Week 18: Babies, weddings and world travel?

I can't believe it! I've been in Norway for 18 weeks now, and I'm going to Colorado in 20 days!!! I did book my ticket back to Norway, but not until I have a good 6 weeks in Colorado!! That's right, I'm in Colorado from June 2nd until July 16th!! The last few weeks have been full of visits from family and friends, preparation for my time at home, wedding planning for my sister and planning (ok, thinking about) my future plans.

My sister and her friend came to Bergen for 10 days and it was amazing. Not only was it wonderful to see my sister after 5 months in Norway, but she brought with her sun (and a few items from home i've been missing). We had a great time visiting family, shopping, eating, drinking and enjoying the beautiful Bergen sunshine!

Me and my sis at the Bryggen!!

There are 17 cousins on my Norwegian side. One night, we had a get together and had 10 of the 17 cousins celebrating Cinco de Mayo. The 7 cousins who couldn't make it were either out of the country, too far away in Norway or too young to drink (under 6 years old). I see my cousins a lot, but it was so nice to see everyone all at once!!

 With my sisters departure came a new job for me...wedding planning for the upcoming wedding (only 34 days away). So, on the days I am not at the International School, I'm sitting on my laptop looking for bands, caterers, bachelorette party accessories and wedding favors.

Outside of the wedding planning and preparation, there are also the many babies my close family and friends are expecting in the near future. I am so excited for all of them, and to be Auntie Lizzie to more than just one special little boy. I was surprised by my own emotions and reactions to the pregnancy news. Am I old enough now that my close friends and family are getting married and becoming parents? It's a surreal feeling when you realize that you are an adult. It makes every decision I have to make much bigger.

Decisions, both exciting and unbelievably scary. I'm at the place in my life where I get to make these exciting life changing decisions. I don't have a wedding of my own or children I need to think about when making big life decisions. I have more opportunities available to me than the average person, and I feel like the luckiest person in the world. Who else has to decide...stay in Norway, move back to Colorado, move to Spain to teach English???

No decisions have been made yet, as I like to see where the wind takes me.  For now, I'm enjoying my time in Norway with friends and family and looking forward to my visit home, my new niece and celebration of my little sister's marriage.

Week 13: Easter (Påske) break in Bergen/Spain

You know when you have been away from the sun (and happy hours) for 12 weeks, then you go somewhere where they have sun nearly every day and are well known for their tapas and delicious Spanish wine? Well, this place was Spain and I got to go there this week. When I got there, I had a euphoric, warm, happy emotion and made me feel like I should jump up and sing. I have been to many different countries and can honestly say it was one of the greatest places I've ever visited. I quickly fell in love with the food, people and culture.


So happy to be in beautiful Spain!


One of the many pretty pictures of Torre del Mar

Easter in America for me has always been celebrated on one day and most of the time involves a big family brunch, an Easter bunny, a basket full of candy and an Easter egg hunt in my family's big back yard. It's a completely different story in Norway and in Spain.

Easter in Norway is celebrated over more than a week. Kids are out of school, adults have a few days off of work and they have special meals, treats and events just for Easter. A few of these include:

Easter Events:
Påskekrimmen (Easter crime): Norwegians love their crime stories and Easter is a great time for them. They have crime stories listed on milk cartons during the week of Easter and a crime series on TV specifically for Easter.

Påskefjell (Easter Mountain): Easter is a great time to go on a hike in the mountains. This is the term for that.

Påskenøtter (Easter quiz/trivia): Norwegians also love their trivia. They have special quizzes that they play on the radio that people can call in with their answers and win prizes.

Easter Food:
Påskekylliing (Easter chicken)
Påskelam (Easter lamb)
Påskemarsipan (Easter Marsipan)


Easter crime shows



Norwegian milk cartons with Easter crime stories.

Now, Easter in Spain is more extravagant as well. In each city, they have special parades. They wear their traditional cultural outfits, carry big featured floats, and play music. They do this for many nights and on the last night, walk overnight until early in the morning! It was wonderful to see.


Some beautiful Spanish girls in their outfits during the parade. I was shocked that they walked in really high heels for hours!



One of the many big floats they carry during the parade. They have many people carrying it on their shoulders. It was very impressive.



Some of the cultural outfits warn during the parade in Torre Del Mar.


Outside of the Easter celebrations, I enjoyed so many other things Malaga had to offer. One of my favorites was our visit to the White City.


The White City!


The streets in the White City were so cute!!!



This was the cemetery at the White City. It is a very well known, beautiful cemetery and it was fascinating to see.



Me and the White City

Then, there was the food and drinks. I loved everything I tasted!! Fresh fish, Allioli, Ceviche, Paella, Chorizo, Churros, Candied walnuts, flan, meatballs, prawns...oh this list could go on forever!! I didn't say no to anything, which is why I just ate brussel sprouts for dinner.


Delicious Fish at a very well known restaurant!!


Spanish tapas


Fresh Churros with homemade chocolate dipping sauce! I think i'll be dreaming about these!


Paella and Champagne!


Chorizo on fresh bread, candied walnuts and a beer. Yum!!

And the people were amazing! We spent one night out with some of my Aunt's friends and they were the most wonderful people! I met one man who offered me a teaching job in Madrid. I won't lie, that sounds tempting after this last week!!