Things I've Learned, Love & Miss

Things I've Learned:

1) The suburbs are filled with gorgeous homes; however, very few house a single family. Any particular home could have 2-4 families in it. This make me feel like my "tiny" house is actually quite luxurious.

2) Everything in Norway is small. I haven't seen a single truck (except delivery trucks). They have mini electric cars, furniture is small and closer to the ground and flats are smaller than typical american apartments

3) American's work too hard. Norwegians get 6 weeks of vacation a year, any sign of injury or sickness and they can get up to 2 years off, with same job and pay guaranteed when they return. Not only with work, but in the school area as well. The average age for a college student in Norway is 30. I've talked to some Norwegians my age and they're impressed I'm already in my 3rd year of college, most haven't even started.

4) Norwegians always dress to impress. Everyone wears the latest fashionable jackets, jeans, boots, etc. I feel like a slob if I'm in typical "me" clothes, especially if I wear tennis shoes! 

5) I'm a American-Norwegian Stereotype. Apparently over the past few years American's with Norwegian heritage have been coming to Norway to rediscover their family history. They even have reality TV shows about this.

6) American's are not very highly thought of. Shocker right? Some of the younger people are fascinated with American culture, but many Norwegian's think we're naive and that we think we're the best in the world. Hopefully I can show by example that this is not true of most Americans. 

7) I can't tell you how many times I've be startled by commercials on day time TV, for example, a commercial for a cell phone company had a old lady walk across the screen completely naked. And after 11pm I've learned to be VERY cautious when channel flipping.. there are many porn channels.

Things I Love:

1) Animals are everywhere! You see dogs on public transportation, in the train station, sometimes in malls. Everywhere you look there are dogs.

2) Bakeries at every corner. I love getting a impromptu snack! Sure it costs a lot more than I'd ever pay back home, but any pastry here is delicious! My favorites is Skolebrød, custard and coconut yumminess: -->

3) Everything is closed on Sundays. At first, it was weird and kind of frustrating. But now I really enjoy that it truly is a "day off".

4) Classroom settings. Depending on the class, you only have it once or twice a week. But each lecture is: 45 min lecture - 15 min break - 45 min lecture. At first I dreaded the long lectures, but after my first day I loved it. Right as you're getting ansty you get a break, I find it much easier to stay focused with this style.

5) The food! I've had more fish, eggs and bread lately than I remember ever having before! The bread is AMAZING, always fresh loaves, nothing at all like American bread. I did struggle at first on how to make strait, even slices of bread!

Things I miss:

1) Starbucks. Not just the pricey, fancy drinks, I just miss cheap, good, black coffee. (yes, after living here, Starbucks IS cheap), although today I DID find Starbucks Frappuccino drinks, totally made my day!!

2) $1 pop. In a way, I am a lot healthier now since I've had maybe 3 pop's in the 2 months I've been here. A small bottle can cost between $3-5! Doesn't mean I don't miss it though!

3) Ice free sidewalks. Even though I've lived in Colorado the past 3 years and am very used to snow, it's the ice that I can't stand. Here, the ice sticks around and becomes extremely uneven and really slippery. Every step could be fatal!

4) Cheez-its. enough said.

5) Having an animal around. As the crazy animal lady, I'm used to constant animal contact. I haven't even ridden a horse in 2 months now!