My first week in winter wnoderland.

When I arrived in Stavanger it was negative one degrees Celsius. I need to wear one more jacket and same with my son because it's very very cold outside the airport. As soon as I went out, I pulled the giant hood of my jacket over my head to keep me warm. I can't put it into words, when I look around everything is color white... covered with snow. It's an amazing experience for a woman like me who grew up in tropical country like the Philippines.

My son and I tried to get a snow but it's like a block of ice, too hard to smash.

FIRST DAY... I woke up 3:00 am in Norway (11:00 am in the Philippines). While waiting for the sunrise, I started calling my family and friends to let them know that I arrived safely. Around 8am the sun starts showing up... sunrise in south of Norway is at 9am. My husband drives me to the area... but before we really stroll around I need to go to the nearest police station for my visa stamping. Along the way, we pass by one of the car-tunnels in Norway (they even have the longest one, it's the world's longest road tunnel between Lærdal and Aurland, 24.5 km or 15.2 miles).During winter (November - April), be aware that winter tires are necessary and required by law.

Once arrived, it's required to contact the nearest local immigration office within 7 days after arrival in Norway.. I went to Kleppe Police Station for my visa stamping. I received a stamped residence permit in my passport. The residence permit lasts for one year. So, I need to renew it again. I'm lucky because I got the stamped on my passport the same day. =)After, the police told me to go to Skatt Vest (Tax west office), I applied for my personal number. Personal identification numbers are assigned to people registered in the National Population Register as being residents of Norway. It will take 3 weeks to get it. After filling up the information sheet at the Folkeregister (National Register), we left the office. Since it's almost 3:00pm, government offices in Norway are close.
My son and I just enjoyed the coldness outside the car. Ice covers everything and walking requires skill. Instead of a cute light walk or a runway strut, to avoid slipping on the ice or falling in the snow you have to walk like a Norwegian. YES!!! If there's a 'Walk like an Egyptian,' certainly you must learn the walk like a Norwegian, if not you will always see yourself on the ground. I'm still learning the norwegian walk. When there is ice on the ground you have to have the right boots to manage without falling, the feet kind of far apart and kind of tottered sideways slowly back and forth while walking. “It’s all about weight distribution”.
Boots with very soft rubber soles are the best bet for not falling in the snow and ice! Slippery road in winter time is very dangerous for foreigners who just arrive like me.

New Home

It's been one week since I arrived safe and sound in Norway! My son & I are happily nestled in our "new home". I woke up 3am today in Norway (it's 10am in the Philippines) I'm still experiencing jet lag but I had a goodnight sleep. I can't feel the amazing coldness outside because of the heater inside the house. The sun rises around 8:30am in Stavanger, Norway. After few days of strolling around, I affectionately refer to the area as utopia.

One of my friends staying in Hawaii asked me if I want to trade places but so far leaving this country is not yet an option for me. Maybe because I don't like the feeling of spending every moment trying to stay cool. Not being able to wear even a t-shirt or wear your hair down because you can't stand it because it's too hot. I'd gladly give it up to be cold. At least when your cold you can warm up. But when your hot all the time you can't never get cool. I'm talking freezing ice bath water can't even cool me down. =) It's very hot in the Philippines when I left that's why I don't miss yet the heat of Mr. SUN. =D