Lately...

Sola Beach - just outside of Stavanger

(Can you tell I'm craving a little sunshine?)

-We've both been making a bit of an effort to eat a little healthier and do a little more exercise.  Both of us were feeling our clothes fitting a little snugger particularly after the holidays and I was horrified at how tight my muscles have become after so much inactivity.  We've been going for walks together at night and cutting down on beer & coke.  (I have only consumed 1x 6 pack of coke since returning from Christmas holidays - anyone who knows me and my nightly coke treat knows this is a big deal.)

-We've never been ones to 'go to a movie.'  We were always more likely to rent one and watch at home.  In fact, before moving abroad, we counted 2 films we saw in the theatre together in the 2 years we lived together.  Lately, we've been loving the luxury of seeing films.  Perhaps it was our time in Gabon being totally cut off from pop culture or perhaps it's just happening as we mature (i.e. get old) but since moving to Stavanger, we've seen: Skyfall, Argo, Take This Waltz, The Impossible, Silver Linings Playbook and I saw Les Mis & Hope Springs with the ladies group.  Next on the list, Zero Dark Thirty.

-I've been catching up on my share of teenage angst.  Starting at noon Gossip Girl, Gilmore Girls and One Tree Hill have been playing in succession every day starting from episode 1.  It's so bad, it's good.

-I'm still working on making friends and filling up my time here.  It's a slow process.  I've sent some emails about volunteering but have yet to get a response.  I do have one friend that I consistently meet and several not so consistently.  It's coming.

-A few months ago, I explained our Thirsty Thursday tradition in Gabon to a friend here who happens to be on the board of the women's group.  She liked it so much that it's become a regular thing in Stavanger.  I've only been able to make one but it resulted in a lot of red wine drank, no dinner and a difficult Friday morning - shockingly similar to those in Port Gentil.

-I've started the beginnings of some travel planning for the Spring.  Stay tuned - it's looking to be good.

-I've been working on gathering blog post ideas - I'm at the stage here in Stavanger where things don't feel new anymore and occasionally, I have a hard time figuring out what to write about and what you (the readers) will be interested in.  I added the small survey on the right sidebar and have received a couple of requests via comments or email which I greatly appreciate.  If you have anything you're wondering about, drop me a line.