Hubby's Hair Cut

Our first attempt to get my hubbies hair cut.  It was getting crazy long, falling all over his ears.  But we had heard horror stories about what a hair cut could cost.  I asked some of the coffee ladies about where to get a hair cut, and one said her husband hot his done across the street from the coffee shop.

I made an appointment,  and 200 NOK (About 34 dollars US) he has shorter hair than I've ever seen him with.  It's not too bad, might take a couple days to get use to, but it might grow on me.   But, it was a try and in our opinion pretty cheap.  There is only 2 weeks between a bad hair cut and a good hair day, they say.

The World's Happiest Country

Norway, was repeated been voted "The World's Happiest Country."

Read: http://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherhelman/2011/12/07/the-worlds-happiest-and-saddest-countries/

Although, When I told people this Happy Fact they could still be negative about my then upcoming move to Norway.   Why? How? What were the reasons?  You ask.

This is how my interpretation of what some people may think of Norway who have never been.  And my first impressions of Norway. 

Isn't it cold?  Frozen Tundra?  Are you above the arctic circle?   They'd ask.   We'll yes, but it seems pretty warm.  It's the end of December and I've only seen snow once, it lasted 1 day and then melted.  It rains alot, and can have a windy day storm.  But, so far so good, no frost bite.  Not even dry skin.  I may be lucky,  I'm in Stavanger.

Don't all they eat is fermented fish?  We'll they do have some interestingly fishy food.  But, they have all the other things too, beef and lamb and yes fish, fresh even.  Right off the boat, for sale in the harbor.  Now, this is pretty awesome for a girl from Oklahoma.  Oh, and that have lovely breads and a pretty darn good produce selection too.  I could go on for days about food.  I'll save that for later.

Vikings?  Hummm...   Yah, they are Vikings.  They are the tallest people in Europe and a nice race of people,  once you get them to speak to you.

Isn't it expensive?  Ok, yes.  It's expensive.  Very expensive.  But the per capita income is through the roof to compensate for it.  So people know it's expensive, but still can maintain a standard of living despite the costs.

I heard if you drink and drive it's awful bad punishment?  Ok, seriously, what is wrong with this.  Seems like a pretty good policy to me.  There is plenty of public transport and taxis,  you can still enjoy yourself and be social with a little liquid courage;  you just get a ride home another way than driving yourself.

I think overall Norwegians, seem, so far, to be very happy people.  They like where they live, they enjoy their culture, and they don't complain.  You don't meet many Norwegian's who want to leave Norway. I take that as a pretty good sign, that Yes, Norway is a Happy Place.

At least it makes me very Happy so far.

In conclusion:  I think some people, think they must be from the best place in the world, and are negative because they want to convince you they are happy and they have the BEST lifestyle and country.  And I'm sure they are happy, and I'm sure their lifestyle and country is the BEST for them.  But, some statisticians think maybe as a whole population, not quiet as Happy as Norway.   And I haven't seen anything to prove them wrong yet.

Small Victories

Today something wonderful happened!  I ran into someone I know, in town. 

Well, ok...  This may not sound that wonderful or delightful.  But, I have been here for 2 months now and my friend group is very small; well basically non-existent.  It consists mainly of my husbands coworkers.  I have been going to a once weekly morning coffee social event.  It's an expat get-together /  meet & greet, type event.  It's been really nice, it's a group of people who are all trying to adapt to a new culture also.  So we share stories, complaints, small victories and enjoy a cup or 3 of coffee.

And then it happened,  while strolling around the post-Christmas sales, looking for my ever illusive Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer "On Sale";  I ran into a lady I met two weeks ago at coffee, oh the JOY I felt.  It's starting to feel like home.  :)