Tea Party

Today I attended my very first tea party without stuffed animals and baby dolls. Kelsey, this american girl Kelsey (my roommate) and I met at the gym, invited us to her house for tea and then to church. So she picked us up in a tiny but very cute car and drove us to her and her husband's (famous soccer player) house. She had the cutest little tea party set up for us. We snacked on brie cheese with crackers and grapes, fresh cut fruit, homemade tortilla chips with tomato, mozzarella, and cilantro on them, and a salami salad that included black olives, red, green, and yellow peppers, onions, cheese, chick peas, and cheese with Italian dressing. All of it was delicious. She had a real teapot with matching cups for us. There was an assortment of tea for us to choose from and actual cups for milk and sugar. It reminded me of being little and setting out the tea party in the living room, where ours was held as well, and setting places up for my favorite stuffed animals or baby dolls. So we spent the next hour or so talking like old friends and laughing at each other's jokes and stories. We then proceeded to church where we were able to get headphones to listen to an English translation. The English translation wasn't the best and was really hard to follow but I was grateful nonetheless. Mass (if that is what you call it for a nondenominational ceremony) was nice and most of the songs they sang was in English, but I didn't know them. After our lovely afternoon, Kelsey dropped Kelsey and me back off at home, each of us promising to get together again soon.

What I Know

~Hei! Hav heter du?
-Hallo! Jeg heter Kayla.
~Hvor kommer du fra?
-Jeg kommer fra USA.
~Hvordan gammel er du?
Jeg er tjue ar gammel.
Og nei, jeg shakker ikke Norsk!

So yes my name is just Kayla not Michaela. I do come from the USA, and no I'm not from Oregon. Yes I am only 20 years old and no I can't legally drink in the USA. By the way I don't speak Norwegian and I have no idea what you are trying to tell me.

*Smoked Salmon tastes like raw fish.
*You are pegged as an American when you don't shower naked in the community showers.
*It's not easy making new friends when you don't speak the same language, but even harder when you have to figure out what they are saying when they are naked.
*Walking everywhere makes you realize how much you hate to leave the house and think twice about going anywhere that's not absolutely necessary.
*The Norwegians have strollers that are for off-roading or they just use sleds to tote their children about.
*Get all of your errands done Saturday morning so you can sit at home all day Sunday, just like the Norwegians do.
*Fruit in Norway tastes better than it does in Nebraska.
*They don't have canned soup, but bagged soup instead.
*If you want to shop, go to Denmark.
*Learn to appreciate things you had at home, such as a toaster, microwave, dishwasher, washers that hold more than two pairs of jeans, and dryers that actually dry your clothes.
*You don't have to wear real clothes in Norway, just leggings and an oversized t-shirt will do.
*Don't take Popsicles, hot dogs, and bottles on the bus, they are forbidden.
*Finally, nothing is instantaneous here like in America, so bring your patience.

Note to Self...

Note to self:
*When in Norway, get used to all of the nakedness, the more you try to be modest the more people stare at you so just walk around naked like everyone else.
*Norwegians don't shovel the side walk so prepare to go hiking when you need to run to the grocery store, slip on all of the ice and slush, and walk in the street because you don't know if your walking on the sidewalk or on someones lawn.
*Although most Norwegians will stop for you to cross the street, even when their light is green, not all do. Be aware of those who don't stop for you because they don't just keep going but they speed up and try to hit you.
*Caution, bicyclists are the most dangerous people on the street. They don't warn you that they are coming up behind you and are trying to pass you. Occasionally you get the nice bicyclist who will whistle or clear their throat for you otherwise the rest are all out to run you over.
*Just because most people speak English in Norway doesn't mean that the food in the grocery store will be in English or the instructions either, so make sure all you need to know is the temperature for the oven and how long it needs to cook. Otherwise I sure hope you have the time to translate.
*There are no water fountains! You must fill your bottle up out of the sink. In most of the class rooms at school there is a sink, if on the off chance there isn't, you can use the bathroom sink.
*There aren't very many bathrooms with stalls. Most bathrooms are just a toilet, sink, and dryer. So ladies don't wait in line for the girls bathroom, just use the guys.
*There is no such thing as a Walmart in Norway! Nothing even close so you must plan accordingly, such as what is perishable, how far you must go, and how much you can carry in one trip.
*All stores are closed on Sundays, except for the gas stations and a handful of restaurants downtown (at least a 45 min walk for me). Stores also close at 4 on Saturdays, so weekend shopping is not an option unless you get it all done early Saturday.
*You can only buy alcohol until 8 pm on weeknights and 6 pm on Saturday night so be prepared for the weekend and but on weekdays on your way home from school.
*Norwegian food has very little sugar compared to American food. So the jam actually tastes like fruit and the juice is just juice...weird I know.
*Wear your walking shoes! You have to walk everywhere because taxis are expensive and taking the bus requires you to know the stops are and what bus goes on what route.
* You don't have to wear pants! My dream come true! Girls don't wear pants here they only wear leggings or jeans that are painted on them, no real pants!
*ja is yes; ni is no; fiske is fish; takk is thank you; tusen takk is a thousand thanks; and that is all of the Norwegian I know!

SURPRISE!!

So today I went to the gym. I lifted and then went swimming. So I hung my towel on the hooks in the girls locker room by the shower for when I got done. So I go swimming for 45 min and then go into the locker room and take a shower. I go to where I put my towel and find that its not there. So im wandering around looking for my towel when this naked lady starts talking to me in Norwegian and i was all like i speak english, trying not to stare at her. She asks me what i was looking for and i explain to her that i couldnt find my towel, all the while she is still standing there naked talking to me. She tells me to look in the sauna because there were some ladies in there and they might have taken my towel. So i open the sauna door and to my utter surprise there are three naked ladies with oil all on them, legs spread open for all to see. So i quickly drop my head and quietly ask if they have seen my towel. The first naked lady then comes up from behind me and tells them what im asking them in norwegian. Then one of the naked, oily ladies was all like yeah i think i do have your towel, you can have it back when im done. In the mean time you can use mine, its still clean. Still staring at the floor, i quickly mumble a thanks and retreat back to my locker. After she was all done with my towel, she kindly gave it back to me. I think i need a new towel, no amount of laundry soap will fix that.

A Thank You Letter

Dear Santa,
Thank you Santa for the kitchen supplies you gave Kelsey! I really appreciate it, since Im the one who does all of the cooking. Im so excited! I cant wait to cook with all of my new supplies, especially the measuring cup, the strainer, and real dishes! Just so you know Santa, I can cook and I make sure Kelsey and I are eating from all of the food groups. Although we really enjoy their ice-cream and candy here in Norway, we still eat healthy and go to the gym most days. Thanks again Santa!

Love,
Kayla

Today...

Today I went to my first class only to find out it was canceled. The good news is it wasnt just me who thought we had class. The teacher didnt post anything on Frontier (BlackBoard) to say he wasnt starting class until next week for the other exchange students who havent arrived.

Once I left school I stopped at the gym and worked out (the fourth day in a row!) and then came home and took a nap. All of the walking and working out has tired me out.

I made homemade soup for dinner! Its really not a flavor, just veggies and noodles with chicken flavoring in it.

Watched Boondock Saints before my nap.

Read the rest of Of Mice and Men.

It was a good day today....SUNNY! all day long...until the sun went down at 4.

Ohh sun how I miss you....

Sundays

I dont like Sundays here. Nothing is open...except for the gas station and the gym. So I did go to the gym today, but couldnt find a reason to go to the gas station. I miss doughnuts on Sunday mornings and basketball in the afternoons. No one does anything here.
I did do my laundry today and read half of Of Mice and Men.....