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Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Halloween in Norway

Halloween.  This "holiday" to me has always meant carving pumpkins, haunted houses, corn mazes, dressing up, and giving candy to cute trick or treaters (and of course, eating some of the candy as well).

Every year, it was common to hear "what are you going to be for halloween?".  A question for adults and children alike.  Some of my favorite adult costumes over the years have included...

Light Bright (thats right, the board game)



Batman



The 5 little piggies (I was the little piggy that went "weeeeee" all the way home)



Halloween is an American holiday, so of course I wasn't expecting the same experience in Norway.  But yes, I still dressed up in a costume (5 shades of Grey), watched scary movies and even had trick or treaters.

Norwegians have started to adopt the halloween culture, although certainly not to the extent that they do in the states.

What I learned this year about Halloween in Norway.

1. Some adults do dress up, but it isn't what you're used to seeing in the US.  Girls aren't using it as an excuse to wear as little as possible.  Some still do, but I saw more actual scary costumes out than I have in the US.  A girl with fake blood all over her face and clothes, a girl in a shark attack costume and lots of face paint.

2. I didn't see a single carved pumpkin.  I imagine it is because pumpkins are too expensive and not so easy to find.  They did have some decorations at the store, so we made sure the kids knew they could come to our door!!



3. Kids do dress up and go trick or treating, but instead they say "Knask eller knep", which translates almost exactly.  The Donald Duck cartoon was the one to translate this phrase to Norwegian.

4. They do not have a wide selection of individually packed candy.  My cousins thought I was nuts when I told them they needed to buy candy that was individually packaged.  You can't give loose cookies or candies to kids.  Apparently, not a huge deal in Norway.  I still insisted so we ended up with a few small lemon chew candies, some balloons and a few packages of nudler (ramen noodles).  I never thought kids would go for this but sure enough...it was the MOST popular item in our candy basket.



Overall, a great Halloween.  I'm looking forward to spending some other holidays here in Norway.  Next up...Thanksgiving!!!

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Baking my way through the rain and cold

Fall is here and the chill is in the air.  We even got some snow this last week.  I can't think of a better way to cozy up and stay warm than to bake delicious treats.  I grew up with 3 sisters and a mom, all of whom love being in the kitchen.  I learned from a young age how to bake and cook.  There is something about baking a loaf of bread or a nice chocolate cake that calms you and puts a smile on your face.  I seem to think it's the smell of it baking in the oven, then the taste of it after its done:)  No matter what it is, it's always tastier when it's fresh!!!

I have a mini kitchen in Norway with minimal baking supplies (that means, no bread pans, no measuring cups and no thermometer). To add to that, as I have mentioned, groceries are expensive.  Therefore, it is a difficult hobby.  Or, I suppose you can call it a challenge and great experiment. Almost everything came out amazing.

What did I try???

Homemade yogurt (my new favorite)

This was really very simple.  Basically, you heat milk on a double boiler until it is nearly boiling (180 degrees), then cool it to 110 degrees.  Then you add some yogurt with live cultures, mix and let sit for 8 hours.  In the morning...yogurt!! And to make it more greek style, you can strain it (I used coffee filters) and all of the whey drains out.  It was the most delicious yogurt I've ever tasted.  Ok, thats a lie..but only because of Noosa at home, which is the most delightful thing ever.  But, my yogurt with a little honey did come in second!!

Milk cooling to 110 degrees before I added the starter

Getting ready to strain the yogurt into greek yogurt using coffee filters

Fresh, homemade yogurt. yum, yum!


Sea Salt and Rosemary Bread

I tasted this bread in North Carolina at a farm I visited.  It was so delicious that I just had to try and duplicate it.  I found a bread recipe online and manipulated it to have fresh rosemary topped with sea salt.  It was so delicious!!!

Letting the dough rise

Done! 


Raisin bread with a cinnamon swirl

This was my one disappointment.  It was tasty with juicy raisins throughout and a yummy cinnamon swirl that was sweet and gooey.  But, the bread was just a little too dry.  I'll have to try that one again soon!

I forgot to take a picture when it was cooked, but this was before:)


Honey Whole Wheat bread

Ok, my new favorite.  There is a store in Colorado called Great Harvest and they have the best bread ever!! Fresh, warm bread they give samples of with some butter on top...best ever!!  I wanted some of this.  So, I tried to make it.  I found some whole wheat at the grocery store and a basic recipe, spiced it up a bit and omg, delicious!!!!!  I had to bring it upstairs to the boys or I was afraid I'd eat it all!  And, forgot to take a picture.  No worries, I'll make it again:)


Bagels

One thing I miss from Colorado is being able to stop for a fresh, warm bagel with cream cheese on your way to work.  The closest you get to this in Bergen is Bollers at 7/11 or Narvessen...sorry, but not the same.  The only bagels I have found in Norway are frozen ones to re heat and they just don't taste the same. These were also pretty easy.  You basically make a quick yeast bread dough, let it rise and then form it into balls, then bagel shapes. Then, boil them.  Then bake them.  I put cinnamon and sugar on some and sea salt on others.  MMMMMmmmmmm.

Fresh bagels.  topped with either sea salt or cinnamon and sugar.



Mayonnaise

I had to have my sea salt and rosemary bread sliced warm with some homemade mayonnaise and a nice ripe slice of tomato!! So, whipped some up.  It's just egg, egg yolk, lemon, and olive oil.  Simple, yet delicious!!!!

Rosemary and Sea Salt bread with homemade mayonnaise and fresh tomatoes


I have so many other things on my practice list...but I think I will have to visit IKEA before any of them can turn out perfect!!  Just some things to look forward to (especially if you live with me):

- Pumpkin muffins filled with sweet cream cheese and topped with walnut streusel.
- Another raisin and cinnamon swirl bread
- Jalepeno and cheddar bread
- Cheese, yes...cheese!
- Coffee cake
- Pie pasteries
- Oh, so much more...



Thursday, October 25, 2012

FRANCE!!

I am such a lucky girl!  My parents were on vacation in France and decided it would be fun for me to join them for a weekend.  After all, it's not too far from Bergen!!

So, early morning Friday to late Monday, I was in France with Mom and Dad.  Friendly people, beautiful places and delicious food!!  It was better than I had expected.

I think the best way to describe it, and what everyone wants to see...is pictures!! So here you have it.  Marseille (and around), France.


A small city just 30 minutes from Marseille


Nighttime on the water


For my niece Sophia Elizabeth


Getting lost in the countryside


Pastries!!!!


Cassis


Cassis


Cassis in the rain


Cassis



Moules Frites


Breakfast


Marseille


Friday, October 12, 2012

Small pieces of Bergen

Everyone knows Bergen for the Bryggen, the fjords, cobblestone streets, the fish market and coffee.  But, there are the little pieces of Bergen that are cute little reminders of the rainy city that I call home.

Yellow signs and the rain

Puddles!!!

Pretty Bryggen on the ground

Biking in the rain

Bus stops

Grass roof

Mail boxes

Moss everywhere

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

The American Girl in Edvardsens

Norwegian speaking, Football, Fifa, beer, pizza, loud music, snus, action movies, military, inappropriate comments, more beer, sleeping in, cigars, politics, a lot more football, Flight of the Concords, construction, 5 minute haircuts and no toilet paper.  Otherwise knows as, the boys...

English speaking, nail painting, cooking, occasional tears, early mornings, pink towels, teaching, scented candles, Skype calls, Project Runway, baking, makeup, 50 Shades of Grey, shopping, blow dryers and hair straighteners, country music, Me...

Mix these and you get 4 cousins, one douchbag jar, confusing looks, explanations and lots and lots of funny pictures and stories...

Here are just a few glimpses into life at Edvardsens...

We started the douchbag jar after watching "New Girl".  When I first moved in, there were quite a few comments or gestures I considered over the top "boy".  Ok, just gross and I don't feel like repeating them.  So, in order to keep these comments to a minimum, we implemented the jar.  If you do or say something above and beyond...douchbag jar.  Recently, it's become more of a "healthy behavior jar" after we implemented some additional rules.

1. "Douchy" comments and gestures: 5KR
2. Smoking (no, I'm not smoking..this is the boys): 10KR/cigarette
3. Eating Ben and Jerrys (If you know me, you know this is mine): 20KR
4. Frozen pizza (for one cousin in particular): 5KR
5. Working out less than 2 times per week: 5KR
6. Getting kicked out of/not let into a bar: 50KR

It's only empty because we just withdrew 700KR from the first two months!!
Honesty: I was hanging out with my cousin the other day, trying out our new phones and all the fancy apps.  He took a picture of me standing (awkwardly and i'm sure there was a breeze in the room) and said "Hey look! From the angle your standing with that shirt, you look pregnant. Awesome!"  Not really what I was going for, but thanks??  Just one of the many highlights of living with a group of boy cousins:)  They always tell when what your wearing really does make you look fat.

I cannot believe I am posting this...never wearing that shirt again!!

Laughter: I walked into the living room one afternoon just as one cousin was coming home from shopping.  What for?  An outfit for his Octoberfest party that night.  Obviously, he had to try it on.  Yet another highlight of living with the boys, free entertainment!!!



Boredom?? What is a girl to do on a rainy day, when she is not employed and trying to save money while also staying entertained??  Well, makeovers sound like a good idea.  Yes, my cousin let me do this to him.  

Some homemade hair mask

A terrible haircut because apparently, I cannot cut hair.  What a good sport (It got buzzed off about an hour later)

New hobbies: Walk into the main living room on a rainy Sunday evening and you will see something a little like the picture below.  Fifa on the big screen, a not so important football game on a computer, and another laptop for the computer game.  What am I doing while all of this is going on?? Well, I do watch the game, but while I am also blogging, facebooking, lesson planning, practicing norwegian (rarely, I admit) or painting my nails...



I grew up with 4 girls and one boy (my dad) and always had girl roommates so this is quite a difference.  It's me and the boys living in a 3 apartment unit.  For the first time in my life, the boys outnumber me.  I've never had brothers but my cousins are as close as it gets.  Hopefully, they aren't sick of me waking them up to go running, making them play their football games on their computer so we can watch the new episode of The Voice or asking for thoughts on my outfits:)  If they are, they're out of luck because I'm not going anywhere anytime soon.







Thursday, October 4, 2012

Life these days: From "Long Term Visitor" to "Resident" in Bergen

It's already October.  Not including the 8 weeks I spent in Colorado this summer, I have been living in Bergen for 9 months now.  It feels like it's flown by.

I took two big steps toward becoming a "resident" in Bergen verses a "long term visitor" in Bergen.  First, I signed up at the gym for 12 months.  Second, I signed a 12 month contract for a Norwegian phone service.  Finally, I can go for a run or go spinning and not get drenched in rain.  I can say goodbye to the old Blackberry and phone cards!!  And other than the phone and gym, I've also started working and living like a Norwegian.

One of the biggest struggles I've had since moving here has been employment.  I've been working as a substitute teacher at the International School of Bergen.  It has been inconsistent and challenging.  I am never guaranteed work, which means some weeks I work very little or even nothing.  Some days I'd work in the Kindergarten, other days i'd be teaching Norwegian or French to 9th graders.  Some months good, others bad.  Recently, things with the school have changed for the better (for me).

One of the teachers at school is sick and is now only working 20%, meaning she needs coverage for 80% of her work...as the ESL teacher and Coordinator for the lower school.  That's me!! So, I finally have a consistent job.  At least for the next month or so.  And, I love it.  I finished my first week of work (well, 33 hours of work) and came home on Friday with a smile on my face.  The last time I worked a full week of work, I was at the adoption agency in Denver and was used to being so stressed that I couldn't see straight.  It was amazing to come home after working all week and think about the weekend and fun things, rather than continuing to think about work and work, and more work.

I've mentioned before that people in Norway work to live, they don't live to work.  So, what about my life in Norway?  Well, it has been great!  I am finally at the point now where I feel like I know Bergen.  You know you know a place when you have options.  Instead of needing to go to the grocery store, I think, "which store should I go to".  I know the one that sells Siracha, the one with the cheap chicken, and the one that doesn't charge for bags.  If I need to get home, I consider which route I should take? Bus, bybane, walk?? Give directions to someone...ok, that one is still a little tricky but I'll give it a shot:)

One thing I do not do but really need to is speak Norwegian.  You know, the language they speak here yet I have still not perfected (not even close)!  I decided not to take the Norwegian course this September because it was so expensive so I am not even being forced to practice.  I am still figuring out a way to make it happen, but I have lost motivation.  My cousin's speak English so well, I teach English...so it's just easier to speak it!  I try to speak Norwegian to the cashiers at the grocery store and bus drivers and such, but they catch on and answer me in English.  I will learn, but it will take longer than it did my amazing sister (fluent after a year)!!

What comes next?  I'm planning to stay in Norway for Christmas so I can plan a trip to visit Colorado in January to meet my new niece!!  I'll be there for about 3 weeks, then back to Bergen.  I can't say I have any set plans for when I return in January, but who knows what will happen!!

And I don't have any pictures of anything very exciting, but do have some that I took with my new phone camera apps that I'll share...just to keep this post colorful:)