Our new table!

Sorry bad pic quality

Since my darling Jamie had to leave the country only a week after we moved into our new place, I haven't had the extra funds nor the manpower to add more furniture and such to our loft. Mind you, our apartment is at the 4th floor - up a long and narrow flight of steps, and when you enter, there is ANOTHER flight of spiral steps ahead of you. I am getting used to it now, but my visitors always emerge flushed and in desperate need of water.

Anyways, on the holiday weekend of the 17th, my mom and dad made the drive to see me. Immediately after their arrival, we jumped in the car and drove the 20 min to IKEA. I love IKEA! Some of their furniture is just shit, but once in a while you come across a sweet deal. And the possibilities of interacting the pieces are endless. My priority was a kitchen table, and we came across this table with a matt glass surface + 4 chairs for under 800 NOK. I say it's a deal! We took turns carrying up the items back to my place, and my dad got the honor of putting it all together. Since it is summer I want a happy, carefree and light color-scheme to tie it all together. I' ve been saving money by stealing flowers from parks, neighbors, etc... But I figured a pineapple could make a cool effect for now. I can't wait to host dinner parties when Jamie comes back! :)

Clubnight at Anja's

Round 2!

Here we go again. I am not giving up our fight to live together as a married couple, and I have written a second appeal letter to UNE. This will be the final round before we either get another "no" or a notice that they've changed their decision in light of new information.

I can't change the requirement for previous income, but I can argue that the decision is unfair. We even got a statement from one of our politicians saying if he had the power to personally undo the decision, he would. So there!

I also think that the government is being counter-intuitive in their quest to better our economy. First, I went to America with financial aid from the government in order to come back with an education and work experience to use here! I even had to ASK Norway to postpone my coming home and the two year foreign residency requirement that is on the J-1 visa so I could stay in America a little longer. In other words I said "please, Norway, I wanna come home, but can't I just stay here a little while and work so I have more to offer when I come home?" My waiver was granted.

Let me just quote what the J-1 visa is supposed to do...

‎"The J-1 visa was administered by the U.S. Information Agency (USIA) to strengthen relations between the US and other countries. It fell under the purview of the USIA and not the Immigration and Naturalization Service because it’s main purpose is to disseminate information; its goal is to give people training and experience in the U....S. that they can use to benefit their home countries. The J-1 visa was administered by the U.S. Information Agency (USIA) to strengthen relations between the US and other countries. It fell under the purview of the USIA and not the Immigration and Naturalization Service because it’s main purpose is to disseminate information; its goal is to give people training and experience in the U.S. that they can use to benefit their home countries. "


But here is the funny thing... now that I *have* come back, they just look at my poor income in Oregon and decide that I am too poor to support Jamie. Hello! I make enough money now to support the both of us! But by sending Jamie back to a country where he has no job, place to stay or money saved up - they are putting financial hardship on *me* because I now have to provide for both of us in two different countries! Where is the common sense?

Let Jamie come home to me, and he can work and pay taxes!

Thoughts

Sometimes

I think

I can

do

better

Have you met Sweet Paul?

If not, you should! This 43-year old Norwegian stylist/artist/mastermind currently lives in New York and is the genious behind this lovely and inspirational blog.

How about making some cute doggie cards?

Or make a gift wrapped with a flower?

Or a vintage bed spread?

He also makes desserts......

...and cocktails....

As well as tons of other things! Check out the latest issue of Sweet Paul magazine for lots of ideas.

Just observing

Does anyone else find it ironic that some guys always feel the need to comment the looks on girls no matter what the setting/context is? Even at a professional place? It amuses me that most of the males that are sexist are usually the ones that aren't particularly attractive themselves. So why the need to diss?

Sometimes I want to shout out something because, you know me, I'm not one to hold back. Last time, when one guy was very verbal about a soccer player's appearance, I thought "who are you to talk? you look like someone's morning dump yourself".

But why bother. I bit my tongue. For now, I just sit back and obersve the circus and a laugh a little inside.

image

Look what I got!

I'm a sucker for weird things. Really, I am. Anything that catches my attention, makes me smile, think or inspires me makes my day. My mom and I went on a shopping spree yesterday when I came across this cute cow-thing that's supposed to keep cream for coffee in it. I might use it like that, or hang jewelry on it. Isn't it adorable?!

Blogging, or lack thereof...

I know it has been a long time since I have written anything even remotely worth reading. But

honestly, I am lacking inspiration and the will to create something that could possibly be interesting to my readers. I have been in a self-loathing and depressing mood, just concentrating on getting by. Is it the summer blues? No, it's missing my man and being in a miserable state.

But -what's the point in feeling sorry for oneself? There is none! But it's OKAY to admit that you're not jolly and that you wish things were easier.

What helps me get by is my family and friends, animals, sunshine, laughter, drifting into a good movie or a book or looking at the stars while enjoying a crips glass of wine.

I look forward to going "home" to Eugene and see my husband again. Hopefully thing will work out for us.

I love this song

<3