Author: Velkommen

Anya is still at home with fevers continuing. This makes it 6 days of fevers. Not very encouraging. However, the cough has decrease, but not gone. The sore throat is mostly gone. So there are good signs.

She was well enough for me to leave for MHS to observe a disputatio, or defense of a PhD dissertation, which started with a majestic piano procession, though there were no other signs of pomp beyond a bit more formal clothing, such as suit and tie. The German woman (whose name I can’t pronounce) did what seemed to me to be a very good job of fielding challenges and questions with an attitude of explanation–not outright defensiveness but enough confidence to stand by her work–and agreeing at times with the opponents over some limitations. Yes they are called opponents.

Her dissertation compared the moral teachings of Chinese primary school text books (recognizing that they really reflect what the adults want taught) with the narrative ethics appearing in a collection of sermons from 3 churches in Beijing (2 “three-self” churches and 1 house church), which generally serve the young, affluent urban intelligentsia. This seemed a bit obscure when I first heard this, but she did a cogent job of identifying patterns (such as comparing residual Confucian morality) and how this impacts the authentic Chinese voice in urban Chinese Christianity (both strengths and limitations).

Now, this dissertation was 700 pages (!), twice as long as it really should have been. I hear that the committee of these three opponents was not happy about this. There was a couple snickers when opponent #1 stated that in such a voluminous work, surely she could have added a comment about X. I thought it was ironic that in such a long dissertation, many of the comments seemed to be that things should have been added!

So, what does this mean for me?!?

1. I know what to expect when my time comes. I’ve seen one strong representation of how it can be done. I’ll ask Knut more about what he though, and if he was a “coach,” what he would have coached her to do differently. Then, I’ll be better prepared.
2. I heard the type of challenges made and questions that were asked. Knut has already corrected one aspect that he saw in my first draft, so I realize that he is really attuned to strengthening my dissertation. Things that I’m more attuned to are:
   1. Cohesive methodology–especially tying in the theoretical framework. I have Knut’s notes on this too, but I see better what I have to do.
   2. Critique of sources–This is good to analyse, but I might be fortunate here (more below).
   3. Defining terms precisely, to demonstrate how I am using them.
   4. Delimit aggressively, which means being clear what is being left out and why I am leaving it out.

So the subpoints 1-4 above are probably esoteric for most of you, but here’s the most interesting insight for me: Mostly likely, the opponents won’t know the Maasai worldview!!! The German woman had it tough, because 2 of her 3 opponents were Sinology experts–or experts on China. She is a missiologist interfacing with China, but she’s not a Sinologist. So, few will have the same ability to scrutinize my Maasai portrayal like these opponents were able to scrutinize her Confucian portrayal and other themes. I might be fortunate in this matter. However, it means that they will come with questions that will be about what they know, but which might not be at the center of my research.

Once I know who my opponents are, the conventional wisdom is to read lots of their works, so one knows what their perspectives and passions are and how to align with their work, i.e., “I believe this is similar to your enculturation hermeneutic reflected in your ‘Lament in Job 3’ article…”

So, this is probably not exciting for most of you, but I see how Providential it was to see this as I am still early in the writing phase.

The saga of the cough syrup comes to an end tonight. Anya wanted to save the last dose, but her coughing was too intense, and she succumbed to finishing it off. Now, I know that she will try to avoid taking the anise-flavored Norwegian stuff, (and the thyme extract will continue untouched; I wont’ even suggest it!). Fortunately, I found a citrus Fisherman’s Friend throat lozenge that she will tolerate. The menthol in them does help.

She stayed home from school again with some fevers and coughing throughout the day. My email notification to the teacher was returned with consolation that there were only 15 students today out of 27, as the flu has hit almost half of his class. We figured it out earlier that this was probably flu, despite the flu shot (nasal mist for Anya) this fall, but the full course of penicillin will be completed anyway to not build up drug resistance.

When Anya was feeling good, I went to MHS for a 5:15 pm “trial lecture” as part of a PhD defense. I went to see it to see what I can expect in the future. The German-woman PhD candidate did research comparing Beijing preaching and Beijing teaching in the schools. (I’ll hear her 4-hour public defense tomorrow and will give you the jist of her mammoth, 700-page dissertation.) Her committee (one from Sweden, one from Germany, and one from MHS), assigned her the topic of how Confucianism is reflected in Beijing preaching rhetoric. So, it is a topic related to but distinct from her dissertation.

It was good to get a glimpse of what to expect. I am encouraged a bit, as well as humbled by this journey. I expect to be even more humbled tomorrow! (FYI, the “disputatio” or defense is public, so when my turn comes–ideally next year sometime if I get my act together–feel free to come and watch me sweat!)

Please add 2 friends to your prayer lists: Anne, who was just diagnosed with breast cancer, and Jean Wahlstrom in Tanzania, who was bitten by a dog (so they have started rabies shots in a precautionary measure and will watch the dog for the next week or so).

Today, Anya’s fever returned on and off. While her sore throat slightly lessens, the cough persists. I walked to the bank, pharmacy, and grocery store. At the pharmacy, I picked up the rest of Anya’s meds and some new cough syrup. This 100 ml bottle (3.4 fluid ounces) was $8.10, but her American bottle is getting low, and there is no way she’s going to take the thyme extract stuff again! This one is less horrendous, but the anise flavor will be difficult for Anya to swallow.

Anya asked if I could get some more cough syrup (that she doesn’t hate) on Amazon. Well, I checked. It can’t be shipped to Norway.

Honey was the most expensive item I bought today, 500 ml for $9.16, (but not per ounce, where the cough syrup wins.) I’ve made quite a bit of honey-lemon “tea” to soothe a sore throat, so I needed more.

When not taking care of Anya, I’m reading and writing about the Maasai worldview. I received an email blog from Father Ned, which relates to the aspect of the Maasai worldview that I’m writing about–generational curse–or curses that affect others, not just the wrongdoer. If you’re curious, here’s the link: http://nedsmission.org/musa-lifts-curse/ 

Remember that the emergency room visit was only $6.64? But now, here’s the rest of the story. I finally got my Norwegian tax number today. Knut secured a stipend as a research fellow while I’m here because life in Norway is expensive (what a super adviser!). So, I learned today that I’ll be paying 35% income tax! I guess I’ll be paying for Anya’s emergency room visit any way.

At the end of the day, I tucked Anya in and was rubbing her back. Anya and I talked a bit, realizing how blessed we were to be in a home when she was so sick. If we were in two rooms in the old dormitory for PhD students, we would have a shared bathroom and shared kitchen with quite a few people. Our 19-year-old housemate has only been here for 3 nights in our 15 days (and he’s gone for the next 7 to Berlin and Amsterdam), so we basically have the run of the place with all the conveniences of a home. However, out of those 15 days, Anya has been sick half of the time! What a difficult way to start life in Norway. Keep her in your prayers.

First, mange tusen takk (many thousand thanks) to Tina, my PhD student colleague. She guided us through the lesson on Norway’s health care system.

Anya was not getting better. My earlier quandary about strep throat was confirmed with her distinctive symptoms that were manifesting. So, she suffered through the night with a bit of sleep, and Tina told me to call the Sandnes Legevakt or emergency services, advising me in what to say in order to get an appointment today. Fortunately, the symptoms justified an appointment, and Tina offered a lift. She warned us that if more urgent matters appear, we may be waiting for hours, which she was prepared to do with us! However, we were in and out with an hour, which was probably even shorter.

As stores are closed on Sunday, we were able to buy 5 penicillin pills prior to leaving. These will tide us over until tomorrow, when I can walk to the pharmacy. Otherwise, Tina was ready to drive to Stavanger to the one emergency pharmacy for us! With the emergency room visit and the penicillin, our bill was $6.44! This is socialized medicine with free care for all children under 16! This is the graciousness of my Norwegian colleagues!

Anya will miss school tomorrow, as she needs to wait 24 hours from starting the penicillin to not be contagious. At least, Anya is on the mend.

Anya had some miserable times last night and today with fevers and coughing. Her fever got at high as 104, so I gave her ibuprophen and worked to physically cool her skin. When she was feeling better, I walked to the Sandnes Sentrum (the center) for a bit of banking and shopping. I found a few things that I need, like lotion, as I brought only a 3 oz. TSA-compliant tube.

I went into the Apotek (drug store) and for the first time ever in a store in Norway, a person came up to me and asked if I needed any help. I asked if he spoke English, and he replied a little, though he was actually quite fluent. I asked for cough syrup. And 23 dollars later (!), I walked out with 200 ml (less than 7 fluid ounces) of cough syrup.

After the first dose, Anya decided that was the worst $23 purchase I ever made. It was made from thyme extract and althea root extract. It really does smell like thyme. So, imagine drinking a tablespoon (15 ml) of a thick thyme syrup. Yuck! While I don’t like the anise flavor of Fisherman’s Friend throat lozenges, they work wonders, so I’ll stick with this Nordic remedy (they come in cherry and black current in Norway, but not in most stores).

Granola bars aren’t big here. They are either the Atkins diet bars about $4 each or nutrition bars that are $6.70 a piece! I like to have something in my bag when I’m away to tide me over when I get a bit hungry (but no eating on the bus!). I decided NOT to splurge. Instead, at an Asian grocery store, I can get a package sesame bars for $2.40. A third of the pack is enough to take the edge off an empty stomach, and sesame seeds are filled with potassium!

While it was on and off blustery, I was glad to get home when I did, as after a few minutes, there was sleet in driving rain and very strong winds. It nice to be in a warm home.

I read an article by Madipoane Masenya on a feminist reading of lament in Job. Knut is offering that as an example of an integrative intercultural approach. Hmm. I see what he means, but I’m glad I’ve got a different outcome. More Maasai reading and Hebrew study fills the gaps between Anya care.

Tomorrow, we’re invited over to Tina’s for tea and cake. We’ll see if Anya is ready to be out and about.

Anya sick again. Her fever left last weekend, but a mild cough continued. Yesterday evening, Anya wasn’t feeling well. She went to bed and woke up late for her–about 5:30 am–but with a whopping sore throat and cough. I did bring cough syrup (a tip from a website for ex-pats in Norway), but I’m hoping I don’t run out before this bought of sickness is over.

I left Anya at home, as I had an appointment with Knut to review the first 62 pages of my dissertation. This is a critical step in the development. While I was a bit unsettled leading up to this, it went better than expected. Now, this isn’t that there are significant issues to address, but overall things went well, and being in academia, I’ve developed a bit of a tougher skin. I realize that each aspect of the critique will make it a stronger dissertation. So, I’m feeling better about the status of my dissertation,

Knut also helped me figure out how to put more money on my phone. The instructions are in Norwegian. Then, I asked if he knew of a place where I could buy a book stand to hold a book open while I type, and I even showed him the picture of my basket lid from yesterday’s blog. Knut to the rescue! He said that he has one that he doesn’t use, and I could borrow it while I’m here. The last Knut service for the day, was telling me where the main post office is in Stavanger. I had a card saying that a package had arrived, but I needed to pick it up at the post office. The package is the power cord for my laptop which was under recall. So, I got one that is a European plug in, which is great for Norway. I’ll get another USA plug when I’m back home.

The new laptop power cord fills a gap. I had carefully made a list of what I needed to bring, including cough syrup and measuring cups and spoons, as they aren’t used in European metric cooking. (Fortunately, I’m renting from Rebecca, who is dual citizen and has dual cooking equipment!) While I have everything that is needed, I had only 2 plug in adapters to plug our USA power cords into the Euro sockets.

We were moving the adapters back and forth each day. Now, we’re set! I know this is a minor inconvenience in the stuff of life, but I’m feeling a bit more settled now, and I feel pretty good that in the almost 2 weeks here, we’ve covered our bases.

Later, a fever struck with more miserableness for Anya. I stopped of at the grocery store and picked up some Sprite and her favorite apples–a little bit of comfort.

(Are pictures of power sockets in a blog a new low?)

Yes, Anya’s day is more interesting than mine, so we’ll start with me.

After walking Anya to school, I settled in at my desk.

I’ve got things workable, with a little creativity. The chair doesn’t adjust for height, so I put a foam backrest on the seat. So, then my back isn’t supported well, so I put Anya’s memory foam travel neck pillow at my back. I don’t have a book rack to hold the books while I type notes into Nota Bene software, so I “MacGuyvered” it (as Anya calls it.) A square basket lid sits upon a big book (The Cambridge Guide to Theatre), and the lid leans against the waste basket in the back left corner. A big rubber band wraps around the entire lid, holding the pages of my Maasai paperback books open. I looked for a proper book rack in a bookstore yesterday, but I didn’t see one.  Fortunately, I had the sense to bring a bluetooth keyboard so that I can elevate the laptop and not end up each day with a pain in the neck. It’s great to have a space with a window and lots of natural light.

I’m re-reading Maasai enthographies and entering the notes. I’m tracing themes of blessings and curses, the Maasai worldview and view of God, and reconciliation. They are actually all integrally related.

Tomorrow, I go to MHS to get a critique from Knut on the first 15% of my draft dissertation. I’m a little unsettled, as I’ve never walked this journey before. I don’t know how to self-assess my work. I’ll let you know tomorrow how it goes!

Now the good stuff–Anya’s day!

• She had a long period for Mat og Helse (Food and Health) today, where she made fish burgers. She’s not a big fish fan, but she ate it. She said they were fastidious about cleaning, washing the dishes three times. She’ll learn Norse and cleaning! I like this!
• In PE, she said they were “hard core!” They had to vault over a horse and onto this and that and across the trampoline and see how high they could grab a rope. Vaulting included tricks, like jumping into the splits in the air. She said she was a bit nervous as she had never done this before, but she felt she did pretty good. She thought it wouldn’t be as hard core in the USA, but  she didn’t think that anyone in the USA would do this because of liability! I wondered if this is what happens when you have socialized health care!?! The hospitals are “free,” (with 30% income tax and 25% sales tax, except food is “only” 15%), so go ahead and take a risk! All health care is free for those 16 and under! They don’t even ask for insurance information!
• Anya’s friends here have found my website and blog, so I’ll let Anya relay what she wants to, other than saying that her teachers and friends have been welcoming and nice to her. Tomorrow will be the end of the first week of school!

Anya is adjusting to the time zone bit by bit and had a very good night’s sleep last night. She was awake before I was, and it was amazing to see her so chipper in the morning. She said she likes getting up early!

I walk her to school in the brisk–just below freezing–air to become alert for the day. Everyone has some reflective gear on for these dark Nordic winters. I wear the reflective vest. Anya has a reflective “slap” bracelet. Some kids have reflective covers for their backpacks, which also keeps them dry underneath.

Anya and I are getting along so well. In fact today, I paused with the reflection that I was so glad to have someone to share life with here. I’ve done three weeks by myself here, but life is better shared. She’s talking quite a bit about the school, the conversations, the styles, and more. I’m encouraging her to add a blog entry on her own blog, but she says that she is mentally exhausted from working so hard on Norwegian. Here are some highlights:

• Classmates relayed that they were amazed that she didn’t show up in sweat pants and chewing gum.
• A couple classmates offered to take her to McDonalds, but she said that she really doesn’t eat at McDonalds. They wondered why!
• She seems to be receiving quite a bit of good attention. The Polish immigrants stated that they didn’t get attention like this when they arrived.
• They have recess! For 20 minutes each day, they have to go outside for fresh air. So, they go outside and talk. They get more time outside than they do for lunch.
• The day is short, starting at 8:15 and out by 1:40 pm every day (though there is no Wednesday early release like Bellevue).
• She thought that she would have it easy in English, but all the instruction is in Norsk. So, she said: “My English is like their Norwegian; my Spanish is like their English (fairly fluent); and my Norwegian is like their Spanish (just learning).”
• In math, they are using a compass to draw angles. So, we walked to downtown to buy her a compass and ruler for class. At first she thought it was unnecessary instruction, as you don’t have to know how to build a car engine in order to drive a car, but she was eager to show me how it worked. I thought it was cool! (On the way back, we stopped at an Asian market and splurged on mango and lychee puddings, which were about $1 each for 1/4 cup, but they were good for dessert!)

Beth’s Adjusting

I’m adjusting differently. On Monday, I found out that my expectations for the length of the dissertation were inaccurate. I was originally told 250 pages. And I wrote 62 pages last summer. So, I was thinking I’m about 25% done with a DRAFT, knowing that there would be revisions and reworking parts of it.On Monday, I heard the “rules” stated 100,000 words. Well, by word count, I’m only 15% done! Heavy sigh! So, I’ve been adjusting my expectations. (More on this tomorrow.) There might be some fudge factor, as the word count isn’t listed on the current “rules” website, but it seems prudent to keep this target.

So, my day is reading, compiling notes (using Nota Bene software), revising some wording, and plodding along with writing. I stay at home if there is no meeting at MHS, so I don’t lose time with bus travel. This is a more conducive work space as well.

Anya’s second day of school went well, but I only caught a glimpse of it over the phone, as I had a late afternoon meeting on Knut’s Maasai Project. But before I get into that, what Anya told me was that she ran out of money on her pre-paid phone account, because she’s making friends from her class. The extra voucher I bought for her has instructions in Norwegian, and a bit more advanced than she can quite handle right now. So, she’ll ask a friend to help her put the money on her phone. It is a good sign!

I didn’t hear any more when I got home, as she was asleep at 6:30 pm when I arrived. I’ll fill you in tomorrow.

I was at the School of Mission and Theology (MHS) for the first meeting on Knut’s Maasai Project. So, in January 2012, I started my PhD on the Maasai with Knut. I sense he saw a good field for research with very little done with Maasai biblical interpretation. So, he sends a grant proposal into the Norwegian Research Council, which mostly funds petrochemical research, healthcare, food scarcity and other global issues. But Knut’s proposal on Maasai biblical interpretation was one of 12 out of 193 proposals funded! It was awarded 7,000,000 kroner, which at the time was US$1,000,000! Yes, a million bucks on Maasai biblical interpretation from the government of Norway! Now the dollar is stronger so its only worth $908,000 today. Then Knut said, “And I know nothing about the Maasai!” Well, he understands Africa, and he’s a great researcher. He’s read quite a few books now!

His project funds a PhD student and a postdoc, both of whom are from Tanzania. It funds some in-country qualitative research and a couple conferences, as well as part of Knut’s salary. This is separate from my PhD, except that they are collaborative projects. So, I’ve been invited into the discussion. And if my life was more flexible, I would be welcome to participate in the field research with expenses paid. I just can’t figure out how to make it work–(yet?).

So, my little PhD project has grown into a community of scholars! We had our first meeting tonight, and Skyped with the postdoc researcher, Hoyce, as she is in Tanzania awaiting approval for a skilled worker visa. Our conversation included an Ethiopian master’s student with a related theme to mine and a Norwegian farmer who eared a masters in history and a masters in theology (comparing sacrificial practices of Leviticus with ancient Ugarit and the Vikings!). As one who has a love of learning, he’s intrigued with cultural appropriations of biblical texts. Quite a group!

Finally, I learned today that I have a residency permit (photos from yesterday) but not a tax number. So, I still can’t open a bank account. However, I can pay for groceries with cash, and I’ve almost got my shopping system down, based on how much can fit in my backpack for the walk home.

I can’t wait for the morning to hear about Anya’s day at school!

Fortunately, Anya had the best night sleep thus far, sleeping from 6 pm to 4 am. So, she was alert for school. We packed her lunch and walked up for the meeting with her teacher prior to class. Then I walked away, knowing that she was a bit intimidated with the prospect of spending the day in a new school and immersed in Norsk! My spare moments were praying for Anya today!

I bused to and from Stavanger for meetings, chapel, and being introduced at the staff lunch. Each Monday, all the staff meet together after chapel for some fellowship and a bit of an employee meeting while they eat the lunch they brought (everything is a cold lunch). I had a great conversation with one of the PhD students from Madagascar who is working on a New Testament project, but we share the theme of reconciliation. I even made a couple notes! An Ethiopian master’s student has a different but related theme as well (the sins of the parents). I believe I’ll meet him tomorrow.

As I was packing up to head to Anya’s school, Anya called on our new Norwegian phone plans. Anya was already home, and her key wasn’t working. We’ll though it was cold (freezing), I knew she could get into the garage. I encouraged her to dance to the musical theatre music in her heart until I got home. It wasn’t a major ordeal, but it did make the day at school look really good in comparison to trying to get into the house.

I didn’t know that school is out at 1:50 pm! So, they start after 8:10 am (as Anya was welcomed before the other students arrived) and are done at 1:50 pm.

Anya’s seat mate is named Lena, and while she was nice, she wasn’t very talkative between class. Anya was able to track a bit in some of the social studies concepts, though not everything. Math looks really easy! She picked art as her elective. For those who know Anya, that’s no surprise. The art teacher complimented her on her project and someone stated that that was rare for the teacher. However, Anya misses Miss Colleen from middle school (who was perfect for Anya). Some students had heard she was from California and asked her where she lived in California. Later in class, the teacher brought Bellevue up on the screen (sounds like on Google Earth) and then zoomed out to the whole USA. She said that there is not a lot of time to eat lunch, so I need to make a smaller lunch. Well with such a short day, I’m glad the lunch isn’t long.

And…we’re residents!

So, we’re legal now. I can get a bank account set up, unless this requirement (below) will cause a problem. Why would I need a notarized copy if they see my actual passport? Why would I need to see a Norwegian embassy when I’m in Norway? I’ll keep you posted!

A notarized copy of your passport will also have to be provided. The certification must take place in one of the Norwegian, Swedish or Danish embassies or consulates and sent directly from them. (http://www.danskebank.no/nb-no/om-banken/InEnglish/Pages/in-english.aspx)