Juleballet, Juletre og Juleferie

Christmas dance, Christmas tree and Christmas break

Friday night was the Christmas Ball for my school.
Before going to the dance I made a sorry attempt to curl my hair..
I really wanted it to look something like this:

Gotta love T-Swift's hair

Nice and curly and pretty.. 

So after fussing with the hair spray, the curling iron, bobby pins and the hair dryer for about two hours I looked at my brilliant work. 

It looked a little like this:

Oh my lord....

With some difficulty, I tamed the mess and was satisfied.. 

However, by the time I got to the pre-party (true to form) my hair looked like more or less this again:

(Picture from my birthday
not this party)

Straight as ever. 

By the time I was there though it didn't really matter what my hair looked like. 

"There" was one of my friends houses. She had some people over before the party. It was sort of funny how I was invited to this party. One of the other girls just randomly turned to me one day last week and was like "Hey Avery, do you have any skittles left?" I said I thought so and she responded "Ok cool, do you want to come to the pre-party Friday night? Will you bring skittles?"  I thought for a moment and wondered what would happened if I said I wouldn't bring the skittles...

I laughed and said "Of course I will bring them... I love that I get social invitations because I have skittles"

So (for people at home) PLEASE: if you are planning on sending a care package at any point... Skittles! Add skittles and I will have friends! My popularity depends on you!

Well actually not really. When I repeated to her what she had said she realized what it sounded like and told me that is not what she meant at all... I'm pretty sure that people don't just like me for the fact that I have the Skittles.

Anyways, we had a bang-up time there dancing, singing, playing games and eating skittles. 

Of course I made friends
with the dog...

From 7 until 9:30 they served pizza at the party, but we didn't go until a little after 10. It was nuts. I had so much fun! It was a live band, which I think is so cool because in the US proms almost never have live music anymore. 

This area of Norway is very special because... well there are roughly a billion reasons why this area is very special, so let me put it this way: ONE of the reasons that this area of Norway is very special is because swing dancing is very popular here. Also, when there is a live band at a party the music is almost always good to swing to. It is so much fun to watch everyone spinning and hopping around the floor! 

Watching other couples dance like this:

always makes me think "Hey! It must not be THAT hard... They make it look so easy!

....Maybe I should try..."

Big mistake.

Who has ever played the game QWOP? If you haven't click  -->here<-- and try it out before you keep reading.

Tried it? 

Good.

That is what I looked like while trying to dance in heels.

Why won't my legs "Qwoperate?"

Well, I still really want to try to dance.... Solution?

Kick those suckers off...

Did it help?

Meh... Close enough...

I feel pretty bad for whoever gets stuck dancing with me though.. No matter how many times they tell me how to do something right I will inevitably mess it up.

Oh well.. There are few boys who are amazing dancers and also amazingly patient with this clumsy American girl and I always have so much fun and laugh the entire time I dance (regardless how many times I almost fall or run into another couple or smack my dance partner). 

When the party was over I waited for Pappa to come pick me up and when he arrived, Thea was with him! I was so excited to see my sister again! 

Saturday was my parents anniversary! I rolled out of bed a little after 11, showered and went upstairs to help Thea make lunch.  A lot of guests came to celebrate and we all ate lunch together. It was a very relaxing afternoon. That evening Thea and Ragnhild went to a friends house for dinner, so I went to visit Berit. I got to Tante's house just in time to eat dinner with them (but I really didn't plan it like that... honest). We had tacos and watched the news. Then Berit and I watched 3 movies and had some wine. We realized that halfway through the second film we didn't really have a clue what was happening and we cracked up because Ragnhild always picks on us for talking during movies... We never noticed it until then. 

On Sunday I had to get up even earlier so I could go get a Christmas tree!

I wanted this one

We walked through the woods looking for the right one. When we found it, I got to cut it down!

Pappa and Kristian dragged them back to the car. It was a fun trip, but it was so cold!

Before we left it was -13 C (That is about 8 degrees F) and when we were getting back (a little after 11) the sun was just rising!

Sunrise through the frosty window

Sunday afternoon Pappa and I went to a birthday party for a woman turning 80. It was a nice way to wind down the weekend. 

When I got home I made a batch of cookies because one of my friends made me promise him I would give him cookies for Christmas. Monday when I found him to give him his cookies he had also made cookies for me! It was such a nice surprise! I also had another huge tin full of them to share with people during the day. Monday evening I made more cookies... 252 more cookies... 

I gave some to my aunt, grandmother, cousins, I took more into school today and we are keeping quite a few of them here for Christmas.

In school today a lot of the Russ wore Santa hats. It was fun. For lunch they gave us all grøt, which is rice porridge basically. It is so good. Today was a very good day and it was my last day of classes, so I'm basically on vacation!

I can't believe that Christmas is so soon!

God Jul alle sammen! 

Merry Christmas everyone!

P.S.

This song has been stuck in my head for about a week now.

Enjoy. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz7Ak7tyUQE

Juletider, Bursdager og Meg!

The Christmas season has started in Norway and so far it is amazing!
It had its official start the day after my family and I celebrated Thanksgiving... Sunday November 27th was the first Sunday of the advent. There are 4 Sunday's in the advent and on each Sunday, one of the four candles gets lit. And then, as soon as December started, I noticed candles and stars also started popping up in the windows of houses all over.
And there is finally snow!

At first there was only snow up on our hill here in Hegra, but now there is a layer of snow covering this area of Norway.
Our advent calendar is up and each day Johan and I get a new present to open (I open them on the odd days and Johan gets the even days) So far we have gotten quite a few very  nice presents, like a new tooth brush (I got a blue one and Johan's is pink) 3 new pairs of socks, body wash, mints and some other good Christmas treats.

Strawberry Julenisse (Santa)

Marsipan Pig!

We have the candles in the windows, there is a star hanging in the window of the house and on the garage too and the curtains and mats of the coffee/end tables have been switched to red. Every where you look in the house there are little reminders that "Hei! Det e jul snart!... Hey! It's Christmas soon!"

On December 2nd two very exciting things happened. First, it was my (US) brother's 21st birthday (which in the US is one of the big ones!) I sent him a little package with two candy bars and a singing card (it was pink and sparkly and sang "twinkle twinkle little star" when it was opened). However, when he received it the package was ripped and he only had one candy bar! Thanks so much transatlantic mail system.. Awesome job you did there...

I love you big brother!

The second thing was a Christmas concert! I went with Mamma and one of her friends. It was an awesome concert with very talented local singers. I really enjoyed it and I think it got us in the Christmas spirit. It was a great montage of Christmas songs combined with interesting stage lighting and falling snow. It was very beautiful and fun, some parts made me get all choked up and some had me tapping my toes and singing along.

Another very special thing that has happened was last Wednesday. Pappa is the leader of a Horse Club in Hegra. Last Wednesday they had an event where they helped handicapped people ride horses or go for a ride in a sled. I joined Pappa and the rest of the members in a riding barn. I walked with the people to help them stay on the horses. There was coffee and julebrus and cake for everyone.
What is Julebrus? I'll tell you... It is a gift from the gods. It is a Christmas soda (literal translation... Jule= Christmas. Brus= Soda) and it is only sold at Christmas time. I'm pretty sure different areas of Norway sell different types, but I have been assured that the Nord-Trøndelag version is the very best. 

So goooood! 

Anyways, I had a lovely time at the horse event, although my toes froze (but there was no major damage done). Everyone that I met and talked to was very nice. They are an absolutely lovely group of people. 


After that, Pappa and I stopped at a neighbor's house with Kristian to see the batch of beer that they had made. I got to try some and it was... Interesting... I don't know if it was my favorite beer in the world. It has a very smokey taste, but Pappa said that is how it is supposed to be, so it was good. The room that the big vat was in smelled really good. Then we went home so I could change for volley ball practice. Ellen went with me and we had a very good time.
One thing I have learned in my 19 years is that this time of year is filled with all sorts of magic and lots of surprises. Well this past weekend I got a great surprise from Mamma og Pappa. I had a day off from school on Friday (not the surprise by the way) because of a thing called heldagsprøve, which is an all day test. We have a full day of each of our subjects and it just so happens that none of my subjects were on Friday, so I was free! I got up for breakfast at 10 with Mamma. She told me that we had to leave the house at 11:45 because she had a surprise for me. Last time they told me I had a surprise I wound up seeing Annette, so I decided not to question and just sat through breakfast in total anticipation of what it might be this time. At 11:45  we left the house and drove to Stjørdal, then through town and in the direction of the airport. When we pulled off I figured we were picking someone up... but who?
I joked with Mamma and asked if we were getting someone or if she was having me leave. She promised she was not sending me away. I got a parking ticket for us and we had until 12:21 to leave the car there. We went inside the airport, I was looking around desperately trying to see a familiar face, but to no avail. Mamma looked at the flight info and told me the flight was delayed, so she got coffee and we got a muffin to split. Just as we sat down Mamma pointed to a woman and asked me if i knew her. I said I wasn't sure and Mamma told me to take a little walk to find out. As I got closer I realized that I did indeed know her. I knew her very well in fact. It was Meg! She is one of my mom's friends from her time in Norway. They met on a train and quickly made the connection that they were both Vermont girls.

Mom and Meg in Oslo

As a kid I loved visiting with her and I was always so excited to see her. That excitement hasn't faded at all. When I realized who it was, I started to cry. It had been 7 years since I had seen her! When we got back into the car I looked at the clock and it was 12:21. Perfect.
Spending time with her was a wonderful gift. I introduced her to the horses and most of the dogs that live on the farm. We talked about so much and caught up on everything that had happened over the past years. We Skyped with my mom at home for a little bit. It was very funny because last time Meg and I were together I was so young, but this time we had a glass of wine together and played cards. Oh what a difference a few years can make..

Endelig... Finally! Together in Norway

On Saturday we went to Trondheim and dropped Meg off at her Father-in-law's apartment. I got the pleasure of meeting him. He is 95, but looking at him I would have thought he was in his 70's. He was active, very animated and full of vigor and life. He is one of those people that you just immediately know is amazing when you meet him. In his apartment there were pictures and posters from over the years, and Meg took me into one of the rooms and showed me one that was written in Norwegian. I couldn't fully make out what it said so Meg told me. It was hung in a store window when the Nazi Occupation in Norway happened during WWII. The sign said that the store was closed because the owner had an anti-Nazi view.  All I could manage to say was "Wow..."
Soon after that I had to say goodbye to Meg. It was so nice to see her again and I really hope our next visit happens sooner than another 7 years from now!
**Just one more thing** Today is her Meg's birthday!! Gratulerer med dagen Meg! I hope you had a wonderful  day! Word on the street is that you got some Ben&Jerry's ice cream... How could your day NOT be wonderful? ♥

Happy Birthday!

Saturday night I was invited to a Julebord at one of my friends houses. A Julebord is like a Christmas office party... kind of, but this one was for friends as opposed to coworkers. We had a nice dinner together and then watched Love Actually and part of one of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. It was very nice.

After last weekend, I got sick. It was horrible. On Monday I had never had such a bad head ache in my life. Pappa made me some tea and I went to bed. Mamma came to check on me that night and  Tuesday morning. I didn't go to school on Tuesday. I barley had a voice... Johan got me noodles and Pappa gave me a Kvikk Lunsj bar. I have an awesome family.. They all take such good care of me.
Also, on Tuesday Berit (the cousin that we stayed with when we hiked Galdhøpiggen) came home for Christmas! It is so good to see her and have her around again. In fact, today is her birthday too! Gratulerer med dagen Berit!!!

Yesterday (Wednesday) I again went to an event to help handicapped people ride horses. This time though we all went in sleighs. There weren't quite enough sleighs for everybody so a few others and I stayed behind to wait for one to come back and pick us up. It was magical watching all of the sleighs glide off into the night and listening to their bells long after they had gone out of sight. Eventually one came back and we got in and went to a house that was decorated beautifully for Christmas

. There were gingerbread cookies and chocolate and gløgg (remember that? From Copenhagen?) However, this time the gløgg was just as good as it smelled! Some people sang Christmas Carols and a few danced. It was a very cozy evening. After everyone else had left, Ellen, Sarah (my cousin and her friend, who by the way were dressed as little Julenissen--Santas!) and I swing danced to Christmas tunes for a while. 

Ellen: The Candy Thief!

What a cute couple!

Julenissen!

The 21st is my last day of school, so less than a week left!.. And what a busy week it will be...


Coming attractions:

• Later tonight I will go to Tante og Onkel's house to celebrate Berit's birthday!
• Friday night there is the Christmas Ball! Fancy dresses, pizza for dinner and a live band. My dream come true! and I'm really not being sarcastic at all 
• Also on Friday night my big sister FINALLY comes home from Denmark!!!! I am so excited to see Thea again!
• Wednesday December 21st is my last day of school and all that it will consist of is a volley ball tournament!! Wooo!

I love Christmastime! 

Thanksgiving!!

THANKSGIVING DINNER LIST:

• Turkey. 
• (Supplemented by chicken)
• Mashed potatoes. 
• Rolls. 
• Broccoli.
• Squash. 
• Peas. 
• Cranberry sauce. 
• Flatbrød.
• Gravy.
• Seasonal decorations 
• (little pumpkins, candles, turkey napkins etc.) 
• Pie! 
• (Apple, blueberry and Chocolate!)
• Ice cream.
• (VANILLA)

Perfect. Only one thing missing... Any guesses?

Family!

That is one element that was definitely not missing from Thanksgiving for me this year.

Last Wednesday, we got a long anticipated visitor from Finland... That's right. My exchange sister Ella, who came from Finland on Rotary exchange and lived with me two years ago came to visit me here in Norway! It had been almost two full year since we've seen eachother. Her flight arrived in the middle of the day on Wednesday and I was there to meet her at the airport (thanks to Kristian for giving me a ride!)
Seeing her again brought me back to the year we spent together and all the adventures we had. I have missed her so much! We had a lot to catch up on. When we got home we decided to go on a walk. After that we both fell asleep for nearly two hours... You may think that wasn't the best use of our time together but honestly it doesn't really matter how we spend our time as long as we are together. I love my sister.

Wednesday night was one of my host uncle's birthday party, so for the first time, Ella got to meet a large part of my crazy, funny, amazing host family. Also for the first time, I finally talked to my bestefar (grandfather)! After being here more than three months, that sounds kind of horrible, but it's not that we hadn't tried to communicate before, but it always wound up him trying to use a mix of Norwegian and sign language and me getting a little confused.. But this time (with a little bit of help from Pappa) we succeeded in having a conversation! I invited him to Vermont for Thanksgiving next year (heads up mom!).

Thrusday was actual Thanksgiving day, but not in Norway! However, it didn't go by un-celebrated. I had quite a bit of free time from class in the afternoon, so Mamma and Ella came to meet me for lunch. We went to a nice little cafe in Stjørdal, named Hos Oss. It's definitely my favorite. While we were eating there Pappa stopped by! I don't know how he knew we would be there... Lucky guess I think (or it could be the fact that whenever I got to eat in Stjørdal I go to Hos Oss). He sat with us for a minute, but then he had to get back to work. He had a meeting Thursday night and Johan was working so having dinner that night wouldn't have worked because two key ingredients would have been missing. It was definitely a better idea to postpone dinner for a day or two than to be not have my father and brother there! Thursday evening Ella and I skyped home while our US family was eating, so we at least got to be there virtually for the dinner.

We are on the computer, Mom-at-home
took this picture.

Friday I didn't have school (no clue why though...) so Ella and I slept in late. When we finally hauled our lazy selves upstairs, we made chocolate pie in preparation for Thanksgiving dinner! Two chocolate pies! And we got to lick the bowl! Ahh so yummy! Later that evening Pappa took us to Trondheim to go shopppping!!! I fell asleep on the ride to the city... I don't know why I was so tired! We went to a couple of different malls and shopping areas, but I didn't buy anything. Neither did Ella. We went to Egon for dinner, which is a restaurant in a huge tower.
Oh I should mention one more thing, on Friday there was a hurricane that hit Norway. It was named Berit. I don't think there was any significant damage, but while we were eating in the tower it was very, very windy. We could feel the tower swaying back and forth and it almost felt like being on a boat or an airplane. I didn't like it.

SATURDAY! Time for Thanksgiving dinner!!! Ella, Pappa and I were in charge of cooking. Early that day Ella and I set the table.

We needed two tables pushed together to fit everyone that we had invited! The only problem we ran into was there weren't enough wine glasses!
For anyone who has never tried, making Thanksgiving dinner is relatively difficult. There is so much food to cook, but it mostly all has to be cooked at the same time because it has to be ready at the same time! The squash, the potatoes, the broccoli and peas all take almost the same amount of time, and the gravy is made with the drippings from the turkey pan, so you need to wait until the turkey is out and being carved in order to make the gravy! It takes a lot of planning and then a whirl wind of cooking to accomplish Thanksgiving dinner.

Master Chef!

That's a LOT of potatoes...

Three bags of broccoli 

Three bags of peas

One can of Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce
All the way from the USA

One delicious looking turkey...

Mmmm!

About 20 minutes before we were supposed to eat, Pappa came home with the chicken (for those who aren't a big fan of turkey) and new wine glasses! I was so excited!
Well, we accomplished it. Everyone arrived around 5 and I was just finishing up the gravy, all the other dishes were set on the table, all hot and ready to be eaten. There were 18 of us total. Before we ate, I asked if we could say some type of grace, so they all sang a special Norwegian song, and then we dug in! There was plenty of food to go around... actually there was a ton of food and surprisingly most of it got eaten.

All ready to eat!

Looks so good!

Isn't that right, Johan?

Dinner time 

A while later we had a ton of pie! Apple, chocolate and blueberry! It was so good.

Having all of my family around made my Norwegian Thanksgiving so special!
After the party, all the various family members made their way home, and Ella and I wound up going to a club that night.

This was one of the best Thanksgivings ever.