what a day...

Today I was reluctant to leave the warm and comfortable confines of the hotel. I soldiered on and had to take the train bake to the airport, exchange more money, get a train ticket, take the train into Oslo central station. Thats where the fun started.

Upon arrival I knew I had to fin a certain Subway line to get to the campus, trouble was I was not sure where to find that. I was told to find information booth on the second floor, I get up there and look a round but cant find it. I do find a sign pointing downstairs that says information. Back down I go (hauling two extremely heavy suitcases, my laptop bag and backpack), information is NOT downstairs. Back up stairs I go, oh did I mention the elevator was broken?

finally I find someone in an official looking uniform who tells me the subway is down three flights of stairs. I did good on all the stairs except the last one, where I lost control of a suitcase and it tumbled down the stairs and almost killed a woman. I shouted "look out" but it didn't register, I should really learn the equivalent in Norwegian.

I got on the right train (this is totally due to the kindness of the guy who sold me tickets, he gave me very specific instructions bless his heart). I get to the Blindern campus, and get lost trying to find the building I need (lost pulling two suitcases in snow and up three flights of stairs, not super awesome). Finally I get to the Administration building where I get help from a very nice girl who gave me directions let me store the luggage there while I found the proper building. I signed up for my room and got directions to get to my building. Another fun walk across campus with heavy luggage that really does not like pulling in the snow. I missed my buss by a minute, so I had to stand in the cold for 15 minutes. It was about -3 F today. its 3:00 and the sun is going down.

When I get to Bjerke (I think it is pronounced Behr-ke, but I could be really wrong about that), I have a fun walk to my building which was surprisingly complicated to get in. There are so many little things that are different. The building is old; 1960's vintage and triangular in shape. My room is not glamorous or super awesome, but I have a private bathroom and a heater I can turn waaaaay up. There is a grocery store that is a block from here, which is very convenient. There is supposedly a gym here, I don't know where and seeing the condition of the building I doubt it is very nice.

Tomorrow I venture to Ikea to buy blankets and whatever kitchen wares I must get.

On my way!

Today I start on my way to Oslo. I am currently waiting in SFO to take off, from here I go to Frankfurt, and from there I go to Oslo. I think this is the biggest plane I have been on, so thats kinda exciting.

I should be excited, but right now I am to tired to be excited. My sleep total for the last three days is under 8 hours, and that's not good. I guess I will sleep on the plane. I am also really sad to leave my lovely family (not sarcasm).
Probably the best way to find me from now on is on skype or facebook.
I think my plane is getting ready to board so tootles, and next time I post it will be from Norway.

The beginings

My ticket is purchased, and I am set to leave January 6th. Housing has been applied for, and it's now just a matter of waiting to see where they put me.

There are a few details left yet to be dealt with. One such issue is the residency permit. I need to go to the embassy in SF and turn in a long application and some money. The snag is that I cannot do that until I have my address in Oslo. I was told it takes 4-6 weeks for this to go through, which makes me a little nervous.

The other challenge is figuring out what to pack for a country with an average winter temperature between 24-44 degrees Fahrenheit. Somehow, I have the feeling that flip-flops and jeans won't work there in January like they do here.