Thank You, Bogetveit family (and Nordstrom Rack)

My Dad arrived in Bergen last night!!!! I am so happy to see him and have him in Bergen for the week. And, every expat here knows what a visitor from home means...STUFF FROM HOME!!!! I sent a small list of things home to my Mom and yesterday, Christmas happened when my dad opened his suitcase. Mom went well beyond the list I sent and I am thrilled! New clothes, comfy pjs and warm socks, shampoo and conditioner, mascara, even Spanx (how did mom know I was eating so many carbs???).


Look at all of it!! Oh, so beautiful!



Shampoo and Conditioner, and TWO things of Dior mascara!



Anthropologie, I love you!



Justine's Peanut Butter snack packets!!



The thing I think I miss most...awesome deals!! Yes, these shoes were $119 but reduced by 85% to $18.

So, thank you Mom for shopping for me, and Dad, for carrying it over!! Now, I just wish you were here to see how it all looks on!

Week 6: Which came first, the tax card or the job?

I have met a number of expats here in Bergen and everyone seems to have their own story about getting their personal number, tax card and job. I think I may need to define some of these Norwegian terms...

Personal Number: All residents in Norway have a personal number, like your social security number.

Folkeregistrar: This is where you register as a resident in Norway. This is the same office where you get your tax card.

Tax Card: The card Norway gives you so you can pay taxes. Oh, yay!

Job: The thing I want

I'm luckier than most people because I had my personal number before coming to Norway. This is the first thing you need to get everything else you need to work.

So, in my job search, I was told I had to have a tax card before I could get a job. So, I went to the folkeregistrar to register and get my tax card. Well, they told me I needed a job contract before I could register and get a tax card.

So then, I got a sub job, with a contract. They did give me this without the tax card (woohooo). So then, I went back to the folkeregistrar (2nd time) with my contract and they said they could give me my tax card but wouldn't register me because the employment contract didn't have a time frame on it and because I didn't have anyone supporting me (a boyfriend/husband). They wanted a lease for my apartment to register me. They said they would sent my tax card and I'd have it in the next few days but couldn't register me. Two weeks go by...

I went back to the tax office today (3rd time) to see where my tax card is. See, I can't get paid for my days of subbing without it. She looked at what I brought and looked up my information on the computer. Oh, they didn't send my tax card yet because before you can have a tax card, you have to be registered. So, now they are going to register me, and then send my tax card. This should take around 2.5 weeks.

So now, I wait again. I've learned that sometimes Norwegians need to be reminded of things or the estimated timeline may be twice as long. So, I'll call next week.

Cross your fingers this comes through, because I can't wait to start paying taxes!!

On another (less stressful) note, today was another gorgeous day in Bergen! The sun was shining and the skies were clear. The city was beautiful. I woke up in a "What? It's been 6 weeks and I STILL don't have a job" kind of mood. It took a nice walk downtown and my mood quickly turned back into a "What? I live in this beautiful city" kind of mood. I can't wait for tomorrow, because it is going be even nicer out than today!!

“What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise” ~ Oscar Wilde

Hverdagsliv

Today in my Norwegian class, we were learning about Hverdagsliv, or in English, Everyday Life. Vocab included words that describe your day, such as stress, having very much to do, relaxing, tired, working overtime and so on. As we went around the class and described our days, I had a realization. For the first time in a few years, I was able to say that I am not stressed. I enjoy my days.

Yes, I am slightly stressed that I still don't have the steady job I want, but compared to two months ago, my stress is GONE. I didn't realize how long it had been since I was so stress free. My last job left me dreaming about work (not good dreams), waking up and screaming about work, losing sleep and patience having to deal with the realities of my old career.

While I don't have a new job (yet), I love where I am and I'm so happy. I am a substitute teacher at a great school. I have made some great connections which hopefully will lead to a great position in my field of expertise (cross your fingers!!). I have met some amazing people and I've had an awesome time with my family. I'm in a fun, intensive Norwegian class and I have a great apartment in one of the most interesting and beautiful cities in the world.


"If you want to be happy, be."
~Leo Tolstoy

One month in Bergen: The view from my window

Yesterday was one month in Bergen. And it has been an amazing month. It feels so right that it's like I've been here forever, but it also feels like yesterday that I just got off the plane.

The one thing everyone in Bergen has in common is the weather. It is a topic that comes up in conversation daily. Yes, the weather is difficult, but I don't mind it. I've seen many pretty views of ugly weather from my apartment window.


Week 1: My first morning and first view from the window. Muggy, but what a beautiful view!!



Sun and blue skies!!



A cold, rainy day



Snow day!

Each day brings new things. At one month, I am now taking Norwegian classes, have a job (kinda), I'm searching for a new job and having a great time!!

I started at level two in Norwegian and it is still a review from what I learned years ago. It's a challenge, but I'm loving it.

I am a substitute teacher at the International School of Bergen. I've been with them for one week, but I haven't been called in yet. I am hoping next week will be the week, but not on Monday.

Monday I have a meeting with a very important man who may be able to help me find a job working at a foster care home for children, many of them immigrant children. I am crossing my fingers and toes that something will come of it. Help me out if you can!!

Things I miss at one month:
1. My family and friends. I am so happy for Skype!!
2. Loads of big, fluffy, white snow, with snow days, snowmen and shoveling.
3. Shopping for clothes.

Things I don't miss at one month:
1. Denver water
2. Driving in the snow
3. Stress
4. The view from my Denver window