The Case of the Crazy Monkey

Today I got a note from the facility manager I replaced here in Oslo. He is now in Sri Lanka and tells this story of pest management.

The Case of the Crazy Monkey

Pest management is a big issue for us, every kind of pest you can imagine gets in to our embassy and houses. Ants, snakes, rats, mice, termites, pole cats, roaches, mosquitos. The problem is that most of my guys are Buddhists and they don’t want to kill anything. I have even seen them moving ants one by one from the front office.

Last week a mad monkey got in to the embassy through a small opeing in the trash room. From there he got to the machine room and then to the ceiling of the basement. The hunt was on for the entire LFG, FM, motorpool, etc trying to chase this monkey around the ceiling all over for 2 days. The monkey eventually went up a riser to 4th floor. Hundreds of man hours were dedicated to the hunt.

Finally we opened up a ventillation duct and lured him in with bananas. Just as we were releasing him to the outsiude by opening an exhaust fan on the roof, the wildlife scientist finally showed with his tranquilizer gun.

Monkey gets shot inside the fan, escapes from the net, and runs around very angry on the roof.

Then monkey goes to the outside wall and gets sleeepy. He loses conciousness and falls off of 4th floor roof. AC tech standing by on the ground with a big net catches monkey and saves his life. Monkey is released to the wild after a few days rest.

-Facility Manager - Sri Lanka

What a crazy job. I love it. Right now I worry about snow, cold houses, and clean buildings, but I look forward to a little excitement like this at some point.

Christmas in Pictures and Video

I feel like I have come closer to my Savior this Christmas season and my children have learned more about Christ and why he is important. We have also really enjoyed the festivity of the season.

Out with the Family

I'd call it ice skating, but it is really just shuffling around on the ice.

The kids were so excited to see real live reindeer.

The kids are being little reindeer themselves pulling Santa.

Enjoying the sights of Christmas.

Out to eat at Peppe's Pizza.

Here is the other half of the table.

Christmas Eve

Santa has come and the house is all still.

Christmas Morning Video




Christmas in Pictures

Discovering Santa's presents

James standing in disbelief that he has soccer stuff.

Although made in America, it was most certainly assembled in Norway.

Opening presents and wearing Stompeez.

Madeline admiring the Barbie from James.

Madeline giving James a hug for the Barbie.

James giving Madeline a hug for the Spiderman.

Discovering Granddad and Noni's box.

Super James, Spider James or something like that.

Lucy really enjoyed herself.

Getting rid of the binky made Lucy much more expressive.

It was a great Christmas and it is fun to see how much they've grown each year.

A Culture of Activity

When we got to Norway I was happy to see that no matter the weather or lighting conditions people are out exercising, playing, walking or just moving around. There is a lot we as Americans can learn from the Norwegians.

They think nothing of walking a mile to get to the train. Throw on a warm jacket, hat, gloves and something reflective and they are good to go. In the evening you see tons of people out running wearing green reflective vests. As far as biking, studded snow tires are king and you truly have year round bikers.

The one surprise here is that everyone cross country skies and ice skating/hockey is very much an every day part of life.

Here is a view of the ski section at Norway's version of Costco/Walmart

This is a 2 acre flood soccer field turned ice rink just by the house.

Another observation is seeing kids out to play. The other day there we kids at the metro waiting with sleds going up some amazing sledding course. A different day there were a bunch of kids with skis and snowboards waiting for the metro to take them to the ski slopes. Today I noticed a couple of middle school aged girls walk down to the ice rink put on skates, helmets, and pull out hockey sticks. They weren't tom boys, they were normal girls just out to play.  Our kids are too young to be let loose with out supervision, but we are trying to do as the Norwegians and get out. Today it was sledding for us.

(Note: If you aren't hearing sound click on it again or hit your sound button. I was having issues.)

Lucy is now addicted

We love this place and we especially love that no matter the weather people are just out.

A Great Week

Rick Steve's Summary of Christmas in Norway

I thought this was a great little video about some of the Christmas traditions in Norway.


Santa Lucia

So Santa Lucia day is September 13. Janet was able to get this picture.

Our Stuff and Car Is Here!

Our stuff and car got to us this week. Our house is feeling like a home and our car has already had a huge impact on our ability to get out and see stuff without much hassle.

Julebord

Christmas is in full swing. Last night I had the company Christmas party. In Norway they call it a Julebord. From the explanation they gave the origins are pagan and were late adopted by the Vikings. The tradition was later reestablished post WWII. It has turned into an evening of traditional foods and lots of Norwegian alcohol. Anyway I am not usually one to go to parties like that, but I actually really enjoyed the dinner and the company. I work with a great group of people.

First Real Snow

We've had snow on the ground for some time now, but today was the first time we really got snow. The kids really enjoyed themselves and I was amazed by how well the snow tires really work.

Breakfast at the Ambassador's House

Every year the Ambassador hosts a Christmas breakfast at his house for the embassy staff and their families. Everyone really enjoyed the event. Madeline got all dressed up because I told her I was taking her to a mansion.

It's beginning to feel a lot like Jule

Life is good and it is beginning to feel a lot like Jule. Monday all our stuff gets delivered, sometime next week I can drive my car, snow is on the ground, Christmas music is playing and Jule is in full swing. After spending a couple of days exclusively with Lucy it was fun to take James and Madeline into town today. Add some sun and today was a nice day. James, Madeline and I bundled up to go out in the cold and ride the bus into the city.

Once in town, we got off at the bus stop near the embassy so we could take a bathroom break. While their, the kids spent some time looking at the giant goldfish in a pond in the atrium of the embassy.  Then I took Madeline around the side of the embassy to show her our van. It is so close, but so far away. We are waiting for the transportation people to take the van to get its diplomatic license plates. It sounds cooler than it really is. No, actually it is really cool. I can drive on the toll roads around Oslo without paying $5 tolls every time I hop on the road.

Next we took our sweet time walking to the Julemarked (The Christmas Market). You can see the kids had already eaten all the snow along the previous Jersey barrier. Later they got down and found better snow at the bottom of the barrier.

The Julemarked is definitely a place to look but not buy unless you are looking for something very specific like a Norwegian nativity set, which I think Janet wants for Christmas. Anyway the sounds, smells and sights of a Norwegian Christmas were all around. I would love to spend some more time at the Julemarked when the kids haven't already walked a long way.

Then we found the free iceskating rink. Although we didn't have ice skates, we had a great time.

Once that was done we got some hot dogs, hopped on the train and came home.

The only problem with taking the train is that it is a mile walk to the house. I ended up carrying both worn out kids most of the way home like this.