There are some words and phrases that I have to think twice about. How would you interpret these in English?
1. Gangbro
2. Din fart
If I could write the answers upside down like in the newspaper quizzes, I would, but the first word means 'walking bridge' (it is not an eubonics expression for a brother who is a member of a gang) and the second expression means 'your speed' (not whatever else you were thinking). That's something you would see while driving, when there is a device by the side of the road that displays your speed.
Plus, I confuse things like 'reke' and 'rekke' which look very similar but are pronounced differently and have much different meanings. For example, we live in a 'rekkehus' which is a townhouse. But you eat 'reke' which are shrimp. I think I have been telling people I live in a shrimp house!
tirsdag 28. august 2007
søndag 26. august 2007
Moving In!
Boxes - boxes, boxes, everywhere boxes! We received our shipment last week, so there has been inordinate amount of unpacking, organizing, cleaning, appliance-shopping, painting, picture-hanging, and clothes-washing going on. Plus, no internet, hence the lack of communication from my end. We are starting to see a living room where all the boxes used to be, so it won't be too long until normal life returns.
Cucumber - It is so neat how homogenous some things are here. I have to realize this is a much smaller country than where I came from. For example, cucumber and tomato. Nearly everyone buys these regularly at the grocery store. They are very useful vegetables, mind you, as they are great on top of an open-faced sandwich, in a salad, or as a garnish. It is just amazing how pervasive they are.
Home - Our new home is better than we dreamed! It is a townhouse high up on a hill, with lots of trees, sunlight, a small little garden, a nice garage, and cozy fireplaces. Nils has been painting, painting, and painting, and fixing things up. We are nearly moved in after just 10 days, so that's not too bad. It helps to have friends and family nearby to make things easier.
Cucumber - It is so neat how homogenous some things are here. I have to realize this is a much smaller country than where I came from. For example, cucumber and tomato. Nearly everyone buys these regularly at the grocery store. They are very useful vegetables, mind you, as they are great on top of an open-faced sandwich, in a salad, or as a garnish. It is just amazing how pervasive they are.
Home - Our new home is better than we dreamed! It is a townhouse high up on a hill, with lots of trees, sunlight, a small little garden, a nice garage, and cozy fireplaces. Nils has been painting, painting, and painting, and fixing things up. We are nearly moved in after just 10 days, so that's not too bad. It helps to have friends and family nearby to make things easier.
torsdag 16. august 2007
People
People - I love listening to non-Norwegian looking people speaking Norwegian. I think it is pretty amazing that people who come from countries all over the globe learn this unusual language. It is fun hearing all of the different accents and dialects. People can tell I am American.
More about people - People here are generally very good at remembering things about you. You tell them a small detail once, and they remember it for life.
Rain - Norway (especially the county where we live) has set a record for rain this Summer! More rain than it has had in 60 years or something like that. We are still looking for pockets of sun, blue sky, and rainbows to keep us happy.
More about rain - Norwegians have an expression... there is no such as bad weather, just bad clothing! It is true! When it rains and pours, kids play outside all day. But they all wear a full rain suit! Is that fun, or what? I want my own adult rain suit so I can jump in puddles too.
More about people - People here are generally very good at remembering things about you. You tell them a small detail once, and they remember it for life.
Rain - Norway (especially the county where we live) has set a record for rain this Summer! More rain than it has had in 60 years or something like that. We are still looking for pockets of sun, blue sky, and rainbows to keep us happy.
More about rain - Norwegians have an expression... there is no such as bad weather, just bad clothing! It is true! When it rains and pours, kids play outside all day. But they all wear a full rain suit! Is that fun, or what? I want my own adult rain suit so I can jump in puddles too.
mandag 13. august 2007
Fish Truck
Fish Truck - Can you believe it? Yes, there are ice cream trucks here, but there are also fish trucks! The fish truck actually comes to your door (well, the driver does) and offers you the fresh fish caught today. They come in the late afternoon so you can cook it for dinner.
New house! - We got the keys to our place last Friday, so we are in the thick of fixing it up so we can move in this weekend. There is much to do, but we will just get the ceilings painted, and Charlotte's room fixed up. The rest can be done over the next year or so.
Job - I got a job offer a couple days after the interview last week, and I have accepted! I am very excited. I start in September as a project leader for software installations.
Horten - That is a city down on the shore before southern Norway. It is where Nils' office is. His first day at work is today!
New house! - We got the keys to our place last Friday, so we are in the thick of fixing it up so we can move in this weekend. There is much to do, but we will just get the ceilings painted, and Charlotte's room fixed up. The rest can be done over the next year or so.
Job - I got a job offer a couple days after the interview last week, and I have accepted! I am very excited. I start in September as a project leader for software installations.
Horten - That is a city down on the shore before southern Norway. It is where Nils' office is. His first day at work is today!
onsdag 8. august 2007
Hedgehog
Zach - Happy Birthday to you! 3 Years old today. We miss you and send you hugs and sweet dreams of cars.
Grandpa - Happy Birthday to you too! And many more...
Hedgehog - I saw my first hedeghog today. I don't think I've ever seen one before. Sadly, though, when I saw him I was driving into Oslo in rush hour, stuck in the traffic, and he was roadkill.
Teeth - Charlotte is getting some teeth up on top. We heard her grinding her teeth this morning, so we know they will be popping out soon.
Plums - We are on vacation still with our in-laws, and enjoying the warm summer weather today. Sitting by the pool, enjoying the sun, and eating fresh plums from the tree.
Grandpa - Happy Birthday to you too! And many more...
Hedgehog - I saw my first hedeghog today. I don't think I've ever seen one before. Sadly, though, when I saw him I was driving into Oslo in rush hour, stuck in the traffic, and he was roadkill.
Teeth - Charlotte is getting some teeth up on top. We heard her grinding her teeth this morning, so we know they will be popping out soon.
Plums - We are on vacation still with our in-laws, and enjoying the warm summer weather today. Sitting by the pool, enjoying the sun, and eating fresh plums from the tree.
mandag 6. august 2007
Fjords!
Fjords - We have officially seen fjords. They are absolutely amazing. During our quick 3-day driving tour around central/western Norway we saw some very diverse landscapes: rolling hills of farmland, deep and steep fjords with forested cliffs and tranquil water, barren mountain tops dotted with snow, and charming small towns with colorfully painted buildings and clear air. We started in Lærdal, took the 3 hour ferry ride to Gudvangen, a short drive past Voss, then a ferry to Utne. Gorgeous, gorgeous views everywhere. This was the largest fjord in the world, Sognefjord, and it cuts so deep into Norway's middle that we could travel there from Oslo in just a few hours driving. At places it is over 4000 feet deep! And if you have an urge to see waterfalls, this is place to be! "Foss" after foss after foss. Some are tiny, some drop thousands of feet, and some come rushing down the cliffs splashing into the fjord water. And we saw a glacier too! Please visit... we would love to take you here.
Boller - These are yummy sweet rolls. Nils is an excellent boller baker. On our journey, we tasted an award winning bolle filled with little chocolate pieces. You'll never guess who the baker was. A gas station owner! He sells them at his gas station in the town of Voss.
Interview - I have an interview Wednesday for a project manager position with portal installations. Wish me luck.
Cabin - We visited the family cabin in the mountains (the ones I mentioned above that are barren with lakes and snow. And sheep! We saw a herd of sheep every day, travelling back and forth to graze. Not much to graze on there! The roof is a grass roof which Lars had just cut. Nice, freshly clipped grass roof. Could anything be cozier?
Norah Jones - Last Friday, before we left on our excursion, a good friend took me to a Norah Jones concert in Oslo. One word - unbelievable. Every time she started singing a song, we could not believe her voice was real. It is that good. She had a wonderful show, filled with diverse songs (old, new, experimental/instrumental). I forget we no longer have huge American venues that hold tens of thousands of spectators, with lines to get in. We just walked right in 5 minutes after the starting time, saw plenty of open chairs, and got to sit about 100 yards from her.
Koselig - (koosh ih lee) This Norwegian word sort of means cozy and nice. It is said often. This is a very "cozy" culture. Maybe because it is so chilly most of the year, people have to be cozy to stay warm. The concert was koselig (small audience, intimate, relaxed, casual) and being on someone's sailboat is koselig (at night when you sit out on the boat together talking enjoying the view) and in general life here is koselig!
Boller - These are yummy sweet rolls. Nils is an excellent boller baker. On our journey, we tasted an award winning bolle filled with little chocolate pieces. You'll never guess who the baker was. A gas station owner! He sells them at his gas station in the town of Voss.
Interview - I have an interview Wednesday for a project manager position with portal installations. Wish me luck.
Cabin - We visited the family cabin in the mountains (the ones I mentioned above that are barren with lakes and snow. And sheep! We saw a herd of sheep every day, travelling back and forth to graze. Not much to graze on there! The roof is a grass roof which Lars had just cut. Nice, freshly clipped grass roof. Could anything be cozier?
Norah Jones - Last Friday, before we left on our excursion, a good friend took me to a Norah Jones concert in Oslo. One word - unbelievable. Every time she started singing a song, we could not believe her voice was real. It is that good. She had a wonderful show, filled with diverse songs (old, new, experimental/instrumental). I forget we no longer have huge American venues that hold tens of thousands of spectators, with lines to get in. We just walked right in 5 minutes after the starting time, saw plenty of open chairs, and got to sit about 100 yards from her.
Koselig - (koosh ih lee) This Norwegian word sort of means cozy and nice. It is said often. This is a very "cozy" culture. Maybe because it is so chilly most of the year, people have to be cozy to stay warm. The concert was koselig (small audience, intimate, relaxed, casual) and being on someone's sailboat is koselig (at night when you sit out on the boat together talking enjoying the view) and in general life here is koselig!
fredag 3. august 2007
Not 50
Video - if you don't yet have a webcam, please get one and call us! We miss everyone back in the States and would love to see you. Our Skype name is HoivikN.
Not 50 - one thing I have not figured out yet is speed limit signs. It is common to show what the speed limit is not rather than what the speed limit is. For example, if you are leaving one zone, it might have a 50 with lines through it. Which means literally not 50. But if it is not 50, what is it? There is a system that everyone who lives here knows, but I have not yet figured it out. I guess most country roads are 80, so if it reads not 50, you can now go 80. But if it reads not 40, it might be 60. Hmm...
Summer - when it is sunny and warm in Norway, there is no better place to be! Everything is so vivid and picturesque. Every view is like a postcard, and better. That's why there is an expression "don't sleep the summer day away." It does not last long, but every day should be fully enjoyed. So, now that it is sunny and gorgeous outside, I can't be sitting here writing!
Not 50 - one thing I have not figured out yet is speed limit signs. It is common to show what the speed limit is not rather than what the speed limit is. For example, if you are leaving one zone, it might have a 50 with lines through it. Which means literally not 50. But if it is not 50, what is it? There is a system that everyone who lives here knows, but I have not yet figured it out. I guess most country roads are 80, so if it reads not 50, you can now go 80. But if it reads not 40, it might be 60. Hmm...
Summer - when it is sunny and warm in Norway, there is no better place to be! Everything is so vivid and picturesque. Every view is like a postcard, and better. That's why there is an expression "don't sleep the summer day away." It does not last long, but every day should be fully enjoyed. So, now that it is sunny and gorgeous outside, I can't be sitting here writing!
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