October-fest

October in Oslo has been much like September. The days continue to shorten, and James Ryan is obsessed with knowing whether it's 'getting dark outside' - as that means it's time for bed!

This month we visited Tromso, located north of the Arctic Circle. It was very interesting to see the differences from Oslo - as well as anywhere else we've ever been. The climate is cold & wet, and the terrain is rocky mountains - covered with moss and scattered trees. (I mention the moss because it is very thick & cushiony!) While there we had the privilege of seeing the Northern Lights. They were like wisps of clouds - some with a greenish hue - dancing through beams of light. They are beautiful and eerie at the same time. I imagine they have been mistaken for poltergeists a time or two! BTW...Our gracious hosts served us moose! Moose in Tromso are common like deer in the US. Unfortunately, we did not get to see one (alive). :o(

Quick family update...

• JR is still wild as a buck! (I swear...He's like having twins!) He is equally challenging and rewarding - as well as very funny! His favorite things are pirates, dinosaurs, and transportation. He said he wanted a 'digger' and a 'turning' (moving) dump truck. I told him he'd have to wait for Christmas. Then he said he wanted to take the red bus (public transportation) to go see Christmas. haha He's now (im)patiently awaiting the arrival of Christmas! Until then, we look forward to Halloween - when he will be a pirate!
• Evie is golden. Crawling everywhere and even trying to stand! She will be a ballerina for Halloween. (I can't resist showing off her chubby thighs!)
• David is busy visiting schools and fulfilling his US work responsibilities. He also presented a paper at a teaching conference in Lithuania a few weeks ago. On Wednesday nights, he enjoys playing basketball with a group of guys. He's still watching (mid-night) Gamecock football - and they continue to surprise and disappoint him!
• I'm basically try to keep up with everyone else! I'm also looking forward to my brother visiting next week, followed by a trip to sunny Spain!

More Norwegian 'Trivia'

Dirty Laundry
We have a small washing machine in our flat, but have to line dry our clean laundry. Therefore, I sometimes use the washers & dryers located at the bottom of our building. Prior to using, I had to have a lesson - as it is quite a cumbersome process. I'll spare you the details, but have included a picture of the laundry room 'reservation board'. Have you ever seen anything so complicated?

What would you be if salary weren't important?
In Norway, everyone - regardless of their position - makes enough money to live. As a result, we often see people in 'out of the norm' roles. The one we find most interesting is that many men choose to work in barnehagens - or preschools.

Maternity/Paternity Benefits
There are a lot of children in Oslo, and why not? Mothers get three pay weeks prior to giving birth, and then 10 months full-salary pay afterward. If they choose to take a year off, they get the last two months at half their salary. Fathers get two weeks pay after the child's birth, and then two months full-salary pay when the child is 10 months old. (And I believe if the mother & father want to split the leave from work - 6mo/6m0 - that is also an option.) Also, if after one year you choose to stay at home with your child (instead of sending him/her to barnehagen), you are paid 3000nok ($500) a month from the government.

Real Estate
Real estate in the Oslo area is H-O-T! Our friends are looking for a small home on the outskirts of town. They toured a 'fixer-upper' that was on the market for 3,000,000nok ($500,000). That day, 95 other people also toured the home. It immediately sold for 1,500,000nok ($250,000) over the asking price.

Men in Tights
Well not men, but boys. JR begged me for boy-tights after seeing his friends wearing them. His are decorated with CARS & TOY STORY characters. They are worn under pants outside, and often alone - with a shirt, of course - when indoors. JR often wants to wear only tights and a shirt when we go out, and, with his tennis shoes, he looks like a marathon runner!

Good for the Lungs
People often put their babies outside in their strollers to nap. When visiting Tromso, our hosts bundled up their toddler and put her on the covered porch - in 32 degree snowy weather - to nap. Little Minde slept sound for three hours!

Peanut Butter
One kind. That's it. One lonely little jar on the grocery store shelf. Thank goodness it's tasty as I eat it everyday for breakfast.

Brilliant Invention
Shopping carts in Norway rotate every direction - not just forward & backward, but side-to-side!