First day of school jitters, blues and shoes

Ever since I've reached to Norway, there has been talk about me learning the language.  I'm anxious to be part of conversations .. or at least be able to respond to people... especially the jokes- since there seem to be so many!.
to be ready for 8:30 am  seems like a Port of Spain run to me now.... After I have been waking up at 8 am .... and more recently a bit earlier... but this time I have to be ready, belly filled, hair and make-up, drive and arrive .. by 8:30 am.
Needless to say, I was late. But only by a little bit. Had I chosen to eat something before I left, maybe I would have reached at the break and no one would have noticed me sneak in. I reached, parked and then I couldn't find the actual door to get into! Alas. I was not the only one that that had happened to.  The girl I sat next to (from Poland) told me that the reason she didn't come last week was because she could not find it either. Poor chile, she drove 40 km to reach here and turn right back around.

Its getting colder these days.. it was 11 C this morning.. I thought that it would stay that cold all day .... so I put on my trusty boots ... something that I hung onto since my Aussie days, 6 years ago! :) .. I knew it would come in handy SOMEday!

The class was taught in Norwegian. yes ... Its a norwegian class, taught in Norwegian.  There were 17 people in the class, 3 men and almost all the other girls were wives brought to the lovely cold by their husbands, be it for their jobs, or that they were from Norway. Note to self.  Norwegian guys sure do like their Thai girls!! :) There were 5 of them there!

Of course no one had ever HEARD about Trinidad and Tobago .. but that's besides the fact.... The 2 polish girls I sat next to were in the back .... an easy seat to get to when you would like to sit after interrupting the class for coming late.

Really it was not that bad.  Although I MUST remember that I need something to eat ... I totally forgot about this school thing .... recess.... meeting new people etc ... its so alarmingly difficult.  I think everytime I've started a new school I knew at least one person.  Oh no wait .. I lie.... that Event Management course ... I didn't know honky dory.

There were many times in the class I was totally bermused ... bewildered and confused ... what was she talking about?... I would put my face in the most questionably confused contortion that I could to make her say whatever she said in English.  Thanks fuh dat eh....  Talk about throwing us to the sharks???whhheeeeyy sahhh!

I've grown fond of studying people a little bit, making up stories of their life.  There was a lady to the back who was making jokes with her seat mate alot.  I could tell that she was going to be the class comic relief ever so often... She must have been in her 50s .... Good on her to learn a new language now!

There were 3 or 4 from Poland, 1 from Canada, Latvia, 1 Girl From El Salvador, 1 guy from ... gorsh .. I have no idea where .. somewhere in Africa and they speak Arabic, 6 from Thailand - 5 girls 1 boy. And me

The class was over early. The teacher is young.  She could be my age I suppose. But her manner was very cold and stand offish... Does she smile? I wonder ..... funny that.
Jaw and I had just come back from a little road trip. We needed some groceries.  When I walked outside, even though the class had been dismissed early, there were tons of young people all around.... the kind that would perhaps be cruel to you I imagined.   They were talking loudly, incessantly and were everywhere .... like germs...

Groceries in hand almost bursting in the bag, there was no space for the bread so I was  holding that in my hand, back pack on my back I started walking towards the car.

What is that noise? And what is .....
You gots to be kidding me.....
My boot sole was coming off. Starting at the heel.  It was making a loud slapping noise everytime I walked.
I had about 10 huge stairs to walk down past all these young girls sitting on it... at a perfect angle to hear and see it.
I think Murphy must be following me around or something .... How does this happen to me? I started almost dragging my feet as the flapping of the shoes increased. I could feel it coming off more and more, faster and faster. How far is the car??? Oh gorm man.... why dis hadda happen now?

I taking deep breaths hoping that it would not fall apart on me then and there leaving behind an un wanted sole.

I was almost to the car .... I tried to drag my feet even closer to the ground to help the noise....
hmmm . opps....  now one foot was higher than the other ...
A lady and her daughter were walking past and pretended not to see my poor embarrassing plight.
Thanks lady .. I really appreciate that ....
I walked back to pick up the sad and sorry sole from off the ground and dumped everything into the trunk. On tiptoe with one foot I humbly got into the car and drove away.

In the car I was shaking my head ... what is going on with my shoes.. that's the second one to do that to me!

I love a reason to shop ...but good grief ... this is ridiculous!
The end? I wish.... Driving home ... the other sole was feeling a bit left out and started to come out more and more with each press of the clutch.
Sure why not ....
This is why people, we Trini women LOVE to have a million shoes in our car .... for days like these!

Right sole had had enough of people walking on it.

Whey yuh Say?

Make sure your side kick is WIDE awake

Last week my husband was away for business  for 3 whole days.  I know its not that much .. but I missed him, and since I'm sitting at home with not much to do, I thought that I would tag along this trip. 
We took a ferry (Norway is King of Ferries!) from Bergen to Ålesund.  The ferry itself was nothing to brag about, but when at 4 am the stabalizers on the boat kicked in .... and kicked in ..... and kicked in ... I no longer was having a sweet sleep.  These things sounded as though we were running aground to me. I kept looking outside to make sure we were far away from land!
This coupled with only one cup of coffee for breakfast and my eyes were red.  I felt wide awake... why were my eyes red?
Hubby's first customer was a darling man.  He owned his own Surveying business and had a huge building for his massive company .... of 2. He spoke in English and was jolly and looked like he loved life! I was staring at surveyed pictures of many different things including people on his walls. I stuck the gum I was chewing to the roof of my mouth.  I had visited my own Customers once - chewing gum was not considered professional.
Once the pleasantries were all over, they got down to business.  Norwegian was the language spoken and of course the equipment.  Move along people, nothing to interest here.  My eyes started wandering around looking at all the things in his office.
I opened my eyes..... oh my Gorsh! ... did I just BEP? I looked first at my husband, Jaw then at his customer.  Neither was looking my way .... at this time... my brain added. 
Ok Ok ... my eyes started crossing and my head started feeling like it was about drop suddenly ... light and lovely quick sleeps were filling my innermost desires. 
Please Jaemie , stay awake.  I started opening my eyes as wide as I possible could.
How embarrassing it would be if my husband's client saw me falling asleep?? What a terrible image for Jaw that would be! .... oh dear ... think Jaemie.
I started digging my nails into the back of my hand, trying to think of stimulating thoughts..... raunchy or otherwise. I had to keep my eyes awake. I had to stay professional for the sake of my husband! Thank God they were looking away from me intently at a screen! Maybe they won't notice if I have a slip.
A Laptop opens. Their attention is now turned towards that, which , Murphy's Law, is right in front of me.  If I only dipped my head slightly, Closed my eyes or blinked - they would notice.
I was digging my nails even harder - a tactic I've often used in church if I was very tired.  The idea behind it is the the pain would push adrenaline into my system and wake me up.  Was it working? Obviously .. not today.
The gum came off the roof of my mouth and I started to chew as inconspicously as possible. Nibbling it between my teeth so I won't make slurping noises.. which  would add to my inevitable embarassment.
Jaw looked at me and smiled.  I could tell he was saying, just a little while longer.
I looked longingly at a used cup of coffee on the table. Imagining that the dried up coffee on the rim was hot and in my own cup. Maybe if I imagined drinking coffee I could trick my brain?
Wait! Is that a whole thermal of coffee down there?? Oh if only I could get some.
Why was this office so quiet? if it was in Trinidad there would definitely be a radio with 95, 94 or 105 or maybe even Issac 98 going on! SOMETHING!!!
People please look at the other screen .... I'm fighting a losing battle here. My eyes were burning and I could tell that they were no longer interested in my mind games.
In the background I was hearing REO Speedwagon'.. and I can't fight this feeling anymore.... I forgotten what I started fighting fooooooooorrrrrr.....'
In a minor Panic I looked around lest I had closed my eyes.....
I hear a big sigh.....
'Coffee anyone?' The customer says...
In my most calm and hesitant voice I say .... 'hmmmm Ja..... Takk'
He walks away to get some mugs and I let out a breath and physically open my eyes with my fingers.  Jaw starts chuckling at me.
'You need to make sure your side kick is wide awake next time .. ok?' ent?
whey yuh say?....

Common sense line ... this way..

There is nothing more fulfulling than driving confidently in a place that you have never actually driven yourself.. alone.  And that's what I did today.  I was VERY proud of myself!  no wait .. I AM!  Its one thing to drive in a place with crazy drivers (Trinidad) and quite another to do it in a large very controlled one (Bergen). My trip to Bergen today started just fine.  I gave myself 45 minutes to make the 30 min drive and reached in good time. 
Oopss .. wrong lane and I am forced to turn right with a truck ... ok .. follow the truck Jaemie.  I had never been there tho so I can't even figure out where to turn around.... Ahhh ... a car park, maybe I can 3 point turn?? Nope .. there was a road..... even better.
I ended up heading all the way to the top floor of the car park and parked as far away from other cars as I could ... (hubby has the car door ding syndrome nah)!  crap... it was a little crooked ...  I was certainly not going back to the car ... I had driven around in 5 circles already... before I actually found a spot.
Breathing a sigh of relief I walked in to meet up with a new friend as planned.
 I had a lovely lunch in a beautiful city said my good byes and jumped into the car to drive home.

Uneventful.... yes ... what happens next will scare you.
I forgot the parking ticket in the car.... I remember My husband was always a little impatient behind drivers who have to pay at the exit.  You have 2 lines to choose from .. depending on how many cars, the line is normally easy to choose.... you think it should be a quick simple .. put the card in, machine tells u how much u have to pay and then you put your credit card in, pull it out, Barrier goes up and you drive on.  its not always that easy....sometimes you get stuck behind someone who obviously cannot use their common sense...

Sorry ...I was one of those today.

I reach the machine most annoyed with myself because I know that it does take a little longer and there may be impatient people behind me on this busy second day of school.  I was trying to get out of the city before the rush hour started.
I put the ticket in ... someone can't read signs...... i had to put it in a different way ... duh plucky ..  read!. I had my Card ready... trying to be as swift as I could....
I pulled the card out and looked at the machine ...
Where do you put the card now??? Ah ... here is the sign .... I tried to put the card into the slot... it would not go in... I pushed upwards towards the sky ... pushed away from me.....
I looked at the machine... Some man shouts something angrily from behind.... I'm sure he was trying to help ... only thing is ... I DON'T SPEAK NORWEGIAN!!!! ......

I've thought about getting a temporary sign to put on the car saying "Forgive me, I speak English and I'm not from here..... just let me squeeze in if I'm in the wrong lane!" .
If I had that on the car, for sure someone would have helped me out in English. 
It was a good thing I chose to not put the top down ... surely I would have been looking around at the other drivers with a helpless bambi look ... ... hahaha.. And on top of that everyone who passed by would have gotten a good view of the idiot woman at the ticket pay machine

Where on earth do you put the credit card? ... By now the driver behind me must have given up on the hope of making that green light... again.... and now just shaking his/her head as I was frantically trying to put my credit card into a crevace designed to perhaps open the machine for maintenance. :s 
and in a state of panic I just shoved the card  in the only available space ....  since 4 cars had passed through in the other lane already.....

Ah ... right ... the same place you put the parking ticket in..... of course ... ... ...

MEGGIED myself right there... cuz I really deserved it!  Meggie? ..

Wrong way again , Coonoomoonoo.
 Then the man behind must have just about opened his car door to come box meh in meh face. and start one big commesse...
Quickly I looked at the sign again and put the bankCard in the right way.....
what now??? What did it say??? .. I have no idea .. : s. it was in Norwegian ... (boy I can't wait to know this language!).... I got back my card .. but there was still no open barrier ...
Why won't it open so that I can drive away and hope that the person behind me was from Timbucktoo or something and not know what to do either....
Yea right ... fat chance but anyhoos...
The Barrier opened when the ticket finally came back out I grabbed it as fast as I could and tried to zoom away.....

At the traffic light, I kept my head down.... I pulled my shades over my eyes and hoped that the person who was behind me did not drive right next to me and give me that dangerous cut-eye look

I started reliving the last few minutes and started digging the hole in road in front of me. Inside, I was Cracking up at myself and how stupid I must have looked. I have no idea who was behind me in the line. I I don't ever want to know ...ever ..... I just wanted the ordeal to be over.

So next time you stuck behind someone and you waiting impatiently for them to do something that you think is easy .... try to help em out nah man eh ..... oh gorm ...

Whey yuh say?

What makes us different ... is what makes us alike

Today was church. My faith in Jesus Christ has long been my stabling ground.  He has been the driving force behind my strength, my joy, my faith, my resolute; without the solid rock, Jesus Christ, on which I stand, I certainly would have been much less than what I am today... my life would have been nothing to speak of... if I still had it.
We  go to a Pinsekirken here in Norway - A pentecostal Church.  At first, I was very dissapointed because I wanted to go to something like Hillsong in Australia. This Church is alive with Worship, music and Artistic glory.  Instead this church is filled with old people, sings songs that are slow and sometimes have a defeated tone (don't ask me the words .. its all in Norwegian).
Norway is a Christian Nation, where the church and the state are still one.  The school system teaches R.I. and you are taught Communion in school... not in church. 
Sundays are days of rest.  They hold that dear to them and their families.  Not many things are open except those that considered in a certain class. In order to operate your business on a Sunday you need a special permit and you can get a hefty fine if you are doing business on a Sunday. 
Alcohol is hidden in the groceries after 8 pm most nights. And there is no selling of Alcohol on a Sunday! Wow! ... this is an amazing feat in a society that has such global influence.
Why then, do they only put importance on one part of the Christian life and not on others?
Getting married in Norway is perhaps one of the rarest activites that you can get invited to. I kid you not.  Most couples in Norway are content to have children, live, work and raise children without the legal committment.  Of course in this society, this is such a norm. But my Feminie Antenae goes up when I see these things. Perhaps the Norwegian Government has a way to ensure that these women are protected, as well as their children in case of a break up or God forbid a death.
But why they tolerate it, is beyond me.  When you live with someone for 10 years, have their kids, wash their clothes etc, how can I be comfortable with that? As a woman? As it seems as though many women WANT to get married, but the guys don't seem to be interested.
This is unacceptable to me.  But I have to realise also that to get married in Norway is no cheap feat.
Its is dissappointing to me... for a country who still had the state and church joined together.... (surprise!) Where the kids are still read Bible stories in Kindergarden and not about Politically correct things (as Seasame Street is doing), where Sunday is still sleepy and people value their families so much.
I remember hearing one couple say that if they child asked them to get married... then they would. So much for a committment to each other .... based on child's request.
Caribbean women, although they do have those that perhpas don't believe in marriage etc. they would insist upon it at some point in time perhaps... just to make it "official" even if...

Children learn so much from  their parents... whether we want to believe it or not. This is how its continued.  If the parents were fine with it .. why should the child do something the parents never did?

Marraige for me has not only made me love this man more .... than I thought possible... but it has also opened my eyes to just how difficult it can be, how restricting we can make it seem, how easy it is to fall out of love with someone just because we have now grown so accustomed to them. But at the end of the day ... and the end of life ..... isn't it wonderful to know that someone made a lifelong committment to you in front of friends, family and wellwishers... to love you ... only you .... through sickness and health, happiness or sorrow, richer or for poorer... the age old words are more powerful than what we can make up.... because it means it is unconditional.... I choose to be with you... I choose to spend my days wrapped up in your successes.... supporting you .... loving you more .... our spouses come first .. even before kids.... it is the reason the kids were their ... the love of a union.....
Despite the stigmas attached to Marraige, I believe it is the most powerful contract that we can ever make in our life..... one that should not be taken lightly .... one that should make our hearts beat faster just thinking about it... One that should be cherished .... forever.....
How can 2 people ... truely... truely .. in love ... not want that from each other?
What yuh say? ..... What do you think of marraige?

Which comes first ... the Post or the ID?

During my first (of many many) successful Drives in Norway alone, my confidence  levels were at about maximum.  I'm being my own independent woman!! whohooo!!
I had a package to pick up from the Post. We suspected it was something from the bank.  This was undoubtedly something of high security so a piece of ID was going to be necessary. I walked with my Driver's Licence from Trinidad.
The young gentleman seemed slightly confused.  "Do you have another piece of ID"
Sure I had.. I produced the National ID for TT. (Horrid picture but ah well.) This did not seem to satisfy him.  He was looking for something specific.
"Do you have a bank card or something with an local ID?" oh no ... sorry.. It was in the package I was here to collect.
"I have to check to see if we can use this" he says. Leaving me with 2 impatient clients waiting behind me.

I needed my passport. He had mumbled something about one side ID.  Perhaps he had to photocopy it? Why else would he need one side right?
Like a little child that comes along and innocently whips off an old man's toupe, this boy poked my little confidence bubble that had been growing with the driving.  
Feeling silly I slipped away and said I would come back with my Passport.  Of course .. how silly of me.. no one recognises a TT driver's permit or ID (doh mind it have a unique number on it eh?)
I came back a little later after my interview with the Kindergarden Director.  Hmmm .. a job .....
I proudly produced my passport to the same young man.  He pulled out my package and proceeded with the process. Ah success.Sure enough, he photocopied my passport onto a page that had other writing on it... Ahh ... that's why ... ok .. no worries...
Suddenly he stops.... he's looking for something ... again...
"Are you looking for something? Maybe I can help you?"
"Yea .. you don't have a number. ?" Oh no worries .. the passport number is right here. " No, Like a social Security number?" Oh .. no we don't have that in Trinidad ....
"Uh... yea .. no. You don't have a bank card or something with the Norwegian ID on it?"
Ok ..buddy ... the bank card is wrapped up in an envelope in front of u... and Would that be the social security number? Ok .. I'm new to this "All encompassing Number" but I don't see why the POST would need this highly guarded number?
He needed something that had that number on documentation??? What??? how weird does that sound to you? .. ok good .. thought it was just me.
"Ok .. well That's all the ID I have now, I've shown you the Driver Licence, the National ID and now my Passport. I don't have any thing else ."
"Yea .. see the information would be on the bank card" ..
"Yeaaaaaa.... well its in the package .... right there..Isn't it?"
"We can't open the package"
Ok so what do we do now???
My Blood starts to boil... Are you serious?? ... I need all this to pick up one package from the post? ... Don't mind the same thing came in the mail box for my husband.... why was mine locked up behind this incompetent guy?
"Ok Let me check to see if we can use this????"  You can't be serious brother ..... are u serious? ... no... are you REALLY serious?......he's serious....
he comes back ... no I'm sorry ..We can't use this.... its really strict here the policy. "Yea ... if you had a bank card or something....."
Steups.....Ok i done dey ... Obviously ....he have a hard head.... I talking to a coconut here.

I go come back with meh husband ... and he go lambase yuh and knock yuh out in yuh rockong-cutongkong...if yuh doh gimme meh cyard.

I riled up myself for a good trini tongue planassing when we returned to the Post people later that day together....if they only give me any trouble eh .. they go hear the bad side of ah trini woman .. ... who just wants her BANK CARD....

 don't get in de way of the Caribbean 'Oman and her morney...

 Oh alas.... the lady knew my husband and he got the package..... no problems .....with my passport just by the way ....
i guess its still who knows you .... no matter what country you are in....
Whey yuh Say?

PART II

The First Confident Drive.

Imagine the excitement of driving alone for the first time.. the thrill of finally being an independent woman who can get around in a new country alone.  She does not need her husband to drive her here and there .... That's an awesome feeling. If you don't have your driver's license... GET IT!... the power behind a wheel is an amazing feeling!

CAT Driver Training and Lotus Elise I drove

That has been the Feeling of the past day!

It has not been that wonderful for longer for one main reason.  ok ... 2.

1. One has to be competent to drive whatever car is at one's Disposal

2. One has to be ... confident.... to drive whatever car is at one's Disposal

I had neither.  In Trinidad tho I'm a beast on the road.. ok not a Beast .. but I'm as confident as any man.  I used to pride myself in the fact that I could drive a car expertly around the Trini roads, Dodging careless drivers and utilizing my horn when the annoying chupid driver came along and did something ... well .. chupid!.  I drove for many hours with one of my jobs... spanning the whole of the island; from Galeota Point to Chaguramas.  All these miles gave me confidence that could not be swayed.
Enter - a new country, a new ... a highly prized car ... and a husband.
Now don't get me wrong eh.... meh husband is an excellent driver (its one of those things I can't stand... a guy who can't drive properly) He has had training... so even when he drives fast, overtakes at what might seem to the normal eye at "blink of eye" speed, I have every confidence that he drives with 2 people in mind.  When a kid comes around tho ... I may be a little less tolerate ..(but I'm sure his paternal instincts will kick in then!)
But Now I have to drive on the right side of the road... and the steering wheel is on the left side.  Its so amazing how you can be confident on one side of the road and a wimp on the other.  Not to say that I was .. but I really didn't have a confident heart about it. 
Enter - CAT Driver Training. I did this course and like any driving course, your confidence levels shoot through the roof. You understand things that ... well that I did... instinctively ... but didn't have a name to it .. or a technique etc.  Mr. Colin Hoad is an AMAZING teacher.  If you are into Race car driving, formula 1 Racing, Soldexing, Rally Car racing ... Anything to do with a car ... he is your man! .. He has trained Famous Formula 1 Race car Drivers and even tho he has been in his business for 11 years ... he has more than 30 years behind cars, wheels and techniques.. Never in a million years did I imagine that  I would be racing around a circular track going as fast as I can go .. .as I dared really .... (the marking on the road floor was you had to be doing >100m/hr!)  It helps if you train at Internationally Renouned Car Proving Site as well. Check it out!
I only had one goal at the end of it all ..... Be Able and confident to drive my Husband's prized wheels.....
of course .... if that is the goal then I get to drive the car at the end of the training on the track right?.... YES I DID! ....

 I whispered to Colin before we drove away in the Z "I have to tell you, I'm petrified to drive his car" .."Don't be ... as horrid as it sounds... its just a piece of tin" Colin said... and before I even set off, my confidence had shot through the roof.And how amazing it was .... I had 3 cups of coffee that day and I was not down from my high until 1 hr after the training ...."So can I drive" I asked the hubby. " Aren't you tired?" ..." "umm no" Although about 1 hr after that I was so exhausted I couldn't stay awake in the car.

Millbrook Proving Grounds, UK

So yesterday was my first drive with the car ... all alone.... it was a thrilling feeling. I understand the  adrenaline that pumps into a formula 1 driver's veins just being behind the wheels. I no longer gripped the steering wheel with utter fear. In fact I even relaxed into the car....
The drive was smooth... i even "zoomed" a bit... overtook a truck on a stretch home .. powering it down like Colin had taught me...Thanks Colin!
If you've never done a Defensive Driving course ... Do it!...
Its amazing the things that we fear at times... the things that we are confident to do at one point and then become chicken at another. 
Never let fear of something, someone, somewhere grip you to the point of immobilization.  Everything is just tin... here today ... gone tomorrow.
Whey Yuh Say?