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Making Chocolate Chip Cookies in Norway.
It might sound easy. You probably think: surely you just go to the store, buy the ingredients, mix them up, and bake them. It is not Mars! Except, it kind of is. First, let’s start with buying the ingredients. I know them by heart. You have vanilla, eggs, salted butter, both kinds of sugar, flour,…
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When Geopolitics Hit Home
I avoid geopolitics for obvious reasons, but when living abroad, they do not always avoid me. Previously, I have discussed the wonder of sitting around a language practice (språkkafen) table with immigrants to Norway from all over the world. It has been a marvel to see that people from Japan to Pakistan and Sudan to…
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Borsch with Baguette
Borsch, the Ukrainian staple. A hearty stew, whoops, here’s a tip: never call it a stew if a Ukrainian is in earshot. I made that mistake once and was quickly corrected: It is not a soup; it is not a stew; it is borsch! Okay, so it is a hearty liquid meal with a tomato…
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The Invisible Divide.
As a girl with strong British roots, resulting in pale skin and red hair, I don’t stand out in Norway. As an American, my mannerisms, customs, and behavioral norms also align with Norwegain culture. We dress largely the same and enjoy the same types of hobbies. In fact, Norwegians are so convinced that I am…
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Det Finnes Ikke Dårlig Vær, Bare Dårlig Klær.
Anyone who has spent meaningful time in Norway has heard this expression recited with pride: bad weather does not exist in Norway, only bad clothing. You would also know that it is more than a catchy phrase; it is a lifestyle. Norway packs in a lot of weather. Days of wind, rain, snow, fog, frost,…
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Communication Breakdown.
Before I began a relationship with a man whose native language differs from mine, I never considered what that would be like. I did not wonder whether the situation would result in regular confused facial expressions followed by questions or laughs. Or if misunderstandings due to choosing the wrong word or phrase could end in…
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When the Extraordinary Becomes, Well…Ordinary.
Some people may think that living in Europe means experiencing endless wonderment. They picture walking out the front door every morning, glancing around, and smiling at the newness of everything. It can, and it does, in the beginning, but then, like everything in life, we adjust, and the newness becomes routine. The novelty becomes the…
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The Unexpected Twist.
Those who have followed my adventures closely know that a year ago, during my first 90-day stay in Bergen, I was obsessively focused on learning Norwegain. I bought and dutifully followed an online course curriculum, spent 30 minutes per day studying vocabulary, and attended language practice cafes or spåkkafés each weekday. Knowing no one and…
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Parallel Lives and the Warping of Time.
I had not planned on coming back. My life was focused in one direction, the United States, and beginning a life in Colorado, closer to family and with my fiancé, transported to the United States from Ukraine via an 18-month stop in Norway. But you know what they say about plans….. Okay, if you don’t,…
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Fresh Start. An Intro…
I suppose it has been evident from my silence that I have been struggling with the direction of my blog. My life went from regularly exploring new countries, which allowed me access to unlimited and exciting content to share, to toggling between the United States and Norway. The newness faded, and with that, the inspiration.…
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She Simply Wanders 