Min lille tankeverden: januar 2014

So this year was interesting. I am SO hung up in traditions that I was worried it was gonna be hard celebrating christmas in America. What about all the norwegian traditions that I have held unto every year since I was a kid? I was prepared for mood swings and homesickness, but I surprised myself this year. I actually think I was so prepared for it that I took it well. I managed to be excited to see an american twist and I enjoyed all the traditions I got to learn about. Of course I missed my family and friends a whole lot, especially on christmas eve, but I`m also thankful to be part of my new american family. Me and Matthew got SPOILED with gifts, and we got 3 different christmas stockings. One from Mamsen, one from Matthew`s mom, and one from Aunt Valerie & Uncle Rick. I loved the tradition of getting pyjamas on christmas eve. We got one each from Aunt Valerie and Uncle Rick, and also one each from Vi. I also loved all the different ornaments everyone had on their trees. Here in America people collect different ornaments every year, not just the regular ones, but a lot of exciting ones.

I really missed norwegian christmas food though, but luckily I managed to make gløgg from scratch. Gløgg is a famous christmas drink in norway, and I`m proud of myself for being able to make good homemade gløgg. One of the things I loved most about this christmas break was to have Matthew home with me for 3 whole weeks. He has been so busy with school, that I was stoked to have him around me at all times for that long. We got to hang out with some people together, and did a lot of fun stuff as a couple. I loved it. And of course I got to enjoy all the christmas decorated houses that we see on all the movies back home. I`m sad christmas is over, so I guess that means I had a pretty good christmas here in America. Take a look at the pictures I took over the holiday:

All of Matthew`s cousins (on his mom`s side) came together to make gingerbreadhouses and gingerbreadmen. It was really fun. I enjoy getting to know his cousins.

Matthew`s brother Mike and his lovely girlfriend Emily

Matthew`s cousin Maggie and her adorable son Liam

Chad and Rowan

Matthew`s brother Andrew and his cousin Vincent

Matthew`s cousins Brandon and Cheryl

Husband drop-of area. Sooo funny.

I sure enjoy my starbucks visits

My homemade calender

Our handpicked christmas tree

Sunset over our apartment. Sooo beautiful.

One of the traditions that Matthew likes is to have a puzzle out on the livingroom table so that everyone that wants to can work on it. We bought a frustrating one.

I never knew turkeys were this flabby

Having fun with the goat?

Is this a chicken, or an alien? I NEVER knew chickens had hear like this. We laughed so hard.

Of course I had to eat grøt around christmas. Thanks Mom (and thanks toro).

Out on a date at Applebees.

The karaoke was terrible.

At the mall in Santa Maria with Matthew`s mom.

LOOK WHAT WE GOT FROM MAMSEN.

Out on another date downtown.

It got cold in California too. But not Norway cold.

wow wow wow. Now THIS is a typical american house.

The sky is often so cool here in California.

Went to the hairdresser.

Watched the sunset together.

The most beautiful sunset ever. Where is my good camera when I need it?

Cookie time.

Got this one from Mormor og Morfar (my grandparents)

Homemade gløgg

I love the drive in theatre. Sooo much better then regular movie theatre.

Me and Matthew`s mom made cookies together. I`m so happy with how these ones turned out.

1 out of 3 stockings.

Lucky me received this wonderful gift from some of my friends from back home.

We skyped with grandma and grandpa.

I also skyped with my good girlfriends from Oslo. I miss them so much.

I also received a gift from Torill, Monica and Tonje, but in my excitement I forgot to take a picture of them, but they are absolutely appreciated.

CHRISTMAS EVE

Look what I got in my stocking from Mamsen.

We had christmas breakfast at ihop together.

Since it was 28 degrees on christmas eve, we HAD to take pictures at the beach. I have never been able to say that I went to the beach on christmas. It is so weird to me.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Of course we had to skype with my family back home. They were in the middle of opening presents, so we didn`t talk for TOO long. It was really nice to see them though. I missed them a lot.