Alpha Centauri 2

Community => Recreation Commons => Topic started by: Nikolai on June 21, 2015, 02:53:48 AM

Title: Nik's getting married
Post by: Nikolai on June 21, 2015, 02:53:48 AM
So BU wanted to abuse me, he said...... Nothing sexual I hope.

Here's the deal:

I'm getting married to a wonderful woman this autumn. October 24th to be exact. We met in April. Got engaged at the turn of this month. Real fast. If anyone I know had done it, I'd be thinking too fast. But I'm not one to normally jump into stuff, and still this just feel right. People around me says they see us together and trust I'm right. In any case, it's happening.:) As a Christian(and she is too, naturally), we don't go beyond first base before marriage btw, so you can all now point and laugh.;)

I'm very happy.:)

(https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/10299937_10204659627347651_67424153277604825_n.jpg?oh=18fa0427504bf86595884eaa1fb13965&oe=56349C89)
(https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/11412167_10204699421262474_5387479355581239621_n.jpg?oh=a1bff8baa321725e98659f2b9f07a2fc&oe=55EBD518)
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 21, 2015, 03:47:38 AM
Nil, ol' buuuuddy - did you notice the change in your postbit? ;lol

I promise to marry you before the sexual abuse.  Imna give yoo a loooong engagement, boy!
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 21, 2015, 03:48:39 AM
I have a faction idea...
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Unorthodox on June 21, 2015, 04:17:50 AM
Been happily married for 19 years and counting.  In this day and age, that is something of a rarity. 

As such I have some unorthodox advice. 


This might sound obvious, but seriously.  LIKE each other.  Love is often overrated.  It's easily possible to love someone and not like them.  And when the chips are down, be that friend for each other, without going into any romanticism. 



biggest cause of arguments. 

Completely against all advise you'll ever hear on this anywhere else.  Share everything.  No 'yours and mine' accounts or you pay that bill, I'll pay this.  That thought process DOES make divorce easier.  SHARE.  And have someone be the accountant.  We've taken turns in that role over our 19 years.  When we first were married, I held all the accounts and paid bills, and whatnot.  When the kids were born and hEt finished school and was home more, she took over.  When I was laid off, I took over again.  We each get set amounts of 'free' money to go play, the rest is all joint and budgeted. 



She might do (insert house task here) DIFFERENT than you're used to (or vice versa).  THAT DOESN'T MEAN EITHER IS DOING IT WRONG.  As long as the task is DONE, who cares HOW?  While we're at it, I cook, I clean, I do dishes.  No "your job" and "My Job".  SHARE.  If you see something that needs doin, DO IT. 



Along with the above, really.  Allow each other space to be ALONE.  Time together is easy, really.  Time apart, now.  I've often joked the only way hEt and I remained married is we only see each other 3 days of the week.  I'm allowed to work on my projects, she's allowed to work on her hobbies, both unmolested by the other's presence. 



I recognize her hobbies, and support her.  This has included taking the kids so she can go out of town, going to events I don't care for, and knowing enough I can help with shopping or spot something she might like.  Same with her on Halloween things. 



hEt is the boss, I am the enforcer.  Period.  EVERYONE knows it.  THERE IS NO running to ask the other parent.  EVER.  If we have EVER disagreed on something it was NOT in front of the kids, we talk about that later, explain our points of view (which often differ, honestly) and agree on a joint course after that. 
[/list]

Good luck, and my God bless your union. 

Coming from a gemini married to a gemini, so there's 4 of us on this island and 2 of us don't like each other all that well but are learning to live together.
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Geo on June 21, 2015, 10:01:22 AM
Wait one, got to research this first...

EDIT:
Think I got it now:

You met somewhere @ Hardangervidda
You merrily pursued her @ Bryggen, Geirangerfjord, and Nigardsbreen
You popped the question @ Fantoft Stavkirke
You'll exchange vows @ Nygårdsgaten 3
Honeymoon will be @ Reine by way of Hurtigruten
Firstborn will see the light @ Trollstigen underneath Aurora Borealis

Close enough?


In any case, congratulations. 8)
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Nikolai on June 21, 2015, 12:08:23 PM
Thanks guys.:) And in particular Unorthodox! :)
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 21, 2015, 01:54:23 PM
Gonna be the divorced guy who is what you'd call a 'lapsed' Christian.

Firstly, good for you, I'm glad you found someone, that can be hard.

The only advice I'm going to give is this:  When you're married you both need to agree that your marriage comes before EVERYTHING, and live it.
 
A happy marriage is pleasing to God. 

Although your kids are important, if mom and dad aren't good then they're not good, put your spouse before your kids and vice versa.

Your marriage comes before her family or yours for that matter, guess what you're your own family now.

UnO's probably right about the money stuff.
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 21, 2015, 03:11:13 PM
What's the story at 'poly?  It's clear you and/or Ben are having a little fun w/ DLs...

BTW, she'd like it here, if you wanted to introduce her to some old friends...
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Nikolai on June 21, 2015, 03:37:51 PM
What's the story at 'poly?  It's clear you and/or Ben are having a little fun w/ DLs...

BTW, she'd like it here, if you wanted to introduce her to some old friends...
No, neither Ben nor I am doing DLs, actually. She said she wanted to register and reply some. Then when she registered she accidentally used Le instead of La and decided to have some fun.:p
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 21, 2015, 04:48:57 PM
...I just let my mother on here, to look at the pictures of my sister's house in another thread.  It's a righteous space we have going here, that passes the not-embarrass-my-mom test...
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Nikolai on June 21, 2015, 04:51:03 PM
Astrid says she's going to buy me this shirt, saying in Norwegian "I don't need google, my wife knows everything!".:D

(https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t34.0-12/11275559_926888954020942_213976006_n.jpg?oh=9a4c759e6053b618c4836a9ea08259e9&oe=5588EE43)
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 21, 2015, 04:53:53 PM
;b; :D
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Unorthodox on June 22, 2015, 04:18:49 AM
...I just let my mother on here, to look at the pictures of my sister's house in another thread.  It's a righteous space we have going here, that passes the not-embarrass-my-mom test...

hmm....do I listen to the little devil today or not....
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 22, 2015, 05:08:08 AM
Go for it - she won't see.
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 23, 2015, 03:16:09 AM
Hey Nik - I got a Mood to be Kind and sent Ben a PM expressing some sympathy and offering some observations about one's role in a culture and taking ownership (man up and clean up, in short), and he's pretending he's not all that upset.  I don't think I know him, but I think I know him better than to believe that.  Thoughts?

And - hold on if you see this before I post again; I gotta little something for you coming that I think won't take long before I crash to bed early tonight...
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 23, 2015, 03:56:24 AM
Okay; my engagement gift to the two of you.  Do a little editing of names in the Believer's .txt file, take the 2 off the filename of the graphic if you don't want to fool with installing/replace what's in your SMACX folder, and you've got yourself a charming custom faction.  Enjoy.
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Nikolai on June 23, 2015, 12:24:18 PM
I guess I need to get Astrid to play SMAC...;) Thanks.
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 23, 2015, 12:37:46 PM
:D
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Unorthodox on June 23, 2015, 07:07:19 PM
I guess I need to get Astrid to play SMAC...;) Thanks.

You mean that wasn't a prerequisite?

Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 23, 2015, 07:16:53 PM
:D
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Geo on June 23, 2015, 07:50:01 PM
Oh. Merely a new Ability... ;cute
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 24, 2015, 02:14:53 AM
Not to totally hijack, but the best thing to come from my marriage, my daughter, was asking to play "the space game with aliens and bases" again tonight :D
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 24, 2015, 02:29:53 AM
Supah or Scots?
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 24, 2015, 02:41:00 AM
no we're playing vanilla SMAC (off of GOG) is it bad that I have no idea which faction we are?  We're mad at the Free Drones though.
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 24, 2015, 02:43:32 AM
You're turn mover for her, then.  It's all good.

We could make a metalidaughter faction, you know.
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 24, 2015, 02:53:17 AM
 ;roze;

We're this one :D
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 24, 2015, 03:00:09 AM
My sister used to lose to the Othello program I tweaked to try random moves until one was legal - she won her first game of SMACX playing as the SupahNewbs.  Ergo, we replace Qualye with metalidaughter, and she might win playing it by herself...

...Should I change your username to "metalidaughter's Father"?
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 24, 2015, 03:14:54 AM
Nah
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 25, 2015, 04:42:45 PM
Nik - I was wondering again if it was really Astrid (and you should actually have me erase all [searchable] use of her name here, 'cause crazy people on the 'nets) until she called AAHZ a gentleman.











;lol ;lol ;lol ;lol ;lol ;lol ;lol ;lol ;lol ;lol
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Nikolai on June 26, 2015, 12:05:22 AM
On Poly? La Fiancee is her. Don't think she's posted in a while.
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 29, 2015, 05:04:23 AM
Congratulations, Nick! You make a cute couple.

My wife and I didn't meet until we were both over 40, but sometimes everything feels right in a good relationship, and long courtships and engagements can just as easily be signs of doubt, as they are proof of certainty. Don't let that bother you. We didn't.

At some point in my 30s I began surveying couples about what they thought the meaning of marriage was in a single word. I got answers like love, companionship, friendship. Probably the best answer was "commitment", which seems sort of obvious on the surface, because it's closest to a definition. But the reason they gave that answer was because they were committed to the marriage as their #1 priority for better or worse.

About 10 years into my own marriage I revisited the question. My answer is "teamwork" .
Each of us is always willing to clean up after the cats, do dishes, take out garbage, etc. when it needs done and we notice it, or are asked. The same with covering for the spouse while they have to do something else. Anything and everything for the good of the team, because what's good for the marriage is good for me. It's a mutual gratitude and respect that comes from knowing you are more together than apart.

I think the most underrated of all marital skills is "tongue biting" -  knowing when to bite your own tongue and not reply with something hurtful about your spouse, their career, their friends, or their  family when they have had a bad day and snapped at you. It's way easier to sort things out if you don't escalate something next to nothing into a quarrel that uses intimate knowledge of personal vulnerabilities for  advantageous personal attacks that undermine trust in the relationship.

I know, it's human nature to counterattack. Maybe even reflex if you have siblings or bullies. But it works better to try and apologize or otherwise smooth things over at the time, and bring the subject of the smudged mirror or loud tv or whatever the flashpoint  was another day, when you're both relaxed enough to work it out. There are lots of ways to solve conflicts- equal compromise, coin toss, negotiation,  taking turns, third party, win-win approach, or something creative . Every couple finds their own way. Remembering Solomon and the baby, a 50/50 split isn't always the best answer.

That's about all I have to add on the subject.

That's all I have to add.
God Bless you both!
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 08, 2015, 01:44:21 AM
Hey Nik - I was just looking at the large version of your avatar, and I'm not fishing for complements or anything, but I really enjoy seeing it put to good use, and it looks great.  That pleases me.

How's the engagement going?
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 12, 2015, 10:43:58 PM
Offered without comment: http://apolyton.net/showthread.php/211975-I-m-getting-married%21-Tomorrow%21-D (http://apolyton.net/showthread.php/211975-I-m-getting-married%21-Tomorrow%21-D)

(;no)
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Nikolai on November 16, 2015, 10:22:36 PM
What? :p All I write there is true, but the posters Le Fiancee and La Fiancee might or might not be who they pretend to be.;)
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: vonbach on November 17, 2015, 12:03:19 PM
Congratulations.  :)
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Nikolai on November 17, 2015, 08:55:53 PM
Thanks.:)
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Unorthodox on November 17, 2015, 10:00:17 PM
So, how was the October wedding?  Little bit jealous at that...though as much fun as one would be, it would ruin my other fun.  I supposed I could be talked into MAKING a *unique* wedding at some point if it come down to it. 

And where did you honeymoon? 

I KNOW there are some wedding pics...
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Nikolai on November 21, 2015, 10:12:49 AM
Heh. Well. First of all, it ended up not being Oct 24th. My wife got herself a serious case of prolapse in her back during the summer, and this only got worse. The operation she needed got scheduled to be in October earliest, so in worst case the wedding could not be done due to this, in best case she would potentially be too ill for it. Her maiden of honor were going away on a mission trip in mid August, so we looked for alternatives around that time, and a priest I know offered to do it August 13th. So we planned and executed the wedding in less than two weeks. Quite the feat, but it went very well.:)

She then got her surgery moved up to mid September of course.;) There were no honeymoon, not yet at least. She was mostly bed ridden for the first few weeks, and are still not 100%. She has also had to operate away her gall bladder this week, so now she has that too fixed. The problems with what to eat was tiresome for her! We plan to have a honeymoon some time next year.:)

As for wedding pics, have these from facebook:
(https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11873360_10205041177566168_4433798572687375963_n.jpg?oh=fd1b9841e64f68115f155e28785c2e6f&oe=56F1E66E)
(https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11225076_953020154741155_5905594569486823796_n.jpg?oh=a6ee8efdfbef61bc806582e5fc595c7b&oe=56AD2F39)
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Unorthodox on November 22, 2015, 01:31:18 AM
Ooo, church wedding?  Building appears to have some age to it. 

August is good luck.  (August 10 here)

So, is the medical stuff all related/a condition, or just bad luck/timing?  Hope she gets well soon.
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Nikolai on November 23, 2015, 12:45:17 AM
Church is not that old really, around 100 years I think.:) But yeah, had to be a church wedding, with us being christians and all.:D

The medical stuff is just bad luck mostly. Gall bladder came October last year, before we met. She's been waiting for treatment since. Prolapse was due to a combinatiuon of a childhood accident and a personal trainer that said she would take that into consideration when Astrid went to her, and who didn't take it into consideration enough in the end...
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 26, 2015, 06:57:23 PM
Nice pictures!

I hope you're both happy and healthy now.
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Nikolai on November 26, 2015, 10:59:29 PM
Thanks! :)

We're very happy, and she's well on her way to get 100% again.:) Just a few more weeks.
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Unorthodox on November 30, 2015, 02:19:41 PM
Church is not that old really, around 100 years I think.:)

Hey, 100 years would put it right up there amongst the oldest buildings in Utah. 
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Nikolai on November 30, 2015, 07:26:49 PM
I live in the old world, remember. :P 100 years is almost new. ;lol
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Unorthodox on November 30, 2015, 10:04:50 PM
Looked it up, the Salt Lake Temple (if not the oldest, certainly the most famous building in Utah) was dedicated in 1896, so just 120 years old.  I'm sure there are a smattering of meeting houses older than that, but it would be 10s of years at most. 

My son's singing down there with his school choir at some point this Christmas season.  Considering going to take pictures just because. 

Often wonder what being around such history would be like, barely been outside the Western US. 

Which flavor of church, btw? 

I've been disappointed with the brand spanking new Catholic building near my house.  It's always LOCKED! 

I'm used to being able to go in them and admire the lovely architectures and windows and etc.  (one of my pass times on business travel)  The PINK! cathedral in Flagstaff Arizona is especially nice. 
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Nikolai on December 01, 2015, 12:43:54 AM
We married in a church belonging to the Norwegian Chrurch(previously state church, not somewhere in between). Myself, I find them too liberal and have quit going to them, prefering the more conservative prayer house organizations, which I've belonged to since 2001. But for marriage, the old churches beat the prayer houses big time. And we got a priest I trust. Since Astrid is still a member, we got it for free.:)
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Nikolai on December 09, 2015, 03:27:56 PM
Monday we travel to my mother in law to celebrate Christmas with her. First time I'll not be with my family. It's going to be a new experience. But I look forward to it.:)
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Unorthodox on December 09, 2015, 03:41:13 PM
 Ah yes.  Hope you like the in-laws. 

Personally, got along with them better than my own family.  Which, admittedly, is not saying much.  But, no more in-laws.  :(  Which conversely means more of my family.  ;grrr

My older brother married into a family that don't believe in Santa.

Or More appropriately, believes Santa is Satan.  This caused endless hilarity over the Holidays for years as that vituperator my brother married is not the kind to keep her mouth shut.  Briefly got into "dinosaurs never existed" over Thanksgiving, but thought better of trying to reason with her and just let it slide (more because her daughter was getting embarrassed, and I like my niece.) 
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Nikolai on December 09, 2015, 08:56:25 PM
Oh, indeed I do! Her mother, which we are spending Christmas with, is a wonderful woman.:) Some of her family is not easy to deal with - not for her family or us. But they are in the minority and not the closest of the family.

Sorry to hear about your sister in law. It should be possible to treat others decently, especially if you are a Christian, as I suppose they are with that reasoning. I'm sceptical towards darwinism myself, but that just sounds silly. And santa? The devil? Sheeez...
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Unorthodox on December 09, 2015, 09:20:06 PM
Yep, Santa is the devil.  Her dad would lecture on it at the university every year.  (he's a sociologist)

Not sure where the dinos don't exist comes from to be honest.  Have to assume she was raised with that notion too.  While she's very LDS (and thus Christian) in some respects, she's the type that loves to say something truly offensive and follow it up with a "oh, just kidding".  For whatever reason, though, she's afraid of hEt, so there's usually no issues when hEt's not working.  My younger brother's wife is just too quiet to stand up to the Vituperator.  Very quiet and proper...in public at least.


Anyway, what does a Norwegian Christmas consist of?  Guessing Krampus is a little SW of there, so any interesting local traditions?  Love some pics if you get time. 

Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 09, 2015, 09:21:02 PM
Ditto.
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Unorthodox on December 09, 2015, 09:26:00 PM
And if you say lutefisk, I might just have to rush off to vomit. 

Former co-worker nuked some in the microwave once...I've never smelled anything worse. 
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Nikolai on December 09, 2015, 09:38:33 PM
Yep, Santa is the devil.  Her dad would lecture on it at the university every year.  (he's a sociologist)

Not sure where the dinos don't exist comes from to be honest.  Have to assume she was raised with that notion too.  While she's very LDS (and thus Christian) in some respects, she's the type that loves to say something truly offensive and follow it up with a "oh, just kidding".  For whatever reason, though, she's afraid of hEt, so there's usually no issues when hEt's not working.  My younger brother's wife is just too quiet to stand up to the Vituperator.  Very quiet and proper...in public at least.


Anyway, what does a Norwegian Christmas consist of?  Guessing Krampus is a little SW of there, so any interesting local traditions?  Love some pics if you get time. 



I see. Sounds tiresome. Better get time off for the missus then.;)

Norwegian Christmas...it's different than an American Christmas. But America has influenced us a lot the last few years. Traditions change, but this is how many of us do it:

Dec 23rd, Little Christmas Eve, we decorate the Christmas tree. The kids watch cartoons(Disney) and an old 70s Czech Cinderella movie, among other things. On national TV in the evening, the grown ups often watch a Christmas special with various stuff going on. What EVERYONE watch from this program is an old black and white humor sketch called Dinner for One.

Dec 24th, many go to church somewhere between 11 AM and 3 PM, for a very watered down service everyone can stomach. Dinner is served around 5 PM, most eat pork or lamb ribs. After dinner, coffee is served and then we go around the Christmas tree, singing chorals. Then we open the gifts. This can take hours. Kids get a lot of gifts these days! At the end of the day, many eat porrige, not sure what it's called in English, but it's a porrige based on sour cream and rice.

Dec 25th, we sleep long and take the day off with family if we can. Nothing much happens. Religious people often go to church. More food is consumed. In my family we eat lamb ribs on 24th and pork ribs on 25th.

Next few days are what we call "romjul", which I guess means "middle Christmas". Family visits ensues.

Traditionally, Christmas is over either 13th or 20th day of Christmas, ie 6th or 13th January. Then the tree goes out and so does the Christmas decorations. This has changed the last few years though, many now take it down around new year.
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Nikolai on December 09, 2015, 09:39:26 PM
And if you say lutefisk, I might just have to rush off to vomit. 

Former co-worker nuked some in the microwave once...I've never smelled anything worse. 

Lutefisk is for "romjulen". It's delicious, but you need bacon.;)

Rakfisk is even better, but smells like a garbage dump! ;lol
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Unorthodox on December 10, 2015, 02:55:31 PM
Yep, Santa is the devil.  Her dad would lecture on it at the university every year.  (he's a sociologist)

Not sure where the dinos don't exist comes from to be honest.  Have to assume she was raised with that notion too.  While she's very LDS (and thus Christian) in some respects, she's the type that loves to say something truly offensive and follow it up with a "oh, just kidding".  For whatever reason, though, she's afraid of hEt, so there's usually no issues when hEt's not working.  My younger brother's wife is just too quiet to stand up to the Vituperator.  Very quiet and proper...in public at least.


Anyway, what does a Norwegian Christmas consist of?  Guessing Krampus is a little SW of there, so any interesting local traditions?  Love some pics if you get time. 



I see. Sounds tiresome. Better get time off for the missus then.;)

Norwegian Christmas...it's different than an American Christmas. But America has influenced us a lot the last few years. Traditions change, but this is how many of us do it:

Dec 23rd, Little Christmas Eve, we decorate the Christmas tree. The kids watch cartoons(Disney) and an old 70s Czech Cinderella movie, among other things. On national TV in the evening, the grown ups often watch a Christmas special with various stuff going on. What EVERYONE watch from this program is an old black and white humor sketch called Dinner for One.

Interesting.  Any particular reason why the 23rd?  Is it a national holiday as well?  Love to see pics of your tree, much as I hate trees, I enjoy the differing styles. 

We used to decorate our tree on Christmas Eve, this tradition coming from my grandma's side of the family, and we're not sure where they originate from as all we know is they took a new name on hitting the shores of the US.  Theories are mostly Germanic origin. 

Quote
Dec 24th, many go to church somewhere between 11 AM and 3 PM, for a very watered down service everyone can stomach. Dinner is served around 5 PM, most eat pork or lamb ribs. After dinner, coffee is served and then we go around the Christmas tree, singing chorals. Then we open the gifts. This can take hours. Kids get a lot of gifts these days! At the end of the day, many eat porrige, not sure what it's called in English, but it's a porrige based on sour cream and rice.

Also interesting to me.  hEt's family (very German descent) always did Christmas Eve as a dinner.  Ham, always.  And Santa would bring the kids ONE gift.  In America the main gifts are a morning of the 25th thing. 

AFAIK, the rice porridge doesn't have a translation.  I've had it through the aforementioned coworker, can't remember the name. 

I've started my own damn tradition of a Christmas Eve Breakfast.  It was a tradition for the mechanics to go to breakfast before a very busy Christmas eve at the car lot I used to work at, and I liked it enough to attempt to adopt it for my brothers and I to have a nice quiet get together.  Spent 3 years alone before anyone showed.  It's since morphed into a full on breakfast at my house for my family.  We missed last year because of work, but it's back on.  Breakfast is perfect for my family as it's enough time to get together and acquaint, but limited enough certain members don't have time to poison the atmosphere. 

Quote
Dec 25th, we sleep long and take the day off with family if we can. Nothing much happens. Religious people often go to church. More food is consumed. In my family we eat lamb ribs on 24th and pork ribs on 25th.

Wish I could sleep in...

Presents and family are Dec 25th.  My parents cook a rib roast every year.  hEt's family did a breakfast/brunch meal, which I'm taking over. 

Quote
Next few days are what we call "romjul", which I guess means "middle Christmas". Family visits ensues.

So, are these days traditionally off of work?   State Holidays. 

Here, while many businesses in manufacturing shut down (perform maintenance), and some government jobs, it's not official holiday, or necessarily widespread. 

Quote
Traditionally, Christmas is over either 13th or 20th day of Christmas, ie 6th or 13th January. Then the tree goes out and so does the Christmas decorations. This has changed the last few years though, many now take it down around new year.

Any significance behind these dates? 
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Nikolai on December 11, 2015, 10:05:19 AM
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Interesting.  Any particular reason why the 23rd?  Is it a national holiday as well?  Love to see pics of your tree, much as I hate trees, I enjoy the differing styles. 

We used to decorate our tree on Christmas Eve, this tradition coming from my grandma's side of the family, and we're not sure where they originate from as all we know is they took a new name on hitting the shores of the US.  Theories are mostly Germanic origin. 

No, it's not a national holiday. Just the day before the day, as it's called. Time to settle down etc.:)

Our trees are not as gloriously decorated as the American tradition, here's ours from 2001, an old pic I had lying around:
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/fnwilborn/PC240077.jpg)

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Also interesting to me.  hEt's family (very German descent) always did Christmas Eve as a dinner.  Ham, always.  And Santa would bring the kids ONE gift.  In America the main gifts are a morning of the 25th thing. 

AFAIK, the rice porridge doesn't have a translation.  I've had it through the aforementioned coworker, can't remember the name. 

I've started my own damn tradition of a Christmas Eve Breakfast.  It was a tradition for the mechanics to go to breakfast before a very busy Christmas eve at the car lot I used to work at, and I liked it enough to attempt to adopt it for my brothers and I to have a nice quiet get together.  Spent 3 years alone before anyone showed.  It's since morphed into a full on breakfast at my house for my family.  We missed last year because of work, but it's back on.  Breakfast is perfect for my family as it's enough time to get together and acquaint, but limited enough certain members don't have time to poison the atmosphere. 

ONE gift? Heavens.:p

So you know the porrige. Good tasting, right? :)

Breakfast with the family sounds like a lovely tradition!

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So, are these days traditionally off of work?   State Holidays. 

Here, while many businesses in manufacturing shut down (perform maintenance), and some government jobs, it's not official holiday, or necessarily widespread. 

No, only 25h and 26th is in romjulen. But many take those days off.:)

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Any significance behind these dates?

January 6th is the day of the holy three kings who met Jesus. At that date all Christmas beer should be finished drinked and it was counted as the end of the official 12 Christmas days of old. Also something about those 12(?) missing days of the calendar change with the Gregorian calendar.

13th is an old tradition from the 1200s or earlier, where the last remnant of Christmas HAD to be gone. According to Wikipedia, people used a broom in all rooms to symbolically get Christmas out. Also, the last of the Christmas food HAD to be eaten at this day the latest.:)
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Unorthodox on December 11, 2015, 06:41:06 PM

No, it's not a national holiday. Just the day before the day, as it's called. Time to settle down etc.:)

Our trees are not as gloriously decorated as the American tradition, here's ours from 2001, an old pic I had lying around:

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Not all that different from ours. 
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JxF92TmE2E4/TvYxCsQ04JI/AAAAAAAAKz0/5t8tD1zYXtw/s800-Ic42/IMG_6023.JPG)

I'm not one who likes the gaudy trees that seem to be popular.  I would prefer a real tree to the fake as well, but hEt don't like that idea. 

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ONE gift? Heavens.:p

Yes, ONE on Christmas Eve, usually just after someone read a christmas story.  Sometimes the story was store bought, sometimes from the bible.  Just a small gift for the kids to play with immediately.  They get the majority on Christmas morning. 

(http://So you know the porrige. Good tasting, right? :))

Probably an acquired taste thing.  Compounded by my being lactose intolerant. 
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 24, 2016, 08:38:06 PM
So Nik - how's it worked out so far?

-Note that all the pictures you posted in here, save two, have gone away.
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Nikolai on February 27, 2016, 02:17:46 AM
It's as amazing as ever, possibly even better.:)
Title: Re: Nik's getting married
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 27, 2016, 04:35:11 AM
;b;
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