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.
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