What's up
Sunday, 5. October 2008, 20:12:51
Oh yeah, I do have a blog. 
Last weekend we had some friends from Vancouver to stay. Their company was charming, and we enjoyed showing them around town. Also, it was a much needed kick in the backside to finish our unpacking. We finally found a place for everything--though a fair amount is up in the attic. (Our new place is 200 ft2 smaller than our last apartment, and this place has no built-in storage.)
I have been going to Norwegian classes at the local community college for 4 weeks, and I could kick myself for not having enrolled sooner. It is a huge time/energy commitment--2 3-hour classes twice a week, plus another 3 hours/week for homework, but it is really working. The class is conducted entirely in Norwegian, so it really makes me think and stretch that part of my brain. It is so easy to get around in Oslo if you have English that being in an environment where I cannot use it is important to pushing me to the next level. I have already signed up for the next session, and I look forward to continuing. I have already learned so much that is useful--past tense verbs, past perfect, possessive forms--and it is stuff I can put into practice, which helps to reinforce my learning.
I am much better at reading and understanding Norwegian now, though I still struggle with formulating responses to questions. So, I can understand what someone is asking, but it is hard for me to answer.
One of these days, I will "get" it, I just know it. Must keep trying.
H has been helping me, of course. She corrects my mispronunciations, etc. Though, given that her Norwegian development is outpacing her English at this point, I am actually trying not to speak to her in Norwegian at the moment. (She gets plenty of practice/reinforcement in school.)
T has received his overseas ballot for the election, but I am still waiting for mine. I cannot wait for this election to be over!
Last weekend we had some friends from Vancouver to stay. Their company was charming, and we enjoyed showing them around town. Also, it was a much needed kick in the backside to finish our unpacking. We finally found a place for everything--though a fair amount is up in the attic. (Our new place is 200 ft2 smaller than our last apartment, and this place has no built-in storage.)
I have been going to Norwegian classes at the local community college for 4 weeks, and I could kick myself for not having enrolled sooner. It is a huge time/energy commitment--2 3-hour classes twice a week, plus another 3 hours/week for homework, but it is really working. The class is conducted entirely in Norwegian, so it really makes me think and stretch that part of my brain. It is so easy to get around in Oslo if you have English that being in an environment where I cannot use it is important to pushing me to the next level. I have already signed up for the next session, and I look forward to continuing. I have already learned so much that is useful--past tense verbs, past perfect, possessive forms--and it is stuff I can put into practice, which helps to reinforce my learning.
I am much better at reading and understanding Norwegian now, though I still struggle with formulating responses to questions. So, I can understand what someone is asking, but it is hard for me to answer.
One of these days, I will "get" it, I just know it. Must keep trying.
H has been helping me, of course. She corrects my mispronunciations, etc. Though, given that her Norwegian development is outpacing her English at this point, I am actually trying not to speak to her in Norwegian at the moment. (She gets plenty of practice/reinforcement in school.)
T has received his overseas ballot for the election, but I am still waiting for mine. I cannot wait for this election to be over!
WIDGETIZE
avengingophelia # 6. October 2008, 14:02
Paddywack # 6. October 2008, 19:00
Re the election: if you wish, I could write the talking points on separate pieces of paper for you. You could then place them in a circle, read them aloud and sound just like Sarah Palin! You could even scramble up the order and have anyone ask you any question. Then you'd read them in the new order as your "answer," but you have to be perky and smile like a dental ad and be sure to wink occasionally, especially if you're talking to an old, male coot. Be sure to drop all your G's, too. I guess that was a special bow to the far right in the far South which hasn't acknowledged a G since Oglethorpe landed on the coast. Now, if she could just drop those R's . . .
Oh, I just thought of a new game! Do it in Norwegian! Love, M