Some Musings

I feel like I should update, but I'm not quite sure what to talk about. I still haven't gotten my camera out to take pictures, so sorry. There's really nothing much new to report. I had a couple weeks that were really hard for me, but things are better now. (Today at the store I did everything in Norwegian (including paying with coins) but don't worry, I only said "Hei, Har?, and Takk!") I think that when we got here I set my standards too high as far as adjustment and transition to the new culture. So, when I realized that there was no way I could keep up with my expectations, I kinda crashed. But, I am doing much better now. It's still a challenge to feel good about myself since I'm like a 5 year old when it comes to being independent, but it's not always going to be this way. I'm slowly gaining more independence, and things will be a lot better once immigration is taken care of. I was hoping that government related things (like immigration paperwork, etc) would be easier here, since it is not as bureaucratic as the U.S., but for the most part, it's the same. Some things are much easier, and it may just be difficult since we don't know how to do everything. I have now made 3 trips to the immigration office, and still haven't turned in my paperwork due to having the right papers, or not knowing business hours, etc but I'm hoping to do that tomorrow. After several months (especially since I heard that Norway has more people than normal trying to get into the country right now), I will at least be able to get a bank account, actual cell phone account, take Norwegian lessons, etc. But until then, I try to keep myself out of horrible boredom. I've come up with a few projects (such as painting our entire apartment) and I possibly will start babysitting during the day, but it's funny because I have this inward battle with myself when I'm trying to decide if I want to do something. See, if I decide to do something, I'm scared that once it's done I won't have anything else to do for the next several months. I know it's a strange way of thinking...call it one of the "adjustment phases" like there are different phases of grieving until one accepts the situation. Ok...now I'm rambling. Hope everyone enjoys their Valentine's Day!