Ready for 2011?

I think I am.... It's weird to think that this will be the first year in a long time that I will not be in the US. Among the things I miss.... my collegues at work, impromptu wine dates, dancing at Davis', looking at fun things at Hirons, the gorgeous Willamette Valley, my car, the UO campus and the fab bookstore, beer pong, and the transition from being a college student to a working woman.


2010 was in many ways a year of change. Jamie and I said goodbye to our circle of friends, our life in Eugene, our habits and went on a cross-country trip across the US. As we made our way across the vast continent, we reflected on what we had been through and wondered what was ahead of us.


Many have asked me why we moved back to Norway, as if there was some major scandal that drove us here. Umm... no. After 5 years in Oregon, why not try something new? It was a major step for Jamie, but he wanted nothing more than to jump to the challenge. For me, it was the opportunity to be close to my family. As an only child, you can imagine the thrill for my parents when their "little girl" finally decided to return home. We don't know yet what we will be doing in 5 years from now... but that's the excitement of trying out new things. We're like nomades.... we are not in a hurry to have kids or "settle down". Instead, we want to explore what the world has to offer, and harvest the fruit of our labor(s). I hope, of course, to land the dream job where I can not only flourish and thrive, but also be able to be financially secure. I hope my husband Jamie will be granted an immigration permit so he can be able to legally work and live here in Norway with me. I hope he will get a band together so I can once again experience the thrill of seeing him perform.


I also have some deeply personal resolutions that I will not mention here, but what I can tell you is that I want to strive to be a better person - both to myself and those around me. I will focus on the opportunities instead of the problems. I will put great work into keeping the friendships of those close to me, and focus less on the ones that are purposely drifting away from me. Emerson was right when he said that one of the signs to success is to, "endure the betrayals of false friends."


Whatever your dreams and hopes are for 2011, I hope the coming year will bring you the best of what life has to offer.


As we welcome the new year, I close off with some good memories from 2010.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

With friends at Niagara Falls

New Orleans

Jamie inside a Knoxville music store

Camping in Malibu

In New York

With Natasha and Catie

Last day of work... my boss brought snacks!

Dance party at Melissa's

Musings on small town Norway

Hello, I live in Sykkylven, Norway, and I......

*am at a party, introduce myself and the person tells me he/she already knows who I am, what I do and where I've been

*get stared at by folks who don't instantly recognize me

*crave diversity

*can get everywhere even if I don't have a car

*need to plan my shopping since everything closes down during the summer, holidays and on weekends

*always see the same people when I go "downtown"

*often get behind a tractor going down the road

*wish there were a place I could get an iced latte

*wish there were other people that didn't
a) work at Ekornes
b) are busy popping out kids
c) isolate themselves with their significant others
or
d) do all of the above

*find myself wondering why people consider this music

*wish there were other things to do than to join a soccer league, a marching band or the linedancing club

*really don't find Klypa funny at all

*wish more people didn't worship countrymusic

*still get taken away by the beautiful scenery every time I look out the window

*feel lucky to live close to my family :)

Merry Christmas!

Hope you're all having a wonderful holiday! Here are some snapshots taken with my cellphone last night. In Norway, we celebrate on Christmas Eve with a feast, drinks and presents.

My aunt Unni and mom in the kitchen

Setting the table

My cousins and I

Natalie the cat takes it easy

'Tis the season

Hello bloggers!

It's been a while since I have been able to sit down and type. I am busy in between two jobs since Jamie can't legally work yet, so there's not much downtime. But hey - who's complaining. We're blessed with a place to live, a family that cares, growing friendships and a mutual optimism for the coming year.

Christmas is upon us, but this year I have not been stressing out about baking or decorating. Just finished my last batch of shopping during today's lunch break at work. I haven't been mailing out Christmas cards to everybody, but a few selected ones. Mostly due to the cost of shipping, which is HIGH! And speaking of Christmas cards.... I am absolutely in love with the vintage ones you get from Laughing Elephant. If there is not a store near you that sells them, you can order them online. Not just Holiday cards, but cards and calenders for every occasion. The company even has a Good Dog Carl collection! Love!





On a sidenote.... Jamie and I went to Bergen to celebrate my birthday. We stayed with my friend Anette and her boyfriend Jogeir. We had a blast! Bergen is such a great city, and I am hoping to get a job there SOON! We also met up with my cutie BFF Heidi for a B-day mocha. We went shopping, sightseeing and spending too much cash. In the evening, Anette surprised me with a birthday cake... and the party was ON! Anyways, after a few bottles of bubbly and VIP-mingling (don't ask), we got 86'd from a club, my new Jenny Skavlan collection dress got covered in bird poo, and I lost my camera. Argh!





Pictures from Heidi


So... here's to a joyful holiday and optimistic thoughts for a wonderful Happy New Year! :)

Sea Of Freedom

Sketch

I love sketches! They are the perfect way to convey feelings, moods, thoughts or actions. A sketch is an impulsive and fast-paced method to artistically capture what you see or feel. They are rough and raw. Sometimes they are a first step to a bigger picture (literally), other times they are perfect on their own. I keep many of my sketches because they are like a diary. When I revisit what I've created in the past, I'm there again for a second or two.


I used to be an avid drawer/painter, but I am afraid that the stress of work and college took me away from it. I'm finally slowly getting back into the habit of droodling and sketching and painting my days onto canvases again.


Here's one I did on a blue Sunday. It's not pretty, but it portrays the emotions of pure helplessness I felt on that particular day.

Chill out

I've been very stressed lately. Yes, what else is new? However, sometimes the best remedy is to simply inhale, exhale, close your eyes and be taken away by a beautiful song.

Enjoy Death Cab for Cutie's Brothers on a Hotel Bed.




You may tire of me as our December sun is setting
'Cause I'm not who I used to be
No longer easy on the eyes
These wrinkles masterfully disguise
The youthful boy belowwho turned your way and saw
Something he was not looking for
Both a beginning and an end
But now he lives inside someone he does not recognize
When he catches his reflection on accident
On the back of a motor bike
With your arms outstretched trying to take flight
Leaving everything behind
But even at our swiftest speed
We couldn't break from the concreteIn the city where we still reside
And I have learned
That even landlocked lovers yearn
For the sea like navy men
'Cause now we say goodnight
From our own separate sides
Like brothers on a hotel bed
Like brothers on a hotel bed
Like brothers on a hotel bed
Like brothers on a hotel bed
You may tire of me as our december sun is setting
'Cause I'm not who I used to be....

It's a journey getting to work

On this particular Friday, 11-26, I was lucky enough to borrow my dad's car to get to work instead of standing out in sub-zero temperatures waiting for the bus. I'm battling a horrible cold, so thank you dad!


I live in Sykkylven, and it's about 24 km to work. That includes a ferry, two buses and a handful of tunnels. In other words - traveling takes considerate planning!



First, you get in line at Ørsneset to get on the ferry to Magerholm. It takes about 15 min to cross the fjord.

Brrrrr! It's cold! Trying my best to keep warm instead the car.

On board the ferry. I don't know how many cars this one takes... There's a restaurant inside where you can get refreshments. But it's expensive, so I don't recommend it. Unless you're on a road trip, I can't see why you wouldn't be able to go 15 min without food.

This is on the other side, at Magerholm.

Lots of tunnels along the way.

Lots and lots....

Getting closer to Ålesund. This is the old road to town. It's prettier with lots of nice buildings, and it has less traffic.

A park close to where I work.

And.... I've reached the final destination. Total travel time: 1 hour.

Let me entertain you!

Okay, I will soon post my Occult movies list. But in the meantime... check out some of my old features. It's Friday and the weekend, so what better way to start it off than to read some easy entertainment articles?

Hot male celebs we'd like to see...umm.. nekkid!

Former TV stars we'd like to see back on TV

Best drunk movie scenes

Movie fans, please look here

I need to pick your brain about movies! I am writing a feature on the best and worst occult movies EVER.

So, here's a preliminary list... Please add your suggestions.

BEST
The Omen
Rosemary's Baby
The Ninth Gate
The Exorcist
The Ring (?)
The Rainbow and the Serpent


WORST
Exorcist the Beginning
The Craft
Gingerbread Man

Looking out of my window

This is the view from where I am sitting right now at work. The city where I work is called Ålesund, and it takes me about an hour with bus and ferry to get here.

Leave it to your imagination

There's a website that I have to check out on a regular basis. Not because I am fond of the content, rather it's because I am appalled with it. Conservative Truth is a right-wing organization that labels itself as 'the antidote to the liberal newsmedia.' I'd rather call it a hatefilled misogynist racist homophobic witch-hunt project that hides behind the American flag. They cater to the high school dropouts, religious fanatics, white supremacists and folks who are in desperate need of a higher power to guide them onto the right way. The newsletters reek of jingoism - and aims at glorifying America as God's chosen land and people. Oh, except for women, blacks and gays. The pursuit of liberty doesn't apply to those.

One of the recent posts by Humphrey Stevenson, a chemist no less, expresses a naive longing for the good old days. In his article 'Longing for Leave it to Beaver', Stevenson believes that the traditional marriage between a man and a woman is one of the most essential building bricks to the American society.

He writes:

"In the mid-twentieth century, the progressives set about to create dependency on the government by destroying the American society. Therefore, they attacked the cornerstone of the society; the family. They did so by driving the man out of his role as principle provider and protector."

Furthermore,

"There have been a couple of radio ads airing for an organization called BoostUp.org. This organization’s stated purpose is to encourage students to finish high school.

The first ad features a teacher asking a mathematics “word-problem” question of a student named Jacob who is also working part-time after school. The question boils down to how can he drive his mother to her dialysis treatments every day, work his part-time job and still find time to finish his science project this week. The intention of the ad is to elicit sympathy for Jacob and other students like him that must shoulder a heavier load for the family.
However, the ad elicits another question; “Why can’t the father of Jacob drive the mother to her daily dialysis treatments?” The ad fails to address this question."

Umm... let's see... Maybe Jacob's dad is dead? Perhaps he is an alcoholic unable to provide for his family? Maybe he was an abusive jerk or a pedophile? There is a big gray area here, and no need to jump to conclusions.

Why should society rely solely on men to be the providers? Why can't women?

It's sickening to me how Stevenson believes that a holy matrimony between a man and a woman is without fault. It takes two to tango. Sometimes people get married because they have to. Other times, people grow apart. It's better to be single than in a bad relationship. And what if the husband turns out to be a serial killer in disguise, abuses the kids, beats his wife, has an affair? The possibilities are endless. Do you, Mr. Stevenson, honestly think that a woman should stick to her man no matter what?

It's a winter wonderland!

I gotta say wow. It's only October, and the leaves haven't left the trees yet.

Two weeks ago it was hot enough to wear T-shirts, today we have to bundle up in winter attire. Just out of nowhere we got hit with a giant blast of snow. I'm not complaining, though. It's just stunning.

No milk today

I feel like I am slowly re-adapting to Norwegian life. But, like any other country, there is a big difference between city life and country life. Duh. I'm getting used to the slow pace, narrow roads and the fact that we don't have a decent pub on this side of the fjord. Going somewhere takes planning. When going to work I have to take a ferry and a bus. Sometimes two buses, and if I miss them... I'm screwed.

We don't have a car, but we borrow my parents' car all the time. Bless them. We can't bike anywhere now that the snow has come. But we're adapting... ever so slowly.

However, I often end up in situations where I have to stop and think to myself, "was it ever like this?" I also get shocked. Literally.

We have shockwaves in the shower! No kidding. That deserves an entire blog post alone, so I will move on to the literal sense of "shocking".

We have ONE coffeeplace in town. One. I've been there quite a bit lately, mostly with my mom. There is always a babyboom in town, and young mothers frequently occupy the place with their little ones. Last time I was there I was enjoying my meal when suddenly I moved my head and stared straight into a nipple. OK, I get breastfeeding. But if you *have* to do it in a public place, can you please cover up with a little blankie? Some things should stay private. I wouldn't feel comfortable flashing my boob in front of strangers.

Let's just say I let my latte get cold after that.




The view. A major difference from Eugene... the bikes are replaced by strollers.

And I am slowly losing my intellect down the drain with dirty diapers.

Photosession with the cat

Feeling sentimental

I'm listening to a CD with some of my favorite songs on today. One of them reminds me so much of my dear friend, Ally. She's probably one of the coolest people I've ever met, and we became close friends within just a few days. We met while we were both studying at the University of Oregon. We had so much fun during that time, and I remember I was soooooo sad when she was going to move back to Bethesda, Maryland.

There's a song called "I'll miss you" by Frente that perfectly describes it. I thought I'd share it with you.

The picture is from my 25th birthday when she suprised me with a homemade gift. Check out the John Cusack poster!

Phew! What a week!

At last... Friday!

It's been a hetcic, but great week. It was a challenging week at work, but I loved it. This week we focused on the editing part of my job. But that wasn't all.. we also got sent to breaking news. A man is accused of setting fire to his apartment. Fortunately, everyone got out safely. One of the main differences I noticed from America.. police and fire are extremely polite and helpful. It's like they are going out of their way to help media. Good or bad?



I've also had to deal with some difficulties regarding our immigration application. Turns out we need a stamp called 'apostille' to verify the validity of our marriage certificate. Shouldn't be too much of a hassle. The 4 times I talked to UDI before we didn't need it. Jeez.



Jamie and I have been busy moving into our new apartment. Yay! It's not new per say. I was conceived in that very place. But don't you get any thoughts, thank you very much!



My grandma and grandpa built the house in the 50's. My mom and dad lived in the basement when I was a baby. Jamie and I are now getting ready to move in. We're thinking a retro design that will already go with the foundation. Color tones: red, purple and white. I want to keep the organic shapes while still implementing modern items. If you have any suggestions, throw 'em my way.



We still haven't seen any of the stuff we shipped from Eugene. I will have to spend an entire blog post discussing the troubles we've had with Rainier and EuroUsa shipping. ARGH!

Until then.... be safe. I miss you all!

Cultural differences

I have been back home now for almost 2 months. Sometimes I feel like I never left. Everything is still the same. Other times, I am haunted by my lack of experiencing the life here while I was gone.

My friends and I have become very different. Most are mothers, or wanting to be. I doubt I have a biological clock. While I enjoy my free time, they have to schedule everything around the babies. They're concerned with decorating their homes and knitting and waiting for their men to come home. I feel like we are generations apart. I'm not a hardcore feminist, but I refuse the idea of needing a man to "complete me". Love is about mutual respect, not about reinforcing old gender roles. If I had a house, I'd probably go nuts over nesting, too. But my husband and I are adventurous people, and we like to not know where we will be next year. We live in the moment, and are happy with what we have. Of course, we don't have a lot of money. But in a way it's liberating. We don't have to feel we need the latest flatscreen TVs, cars or the brightest flowers outside our crib.

One of the hardest transistions with the move... is trying to fit into this whole different mindset. From living in a city I am now in the country. Everybody has their nose into other people' businesses, and long live the gossip. Catching up over an impromptu glass of wine has changed to listening to babytalk over coffee. Nobody goes out to eat - most people cook at home. Meeting friends for a drink on a rainy Tuesday? Heavens, no. Drinking takes place on the weekends. If I suggest we gather to enjoy a few beer, I get frowned at.

I also feel like everybody has a need to "fit in". I miss diversity and daring to be different. Try to think outside the box!

Most people drink tons of coffee, hikes in the mountains, boils potatoes every day for dinner, complains about people that look different, competes about having the nicest house or the newest car...etc. I am starting to realise what made me want to leave in the first place.

But for now... I am going to enjoy a nice cold glass of Pinot Grigio, read a book and tell my husband to make me a nice meal. :P

A quick quiz

I know, I know! I have been a BAD BLOGGER! But hey, I just started my new job and we're in the process of moving into our "new" apartment. We don't have access to a computer OR internet everyday. So there.

I've been browsing through my fave blogs, and I am stealing Denae's idea about using a quiz from Skirt magazine and pasting in my own answers.

That will give you a quick update about me, and maybe learn something new.


My passion right now: As always, reading. I wish I could spend all day reading. I'm also into the show Mad Men right now. I am hooked! I love venturing into a fictious world, and I am in love with the retro look of the 60's. The show does a fantastic job about portraying to socio-political norms of the time. As a woman, it's crucial to learn more about gender roles and perceived notions of what we were supposed to be.

3 Items on my nightstand: Ear plugs, Eucerin Aquaphor, water.

I can't live without: The company of animals.

Red, white or beer? White! Sometimes beer.

My favorite feminist: Sojourner Truth

Walker, runner or couch potato: Couch potato that loves to walk! I don't run.. but I can walk for hours.

One thing people don't know about me: Probably a lot. At heart - I am a tomboy.

The worst idea I've ever had: Going to France to be a nanny.

Food I could eat every day: Tacos!

Early bird or night owl? Both - depending on seasons and moods.

Never: Close your eyes to injustice

Hot fall!

Whoa!! I've been told that the summer was cold and rainy, but the sun has been shining almost nonstop since Jamie and I came to Sykkylven. If you know me, you know I'm not a fan of weather talk, but I've got to surrender just once. Seriously, it's September 7 and I am wearing shorts! There is not a cloud in the sky, and the sun is sizzling.

In other news... (drumroll, plrease!) I got a reporter job at NRK Møre og Romsdal. I start training Monday! I am very excited about it.

I'm also working on my Norwegian blog so I can get back to writing and THINKING in my native tongue.

More of Monsemann

Meet our new little rascal

We got a little kitten! His name is Monsemann and he is 8 weeks. LOVE him! :) I made this picture while playing around with Fotoflexer. Fun!

Change

I've been home for over a week now, but it still feels a little strange. Sure, this is "home" - the place I where I grew up, where I made my first friends, where I had my first kiss and where I read my first books. A place of great firsts and bad lasts. But it's also a place of disconnect.

Right now I feel stuck in between. I am looking for a new job, a new place to live and new routines. I am a little bored, to tell you the truth. I miss my friends in Oregon. I miss the sporadic lunches, impromtu wine dates, impulsive shopping trips and the sound of the doorbell.

A lot has changed over the past few years (naturally). I've changed, and I am not talking about the added 20 pounds. My hair is shorter, I am a little bit wiser but mostly I am more aware of myself and my identity. I'm a thousand faces richer, a thousand places more experienced. I've learned a lot and failed a lot. I may not yet know what I want, but I definitely know what I don't want. I don't want to work at a factory, I don't want kids, I don't want to be just like everyone elsem, and I certainly don't want to settle down...yet.

There is still so much to discover. There are still so many things that I want to do.

I'm changed, but I am still me. I feel the contrasts are bigger this time around.

In between

What a strange place to be.... in between transistions. My own personal limbo.

I don't know where I belong - neither here, nor there.

I don't have a job or my own place. I don't even know what I will be doing one year from today.

But it's not about what I lack. It's about what I've gained. My husband and I are now on the threshold of our future.

We did it! We took the leap. We found the courage to break loose and dive into unknown and foreign territory.

For me, it's back to my home country, my old life, and the place I once wanted so desperately to leave. For my husband, it's an exciting and unexplored territory - a wrapped present ready to be unveiled.

But we're in this together as a team. We can do this.

What lies ahead? We don't know. But what we do know is that we'll make the most of it in the bravest way we can.

Let's talk nails

Excuse the somewhat vain title of this post, but I am in serious need of some advice. My nails are failing me! I'm at wit's end about what to do. No matter how hard I try, I cannot for the life of me grow them longer than a millimeter. They break at the plain sight of a soda can. It's like they whisper faintly, *don't you dare challenge us to open that.*

I've tried cuticles cream, growth treatment, nail polish for strength - you name it. My nails are just as frail and flimsy as an oak leaf in the wind. Pardon the cliche.

So what's a girl to do?

Any advice out there?

I'm out in the woods!

Talk about urban camping! I can actually get a signal and log onto the web at the Albee Creek campground in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park! Not only that, they have power outlets in their wooded seating area at the arena. Wow-y wow-y. That makes it easier for a high maintenance girl like me. We're supposedly in 'bear and cougar country' but I haven't seen any.

But what I *did* see....

*water snakes (TWO of them!!)

* lots of spiders

* an owl

* blue jaybirds (is that what you call them?)

* a caterpillar that tried to get into my beer. Yikes!

* biting flies and mosquitoes

* a dog (yay!)

The Redwoods are pretty, but I feel like it's an extended Hendricks Park! But sure, I know how to appreciate old growth forests.

Still - I am VERY excited to be on the way to San Francisco today!

Score!!

This could easily be one of my more selfish posts, but I just need to share my latest purchased items.

Check out these boots from Chinese Laundry: Can you say GORGE?! These bandage boots hybrids go with anything! Especially vintage dresses if you want to add a little punk to the pretty. They're pricey, but I scored them at Ross for $20!!!

And then I went into Sephora (cue heavenly music). Awww... I just can't get enough of Too Faced! I thought I was hooked on the new kitchy Asian phenomenon Tokidoki, but when I saw the summer collection from TF, I converted back. I bought the so-called "Natural" eye shadow palette, but I'd rather call them supernatural. It's this season's hottest shimmery bronze and gold shadows, perfect for a pale beach-babe-wannabe like me. If you're fair, they're your best bet to play up what God gave you. For those blessed with darker hues, I'd use them as shimmer effects. You can't go wrong with these.