Investing in the future...

Its been a long while since I posted last. It's been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. Allow me to explain.

The problem that is in moving to another country to stay is in what you are capable of. For me, it seems that everything is locked away until I can speak the tongue. It's understandable. Norway, as far as I can tell, has already had its era of being laid back to the lazyness of the "incomings."

Still, I digress. Of late my mind has been torn between caution and intent. Caution, telling me to keep my exit close to hand and pondering on the lovely familiar England. Then intent, telling me that there is only one problem I have to solve. The language. Something that apparently I am making fairly good headway on.

So. Eventually, the latter has won. Now I have two odd jobs to keep my money coming in, which is something considering. I am also joining a norsk kurs from Folksuniversitat in the aim to catch up with three weeks intensive courses. Either way, this is my intent.

It needs to be said though, that none of this would be even remotely possible without my girl Ingrid. Though, I do have my family back home ready to support me if I need it.

Strangely, I found out recently that I havnt contacted my family for too long. My father was worried I was on the streets! Makes you think just how easy is it to forget your not alone.

Anyway, this is a bit sombre in tone today, but hopeful. To those who know what I'm blabbering about, you're not alone. To those who don't, try it, it's not so bad to charge into something different.

My advice to anyone comming over without any erm "special skills," is to acquire as much learning on Norwegian as possible. As I said, this is really the only true obstacle in getting work here. Well, I say true obstacle. Its just as difficult as anywhere.

Anyway, thanks for reading, apologies about the lack of detail and I'll get back in touch soon.

Rik

Three weeks... (And the police are idiots...)

Well, as expected but not quite in this fashion, my time here is growing short. It is a long story, so bear with me.

Last week my girl Ingrid had a rather strange phone call from the police who demanded access to her flat. She was told not to contact anyone else regarding the matter. When her flat mate turned up, the police followed her in saying not only had the place under survailance, but that they had a warrant to search the premises.

All very scary.

They never showed the warrant (though admittedly Ingrid's flat mate was so shocked by the whole ordeal that she never thought to ask!), and went to half arsed search. It was apparently evident that they had got the wrong address.

When asked, a police man apparently said:-

"we were expecting a drugs nest of Africans."

....

I'm not even going to go into how bad that one little bit of wonderful dialogue is. However, despite asking to confirm the address they WHERE IN, when told the street, the police person then repeated the WRONG street name. Then, the police continued searching for another few moments and left. Let me be clear about this. They went through all of our most personal and intimate belongings.

They also asked about me. What did they ask you say?

"How ethnic is he.
He's british.
Still, how ethic is he?
..."

Thank god they never saw me... lets just say my erm "black irish" roots make me a little of the "durka durka." Savee?

When we inquired further it turned out that the police dept handling the investigation was on the other part of outer Oslo.
WTF?!

Now I'm obvisioly missing out some details here quite frankly because I think my Ingrid and her flat mate have had their personal space invaded quite enough. But you see, there in lies the problem....

Not only is the poor old landlord worried, now the flat mate has quite understandebly decided to quit the place. She will be gone by November. Not just this, but again quite understandebly, the Land lord is showing concerns and we will now have to honour the Subteneant law by ensuring Im sorted in...

You guessed it... 3 weeks.

Do or die marine Hoohaa!
Hell, ultimetily either I will still be here and all jobbed up or Ill be going home.

So!
All quite dramatic. Very American. Sorry, I'll save the pseudo racism for the professionals shall I?

Now, I'm converting my CV into norwegian, (which was hilarious because I have the vocab of a five year old!!), and then Im visiting the local barna hager!
At this point, Im going for it. Ingrid is looking for a little somewhere for me to live alone for a few months while I look for the permanent income to pay for it! :) After all, we are team Ninja-badger-pirate!

No Ingie, we are not team hobbitz.
Ok maybe.....

Phew, rant over. Wish me luck yaal! Cant wait to see you Bloggers next 18th July! (If its still on?).

Oh and I went to Tysen Fryd!
More on this soon...

Takk!