3/3

That's the score from my language test yesterday, which means I passed! I guess in a dream world it would have been cool to get a plus on one of those numbers, but in this world learning a language in 6 months is quite the feat, even if you have a head start like I did.

A 3/3 means that I'm capable of handling all kinds of situations without sounding like a complete idiot. More details on the scale that State Department uses and what a level three means can be found here - http://www.govtilr.org/Skills/ILRscale2.htm#3.

Because I am junior officer and didn't come in with a language, I was on "language probation." This means that in order to be tenured, I had to learn a foreign language and pass the final exam. So if I hadn't passed my test yesterday I would have had to call my boss and the moving company and extend my stay here in DC. That would have been terrible and I'm glad that I didn't have to go through that process. So now I'm cleared to fly here in just a few days, but not before I deal with the movers coming on Monday to empty my apartment. This weekend will be spent sorting my belongings into piles for suitcase, storage, air baggage (known as UAB), and household effects (HHE). 

Norwegian Wood

How could I not write about this one? This week the New York Times featured a story about a Norwegian TV program and news of this program has...ahem...caught fire. The article is titled "Bark Up or Down? Firewood Splits Norwegians"and discusses a NRK* program known in Norwegian as "Nasjonal Vedkveld" or National Firewood Night. I'm not kidding about this. Apparently (and this was all new to me) Nasjonal Vedkveld is a huge hit, with hours of a live fireplace (not some cheesy loop) complimented by fire-themed stories and music.

I'm not at all surprised. I've learned plenty about Norway in the last months, and on top of what I always knew about the culture, it is clear that simplicity and comfort is higher on most Norwegians' lists than money and power. And while studying this week I couldn't resist turning into on NRK.no for a little relaxing background crackling. And I have to admit, I can see the appeal. A real fire going through all it's drama over the course of a night. It you want to experience this phenomenon yourself, all 8 hours of the program are free to stream here - http://tv.nrk.no/serie/nasjonal-vedkveld/.

If you would rather experience the american perspective on this show, you can read about it on BBC, New York Times, Gawker, or Huffington Post. Or you can see the best commentary on Nasjonal Vedkveld via Stephan Colbert. 

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* Norway's version of PBS/NPR

Norwegian News.
http://www.nrk.no/kultur-og-underholdning/1.10922593
http://www.aftenposten.no/kultur/Norsk-ved-TV-vekker-oppsikt-i-USA-7127150.html

productivity

Looking around my apartment you wouldn't guess that in a matter of weeks/days the whole thing will be packed-up and on it's way across the Atlantic. I've taked pictures off the walls and most of the rugs are washed and put away, but other than that it looks pretty much like it's looked for the past 2 years. That's the nice thing about the whole professional movers business, they do everything for you, a wholly new concept to this self-moving vagabond. And while I've been doing some thorough cleaning and ridding of extra stuff, I've also acquired a few new fun things to make my Oslo home, home.

After seeing the pics of my amazing new apartment, I realized that my tiny DC 1-bedroom amount of stuff was going to be swimming in a spacious 2-bedroom. I bought a new, slightly bigger TV that actually works in Europe and a huge kitchen island to break-up the space. I also couldn't resist a Goodwill run, where I found a "blanket rack" that I painted white for the end of my bed and 2 huge modern art prints to go on my walls. It will be something of a transition to go from basement height where I graze the ceilings during yoga to ceilings that I dare not touch from even a ladder. I also finally finished "finishing" a set of craigslist table/chairs that picked up a while back. Originally the set, which I love for it's pull-out table extensions, was an brownish-orangish stain. I stripped the table and 2 chairs and painted the bottom white and finished the rest with a soft oil. The other 2 chairs I painted completely white. I wish I had a before pic, since this is my first big DIY, but I love how they turned out.

But in between all the organizing, packing, and craftiness, is my looming language test. This weekend is devoted to reading and vocab review in preparation for my test on Friday (ahhh!). I feel confident with the language, but as with any test, a little anxiety is inevitable.

DIY complete - mix and match kitchen set

Goodwill blanket rack - $10

Gratuitous picture of Ruby enjoying the sun.

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Last Trip to NYC

It doesn't seem possible that I'm making my last round of "lasts." After almost of year of waiting, uncertainty and training, I have just a few weeks left before I pack-up and head-out. I've basically stopped grocery shopping as I try to work my way through my stockpile of canned and dry goods (that theoretically could go into my HHE, but I find it hard to justify shipping dried chickpeas to Norway). Possessions are migrating in piles of place, storage, shipment. And study, study, study.

One "last" thing I got to do was a last-minute trip up to New York as a date a for a Russian-Polish wedding. The wedding was held at the Russian Consulate, which was beautiful, and the small wedding party was wonderful (despite my lack of either Russian or Polish language skills). We spent just over 24 hours in Manhattan but managed to attend a wedding, stop by the Guggenheim, see a show at a jazz club and hit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. What, no shopping you wonder? I was tempted by the Uniqlo shop as we raced back to the bus-stop, but sadly it just wasn't possible.

This was only my 3rd trip to NYC ever and each of these short trips has reminded me that I really should have made an effort to get up there more. What an amazing place with really no comparison. Don't get me wrong, I love DC and all the museums we have (for free), but the Metropolitan Museum of Art absolutely blew my mind. How did I never visit this before?? I wish I had had more time, but am so glad I made it there one last time before Norway.

Guggenheim

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Egyptian Artifacts at Met

Ridiculous spread at wedding

 
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