Heroes and Villains

In Norwegian, we have a saying that goes: Away is good but home is best. After two plus weeks in Scandinavia I am headed home, and although I had a fantastic time, it still feels good to get home and get back to everyday life and those I love on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. Having your heart split between two continents isn’t always easy, kind of like being Elastigirl with one leg planted firmly on either side of that great body of water – but it makes for great travel experiences and lots of memory making when you get to cross the gap and go to the other side.

Got to the airport in plenty of time this time, I was through security, sitting at the gate with my notebook and pen making verbal sketches of fellow travelers at least an hour and a half before takeoff. It must be a law of nature how on days you’re early there are no lines either at check-in or security, while when you’re in a hurry, the crowds conspire against you and do everything in their power to stop you from getting to your destination on time. Even in London, in that wretched place called Heathrow Airport I had plenty of time after emerging from that maze of miles of yellow-signed corridors and snaking security lines to eat lunch, send text messages to all my loved ones, read a little and even freshen up before heading through some more mazy lengths of corridor towards the gate an hour before take-off.

I got lucky and was selected for one of those fun-filled searches at the gate where they pick you out at random, pat you down, make you open your bag, turn on your computer, handle your cell phone, look inside the case containing your glasses, and if you’re lucky let you go at that. I was, as I said, lucky, and they didn’t go through every last little compartment of my backpack, makeup case and all. Still, by the time I was done with all that it was almost time to board the aircraft.

Pick-pocketing has apparently grown rampant throughout Scandinavia since I was home last. I noticed warning signs on the subway in Oslo, and the other day in Uppsala, Sweden, I got to experience it first-hand when my sister’s cell phone was nabbed right before our very eyes in broad daylight inside a not so crowded restaurant. And the crazy thing was, we didn’t even notice until 15 minutes later when we were headed out and she realized she didn’t have her phone!

The scumbag put a crumpled hand-written sign down on the table in front of us – expertly covering up her phone from our view – and started begging for money in who-knows-what language. He was extremely persistent, despite our repeated efforts to get him to leave us alone. As soon as he left we all checked if our purses and wallets were intact, but nobody remembered T’s phone that had been laying right there on the table. If I just could get my hands on that dirty scoundrel!

The week in Sweden followed on the heels of the dizzying pace of my Norway experience at a much more leisurely pace, and after two days of resting up I was ready to get up and at’em. But my body didn’t think so, apparently, because just then I was knocked out for an additional two days by a nasty head cold and fever. The afore mentioned lump in my armpit hurt like mad in time with the rising mercury, so I figured it was that enlarged lymph node having some connection with an infection in my carcass. It sure was a relief to get confirmed by the doctor a few days later that the lump was indeed just a regular enlarged lymph node and nothing to worry about. At least that was the preliminary result – some further research is needed to be sure, but that piece of information just made me breathe a little easier.

I crammed four days into the last two and still got to do everything I wanted to do and see everyone I wanted to see and now I feel quite full – not that uncomfortable fullness when you know you’ve overeaten and feel bloated and miserable, but the feeling of pleasure that comes after having eaten a great meal, having satisfied your hunger and enjoyed some fabulous flavors.

Gotta Fly!

Got some time to kill. I missed my morning flight to Stockholm (for those who know me, I’m sure you’re chuckling, shaking your head and thinking how typical of me – and it’s OK, I don’t blame you! ☺). Been a lot of late nights and very little sleep this week. Despite sis and my best efforts at setting two phone alarms and get up, we still managed to oversleep. Got out of the house way too late, the taxi had to take a detour; I just missed an airport shuttle and had to wait another 15 min at the train station. Got to check-in minutes before the flight and they would have let me on had it not been for my enormous suitcase. Had I been willing to leave all my belongings behind I would have made the flight but chose to sit this one out, put the suitcase in storage a bit and re-book for the next flight – about eight hours later. Oy!


Sitting at my favorite hideout: the Deichman Library downtown Oslo. I used to love studying here during high school – there is something about the tall columns, the smell of old books, the skylight, the hushed voices – that makes for a very special atmosphere. Free wireless Internet makes it even nicer!



So here I am, with an unidentified lump in my armpit (went to the Dr. who sent me to a specialist who took out some cells to look at and will give a verdict in about a week or so), an infection on my eyelid, a knot in my stomach and extreme sleep deprivation, but I’m having a blast! Reconnecting with so many old friends and acquaintances this week has been invaluable – thanks all for making my trip so memorable! Yay – got less than five hours left now ☺

Itchy & Scratchy, Connection Issues

It’s hot and stuffy. Lovely temperatures of 70s and lower 80s outside, but still, with no air conditioning inside, with no fans and the afternoon sun beating down the windows, it gets toasty. Dad likes it that way, plus, you can’t open the windows, because the mosquitoes are vicious and huge! They really are as enormous as I remember them as a kid. I guess the last few years we came home we’ve spent the majority of our time in the city and mosquitoes were never really an issue. And at Christmas time when we did come out here to the countryside it was, obviously, wintery cold and also not an issue. I can’t believe I didn’t bring OFF! I thought of bringing some from home as I had a hunch the critters would be a bitch, but forgot all about it. Should have known though… oh well. And, for some strange reason, the Parents don’t keep a drop of bug repellent at the house… they live in a veritable forest by water’s edge – very idyllic, but big-time mosquito country, and don’t have a single de- or anti-bug option available. So the big event this evening was running off to the store in search of bug spray. I searched and searched, and finally asked a clerk who pointed me to a small blue cardboard case and explained apologetically that whatever I could find in there was all that was left. It was slim pickin’s. Some wimpy wipes, a teensy weensy bottle of liquid repellent and a small can of after-bite cooling gel – but no spray. Who’d have thunk it, the only local convenience store deep in Norwegian mosquito territory out of bug spray! I bought one of each of the rather skimpy alternatives and went across the street to the only gas station where I armed myself with a small can of actual OFF in spray form. I paid upwards of $6 for this tiny treasure, but it was worth it – now I can go for a walk with the Mother Figure and stop and take as many photos as I please without being eaten alive!

Another thing that’s weird, is being completely without any cell reception whatsoever. Not even in the little town up the road, where Dad says he always has coverage. Me, nada. Being so used to being so connected in every way all the time and so suddenly being without connection is quite creepy. Creepy how dependent on technology you get, I mean. (Read Jennifer Egan’s “The Keep”). I really had no idea how much it would bother me. In one way I like it – it’s very relaxing in a strangely serene sense, but I feel like I’m having connection withdrawals at times. Electronic detox. Which probably is very good for the soul and healthy in more than one way but still, an adjustment. There’s obviously no wireless internet for my beloved MacBook, but I can check email on Mom’s old, slooooow computer with an even slooooower dial-up, so I get on for a few minutes each day to check email and such. And post here, obviously. And, scene – I think my time’s up. So long!

Anni-Blogiversary

Today is a very special day. Not only am I on this day embarking upon a solitary pilgrimage to the land I was born, it is also my eight wedding anniversary, AND the first anniversary of my blog. I have lived up to my promise of posting scattered and infrequently, and met a lot of very interesting people along the way.

I was inspired by Amelie to pay multi-homage to those who have impacted me over the years:

First of all, to the love of my life, my soul mate: you're the compass to my true self. Without you I'd constantly get lost in this chameleon’s skin. You made it safe to stop being “big strong H” and just be. You will always be my best friend. I love you big bear – happy anniversary!

My very large, very multi-faceted, and very loving family: You are a perpetual inspiration! Dad instilled in me my interest in books and learning, my wanderlust and hunger for adventure, which ultimately led me to my new homeland and my love. Dad, you will always be my hero, even though I haven’t been able to show you how much I appreciate you the last few years. Mom – I keep trying to add more of your sweetness into my life. Nobody knows the pain you have known while putting forth your brood of quality citizens of humanity. I will always love you.

Friends who mean the world to me: Veronique – your porch, not to mention you house ☺ has become my second home… literally. Joy – your vibrancy and artistic vein always inspires me. Claudia – we might not talk every day, but I consider you one of my dearest friends. Renee – your photos and detailed accounts of your happenings remind me of the significance of recording what is important in life. Mona – getting reconnected with such intelligence is an honor.

I want to thank my junior high teacher, Liv Burum for encouraging my writing, even though I was reluctant at the time. Other teachers, starting with Margaret in the 2nd grade, all the way through my years at university, thank you for accepting my late papers and not reducing my grade more than one (sometimes two) letter grades due to tardiness.

I also want to give a shout-out to Nils and Morten for giving me my blogger name and making life a little more interesting growing up, as well as Anne Christine for coming up with the greatest quote of all times.

Last but not least, to my fellow bloggers: Bottom Buzzer – your encouragement of novice bloggers such as myself helped me out a great deal in the beginning. Grete – you always write such thought provoking and reflective texts. Karina – you remind me to look on the bright side. Pearl – I’ve never met anyone more productive – the sheer volume of quality you put out daily blows me away. Buffy – you are an incredible writer and if I some day could come even close to touching what you do I would consider myself an accomplished writer. Can’t wait until your novel comes out!

Honorable mention goes to facebook, for reconnecting me with some of these outstanding individuals.

Thank you, thank you very much.
*taking a bow*