And thus January has begun

How's 2011 treating you so far? Still on track with your resolutions, if you had any?

I think I am doing well. NYE started a bit rough, though. Jamie and I were going up to my parents for dinner, and the roads were slick as popsicles. We didn't get up the hill, but me - being my persistent self - INSISTED that I try at least one more time. Jamie sighed and got out of the car. Long story short - I managed to crash the car into a huge rock. No big damage was done to the car, except for a broken headlight. Anyways, I now had to walk up a steep, slippery hill with my 6 inches peep-toe Nine West heels. (That, on the other hand, went smooth.)

Next, at dinner, the centerpiece candle fell over at least two times before anyone considered it an option to move it to another place so it wouldn't set the table on fire.

Oh, and discussing politics with your immediate family over dinner is never a good idea. Trust me. Things can get very heated.

However, with drinks coming and fireworks going off, we all had a good time and welcomed the new year with champagne toasts.

Since I got a "nice" letter from my doctor before the holidays telling me I have iron deficiency, I have stocked up on iron pills, vitamins and fish oil. My fridge has lots of green in it, and I am slowly cutting the carbs. I also have a part-time job every other weekend that definitely does not include sitting on my ass, so at least I get to move around quite a bit.

Here's to hoping 2011 will be a healthy, happy and successful year!

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