Laiv and death.

The hall was made of the traditional wooden build, the solid shaped tree trunks still visably laid upon one another. It was for some reason more reasuring than the usual brick and mortar. I looked into my drink, a wierd mix of cordial with spices and water. Apparently it was rum. It certainly got my pirate friends drunk enough.
There was a loud bang. SHouting. Somone was bearing hammered in the face by a tall man bearing nought but a animal skin. SOmeone had irritated the wood bandits again. One of the society types by his dress, except now it was covered in food, drink and bits of table. My table shook as the bandit threw his opponent to the ground and beat his chest in victory. My sword shook in its scabbard.
I sighed. The night had started so well...



Norway is full of culture. Pick any spot and you will be assured to find something in eyesight. But underneath the history and the more modern asthetics you can find something akin to those secret societys you read about.
My girlfriend, who you might have heard is Norwegian, is also a Laiv player.

Laiv, is a unique word, created to distinguish this secret past-time from the more common LARP (Live action roleplay) which one can find in other countries. While LARP is known for running around a field with fake fantasy equipment shouting "fire damage" with every strike against your foe, Laiv is seen as less action, more acting. COmbat, soft or otherwise is not as common and is reserved to those blessed with a profession or hobby which allows them to perform a combat like scene. In our group we had several professional wrestlers, sword fighters, singers and stage performers all versed in making you wonder if what they are doing is real!
This isnt to say that traditional LARP is rubbish, but an altogether different beast. That said, the line is murky at best.

Anyway, I was invited to join my girl on a Laiv called "The Brotherhood." Inspired by several great movies such as The Brotherhood, Cut Throat Island, Casanova and beyond, it contained many groups of theives from highwaymen to pirates. The plot? Since the death of the Thief Kind/Queen, wierd things have been occuring, driving the clans to come together to honour the ancient code which demands a regent. But with backtabbing, bribary and more strange unexplainable events, its going to be hard to get everyone to agree on who!

Clad in some fantastically hand sewn gear that my girlfriend actually put together a year before (another event), and toting my own sabre (which I would not use as it was a bit pointy) I joined my own group of Pirates on a weekend being someone else!

Now language was an issue at first. This was my first Laiv and although it was relaxed in terms of requirements (Norwegian was set as the secret thieves tongue, english as english) there were occasions of confusion. However, these wonderfully talented Laiv'ers that have been doing this a long time, each adapted in their own way. Have you ever heard Norwegion in a french/russian or even a German accent?

Have you ever seen someone scream so loud it hurt and begin drawing spirals in the snow in their own blood?
The special affects where amazing, and often in my own tired state I looked twice. Arguements, comedy, danses, drunkeness (real and not), duels, sex (mostly not real:D), betrayels and Svølk!! (In joke). Over the two/three days we all donned appropriate clothing and were in character. It got so real that I actually realised, if I needed to go home (we were in the middle of nowhere, in a camping site with loads of wooden houses, 15" snow), noone around me would even know what a car was!

Of course there were safe words, one that changed the scenes direction and one that stopped it entirely. Neither were used. Testiment to the quality of the players and the organisers.

But I digress. The point I was trying to make, was that this Laiv culture is big. Lying just under the surface, this little past time has had a few books, fiction, photo art and entire wiki databases dedicated to it. Mostly its historical period works, others are low fantasy or science fiction, with the emphasis always more on the charactor than the weapon he/she carries. About 50/50 male/female players. This thing stretches across the whole of scandinavia and beyond.

For me? I caught the bug. I wasnt the best player, in the later half it was so easy to forget my character amid everyone elses and be swept along from mysterious events like poison without cause and playing turncoat on my ship crew. My next Laiv has already been paid for.




Death.

Sadly this month has had sad events too. Recently I was told my grandmother passed away. Now this is a personal thing so forgive me if I don't go into too much detail. I will say this however, that one of the greatest emotional obstacles with living abroad is actually dealing with being away from home when something happens.

When tragedy strikes, there is no quick hug, reasurrance or anything of the kind spare a phone call. Organising an emergency trip home for the funeral can also be a trial of logistics and money. Every level of life is effected from friends to work. One minute you are hanging on every minute waitng for some information and then your rushing to get home. Ryan Air, you suck.

As it is, once again I was spared from too much turmoil by my adopted family over here. Not just Ingrids family, but friends that don't even realise they help with a word, a hug or a distraction. You know who you are.


Thanks for reading.

A year and a half ago, I came to Norway. I made it.

Hi guys. Please accept the usual torrent of apologies from a bad blogger with too much time and too little to write about.

In truth, the only reason I am writing this right now is two fold:

One, a nice chap came over from Scotland and for some reason, after reading this Blog thought it would be wise to ask me for help getting settled. I hope I have, but the point is, he hasn't been the first.
Indeed, since making this poor excuse for a Blog I have been introduced to some like minded amazing people, who have for one reason or another (mostly the other) have emigrated to Norway. At the time, I began it simply because I couldn't find anything like it. It seems like I have filled a hole. I hope someone does a better job!
Anyway, I suppose what I am trying to say is that this gentleman reminded me of my duty (can I say duty?), to anyone trying to make that move. I have to keep writing. Even if I have finally begun to feel like I have made it here...

Two, I managed to find time to write this while working my new shiny job.

THATS RIGHT PEOPLE!

JOB! Now before anyone starts complaining, let me say this: After over a year of trying to cost as little as possible for a sweetheart who paid for my every basic requirement, working loads of odd and some unpleasant jobs just to get enough money to pay for the food, working as a cleaner and walking home after midnight twice a week in Winter no less...
You'd be happy too.
Or you would be stupid.

Allow me to explain. A few weeks back, I was walking down Karl Johan's gate, trying to ignore the shiny stuff in the shiny shops, when my phone rung.
One of the applications I had sent off had been well received. In fact, so much so that I was dragged in for an interview the next day and began work the day after. Unfortunately, they needed me early and I couldn't stop suddenly working my cleaning job, so I had to work both for two weeks. Tough but I'm sure you will agree, very worth it.

But what do I do??

Something called an Innkjøpsmeddarbeider. Which translates roughly (roughly mind) as import worker. I work in an office (after cleaning them it makes a refreshing and surreal change) and process and follow up on all the books imported from abroad. Its a tough job. I've had to learn a complicated computer system in Norwegian, so much so that when I had the option to switch it to English, I turned it down because I was too far gone. Plus, how hard would it have been to discuss the system with a Nord when all the terms where called something else.
Wierd.
It is after all, just a 6 months contract. It was either this or a permanent position as a cleaner. I'm not going to be so be so arrogant as to say I chose this job because it is less embarrassing. If you have worked in the "Renhold" sector in Norway you will discover entire immigrant families working in it earning more than my old boss in England. Whose laughing now eh? However, I needed something that could help me grow and quite frankly, I promised myself an office job.

Got one.

So have I "made it"?

Its a question which I've asked myself a lot these past few weeks. What does it mean to have "made it" in another land? When does this Blog become pointless?
I've learned a lot of the language. Enough it seems to do this job. It isnt fluent. It isnt even amazing (although many polite locals always impress that it is, they are just being polite sadly. Though its nice to hear.), but enough.
Regardless of if I get to keep this position or not, I have earned the contacts, the experience, and most importantly, enough money to invest in my future.
Im thinking of more language courses of coarse. But, my past experience with them is so bad, I wonder whether that would be just procrastinating on the problem.

I must admit that since Christmas, our Norwegian club has faltered and my own studies have pretty much stopped. I learn new words at work, though natural acquisition, but I know that I must soon get back on that wagon. It never ends. You just change the method you study.

Also, was it really that special? One big reason I came over was my girlfriend, who I met and ahem, fell in love with a while back. She really was responsible for much of my initial success, if not all by default. Without her I wouldn't have had a place to stay, nor a beginning for my "network" of friends and contacts. Hell, I wouldnt have even bothered if not for her. While not humble enough to cheapen my own efforts, it still points out something.
Moving over without friends/contacts is much much harder!


Money!?

Yes. Penger! After a brief scare with the student loans company, (they are really nice people once you get past the paper), I was relieved to be left with quite a bit of money just sitting in my bank. After months of becoming adept at costing so little, I couldnt think of a thing to spend it on.

What had happened to me!? Is this the "immigrant thinking" that I had heard about? Well, regardless, I had planned a holiday home. Though visiting my family, I think a shopping trip is in order. After all, everything is dear in Norway.



To sum up.
Because I don't know when I will post again, or what it will be about (Though any questions can be sent to me.):
If you are moving or thinking of moving to Norway, and you haven't got a special skill or whatever, it is still possible. Patience, determination, good friends and the right attitude. Its all you need.

This is me signing off, still undecided on whether I have made it in Norway.
Ill keep you posted.

:D

Still alive. Still here. Oh and the blood thing.

Its been a while since I recieved that student denial thingy. Thankfully, it wasnt fatal. Infact I felt so bad about the whole mess that the morning after I woke up thinking, hey, Im still alive. After laughing to myself I decided that I might as well use this annoying endurance to bad events and try something else.

You can quote me on that.

Sheesh.

Well, like the line says, Im not out of the game yet. In fact, I recently got some more work cleaning again. Say what you like but the pay is very good. Best Ive had since I got here infact. Still, while I was collecting the last of my Attests (references) I enquired about work and got a very surprised yesyes yes! (Or jajaja in Norwegian :D).

So, after a long chat with my beloved better half, we decided it might be best to push for "fast" work (permanent) in order to get some stable money. Being unafraid of a decent days work, I finally relented to the idea of cleaning toilets and offices for a living. Besides, with the money I could pay for a lot. Including new norsk books and... my Bergens test! Thats the clinker. My aim, is be finished and eidetic with Stein På Stein, the second in the series of language books, by Christmas. That would leave me until around April to finish with the next set and be ready to try for that scary test that opens up so much to me. Funny thing is, if I pass or fail, I would still be at that point, much better than I am now.

The norsk klubbs continue, on the most recent occasion without me! I am jealous, but proud to be part of such a group. Having friends learning with you makes things nicer.

Ill extend an offer again, if anyone is in the Oslo area who'd like to join in learning Norwegian, send me a bell. (Trans. Send me an email.)

ANyway! Blood! Yes, Twas a few goodly nights ago that, while walking home from work I found an old and very drunk man drenched in his own blood. It seems that he had fallen over trying to get more money out of a minibank (atm) and bashed his head. It was quite an effort to get him sat down and check his pupils for you know what. Thankfully he was fine. Though when another helper phoned an ambulance he got up and began walking away, ungrateful of our help!
Jumping on the night bus, it was then I noticed that my hands were covered in his blood (thankfully he had lots left :D). There is something unnerving when its someone elses.
What a night.
Still, that same night I bumped into other lads from England (most of the time theyre either half norwegian, and/or from the south). Only met one guy from near my home so far, our "accents" confused the hell out of the locals. Heh. Didnt realise I had an accent until I came here.

Anyway, still here, still working, learning, living and stuff.

Thanks for reading and following, I dont deserve you.

More soon! Christmas presents and surviving away from home for Jule.

Rik

Studen Application denied!!!

Well, if I said that I was totally surprised, I'd be lying. But why? I mean, after all, I did have not one, but three people tell me it would all be fine. One, going so far as to say "you dont require a bergens test for this" in an email.

So much for that idea, but where does that leave me now?

Pessimistically: There are no relevant courses in Univeristy or College that I can take without a passed Bergens test to prove that I am adequate enough to taken them. Also, the only Masters Coarse I would be relevant to really, requires 50 more points to even bother applying.

Optimistically: If I consider that the Bergens test itself is not just a means to an end but a course in its own right, then I should consider myself a student in Norwegian. In a way, once again I must remind myself that the Bergens test or Norwegian as a whole, is the true key to unlock all those doors. SO really, I only have one thing to study on. Simple eh?

At the end of the day, I am lucky to have a loved one with endless generosity, patience of a walking saint and who gives me all the moral and financial support I need. I wont lie, every day I don't pay for everything is a shameful thing, this wasn't the way I was raised after all, but she calls me her little investment. The least I can do is not ruin that for her.

In any case. While I'm rethinking my long term plans (again), I can concentrate my efforts to get to that fluent level of norsk. After all, thats the only real problem, right?

I've nearly got all of my Attests from my old bosses, just one left who seems very evasive. Bear it in mind that to write such a reference is a legal obligation, even if it just says, "he worked this period" they still have to write one. Looks like I may need to be a bit more insistent. Le sigh.

Still, on goes the job hunt, I'm finally practicing the writing of søknader (applications) in norwegian by learning key words and expressions, you know, like I am dependable etc. After a while I might learn something. Flash cards, coarse books and that new norsk klubb should see me through. Ive given myself until April to do this.



On a final note, anyone living in the Oslo area who would like to get involved with a free friendly group all trying to learn norwegian, drop me a post here. I don't know about you, but I aint paying for another coarse if I can help it.

Thanks again!

Rik.

Student Application handed in!

Okay.

I have finally handed in my application to the University of Oslo. My intent? Is to take enough points to apply for a Master Degree. Heres the thing, traditionally, such coarses can only be taken as part of a whole Degree. This degree isnt available at the moment, not that I could have taken it anyway because one of the requirements is a Bergens test.

Yet I've been told that these single coarses, of which I need 50pts worth, do not require such a thing indivdually because I can speak English. Go fig. Ive had two seperate people tell me this is the case, though in my usual pessimisitc (edit: realistic) mindset, I fully expect to be shafted much later on next year.

Regardless, heres me trying.

In the interim, I'll be trying to move closer to the Bergens test level. More of less, my last level test had me at B1, which as about 3 below Bergens test level. What scares me the most is the requirement to actually understand the Bergen accent!!!!

Crapple.

Still, now Im writing the occasional essay including recently learned words, badgering my eternally patient girlfriend to mark it. Also, klartale, a fantastic website where one can read and hear the latest news in slow and concise Norwegian.
Between these and my aim to finish Stein Pa Stein before Novemeber I think at least the progress continues.

Jobs.

At the moment Im still only working with Samfunnet as security. Not much, but its better than nothing. While Im hoping for more work with the awesomness that is Penelope, this Christmas, one musnt rest on ones laurels or something like that.
This was where I found out about attests. England has references. Norway has references and attests. Attests are testimonials about your working standard from previous employers. Very serious business.

Im still tracking them all down. Theres nothing worse than not being able to do much when your finally in the mood to do so!!

Anyway, had a very wierd cultural day last thursday. Got mistaken for a Turk and got my hands covered in blood. More later!

R

Walls, hoops and a F#¤)ING big emergency cuppa!

Hi there sports fans.

Ever had a crappy revelation?

Picture this. Today I decided to research the possibility of studying a Masters in English Language with Oslo University. Today I found out that, of coarse, my micky mouse degree in Imaginative Writing didnt count for didly.

Damnation.

In essence, although Im looking into this, I would have to start from scratch with another new Bachelors beforehand. Thats a long time.

Okay, Ill back up a bit.

I decided a week ago, with no small amount of consideration nor sobreity, to become a teacher. No instant thing, I know, but it felt good to have an overall goal, ikke sant?
I had a GCSE and an A level relevant to English Language, and since the Masters in Oslo were in English, I figured that while my Norwegian continued to grow I could do something useful. And of coarse abuse the immensly cheaper Tuition costs here.

Sadly, my lazy past came back to haunt me.

Still, at least in a year or two I can take that Pedagogikk Bachelors, though Ive heard more conflicting opinions about how that works. One camp says I need another Bachelors beforehand, while others say I can combine it with another subject that say I want to teach.

More research pending.

In other news, the Norsk Klubb continues. Infact, after Ive finished this post and scoffed down a certain pizza that is cooking right now, Im off to the next session!

Jobs and work? Well my last day with Penelope was yesturday. I felt somewhat cold afterward. Almost like a good thing had ended, though Ive heard they will more than likely need me come December.
In the meanwhile Im plugging as many days back on the doors as I can without suffering adverse affects such as insomnia, hallucinations and a love of Twilight.

Shudder...

I've had some interviews recently (not been idle, not me!), and Ive discovered the need to scan and prepare both copies of all of my education and documents, but also an "attest" from all of my Norwegian jobs! A bit of digging, but apparently my employers must by law give me an attest (read - written reference). Doesnt have to be anygood, but they do have to give me one! :D

So while I wait for those documents to turn up, while I scan and research, I still can't help but feel like Im not doing anything useful.

Thankfully my girl Ingrid continually reminds me that:
a/ Im being stupid.


Love you baby. X

Lesson from all of this? Get a pen and a piece of paper:

1-Before coming over, scan all of your documentation regarding education.
2-Remember to ask for an attest from previous employers, even current ones.
3-Never give up.
Message ends.

My confession.

I have a confession to make. I really didnt want to write on this BLOG. Its strange really but I have in effect been avoiding it for some time and I think I know why.

Life is boring. Kinda.

People BLOGS are usually crammed with fantastic trips, events, littered with endless photoes of the Bloggers in question having a great time. Well, either I havnt had any of that, or I generally forgot my camera. Or, after all these excuses are spent, they are all normal.

This BLOG, I started nearly a year and a half ago, to detail my adventures in actually getting into another country with nought but myself and my girl friends help. Since then, its been a case of no news is good news right? I do get surprised at how much Norwegian Ive actually learnt. Usually at the expense of someone who say, has been here longer and not learned a thing. The shit kicker is usually that said person has a job anyway because of knowledge of stuff or friends.

I have been lucky.

I have NOT earned a job the hard way. I have not applied for work and won through a interview the work. I have either had it handed to me by very good friends that I have made over here, or simply by being in the right place at the time. I know, I know, same at home anyway.
It just stings is all.

With regards to work I have been lucky in the past, but now, soon actually, I will be jobless again looking without hope but wondering all the same if I shall be lucky again.
Truth is, I have come so far from when I started. I can see this. I have actually had job interviews in Norwegian now. Not very good ones, not very succesful ones, but in Norsk all the same.
Also, my recent stretch with Penelope bokhandel has given me some fantastic experience, a really good reference and best of all, a cadre of very awesome people. I can't tell you enough about the work ethic you find in some of these places, beer tasting and sushi extravaganza's (all free) not withstanding, theyre professional and fun. A rare combination.

Its wierd how when your commuting on the bus or the train, you only ever meet the impolite ones. Namely getting on and off the train is hell during traffic because they people coming the other way barge into you. Sooner or later the English politness goes out the door and you fall back on mosh-pit/rugby/older-brother training and start crushing some folker!

So, I have lots of free time right now, though next week Im working vikar (cover work) back at Penelope the book shop. After wards I got nuthin. Right now, Im going through a rutine (trying my best, I have no dicispline so Im trying to get some) of excercise, tending to that veruca I keep getting from these laminate floors, keeping my eyes peeling for another job on Nav or Finn, painting figures for fun times later this week and most importantly, continuing my own norsk kurs. I recently got together with two friends who are on the same level as me to study through a book called Stein På Stein. Im also reading the Witches in Norwegian, with accompanying sound book. Good fun.

Kinda scary really. Part of me debated fleeing back to England but to my horror I discovered that its worse at home. At least here there is work if you crack the language barrier. Back home it sounds more and more like a third world country. Maybe I could claim asylum here? :B

I had an epipheny also. I decided that my long term goal was to go into teaching. Not entirely impossible. I have a degree in Imaginative Writing (stop laughing at the back please, give the front a turn) amid a host of A levels and GCSE's. Nothing special, but enough to maybe get one of those free/really cheap Masters and when Im ready, a Pedogoggik degree. Maybe teaching English, IT and History? I'd do that here, but not at home. Its disgusting how few rights teachers have in schools. The famous paedo scare of the 90's still haunts us, and puts teachers in a situation where for example, if a child tries to stab another, the teacher can only "get in the way."

Ridiculous.

Anyway, I digress.

Bumped into a really great guy while working the doors at Samfunnet the other day. Forget his name, but he was from CHester. Sounded like an extra from Hollyoaks, but it was good to go full swing with my accent and not be worried about being misunderstood. As it was noone there could make a word out (how do you like it eh!?), but as it is my "scouse" accent isnt actually scouse. I know, but try explaining the concept of villages to most norwegians. Steder (or places i think) are closest they have. Its cold here, huddle up now!


Feels good to finally write something down. Always feels like an Ego trip, and yes I suppose this does feed my self worth somewhat. So sue me. I have followers dammit!

Thanks for reading all. Im still alive.

Rik.