House Hunters International - General Discussion

[DownTheShore]

@Bazinga - I agree that spending summer vacations there as a family would make more sense, if she wanted the kids to experience their "roots". Personally, as someone who's father died young, I would recommend letting the children experience their childhood years with an intact two-parent household. They can always experience their Norwegian heritage later in life.

Maybe you're right about it being a pre-divorce move. Maybe he's got a piece on the side and this is her way of forcing him to make a decision. But I didn't really get that impression.

Another possibility: the kids possibly have dual citizenship through her, and college education in Norway is tuition-free for its citizens. I could see wanting to take advantage of that. This would give the kids time to fit into the culture.

Edited May 14, 2015 by DownTheShore

[bubbls]

Happened to see this one.  It was a new episode.

 

Loved it when the BFF blurted out, "You can watch me pee" when she noticed the window in the bathroom.  That's my fave - the unscripted, off-the-wall, inadvertent comments that the editors ignore.

 

You're never too old, bubbls.  Why not?

 

 

I know, that was so funny! Oh so true about never getting too old. I was watching a documentary set in the UK last night and wishing I'd at least visit.

[TVForever]

The Texas to Norway episode was weirdly like the Florida-to-Panama episode from last week, where the medical professional dad is staying behind to work and live in the States full time while the wife and kids go to live in a foreign country full time. It's an odd scenario, and it leaves me wondering what the true story is.

Because, let's face it, what would be wrong with mom and the kids spending the summers in Norway, while dad visits? Why do they have to live there year round?

[biakbiak]

It was mentioned more than once that he was looking for employment opportunities in Oslo and hoped to move their full-time.

[JennyMominFL]

Bronx Babe, I could not agree with you more. I just don't get these families who totally uproot themselves, under the guise of the kids needing to learn about different cultures. The Texas wife left Oslo when she was 5, so there's not much memory there. And then to leave the father/husband back in Texas, just so the kids can ice skate and ski? Nothing about this show made any sense. And I just didn't get the comments about looking like Norway? What does that mean? I've been to Norway, and Oslo looks like any big city in the US. The big difference is that in winter, those kids will have four hours of daylight----talk about cabin fever.

HHI sometimes is just too weird to be true.

Hey now, I was there  on the longest day of the year. We had 6 whole hours of daylight.   I do think Oslo looks more like an American city than other European ones I've been to, but it still  looks European.  I'd live in Oslo in a hearbeat  .

The kids are probably alreasy EU citizens as mom is probably one.

 College in Norway is also free to Non-citizens. There is a masters program in Viking history that I have looked into.

Edited May 14, 2015 by JennyMominFL

[Oh mama]

Texas to Norway couple were fudging the story a bit. By the time the show aired, mom and kids had been there almost a year. The original plan was to stay one year so the kids could learn the language and immerse themselves in the culture. The husband was never planning to move to Norway, as he would not be able to work there. Katrina worked in the kids school and has job waiting for her when she gets back to Texas.

[buttersister]

Weird. So did they approach HHI? So bizarre to begin with, but creating a nice video scrapbook so the kids' friends can watch them hanging out in Norway instead of being home with their dad for a YEAR--I think the divorce story sounds more plausible. (I'm not saying you're not 100% right, Gretchen.)

[JasmineFlower]

This Texas woman in Chile is annoying the heck out of me. She wants the "rural" feel except, she's not in the U.S. and I seriously doubt she realizes what that requests means. And if she does, even worse. She seems so selfish, like screw you to the husband and his commute, which will already be at least 90 minutes one way with easy highway access. Houses near the highway aren't more expensive just cause, the number of paved roads in Chile is not what you'd expect of a developed country. I think they have something in the range of 25-30% paved roads so being like, I want rural is a true screw you to the husband. Just say you don't want to move if you're going to make your lives miserable when you get there. The husband will forget what the kids will look like with his selfish wife wanting to tack on an extra hour to his commute because she wants to live in a rural area and see a damn mountain.

 

And her not knowing Spanish is truly on her. She's been with her husband for some time, they've got kids, the grandparents are there, and they were all living in San Antonio. I'm not saying she had to be fluent, but it seems like she didn't both to pick up any Spanish over the years and that's on her since it would appear everyone in her San Antonio family was going to be able to speak Spanish except her. I don't believe for a second those kids wouldn't have with the grandparents regularly watching them and the father being fluent.

 

The kids were cute and I liked the husband. Really a shame she annoyed me so much.

[KLovestoShop]

The wife from the Chile episode also annoyed me. I just can't understand how she could like the second house that was so remote, on a dirt road with fallen trees. Seriously, that second house just looked crappy from the outside. But the thing that bugged me the most was her obnoxious voice.

[truther]

On the Norway ep, if the divorce angle is right then why in the world would you go on HHI?

[buttercupia]

I loved the BFF on the NY/Taipei episode.  She cracked me up! "YOU CAN WATCH ME PEE!" I would love to have a friend like her.

Agree on the WTF-ness of the Oslo and Panama people, though I thought the panama dentist dad was creepy as f**k.

[JasmineFlower]

I loved the childhood friend in the Taiwan episode! When she was laughing at her with the "she's got first floor phobia from NY." She was great and they were fun together. Between them and the Granada episode, I found HHIers that I actually liked this week, I'd forgotten that could happen twice in one week.

 

I'm not sure why, but the Oslo-Texas people didn't bother me anywhere near as much as the Florida-Panama ones did. Maybe it was the approaches of the husbands in both episodes. The Florida one was being as ass in large part to me, rather concerned with himself and not so much about his kids adjustment and wife's comfortability. I think the Oslo couple seemed much more on the same page even with her wanting to be in the city.

 

I know they are different countries, but I had friends growing up who were originally from Sweden. It was a bit shocking because they had no accents unless they spoke Swedish, but they had only lived here for a handful of years. They always went back during the summer time to see their family, typically spending one to two months there. I never got the impression this was some bizarre thing that happened, but something rather regular. Like others were doing the same. They seemed to be with their cousins most of the time, not like the school years were reversed like in the southern hemisphere so it wouldn't be an odd time to visit. So, count me in as one who is not understanding why spending summers in your native country isn't on the table for the parents wanting to expose them to other cultures. Not sure why a full move and introducing the strange dynamic of a part-time parent is suddenly in-vogue. I'm not at all knocking wanting them to be and live there in some capacity, especially the Norwegian woman who was from there. I agree that the exposure to the native culture is important, just not understanding the thinking with the approach when the whole family can't move. Summers seem ideal in these instances.

[Peanutbuttercup]

Peanutbuttercup, were the Grenada folks just taking a break from their jobs for a while?  They never said what either of them did to make $$, but they did say they were spending their savings to move to Spain.  How do you do that?  I guess you could treat it as a very expensive extended vacation and spend a few months abroad, but you would have to be assured of a job when you returned to your home country if that was the plan.   

They never really said, other than that they had resigned their jobs to move to Spain and that they had saved up to be able to do it. My take, to the extent that HHI can be related to reality, is that it is a move for a year or two and they will go back to the states and either resume their jobs or look for new jobs. I was curious about what they did -- it must be something in fairly high demand if they are confident they can move back and get new jobs without too much trouble.

[Bronx Babe]

Thanks, guys, for all the insights into that annoyingly weird Texas-to-Norway episode. What I never understand is why the HH'ers seem oblivious to how stupid and fake they come off on national television. And for what, $500.00? More blog exposure? It's not like they're the Kartrashians, making millions off the lowest common denominator.

[aguabella]

I know, that was so funny! Oh so true about never getting too old. I was watching a documentary set in the UK last night and wishing I'd at least visit.

 

Hope you get an opportunity to take that trip soon!

[aguabella]

Texas to Norway couple were fudging the story a bit. By the time the show aired, mom and kids had been there almost a year. The original plan was to stay one year so the kids could learn the language and immerse themselves in the culture. The husband was never planning to move to Norway, as he would not be able to work there. Katrina worked in the kids school and has job waiting for her when she gets back to Texas.

 

 

"Texas to Norway couple were fudging" ???  The participants don't function as either story editors or production staff.  The program is semi-scripted with dialogue suggested to the participants to create conflict.  HH/HHI is a drama - not a documentary.  So, we can't accuse the participants of "fudging", IMHO.

 

Gretchen, you write very matter-of-factly.  What's the source of your information?  Do you know the family?  When I initially read your post, it came off to me as if you did.  (You wrote very personally, using the wife's first name.)  Now, after pulling the wife's blog, I believe that was your source.  Correct?

 

JMHO but I believe it's very important to disclose your sources.  I've posted add'l information about various participants, always disclosing that I performed quick online searches, using information from multiple public sources.  B/c they're common and readily available to other posters, I haven't linked them. 

 

Also, I don't have time to link multiple sites for each episode.  In addition, most importantly, b/c very personal information frequently appears during my searches, including home addresses, I don't care to link an unknown, unlimited number of readers to those sites.  (Incidentally, am happy to disclose sources to anyone in response to a PM.)

 

If I've located a blog, however, have always linked it, allowing other posters to read the participants' story for themselves and form their own opinions / conclusions.  (Not seeing as many blogs, currently.  Tptb must not be trolling them for participants as much, these days.) 

 

Here's the wife's blog:   ETA - my system's always getting new security functions loaded for business reasons.  Linking's no longer allowed.  See the January 7, 2015 HHI post at           norwaycalling2014.blogspot.com

apparently written subsequent to filming.  Like most other current blogs, not much, if any, backstage info was posted.  (I'm still 99% certain HH beefed up their non-disclosure.)

 

WRT the remainder of your post ...

 

HH/HHI requires approximately 6 months of post-production processing.  Especially for HHI, because the participants typically reenact their house hunt after-the-fact, probably most of them have been overseas for about a year by the episode's airdate.  Many of them have already returned home, BTW!  So, we can't accuse the family of "fudging" that, either. 

 

No, like most participants, they never had a plan to relocate to Norway, permanently.  Tptb always seem to believe the prospect of a family ditching everything, including a lucrative career, is far more dramatic than a family either buying a vacation home for occasional use and/or relocating for a relatively short period of time.  Again, tptb's editing, not family "fudging".

 

You mention an "original" plan of one year, giving the impression plans have changed.  The wife's recent blog post appears to confirm that the 1-yr plan remains intact.  So, they'll return home for the next school year, most likely.  No family fudge here, IMHO.

 

You also stated Katrina (the wife) "worked", past tense, in the kids' school.  My understanding, again from the blog, is that she's currently working, present tense, in their Norwegian school as a substitute teacher.  (When I read your post, I wasn't sure if you were referring to TX or Norway, BTW.  Sounded like TX, to me.)  Apparently she'd been a substitute teacher many years ago, probably at the beginning of her professional career.

 

Yes, she was able to take a 1 year leave of absence from her non-teaching, counselling (IIRC) position at the UT Women's Center.  She freely admits to being "privileged", with $$$ in the bank to cover this adventure.

 

Incidentally, she also blogged that she'd never seen HHI before this short-term relo came up and applied before they moved but apparently didn't hear from tptb until after they'd been there 3 months.  Like many non-viewers, she, naively IMHO, assumed HHI would help them find a place.  Hahahahaha ...   ROFL

Edited May 19, 2015 by aguabella

[aguabella]

The wife from the Chile episode also annoyed me. I just can't understand how she could like the second house that was so remote, on a dirt road with fallen trees. Seriously, that second house just looked crappy from the outside. But the thing that bugged me the most was her obnoxious voice.

 

If she truly liked the second house, can you explain why she immediately dropped any consideration of it during the "decision" scene?  Could it be that was a decoy home and she followed instructions to "like" it by tptb?  JMHO but it was obvious to me they already lived in the first home, given the bedrooms perfectly decorated for their children.

 

Can't do anything about someone's voice but if something bothers you that much,  it's always an option to write to tptb and request "no vocal fry" or whatever the issue. 

[aguabella]

This Texas woman in Chile is annoying the heck out of me. She wants the "rural" feel except, she's not in the U.S. and I seriously doubt she realizes what that requests means. And if she does, even worse. She seems so selfish, like screw you to the husband and his commute, which will already be at least 90 minutes one way with easy highway access. Houses near the highway aren't more expensive just cause, the number of paved roads in Chile is not what you'd expect of a developed country. I think they have something in the range of 25-30% paved roads so being like, I want rural is a true screw you to the husband. Just say you don't want to move if you're going to make your lives miserable when you get there. The husband will forget what the kids will look like with his selfish wife wanting to tack on an extra hour to his commute because she wants to live in a rural area and see a damn mountain.

 

And her not knowing Spanish is truly on her. She's been with her husband for some time, they've got kids, the grandparents are there, and they were all living in San Antonio. I'm not saying she had to be fluent, but it seems like she didn't both to pick up any Spanish over the years and that's on her since it would appear everyone in her San Antonio family was going to be able to speak Spanish except her. I don't believe for a second those kids wouldn't have with the grandparents regularly watching them and the father being fluent.

 

The kids were cute and I liked the husband. Really a shame she annoyed me so much.

 

JMHO but I won't call the wife "selfish" or assign a "screw you" attitude to her simply b/c she followed tptb's direction to "like" an impractical house to create drama for a reality television episode.  Hmmm, wonder why she immediately agreed to drop any consideration of that home during the "decision" scene ???

 

You know for certain she didn't speak Spanish?  How?  I certainly won't make that claim based on a (faux) reality TV program.  If she does, I'm sure tptb asked her to speak English during the program.

 

Gee, I thought she came off as a nice person.  Guess I don't know anything, lol!

Edited May 18, 2015 by aguabella

[aguabella]

I got the impression that he was going to try to get certified to practice in Norway and then eventually move there. I wonder if that will be easier to do with a Norwegian wife who is already living in-country? Then the wife & kids relocation would make more sense. She might have retained dual citizenship if she became a naturalized American.

But the reason for moving there in the first place was rather weird, given that there wasn't any heavy emphasis on her having a lot of relatives there. It basically sounded like they were relocating for the winter sport activities, frankly.

Given the ages of the kids in a lot of the families they show relocating, many seem to be right on the cusp of their teen years. And given that a lot of theses families seem well-off financially, I wonder if some of the moves are just to remove their kids from the American high school scene, with all of its attendant social peer pressures?

 

I doubted all along that they had any plan to move full-time, permanently to Norway.  Her blog confirms my impression.  If we verified HHI's statistics, it'd surprise me if even 10% of these families plan to or actually do move overseas, permanently.

 

Many people don't care to appear on camera.  I assumed that was true for her relatives when tptb decided to use the winter sports theme.  Also, it made sense, given the home she'd chosen several months before HHI made initial contact.  In fact, that home appeared to be a vacation home, IMHO.  (B/c many of them are difficult to rent out, it's not uncommon for owners to rent them on a long-term basis, if/when they have that opportunity.)  Yes, she blogged about her relatives.

 

This family's moving back to TX at the conclusion of their year abroad.  Also, personally I believe people are basically the same, facing similar pressures, the world over.  In fact, in Europe, the social mores might be far more lax, if those parents' concerns involve teen sex and/or drugs.  JMHO

Edited May 18, 2015 by aguabella

[TwirlyGirly]

The wife from the Chile episode also annoyed me. I just can't understand how she could like the second house that was so remote, on a dirt road with fallen trees. Seriously, that second house just looked crappy from the outside. But the thing that bugged me the most was her obnoxious voice.

 

Her voice and some of her facial expressions reminded me of Victoria Jackson. And not in a good way. At all.

[aguabella]

The Texas to Norway episode was weirdly like the Florida-to-Panama episode from last week, where the medical professional dad is staying behind to work and live in the States full time while the wife and kids go to live in a foreign country full time. It's an odd scenario, and it leaves me wondering what the true story is.

Because, let's face it, what would be wrong with mom and the kids spending the summers in Norway, while dad visits? Why do they have to live there year round?

 

The Norway wife's blog explains her reasoning WRT a 1 year stay in that country.  (See BlogSpot info, above.)  No blog on Panama but I posted previously that tptb conveniently omitted the fact that the wife apparently manages a full-time, 7 days a week, active business unrelated to her spouse's Palm Beach area dental practice.  Needless to say, I believe they purchased a vacation home.  HHI failed to convince me that either family moved permanently.

 

JMHO but I believe the "true" story is that tptb believe we, as viewers, must believe that these families ditch everything to move abroad forever simply for the laudable cause of immersing their children in another culture or no dramatic tension exists.  No tension = no conflict = no viewers = (oh no, perish the thought!) no HH/HHI ratings!  And, take it one step further, = no $$$.  All about the Benjamins, as usual, IMHO!

[bubbls]

I can't remember names, but I enjoyed the black lady moving to Amsterdam last night. What a gorgeous city! I'm glad she got the place overlooking the canal too. I got a laugh out of her still practicing to ride a bike. Lady, it ain't that hard! Get yourself a three-wheeler. Of course, at 35 if you fall it's a bit more of a shock to the system.

[NYGirl]

I loved the HH last night moving to Amsterdam.  She was so cute when learning to ride a bike and she had some funny quips throughout the episode.  I don't know what her job was as I missed the beginning but I loved the apartment she chose.

 

As a side note I'm loving the little animations they put on the maps during the episodes. Last night was little bike riders

[Patrizio]

All I remember of that Oslo episode is that the realtor looked like she had a face transplant. Between the implants and botox, she looked really odd. Agree with you about the Amsterdam lady, she was really cute, great smile. Nice balcony.

[laredhead]

The Amsterdam woman was in medical equipment sales.  I liked her too.  She was originally from Louisiana, where I live.  I know some women just like her, and she was a breath of fresh air with her quips.  I cracked up at her comment about her clothes smelling like fried catfish.  If she can find a catfish in Amsterdam to fry, more power to her.     

[DownTheShore]

I was glad that she was happy with her relocation. She was a breath of fresh air with her candid responses.

[biakbiak]

Well one can't cause the dude in Yap of being picky! Outdoor bathroom, a leaky roof, and a fire pit as a cooker and no complaints, his friends were the voice of reason but it seems he went with the best place for him that managed to have some modern conveniences (a small toaster and one portable burner but they were inside as was the bathroom!)

[buttersister]

 I don't know what "tptb" have in mind, nor do I care.  I only like to comment on what's shown.

Yeah, I agree we're aware that there's no "reality" show going on here. But there are good TV times to be had, especially the glimpses of homes in places I'd like to live--whoever the hell they belong to. Don't care.The uber-annoying husbands and/or whining wives are just the cherries on top of my spectator sundae. (Ack, small rooms and no ginormous fridge in hill town apartments?!)

[buttercupia]

I was so excited to see the Yap episode! I've been fascinated with Yap and Yapese culture for a long time.  They showed it in a respectful light and the HH was interesting  and completely non-annoying.

[KLovestoShop]

Ohwell, thank you for posting what you did. I was getting away from posting here for fear of being chastised for my comments. I only post what I see on the episode because I'm not going to spend hours looking for additional information on any of the participants, like newspaper stories or personal blogs. I feel if someone puts themself out there, if they let us into their lives regardless of how much or how little personal information they put out there, it's fair to post comments on whatever. As long as the comments aren't threatening, then there should be no problem.

I liked the couple last night from Canada, looking for an island home. I was surprised how nice all three homes were, especially those that were only available via boat. But I did wonder how they got basic services like electricity and fresh water. I wish they would have addressed that more, other than just showing the one house with solar panels.

[WendyCR72]

I realize that folks basically put themselves out there to appear on HH/HHI, but the other side to that is people will speculate about how the scenarios work for those involved vis a vis location, family, etc.

 

And provided people are not outright name calling these people or attacking others for those opinions, it is okay.

 

So, in that vein, let's curb things regarding ascribing marital issues or motivations for the couple separated for a year and let's stop trying to defend things or get upset when not all facts are known to us. Some believe they're fine; others think they're doomed. And everyone will have an opinion and should be allowed such.

 

Keep it respectful and live and let live here. Debating it is useless as we don't know what goes on when the cameras stop rolling.

 

Thanks.

[ChelleGame]

I can't remember names, but I enjoyed the black lady moving to Amsterdam last night. What a gorgeous city! I'm glad she got the place overlooking the canal too. I got a laugh out of her still practicing to ride a bike. Lady, it ain't that hard! Get yourself a three-wheeler. Of course, at 35 if you fall it's a bit more of a shock to the system.

 

I thought she was a doll. Agreed with the realtor when she said she wouldn't have trouble attracting friends. She just had such a bright, open spirit. I wish her well. Loved the apartment she picked. I kept that episode on my DVR.

[aguabella]

Could someone make sense about the Texas family (he's a doctor) moving to Oslo, Norway? Second home,

but the wife and kids are living there permanently? What? And he's working in Texas full-time, with only occasional jaunts to Oslo? Huh? They want the children to appreciate their heritage; the wife's name is Kristina with a heavy southern accent but apparently she was born in Norway? I'm totally confused.

The husband certainly wasn't afraid of making himself appear like an idiot: "This house doesn't have that Norwegian feel. I don't know what that would be." And: "Oslo is so different from Texas"

 

If you're interested in their backstory, the wife's blog may help.  I posted the address below for the convenience of anyone who cares.

 

JMHO but I believe the editors can make anyone appear like an idiot after 5 full days filming is edited down to 22 minutes.  Am sure I'd misspeak more than a few times!

[aguabella]

I just don't get these families who totally uproot themselves, under the guise of the kids needing to learn about different cultures.

HHI sometimes is just too weird to be true.

 

Now that we've heard the routine about uprooting children to learn about different cultures, it sounds like the latest phony plotline.

 

Because it probably isn't true???  lol ...

Edited May 22, 2015 by aguabella

[aguabella]

I can.  IMO, they are going to be divorced within three years, once the wife milks the husband for some money to pay for the family to stay in Norway and maybe enough time for the kids to become Norwegian citizens who can't be brought back to the US in a custody fight.  This is the wife's pre-divorce maneuver.

 

The wife seemed annoyed at the husband a lot and never mentioned love or that the marriage was actually strong enough for this ridiculous idea.

 

Some other points:

 

This was totally the wife's idea and she convinced the husband it was a good one and a mutual decision.

 

At no point did we see the kids acknowledge missing their dad. 

 

Nor was it mentioned when or how often he would be visiting.

 

Why can't they just visit Norway during summer vacation? 

 

The mom seemed to be reliving her childhood memories through the kids, which will be unsustainable for all of them soon enough. 

 

Was it ever mentioned that she would be working in Norway? 

 

Why couldn't this wait until they had built up enough money for the whole family to go and for the father to work in Norway, but not as a high-paid doctor?

 

The whole thing was just "off."  If a couple has to be apart for a necessary reason, fine.  But to intentionally create the distance for, IMO, flimsy reasons, makes no sense to me.

 

As an aside, I would love to know the percentage of couples who breakup sometime after being showcased on HH or HHI.

 

ETA: To clarify, I was just speculating that based on this course of action, the marriage is not going to last.  I know nothing about this couple other than what I saw.  The divorce possibility was just my opinion.

 

Your first paragraph says you can definitively make sense of the episode.  In all seriousness, the scenario you describe constitutes international parental abduction, a federal crime, punishable by probably 6-10 years in a federal penitentiary, IMHO.  If true, I hope someone with direct knowledge contacts the fbi b/c crimes are already being committed.

 

Happened to notice the format of basically all HH/HHI episodes, recently.  By minute 3:00, participants are meeting with their realtor.  Less the holdover from HGTV's previous program plus the introductory, teaser scenes, participants typically have around 2.5 minutes to provide their backstory.  Any add'l personal commentary provided during the episodes rehashes this info, from what I've noticed.  IMHO, that's insufficient time to address all the concerns you mentioned in your post, e.g. about visitation, the mother's employment, decision-making process WRT their 1 year relocation, etc. 

 

JMHO but b/c the program's main mission is to reenact the house hunt, they simply don't have time to address each and every potential concern.  That's why the blogs may come in handy, to the extent anyone's interested, IMHO.

Edited May 22, 2015 by aguabella

[aguabella]

Thanks, guys, for all the insights into that annoyingly weird Texas-to-Norway episode. What I never understand is why the HH'ers seem oblivious to how stupid and fake they come off on national television. And for what, $500.00? More blog exposure? It's not like they're the Kartrashians, making millions off the lowest common denominator.

 

After editing 5 days filming down to 22 minutes, I believe they can make anyone look stupid and fake.  Me, for sure!  Some participants are better actors than others, IMHO.

 

Unless they signed up for business reasons, the most common reason I've noticed from reading limited articles and blogs, IIRC, is that they did the episode for fun, for their kids, usually b/c they're HH/HHI fans.

Oops!

Edited May 22, 2015 by aguabella

[aguabella]

All I remember of that Oslo episode is that the realtor looked like she had a face transplant. Between the implants and botox, she looked really odd. Agree with you about the Amsterdam lady, she was really cute, great smile. Nice balcony.

 

Agree, thought it was too many botox or fillers or possibly a mini facelift in preparation for her 15 minutes of fame!

 

At least her 2 down jackets plus heavy sweater/sweatshirt visually explained how cold it was!  Kinda' ruins the look, don't you think?

[aguabella]

On the Norway ep, if the divorce angle is right then why in the world would you go on HHI?

 

Bingo!  Perhaps that explains that angle isn't correct but who knows??  (The two people within the marriage, IMHO.)

It was mentioned more than once that he was looking for employment opportunities in Oslo and hoped to move their full-time.

 

 

Given that he apparently had a Norwegian wife b4 med school, who spends at least a decade becoming an m.d. to chuck it all later and move overseas?  And, did he incur student loans along the way?  Ouch !!!

[aguabella]

Yeah, I agree we're aware that there's no "reality" show going on here. But there are good TV times to be had, especially the glimpses of homes in places I'd like to live--whoever the hell they belong to. Don't care.The uber-annoying husbands and/or whining wives are just the cherries on top of my spectator sundae. (Ack, small rooms and no ginormous fridge in hill town apartments?!)

 

Who's the "we" that's aware?  Don't we have posters, including new HH/HHI viewers, with interests in various topics, including either the participants' backstory and/or the methods used to create an episode?

 

Don't posters just SOB (scroll on by) if they're uninterested in a given post? 

 

IMHO, if it's on television, it's not "reality".  Who knows what reality is, anyway?  Your reality may be different than my reality that's different than someone else's ...  Even documentaries might not be "reality", IMHO.

[biakbiak]

Bingo! Perhaps that explains that angle isn't correct but who knows?? (The two people within the marriage, IMHO.)

Given that he apparently had a Norwegian wife b4 med school, who spends at least a decade becoming an m.d. to chuck it all later and move overseas? And, did he incur student loans along the way? Ouch !!!

When one moves they don't have to chuck it all, if have the ability to work in the country you can get as license or be authorized to practice. Different countries have different methods but I know American doctors who have gone elsewhere and people who have immigrated here and had to take the boards before they could practice.

Though the point appears moot in the case of this couple because they weren't planning in staying there I was just going by what was stated on the show and the fact that if he did want to practice there he could.

Edited May 22, 2015 by biakbiak

[aguabella]

Ohwell, thank you for posting what you did. I was getting away from posting here for fear of being chastised for my comments. I only post what I see on the episode because I'm not going to spend hours looking for additional information on any of the participants, like newspaper stories or personal blogs. I feel if someone puts themself out there, if they let us into their lives regardless of how much or how little personal information they put out there, it's fair to post comments on whatever. As long as the comments aren't threatening, then there should be no problem.

I liked the couple last night from Canada, looking for an island home. I was surprised how nice all three homes were, especially those that were only available via boat. But I did wonder how they got basic services like electricity and fresh water. I wish they would have addressed that more, other than just showing the one house with solar panels.

 

Didn't see the post you mentioned.  Is it "chastising" to have an alternative opinion and express it?

 

I don't have time to routinely search for additional information but if I happen to see a blog, I always link or post the address so anyone who's interested can check it out, as a courtesy.  Obviously, nobody's required to search for these people's backstories or read their blogs.  I typically only skim them.

[aguabella]

When one moves they don't have to chuck it all, if have the ability to work in the country you can get as license or be authorized to practice. Different countries have different methods but I know American doctors who have gone elsewhere and people who have immigrated here and had to take the boards before they could practice.

Though the point appears moot in the case of this couple because they weren't planning in staying there I was just going by what was stated on the show and the fact that if he did want to practice there he could.

 

Agree, our standards may be sufficient for certain countries.  Building a 2nd medical practice takes add'l years off your career plus more capital, however, so if someone's already been in school for a decade or more plus spent even more years building their initial practice, why would they make that change?  Especially when their Norwegian wife was around during med school??  Try another storyline, HHI ptb!

 

Incidentally, public records indicate her husband founded a clinic in the Frisco area, IIRC.  IMHO that gives him even more reason to focus on his business (not just a regular medical practice) in the wealthy Dallas suburbs.

 

If we're aware, as another poster stated above, that the show's not "reality", then wouldn't everything be a moot point?  Just sayin', lol

Edited May 22, 2015 by aguabella

[aguabella]

 

The poster didn't say we are all aware, they said we're aware, as in that poster and the poster they were quoting. 

 

I can't explain why but I usually have no interest in the episodes from Australia. I don't know why that country doesn't interest me.

 

I wish they would do more episodes from France that were in other cities besides Paris. And also I think I would like more from Spain and Italy. I missed the Malta episode. I meant to record (ha had to edit tape, because that is so 80's, word habits, gotta love them) it but forgot. Is it coming on again soon because my seach menu is sketchy on my cable guide. That reminds me, I have to send an email complaining about that problem.

 

Edited pursuant to your instruction, although I'm not sure it changes the meaning and I wasn't quoting the other poster.  How do we, meaning everyone reading the blog, know who's included in "we"? 

 

Have to agree with you about the Australian episodes.  Feels like more and more tract, suburban boxes.

 

And the other countries, too.  Malta was pretty cool, I thought.  IIRC, they typically do the first rerun in about 30 days.

 

Good luck with your service provider - fun, fun!

[zxy556575]

Surely there must be places in the world that are remote and peaceful other than the Moroccan desert. The HH was pleasant enough but I honestly don't see a lot of other artists sharing her vision to live/vacation in a sweltering, dry, bug-infested place that requires an 8-hour drive to get to. Just watching it made me thirsty.

[biakbiak]

It's not the suburbia and tract homes. That's not it for me, because it doesn't bother me in other places. For some reason I just don't get into Australia. I don't even watch the RH of Melbourne. Maybe I should branch out more and include it in my viewing. The houses, not RH. Does anyone else have a place they just don't get excited about?

Australia and most of the Caribbean, maybe I don't like the sun! The I do tend to like Africa and southeast Asia.

Though I did like the way the Australia couple from last night decorated their apartment, very light and airey!

[zxy556575]

Does anyone else have a place they just don't get excited about?

 

For travel, Africa. I know it's not but I persist in imagining the entire continent as barren and dry. Zero interest in safaris or seeing animals in their natural habitats.

 

For HH, I'm weary of everything Caribbean. Hibiscus and bouganvillea, palm trees, native wood cabinets, tile floors, cross breezes, kill me now.

Edited May 23, 2015 by lordonia

[biakbiak]

As far as Africa, I always want it to be kept as a national park type situation. It should be kept pristine and not inhabited by too many people. Don't ask me why.

 

I also don't like many of the island shows. Because I always think they are just places for rent, not actual living, when the HH go there. Investment properties. I like some of the South American shows. There was one where the woman went down and picked the home and her husband followed. She wanted to go for dancing. I think they met there dancing. I probably have it all wrong. But that country reminded me of some Paris places. I wish I could remember which one it was.

It was Buenos Aires and they liked to Tango. She was on a recent where are they know and I thought they said they had divorced but I could be wrong on that part.

[Ohwell]

Does anyone else have a place they just don't get excited about?

Australia,  the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America. 

[KLovestoShop]

I'd like to see more Eastern Europe shows. There are some beautiful areas in Hungary, The Czech Republic, Poland and other places. I also love the shows in Paris and would like to see shows from Rome, Venice and Florence.

[TVForever]

I don't get excited about the episodes in Australia; I'm also at a loss as to why. I can take or leave the episodes in Mexico, although I'm good with the rest of Central America. I like the Caribbean episodes mainly for the scenery- the housing seems pretty much the same no matter what island.