Badet!

On Friday we were able to go swimming! We had a blast! The town that we live in has this huge indoor and outdoor pool (outdoor is closed during the winter) that would put any "water park" in Eastern Idaho to shame. (Yeah, we went to a "water park" for work a couple years ago with our clients, and I thought it was pretty funny that everyone, including adults were so excited for a pool that wasn't much better than Pinny Pool in Ridgecrest.) The pool that we went to has windows everywhere, so it felt like we were in a nice greenhouse with the sun shining in everywhere. It felt like summer! They had a kiddie pool, a kid's pool, a wave pool, a lazy river, and then a huge Olympic sized pool. And that was just the inside portion!....Nico absolutely loved everything! I have to say the highlight for me was jumping off the 5 meter platform for the first time ever! I was so scared once I got to the top (and that's not even the highest platform)! I did it though, and it was crazy. It hurt once I hit the water, and I realized that I'm so much more a wimp than I used to be. I went bridge jumping in college off a bridge that was almost as high and didn't have any problem, but now things are different, I guess. It was still fun, and I was able to conquer my fear. And yes, I have been dreaming every night since Friday that I am training to be a professional platform diver. :)
It was also fun to learn about some of the cultural differences. I was reminded that I live in Europe as I don't think I've ever seen more naked ladies walking around in a locker room ever before in my life. Also, it was interesting that the little boys here wear swimming trunks that look more like spandex underwear briefs. Nico definitely looked different than everyone else in his long, baggy swimming trunks. Anyways, we still had a lot of fun, and it was great to get out!

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!

Good Things

Sorry it's been so long since I last updated. I was pretty negative for a couple weeks, but things are much better now. I have been able to do a few things successfully, so that definitely boosts the spirits. Not to mention the wonderful family, ward family, and friends that have been such a huge help. There are tons of things that I already love about this place. Unfortunately, I don't have much time so I'm not going to list them right now. One new discovery a couple days ago was that there's a walking path that goes right past the store I go to for groceries that cuts the walking time and is a whole lot safer than walking right next to the busy street. Things are going well. Still definitely working on the language, and finding time to study it while chasing that crazy toddler of ours around, but it's slowly coming.

Nico has amazed me each day with all the funny and cute things he does. Yesterday he gave me kisses for the first time. It is so sweet, and I love it!...even if it is super wet and straight on the lips. :) Sadly he's been sick the last couple days. This time it's been hard because it's the first time he's developed a cough with this cold. It almost breaks my heart hearing him trying to cough out the congestion, but he's quickly getting better. Today he was obsessed with carrying Glenn's hiking boot around. I don't know why, but that is what kept him happy. He's also started trying to spit into the sink after we brush his teeth, which is super cute as well. One other thing that really cracks me up is when I catch him touching/holding/carrying something he knows he shouldn't have. First, he gets this very mischievious grin and giggles quietly to himself, and then when he notices that I've caught him he starts walking as fast as he can away from whatever it was he was touching, or trying to run away from me, but at the same time nonchalantly, trying to act like he wasn't doing anything wrong. I didn't describe it well, but just imagine a toddler running away from Mommy because he somehow got a hold of the baking powder, and the lid falls off as he running away from getting caught, leaving a trail of baking powder down the hall. While it's frustrating in the moment, it's just too cute to stay mad at him for long. Anyways, it is time for me to hit the sack, so stay tuned next time for a post filled with my thoughts on this huge adjustment I'm trying to make.