Freebies Galore

Bila sebut tentang freebies or free stuff, jarang ada orang tak suka kan? I know that preparing for a baby can be costly especially when you're a first time mother and let's face it, not only you're lacking experience, you definitely can't resist looking (and end up buying) at those cute stuff they made for babies.

Lucky that in Norway, there a numbers of websites that offer you a welcome package (barnepakke) for free if you are pregnant or having children. Some websites require you to sign up (for free) to be their member while some don't. The signing up didn't take too long, all you gotta fill in is your details and EDD. Then, you'll receive an email notification stating that your application has been successful and that you need to print out the notification to redeem your package.

To date, I had signed up with Libero (a diaper brand), Rimi (supermarket chain), BabyBox (the package is to be redeemed at Apotek1) and Babyverden (the package is to be redeemed at Vitusapotek). The package from BabyBox and Babyverden can be redeem immediately (subjected to availability) at respective pharmacy chain. As for Libero and Rimi, a voucher will be send at least 3 weeks prior to the EDD till 3 months after birth and can be redeemed at selected channel of redemption.

The other day, I went and redeemed both barnepakken from Babyverden and BabyBox.

Shall we look at what's inside?

From BabyBox:

1. Decubal hand cream 2. A-Pro Vitamin A cream 3. Dr. Greve zinc salve (for nappy rash) 4. Sebamed liquid bodywash 5. Dettol hand sanitizer gel 6. Sebamed baby bubble bath 7. Bepanthen salve 8. Avent feeding bottle 9. Avent nursing pad 10. Blenda Sensitive detergent 11. Baby wipes 12. Fisher-Price wrist toy 13. Pampers sample diapers (newborn & 2+ months) 14. Avent pacifier 15. Always Ultra Dry Night pad 16. Always Ultra Dry panty line 18. Romper from Lindex 19. Parenting magazine and product catalogues

From Babyverden:

1. Sebamed baby bubble bath 2. Bepanthen salve 3. A-Pro vitamin A cream 4. Estelle & Thild body cream baby & child 5. MAM pacifier 6. Baby wipes 7. ACO cream shower & moisturizing body milk 8. Libero newborn/2+ months diapers 9. Product catalogues, vouchers & parenting magazines


I was deliriously happy when opening these barnepakken because they are seriously loaded with some awesome freebies! I personally think that such welcoming package should be made available or be introduced in Malaysia too as most of the stuff given are really useful for the baby later. It's also a good way to promote the products to new mothers. I'm still waiting for another 2 barnepakken from Libero and Rimi and hopefully they are as awesome as these!

Skiing Trip

After an awesome and fun-filled gateway that I had last weekend, I am having holiday withdrawal symptoms. Haha, ok you can stop rolling your eyes now.

We went for a skiing trip to Norefjell, about 1 hour and a half bus ride from Oslo. We stayed at the cosy and lovely Quality Hotel & Spa Resort for 3 days and 2 nights. The weekend getaway was part of the Company's inpat culture awareness program. But I was there for the joy ride and free food.

Our room is quite small but generally that is how hotels in Norway are.

Magnificent view from our room

1 photo before dinner. 

We had 3 course dinner but the food was not to my liking. We had chick pea soup for appetizer, grilled salmon and rice for the main course and we skipped dessert because the chocolate mousse had (non-halal) gelatine in it. It was bland, not halal friendly and the rice that accompanied the grilled salmon was too salty. I should have go for the full vegetarian menu instead. Breakfast buffet the next morning was bit better but still nothing compared to what we had back in Malaysia.

Then it was time for skiing! Sadly I was only the audience. Hatiku meronta-ronta but yeah, I didn't wanna chance anything. Some other time perhaps.

All geared up. On the background is the beginner's slope

So I became H's wingmen and recorded his actions instead. He's having a blast sampaikan time lunch pun tak reti dah nak stop. Amboi. After lunch, I was so tired macam mengalahkan orang main ski, so I took a nap and woke up when it's time for dinner. We had another 3 course menu but this time, it was better than yesterday. We had celery and wasabi soup for appetizer, cod fish with rice and lastly panna cotta for dessert.

After the dinner, it was announced that appreciation gifts will be given to employees who show participation and inter cultural spirits during the weekend and surprisingly H was one of the winners. He won a silver award because he braved himself and skied on the top hill despite being a first timer. So proud of you sayang!

On our last day, it snowed heavily so no skiing is allowed. We had to listen to inter culture talk by the coordinator and by the time we were finished, it was lunch time. After lunch, we bid goodbyes to wonderful stay and memories.

So here's the amateurish quality video that I made.

First Appointment

As I mentioned before, we found out that I was expecting as early as week 5 but in Norway generally, first check-up is usually done between week 8-week 10. Some doctors will see you immediately so it really depends on your doctor. In Norway, any individual that is eligible under the National Insurance Scheme is entitled to a free personal general practitioner, pregnancy check-ups and delivery. Our doctor won't accept any pregnancy check-up below 10 week so my first check up was only done when I was at week 11.

During the first check-up the doctor will filled out every sort of forms. One is the Helsekort For Gravide which is equivalent to "buku pink" in Malaysia. The Helsekort For Gravide is to document all information taken during every check-ups and is a link between your doctor, midwives and hospitals, so that everyone will get the same information. The form is kept by us and is expected to bring to every check-ups.

The doctor then filled out a form for hospital registration for the delivery. We had our eyes on Ullevål Sykehus (Ullevål hospital) which is 10 minutes away from our apartment and has one of the best maternity wards in Oslo. Another hospital is Rikshospitalet which is the official hospital for the Norwegian Royal Family. Rikshospitalet is a bit far from where we live so we would just settle with Ullevål Sykehus.

My first check-up was breezy and simple. After filling out necessary informations, I then had my blood pressure measured & pulse and heart beat checked. After that, I was ushered to their lab to had my blood taken for test (HIV, Hepatitis B & C, Rubella, blood group and rhesus, etc.) . Upon arriving at the clinic, I had to submit my urine for infection and protein test. I had no ultrasound scan whatsoever as the scan will only be done at week 17- week 20 at the hospital later.

The full result of the blood test will be released by the clinic only after 2 weeks but after 1 week, I received an SMS from my doctor stating that my vitamin D level was low. I was advised to take 20 microgram of vitamin D supplement for a month before having my blood checked again. I was not given any extra supplement because the daily multivitamin that I have been taking religiously pre-conceiving was enough. I was advised that if I wanted to, I can take Omega-3 supplement once I enter second trimester.

Edited: Based of the feedbacks that I got, Norwegian doctors and midwives tend to have relaxed approach when it comes to pregnancy. The doctor will not give you any advice unless you raised your concerns. Few mothers in Norway that I met online suggested that reading pregnancy books on your own will help you more than relying solely on your doctor and midwives. 

Wordless Wednesday #22

I Am...

Vigelandsparken

pretty much alive and kicking! Haha.

But sorry for the lack of updates though. Nothing interesting happened lately and everything seems so......... mundane.

The weather is getting warmer and warmer everyday as spring is approaching. Yesterday, a couple of H's colleagues' wives (I called them the members of Oslo's wives' club. Hehe) and I arranged for a get together and met up with a Singaporean lady that we knew over Facebook. Does it amaze you just how fantastic online social network is? Not only it connects friends (and foes!) but it also brings strangers together.

We went to United Bakeries, a trendy yet cosy bakery at Oslo city center. It was a new experience for me as it was my first time hanging out with mothers and their babies, outside. I know it's shocking but I never hang out with my friends and their kid(s) outside. Whenever I see them it's either at their house or ours. Whenever we went lepaking, we usually hang-out with H's guy friends and they're mostly unmarried. So being surrounded by a toddler and 2 babies while hanging out is new to me.

Wait, now I know why I lack motherly instinct, I don't surround myself with babies (and their mothers) enough. Lol.

I have to admit that I am not good with kids. I cringe and annoyed whenever a kid misbehaves. That's how terrible (and impatient) I am. But A's (the Singaporean lady) kids are so well-behaved. Her 20-months toddler even wants to sit on my lap! Well, that's a first. Haha. Smiling and giggling at all the goofy stuffs I did to him. Such a charmer, he is. Her 5-months baby, apart from being the biggest 5-months baby I've ever seen, is such a happy baby, all cute and adorable with his gummy smiles.

We then talked about everything under the skies. From living in Norway to our health concerns. From their pregnancy and birth experiences to places to visit during summer. Towards the end of our meeting, I can conclude that I was never this happy while being surrounded by kids.

Does that mean that I'm ready to have one on my own?

Sledging at Frognerseteren

Few weeks ago, H, 2 of his friends and I went for snow sledging at Frognerseteren in Oslo. Frognerseteren is famous for its sledging and skiing track during winter season. I was reluctant to join at first because I was not wearing proper clothing for such sport. I was in my wool coat, vintage leather boots (and heels!) and the weather was too cold for outdoor activities. Ok, I sounded like a bimbo and I really felt like one at that time since everyone was dressed in waterproof jackets and proper sport clothing.

So there I was, like fish out of water. Thankfully, one of H's friends was kind enough to lend me his waterproof jacket. We rented out sledges there for 45 NOK each (helmet comes free) but H's friends brought their newly purchased sledges along.

The bimbo me was changing jacket

The weather was probably around -10C

The sledges were not ours. Ours were more traditional.

It was hard to control the sledge at first and going at at least 45-55km/h on a descending snowy track made it even harder. I was screaming like a mad woman throughout the 2000 meter course that I thought I was going to lose my voice.

Funny yet dangerous thing happened though. At one of the track's corner, I was losing control of the sledge (tried to steer it to left but it was too late) and plummeted off-track. It was dangerous because if I hadn't close my eyes, they would have been poked by trees twigs lying nearby. But the whole incident was so funny (you should have seen my panicked expression!) that I just had to laugh. This 1 guy stop to help but I was already getting on my feet and having seen I laughed so hard, the fellow laughed with me too. My husband stopped to check (he was behind me by seconds) and we literally rolling on the snow laughing. Man, it was so hilarious!

The video below was not taken by us but I just want to show roughly how it looks like.

Enjoy!

Housewife In Distress?

I always thought that once I become a housewife in a foreign land, this blog would be filled in entries after one another. Sadly, that is not the case. It is still empty waiting to be filled with adventurous encounter of  clashing cultures and interesting findings. I cannot exactly pin-point the cause of why this blog is lacking in writing lately. Maybe age is slowly catching up and I am no longer adventurous as I used to. But that is unfair, the act of blaming ageing for everything.

Truthfully, I partially blame it on the weather. The temperature has been subzero for almost every day since I first stepped out at the airport. Due to that, I often find myself locked up in the comfort of our apartment under the cosy wool blanket sipping hot cocoa armed with books. It's more comforting that way than to brace the coldness outside.

But the weather is being kind for the past 2 weeks. The sun shed some sunlight for few days and I'm very glad it did. God knows how much I longed for the sun's warmth. Yesterday especially was a nice day for walking. We walked all the way from our house to Majorstuen, one of the shopping heaven in Oslo city. It took us only 7 minutes but to be able to walk in such beautiful weather was such a pleasurable things to do.

We then had breakfast at some fancy bakery. H had Apfelkuchen or apple cake and croissant with the most delicious strawberry jam that I've ever tasted while I had lemon torte and Danish pastry with hot chocolate and cappuccino as our drinks. We had to pay a hefty amount that almost equal to buffet dinner for two at 5 star hotel restaurant in Malaysia for such simple meal. But to be able to spend intimate quality time, chatting over random topics with your other half, is simply priceless.

Note: I'm a sucker for anything Sinatra & Bennett that the other day I came across this such weird combo in music but produced an astounding result.

Hear it for yourself if you don't believe me and tell me, would Lady Gaga be an interesting and powerful jazz singer if she suddenly switch her music genre?

Velkommen til Norge

[English: Welcome to Norway]

Cold air greeted me as I stepped outside of the 16-hours flight and as I peeked through the window, the airport runway was covered with patches of snow. It snowed the whole day, a day before and outside, the winter temperature of -5C was waiting for me. It was spine-chilling cold and I was thinking to myself that this synthetic sweater won't stand a chance against this harsh cold Norwegian winter.

Looking back to where it all began, I made the decision to join H by the end of November and I purposely kept it a secret from my friends. In December, I tendered my resignation and from there on, everything happened so fast sometimes it felt so surreal. And fast forward, here I am. Most people I know are truly happy with the decision that I made. And honestly, it was not  an easy one to make initially. I nearly had a change of heart at the last minute, thinking how much I enjoy my work, the whole office atmosphere and my kind boss, whom I've learned so much from for the past 6 months. I left them with heavy heart and hope to meet such wonderful team again in the future.

It took all the packing skills that I had to pack countless clothes and 5 pairs of shoes in one 29" luggage in 3 days. It's a miracle actually considering that the luggage was within the allowance weight of 30kg. Well, if I can manage to pack 2 weeks of clothing into an 32 liter Vaude, packing clothes for 18 months in an 29" luggage should seem like a breeze.

Yeah right.

God knows how much I sweat trying to push it all without bursting the zippers!

I am still adjusting to the new environment, language, time zone and routine. So far, the thought of becoming a full time housewife and child rearing (!) seem endearing to me. LOL. In short, I'm up for anything that life (in Norway) can give me, from cooking and becoming the next Martha Steward to ice-skating and skiing or to flea markets scouting.

But first, let me start my day with a cup of coffee and Smørrebrød and just sink in the moment, letting the warmth of the coffee runs through my cold vein.

Aah, the bliss.

The view from our window

Auf Wiedersehen

So long, farewell. Auf Wiedersehen, adieu. Adieu adieu. To you and you and you.

So Long, Farewell [Sounds of Music] 

After what it seems like eternity, after much time spend contemplating and weighing on possible pros and cons, after countless and sleepless night, I finally made the much awaited (to my husband) decision. It is probably the riskiest and boldest move that I ever make in my 28 years of life and also the hardest to decide. This also probably the most romantic moves that I've ever made! LOL.

But the help of the Almighty has made it easier to decide.

So, by the time you are reading this, I probably already boarded the plane leaving everything behind and on my way heading to a place 10,000 km away, all in the name of love.


Selamat tinggal Malaysia and,



Velkommen til Norge!

Isn't it just breathtaking and errr not forgetting, spine-chilling cold?