Learning Norwegian

The plane reservations have been made and permission has been granted for the kids to trade their last week of school for ten days in Norway to celebrate May 17. We will be staying in Haugesund and then traveling up to Bergen. While my husband is fluent in Norwegian, I promised that if we went back I would learn more of the language then I did in 2007.  I could count to ten. As we will be visiting with Hubby's host family in Haugesund, the kids and I need to have some basic communication skills. It was with that good intention that on the way to school this morning, I popped on the Norwegian language CD and the kids and I dutifully repeated the awkward phrases. That was until my son learned his favorite Norwegian word - the word for "dirt". He then repeated this word until I dropped him at the school door with threats of repercussions if he taught this word to his classmates. The Norwegian word for dirt is a perfect example of the grammatical rule that the letters "sk" are pronounced "sh" before a soft vowel. So that the word for dirt or "skitt" becomes . . . . . . . .

Well, you get the idea. I just didn't think Hew's teacher would appreciate a classroom of six-year-olds repetitiously repeating the word dirt in Norwegian on Monday morning no matter what grammatical rule it was teaching.  Monday - siggggghhhhhhh!

Photos from Norway in 2007

A Run Followed By a Visit to Italy

Yesterday in my continued quest to be part of the SAOBSM club (slow and old, but still moving), I had a nice long run (9 miles) in the morning.  After a quick shower, I revisted Milan . . . and still had time to make dinner.

Taken in Milan, October 2008.

Whoops I Did It Again

I am unsure where the first 20 days of January have gone. Not that I have been sitting on my tushy eating chocolate (alright there was that one day . . . ). Since January 1, I have, in no particular order - ran my first 5K in ten years (28:20!!!), found a new yoga studio, found a couple more 5Ks to sign up to run and am training for a 10K by the beginning of summer, had a weekend away with Hubby while my parents took my kids to Disney (yep, parents are here from Maine but staying a couple hours away), looked at some beach places, booked tickets to Norway in May for entire family to go and meet my husband's host Norwegian family, booked flight for husband for secret interview (but have accepted living here and am quite content - must be the yoga!), sorted through all photos from the past couple years, picked my favorites, and began editing to finally print some for pictures on my blank walls, painted the trim in my daughter's room so I can finally finish painting the last room in the house, and the normal school, kid's activities, unannounced visits from husband's family, and tedious estate stuff for my family. And today I am making jam and continuing my struggle to learn some Norwegian on Live Mocha. So, what has everyone else been up to . . . .?


A contender from St. Wolfgang, Austria



On the second day . . .

. . . in New Hampshire,

Santa brought to me

some snow to cover the trees!

Have a holly, jolly Christmas . . .

It's the best time of the year

I don't know if there'll be snow,

But have a cup of cheer.

Have a holly, jolly Christmas;

And when you walk down the street

Say Hello to friends you know

And everyone you meet.

-Johnny Marks

"Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas"

Don't look too close

No time for music today.

School is out.

Winter clothes to be found.

Suitcases being packed.

Early flight to winter wonderland tomorrow.

And I am still in my pajamas.

Star of wonder . . .

Star of light

Star with royal beauty bright,

Westward leading, still proceeding,

Guide us to thy perfect Light.

"We Three Kings"

- Rev. John Henry Hopkins

Hark! the herald angels sing . . .

"Glory to the new born King,

peace on earth, and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled!"

Joyful, all ye nations rise,

join the triumph of the skies;

with th' angelic host proclaim,

"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the new born King!"

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

-Charles Wesley

But do you recall . . .

The most famous reindeer of all?

"Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer"

-Johnny Marks

The children were nestled . . .

All snug in their bed.

While visions of sugarplums (or cupcakes!)

Danced in their heads.

"Twas the Night Before Christmas"

-Clement Clarke Moore

And when the blue snowflakes start falling . . .

That’s when those blue memories start calling.

You’ll be doing alright with your Christmas of white,

But I’ll have a blue Christmas.

"Blue Christmas"

- Jay Johnson and Billy Hayes

I really don't want much for Christmas . . .

Maybe just peace and while you're listening,

It couldn't hurt and might be nice,

If what the season brings could last beyond one silent night.

I really don't want much for Christmas.

No, hunger's high upon my wish list,

No fancy toys, please give instead

A roof above each homeless child's head.

It's all so grand and jolly.

We deck the halls with boughs of holly,

Yuletide carols and cozy fires,

But somewhere there's no rejoicing.

I really don't want much for Christmas.

You could lose hate, and I'd be blissful.

Make all the madness disappear,

That's it for what I wish.

No diamond-studded gifts.

I really don't want much this year, but love.

"I Really Don't Want Much for Christmas"

Chris Botti

I really can’t stay (Baby, it’s cold outside) . . .

I’ve got to go ‘way (Baby, it’s cold outside)

The evening has been (I’ve been hopin’ that you’d drop in)

So very nice (I’ll hold your hand, they’re just like ice)

"Baby It's Cold Outside"

Frank Loesser

***Yes, I was reminded of this song last night watching Glee. But it really is cold here - 31ºF/0ºC.  It has been cold all week!!!!!  Yes, I know it won't last, but I can't help but having a Brittany moment (Glee reference) by asking Santa to make it snow here before Christmas.  After all, he's magic!

Christmas Eve will find me . . .

. . . Where the love light gleams.

I'll be home for Christmas,

If only in my dreams.

"I'll Be Home For Christmas"

-Buck Ram, Kim Gannon and Walter Kent

Jingle bells, jingle bells . . .

Jingle all the way

Oh, what fun it is to ride

In a one horse open sleigh

"Jingle Bells"

James Lord Pierpont

***On a non- Christmas note (and a parent bragging note!), Hew's soccer team played their tournament this weekend.  In the championship game, Hew played goalie in the fourth quarter and in double overtime, and his team went on to win in sudden death.  I nearly had a heart attack every time the opposing team took a shot.  KK has her tournament next week so it will be another nerve wracking weekend coming up.

Be near me, . .

Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay

Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children to thy tender care

And take us to heaven, to live with Thee there.

"Away in a Manager"

Third Verse by Charles H. Gabriel

Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap. . .

Let's go! Let's look at the show,

We're riding in a wonderland of snow.
(except we're not - we're in the middle of a soccer tournament this weekend and next weekend!)

"Sleigh Ride"
Mitchell Parish

There must have been . . .

. . . some magic in that old silk hat they found.

For when they placed it on his head, he began to dance around.

-Frosty the Snowman
Walter "Jack" Rollins and Steve Nelson

He sees you when you're sleeping . . .

. . . He knows when you're awake.

He knows if you've been bad or good

So be good for goodness sake!

- J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie

Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

*** A bit off the Christmas theme, but for those who have previously asked I am doing much better.  Unfortunately my second experience in the hospital was horribly negative.  My husband and I have walked away knowing that not only must you have someone to advocate on your behalf,  but you must make a scene to be heard.  We didn't do this and even though we warned doctors that I am hypersensitive to medication, they put me on a full dose while admitting they were unsure of a diagnosis.  I was not told of potential side affects, include psychiatric affects such as anxiety and paranoia, as well as physical side affects such as my blood pressure shooting sky high, shaking, and inability to sleep.  I was not given a follow up with a doctor, but thankfully on the advice of nurses had scheduled an appointment with an ENT, who immediately took me off the medication, and was able to diagnosis the reflux.  It took more then two weeks for the medication to fully leave my system.  The positive in all this is that my fear of being unhealthy and going back to the hospital has resulted in an 18 pound weight loss with a change in diet and increase in exercise.  Plus to calm my type A personality down, I started practicing yoga again after a two year hiatus.  A silver lining to an otherwise horrible experience.

I'm Dreamin' . . . .

 . . . of a white Christmas.  Just like the ones I used to know.

Where the tree tops glisten.

And children listen

To hear sleigh bells in the snow.

-Irving Berlin

December 1, 2010