Friday, December 31, 2010
Update 01/01/11:
We rocked it this year. Had friends stay over and went to bed around 1.30am. Got up next morning and Jeffrey made pancakes for everybody. Not a bad way to start the New Year: Good food and great friends!!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
…of the Season
If you think that a -10°C will keep us from going down hill… you are so wrong.
Jeremy did very very good for his 3rd time on skis. He finally listened to what
Maman istrying to teach him and we even took him to the big hill on the last day…no more kids slopes for him.
 |
In case you needed a proof!!
|
 |
Ready for some serious skiing
|
 |
Can you feel the cold?
|
 |
| On top of the 'big' hill |
Sunday, December 26, 2010
...For A LittleDown Time
How low can it go?
Driving to the Mountain, the temperature dropped to -23°C that’s a whopping -10°F
 |
| Low |
 |
| Lower |
And this is what happens if you leave a bottle of water in the car!!
 |
| At least we would have fresh water... |
I didn’t know but apparently when you park the car, you cannot engage the handbrake but should keep the car parked in gear. Apparently, handbrakes can freeze in place so, to avoid this, they can’t be used in sub-zero temperatures.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
...Merry Christmas 2010
God Jul
圣诞快乐 (shèngdàn kuàilè)
Feliz Navidad
Buon Natale
 |
| Christmas Eve |
 |
| Christmas Morning |
Friday, December 24, 2010
...24th and Last
That’s the last Chocolate of the Advent Calendar; it must mean Santa is coming tonight!!
 |
| Chocolate overdose officially over |
Playing with my camera and the new lit up Christmas tree:
 |
| Bokeh |
Thursday, December 23, 2010
...Cutting
 |
| Yes.. it's OUR tree |
 |
| On its way to be decorated |
Did you know the City of Oslo, Norway presents a tree to the people of London as a token of appreciation for the British support of Norwegian resistance during the Second World War. It’s the Christmas tree on Trafalgar Square in London. Bergen (town north of Stavanger) gives a 15m-tall Christmas tree to Newcastle upon Tyne (UK)
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
...In Pictures
Here are some pictures from our trip to Munich. Christmas Markets with its multiple ornament stands and food stands. Visit of the Dachau concentration camp but also to the Neuschwanstein Castle and Oberammergau painted houses.
 |
Munich skyline from the Deutsches Museum
|
 |
This is what happened when a 'photographer' gets room service...
She cannot help herself ;-) |
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
...3.40pm: Good Night
When did the day go? I haven’t had time to do anything today!!... Only 6 hours to do everything.
But look on the bright side: I’ll have a full 18 hours around June 21 to do everything!!!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
...Hello Munich
Germany here we come
 |
| Right there! |
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
...Last Time Of The Year
Today should have been my last day of the year going to Jeremy’s class for my weekly session of reading… well actually I should say listening since I’ve been going every Tuesday morning (I have to be at school by 8.30am… talk about commitment for me!) for a 1-hour session of reading with the children. They read, I listen. It has been very rewarding and I love to get to know Jeremy’s classmates.
Monday, December 13, 2010
December 13th is known as ‘‘
Luciadagen’’ (Santa Lucia Day) in the Nordic countries and children wear white robes, sing and parade with candles but also baskets of sweet pastry know as ‘lussekatter’
It’s all part of a legend about the martyr St Lucia, who was executed in 304AD while she held a burning lamp.
Sweden started celebrating Luciadagen in 1927, and Finland also has a long tradition of honoring Santa Lucia with parades at schools, hospitals and charitable institutions.
The day’s roots aren’t so deep in Norway, but local day care centers (barnehager) have taken up the event in recent years, seen by many as an extra source of light and music on.
 |
| My Friend’s daughter at the Santa Lucia Parade at ISS |
Sunday, December 12, 2010
...Picking
Just like
last year we decided to go native and cut our own Christmas tree (at a Christmas tree farm of course… we are not vandals!). But because we won’t be here the week before Christmas and we learned from last year that decorating the tree too early make a very sad Christmas tree just a few days after Christmas. So just like the Norwegians, we are going to pick our perfect tree and we will come to cut it just a few days before Christmas.
 |
| Not this one, not this one... |
 |
| This one! |
Saturday, December 11, 2010
...Christmas Party
We glamed ourselves up once again and went to the company 'Julebord' (that’s Christmas party the Norwegian way!). Thankfully the food was French!!.
Sorry no picture of us in all our glamorous outfit… totally forgot to take a picture to share. But I get one of Jeffrey up on the stage giving a speech this year!
I was also in spirit with my friends for yet another Going Away dinner. This time it’s Michelle and she’s moving to Bahrain… Nothing like a quick last minute relocation.
 |
| Does it look Photoshoped?!! |
Friday, December 10, 2010
...At School
Yesterday I was asked by the Parents-Teachers Association to take the class picture with Santa at my kids’ school… all 17 Primary classes!!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
...Part II
Chloe’s turn at the winter concert this week.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
...Part II
It was Chloe’s class turn today. But some parents were only required for the assembly part… decoration will be done tomorrow.
 |
| Chloe & Franziska doing some heavy masonry work!! |
Sunday, December 5, 2010
...Early Christmas Dinner
For the second year in a row I’m cooking Thanksgiving. Well this year it’s a late Thanksgiving since we had a company Christmas party to attend on the Saturday and it was too much for one weekend.
So we invited the same British couple than last year (
they accepted our second invitation so I took it as a sign they liked what they ate!) and added a Canadian couple and Canadian friend (Canadians celebrate Thanksging the first Monday in October so it was way past their Thanksgiving time!).
Total 7 adults and 6 children…. Wahoo I’m getting the hang of cooking for a crowd!!
Martha Stewart and
The Pioneer Woman would have been proud
 |
| The difference is this year I had Pecan for my pecan pie!! |
 |
| Kids' dessert |
And
here’s an interesting article on what are the most cooked dishes around the USA for Thanksgiving.
Friday, December 3, 2010
...Part I
This week was Jeremy’s Winter Concert. Next week will be Chloe’s
 |
| As you can see Jeremy was really into it! |
* Formerly known as Christmas Concert!!!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
…Coffee
Such is the life in the Expat world.
See you later Heather and enjoy your new life as a "
Dallas Divas & Daughters"!!
 |
| Nice meeting you, sorry to part |
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
...Begin
And the Christmas seasons is officially starting
 |
| Chocolate overdose starting now |
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
...Have Been Sent
Sucking up to the old man… To My Best Friend Santa Claus
 |
| Chloe's letter was sealed... she doesn't trust us! |
 |
| Quick iPhone picture before it is sent to the North Pole |
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
...Do You Recognize Yourself?
A couple of articles from the Expat Info desk make me laugh... So what kind of expat are we? I would say I recognized myself most in the ‘Seasoned Expat’ but have to say that while most of the description of the ‘Pampered Expat’ made me cringe…I’m totally guilty of 5-star hotel treatment in Asia and we did indeed enjoy Champagne Brunch at a International Hotel a couple of time in Beijing!!
5 Expat Types You May Meet When Living Overseas
Many people believe that expats are the same the world over. Is there really a typical expat type?
In this article we take a lighthearted look at some of the expat types you may bump into when living overseas. The article is included as a bit of fun and is certainly not intended to cause any offense!
The Ruthless Career Expat
Your sole objective for living abroad is to further your career and get rich. You don’t care where you’re based and what conditions you may have to live in; the worse the conditions the more money they’ll have to pay you, right? You’re not really interested in the culture or history of your host country, just what fringe benefits are on offer and how much danger money you can expect. If you’re asked about what attracted you to the prospect of living in your host country you will probably reply: “Nothing. My company sent me here.”
The Pampered Pooch
You’re keen to live abroad and experience life in a different country but have no interests in living like a local and expect luxury and indulgence all the way. You probably live in a top-of-the-range luxury apartment and spend all of your time with people from a similar background to your own. You have taken the time and effort to learn some of the local language but have done so with the express aim of showing-off to your visiting friends and relatives. You travel quite frequently but have seen the majority of the world from the comfort of your five star hotel with a personal driver/tour guide in tow. You are most likely to be found enjoying champagne brunch at an international hotel on a Sunday afternoon.
The Seasoned Expat
You are addicted to the excitement of relocating and have lived in several different countries. Moving abroad at the drop of a hat does not faze you in the slightest. Each time you tell yourself that this move is your last but every time a new opportunity arises you simply can’t say no. Your Facebook friend list consists of people all over the world and the majority of your relatives have lost track of where you actually live. It’s rare that you can spend the entire evening in someone’s company without uttering the phrase, “When I lived in…”
The Hippie
You’ve moved abroad with the hope of discovering yourself and achieving true karma. You avoid the other expats like the plague, choosing to immerse yourself in the local culture and language. You consider yourself an expert on the “real” experience in your host country and you live quite comfortably on less than $5 USD a day. You find it difficult to have a conversation with someone without noticing the color of their aura but that is rarely an issue as you are happier in the company of your entourage of stray dogs anyway. You can be identified by your tie-dyed shirt and oversized canvas shoulder bag, which you believe are organic and sustainable but are, in reality, mass-produced imports from India.
The Party Animal
You’re young and single and living life to the max. You work hard and party hard and, for you, life abroad is all about one thing; pleasure. You’re most likely to be found in an expatriate bar, drinking copious amounts of alcohol and sharing stories of drunken debauchery. The only elements of the local language that you have bothered to learn involves rude words and insults and you regularly shout these across the bar at your fellow expat party animals. You certainly do enjoy life but there's an inherent risk that you won't remember much of you're experiences overseas when you do eventually return home.
Do you see yourself in any of these expatriate types? Are there any other types that you have come across during your own experiences living overseas?
Another article was about the personality traits of a happy Expat. ‘Being Open and Ready to Embrace New Challenges’ has been the one thing for me that made the moves easier and I also ‘Work at It’. I have also learnt to ask for help. I talked a little about the Expat community
here
6 Personality Traits of a Happy Expat
Earlier this year The Economist Intelligent Unit issued a special report on expatriate life entitled, Up and Out. Next Moves for the Modern Expatriate. In the report they looked at expatriate personality types and questioned, “What makes a successful expatriate?”
According to their research findings, a staggering 73% of expatriates surveyed believed that cultural sensitivity was the most important contributory factor for successful life abroad. Other traits such as foreign language skills, ability to network, previous experience of living abroad and ability to lead by example were also named as being important qualities for expats.
In this article we provide our own insights into what makes a happy expatriate and explore some of the personalities traits that the average successful expatriate seems to possess.
Expat Personality Traits
1. Organized. Planning ahead can remove a significant amount of stress from the process of moving abroad and will assist you to settle in much faster. Remember that you are planning for two major events; leaving an old life and starting a new one, and both of these require a great deal of attention. When you first start to make planning for international relocation it can be overwhelming and you may start to question if the move is even possible. The best approach is to remain calm and divide the plans into small manageable chunks. If you feel that you could benefit from a sample plan then please see our free moving checklist template. It contains a 90-day planner listing common tasks that expatriates need to complete when moving overseas and can be a valuable starting point for your own planning activities.
2. Open and ready to embrace new challenges. Moving overseas means facing changes, and unless you are ready and willing to accept these changes then the move will result in a complete disaster. Successful expats are often those who look forward to new experiences and lifestyles and are ready and willing to embrace them. No doubt things will be different in your host country but, instead of focusing of what your temporary home isn’t, you should be accepting of what it is. Don’t complain about bureaucracy or how things are don’t differently, just accept that this is the way it is- for now at least. You can’t exactly recreate your previous life in your host country and the sooner you realize that, the better. Open yourself up to the life and culture in your host country and give as many new opportunities a go as you can. No doubt things will sometimes go wrong but be prepared to roll with the punches, put any unexpected difficulties down to bad experience and quickly move on to find out what else your new life overseas has to throw at you.
3. Prepared to ask for help. Being proud and refusing to ask other people for help and advice will get you nowhere when living abroad as an expat. Everyone needs help and guidance and the sooner you start to approach others for insights into life in your host country, the quicker you will be able to learn about all the idiosyncrasies associated with it and how to avoid unnecessary obstacles. Expats are generally a friendly lot and the majority of them jump at the first opportunity to help a new arrival. Join online expat networks or social groups and introduce yourself as a newbie. Feel free to ask all those burning questions that you have and you’ll quickly be surrounded with willing volunteers who are more than happy to share their pearls of wisdom and show you the ropes. Through being prepared to ask others for help you will save your own valuable time and potentially make some friends in the process.
4. Willing to take a risk. When you first move abroad you really do not know what awaits. You enter into an unknown territory where anything could happen. This is a significant risk, especially if you are very happy in your home country. The most effective expats are the ones who embrace this risk and acknowledge that the move may not be permanent and that there is no harm whatsoever in sampling life abroad. At the end of the day, if it all goes pear-shaped, you can always return home. Through taking that step into the unknown you have the potential to enjoy a unique experience and truly alter your perception on life. Embrace it as a positive thing and let life take you where it will.
5. Ready to embrace the culture of their host country. Quite often the most successful expatriates are those that wholeheartedly embrace the culture and traditions of their host country. Instead of moving overseas and forming associating purely with other expats, they are ready and willing to mix with the local people and integrate as fully as they can. Through doing so, these people start to adjust much more quickly as they are in a better position to understand the country they are living in and can begin to make the most of the opportunity that has been presented to them. One of the best methods of demonstrating to the local people that you are making an effort to fit in with them is to attempt to learn the language. You don’t need to be fluent, but simply trying to communicate in your host country’s language will demonstrate your efforts and the local people will appreciate it.
6. Prepared to work at it. Every change and challenge requires work and effort and you would be naive to think that moving overseas is any different. Don’t expect everything to be right first time and do expect to have low points when you feel frustrated or lonely and just want to get on the first flight back home. Being a happy expat means accepting that sometimes you will feel sad. The work you put into making a new home for yourself abroad will be rewarded many times over and every challenge you overcome will make you feel stronger.
Have you experience of relocating to a new country? What personality traits do you think were the most effective in helping you to settle in and enjoy life in your host country? We’d love to know what you think.
And finally a last one on the fantastic reason why you should pack up and relocate overseas. ‘Broadening our horizons’ (and the kids’) is probably our main reason. I personally love to experience new culture and meet new people I wouldn’t have met (I talked about it
here) which links to point 2: ‘Travel and Explore’. We do a lot of this and again I think because of those opportunities Chloe and Jeremy have a better view and understanding of the world around them.
7 Fantastic Reasons Why You Should Pack up and Relocate Overseas
If you are considering international relocation but seem to be able to formulate more reasons why you should stay at home than why you should move overseas, then let us step in and provide you with some reasons why moving abroad may be the best thing that you ever do.
7 Fantastic Reasons Why You Should Pack up and Relocate Overseas
1) Broaden Your Horizons - When you relocate overseas you are often forced to experience a new culture and form social networks with people with whom you would previously never had an opportunity to mix with. These experiences will teach you a lot about yourself and the life you lead, and you will often gain a new perspective of what matters in life. Seeing the world from a different place will force you to look at things differently and question previously held assumptions. Overall it will be a truly rewarding experience.
2) Travel and Explore - Living overseas as an expat offers you an opportunity to travel extensively and, once you have gained confidence by making the initial leap abroad, you will probably be keen to explore the surrounding countries and areas. The majority of expats have travelled extensively and they are interesting people to spend time with. You may only have one chance at life so make the most of it by exploring the world you live on.
3) Gain Confidence and Independence - There is no two ways about it; moving overseas for the first time can be daunting and stressful. However, as the old adage goes, what doesn't kill us only makes us stronger. By taking the leap into the unknown you will learn more about yourself and your capabilities and ultimately you will gain in confidence. You will quickly learn that you are capable of anything you put your mind to and you will be more likely to take more rewarding risks in the future.
4) Advance Your Career - In a 2010 survey by The Economist, it was revealed that 80% of respondents were of the opinion that a stint abroad in a major emerging market would aid career progression. While this may not be guaranteed, time working overseas will undoubtedly improve your resume and offer you learning experiences that you would not have had in your home county; this can only be beneficial to you in the long run.
5) Save Money - A great deal of expat opportunities abroad offer individuals an opportunity to save money. This could be because the cost of living is lower in the host country, and/or there are lower taxes, and/or you are offered an attractive salary for relocating overseas. If this is the case, a few years living and working abroad can offer you an opportunity to really boost your savings and, in many cases, it can set you up for life.
6) Improve Your Standard of Living - In a recent survey by banking giant HSBC, it was revealed that a large number of expatriates have chosen their host country as a permanent abode and plan to remain there for many years to come as a result of the higher standard of living they experience there. According to HSBC, expats experience shorter commutes to work, enjoy better weather and benefit from shorter working weeks.
7) Have More Fun - For the majority of people who experience it, life abroad is fun. Expatriates are generally a very sociable group and often use the fact that they are away from home as a base common denominator. It often appears that there are an endless stream of parties, social events and activities. Getting involved is very easy and the majority of expats have a hectic social calendar.
Source: Expatinfodesk.com/news
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
...My Little Canon
Photography has kept me sane here and on days like this I don’t mind freezing my butt to take picture around the fjord.
 |
Hafrsfjord
Click to enlarge |
|
The End of A Year...
