Independence rank high — We are not all natural, tall and blue-eyed Vikings, but Scandinavian women generally have a certain way of living life that is not the norm in all corners of the world. We love our independence, which is what this article will revolve around. …

Some more important than others — This is not one of those articles where I ponder on all the fundamental differences between Scandinavia and the United States. I’ll save those for another day. This is me, simply trying to make sense of 3-car garages and the size of Costco’s chips. …

Think House Hunters International backward — On the show, people are often shocked by the sizes of European homes, whether it is apartments, townhomes, or single-family homes. No king bed? Oh my. No walk-in-closet? Where will I put my clothes? My goodness, did you say no garage?! Well, then I’m out! I thought about this show…

Nothing like the feeling of being the bad guy — We were once driving on roads very similar to the scenery in the featured photo. The sheep were there too, and they wouldn’t budge. My husband, my sister, and I had to wait for what felt like forever for them to pass. …

Bring your pennies and bills — A text ticked into my phone the other day. It was a group thread among some parents in the area, most of which are also my friends. The text asked if we would support one of the district’s sports teams. Having kids in elementary school, I’ve had a steep learning…

We might find out — This morning as I was drinking my coffee after sending the kids off to school and about to start my workday, I took a detour through my social media feeds. One of the stories that popped up was a New York Times article on anxiety: A health panel is recommending…

A story about a suburban sign that shouldn’t be. — Mommying can be hard. So can daddying, but you wouldn’t see that poster or billboard sign. Mommying, also known as momming, is basically a different word for parenting but it applies to female parents only. …

Yes, you too — Whether you’re a recent graduate or someone in your 60s with only a few more years of the office grind, the question is just as relevant for both. We often hear: “What would you like to be when you grow up?” Not nearly as common is: “What kind of life…

Without a fix — What I’m constantly baffled by as a foreigner in the United States, is the extreme contrasts between the wealthy and the poor. Coming from Scandinavia where things are somewhat more balanced, this country show it in a way I’ve never seen before. Simply taking a walk in the city or…