As for the progress, we have been busy with finding work and doing work. Theresa and I have both filled in an application for Utsikten which is going to open by half May. Utsikten is a hotel that has a view (utsikt) over Kvinesdal. My parents have slept in the old version of it before during my jobpractice more than a year ago. They are looking for cooks, room cleaners, receptionists, bartenders and servers. As my Norwegian isn't that good yet, I offered myself for cook and/or room cleaning as it doesn't require direct customer contact at all times. Theresa for reception/room cleaning. The job can be performed parttime, fulltime and even as extrahelp where you get a call for extra help at parties etc. So let's hope that brings some positive news. The hotell is currently still under construction as they have expanded the whole thing by 100 rooms and appartments.

On the past few tuesdays we have been delivering commercial post (folders) for Norpost. I originally wanted to go in there, but as my application isn't through yet, Theresa had to fill in. That isn't a good job really, so we try to get rid of it soon enough again. They have ofcourse a one month period that you have to quit it in advance, so we are basicly stuck for a bit. We decided to continue till we have received our first payment to see if it's anything worth or not and than quit it (+ another month of work probably). The thing with it is: you cannot possibly do it alone, so you have to do it with two, meaning that two people are working for the money of one. We have to use our own car, which is expensive on maintainance and fuel (70km of driving around and 10liter further). It will take you one or two days to complete. The money is about 1000 kr per time (+ fuel payment) which is about 120 euro. BRUTO!

I've started Norwegian lessons (A1) since 8 weeks ago. I slowly get better in it and the grammatics aren't too easy but many things are alike Dutch so it's not too hard. Shame A1 level isn't a level that you can easily talk with everyone around you. It limits itself to buying bread, clothes, saying your name and how you feel and saying what time it is.

I've started a new company product or subdivision so to say. PCProfesjonell which means PC professional (duh!). We got one customer out of it for now with only one advertisement in the paper on one day. After our England trip, we will advertise fullscale with posters in supermarkets and public places and with one or two papers + radio commercials which are pretty cheap on local level. In total about 150 euro for that and than we just get customers hehe. The idea is that we can drive down around Kvinesdal to help people with their pc problems. Reinstalling, removing viruses and spyware, installing drivers, hardware, networks etc. For consumers/retail customers this will be 200 NOK ex tax per hour and for companies it will be 400 NOK ex tax per hour. As a reference: 200 Nok is about 26 euro. The product has an own phone number (mobile NO) and a Norwegian website (note: It's currently still in English, but as soon as the website texts are complete we will translate them).

We decided to get rid of the expensive flat in Kvinesdal (4000 nok a month, which is about 500 euro per month). The definitive date is not known yet, but probably within the next month and after the trip to England). We have found a house where we can live in and our cats will also feel happy about it. The house is big, the garden is big and we live next to a lake. It's very peaceful and the neighbours are nice (you might know the house, it's the old house of Theresa's mother who moved out to her new boyfriend). We will rent the flat for a much lower amount at the moment and later on probably buy it. We are renovating certain parts of the house as a start and making sure that my furniture etc fits into it nicely (we remove some old and crappy furniture for that). The house project will be split up into multiple projects which we will give a photoalbum each later. So keep checking the gallery! This also means that, if you were planning to visit us coming summer, you will have to go to another address than was said before. The address (also for post) is: Sandvatn Stasjon 16, 4480 Kvinesdal (Vest-Agder) Norway. If you loose this post, you can always check it up at the Norwegian version of  www.essercommunications.no ;) The first project we have started is a new bathroom in the cellar. Money is mostly invested by the current house owner (Theresa's mother). With a bathroom in the cellar it will be much easier to move around in the bathroom (the old one was way too small) and is also easier for guests. Also we will have two toilets instead of one. We will probably put in a sink, toilet, bath and evt also a showercabin. The bigger room in the cellar where currently washingmachine and dryer are running, we will probably make a guestroom aka TV/beamer room. Something like a home cinema with 3d stereo. But also a bed or something so we can have a guest there. Upstairs the current bathroom we will make into the washingmachine room with toilet and sink. Next to the bathroom project we will rearrange the current lounche into a office and a lounge instead of a tvlounge and a lounge. Also my furniture will be placed there then. Future projects are: nicer looking floors (painted wood to bare wood with protection layer) and kitchen (second hand but more modern looking). There will be plenty of room in this house for visitors. Two bedrooms upstairs (which are currently being refitted), future spare room downstairs, and always plenty of extra room in the livingroom if required. As I said, we will publish photos in seperate project folders.

Tomorrow we will travel to England. And that is not without reason or just for fun (well yes, ofcourse we will go there for a lot of fun and meeting many people). Theresa's father who lives in England met a nice woman named Stella. Stella and Chris Edward are going to marry coming friday. We will be with them during the whole coming week + a few extra days until the boat leaves again to Norway. So tomorrow Theresa and I will step into the car at about 12 and drive to Stavanger where we take the boat at 6pm to Newcastle. We will have a very busy schedule with all kind of activities and meeting many family members (70+) and friends of the family and friends of us (from games mostly). We are now fully booked until tuesday the 18th of March. After the wedding is a big party at a house of Theresa's uncle and many other friends of us have been invited as well. So that is going to be a big party. Theresa is also best(wo)man for her father so she has to look really nice and she has to say some nice things. Next wednesday we are going to the music studio to record some music for the wedding or for the afterparty (I don't know yet). Theresa will play guitar there with a borrowed guitar and our electrical modules. We will make MANY pictures and I have also made a deal to borrow a (digital) videocamera so we can record stuff of the wedding and the whole trip which we will ofcourse make available on one way or another (probably youtube or the new Dutch version of that one). Or some content through here with password protection. We will be back just before Easter at wednesday 19th of March.

So now I really need to pack my suitcases a bit more and do the last things! So I leave it to this and hope to report soon again! We will make (where possible) daily reports on the blog so keep in touch!