How cold is it?

Oslo’s climate is warmer than one would expect given its location because of its coastal position and the influence of the warm Gulf Stream from the Atlantic. On top of that, we're told this is a mild year and I've actually been a bit disappointed. I was preparing for a real arctic winter, but for the most part the temperature hovers right below freezing and there hasn't been as much snow as I was hoping for.

If you talk about the weather with anybody here, they will tell you - Det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlig klær. There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. If you're dressed properly, the winter is quite nice and we're getting everything we can out of it.

Matt is absolutely loving the activities that go along with this wintry weather. He bought downhill skis before we left and got himself a pair of cross country skis as soon as he could after arriving. He uses both every chances he gets.

You can take public transportation up the mountain for downhill and there are cross country tracks all over. -- Don't let the face fool you. He is one happy camper.

I'm making myself learn to like these things. I told Matt that I didn't think I was made for winter sports. He lovingly reminded me that I wasn't made for any sport. It's true.

My downhill skis and I got off to a rough start. There are no pictures from this day. Nobody should have to witness the disaster that was this day. It's bad enough that I had to live through it. I was using lots of profanity as little kids and elderly folk passed me by. I was so tense that I said I needed a bleeping whiskey. I don't even drink whiskey. It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

(I've skied twice before in my life and neither time was a good experience. That blue on day two in Breck 2005 -- otherwise known as BR05 :) -- didn't do me any good in the long run)

But then I tried cross country and absolutely loved it! It helped that I started with a lesson and there wasn't a possibility of falling off the mountain...

Look at me go!

This is a sport that we can actually enjoy together!

Listen to how quiet it is out there.

Well, I recently gave downhill another shot. I told myself that I can't live in the self proclaimed ski capital of the world and not at least try their beloved sport. And the verdict ... I really enjoyed it this time! I took a lesson and it made all the difference. This is not a time for modesty. I did good!!! Granted I stayed on the greens the whole time, but I was going pretty fast by my standards and was very proud of myself!

Matt was spying on my lesson.

Overlooking Oslo from the slopes.

Hooray!