Doctor Visit...

So I have been allergy suffering for the past 4 days now. I have a date with brown eyed man tomorrow. I figured it would more appetizing to go out to dinner with a girl that can breath through nose properly etc. Also the paler than usual isn't pretty. I realized this morning that when my chest hurts this bad I usually have an infection, woo hoo. So I got my papers out for our Fastlege info, or GP. Johannessen was on the bottom of the page this is all I could read on it other than the address and my name. I called them at 955 and they were able to get me in at 1045. The receptionist said be here at 1045 cause we close early touday (its how she sounded) I asked if I need to bring in any info she said no and promptly hung up on me. So I walked the 10 minute walk down there wondering if it would be anything like my drs appointments in the US. I go in for this sinus/sore throat thing twice a year so I am used to it. Sometimes they like to take blood to see if 'anything else' is going on (I see a DO so he is thorough). I hope I am prepared for the blood work, I hate it, especially the finger prick I would rather you take it out of my cheek with a iv than prick me. I have small fingers. Also in getting ready to see the doctor I tried to look my best since I don't know any of the souls from Adam. I mean I look like a zombie all week so I had under an hour to brighten up. I even wore a short sleeved shirt knowing they would check my blood pressure. Well I even wore easy to take off shoes for being weighed.

So I get to the office after hoofing it up three flights of stairs. If I had know I might have taken the elevator. My heart was racing by the time I get up there. The office has no window for you to sign in or be greeted by a sweet teenager who sees everything on your chart and knows how you pay for the visit. I finally assume I am to sit and wait to be called upon. 10 minutes of sitting did not win one single angry bird three stars. Heart is almost settled and a young man mumbles my name in a Norwegian way. Then I hear Aangle-a. So I go with him and he shows me to his office. He introduces himself. Allergy brain me doesn't hear it but I shake his hand say hi in my most American way so he knows I don't speak Norsk. Also-- he is the first doctor I have been to personally that is younger than me... Max had an ENT that looked in his 20's. And he wore sneakers, jeans and a long sleeved teeshirt. So I felt like he was dressed to work at a coffee shop. Oh well I really don't mind the casual part. The age part- that is a mental 'growing older' problem I have to get over. Then he asks me in norwegian what the problem is. Blah blah blah later. I don't fill out any forms. He asks me no patient history questions. No tests, weight, what medicine are you on right now. Do you have any life threatening illnesses. Only personal thing he asks is did I move to his practise from another (this is my translation). I say no first time a dr here in norway. I also told him I had asthma but he didn't catch that one until after I mentioned my inhaler. Then he asked me about asthma. I guess all my blah was too much for him so he said- so what is the main problem. I said nose and my chest/throat. So he suggested nose spray. I guess that chest will heal on its own...I think to myself. He said that when you have symptom free asthma an infection can pop up and cause all this. Yes he is right. You know I just remembered he didn't ask me about fever either. I guess he is going to let my body work out that infection. Most doctors give me the awe inspiring Zpack. Its wonderful. I was kinda at loss after he started printing out the script then he asked how would you like to pay, credit card? So ofcourse his little card machine outside his office door doesn't take cards with No Chip. So I paid with cash, no receipt. I did get a quick bye from him as he dashed to his office. Took the bus downtown to the only pharmacy I know of. I sat waiting for the bus in the bus shelter and I got a dirty look from an older lady... thanks. I figured she was looking on me dismally cause I was sitting and usually the bench is for oldies. There was room for 3 other dismal angry old people. Then a guy who didn't give me a dirty look came up and stood next to me lit a cigarette then sat down. Gosh I hate being rude and moving but really I just can't breath well dude. He was black and this doesn't both me at all but more people in Norway are funny about color. Our relocation lady's husband is black and has had the cops called on him before when he was trying to break into his own home (locked out).

Anyway back to downtown pharmacy. Got my ticket at the door. Pharmacies here don't have fun stuff really like pharmacies do in US. I did see some bath colors for kids. They have pricey bandaids, breast milk pumps and old people. I was worried I needed my national id number or they wouldn't take my card without CHIP. My number got called and I gave her my printout and she followed with no words for 3 minutes typing info into computer. I twice reminded myself to bend my knees I didn't want to do that freeze fainting thing. Did I say I am having a hard time breathing? I was irritated fully by now. I should have manned up and asked for something to fight the infection off with. LONG 3 minutes later she told me they were out of the nose 'drip'. Well first she told me in Norwegian, then I smiled and said 'sorry I only speak English'. So they have the spray but no drip. First of all I don't like correcting people so I went along with it, secondly I wouldn't do the drip want the medicine UP in my nose. She said can order the drip. I said well I prefer the spray anyway. Then she had to get two people involved with the substitution. Then the pharmacist asked me about it all. She said she would call the DR for the change. I told them they close at noon so they should hurry. Luckily my dr was still there and said he miss entered the script. Wow I feel so much better now that my new dr miss enters a script. Its like going to an amusement park in a foreign country. So script in bag, I head home with hopes of feeling better and thoughts of irony.

So this is social medicine, warm fuzzies.

bad moon rising

that is a song right? Or I have perhaps messed up a word in the song? Well its 7:18am and Max is out of school today so he felt like waking early. He hasn't felt like waking early all week. I imagine 2 of the last four days he would have slept till after 8.... so I get his morning snack and drink and see that moon. It was bright all night you know, but 7am? Had to tell you about it... its ironic already today. Good day folks

Maunday monday

Hello. Its snowing out there world. Not here but its neat to know its snowing. Its fogging outside. I don't like foggy so fogging is the Norway version. I almost went on my morning walk but I figured i like my life as I know it. Even with my day glow yellow/green jacket I just don't think so. About a month ago there was a neighborhood effort to protect kids walking to school. At each intersection in there is an adult wearing a glowy vest waiting to help kids cross. Its a sign of civility that makes me smile when I see them.

So how am I doing on my new 'blog' plans. Well not there yet. I did move boxes out of the hallway that has been a good thing. I am going to bed earlier on a regular basis, thank you. I have crafted or created in the kitchen almost everyday. I have also added so fun 'homework' for max here in the kitchen area so we can hang out while I cook.

My favorite new craft is these cute little trees. I just need to get some basic yarn to make pompoms for the tree top. Made of paper bags and glue!

So Norway. Well last week Jeff was in the US so I got to drive the car all week again. It was nice I explored a bit more. I had a field trip to meet max at. Max had a playdate for me to take him to. We met some new friends for a playdate downtown for feeding birds, bowling & burger king. Jeff didn't like our car (second car we have tried) it was a baby room color blue. Jeff called him Blu from Rio. Jeff & Max get car sick so I guess it was making them car sick. Jeff had a new car ordered to swap with Blu. I had to pick it up from the dealer. Well, um. It was a comedy. Its still a comedy. First I didn't know how to start it, german car.... So you have to press the brake to start ignition. Step 1 done. It BEEPS WHILE BACKING UP. I have been in a car that beeps but it shuts off the radio- I love being micromanaged by a machine. IT BEEPS, and asks you on the dash board: have you looked to see if you have room? I want to ask it: is it safe to be reading you as I am backing up? It can ask all the questions but I don't have a recourse other than slamming it into a tree, which I won't do. I have to parallel park in front of our house and usually at parking garages there are parallel options. IT BEEPS when I am moving forward to and asks me inane questions on the dashboard.
So Step 1 Start Car. Step 2 drive car. Well got out of parking lot of dealer then couldn't get the hag car to accelerate. Gee. Did I have to go back in again, the lady laughed at the ignition issue. So got across a busy street and still the car is acting like neutral. So I park scream at the car, look around and see - + next to D. So I try + still nothing I don't have a place to park and now things are a bit scary too far from the dealer. Then I try to put it back in D and she takes off. Perfect, Step 2 put it in Drive. Step 3 drive without killing anyone. I did that by the way easily. Step 4 meander through traffic with ease. Should be easy this is why I only drive an automatic engine, I don't want to be playing footie games adjusting gears. No this car wants you to do something while breaking in traffic. If you are at rest for a few seconds with brake pressed the car shuts off, once you lift your foot off brake it restarts itself (odd it goes against step 1's lesson-foot on brake). So each and every time I stop for pedestrians the car SHUTS off. Did I mention I went downtown. I also parked in a tiny garage braking several times behind people who where maneuvering their vehicles. AH ha ha, Jeff is coming home today and will probably instantly figure it out. I did try this gear that is called S (standby maybe) and didn't stop the madness. I did figure out when to use + or - but that had little to do with the engine shut off. I do like the look of the car and it can zig around traffic at 90 km well I just want to know the engine shut off will end.

More fun stuff. I went a fair this week that invites crafts makers from throughout Europe to sell their wares. It was nice, its planned by PWC (old school Petroleum Wives Club, but I don't think they go by that anymore). They sell tea, coffee & cakes to raise money. Donate a cake if you want to attend early. I was busy in german car land so came later. I was impressed by a few of the booths but I guess its the economy or something I just wasn't wanting to buy the whole place. They had beautiful felted wool items. Now maybe cause I was hoping for more non-norwegian crafts. I bought the wool stuff too. I was interested in hand made table runners. Meaning the clothe itself was hand woven, I saw one for 150 USD, it was about 4 feet long. I was trying to find something for Serenity, she is so good at gift giving I thought this would be the year I got her something with a 'wow' attached. I found something, I just don't feel wow. I won't tell you just in case she actually reads this. I did see mens wool underwear, I really was confused I should have taken a picture. I am hoping it was curb appeal for the booth so people would stop by. It worked I couldn't see what else they were selling with all the people standing there. Ding BANANA BREAD done be right back. It wasn't just wool underwear it was colorful, gaudy. So, I am left with that question. There were three wood carvers there, this is a weakness of mine. I remember my mom stopping and drooling over wood carvings since I started to go to craft shows with her. He had wooden cups with handles like measuring cups with a leather loop through the flat handle. I could not give myself a reason I needed the 50 USD cup. The wood carvers made little smooth boxes with even smaller boxes inside. Ahhh I just sighed again. There were doll & little girl clothing booths. I really thought about an outfit for my nieces baby dolls but what to choose and would it fit.... I found a quilt booth with a very nice norwegian woman. Mom would have stopped there for a half hour probably. The woman at that booth saw me and said 'do you sew too?' and explained yes but not this nice and I didn't bring my sewing machine. She offered her card and the info on a local quilting guild. I think the cutest thing was the sheep that were felted over rocks, adorable. I think I walked away from that one, too bad.

I'll update you on the car soon ;)

Well going to clean up the abode so thanks for your time today. Its still fogging wonder if jeffs plane will be on time..

more rambles from me

a thought occurred to me tonight. I may have unlocked one more social difference. So today on the way home from the afternoon school bus stop. Max & I walked down our street and a new car was parked at the end of the street. As we passed it two people were loading the tiny compact car with frames and lamps. My next door neighbor (don't know them) is having the upstairs completely redone and I am sure this is the clean out stage. Anyway the mid 50's couple emptying it was less than friendly, like they had that 'funeral' look to them. Or like they were serious surgeons and need not smile. This is not unusual. I still get mildly disappointed with the frowns though (sucker I know). So later tonight I was on my drive home from the store and I realized: Back home: normally one smiles at strangers in a close neighborhood situation so you can trust their appearance in your close quarters. This smile is disarming and it usually should make one feel safer OR you see the lack of truth in their smile and you note this for later use. Its just a smile. I know but they looked like their were serious dental pain. I don't give a flip about the smile, but I don't like them frowning on my street. Take your frown and brass lamps out of Ole Bulls Vei dear, and return when you can avoid my look or smile.

Well now that mystery is solved on to powdered Vanilla, why can't it come in liquid form? Why did that shipping company person lift my 12 oz container of mexican Vanilla. Was she desperate for sugar and alcohol? Or has she been to norway and thought this would be a funny trick. This Vanilla joke affects more people than me, Jeff & Max like their sugar cookies, and I do plan on chocolate chip cookies soon. I will update you on the powdered vanilla, the update will most likely involve me giving up on my american baking recipes..... night all