the whole family devours. Besides the great food, I love spending time with his family. They fill the part of me that misses home. There's something familiar and routine about family that reminds me of the simple things. 

In particular, yesterday was a celebration for some big changes in the family. My sister in law just had her second baby, who I'm head over heels in love with. And the parents just bought a new flat, which means they will be selling their house come spring! Lots of exciting happenings. To celebrate, I made chocolate covered strawberries and we brought some champagne to toast with. We sat and talked until it was dark out and the candles burned low. 

I'm so grateful to feel apart of this family.

the hunt.

I have made some really, really good friends here. Actually, most of them were the hub's friends that I decided to adopt and cling to. I'm the kind of person that needs best friends to share life with. I don't manage very well being alone. Anyhow, the weekends here in Norway have been amazing. Like some of the best times that have turned into the best memories that make for the best feelings. And when I look back at the  last six months, all i can really remember are those great times and in this instance, im grateful for my selective memory.

Looking for jobs is HARD. And looking for jobs in Norway, forgetaboutit. I could go on and complain, but I'll save it for when the hub gets off work. hah. I try to stay positive about this whole thing, and I cant wait until I have a COOL job and I look back on this post and laugh. That day will come, right? It has been especially hard going from the really rewarding, encouraging job I had in the States, to starting over at square one. But, what would life be if everything went according to plan? It would be perfect predictable.And from experience, I have had the best experiences letting go and being open to what life has to offer. Thanks to my unpredictable-ness, I chose to go to school in Ohio where I made some of the greatest friends, ever. I decided to take a year off college and travel, and I met my man that year too :) So universe, I know there is some life lesson happening while I struggle in this job search, and that's cool. I'm ready.

October 31st

I really thought I wasn't going to do Halloween this year. Not in a spiteful way, but just because its not big here in Norway and I wasn't in the spooky mood for it. I thought today would just be another day. You know, like October 30th, 31st, then comes November. Hah!

I woke up today super excited and it took me a second to figure out why. Today was a HOLIDAY! I looveee holidays. I'm one of those people that go all out. That sing Christmas carols while grocery shopping and love wrapping presents. Holiday themed candy? Forget about it, I keep stores in business. I woke up excited and then I panicked. I had not done a single Halloween typed thing yet. So naturally I devised a plan and set out to find a pumpkin first. Two hours later I came home with the biggest one they had left (it's tiny) and set to work.

eerie ghosts

RIP tombstones on the window

the pumpkin, with flowers for size!

my first time making a pumpkin roll...it cracked but whatever

a scary warning

homemade pizza dinner

the big picture

Lesson learned: dont try to skip holidays. its my thing.

Things I've learned thus far

1. I have learned to really like chocolate (you're shocked, I know) and Norwegian chocolate is the bomb.
2. I love love love riding bikes. 
3. It's okay to not have direction- who you're lost with is far more important. 
4. If the sun is out AT ALL, get your butt outside. The weather here is...cold.
5. Be kind to people, even if they don't smile and knock into you. It's just a culture thing, aftterall.
6. I have realized that the next time I move, I'm staying put. I've always loved the adventure aspect, but I think I love nesting more.
7. Friends can make your life.
8. Sometimes, in some places (here!), a pizza will cost fifty bucks annnd that's ok! When in Rome.
9. Waiting until Sunday to grocery shop or buy a baby shower gift isn't going to work. Because nothing is open.
10. I've learned that even after 24 years of being me, I'm still learning new things. And I'm so proud of that.

My little secret.

I don't write here, well..ever. That's no secret. I had the best intentions when I created this blog back in may. It was going to be this beautiful collection of my every move (literally) to a new life; it would document all my scary, lovely, surprising moments complete with pictures to tell. Well that didn't happen and I have a very good reason why.

Moving to Norway was scary and lovely and so very surprising.

I had no idea the feelings I would experience over these past six months. Oh my god, it's been six months. I had no idea that I would feel so homesick until month four. That I would feel an overwhelming culture shock that I never experienced in any of the other foreign lands I've stumbled upon. That the very fact that I moved here made everything ten times scarier. But I'm proud to announce I am well adjusted. Things have fallen into a pace you may call routine, and that's exactly what I've been craving.

See, I'm a person of habit. I eat the same bowl of porridge every morning like its my job. I always, always make the bed right after I get out. I never leave a pile of dirty dishes for longer than ten minutes --I just realized I sound OCD--. So this whole 'I don't know what I like because everything in Norway is different' thing really took me for a spin (that's how the expression goes, right?) But really, things have fallen into place and although I appear the same as when I arrived, still looking for work still don't know Norwegian, TRUST ME, a lot has happened.

So what's my little secret, you beg me to tell you. Well that's just it, I'm not telling anyone that I've decided to blog again. For now, I promise to write here. To document the funny and far from funny moments I encounter. To use you, my little diary, as a diary. And I'm not telling anyone about this blog. Because then I might get scared and oh the pressure of updating....

a place to call home

____________________________
The papers were signed and the keys were given to us.
We officially have a place to call home!
We will be living in Majorstuen, Oslo and it is filled with cafes, parks, flower shops and music played on corners.
As of now, the apartment is empty and quiet- it almost feels sacred. Its a nice feeling to have an open space to fill with our clothes and laughter.