Living in Norway: The adventure of learning Norwegian

I’ve always liked learning new things and part of me was excited to go back to school. I’m in Norwegian language courses, or as they call it “norskkurs” (NORSHK’ koosh).

My first class was in a small suburb of Oslo and I was struck by how many people from different countries were there. We had students from Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey and two Americans. The other American was a sweet chic from Minnesota. (Hi L!)

My first day of Norwegian class.

My first day of Norwegian class.

I’ve had … Read more ...

Living in Norway: America’s election season has been downright embarrassing

In U.S. presidential races, the bickering between candidates gets ugly and this year, it’s been downright disgusting. As an American living abroad, it’s been plain embarrassing.

Even though many of us Americans don’t follow the politics of other countries, the rest of the world watches ours. My friends here in Norway are monitoring this election very closely, and the most common question I am asked is: Why?

Today's Election Day in the U.S. who will come out on top? (Photos by Gage Skidmore and Lorie Shaull.)

Today’s Election Day in the U.S. who will come out on top? (Photos by Gage Skidmore and Lorie

Read more ...

My Life In Norway

Many people have asked me what life is like in Norway, such a simple question with a complex and ever-evolving answer. This the first in an occasional series about my adjustment to life in Norway.

The First Month

When we arrived in Norway, I think it’s fair to say that we were a bit in shock. My husband and I have been hoping to make this move since before we were married and then, BAM! Here it was, here we were, in the land of … Read more ...

My life in Norway’s winter wonderland

This weekend my part of Norway was socked with snow, and it’s been like walking around in a snow globe.

We got nearly a foot of snow in about 24 hours and it was cool to see how the Norwegians took it all in stride. But hey, this is Norway, what’d I expect? When I lived in Portland, Oregon we got a dusting of snow and the city shut down.

I put a toy car on our porch so you guys can see how much it snowed.

I put a toy car on our porch so you guys can see how much

Read more ...