Archive for the year 2008
Kaffetime Posted by kari on Nov 13, 2008
At first glance, an English speaker would think kaffetime means coffee time. In a way, this is what Norwegians mean when they say kaffetime. However, literally translated, it means ‘coffee hour.’ You can say kaffetime or just kaffe and Norwegians will know what you mean. Growing up, I always had the impression that Americans were…
Barbaric Norwegian Posted by kari on Nov 8, 2008
I remember my Norwegian professor (the only native professor I had at St. Olaf) telling our class one time that the Norwegian language is barbaric. Think of what it would have sounded like to listen to barbarians talk to each other. “He go to movie theater.” “She want to Spain.” In current American English, we would…
Don’t drink and drive in Norway Posted by kari on Nov 7, 2008
Not that I encourage driving while intoxicated here in the United States, or anywhere for that matter, but be extra careful if you are out having a good time in Norway and you are the driver. Norwegian law states that an individual with a BAC (blood alcohol content) at or over .02% is over the legal…
It’s not all blond hair and blue eyes Posted by kari on Nov 5, 2008
I come from a part of the country that is full of norsk heritage. I grew up in Northfield, MN, attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, and currently reside in Northfield, MN. St. Olaf College was founded by Norwegian immigrants for the purpose of educating Norwegians. Although St. Olaf prides itself on other things things…
Young American Star to Host Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo in December Posted by kari on Nov 5, 2008
The beautiful and talented young Scarlett Johansson will host the Nobelfredspriskonsert (Nobel peace prize concert) in Oslo on Dec. 11. Her co-host is yet to be determined, but her presence will no doubt draw an eager and supportive crowd. In fact, she came to my hometown, Northfield, MN (a small southern suburb of the Twin Cities,) to stump…
Oktoberfest in Norway? No no, just the daily pølse! Posted by kari on Nov 2, 2008
So here I am sitting in my kitchen on a crisp, fall, Minnesota evening drinking a German beer and cooking pumpkin soup. October in Minnesota is quite spectacular with leaves brilliant shades of orange, red and yellow. We enjoy autumn with warm bowls of soup, hot apple cider, and great big orange pumpkins that we carve into memorable…
No ghosts in Longyearbyen! Posted by kari on Nov 2, 2008
Grad is the Norwegian word for ‘degree.’ It is 42 grader where I am right now in southern MN. I just looked at the værkart (weather map) for Norway and there is quite a spread of temperaturer. Many people incorrectly assume that Norway is much colder than the northernmost part of the United States. I…