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Sunday, December 16, 2012

Christmas in Bergen, Norway

Every family has their own Christmas traditions.  I always felt like I was double lucky because I got to celebrate Christmas twice.  Norwegian Christmas and American Christmas.  Now that I am living in Norway, I have learned more about where some of these traditions come from.

First is Advent.  This is the four weeks before Christmas where people count down the days leading to the big day.  Most people have heard of Advent calendars, and we always had these when I was growing up.  Each day has a little window, and underneath sits a little piece of chocolate or a treat.  I'm not sure if this is a norm in an average "American" family but it certainly is in Norway.

Every year in my house, my Norwegian grandma would come visit.  She would make a beautiful table centerpiece with a few candles.  Each Sunday before Christmas, we would light one more candle!!



Christmas colors have always been Red and Green to me, so I was confused when I saw so much Purple.  Purple is the advent color in Norway.  Purple candles, napkins, more candles.




Julebord

Definition: A formal Christmas party with your work or school in which you eat pinnakjøtt (see more below), drink cocktails and dance!!  Aka, my new favorite.

I've been to many Christmas work parties in my past.  These ranged from fancy sit down dinners to parties in the office with cheese and crackers and sparkling cider.  Most of the time, there is always one story of the one co-worker who drank one too many glasses of wine and ended up doing something embarrassing.  Well, Julebord is somewhat similar but in my opinion, better!

People dress in pretty dresses and suits.  Most of the time, there is a live band or comedian.  You eat Pinnakjott.  The meal that took me 10 years to love.  It is sheep ribs (mutton) that have been salted for a long time, then soaked in water, then boiled.  Then, served with potatoes and a mashed rutabagas and potato dish (Kålrabistappe).  


    


Christmas 

The main event for Christmas is celebrated in Norway on the 24th.  For lunch, you have rice porridge with a peeled almond hidden inside.  Whoever gets the nut gets a prize, which most of the time is a marzipan pig.  Before dinner, you gather and sing around the Christmas tree.  Then for dinner, you have pinnakjott or lutafisk (jellied fish).  Then gifts are given and families go to church together.  




The holiday continues on Christmas Day (day 1) and on December 26th (day 2).

The pretty city!!!

The big thing in Bergen is the Pepperkakebyen (the gingerbread house city).  People from all over the city make gingerbread houses and submit them to be at the pepperkakebyen.  Then, one house wins!!




 What can I say, Norway is just pretty in the wintertime.


The view from the apartment.

Bryggen downtown


I'm not quite lucky enough this year to spend all of Christmas in Bergen.  I'm flying away to Spain to spend the holidays with my Aunts, cousins and sunshine!!  Now, I can say I get to celebrate Christmas 3 times!!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

A month of Thanks!!

November.  To every American this means one thing...Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving, a day of turkey, potatoes and gravy, pies, football and family.  It also is a great reminder of the many things we have to be thankful for.

Now, since I don't get to celebrate Thanksgiving as I usually do, I am spending the month reminding myself of what I am truly thankful for.  I am starting today, on November 1st and will be done on Thanksgiving.

Today I am thankful for...

November 1
Today I am thankful for a safe, warm bed and house with working electricity.  I am thinking of all those stuck in the US after Sandy without these things.



November 2
Today I'm thankful for Fridays.



November 3
I am thankful for nice weather.  There is rain so often in Bergen that a day of sunshine and dry air is heavenly.



November 4
Today I'm grateful for internet.  Today, I was able to be in Denver and Bergen at the same time to celebrate my sisters baby shower (ok, over Skype but close enough).



November 5
Thank goodness for coffee!! I wouldn't make it through a Monday without it!



November 6
Voting day! I'm grateful today for that privilege.



November 7
Sales at the grocery stores.  After living in Bergen for long enough, I've learned to love these and be so grateful for any and all specials, even if I have to go to 3 grocery stores to get everything I need.



November 8
Lose Yourself by Eminem.  My favorite running song that keeps me going any time I feel like I'm going to be flung off the treadmill due to exhaustion.



November 9
Norwegian Quote of the day toilet paper. Great for practicing Norwegian :)




November 10
Birthdays! It is a celebration of one more year of life, but also a wonderful reason to get together with family and friends.



November 11

Workout buddies!! Spinning is way more entertaining when there are others with you to laugh at the funny, bouncy instructor.




November 12
My Dad!! November 12th marked Fars Dag in Norway, which of course will make me think of my Norwegian Dad.  I feel like the luckiest lil girl in the world!




November 13
Facebook birthday reminders. Sorry folks, I don't think i'd be able to remember everyone's day without the help!




November 14
My dad's old Izuzu Rodeo.  When I was 16 and learning to drive, I was forced to practice and take my drivers test on this manual truck.  I am so grateful to this day that I am able to drive any type of car.



November 15
A job!! I am so grateful to have a job and a paycheck when there are so many people out there searching.




November 16
Airplanes!! World travel has made the world a smaller place.  I live on the opposite side of the world from those who I love the most, but with a click of a button (and a few dollars), I have a plan to visit my family and friends, and meet my newest niece!!



November 17
Education!  I was given the opportunity to receive a higher education at two well known universities, something very few people can say.  I had the chance to attend a conference this weekend and further my education even further.



November 18
Cupcakes and wine...need I say more?



November 19
Edvardsensgate. The apartment in Bergen.  Like a university has student housing, our family has family housing.  Nearly everyone has lived in this apartment in Bergen at one point.  My dad, my aunts and uncles, and loads of cousins.  Here, the cousins have become good friends, we all have at least one funny story about living here.  Thank you to my Grandpa for buying it years ago!!




November 20
My American drivers license.



November 21
Visitors!! My dad is coming to Norway today and I am so excited to see him!



November 22
Last but SO not least, my family and friends all over the world.  I would need years to thank everyone individually for all that they have done.  I truly am one of the luckiest people in the world to be surrounded by such awesome people!!!!!!!


Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Norway vs. the US in Driving

A drivers license.  Something I never knew I took for granted until I moved to Norway.  Now, I am facing a nightmare of a test and potentially thousands (yes, thousands) of dollars!!

So, in the US, it is quite simple to get your drivers license (it was 12 years ago at least).

Step one: Turn 15 and get your drivers permit.  Log the appropriate number of driving hours with a licensed driver and study for the drivers test.

Step two: Turn 16 and go to the DMV.  Take the drivers test and pay the $21.00 fee. If you fail its ok, you can take another one on the spot.

And done, you have a license.





My test went a little like this...

I was 16 and my mom said "Lizzie, it is time to take your driving test".  I did not want to because I had not practiced as much as I would have liked.  Plus, the only car we had to take to the test was a manual, and I didn't know how to get past 3rd gear in a stick shift!  Mom won and we went to the DMV.  I took the written test and only missed the road sign question (no crossing, what is that??).  Then came the driving test.  We went around the block for about 10 minutes, all while the car was screaming "change gears!!".  I sat through a right turn on red, forgot my blinker, and stalled the car when I tried to park it.  But passed.

In Norway, things are NOT as simple and certainly, NOT as inexpensive.


I am lucky because I got my license in the states, so I don't have to go through the normal steps to get my license in Norway.  All I have to do is take the practical exam within a year of moving to Norway.  Well, a year is coming up way too soon and I have learned that the test is not as simple as you would think.  Plus, it's nearly 3000KR ($530).

What I've learned about the practical driving test in Norway

  • It takes nearly an hour!
  • They will ask you questions about the car and driving that you have to answer correctly.
  • They will direct where they want you to drive, but "trick" you by saying things like "turn left" when they know the left turn ahead is a one way, going the wrong way.
  • They are VERY strict!
  • If you fail, you have to start from square one!!!

What is square one you ask??
  • Many, many hours of required lessons by driving instructors including slick road driving and CPR.
  • A difficult written exam.
  • 15,000-30,000KR ($2500-$5000) from beginning to end, depending on where you take the test!

Why is it so difficult??



This is a two way road, one requiring driving skills more advanced than those on a Colorado highway.




I filled out the application to transfer my drivers license after I came back from the states and I didn't hear anything in return.  I did take my time to actually apply, so that is my own fault.  But, finally when I did get in touch with them, I learned that there is a waiting list for the test, and they may not have any availability before my January 5th (1 year) deadline.  And the woman I spoke to told me "and if you fail the first time, you have 4 weeks probation before you can start again and you'll have to start from the beginning".  

Basically, she thinks I'm going to fail? Awesome.

So, my best bet is to take the bus outside of Bergen to the driving company early tomorrow.  Hopefully there, they will be able to give me a date for a test, either in or out of Bergen before my year mark.

And once they do (and I will fight hard for it!!), all I will have to stress about is passing!!!




Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Norway vs. the US in Health Care

So, I recently had my first experience with the health care system in Norway.  In the states, I was a Kaiser girl, living on a pretty nice, yet inexpensive insurance plan.  I can say now that there are easily some differences between the two...



Getting a doctor
The process of getting a primary care physician, or, a "fastlege" is pretty similar between Norway and the US.  Once you are signed up with an insurance company, or once you have received your personal number in Norway, you can then pick your doctor.  Mine was picked for me, simply because I didn't get to it in time.  Oops.



The appointment.
At Kaiser, I would call and make an appointment within a one week time frame, depending on the situation of course.  If needed, I could come by on the same day but would not always see the same doctor.  Often, it was a nurse practitioner.  In Norway, it is not always as simple to get an appointment.  My doctor is open from 8:30 to 4:30, and closed between 12 to 12:30 for lunch (perfect...just during working hours).  When I called for my appointment, they wanted to schedule me in for an appointment in a few weeks time.  Finally, after I said it was more urgent, they gave me an earlier appointment.

Anytime I went to an appointment at Kaiser, I would be a little early just in case I needed to fill out some paperwork.  HIPA forms, consent forms, confidentiality, personal history bla, bla, bla.  When I showed up early for my appointment here, I waited until my exact appointment time when they came and got me for my appointment.  No paperwork required in Norway.

The appointment itself was different than what I have experienced in the states.  Without going into too much detail, I will say it was very casual and somewhat awkward.  It felt more to me like a simple home visit than an appointment to a doctors office.

Any time I went to the doctor in the states, whether for a cold, a physical or whatnot, it would always begin with vitals and a chat with a nurse.  Blood pressure, pulse and of course, weight.  Then, questions about what's going on, pamphlets with information on everything and follow up appointments.  Organized, white, and formal.  In Norway, it was very informal.  No vitals, just straight to the point.  Hello, I'm the doctor, what do you need?  The end.

The image I have in my head of my doctor's office in the US. White, modern, clean, cold.

The image I have of my Norwegian doctors office.  Older, clean, cozy.



The Care in Health Care
No matter where you are, you always here that it is important to be proactive about your health.  Ask questions, research, be picky.  It is no different in Norway.  If anything, from my small bit of experience, I have learned that it is even more important.  The first thing the doctor said to me at my appointment was "what do you want me to do".  I didn't know that I was suppose to know.  I had to get stitches and the doctor let me walk out of the door before I remembered to ask when I needed to come back to have them removed (and on a side note, when they were removed, they forgot a few small pieces which I later removed at home).  It's not difficult to remember these things, but it is certainly a different routine and not a responsibility I am used to having.



Big vs. Small
Kaiser has fancy technology and new buildings.  I once got a flu shot through my car window.  There are normally big road signs directing you to the facilities.  When you get to the building, it is not always easy to find your way to the correct building and there were 4 elevators taking you to the many levels.  My doctors office in Bergen is a very small, old, wooden building that sits on the edge of the water.  There is one small waiting room, a hallway and maybe 5 big rooms to patients.

A directory at Kaiser

Not my exact Norwegian doctor's office, but just about.



One thing I will not miss about the American health insurance system.  Talking to machines.  I would call to make an appointment and....

press 1 to get program information
press 2 for details about your bill
press 3 for facility locations
press 4 for problems with your online account
press 5 for the pharmacy
press 6 to make an appointment...finally

then...
press 1 for an appointment in the boulder office
press 2 for an appointment in the broomfield office
press 3 for an appointment in the westminster office
press 4 for an appointment in the denver office...finally

then...
type in your medical account number and press #
type in the last 4 letters of your social security number

then...
talk to a nurse about your appointment.  They will talk to the doctor and call you back with an appointment time.  Now, don't miss their call or you will have to start at step 1 again.

In Norway, I called, they answered and I made an appointment.  That's right...I talked to a person.



Getting information

At Kaiser, the turnaround time for tests and such was normally 24 to 72 hours and you would get a call or be able to check those results online.  I had a simple test done in Norway and was told it would be up to 3 weeks.  They would call if there was any news.  No news was good news.  That is a stressful 3 weeks if you are waiting for anything serious!


Which is better??
There is a lot of discussion these days about health care and what is best...private health insurance, government run health insurance???  I can't tell you which is better.  I barely have experience with the system here in Norway.  For now, all I can say is that there are ups and downs to each.


Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Halloween in Norway

Halloween.  This "holiday" to me has always meant carving pumpkins, haunted houses, corn mazes, dressing up, and giving candy to cute trick or treaters (and of course, eating some of the candy as well).

Every year, it was common to hear "what are you going to be for halloween?".  A question for adults and children alike.  Some of my favorite adult costumes over the years have included...

Light Bright (thats right, the board game)



Batman



The 5 little piggies (I was the little piggy that went "weeeeee" all the way home)



Halloween is an American holiday, so of course I wasn't expecting the same experience in Norway.  But yes, I still dressed up in a costume (5 shades of Grey), watched scary movies and even had trick or treaters.

Norwegians have started to adopt the halloween culture, although certainly not to the extent that they do in the states.

What I learned this year about Halloween in Norway.

1. Some adults do dress up, but it isn't what you're used to seeing in the US.  Girls aren't using it as an excuse to wear as little as possible.  Some still do, but I saw more actual scary costumes out than I have in the US.  A girl with fake blood all over her face and clothes, a girl in a shark attack costume and lots of face paint.

2. I didn't see a single carved pumpkin.  I imagine it is because pumpkins are too expensive and not so easy to find.  They did have some decorations at the store, so we made sure the kids knew they could come to our door!!



3. Kids do dress up and go trick or treating, but instead they say "Knask eller knep", which translates almost exactly.  The Donald Duck cartoon was the one to translate this phrase to Norwegian.

4. They do not have a wide selection of individually packed candy.  My cousins thought I was nuts when I told them they needed to buy candy that was individually packaged.  You can't give loose cookies or candies to kids.  Apparently, not a huge deal in Norway.  I still insisted so we ended up with a few small lemon chew candies, some balloons and a few packages of nudler (ramen noodles).  I never thought kids would go for this but sure enough...it was the MOST popular item in our candy basket.



Overall, a great Halloween.  I'm looking forward to spending some other holidays here in Norway.  Next up...Thanksgiving!!!

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Baking my way through the rain and cold

Fall is here and the chill is in the air.  We even got some snow this last week.  I can't think of a better way to cozy up and stay warm than to bake delicious treats.  I grew up with 3 sisters and a mom, all of whom love being in the kitchen.  I learned from a young age how to bake and cook.  There is something about baking a loaf of bread or a nice chocolate cake that calms you and puts a smile on your face.  I seem to think it's the smell of it baking in the oven, then the taste of it after its done:)  No matter what it is, it's always tastier when it's fresh!!!

I have a mini kitchen in Norway with minimal baking supplies (that means, no bread pans, no measuring cups and no thermometer). To add to that, as I have mentioned, groceries are expensive.  Therefore, it is a difficult hobby.  Or, I suppose you can call it a challenge and great experiment. Almost everything came out amazing.

What did I try???

Homemade yogurt (my new favorite)

This was really very simple.  Basically, you heat milk on a double boiler until it is nearly boiling (180 degrees), then cool it to 110 degrees.  Then you add some yogurt with live cultures, mix and let sit for 8 hours.  In the morning...yogurt!! And to make it more greek style, you can strain it (I used coffee filters) and all of the whey drains out.  It was the most delicious yogurt I've ever tasted.  Ok, thats a lie..but only because of Noosa at home, which is the most delightful thing ever.  But, my yogurt with a little honey did come in second!!

Milk cooling to 110 degrees before I added the starter

Getting ready to strain the yogurt into greek yogurt using coffee filters

Fresh, homemade yogurt. yum, yum!


Sea Salt and Rosemary Bread

I tasted this bread in North Carolina at a farm I visited.  It was so delicious that I just had to try and duplicate it.  I found a bread recipe online and manipulated it to have fresh rosemary topped with sea salt.  It was so delicious!!!

Letting the dough rise

Done! 


Raisin bread with a cinnamon swirl

This was my one disappointment.  It was tasty with juicy raisins throughout and a yummy cinnamon swirl that was sweet and gooey.  But, the bread was just a little too dry.  I'll have to try that one again soon!

I forgot to take a picture when it was cooked, but this was before:)


Honey Whole Wheat bread

Ok, my new favorite.  There is a store in Colorado called Great Harvest and they have the best bread ever!! Fresh, warm bread they give samples of with some butter on top...best ever!!  I wanted some of this.  So, I tried to make it.  I found some whole wheat at the grocery store and a basic recipe, spiced it up a bit and omg, delicious!!!!!  I had to bring it upstairs to the boys or I was afraid I'd eat it all!  And, forgot to take a picture.  No worries, I'll make it again:)


Bagels

One thing I miss from Colorado is being able to stop for a fresh, warm bagel with cream cheese on your way to work.  The closest you get to this in Bergen is Bollers at 7/11 or Narvessen...sorry, but not the same.  The only bagels I have found in Norway are frozen ones to re heat and they just don't taste the same. These were also pretty easy.  You basically make a quick yeast bread dough, let it rise and then form it into balls, then bagel shapes. Then, boil them.  Then bake them.  I put cinnamon and sugar on some and sea salt on others.  MMMMMmmmmmm.

Fresh bagels.  topped with either sea salt or cinnamon and sugar.



Mayonnaise

I had to have my sea salt and rosemary bread sliced warm with some homemade mayonnaise and a nice ripe slice of tomato!! So, whipped some up.  It's just egg, egg yolk, lemon, and olive oil.  Simple, yet delicious!!!!

Rosemary and Sea Salt bread with homemade mayonnaise and fresh tomatoes


I have so many other things on my practice list...but I think I will have to visit IKEA before any of them can turn out perfect!!  Just some things to look forward to (especially if you live with me):

- Pumpkin muffins filled with sweet cream cheese and topped with walnut streusel.
- Another raisin and cinnamon swirl bread
- Jalepeno and cheddar bread
- Cheese, yes...cheese!
- Coffee cake
- Pie pasteries
- Oh, so much more...