Things we've learned about Norway

• Ice is everywhere.  There is no avoiding it.  The key is just to try and fall as gracefully as possible to retain what little dignity remains after you slip as well as to prevent serious injury.  Tyler has been more sucessful at both of these points than I have (unfortunately).
• We still have warm weather in the winter.  By warm of course I mean anytime when we don't have to wear our gortex shells over our polar fleece or when we can get away with not wearing gloves for a few hours.  It might not sound like much, but when you're used to being bundled up to your eyeballs your face, neck and hands enjoy the rare occasions when they can willingly be exposed to the elements.
• The plus side of the temperature is that your cheeks always have a rosy glow about them.
• I am in desperate need of a humidifier and a can of Static Guard.  I (somewhat) regret complaining about the humidity in Houston now that there isn't a drop of moisture to be found in the air - except in the form of snowflakes.
• Everyone carries a backpack/shoulder bag/satchel around.  Why?  So we don't have to carry bags in our hands as we need those to catch us when we fall!  No seriously, the government has made having a car ridiculously expensive with all the taxes and tolls and fees so most people walk and it is much easier getting around with the pack on your back for the big stuff.

Other factoids:

• All wine, liquor, anything over 4.75% alcohol can only be purchased through Vinmonopolet, literally the "Wine Monopoly," which is owned by the state.  It's closed Sundays, open only till 3pm on Saturdays, and only till 6pm during the week.  They really want to limit and control consumption by the people.  I think I might have mentioned earlier, bottles of rum that might normally only cost 20-something dollars back home cost over $50 here!  The taxes on alcohol are ridiculous, until you get to the expensive bottles of wine - those are actually a pretty good bargain, but when you're looking at a bottle that's already a couple hundred dollars that is hardly any consolation.
• We had an interesting talk with our Norwegian teacher about some aspects of life over here:
• The state has a pension fund - the state oil account, 60% invested in worldwide oil shares, 40% in a trust
• The retirement age is currently 67
• Next year it will be 62, but that will only qualify for part of the pension, with full pension still not being paid until age 67
• Pension payments are taxed
• There is a progressive payout dependent upon their salaries while employed
• If you live here for 35 years and your only job is to be a homemaker, even if you aren't a citizen, you get 8,000 NOK per month, after taxes
• The pension is not designed to cover all your bills; it is just designed to help you out.  You are still expected to have some accountability for your own retirement - some of your own money set aside and lined up to help you after you retire.
• Women are allowed 11 months of maternity leave the year after their baby is born
• They cannot be terminated while they are gone and have to be given their position when they return to work.
• This has been the coldest November/December in Norway in 91 years! (lucky us, right?)

Vi snakkes!