Post by orriskitten on Sept 5, 2015 12:52:02 GMT -5
Hi all!
I've been lurking here for a while now (my "home" board is April 2012) and felt weird just jumping in and wanted to let you know who I am.
I'm currently living in Iceland, we moved in June 2014, and I've been missing discussing news from back home with people other than my DH. I have 2 LOs, Melody Lóa who is 3 and Thorinn who is 1.5. Currently a SAHM, but used to work in non profit fundraising and museums before babies. I'm hoping to go back to university for a BA in Icelandic as a second language and then an MA program in either museum studies or something tbd. I did want to be a chef once upon a time, then found out I'm a T2 diabetic, so that's that, and I'm still figuring out where my future will lead!
Will try to jump in and get to posting, if you'll have me!
Post by secretlyevil on Sept 5, 2015 13:34:58 GMT -5
Welcome!
So what's your political leanings? Die on the hill cause? You're on a deserted island, what's the one piece of make up (sunscreen and lip balm don't count) you have with you?
Welcome! I'm in non profit fundraising. Kinda stumbled into it but I enjoy it. Would you ever go back to that?
I think I would in the states. I'm not sure how it exists here based on the level of government funding for the sectors I was in. I was the Raiser's Edge person at the museum I worked in and as a younger person in the dept, I worked on innovating fundraising. I really enjoyed that aspect. I worked in a Holocaust museum, so being in fundraising there I got to work with some truly extraordinary donors and people creating content, so I may not love other fundraising roles as much. It was human and for a cause, if not for that I do question how much I'd like it.
How do you like Iceland? It's such a gorgeous place and I've always wanted to go there.
It's amazing beyond words!! Seriously it has been great for my family. Dh's family is all here so we have some amazing support. The preschools here are awesome (one of the biggest factors, in NYC we couldn't have afforded preschool/daycare) and support for parents is fantastic. Parent mornings are organized by churches, but are not religious and you don't need to be a member to join. I've made a great "village" of other immigrant moms to raise our kids with and I love that.
How about a hilarious uproar about the EVIL Dunkin Donuts franchise that just opened here, to apparently steal all of the Icelandic culture that ever existed. Thanks, 'Merica!
So what's your political leanings? Die on the hill cause? You're on a deserted island, what's the one piece of make up (sunscreen and lip balm don't count) you have with you?
Liberal. Beyond current American dems liberal. Spent a long time in a youth organization that worked through theater to create social change.
I think I have many die on the hill causes (if I'm understanding that correctly lol. Not sure I've ever heard the phrase). There are so many causes that just get me so frustrated. Poverty and getting out of it, racism, gender inequality, xenophobia. I guess when it boils down to it, it is humans treating other humans with compassion and empathy, which I think could go a long way to helping many of the issues I get heated about. But there is so much more. I care too much about things and easily get overwhelmed about it and worked up.
Eta: I'd bring a very simple thing I love and find a classic, Maybeline Great Lash mascara. The one with the pink bottle and green handle on the wand.
Post by MixedBerryJam on Sept 5, 2015 13:54:41 GMT -5
Welcome! Can I ask an Iceland question? I'm planning on going there in the spring/summer. I'm going by myself and leaving teens home unsupervised so I don't want to go for more than ~5-6 days, and I plan to spend most of my time in the southwest. I figure if I love it (I'm pretty sure I will) I can go back another time. I'll have a rental car and love driving in new places, so I can also venture outside of the southwest if I want for day trips.
Welcome! Can I ask an Iceland question? I'm planning on going there in the spring/summer. I'm going by myself and leaving teens home unsupervised so I don't want to go for more than ~5-6 days, and I plan to spend most of my time in the southwest. I figure if I love it (I'm pretty sure I will) I can go back another time. I'll have a rental car and love driving in new places, so I can also venture outside of the southwest if I want for day trips.
What should I be sure not to miss?
What brought you to Iceland?
5-6 days should be perfect for getting a great experience! The city is rich, but small by other city standards. Definitely check out the golden circle- Geysir, Gullfoss and þingvellir national park. It's a day trip, easy driving, but great things to see. If you swim and budget allows, I highly recommend snorkeling in the Silfra rift. It is the body of water between the tectonic plates out here. It is COLD, but incredible.
Check out a couple of pools here, all have warm water and hot tubs and they're awesome. Note: you must shower naked and thoroughly wash and there are rarely private shower stalls. If you don't then you might get yelled at by little old ladies.
Go horseback riding. Icelandic horses are really cool!
A couple of other day trips that are great: Snæfellsness glacier (and the cute little town Borgarness along the way for a cute museum and nice views), south down to the glacial bay (I've never been, but pictures look amazing).
"Not gonna lie; I kind of keep expecting you to post one day that you threw down on someone who clearly had no idea that today was NOT THEIR DAY." ~dontcallmeshirley
Welcome! And now I need to know all about how to become an expat in Iceland.
If you are from the U.S. Then it is really hard.
The only 3 options: marry an Icelander, come for university or have a job that is incredibly rare and valuable and cannot be done by an Icelander or EU citizen.
I happen to think Icelanders are pretty hot, though.
Post by Velar Fricative on Sept 5, 2015 21:01:16 GMT -5
Welcome! I want to visit Iceland so badly but DH is not that interested. So you will have to take me back in your suitcase after your next visit to NYC.
...If you swim and budget allows, I highly recommend snorkeling in the Silfra rift. It is the body of water between the tectonic plates out here. It is COLD, but incredible. ...
That sounds awesome! Another reason to visit Iceland.
Have you ever been forced to read the Icelandic Eddas? I have. Not awesome.
I met DH on a geeky gamer (d&d) forum when he was in grad school in upstate ny. I was working in the city at the time in a burlesque circus and offered to play tour guide to him and some friends when they visited. He was supposed to be my first one night stand since he was moving back to Iceland. I studied abroad soon after that and we started dating. I came home after 6 months away engaged
I haven't read many of the eddas because I got a crappy translation. I was actually going to go to the MA program here in medieval Viking studies, so it was required. Alas, I didn't get into the program since I don't have a history background and couldn't fudge the background I have well enough because the program was in such high demand. I'm looking forward to reading them in Icelandic, though! I'm a nerd.
I have a lot of black friends. A major point of contention with my dad's family. They had to deal when they found out that my kids' godfather is black.
It's a BBQ. Which I could never have because I lived in an apt building in NY with nowhere to grill.
Depends on the day for sweet potatoes. Baked in wedges, baked in the skin with butter, or sweet potato casserole (not pie! But I do like that too) with marshmallows.