Last week in Hamar

The end is near...

Okay, maybe it isn't as dramatic as that, but my time in Hamar is coming rapidly to a close.  I will be sad to leave this "family" of mine, but now is the time to go back to Skien.  I look forward to seeing friends, talking to them in Norwegian and preparing for the DTS in January.  On the other hand, I do not look forward to packing.  

A friend of mine she said she enjoyed the pictures I put up, so I thought I would add some pictures and tell you more about my time while in Hamar. 

I live in a very Norwegian home, but they were kind to the American in their midst and we celebrated Thanksgiving. I cooked for 2 days, everything came out great except the pumpkin pie, to my dismay. We had a lovely time.  After dinner (middag @ 4:30pm) we went for a long wonderful walk, then came back to the house, ate pie and watched a movie. 

Norwegians celebrate Advent, it starts, I believe the first Sunday in December, but Christmas season starts December 1st, the first day you can have glog & pepperkaker (glogg is like a spiced cider drink with fruit and nut bits in it and pepperkaker are gingerbread cookies).  The four candles below are the advent candles, one is lit every Sunday while reciting a prayer.  The star above the candles is just an example of how Jenny & Ragnhild have made the house look nice and festive.  A side note: the color for Advent is purple - purple candles, cloths, etc..., but Christmas is decorated in red and I believe they change the colors Christmas eve.

We also had the town Christmas tree lighting.  It was really fun despite the cold.  At the end of the event all the people sang a Christmas song and went around the Christmas tree, so very delightful.  

I also, did something VERY Norwegian.  I went to Sweden! It was my first time to step foot in the country and I did it as a typical Norwegian would.  Yep, we went shopping.  The prices in Sweden are cheaper, especially for meat and since it is only 2 hour drive to the border, off we went.  There was an extra seat in the car and Eirik (the youth pastor) arranged for me to join.  So off I went with Eirik's mom, little brother and little sister.  It was so much fun.  We even had a little adventure - the car battery died.  The others in the car said they were very grateful that I was an outgoing American, I went around the parking lot for about 40 minutes looking for someone with jumper cables to help us back on the road.  Our angel's name was Ida.  We are back safe and sound and with bacon in the freezer!

Thanks for taking this journey with me in Hamar while I learned Norwegian.  Please pray that I continue to grow and improve in the language, especially as I go back to Skien.  Also, if you would please pray for my "family" in Hamar (Eirik, Karl Oscar, Jenny & Ragnhild), they are the youth leaders in one of the local churches and I am sure they would appreciate any extra prayer.  Thanks again.

Four weeks down & to celebrate - SNOW!

Go here to read the article and see a video (it is in Norwegian).
 http://h-a.no/Nyheter/Nyheter/tabid/72/articleView/true/moduleid/183501/Default.aspx

Winter has come, so why hasn't the understanding of the language come as well?  Yes, I must admit that I am not fluent yet.  Most of you will not be surprised, but I think I am disappointed a little.  You may have noticed I did not post last week.  A quick recap, at the end of week three I had got a horrible headache, felt sick and didn't study for 3 days (It's hard to say I did not study, as I live with Norwegians who speak Norwegian around me all the time, but I  was not very proactive about my learning.  Let's call it a bit of a breakdown.) 

So, last week - week four - I took it easier to avoid any such breakdowns again.  I think I took it too easy, because I feel like I am going backwards as it is harder, not easier, to understand when people talk Norwegian.  The truth is I hear Norwegian quite a LOT.  This is good, but so frustrating when I do not understand.  Let's just say, I am quiet at the dinner table and my roommates know they can still speak privately even if I am in the same room.  I pick up words and sometimes sentences, but complete thoughts are a blur to me. 

The good news is my two months are not over as I do not leave here until December 9th.  I knew it would take a couple of months, but secretly, I hoped I would be an amazingly fast learner and BAM! I would know Norwegian.  I suppose I need reminding from God that learning...IS A PROCESS.  Honestly, this is a good reminder, often when I am in a process of building character I want "instant" results, as well.  Character, language, so many things take time in life and should be pursued but not rushed.  Society, technology tells me different, they say that I should do things in a rush.  They say if I wait life will be boring or worse my life, what I want out of life will become obsolete.  Some things are worth the time and are actually better with time.  Things like: character, relationships, learning things (playing guitar, engineering, medicine, etc...and apparently language).  

Norwegian isn't the only thing I am learning during my time here, and I am sure this will continue to be the case.  I must remember growth...is a process!

Week Two of Learning Norwegian

Week two can be summed up with the word: Improvement. 

When I first arrived here speaking, having an actual conversations in Norwegian was not a reality, but now I can have small conversations.  Of course, the subject matter is limited, but at least now I am able to practice speaking.  The Norwegians here continue to have a LOT of patience, and they agree that I have improved.  The highlight of my week was when a friend from Skien called and we had a conversation for 45 minutes in Norwegian.  It was so nice and my friend was SO patient.  I still have trouble understanding people when they talk at normal talking speed, but I believe that will come with time.  It is also apparent that my vocabulary needs to increase.  I do read Calvin and Hobbes in Norwegian (here they are called Tommy og Tigern) as a learning tool.  I realize from reading, or trying to read, the comics and other books I have that I need to know more words. 

Last week I also had the opportunity to help someone who is trying to move.  I used the bus and after a few mistakes, misunderstandings and an hour long walk to the place I really needed to be I now understand the bus system.  It has been nice to help people and to have the ability to just be a blessing where needed.  Tonight I am off to help in the cafe and will get more practice conversing in Norwegian. 

Thanks to all who have been praying for me, I truly appreciate it and if you would, please continue to pray. 

Takk (Thank you in Norsk)