Stor Rød (Big Red), The Refugee Camp and More

Alright, I finally have a chance to update this! The last few days have been a complete whirlwind. Where to start? For those of you that saw my suitcase, you know that it was larger than Alaska, thus my mom affectionately named it Big Red. Big Red was going to cost me (well dad) an extra $150 in the airport due to the fact that it was overweight (maybe something to do with the vacuum packing) and oversized, but the man at the airport liked me and only charged $50 extra. I think he felt bad because everyone was gawking at the enormity of the bag. So it looked like Friday the 13th was off to a good start....until US Airways happened. After my first flight went smoothly, I boarded my connecting flight from Philly only to wait an hour on the airplane until the pilot announced "Do not be alarmed by the firetrucks, our plane just spilled fuel onto the runway." Well, I was alarmed, as this is not reassuring and I had to stay on the plane fearing combustion. Then they had us get on a plane to board another because shockingly enough a broken fuel system is not safe. So headed for the next plane...oh wait...it's broken too....board the 3rd plane...broken too...wait 2 hours onboard the plane while they repair it. At one point I wondered if Big Red was just too much for the plane to handle. The only good thing about it was the two men sitting next to me were Norwegian and were telling me all about Norway and practicing Norwegian phrases with me. They were very kind. I was particularly amused when one of them feel asleep on the plane when we boarded and woke up two hours later when we were still on the ground and he looked at me and said "What the fuck happened?" But I digress. Anyways, I was 5 hours late getting in which meant that I did not receive my housing keys because reception was closed. In a gesture of sympathy the housing office (who are not the most competent bunch) put me and the other stragglers in "emergency housing." We were thrown in family housing and put on mattresses on the floor (hence no interwebs). Oddly enough, it worked out because all the fellow misfits were cool and now I have lots of friends. Since we had nowhere to live we went to the lake which is a 2 min walk away and it was STUNNING (pics to come)...and very hot out. I started my master's introductory class which was really intimidating at first as all the students knew each other and were talking in Norwegian but a couple of guys were nice enough to talk to me and help me out. Norwegians are a very nice people, they are always looking to help...even the women. Anyways I've just been enrolling in classes and was lucky enough to meet a researcher that wants me on his team for my thesis. I believe he thinks I'm really smart because I'm from the US, so this should be amusing. The research they are doing is really cutting edge. Anyways...overall it is very overwhelming and intimidating at times, especially when I go out on my own but I like it here. Norway is stunning and the people are so laid back. I will have to wait and see how classes go, but I am optimistic. I hope I haven't bored you...as soon as I get a chance to add some pics I will and I will keep you updated. I love and miss all you guys back home (even Russell :p). xoxo