Little Victories
I had this big plan to post something on July 16 to celebrate my first anniversary as a Norwegian resident. Espen, however, had a bigger and better plan: Travel! His plan wins, of course, and in just a few days we head to — Never mind. That’s a post for another day, when I can tell you all about where we’ve gone. Suffice it to … Continue reading Little Victories
Of Anniversaries … and Anniversaries
Five years ago today, March 9, I met a tall, handsome Norwegian man for a movie. We sat on that bench up there and talked for a bit while we waited to go into the theater. Long story short, I now live in Norway. It’s no small move, emigrating from your home country, especially considering I lived in my hometown for 24 years before moving … Continue reading Of Anniversaries … and Anniversaries
Barcelona
One of the first concerts Espen took me to was Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin at the Wolf Trap. This date is memorable for two reasons. The first reason is that it was hot as Hades that day, and the gentle musical stylings of Mary and Shawn coupled with the heat lulled me into a state of suspended animation. The second is because it … Continue reading Barcelona
This Is 50: I Moved to Norway!
Truly, if someone had told me 20 years ago — heck, even 10 years ago — that I would move abroad, I would’ve thought them insane. And Scandinavia?! Nope. Boy was I wrong. You really never can tell where the road will take you. When you start dating a guy who’s only on temporary assignment to the states, you have to start wrapping your head … Continue reading This Is 50: I Moved to Norway!
Home.
It’s been nearly five months since I moved to Norway from the states. One would think I’d be well situated in either The Honeymoon Phase, in which everything about my new home seems exotic and charming, or the Homesick Like a Mofo Phase, in which I long for my homeland, what with its large grocery stores, hair products for women of color, and a language … Continue reading Home.
This Is 50: I Was in the Room Where It Happened!
Unless you’ve been living under a rock lo these last few years, you’ve heard of Hamilton! The Musical. I admit I was a little late to the party when it came to the soundtrack, but I more than made up for it once I started listening to it. Put it this way: I had to institute my own 12-step program to wean myself off of … Continue reading This Is 50: I Was in the Room Where It Happened!
This Is 50: The Birthday
I’ve never been one to seek attention. Some people would love to be Beyoncé. Me? I’d rather be one of her backup singers — you know, like the rest of Destiny’s Child. (#PoorMichelle #PoorKelly) So parties in my honor have never been something I’ve sought. I remember when I turned 9 and my mom invited a few girls over for a birthday party. These were … Continue reading This Is 50: The Birthday
This Is 50: An Introduction
I know, I know … it’s been a long time since I last posted. How dare I call myself a writer when I haven’t been taking care of my own blog? It’s been a crazy year, though: In addition to turning 50, I moved to Norway. Norway! I’m an expat, y’all! The last several months have seen so many things, starting with a surprise birthday party … Continue reading This Is 50: An Introduction
U.S. Virgin Islands
I married a Norwegian who hates winter. By the time February rolls around, he’s pretty fed up with the cold. How to fix this? Hit the beach! Every year since we’ve been together, we’ve been like the birds, heading south to warmer climes. Our first vacation, in fact, was to the Dominican Republic (I’ll eventually get caught up on our travels and will have a … Continue reading U.S. Virgin Islands
Atlanta
The very first friend I met in 2001 when I started working at Random Nonprofit Publisher (RNP) was a woman named Pat. Eager to make a good impression, I often showed up a good 30 minutes before my scheduled time. She had a different schedule, so she’d be there in our big communal office, and for those 30 minutes before anyone else started filtering in, she … Continue reading Atlanta
Where the Road Takes You 