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:)
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:)
