My favorite day

Today was my most favorite day in Norway to date. I wanted to share...

This morning we had an impromptu breakfast outside with our Norwegian neighbors. We ate waffles with jam while the kids explored in the woods and jumped on the trampoline. It's really amazing how quickly things turned from bare branches and icey winter to bright green and beautiful blooming flowers. 

Then we rode our bicycles to a little island near us. The weather was sunny and warm-a very welcome change.

We spent the day at the beach. The big boys played on the rocks in the water. They collected oysters and clams and caught crabs. They scrambled in and out of the cold water and filled buckets with their finds.  They would deliver the full buckets to us and then sprint back out for more. Owen spent his day digging  in the sand and building "homes" for all the displaced creatures. 

I love watching them work together. I spend so much time refereeing battles, I relish the moments that they realize they actually like each other.

We were surrounded by Norwegians all doing the same thing and enjoying the day. Grilling, playing volleyball, building castles, watching the boats and cruise ships go by. People in the water kayaking, sailing, and a few brave swimmers.

This all sounds simple and ordinary, but that's the point.

It felt normal. It felt peaceful. It felt like home.

I think today is the first time I can say that. 

I'm a thinker. An analyzer. That's no secret. I am constantly trying to put my thoughts into perspective and find the deeper meaning. I don't often take things at face value. I journal a lot about finding my place here in this country and in the world. What is the purpose, God's plan? 

Those things are definitely important to me,  but I am the first to admit I can get lost in my own thoughts. I can overthink while life passes by. 

I lived the day today. I was a part of every sound, smell, sight. I felt the happiness of being with my sweet boys, I laughed with my husband, I laid in the sand and talked about what shapes the clouds were making. 

I let myself enjoy without any other thoughts or plans. God has made an amazing world and I don't often enough stop and just indulge in the miracle that is today. 

Today was my favorite day. 

Love or hate

We had a BBQ with some fellow American families last 

weekend. It was a fun time to share our experiences here, give each other advice, and commiserate....just a little. I'm not crazy...or alone!

You see, although I am absolutely totally loving living abroad and the adventure that comes with it, I'm not completely sold on Norway itself. (In Aggie terms, I would call myself a 2percenter). Much to the dismay of Micah, who is morphing into some kind of Bear Grylls outdoor freak, I'm not in love (yet). Micah loves can't get enough of the skiing, fishing, trail running, "granola" lifestyle. And while I definitely enjoy the beautiful landscape and sports, I get (just a bit) frustrated with some cultural aspects. I'm trying to stay open minded and reserving my opinion, but some days are tough.

Norwegian people "work to live". Sounds good in theory, right? Think some more....

That means that if (hypothetically) someone is repairing water damage in the garage apartment on your property, they will come to work for only 3 hours at a time, disappear for days on end, and take more smoke breaks than I thought humanly possible. Above repairs took 4 months to complete--true story! 

They have recently shut down our closest train station to do some work....through December of 2014! This is a small station and major form of transportation. What takes 20 months to complete? As I've asked around with neighbors nobody knows or has made any effort to find out. It's just closed.

There are still a lot of Mom-and-pop shops here. I drove and paid to park (as is the norm) and then walked with Owen (not the easiest of tasks) to one of my favorites the other day only to find that there was a hand written sign on the door saying "closed early". Not uncommon. People close their stores for days or months (supposedly in July) when it's not convenient to work. How does that make business sense? 

 

When I talked to the our property management company to ask some questions about when they would do some yard work, I was told they would start in May. Ummmm, yep, it's been May for 2 weeks now.  

When a grocery store clerk unexpectedly closed her line because her shift was over, the people who had been waiting  simply quietly moved to the back of another already long line. No complaints, no frustration.

Are you understanding  my challenge? I am, as most of us are, used to high speed, competitive, ambitious expectations. There is a culture of simplicity and generalized acceptance that goes against my grain. I just don't know if I have it in me. There is no rule explanation, no exceptions, no "let's figure something out together".  It just is what it is. 

There are times that 

I 

just 

want 

to 

scream

 (and maybe a few that I have).

But in my better moments I realize there is something to learn and be gained here.

Micah's schedule is really nice. Lots

Of holiday days, much shorter work days, less after hours work.  That means more time at home with the family.

There is much less emphasis on measurement standards for the boys. Worries about grades and standardized tests, ultra-competitive sports parents, concerns about what brand shoes we own are essentially non existent.

No comparing, no judgement.

We aren't over-stretched. I'm not always running late or multitasking in my head. I'm not running any races. I'm enjoying the day. 

Life is simpler. Life is slower. Our defenses are down.  We have family time to laugh (and argue--being honest), to spend outside, to focus on what really matters. 

Funny, the same things I hate are the things I love.