Momma’s Angel

Constitution Day May 17, 2006

Gratulerer med Dagen. Happy Birthday Norway.

One hundred and one years ago, Norway finally became free from rule of the other Scandinavian (Denmark & Sweden) countries. It had gone back and forth but this time they actually made their own Constitution. The friendly, lovely country has a Parliament (Storting) and Royal (Kongelig) family.

We were there last year, and I hope we’ll see photos from this year. It is a fancy affair. Norwegians wear their bunad, traditional regional costumes, or dress up. It’s really a day for children. School Marching Bands come up Karl Johans Gate and around in front of the Palace. This is quite different from American Independance Day festivities which are often less formal, include military (or local services) parade, cookouts and fireworks. Fireworks would probably be included on May 17th but though spring is still chilly, the evening sky is still too light.

Last Blast February 26, 2006

This is my last post fra Norge. Ha det veldig bra!

We will surely visit someday to show Sara Ellen her birthplace.

When in … Norway February 12, 2006

Happy Norwegian Mother’s Day.

Tim brought me pink roses and his mom left a nice card for me.

Family December 23, 2005

My family is here, all of them. Wahoo!

Mom, Tim, and I met Dad, Emily, and Michael at our nearest train station around noon. We went to the apartment they are renting and then had a late lunch at Gio’s, our “place”. Besides going there for random dinners ourselves and with friends, it was our choice for our anniversary, Tim’s sister’s first night here, as well as my mom’s when she arrived 3 weeks ago. Hard to believe Mom has been here that long.

In a couple days Sara Ellen will be three weeks. Three days before she is three months, March 3rd, we’re coming home to the USA! Right now we’re sitting in the family’s apartment waiting for them to return from Christmas food shopping, then we’ll finally go out. Tim just changed our plane tickets to 3/3/06 and got the ticket for Sara Ellen. She and I have been getting accustomed to going out using the sling. I was really nervous but a couple of days ago we made our first trip out to the grocery store. She isn’t always happy getting in but once I start moving she falls asleep. She’s all squished but she’s only been out in the world two weeks so it’s not like she’s forgotten how comfortable she was inside. I am really happy how well going out and breastfeeding, while out and in general is going. It’s so convenient, nothing to pack or prepare. It did take some getting used to. The sling works well but at times, especially when my shoulder hurts, I’d like to get a stroller sooner than later.

Happy Birthday Dad.

Mr. Golden Sun November 29, 2005

Just thought I’d give you a little taste of the sun’s schedule at this time of year. Lucky for you, today is a sunny, pretty day. We’re supposed to get SNOW this weekend!

8:45ish AM
2:45ish PM

Dark November 11, 2005

I know Norway is not the only country dark earlier in the winter, but it’s even earlier here. It’s just after 5pm and it feels so late. I *really* dislike this. I like the sun. In this country in summer. It is beautiful, warm, sunny all the time with no humidity. If you woke up from an winter afternoon nap without a clock, your guess of the time would be valid of anywhere from 4:30 pm to about 7 am!

But wonder of wonders, there was actually sun today. I’ve heard it is, and will continue to be a warm winter. Well it really isn’t so cold. I’m not sure of our chances for a white Christmas.

3:30 November 6, 2005

Ugg, Norwegian winter weather stinks, 3:30 and getting dark. I woke up at 2 this afternoon (go to sleep late, wake up late) and I could see the sun setting.

5pm November 4, 2005

It’s not 5pm yet and it’s dark. Ugg.

Snow Day October 25, 2005

Oslo is getting it’s first layer of snow right now!

I can’t help but smile. It’s so pretty. I was hardly awake when Tim told me just before he left but even then I knew how excited he was.

And it’s cozy. Nice cold so I bundle up but don’t get overheated from munchkin warmth while walking around.

Now it is a little strange for me since I’m used to a first snow in December or maybe not till January. But here I am, October 25th and Christmas is two months away (about 8 weeks as I think in weeks right now).

By the way, I just got the incredible news that my friend and old R-MWC roommate Bekah (Myers, now Baljet) had a baby girl on August 7th! I don’t know the name yet, but she’s sending me pictures and I can’t wait to see them!

Traveling October 24, 2005

Anytime travel is brought to mind, especially having a right to enter a country, I think of the scene from The Saint when Elisabeth Shue’s character leaves the safety of Val Kilmer’s character and runs through a square in Russia dodging the Russians who want to kill them both toward the American Embassy. As she nears the gate she screams over and over “I’m an American!!!” and is welcomed into the safety of the US Soldiers arms. They close the gate on her pursuers and the Russian spits in the face of the soldier. When I came to Norway, but had not yet seen the American Embassy here, I had a romantic notion of being so welcomed. On my first visit to the Consular Office (I have been twice and Tim’s first will be when we apply for citizenship documents for the baby) I came through a construction area (they have recently installed imposing gates around the building) to go through, not unexpectedly, security measures. This was by a Norwegian guard outside. I imagine there aren’t American soldiers here because this is a peaceful, US-friendly country. Then I was directed to one of two lines. The left line is for American citizens, and the right is for Non-US citizens doing either visa or immigration business. This is still outside. While the left line is shorter, it isn’t really much faster as people are invited in one at a time from alternating lines. Once inside you must remove what documents you need, give your belongings to another Norwegian person, and then proceed through the metal detector. This part seems redundant as you have already been waved over outside. Anyhoo, there are a number of chairs inside so I figure they should let more in at a time but I haven’t needed one as so few Americans are there. Almost immediately you proceed to a free window, and are helped by a Norwegian. The non-citizens seem to be helped by American employees. I guess I had this idea of going into my countries Embassy and feeling at home. Oh well.

Since then, there has been a time where I felt homey American comfort.

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