Glædelig Jul!

My cousin invited us to spend Christmas Eve at her house and it was a wonderful evening full of traditions, from rice pudding to dancing around the tree holding hands and singing.  Here are a few pictures from the last couple of Christmas filled weeks:

Christmas Eve
Liam, Freya, Mei, Ila, Thorbjørn, Gorm

Christmas Eve

present game at my aunt Karen's house

festive public transportation

baking at my aunt Kirsten's house

picking out some of my aunt Kirsten's crocheted elves

at Kirsten and Finn's acreage

Meanwhile, in Canada:

Dean and his gingerbread house

Rus and Dean with "mall Santa"

bad news

We had been waiting to hear back from the Esbjerg International School where Rus had his job interview, but found out a few days ago that it went to another candidate. Out of the seemingly endless job applications that were sent, this was the only one that showed any promise. So sadly, Rus will have to stay out of Denmark (and the entire Schengen area) for 90 days before he can return again. When I decided that Dean should go with him, I was thinking with my head instead of my heart. I wouldn't have been able to get him to school before having to be at work and I thought it would be easier on everyone. But I physically feel like a chunk of my heart went with them back to Canada. I won't get to see my little guy until March. I know that this is a reality for a lot of families around the world. Decisions are made every day by immigration officials that effect individuals profoundly. Some parents are forced into situations where they don't see their spouses or children for years. I can be grateful that this is not something that was forced upon me. We chose to take a risk and come here, hoping that Rus would be able to stay. We know that our children will have future opportunities through obtaining EU citizenship and that this experience will profoundly alter their perspective on life and their ability to adapt and adjust. It's just really hard to see these benefits sometimes and this mother misses her little boy.

my favorite chocolate and
 my favorite 7 year old

nu er det jul igen

Christmas is big here. Not over the top or tacky, but rich with tradition. All those little things my family did differently every Christmas are now surrounding me. I love it. My cousin stopped by for tea yesterday and she retaught me how to make paper stars, something I haven't done in at least twenty years. My aunt made me a greenery decoration which reminded me of the ones my mom arranged. Looking forward to doing some traditional Danish baking this weekend... 



The advent calendar selection is extensive...everything from chocolate and toys to beer, wine and lottery tickets. There is truly a calendar for everyone.

shopping for advent calendars in Germany

lottery advent

beer advent - I wonder if these are opened excitedly and
 consumed first thing every morning like the chocolate ones

Julemanden (Santa) came early to Kolding. He sailed into the harbour on a boat on November 29th, shook hands with all the children while his elves handed out candy and rode the Christmas train into downtown Kolding, where everyone sang Christmas songs and the big tree in the center of town was lit. Santa has now set up his workshop where kids can leave their stockings for him to fill and pick them up just before Christmas.  A lot of stores welcome stockings from children as well so there are stockings hanging in many of the small grocery and toy stores, waiting to be filled. We went to see Santa in his workshop (julemandens hus) and went for a ride on the Christmas train last week during the Kolding Light Festival, a wonderful way to spend the evening before Rus and Dean had to leave for Canada. Freya and Dean had their stockings hung up in Santa's workshop of course.

the boat

the train

the tree

julemandens hus - the ancient building that opens to the public during December

bedroom in Santa's workshop

the streets of Kolding

Nicolai Kirke during light festival

During the light festival, the church had an angel projected on their wall and you could get your face on it. Ummm, not what I was expecting as I entered the beautiful chapel. Maybe that was one thing that could be defined as over the top...was fun though.

Freya - that hair suits her

Dean - what a sweet angel

Koldinghus during the light festival

Freya and Dean - Koldinghus

climbing the castle tower stairs

red tape

The visa laws in Denmark are extremely complicated and difficult to navigate. Add to that, EU law, and it gets more confusing. Rus' 90 days tourist visa-free stay is expiring. He applied for an extension, which a spouse of an EU citizen is usually granted for three months at a time if they are with family in Denmark. But we found out that this does not apply to Danish citizens, only every other EU citizen. Whaaat?!? Yup. If I was a citizen of any other EU country, he could stay in Denmark with me under EU law. But because I am Danish, Danish law takes effect. The same is true for him being able to stay with me if I am working or going to school here. If I was another EU citizen, he would be granted a visa to live and work with me in Denmark, but because I am Danish, he cannot. It is frustrating to say the least. There is a family reunification option but that can take up to ten months and the qualifications are difficult to attain so we don't qualify.

Rus' only option is to be here on a study or work visa. He may eventually resort to taking his Master's somewhere in Denmark but it is expensive as a non-EU citizen. The best option is finding a job. BUT, it can't be just any job. It has to be a salaried position from a list of companies approved by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration or one that is on Denmark's positive list (a list of skilled professional shortages). Thankfully, Rus qualifies for a few of the positions on this relatively short positive list; educational assistant, social assistance worker, and childcare supervisor.

But there is hope. Rus had an interview at the Esbjerg International School (located in a small town north of Esbjerg called Guldager) yesterday afternoon that seemed to go well. The other candidates are being interviewed between December 10-12, so we will find out after that. Unfortunately, his 90 day visa free period expires before he hears back from them.
He is leaving the country (with Dean) tomorrow. He has to be out of the country for 90 days before he can come back again. If he gets this position, he can apply for a work visa and come back within 30 days and be able to stay for the length of his work contract.

Here are a few pictures from our job interview trip.  We can't go to a different town without Rus seeking out the oldest church buildings.  This one, Guldager Kirke, is from 1300. Also had to stop in at the Esbjerg public library of course...

Guldager Kirke, circa 1300

I think it's the thick crooked walls that I love the most

ancient collection box

Esbjerg public library

the children's section

the crime/mystery section

...and I can't be around book sculptures without climbing on them