Throwing the Shock in Reverse

Those of you that have been hanging out with us for a likely remember that we've written a bit on the blog about culture, and adapting to life in a new country. Things we've learned and experienced as we journeyed across the ocean. Differences in Norwegian & American culture. Things that were strange or difficult for us. Things we love about this culture and country.

Things like...
Our "What's It Like" series (here)
Our "Christmas Cheer" series (here)
The boys' school experience (here)

Yeah, three years of learning and being challenged, feeling frustrated at times, and at other times quite encouraged, struggling to understand differences, working to find substitutes for things that were once normal for us, finding balance in a new routine, and so much more.

We have grown to love life in Europe. It has become home. Then again, we've also learned that the idea of home has greatly changed. There is no longer that one place that is home for us. Instead, it's a feeling, and it's more about who than where.

But now it's time for a bit of reverse culture shock... the Dove family is embarking on a visit to our other home! We're headed to America soon (in 15 days, to be exact), where we'll be spending the holidays with family and friends, doing a bit of work, and relaxing a bit as well.

Zack and I have each been back to the states once. But our boys have not been there in over three years. Needless to say, they are a bit excited!

We are excited as well - and maybe a bit apprehensive. Three years is a long time. And we'd be lying if we said this time and experience has not changed us.

Two months in America - this is going to be interesting!

So stay tuned to see just how much we've changed - and how much the world and life we left have gone off and changed on us!

Find us on Facebook!

Notes from Norge is now on Facebook!

UPDATED TO ADD: the Facebook page is not replacing the blog. It is simply a vehicle for sharing the blog via another avenue!

Join our Facebook page to get the latest news, as well as links to blog posts.

https://m.facebook.com/NotesFromNorge

Our page has a specific focus on coffee and culture. We hope to see you there!

A typical day

One of the most common questions we get asked is what a typical weekday looks like for us. If you're asking about the boys, that's pretty simple.

But for us, every day brings different schedules and new opportunities.

Most mornings one or both of us drive the boys to school around 8:25. Often we will stop at the grocery on the way home. And then we have to pick the boys up a little after 3:00 pm.

What happens in between those hours varies. Many mornings we start by watching the news - language practice! A few mornings a week we work out. Mornings also include office tasks: paperwork, emails, and maybe a Skype call thrown in. 

Afternoons vary. Some days we have meetings in the city. Once a week we attend a language conversation group for a few hours with 3-5 other internationals. 

(One of our only consistencies is coffee throughout every day!)

And there are days like yesterday and today, where we find ourselves going in two different directions. Zack spent the day in Oslo yesterday. And now I'm on the train to Oslo. 

So routine is a bit of relative term. We depend a lot on the calendar on our phones to make sure we are moving in the right direction! We have the occasional low-key day. But most days are a little bit hectic and quite a bit of fun!

Kaffetur / Coffee Tour: a new series

I'm working on a new series, highlighting one of our favorite things: coffee.

Okay, actually two of our favorite things: coffee and cool coffee shops/cafés.

I'll highlight some great - and maybe even a few not-as-great - spots that we've visited in various countries over the past few years.

And since he is even more into coffee than I am, hopefully I can get Zack to share a bit from time to time as well.

Stay tuned - coming soon!

So disconnected (I unfriend you!)

We typically don't realize how disconnected we are from American culture. That is, until someone from the US comes to visit us.

Case in point: this Esurance commercial (video below). We just saw it for the first time tonight. Hilarious.

Yeah, apparently we are always behind. In hearing news, seeing the latest and greatest from music or television, finding out about the newest technology (unless it's Apple: Zack never misses any of that!), or being exposed to all the clever advertising.

But hey - at least we aren't as disconnected as poor Beatrice!

Exploring a new part of Norway

Two weekends ago we attended a conference in Hovet, a village in central Norway. It is always fun to get to check out new areas of the country, and this is the farthest we've traveled (in Norway) as a family so far.

The area is home to some ski resorts, but the snow is melting so most everything was closed for the season.  But it was still a beautiful setting and we enjoyed getting to explore it in the afternoon between meetings.

This was our home for a weekend -
a really cool two bedroom cabin.

The view from our back porch

We took this one somewhere along the drive.

Out for an afternoon walk

A ski jump built in between two cabins!

What's it like: Easter break

Easter holidays play out differently here than what we experienced in the states. As far as I can tell, all schools have the same spring break, the week adjacent to Easter. And the break is called påskeferie - Easter vacation.

Almost all businesses are closed the Thursday and Friday before Easter, and the Monday after Easter. Thursday is skjærtorsdag, Friday is langfredag, and Monday is 2.påskedag. All the shops in the city are closed. You might be able find one of the small Sunday grocery stores open, but that is about it. Most shops are open on Saturday (påskeaften - the day before Easter), but only for a few hours.

Here are some photos from our Easter break - it was a great week with beautiful, summer-like weather, lots of outdoor time, hanging out with friends, and getting to know our neighbors better.