Stefánrilla!

Last day

2012-01-10T09:50:00.000+01:00

Today is my last day before classes get back into full swing, and there is a lot of things I had wanted to get done.
But being a master of excuses, I have a few good ones, so today will probably be wasted and Ill be kicking myself next week but to be fair, the weather is really bad today. It was bad yesterday, it is bad now and it will be bad all day. Right now we have 24 m/s winds, that's something like 86 km/h. Its not snowing out, but I can not see anything out the window from all the snow and stuff blowing around. So, Ill be staying home today, playing farmville and catching up on laundry. Those extra trips that I had wanted to make downtown will just have to wait until Friday at least.
I know the time will go by fast and the next thing I know it will be morning and all the chaos begins.

I would also like to thank Cassie (be seeing you in a few weeks) for the calender I got in the mail yesterday - its so nice to have an English calender, with some beautiful Australian sights.

its not just a story

2012-01-05T17:10:00.001+01:00

Often when I try to tell people about our crazy neighbor across from the old apartment, I suspect people think I am exaggerating - seriously he sounds just to crazy. So last time we went for dinner at Charolets, I took pictures, as proof.

Pictures

2012-01-05T13:22:00.000+01:00

Pictures are the worst. I had some id replaced and had a new picture taken. I used to hate the old picture. I was sure it made me look fat. Now I have a new picture and I miss the old one. I looked great in the old one, the new one makes me look fat. Stupid picture.
Although in ten years I will probably love this picture and hate any new one. Somethings just work out that way.
Because of this I was searching the net and giving myself a hard time and found this great quote:

Women tend to imagine their ideal weight is unrealistically low, so they diet unnecessarily. Men tend to allow their ideal weight to be higher than medically recommended. Men and Women should learn from each other.

great.

The other side of White Christmas - Iceland 2011 lheinars Subscribe Subscribed Unsubscribe Loading...

2011-12-31T23:47:00.000+01:00

not mine, but shows the snow
best part is we got a couple of couchsurfers from Australia who had never seen snow before!

deserves a poutine

2011-12-27T16:45:00.000+01:00

After passing all my classes, averaging 7.2, not bad considering I had not in school full time in 10 years, and did it while juggling 3 kids and a volunteer position.
I think a pat on the back is in order - three cheers please.
But seriously I think I like school and am looking forward to next semester.

Christmas @ 3a

2011-12-27T16:31:00.000+01:00

We had a fabulous Icelandic style Christmas dinner with Perla, Guðlaugur and the kids - Einar, Emilía and Eva.
They live upstairs from us - making everything from dragging tables and chairs upstairs to taking tired kids home very easy.
Heres some pictures:

In a cottage

2011-12-27T16:12:00.000+01:00

I think it might be only in Iceland where you pack up the car, drive an hour or two, unpack the car in some rented cottage, usually through the unions, relax for a day or two then repack the car and drive home. The whole thing is actually very exhausting, but leaves some good memory's.
We shared a cottage, or summer house, with my classmate, Geidre and her family on December 23, on night of Christmas. We cooked tons of food, ate far to much and relaxed. It was great fun and good exercise on the mind because of the languages they speak, we could only communicate with her husband in English and her in Icelandic making the constant switching between languages a good exercise for my mind who has been on holidays of late.
And what summer house would be complete without a hottub?
The boys showed the Canadian in them by eating snow and tossing snow will chilling in the hot pot

The best time of year

2011-12-13T16:58:00.000+01:00

The Icelandic Santa's have started - although I guess not all parents are on the same page with this because they started a day earlier in some homes. Stefán is a little annoyed and wants to know why Santa was in Keflavík and not Ásbrú.

My exams are done and marks are coming in, 7.5 in Málfræði and 6.9 in Hjóðfræði - looking good :D

I got strep throat, spent half my day waiting to see a doctor and a small fortune in fees, so I am annoyed, but I needed the antibotics so I am happy to be recovering.

Leópold has some spots. Normally I wont worry to much except that I just found out that they do not immunize against measles in Iceland. So now Im a little stressed.

I´ve got the boys busy making Christmas cards for everyone, kinda a make-work project, and I am sorry to say that I missed the mail to Canada date - in order to arrive in time for Christmas - by 1 day, but you will get them in time for new years, unless they get lost in the mail.

And I miss my brother Tye, who is currently not speaking with me.

Saturday pictures

2011-12-04T19:12:00.001+01:00

We went to Leópold play school yesterday. It was a special day for the whole family to go see what the babies have been doing. A kind of Open House, play school style.
We were also invited to decorate and eat as many ginger snaps (pepper cookies) as we could. Great fun.
After we went to the city do get a little running around done, and that was fun too, after 5 stores, I finally found one that was not sold out of ink for my printer.

'missing the light' by Leópold

'love with sparkles' by Leópold

'Finding the way' by Leópold

decorating cookies

hard at work

still being silly

Kasper thinks this school is way funner then his

in the mall - still happy with out having to put coins in

driving with out looking

getting ready to drive home

maybe its a little too dark with the sunglasses

going to try anyways

Kasper and Bergvín

Listening in

2011-11-25T20:23:00.000+01:00

Tonight, in the grocery store, I overheard the most beautiful conversation, there were a group of American women grocery shopping for Thanksgiving dinner, dispite being in Iceland - there doing it away ways.
Admittedly, I was a little jealous.
Then when one women said to another, 'do you think one bag of corn is enough?' and the other said ' no, lets go with 2, you can never have too much corn' it took all my self restraint not to trow myself into the cart and demand to be invited for dinner, I would have even cook the corn - with butter of course!
Icelanders dont really get the corn thing too much and last year at Christmas, when everyone was over, I made a huge pot of corn, and nearly died trying to eat it myself because no one else touched it!
But just hearing them talk was so fun, the accent so familiar, the topic, I followed them around, listening and shopping for my own food,
they have no idea how fun it was for me.

Some lost pictures - yikes!

2011-11-24T19:06:00.000+01:00

Im thinking my camera need some new batteries, these are seriously blurry, but probably better then nothing.

leó

stefán

kasper

stefán

awesome cake by perla

another awesome cake by perla

eimíla

davíð and snúður, a.k.a. munch 2

leó

kasper, inga amma and davíð

kasper, my big 11 year old blowing out his candles :D

Time well spent

2011-11-24T18:50:00.000+01:00

I dont seem to have much time these days but one thing I have kept up with, besides homework, is my volunteer time with the Salvation Army. It really is good for you, and fun really, to do things for others, as Lizzy pionted out aswell.
While it is not a holiday here, there is no thanksgiving in Iceland,thank doesn't mean we can not be thankful, and I am.

Small Notes

2011-11-19T20:45:00.000+01:00

I have not written anything in a while and really dont know where to start. I know some pictures are in order and I have some serious plans for it in the coming weeks - so they are coming.

But since it is not possible to write about everything in any sort of detail I will give a few points here:

Leópold:

No longer screams everyday when it is time to go to school, he actually likes it now
Is currently obsesed with the Disney Cars movie
Has basically tiolet trained himself, although he isnt very good at getting his pants off so he is pant less at home and just holds it all day at school. Scary really, But at least hes not in diapers right? It can only get better.
Still hardly talks, and Im ok with that.
In 'baby choir' on Thursdays, good stuff

Stefán:

Doing great in his new school, Holtaskóli, which has recently been named best for Mathematics in Iceland!
Practicing gymnatics and loving it.Hope to see you at the Christmas concert.
Has become a professional at catching run away gerbils.
Has been saving like mad for a new games consul. Maybe an xbox?
Has a youtube chanel with videos he has taken with his camera we gave him for his birthday last month

Kasper

Also doing great in his new school.
Turning 11 on Monday!
Was in parkor, and might go back after Christmas.
Has become insane about a game called minecraft and making videos on his own youtube channel

Davíð

Doing great, ready for his journeyman ticket exam and already started on the maters ticket classes.
Landed an amazing new job starting very soon - Ill writ more on that later.
Super Dad and husband all around

Seems to be surviving school.
Learning like mad for the finals.
Was going to the gym, will go back next week, I promise :D
Still volunteering one day a week, and its great
Been a terrible friend, and feel bad for not keeping in touch better.
Plan on doing better next month.

And if your every in doubt about how uncool I am, remember I spend my Saturday nights blogging as a break from grammar exercises.

Engineering Flowchart

2011-11-17T23:15:00.000+01:00

I seriously plan to get back into the blogging now, and I promise more then spam.

with dearest memories

2011-11-17T23:09:00.001+01:00

Kasper will miss you, and so will the rest of us.

Rest in peace, our champion runner.

Things I can check off the list

2011-08-31T22:58:00.000+01:00

If I had a list of things to see before I die, it might look like the list of things I have seen this week.

I have been accepted, paid the tuition for and finished the entrance exam into university
I have taken Leópold to school with out him crying
I have come home to see that my older children not only finished their homework, they also signed for each other in reading
I been, myself in the gym and on the treadmill, at 7:00 a.m.
I have a piece of tooth in my wallet*

*while I never, ever, thought I would lose a chunk of front tooth for seemly now reason, and while it makes me sad and I know it will cost a fortune to fix, it is kinda cool to look at.
On that note, my 8:30 appointment at the dentist on Friday can not come soon enough, until then, I refuse to smile.

Stefán and Einar

2011-08-23T19:42:00.000+01:00

Stefán is begging for a camera with sound, but for now they just have to deal with mine, the silent type.

The Light and Fluffies

2011-08-19T10:14:00.000+01:00

The results are in, if there was any contest, these are by far the best pancakes ever. 'American Style'
They are called 'Light and Fluffies' for a reason, and meant to be eaten with butter and syrup although they do actually taste good enough to be just eaten alone as well.
Thanks to Amanda, my first couchsurfer coming from Nunavut, and the Hanson's kitchen for this - better then Bisquick, and I'll save a fortune.
2-1/4 cup flour
5 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
5 teaspoons baking powder
1 eggs - beaten
3 tablespoons oil
1 teaspoon vanilla

mixed with love :Þ
Thanks again Amanda.

pictures by stefán

2011-08-17T12:42:00.000+01:00

stefán and his dad

stefán and his gerbils

just the rodents :Þ

leó

those kids......

leó

not sure what is going on here....

again

b.b.q.

2011-08-16T16:31:00.000+01:00

as a small prequel to robert's birthday bash i invited nearly everyone i know for some b.b.q.
a few folks even turned up.

leó

einar

úlfur watching up the road as people try to fix there car.

perla, guðrún and einar

2nd try

kasper, as usual

davíð and a couchsurfer

perla

inga

kasper and erikur

gunnar

kasper and erikur, again

magga

kasper wearing a hat, i tried to tell him that people dont actually use these things but he aims to prove me wrong.

practical

erikur

kasper

leó and the wheel

stefán on the bus

leó and a plastic dump truck that we found for stefán, and it's still around.

davíð, kasper and erikur

leó

einar

motion sickness - by Kasper

2011-08-16T15:54:00.000+01:00

Kasper and Shield

2011-08-16T13:55:00.000+01:00

Innkaupalistar PART 2

2011-08-15T23:01:00.000+01:00

You would think that after all the complaining about the complexity of the list last year, this school would have learned a lesson. But alas, Njarðvíkurskóli, you fail again.
Kasper's Supply list, English below
Nemendur hafi með sér:
Ø 1 öskju
Ø 1 harða möppu 2ja gata með klemmu, kjölur 4-5 cm breiður
Ø mislit milliblöð til skiptingar í möppu a.m.k. 10
Ø 1 línustrikaða gormabók A4, sem hægt er að rífa blöðin úr
Ø 2 skriftarbækur (Æfingabók 2)
Ø 1 glósubók
Ø 3 stílabækur A4
Ø 1 reikningsbók A4 (venjulegar rúður)
Ø 1 penna, bláan eða svartan (nemendur mega hafa Parker
kúlupenna með fine fyllingu í stað tússpennanna)
Ø pennaveski (3 blýpenna/blýanta, blý, yddara, strokleður,
skæri, lím, tréliti, reglustiku og hálfan gráðuboga)
Ø vasareikni
Ø tvo plastvasa með götum
Ø 1 plastmöppur (græn)
Ø Íþróttir: Stuttbuxur, stuttermabolur og lágir íþróttaskór (val).
Ø Sund: Sundbolur, sundskýla (ekki stuttbuxur, sundbuxur eða
bikiní) og handklæði. Sundgleraugu æskileg.
Ø Hafa íþrótta- og sundföt í sér poka eða tösku.

Students have a:
Ø 1 filing box
Ø 1 folder 2 hard punching a terminal, 4-5 cm wide keel
Ø colored leaves to the division in a folder at least 10
Ø 1 rulered helix A4 book, you can rip the leaves from
Ø 2 writing books (Æfingabók 2)
Ø 1 notebook
Ø 3 A4 exercise books
Ø 1 graphing A4 (standard windows)
Ø 1 pen, blue or black (the students may have Parker
pen with fine point markers in the fullness of voltage)
Ø pencilcase (3 pens / pencils, lead, sharpener, eraser,
scissors, glue, pencil crayons, ruler and a half gráðuboga?)
Ø calculator
Ø plastic folder with two holes
Ø 1 plastic folder (green)
Ø Sports: Shorts, T-shirt and low sports (optional).
Ø Channel: swimmsuit and towels.
Ø Have a sport and swimwear in a bag

Innkaupalistar

2011-08-15T11:34:00.000+01:00

I hate shopping for school supplies. Here is Stefán's list from Holtaskóli.
English under
Innkaupalisti
3. bekkur 2011 - 2012
Yfirfarið það sem börnin eiga frá fyrra ári og notið það sem hægt er.
1 stk. Stóra sögubókin mín A4
1 stk. stílabók A4 (án gorma)
1 stk. stílabók A4 (með gormum)
2 stk. stílabækur A5 (án gorma)
1 stk. reikningsbók A5 (án gorma og ekki litlar rúður)
1 stk. Teygjumappa A4
1 stk. askja A4 (tré)
1 stk. Teikniblokk A3
7 stk. Plastmöppur: 1 gul, 1 rauð, 1 græn, 1 blá, 1 svört, 1 hvít og 1
appelsínugul.
Talnagrind
Vasareiknir (einfaldan)
Pennaveski
3-4 stk. góðir blýantar eða skrúfblýantur (muna þá eftir auka blýi)
Strokleður
Yddari með boxi
Reglustika
1 stórt límstifti
Trélitir
Góð skæri, oddlaus
1 stk. svartur tússpenni, Artline 210 medium 0,6
Í leikfimi þarf stuttbuxur og bol. Börnin eru berfætt
Í sund þarf sundföt og æskilegt er að hafa sundhettu
Foreldrar athugið að nauðsynlegt er að merkja vel bækur,
föt og aðra muni barnsins.

Shopping
3rd class 2011 - 2012
Go over what the children are from last year and enjoyed it as possible.
1 pc. Great story my book A4
1 pc. A4 notebook paper (no springs)
1 pc. A4 notebook (with coil springs)
2 pcs. A5 exercise books (no springs)
1 pc. reikningsbók A5 (no springs and no small windows)
1 pc. Elastic Folder A4
1 pc. carton A4 (tree)
1 pc. Drawing block A3
7 pc. plastic folder: 1 yellow, 1 red, 1 green, 1 blue, 1 black, 1 white and 1
orange.
Abacus
Calculator (simple)
pencil case
3-4 pcs. good pencils or mechanical pencils (remember them by increasing the lead)
eraser
sharpener in a box
ruler
1 large glue stick
pencil crayons
Good scissors, oddlaus
1 pc. black pen markers, Artline 210 Medium 0.6
The gym shorts and shirt required. The children are barefoot
The channels need swimwear and it is desirable to sundhettu
Parents note that it is necessary to mark books,
clothing and other objects of the child.

give the kid a camera

2011-08-15T09:14:00.000+01:00

The last day of the Grindavík Red Cross camp asked the children to bring cameras.
And these were Stefán's pictures:

There are a lot of pictures of Einar - mostly because they are best friends.

A+

2011-08-15T08:41:00.000+01:00

I have managed, through whinning, contacts and sheer persistance, to be admited into the University of Iceland, basically to master Icelandic, but I will do more too.
I am so excited my stomach in upset.
Things to do

Robert will be 62

2011-08-09T22:49:00.001+01:00

My father in law is having his birthday this weekend and sent out, to everyone, this fabulous invitation.
I think I am allowed to share it with you because he said everyone is welcome, EVERYONE. It is one of those kind of partys. And while it says you dont need to bring food, I think I might try to make something and maybe you can too.
quote:
We have decided to have a party here on SATURDAY AUGUST 13 (Not Friday
the 12th, but people are welcome to arrive whenever.)

Saturdays are better days for parties than Fridays. And anyway it
won't be a facile"birthday party" but, rather, a gift-free celebration
of:(a) our acquisition of Víðihóll in its entirety, (b) the Dog Days,
July 13-Aug 13, i.e. the by-far-best time of year, (c) Inga's 60th,
(d) ok, wtf, my birth day.

We'll tell people to turn up and leave (or not) when they like. There
will be two pools, two empty houses and a bus, a former greenhouse
(now rec room, which will become a greenhouse again in 2013; great
until then for a bad weather party), lamb on a spit (no vegans
expected, but welcome to watch) and potatoes. And music.And I hope
dancing. I will try to have the lamb & potatoes ready by 6 or 7 pm. I
am not planning to serve much vitamin C or dessert.

I would like you to consider inviting friends. Call it a Dog Days
Party. It would be more fun with some of them. And they will have fun,
too.

People should just bring something to drink and sleeping bags. Of
course we will not body-search people for lettuce, tomatoes, cake,
tofu or whatever they really want to eat if meat & spuds is not
enough. A tent would do no harm, but is not a deal breaker. Family has
dibs on the housing, but there will be spare floor space for friends.

This should be memorable.

Dad/Rob

moviemakers200

2011-08-09T22:44:00.000+01:00

Kasper and his friend Erikur has started making movies. They even have a youtube channel now, with 2 videos.
One video was accidentally uploaded, I guess it is Erikurs dog.
The other is a short film that they made. The profanity is an extra special touch.
http://www.youtube.com/user/THEFILMMAKERS200
and if thats not enough, theres more on the way.

This is making me feel rather old.

A beautiful Saturday

2011-08-07T01:15:00.000+01:00

Today, while enjoying the amazing weather here, 18 today, with the same expected for tomorrow, my thoughts are elsewhere.

My little brother Tye is getting married this weekend.

Anyone who knows me knows my family is seriously confusing, so let me explain, Tye is the one who has the same mother as me, different fathers.

He is 5 years younger then me, so when I left Canada he was still so young. 20.

It is hard to imagine him now. Older, with a better half, a toddler following him and a baby in his arm.

I wish I was there. Mostly to help out. Thats what family is for right? I feel so helpless out here. I really wanted to do something for them.

But I am counting on my sister, Shantell. She went out on Thursday to help with the kids, probably calm some nerves. She is a super hero.

We have the same mother as well, but she has a different father, then Tye too. I know, it is confusing.

When you look at pictures, it is hard to believe that we are related at all, but we are still family. And if we can not be there, we still dream of each others weddings.

Stefán, the perfect host

2011-07-31T20:54:00.000+01:00

Alex, a couchsurfer of ours from Austria, sent me these pictures of himself, Stefán and the Blue Lagoon. His (Alex's) mom was there aswell, but I guess she didn't feel like being in any pictures.
Stefán was a great host, showing them around the Blue Lagoon and going for a swim, although he was a little unhappy about having to wear floaters on his arms.

Baconiase

2011-07-31T14:03:00.000+01:00

I fear for dieters everywhere, and I dont even want to guess how points this would earn you on weight watchers, but here it is and the world will never be the same again.

Baconnaise!

I say these things

2011-07-21T00:27:00.001+01:00

After reading this article I can only assume people around me all cringe when I open my mouth.
I make a lot of these mistakes, but if so many people make the same mistake, is it still a mistake?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14201796

and it's not just Americans.

Summer and everything that comes with it

2011-07-20T23:56:00.000+01:00

Time is something that we do not get extra of, even in the summer. While the sun shines all night long, there still does not seem to be enough time....
Hosting fabulous people who mention us is one of my favorite summer pastimes.
Feeling homesick, missing my sister, my niece and nephews, brother, Dad....
Sometimes Iceland disappoints me.
I look forward to school starting again, these kids are staying up way too late, and with that waking up way to cranky.
While most people quit volunteering in the summer I took up the extra hours. I dont think it makes sense to close the free soup and cheap clothing in the summer. IT is true that a lot of people are away, but the people coming for free soup are not going away for the summer, so I am here for them.
I found a crazy person online, I guess everyone deserves a place to spills there crazies.
I also have a sun burn, too many days in the outside pool for me.

reykjavík

2011-07-07T14:23:00.000+01:00

a new view of reykjavík, created by everyone.
http://www.urb.is/en/
if you have something to add
http://www.urb.is/en/skraning/

Davíð's phone pix

2011-07-07T12:42:00.000+01:00

We found the usb cord so Davíð could finally upload the pictures from his phone. Most are from Stefán's soccer tournament.

I dont expect everyone to agree but,

2011-07-07T12:32:00.000+01:00

I saw this article on BBC, and thought it was rather funny. If exchange the word CEO with Icelander, you have an explanation for a lot.

The seven deadly sins CEOS ICELANDERS won't admit

its all who you know.

2011-07-05T23:52:00.000+01:00

Everyone knows that in Iceland, everything is about who you know, what job you get, lose, home, everything depends on your connections.

So heres a little story about an apartment in my building. Its a nice little two level condo. Smaller then mine, but with a yard and private entrance making it very much in demand.

For a long time, maybe three years, a friend of mine lived there completely rent and expense free, basically because she knew the right people. There was no formal arrangement, it was just known that this was her apartment and that was that.

Then one day while I was house sitting for her, she was out of the country for long periods of time, I heard a rumor that this apartment was about to be rented out. In fact everyone was talking about it, they wanted it, and since it was always empty it must be available right?

So I went to talk to the Keiler office about this, because my friend seemed to think there was no way someone else could be moving into her apartment, it was, after all, promised to her.

The women at the front desk, confirmed that the apartment was rented out already and they were just waiting for it to be emptied.

So there were a few weeks of stress and confusion. The friend came and packed her stuff, with nearly no notice and without anyone giving her any explanation as to what was happening or why someone else would be moving in.

Fast forward a few weeks and guess what I see, my new neighbor is the women from the front desk of Keiler.

*This women from the front desk is rather high up in the housing chain of command

**How much you want to bet that she is not paying rent either?

***I should also mention that this women scares the heck out of me and it takes all my courage not to cower in fear when I see her. Not someone you want on your bad side.

Swagger

2011-07-05T23:32:00.000+01:00

Today I got the treat of going to Kostur, a grocery store in Reykjavík specializing in North American products.

The longer I am away from North America (Canada), the funneir some of these things seem to me.

Today I found some Old Spice Deodorant called Swagger, with the written on the back:

Swagger transforms unfresh men into legends of confidence.

Well, I was sold. Now out to find me an unfresh man.

Changing plans

2011-06-23T08:15:00.002+01:00

After my walking pal canceled on me this morning, I sat down with a tea, turned on the computer and found a funny blog.
I expect the rest pf the day to turn out equally well.
Today I'll walk alone, tomorrow things will be back to normal.

Sumer camp

2011-06-22T21:40:00.000+01:00

I have such good memories of sumer camp, I went to Camp Alexo, this year I had the great opportunity of sending Stefán and Kasper off to camp together. And we got pictures. It looks like they had a great time and it was a good experience for them.
They will defiantly go back again next year.

The results are in

2011-06-20T17:29:00.000+01:00

I am very happy to tell you that I passed my Icelandic Language exam, the one I needed for citizenship, so,
YIPPEEEE
Tonight we eat cake :D

pictures by kids

2011-06-13T19:52:00.000+01:00

Out at amma's and afi's, enjoying the weather

Leaving home

2011-06-02T16:07:00.000+01:00

The mystery of why 'us girls' leave home and move to our husbands, sometimes in the middle of now where is still a mystery, but at least now we know its been happening for millions of years.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13609260
more modern examples include:
Cassie leaving Australia for Iceland (Icelandic Man)
Angel leaving the States for Iceland (Icelandic Man)
Laura staying away from France for Iceland (Icelandic Man)
and myself, from Canada

Just making sure

2011-05-30T22:40:00.000+01:00

Davíð is messing around with the computer so I want to make sure I have these last few things saved before I lose them.

Leó sleeping on the floor at Húsasmíðjan

Broken stroller

stroller was fixed, then wheel comes off again :(

Leó, hard at work vacuuming

Fun times vacuuming

Tea Party

2011-05-29T01:56:00.000+01:00

I never imagined couchsurfers and teapartyer's being in the same group, but now I know anything is possible.
Thursday night these nice American boys, Derek and Jamie, stayed with us, and they seemed so level headed. Over the evening various topics were discussed and at one point Davíð asked how they voted, and they said Republican. Rather taken aback, like Tea Party Republican? Yes. Seriously, I told them to start packing, I was joking but I was so shocked, I wonder if they were packing guns?
And how can you be 'standing against a socialist takeover' while being in an organization (couchsurfing) devoted to opening up you home, sharing what you have and working together? I just dont see the connection.
But these boys are still young, we can only hope they grow out of the Tea Party nonsense!
On the other hand, one thing I like about couchsurfing is the variety of people I meet, so I'm not complaining, only shocked.

Birthday

2011-05-29T01:39:00.000+01:00

Today will be the last of Davíð's birthday celebrations.
They started two days ago.

Friday was a Birthday with friends, poker, buckets-o-beer, load music, and a dancing baby.

Saturday was needed for some recovering, for Davíð. The boys made Davíð a giant chocolate cake that over flowed in the oven (currently feeling grateful for the self cleaning feature). They covered the cake in white icing and rat shaped candys. Good stuff. We also cooked Davíð breakfast, rather late in the afternoon and ordered Mega Week pizza for dinner.

Tomorrow is Davíð's actual birthday and Davíð's parents host another birthday party. So we will be heading out there. He's one lucky guy. And he's 29.

AND
Next week is more fun:

June 6th I send 2/3 of my boys away for 5 days of summer camp fun and I will be enjoying my 8 year wedding anniversary. (A true measure of my old age) and (as if this was not enough) I am taking my citizenship exam at 8:15 a.m. FEEL THE STRESS!"#"

June 7th I will still be with only one kid, and relaxing from the day before while volunteering for the Salvation Army's second hand store and celebrating my 30th birthday. Feel free to come see more for some coffee and cake :D

June 7th is also Gulli and Kiddi's birthday's, funny because they are twins, and live upstairs from me.

***I did not put my birthday on Facebook for a reason - I might cry if no one calls me, but sends me facebook messages, I want hugs, not messages! (greedy, I know)

I also have a birthday wish, and I dont often ask for something but I really really need good runners for my walks and I really really want these: shoes but I know they are expensive, so if any family reads this I would be so happy to help with buying them.

And I promise not to ask for anything else :D

In case you wonder what I do all day,

2011-05-24T18:02:00.002+01:00

Check this one out,
number 11 is my personal favorite
http://www.babble.com/toddler/toddler-development/questions-for-parents-from-SAHM/index.aspx#fbConnectSection

I feel bad, but probably not bad enough

2011-05-24T17:53:00.000+01:00

I'll may never understand what people were thinking:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13516796

we love volcanó's

2011-05-24T00:35:00.000+01:00

Keepin' it short

2011-05-24T00:14:00.000+01:00

In effort to fight the extreme fatigue, that has become a way of life for me, I am trying to roll back the bed times in this family. Especially myself.
This is easier said then done when it is light all the freakn' time. I know I shouldn't complain but I wake up three times a night and every time I think it must be morning now, only to find out it is 3 a.m., or 4 a.m. or ......
So tonight I will be in bed before midnight!
As if a Volcano eruption wasn't enough, life has actually been exciting around here the last week.
Lets start with last Wednesday.
First I wrote my Íslenska 4 test, choosing the keep the book closed in an open book test to really test myself, and I got 90 - Thank you very much. NO I just have to loose the 'deer in headlights' look when ever someone speaks to me in Icelandic. I hope they teach this in university.
After the test we (Cassie and I) went for some KFC treats, yummy, before heading up to a friends, Lizzy's, who was moving over seas the next day. We were going to have a little party, and we did, only we arrived an hour before her and it is a little strange sitting alone, drinking, in an empty apartment. I should mention that we were drinking wine out of chipped and broken coffee mugs, adding to that strange feeling.
By the time Lizzy got there I was slightly intoxicated and had to leave hours later, only to get home and puke my guts out. I nearly never drink, now I remember why.
Thursday
I woke up feeling horrible, but had to continue on with life. Lizzy left and I finished packing and moving stuff from her apartment, reminding me very much of when my in-laws moved from Canada to Iceland. This leads me to believe that it is a genetic thing that leaves people of Icelandic descent in a great panic with any sort of deadline, specifically one that can not easily be postponed, like moving.
We did not get started until after dinner, then were working until three in the morning. Special thanks to those who helped :D Yous the best.
Friday
Dead tired, Davíð hates it when I say that, dead tired! But off to work I go, I volunteer every Friday for the Salvation Army, it is actually really fun. After work I went grocery shopping then home to change clothing and off to a party! Another one? Two in one week is amazing for me, I usually average two a year, but how could I not go?
Isobel, from Scotland, invited a few of us girls over for beautiful food and champange, and I certainly drank my share of that, and did not get sick, YIPPEE!
I had a really amazing time and stayed out far too late, a good sign.
Saterday
I woke up at 8 to start my mad bake-a-thon. I am not crazy, I promise. My town, Reykjanesbær was hosting an International Celebration and I was asked to represent Canada and cuisine. So I had to bake a million, closer to 500, Peanut butter cookies, and we had to be there at 2. We made it, I brought way to many cookies and we are just finishing the last of them now, three days later. But it was fun. exotic foods, a dozen Polish cakes and dancing.
Sunday
By yesterday I my home was in serious need of cleaning. It could still use some work but I did spend HOURS on it yesterday. I also rewrote my couchsurfing profile in preperation for the summer fun.
Today, Monday
I tried to go out for my huge daily walk, but after an hour my nose and throat were so full of ash I had to call it quits. I also went to school, last day of class for me, but the kids had no school. They called it a staff day. I thought that meant they were still working but I walked up to the school, just for fun, and surprise surprise, no one was there. My suspicions have been proven, staff day just means extra day off for the teachers. Lazy! There is only three 'days' left of school anyways, and those 'days' are only 2 hours long each!
Tomorrow
Party for my class, errands and prepare some thing to bring for the party

and now I have to go because it is 11:15 and I still have lots to do before I go to sleep.

stuff to do

2011-05-18T11:23:00.002+01:00

after studying til all hours I feel nearly ready for my Icelandic 4 test tonight.
Then KFC for a dinner treat after and drinks with a friend who is moving back to the states.
But first I woke up at 6:30. Played Farmville.com, got kids up and sent them to school. Met with another friend, Laura, at 7:30 and walked 3.7 km, came home and had tea. Now after fooling around on cracked.com I am ready to get going again.
I walk another 4.6 km to go to the grocery store, and bakery, then home, so add another 2.3.
Adding up to more the 10 km (I plan to be in super shape at the end of the summer)
Then I get home, switch the laundry, get dinner going and off to school I go.
So everythings going good, just wish I had more time in the day!
Note: I am very angry with my bunny today, he ate my cucumber plant. And it was doing so well!

great

2011-05-11T16:03:00.000+01:00

I got this email a few min. ago. It looks like these scams just get better and better:
Kimmy was an Australian exchange student when I was in grade 9, so I doubt she would actually send me any real email, never mind asking for money.

here is the copy paste:

Sad News....................Kim Rudner

Hi,

I'm writing this with tears in my eyes,I came down here to LONDON
UNITED,KINGDOM for a short vacation unfortunately i was mugged at the
park of the hotel where i stayed,all cash,credit card and cell were
all stolen from me but luckily for me i still have my passports with
me.

I have been to the embassy and the Police here but they're not helping
issues at all and my flight leaves in few hrs from now but I'm having
problems settling the hotel bills and the hotel manager won't let me
leave until i settle the bills..You can speak with the hotel manager
through this number +447024058910, We are freaked out at the moment

Well all i need now is just $2,550.00 USD you can have it wired to my
name via Western Union I'll have to show my passport as ID to pick it
up here and i promise to pay you back as soon as i get back home.
Here's the info you need at western union location below

Receiver name: Kim Rudner
Amount: $2,550.00 USD
Address : 11 Broadway, Westminster, London, Sw1h 0bd,United Kingdom
Country: United kingdom

Kindly email me the transfer details as soon as you have it
done.Please let me know if you are heading out to western union now.

Thanks
Kim.

kd boys

2011-05-10T17:46:00.002+01:00

Beautiful

2011-05-09T16:25:00.000+01:00

I am supposed to show my class the most beautiful place in my country.
I chose Jasper National Park

For the bus in Reykjanesbær

2011-05-07T09:02:00.002+01:00

Ready to explode

2011-05-04T10:25:00.000+01:00

school was changed to 3 nights a week instead of 2, the one extra night has made a huge difference and I am starting to dislike class for taking up so much time
walking around 10 km a day for exersise, feeling good, but it is time consuming
asthma doctor prescribes another steroid inhaler for the asthma - now I have three inhalers!- and pleads with me to find a new home for my dog. NEVER!
Allergy tests, round one, come in and I am allergic to dogs, no surprise, but crazy allergic to horses and cats. The doctor wants more tests in Rekjavík. I feel like Iḿ falling apart.
Organizing summer camps for the boys
Getting ready and handing in citizenship application.
Preparing for the boys to switch schools in the fall
Volunteering an extra day a week, because I can not help myself!
Bought Kasper a new bike
Davíð is in finals
Packing a friends apartment - in a rush
Couchsurfers, English, Polish and Japanese

The stress is ozzing out of my pores and comng off me in waves. If I snap at you, dont take it personally, I will feel better at the end of the month.

Just in time to turn 30.

Feeling Manly

2011-05-01T02:50:00.000+01:00

I saw this in a friends Facebook status update today, and although I don't usually share, had with this one because I'm feeling a little manly today.
A real woman always keeps her house clean and organized, the laundry basket is always empty. She's always well dressed, hair done. She never swears and behaves gracefully in all situations; under all circumstances. She has more than enough patience to take care of her family, always has a smile on her lips, and a kind word for everyone. Post this in your status if you too suspect that you might be a man....

Worst Day Ever

2011-04-28T11:54:00.000+01:00

This day was actually last Wednesday and it has actually taken me an entire week to soak it in.

Stefán wanted to sleep over at his friends house so I walked with him over there thinking I could talk to the parents in person, get a good feeling for them and leave my son there, confident he would be fine.

We arrived at this boys house and his Dad answered. I introduced myself and explained why I was there and things got ugly from there.
he said: I said it was fine, he can sleep over
I said, I understand, I just thought I would talk to you first
he said: what? you want to come in or something?
he kinda scared me, ok, he really scared me
I said: no, I dont think so
and I left feeling rather stressed out and trying to find a way to explain to Stefán that I dont think I feel comfortable with him sleeping over there.

Then I walked to Húsasmíjan to buy gardening supplies and while in line to pay, the wheel fell off my stroller. Seriously. So I paid for my stuff then sat around for an hour while these super nice guys that work at Húsasmíðjan fixed my stroller. It took and hour and Leópold slept through it all on the floor, amazing.

I was so happy when they fixed it and refused to take any payment I started walking home with a smile on my face, then the wheel fell off again. So I dragged the thing to the bus stop and took the bus home.

After I got home I talked to my inlaws and it turns out that we had very different plans for Easter. Davíð told me we were staying out there for 4 days, and I had already packed, but it all turned out great in the end, just some small stress on Wednesday because I no longer had any idea what was going on for Easter.

Then I was waiting for Davíð to get home from work so I could leave for class, he usually gets home at 5 and I have class at 6. It takes about 40 min. to walk there.

I called Davíð at 5:30, his work was having a pizza party.

He got home at 5:50, just enough time to drive me to school.

Then I studied Icelandic for 2 hours in school.

On the bright side, everything turned out fine.

Silver Fox

2011-04-22T22:01:00.000+01:00

While looking online for information about my stroller I came across everything else that I did not need.
Try googling silver fox.
I found some fur coat ads, a marvel character and a definition for silver fox in the urban dictionary. But no stroller instruction manual, in fact I could not even find the stroller.

A Canadian Saga

2011-04-20T00:08:00.000+01:00

I need to translate a Canadian folktale to read to the class, and off the top of my head I couldn't really think of one. But now I have one, now I just need to translate it:

Who Calls?

A Saskatchewan Ghost Story

By the time he finished his daily tasks, the light was failing. But everything he needed to accomplish before he made the journey to visit his betrothed was complete. He was eager to see his love, so he set out immediately, in spite of the growing darkness. He would paddle his canoe through the night and be with his beloved come the dawn. The river sang softly to itself under the clear night sky. He glanced up through the trees, identifying certain favorite stars and chanting softly to himself, his thoughts all of her. Suddenly, he heard his named called out. He jerked back to awareness, halting his paddling and allowing the canoe to drift as he searched for the speaker.
"Who calls?" he asked in his native tongue, and then repeated the words in French: "Qu'Appelle?"
There was no response.
Deciding that he had imagined the incident, he took up his paddle and continued down the dark, murmuring rivers. A few moments later, he heard his name spoken again. It came from everywhere, and from nowhere, and something about the sound reminded him of his beloved. But of course, she could not be here in this empty place along the river. She was at home with her family.
"Who calls?" he asked in his native tongue, and then repeated the words in French: "Qu'Appelle?"
His words echoed back to him from the surrounding valley, echoing and reverberating. The sound faded away and he listened intently, but there was no response.
The breeze swirled around him, touching his hair and his face. For a moment, the touch was that of his beloved, his fair-one, and he closed his eyes and breathed deep of the perfumed air. Almost, he thought he heard her voice in his ear, whispering his name. Then the breeze died away, and he took up his paddle and continued his journey to the home of his love.
He arrived at dawn, and was met by his beloved's father. One look at the old warrior's face told him what had happened. His beloved, his fair one was gone. She had died during the night while he was journeying to her side. Her last words had been his name, uttered twice, just before she breathed her last.
He fell on his knees, weeping like a small child. Around him, the wind rose softly and swirled through his hair, across his cheek, as gentle as a touch. In his memory, he heard his beloved's voice, calling to him in the night. Finally, he rose, took the old warrior's arm and helped him back to his home.
To this day, travelers on the Qu'Appelle River can still hear the echo of the Cree warrior's voice as he reaches out to the spirit of his beloved, crying: "Qu'Appelle? Who calls?"

Avoiding Beiber fever

2011-04-19T16:44:00.001+01:00

I actually have nothing wrong with the kid, every generation seems to have there own Jusin Beiber
In fact I might think hes pretty cool because he is Canadian, started from nowhere, ec. ec.
But I heard my kids talking about him and how you had to avoid this Beiber fever otherwise you might go crazy and start liking him and wearing articles clothing with his picture on it.
When I told Kasper that this Justin was actually from Canada Kasper only says 'I'm never going back there' (in fear of a country full of them)
He might be slightly over reacting.

In case coming to see me was not enough reason come to Iceland

2011-04-18T22:07:00.002+01:00

What are they watching?

2011-04-18T22:01:00.000+01:00

Cartoons these days say the strangest things. The other night when I was telling Stefán to turn off the t.v. I saw this:
Picture cartoon women sitting around the table drinking coffee when one says :
'Look what I got the other day (holding up waffle iron), a messy, obsolete piece of technology that takes up space, kinda reminds me of Dad'
I don't think that Stefán even understands what is really being said, but it still seems like an inappropriate line for a kids cartoon.
Unlike Kaspers favorite quote from Chowder

"you dont know whatcha missn' if you ain't in the kitchen"

Why don't we ask the kids

2011-04-13T15:41:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow, an Icelandic filmmaker, Sigurður Hallmar Magnússon, will be at our local elementary school to interview kids. I hear he wants to hear how they feel about the economic crisis or how they feel it effects them.

I have given my permission for Stefán to be interviewed, although I doubt he will have that much to say about it.
I do not think Stefán has really even noticed a crisis because we were not big gainers in the boom years, we did not have a lot to lose during the crash.

In fact, with it going on three years of 'hard times' here in Iceland, I think we are doing OK.

At least thats what I think, but no one is asking me, they are asking the kids and we will see what they have to say.

This is the email I got - in case you read Icelandic.

Heil og sæl,
á morgun kemur hingað í skólann kvikmyndagerðarmaður, Sigurður Hallmar Magnússon .Hann er að gera heimildarmynd fyrir franska framleiðendur í tengslum við kreppuna. Sigurður Hallmar er búsettur í Frakklandi en er staddur hér á Íslandi núna í tengslum við tökur. Heimildamyndin er byggð á reynslusögum "venjulegs fólks" og á hún að vera einhvers konar "portrettmynd" af landi og þjóð á okkar tímum.
Sigurður Hallmar hefur beðið um leyfi til að taka viðtöl fyrir heimildamyndina við nemendur í 2. og 3. bekk í Háaleitisskóla.
Ef þú ert mótfallin því vitlu þá láta mig vita hið fyrsta.
Kveðjur,
Sigrún kennari.

Icelandic for a price

2011-04-11T17:03:00.000+01:00

This is old news, but I have been busy.
Here you can see some rich people trying to buy citizenship:
http://grapevine.is/News/ReadArticle/Lawyer-Representing-Ten-Wealthy-Citizenship-Seekers-Responds
http://grapevine.is/News/ReadArticle/Wealthy-Individuals-Seeking-To-Buy-Icelandic-Citizenship
And here we have the government saying no:
http://eng.innanrikisraduneyti.is/laws-and-regulations/english/citizenship/nr/27049

This gives me some hope that our government is not completely backwards.

stupids

2011-04-11T00:04:00.000+01:00

The doubt is gone, 58% of Icelanders have fish brains.
The stupidness is thick in the air.

Home Alone

2011-04-09T22:32:00.000+01:00

Kasper is out with Þóra for the night.

Stefán is at a different friends, sleeping over. I don't know how he and Einar will manage the withdrawal from each other.

And Davíð took the baby (YIPPEE) to sleep over at his parents with him while they watch news all night waiting for the ICESAVE vote results.

Personally I have heard enough of this to make my head want to explode.

And I dont even get a say, even though I have to pay.

But if anyone cares, I would have said YES!

Now enough of the 'I' talk.

TAPA'S

2011-04-02T17:44:00.000+01:00

Sounds like a party - Tapa's!
and it kinda was, last night I actually went out, without children, I even had a glass of the bubbly and was out until midnight!
leaving me slightly irritable at 6 a.m. this morning when the baby woke up, but this doesn't matter.
What does matter is that I had a really nice time, the food was great (seriously, I ate roasted duck and lobster tails), the crowd was famously Icelandic (I saw a man wearing the red-est pants I have ever seen) and the company was perfect (English speaking women married to Icelandic men, seriously have a club). I feel good, everyone needs to be human from time to time, but not too many times, I am also feeling substantially poorer after the night, but all for a cause right?

Lora

2011-04-02T17:36:00.000+01:00

My new friend, actually called Laura, but an Icelander might need to read Lora :)

She is from France, lives in Keflavík and has been living Iceland for 15 years, a real survivor.

I am really excited to learn some tricks of staying sane, Icelandic and life from her.

And she has a cat, the only thing I am missing in life.

Questions and answers

2011-04-02T17:32:00.000+01:00

There seems to be so many types of ways to talk.

Some people seem to know where the conversation should go and answer questions for you before you even ask, almost like they read you mind.

Some people clearly answer questions that you ask, leaving you with a fullfiled feeling, satisfied.

Some people always seem to be holding something back. Answering questions, but not really answering questions. Leaving you confused and maybe a little annoyed.

Some people, and these ones drive me NUTS, talk at you, ignore every question you ask them while continuing to talk and talk. These same people often ask you a question, about something that, if they ever listened to a thing you had to say, they should have known the answer to, proving that they don't actually listen to a thing you have to say.

Each kind of talker leave the other person with a distinct feeling about themselves, and if it is that they are ignored and not worth listening to, it is not very nice.

In Girl Scouts they sells cookies

2011-03-30T19:50:00.000+01:00

no cookies here
In Iceland the fund raising gets a little strange, here the kids are selling toilet paper, paper towel.

Eldhúsrúllur (Paper towel) 24 rúllur í pakka sem kosta 3.200 kr
Salernispappír (Toilet paper) 48 rúllur í pakka sem kostar 3.200 kr,

So, if you are in need of some supplies, give us a call.

Since I can hardly see us dragging 48 packs of toilet paper door to door I am seriously hoping my dear friends and family are interested in buying a lot.
Seriously hinting here.

Icelandic Online

2011-03-28T13:56:00.000+01:00

One thing we did do during Icelandic 4 was to compile our knowledge of Learning Icelandic online websites. Here are a few:
http://www.samkoma.com/mimir/mimir.htm
http://www.verbix.com/languages/icelandic.shtml
http://www.ordabok.is/
http://skolinn.olfus.is/nybuavefur/
http://www.travlang.com/languages/cgi-bin/langchoice.cgi
http://icelandiconline.is/
http://www.nams.is/krakkasidur/

amazing considering how many people actually speak the language, it looks like everyone is trying to learn it.
especially me.

A terrible mistake

2011-03-28T00:21:00.000+01:00

Last week I went to see a lung specialist to get some help with this pesky horrible asthma.
The reception took all my money.
The lab took my blood and left a bruise.
The pharmacy wants money for my medication, but I can not pick it up until payday, special thanks to the doctor charging so much, but the best part was this conversation:

Doctor: It looks like the reception desk did a terrible job spelling your name.
Me: (after looking at the computer screen) no, thats right
Doctor: (after clearly misunderstanding me) Make sure to get this fixed before you leave
Me: No, no, that is my name
Doctor: Really? Buy you don't look Korean!
Me: I get that a lot
Doctor: Is this some kind of typical Canadian name?
Me: Only if your mother's insane.

The End.

working

2011-03-27T11:02:00.000+01:00

The last couple weeks I have found something else to keep me busy while being a useful person in Reykjanesbær.
I now volunteer at the Salvation Army second hand store, in Keflavík, on Fridays.
If you have not been there it is open 11 - 5, Monday to Friday. There is free soup and coffee and super cheap clothing for the whole family (1000kr. for a whole bag)
And Fridays I am there, all alone, drinking coffee, so please come by and visit. Its fun

íslenska 3 próf

2011-03-27T10:57:00.000+01:00

I did finally complete the Íslenska 3 at MSS, and well enough with an 8.5, but it was with mixed feelings.
While I have no doubt that I deserved a grade of 8.5 - I studied like mad and have learned a lot from the class, I do not think that most of my class mates deserved the grade they received.
You see there was so much cheating during the exam I could hardly hear myself think and probably would have done even better if I had been in a quite room.
In fact, despite being one of the best in the class (my teachers words, not mine), I still got one of the lowest grades, because I didn't cheat.
Some examples of the craziness include:

One person using his laptop with the Internet during the entire test.
My exam actually being taken from my desk will I was getting a coffee, and copied.
Other tests being passed around, even carried to other parts of the room.
People standing over other peoples shoulders and copying, not even trying to hide it.
People getting help from each other, asking questions and everything to the point thew class was extremely loud.

And the teacher mostly just sat at her desk and commented on how everyone was just cheating themselves.
Sorry to sound all mighty, but I think Cassie and I were the only ones not cheating, we really wanted to test ourselves.
After all this test doesn't actually count towards anything. It is not credited towards immigration and you don't need a good mark to get to the next level, so why cheat???
I just don't understand my classmates.

pictures - no captions

2011-03-22T16:13:00.000+01:00

Skattur

2011-03-19T00:52:00.002+01:00

I should that the Icelandic tax authorities for being so awesome in making everything so easy.
One thing that always made me crazy in Canada was the fact that taxs were complected stuff, and unless you were a single person with no dependents, write offs or investments, you needed to pay someone to do your taxes. In fact to even file yourself online costs money.
In Iceland, everyone files online and it's free.

At Skattur.is you just type in you kennitalla, password (in your Internet banking), and your in, and they already know everything about you! All you really need to do is look it over and give it the OK. Done.

Taxes are due in on March 23, but I suspect that this year, like every other, we will apply online for an extension to get a few more days to look it over. Because even though I am telling you about my taxes now, I know I will forget until as soon as I publish this post and will not remember until Wednesday when they are due.

Only super silly thing is that despite sending everything in on March 23, or 29th if you get the extension,and it takes until August 1 to find out if you get money back or you owe money(and you need to pay now!).

Nobody knows anything until the first.

As you can imagine, July is a rather antsy month waiting to see if you are rich, or bankrupt.

side note: This song was ridiculously popular in Iceland, back in the day, because skatt means tax - so here is the taxman.

another note: I know I never fit the videos properly in my blog, Im just that lazy.

Old days come again

2011-03-15T08:41:00.000+01:00

My dad can fix anything, and my husband can as well. I think this is one of my favorite qualities in him. So few people can fix anything these days, but I think its coming back, and here is a blog post on it:
http://www.swiss-miss.com/2009/04/repair-manifesto.html

persónufórnöfn

2011-03-14T12:21:00.000+01:00

The ever confusing personal pronouns:
https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1D3maiuJYNTx_1RR_YBGQNT4wwOQQUTsMChGuIwCUAUE

þátið

2011-03-14T11:08:00.000+01:00

I think after typing this all out, some of it might have actually stuck in my mind. At least this is my plan, and if you have not had a chance to sort out the most commonly used verbs, in past tense, here you are: ÞÁTIÐ

Its that time

2011-03-13T23:23:00.000+01:00

Time to seriously hit the books - exam on Thursday. So now I plan to bore everyone with my helpfulness.
Sagnareglur - einutölu - nútið

PIctures

2011-03-13T22:48:00.000+01:00

leó's girlfriend

Bollurs from Bollurdagur

My Bollur

leó

Getting ready for Óskurdagur.

Happy Birthday Kiddi

2011-03-13T00:42:00.000+01:00

Not that I know the guy, but his dear friends hung a banner over an overpass telling nearly everyone in Reykjavík it was his birthday and to give him a call, sending congratulations, with his phone number.
We sent a text message, and he replied saying it was funny, clearly we had seen the flag.
Now this guy seems to have a sense of humor. But for myself I might start looking for some new friends if they did this to me.
But that might be a culture thing.

This is what happens when I am all alone in the evenings...

2011-03-10T18:14:00.000+01:00

I do extra homework.
Last weekend I collected and typed out a list of questions in Icelandic. These are the sort of questions we ask each other in class to practice speaking Icelandic.
Tonight I am bringing them into school so she can give them to the other students and we can all practice together. Yippee!
I hope I still have friends after class.

Tölum Saman

Fósrtu eitthvað um helgina?

Gekkstu miklið úti um helgina?

Hvernig svafstu í nótt?

Hvað drekkstu í hádeginu í dag?

Hvað vannstu lengi í gær?

Hvaða bók lastu síðast?

Hvaða bíomynd sástu síðast?

Hvenær hljópstu sast?

Beiðstu eftir einhverjum í fyrradag?

Skrappst þú út í banka í gær?

Varstu pirraður/pirruð í siðustu viku?

Komstu seint í skólann í dag?

Ákvaðstu eitthvað merkilegt um helgina?

Tókstu mikið til heima hjá þér um helgina?

Gekkstu í vinnuna í dag?

Bjóstu einu sinni annars staðar en á Íslands?

Við hvern talaðir þú í gærkvöldi?

Hverju gleymdir þú síðast?

Hvað gerðirðu í gær?

Hvað borðaðir þú í kvöldmatin í gær?

Hva' langar þig að gera á morgun?

Lest þú oft skáldsögur?

Hver er áhugamál þín?

Hvað finnst þér mjög skemmtilegt að gera?

Hver venga ertu að fara?

Hvað ætlar þú að gera á morgun?

Hverning líður mömmu þinni?

Hvern langar þig mest að heimsækja?

Hvar eru börnin þín?

Hvað áttu mjörg systkin?

Hvaða gos drekkur finnst þér bestur?

Hver er uppáhalds-bíomyndin þín?

Hvenær byrjar þú í vinnunni/skólanum á morgnana?

Hvaða matur þykir þér verstur?

Hvar vinnur þú?

Hvað finnst þér skemmtilegt að gera?

Hvert ætlar þú að fara á eftir?

Hver er uppáhalds-flíkin þín?

Hver er uppáhalds-söngvarinn þinn?

Hvenær ertu buin(n) í vinnunni/skólanum á daginn?

Hvaða drekkur þykir þér verstur?

Hvar býrðu?

Hvað ætlar þú að gera um helgina?

Hvernig kaka þykir þér best?

Hvert fórstu í gær?

Hvað sástu í gær?

Hvernig eru bestu skónir þínir?

Hver er uppáhalds-söngkonan þín?

Hvenær ætlar þú næst í klippingu?

Hvernig ætlar þú að láta klippa þig?

Hvar er úlpan þín?

Hvað er klukkan?

Hvernig er veðrið úti?

Hvert viltu fara að borða?

Hver er uppáhalds-maturinn þínn?

Hvaða maður var að tala við þig áðan?

Hvort viltu epli eða appelsínu?

Hvaða ávöxtur finnst þér bestur?

Hvað getur þú sett á augun á þér?

Hvar eru skórnir þínir?

Hvaðan er pabbi þinn?

Hvenær fórstu í fyrsta sinn til tannlæknis?

Hvort viltu Mars eða Snickers?

Hvaða súkkulaði finnst þér best?

Hvar eru foreldrar þínir? Hvar vinna þeir?

Hvaða kona var að tala við þig áðan?

Hvenær fórstu í fyrsta sinn í flugvél?

Hver er fyrir framan þig?

Hvert langar þig að fara til versla?

Hver er uppáhalds-matvörubuðin þín?

Hvað þykir þér best í bakaríi?

Hvaðan kemur mamma þín?

Hvapan er konan þín\maðurinn þinn?

Hvað borðaðir þú í morgunmat?

Af hverju ertu að hlæja?

Hvað hlærðu oft á dag?

Hvaða morgunmatur þykir þér bester?

Hvort viltu mjólk eða vatn?

Hvað drekka þú oftast með kvöldmat?

Hver er fyrir aftan þig?

Hvaðan ertu?

Hvert langar þig að fara í ferðalag?

Hvernig ertu klæddur\klædd? Lýstu fótunum.

Hvað finnst þér leiðinlegast að gera?

Hvers venga ertu brosandi?

Hvað fær þig til að brósa?

Hvaða geisladiskur finnst þér vera bestur í dag?

Hvort viltu leðurjakka eða gallajakka?

Hver er uppáhalds-hljómsveitin þín?

Hvaðan varst að koma?

Hvenær fórst á fætur í morgun?

Klukkan hvað vaknar þú um helgar?

Hvernig líður þér í dag?

Hvað gerir þú í vinunni?

Er eitthvað sem þú saknar frá þínu landi?

Hvað varstu vanur\vön að borða í þínu landi?

Í hvaða fötum finnst þér best að vera í heima?

Hvenær áttu afmæli?

Hvernig kanntu við þig á Íslandi?

My newish sewing machine

2011-03-09T17:38:00.000+01:00

Actually it is not so new, some people might say it's pretty old, 1961 I think. But it works, perfectly and it cost less then $15.00. It even has all the extra bits!
Mending pile, prepare to vanish!

Sounds tastey to me

2011-03-04T23:12:00.000+01:00

I often tell the kids off if they come home from school hungry, after all they should have eaten more lunch at school, right? I did pay for this food already, and look at this menu and lick your lips:
Matseðill: 7.-11.mars March 7-11

Mánudagur Monday - Homemade fishballs with rice and curry sauce

Bolludagur:Heimalagaðar fiskbollur með hrísgrjónum og karrýsósu

Þriðjudagur Tuesday - Salted meat and beans, in the same pot

Sprengidagur: Saltkjöt og baunir- allt í einum potti

Miðvikudagur Wednesday - Blended meat with Spaghetti and bread

Öskudagur: Hakk og spagettí ásamt brauði

Fimmtudagur Thursday - Nightsalted?? fish with rye bread, butter and potatoes

Nætursaltaður fiskur með rúgbrauði, smjöri og kartöflum

Föstudagur Friday - Oatmeal with liver sausage, bread and cheese

Grjónagrautur , lifrapylsa og brauð með osti.
Grænmetis- og ávaxtabar er í boði á hverjum degi :) Vegetables and Fruit everyday!

I hate to admit it, but I think I would try to wait until I got home to eat too.

Old Pals

2011-03-04T23:04:00.000+01:00

I should first mention that I was seriously delayed in my introduction to the internet, and when I did finally get online, as an adult, I was clue less.
I also never really got into chatting, but there is one person I did start chatting to once upon a time, 11 years ago.
Yesterday was Neils birthday, and if I am nothing but consistant, I forgot and remembered today. It's true, I am a terrible friend.
Neil and I chatted for years, sent postcards back and forth, been real friends. And while we only send the odd email now I dont think that is any excuse to go and miss his birthday.
And I dont know if he reads my blog, I am sure I have never mentioned it to him (its kinda my secret blog, I rarely straight out tell anyone it exsists), but if he does I hope he finds it in himself to forgive me.
I always mean well.

Because we love our pets we:

2011-03-04T22:54:00.000+01:00

feed them balanced diets, and some times even treats :)
keep them clean, washed, groomed, what ever is needed
keep them healthy with regular vet check ups and exercise
shelter them when it's needed
give them our attention, affection and maybe a spot on the coach
HAVE THEM 'FIXED'

I promise to stop nagging now.

Mustache March

2011-02-28T23:18:00.000+01:00

In March you are supposed to grow a moustache to raise awareness for men's cancer issues.
While we all remember last years moustache, we can only hope this years goes a little better :)

yesterday

2011-02-24T00:09:00.000+01:00

was Jainelles birthday, and I missed it.
I am feeling a little sheepish right now.
Jainelle being my best est friend in Canada - ever - hands down - no competition. (as though anyone would stand a chance)
She is the funniest, craziest and most loyal friend ever.
Any she sings so well!
If I were there I would sing her the Janielle song. But I would subject anyone else to that, I am not so good with the singing.
So here it is:
CONGRATULATIONS TO JANIELLE ON TURNING 30!
I she is still with us.

Apartment Compost

2011-02-23T23:59:00.000+01:00

I have always wanted a compost. I can not explain why, but I find them so fun.
In Edmonton we had one, Davíð bought me a huge container as a mother's day gift, but we moved before I could harvest anything from it.
Now I live in an apartment, with no balcony, and while I have looked at apartment composting ideas, it still seems like more trouble then my cute little bunny. The perfect express composer.
This little guy, usually just called bunny, eats all our leftover vegetables, fruit bits - cores, whatever! He loves it,and in return for our scraps, he leaves tiny little fertilizer bits. Perfect for my indoor plants.
No mixing, smells or waiting! And the best part is he's so cuddly.

life in 2a

2011-02-21T00:49:00.000+01:00

Kasper and Stefán cooking toys

Leó, eatting.

Leoó. trying to figure out how to use a knife.

Playin' blocks


Einar and a bit of Stefán

Building

Working together

Almost there

Terrific!

So so tired!

Davíð getting a haircut from my classmate Rósa.

Generation Change

2011-02-20T22:31:00.000+01:00

A small, slightly complicated story.
Characters:
Davíð - my husband
Davíð Róch - a childhood friend of my husbands
Cassie - my good friend in Njarvík
Einar - Cassie's hushband
Úlfur - Einar's son from a previous relationship and now Davíð Roach's roommate.

Iceland is too small.

Anyways, here it goes. I received an invitation on Facebook for Davíð Róch's moving in party.I check out the invite and I see his new roommate is Úlfur. And that creeped me out. Now I may be over reacting but it seems strange to me. I just dont think I could hang out and watch my friends step son drink lots. I just suddenly feel so old.
I know how this happened. Cassie is a few years older then me and her husband is a few years older then her. That combined with Davíð being one year younger then me and some of his group of friends being a few years younger then him means this is possible but I still think it is strange.
So now I look at young adults and see children.
I must be getting old.

Bestest

2011-02-20T22:01:00.000+01:00

Today I am a super proud soccer mom. Stefán's team won a big game out in Grindavík. Here is the winning team:

Stefán, second from the left, top row

Icelandic turned English

2011-02-19T11:42:00.000+01:00

After nearly five years in Iceland you would think I would have been able to keep my children as English speakers. It has not worked.
For some reason, no matter how much English language they are exposed to they speak less and less of it everyday.
They even take English lessons in school. Although I am convinced they have some cowboy teaching when I hear the kids speak.
The other day Stefán warned me about the rabbit:

Careful Mom. He done learn scratch

The main problem is that they translate everything directly over.
Móður Mál offers English lessons on Saturday mornings, and although they might hate me for it, I might have to start dragging them done there.

weekend mom

2011-02-19T10:01:00.000+01:00

Last night was Kasper's first night away with his weekend family. This is big news around here and I am so grateful that things are finally working out.
After waiting over a year on a waiting list, we finally just found someone ourselves, Þóra. She has two boys about Kasper's age and has also worked with Kasper's before, so I think this is going to work out great.
And it's not every weekend, hat would be silly, it is for 2 solarhring a month plus 10 hours, if that makes any sense.
Anyways, Kasper is not home until 5 today so I am thinking I should get Davíð up and make him take me out for brunch.

Because ----->

2011-02-17T14:38:00.000+01:00

The baby is sick and sleeping all day and I have mountains of sick baby laundry, I also have, finally, time to upload a few pictures!
I am actually to tired to study. No sleep + Icelandic = brain hurts


The boys cooked me dinner, I was proud of them but they look ashamed.	I wonder what happened?

Kasper built this, a replica of the one he made in Canada, 5 years ago.

This is Little Davíð. Sometimes we call him Stefán to avoid confusion.

Everyone loves Nacho's, even baby's.

Leó on a playdate.

One of his girlfriends.

Snowman of the year, not by my children.


Winter in ásbrú. It only lasted a few day and now we are back to the wind, rain and above zero. I miss the snow.

The first sled ride ever! He was impressed.

Missing Canada

2011-02-17T12:12:00.000+01:00

Even Edmonton:

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/story.html?id=4227720

Looks like fun.

Soup is good food

2011-02-17T12:05:00.000+01:00

Seriously, I love soup. Grill cheese sandwich with cream of tomato is my favorite, all time, meal.

Chicken soup and cure anything, turkey soup can get ride of those left overs, no matter how little food is in your house, you can always make soup.

So WHY WHY WHY do men (at least most) not consider it a meal. If I make soup for dinner they drink it all, then ask where the actual dinner is.

I have friends with the same problem.

But I like eating soup and these days with the price of food I think it is important to eat a little cheaper, at least once in a while.

If I could convince my family to be happy once a week with soup for dinner, I think the savings in our grocery bill would be noticeable.

But until then, a song, not really about soup but still in my mind:

todays wind storm

2011-02-11T09:04:00.000+01:00

current wind speed: 28 meters/second same as 100.8 kilometers/hour or 62.6 miles/hour
with gusts of 38meters/second same as 136.6 kilometers per hour or 85 miles/hour

and no one wants to take the poor dog out for a walk.