Going to the movies...

We used to love going to the movies. Great family activity and very convenient, we have a movie theatre almost in our building, not even a minute walk away. But now we don’t know anymore, it feels more value for money buying on demand. The movies are boring, Hollywood is recycling actors, and the stories are so weak that even my blog seems more exiting......

The guy next to me shouted out loud and clear after the end of ”The Black Swan”. ”This is the worst fu…..sh…. I have ever seen, I could fu… have done it better. I want my money back and compensation for wasted time”. The movie just got two Golden Globe’s, and have so many awards and nominations that I can’t mention them all. Not surprised if it makes a clean sweep at the Oscars.

I have a friend who is ballet dancer, if anybody should know she should. Surprisingly she said that the dance was good, but the movie; Crappy. Couldn't agree more.

Have you seen ”Eat, Love; Pray”. If not, don’t waste your time. It’s a two hour yawn. And yesterday we saw ”The Dilemma”, my oldest daughter fell asleep. I managed to stay awake, only because I think Vince Vaughn is cute, but unfortunately also recycled too many times. All these great actors, selling their souls....

I can keep on listing countless of boring and "storyless" movies released the past 6 months. But I will spare you; instead I’m going to watch Shrek for the 10th time. That's a great movie. Thank God for animation and movies on demand.

Hva er vi redd for?

Jeg leste et eller annet sted, tror det var VG nett, at Maria Amelie, som er en så klok og velutdannet jente burde ha forstått når hun fylte 18 at hun skulle sørge for å melde seg til politiet og sette i gang sin egen oppholdstillatelse prosess. For meg var det en av de mest opprørende uttalelsene i denne saken. Kanskje fordi jeg har en 18 åring selv.


Man blir ikke klarsynt, voksen, selvstendig og ansvarsfull over natten den dagen man fyller 18. Erfaring og læring, prøve og feile pleier og hjelpe.

Det er mange meninger om denne saken. Jeg er klinkende klar om mine. Men det som gjør meg trist er tanken på denne flotte, ambisiøse, håpefulle, forelskede unge jenta som sitter alene på et mottakk, uviss på hva fremtiden vil bringe. Når hun egentlig skulle ha sittet i armkroken til kjæresten sin og sett på en dårlig fredagsfilm, eller invitert venner til en bedre middag, hjem til seg, der hvor hun faktisk hører hjemme.

Det bor 8,2 millioner mennesker i New York City. Her er det tøft, men likevel mye hjertevarme og selv de papirløse kan sende barna på skolen. Og er du ekstra heldig kan du vinne arbeidstillatelsen din i loddtrekning.

Norge er et land for spesielt interesserte. Maria Amelie er spesielt interessert.

www.amnesty.no/

Bad day

Have you ever had this feeling that everything is falling apart, life is miserable and the end is near. I have. Soon I have to leave my wonderful job, I have to move away from the city I love, my children are moving out, and even my husband has left me. Its aweful, can't sleep.

I have to start listening to my own advice, “when doors close several new opens”.

And what happened. New exiting job opportunities appeared, I realized that New York will stay forever, thank god children are not living home forever, and my husband has not left me, just “abandoned” me for a while. And I actually think that is a good thing. He deserves his own time after supporting me all these years.

Amazing how the extreme hurdles suddenly turns into opportunities. And what a journey it has been, and what an adventure it will be.

Carpe diem.

Don't want to leave......

In New York,
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,
There's nothing you can't do,
Now you're in New York,
These streets will make you feel brand new,
The lights will inspire you,
Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York

Social??

It’s called social media, but I’m not really sure….social….??? When I was a little girl, my friends used to knock on the door and ask if I wanted to come out and play. When I got in my teens we called each other, could talk for hours and then find out that we should meet somewhere. Then we got the cell phone, and text messages, and e-mail and suddenly we didn’t really talk to each other anymore. My children are scared to death answering the phone when it is ringing.

My dad was a bit annoyed that I hadn’t called him in a while, my instant response was: But I have posted a lot of messages on your Facebook wall. He wanted to talk…….

If I don’t get an instant reply I get furious, nervous and irritated. Why don’t they answer, is she mad at me, is something wrong? I even sometimes text: Did you get my message on Facebook? My goodness how busy the social media keeps us, but social?

I was hooked on Facebook, still always logged on, but not as active and crazy anymore. But I have to admit, I think it is an excellent tool, keeping friends and family updated with our life here in US. Yesterday I was looking for an old friend, or actually a family member. Wanted to contact him both of private and for business reasons. Of course I found him on Facebook. I usually don’t send friend requests, but this time I did, a bit to fast. His profile was open for everybody, I of course a bit curious, some call it fb stalking. I took a look at his wall, and realized…….he was dead. Facebook became the informant of his sudden and unexpected death.

That scared me.

Fine line

Happy people around me everywhere. The kids are playing on the dock, the older ”kids” are playing beer games, some challenge each others knowledge about music from the 80s and some of us are just chillin’ on the porch after a fantastic barbeque dinner. The sunset over the bay is stunning, the temperature is perfect and I’m happy. In heaven actually, as always when I am with my friends and family in Atlantic City.

Suddenly this idyllic scene transforms to yelling, fighting, 6 police cars and guns. Panic, people running, where are the kids…..? One man on the ground with a gun to his head. I have never been so scared in my whole life.

Several unfortunate happenings at the same time created this chaos and fear.

Luckily, this time, no damage that can’t be repaired was done, some will heel fast some needs a longer recovery process. Good people with hearts of gold and the ability to forgive made sure we could smile and laugh again before the night ended. But this incident made me realize the fine line we always are balancing and how fast things can change. We were lucky this time.

Things don't always go as planned

I’m not really sure if I should cry or laugh. Years of planning. Finally we made it. My BF and I, a whole week together just she and me. Chinese massage, grappa, roof top, Cafe Wha, margaritas, Brooklyn Bridge, Pastis, Atlantic City, concert, beach bar, sun and fun.

She was supposed to come today.

Strict passport rules stopped our plans. She is still in Norway and I’m here. Sad, mad, furious, disappointed. I know she feels the same. Hopefully in a couple of years we can laugh about it.