What makes Norway more successful than the US?

I think it's the people. Of course, there are bad and good people every where and yes, I shouldn't generalize so much...

But I was sitting on the bus with my ticket which expired a week ago. I decided a while ago I'm going to go as long as possible without buying a new ticket because the bus drivers never check... But I thought to myself (and asked some Norwegians) 'would a Norwegian try to cheat the system like this?' The answer is 'no.' The Norwegians I asked said they wouldn't do it because they couldn't imagine what it would feel like to get caught. I, on the other hand, have already thought of 100 excuses to tell the bus driver... I feel that this breaking of the rules or maybe 'bending' of the rules is something so common in the US. The reason Medicare of Medicaid isn't a strongly embraced institution in the US is because people 'bend' the rules to get extra care... people SEEK ways to take advantage of the system. Norwegians don't do this so much. Of course, the poverty level is much lower here, which gives a smaller percentage of people in the country a reason to seek extra opportunities from the government... but with this being said, where did the US go wrong? Is it that the states really don't have enough control over their own people? Is it that the population is so massive that this 'bending' of the rules I speak of is just so much more obvious?

I'm not really taking sides in the debate that is coming up from this blog, I'm just thinking out loud... The world is truly affected by the US and I have NEVER seen or known that like I do now being in another country. How many readers can name some great viking leader in Norway or even the current prime minister of Germany? All Europeans can name at least 5 great presidents in the US. I'm not saying Americans are ignorant or stupid... I'm just saying there has to be a better way for our country to set an example. Riding the bus with an expired bus ticket isn't the way...

Pictures- Sushi Night

Julius is pregnant... with Sabine...
When I tried to help Sabine karma made me bash my knee into the chair. I was probably spouting off some slew of swears at the chair...
Post dinner... I think
mmmmmmmm

Pictures- Tromso

Tromso

Well I have just returned from Tromso. The trip was fun, but a little disappointing. There was nothing arctic about the city besides some mountains off in the distance. The city was really cute and cozy, but I prefer Oslo with something to do all the time and people to see always. I was pretty sick of watching the two American tv channels (National Geographic and Discovery) and walking around the same parts of the city. The weather is AWFUL 6 of 7 days so going out and exploring the city wasn't on my list of priorities. The sun set at 2pm which was a difficult adjustment to make. There is something about the sun setting early that makes me feel like I should be at home getting ready for bed or eating dinner. I tend to wrap up my days far too early! Going to have to figure that out...

I have pictures of Tromso, but once again my life is packed in boxes at the moment. I'm moving to my OWN apartment tomorrow, so once I'm settled I will post the pictures. I don't have so many because there were 5 or 6 hours of daylight and most of those were spent in rehearsal. Anyways, the apartment is nice, slightly cheaper, closer to school, and with all my friends. Sounds like a good deal to me! Gregoire has a car so he is going to help me drive my things over. It's strange how much junk I have acquired in 3 months. (wow... 3 months... really?)

OH! Residence permit is being processed thanks to my school being awesome. Eat that UDI. You are really good for nothing.

Did I mention no northern lights in Tromso. Saturday night was perfectly clear but there was nothing. Carla and I were SO disappointed. And the music... the conductor was... interesting. The choir was pretty good and the orchestra was decent. I think I played well and it was fun to play under Max. I enjoy playing second the most. It takes an extremely talented musician to be able to imitate whatever they hear on their left side and that is what I'm working to accomplish.

Anyways, pictures soon of Tromso and the new apartment!

Election Night in Norway

Well, I can officially say last night was the most intense night of my life. Better than any party I've been to, any Christmas, any birthday... this is democracy and history.

At about 11 pm Max and I went to get some beers to make a toast to Obama and then we went back to the hotel and turned on CNN. A few hours later I woke up with a passed out Russian sleeping on top of me. hahahaha. We couldn't stay AWAKE! But at about 5 I woke up and checked the news and there it was. "Obama is the next president." Wow. It was the most moving moment of my life. Unfortunately the state being so heavily influenced by the church ruined this feeling for a moment (the passing of Amendment 2), but I'm still elated.

In Norway I have tried escaping the identity of an American and have tried becoming just "Johanna" plain and simply. But today I WANTED everyone to know I'm American and I felt some respect for the first time because of my nationality. I bought a Norwegian newspaper with an awesome report of the election. I look forward to returning now. :)

Anyways, this gig is awesome. It's basically payed vacation. 4-5 hours of rehearsal everyday and the rest is free. I haven't seen too much of this city (besides there not being much to see). But I have used these couple of days to revamp. School is hard when you go an entire semester without any break. And I have been told to expect about $2000 from this gig. Pretty amazing. No northern lights yet. Still waiting for the rain to go away. Blah.

But now I'm going to try to get my blood pressure back down to normal and go eat at another expensive restaurant (because that is all there is). Ciao for now!

VOTE!

OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA!!!!!!!