My 'Murica

I'm actually crying a little bit on the inside, sitting in the Newark Airport, longing to visit the beautiful city outside. But no one sees those tears on the inside, because just being back in America puts a silly smile on my tired face.

I love this place. Simple as that. I've been couting the days and I couldn't be more happy (okay, it wouldn't have been a negative thing if my flight had been on schedule, but oh well) to be back. It feels like coming back home. Being in this plain and a bit filthy airport, I can just feel my heart beating for America. It might sound like a cliche love story. But I don't know how else to describe it. It's just this warm feeling I get, that assures me that one day I HAVE to live here. It's hard to come up with an exact reason. Denmark is said to be one of the best countries to live in. I'm sure they're right, but like a shirt doesn't fit every body type - a society probably doesn't fit any mind set. At least not right now.

I've not been in every country in the world (even though it's on my list), so I'm not going to say America is the greatest country in the world and that this would be the perfect place for me to live. What I do know is, that it makes me happy to be here and then it is all worth it to me. Is this me falling in love with a dream? Maybe, but I'm willing to try and grab it and make it my American dream.

Quote of the day:
A little girl and her mom is talking about why the planes crossing the Atlantic are so big. The little girl knew the explanation:
"It's because all the Americans are so big. They couldn't fit in a regular plane."

To ALL the wonderful women out there

What would you do without your mom? I sure as heck don’t know! I got a little taste of it last night. My parents had gone to the Robbie Williams concert, which left me home with three younger siblings. When I came home I had to jump over toys, pass the empty pizza trays, just to find pop corns scattered all over the floor. I don’t know how those women (or men for that instance – all credit to gay couples as well) manage that mother job – joggling a full time job, cleaning, diapers and hopefully also a social life!

I sure was relieved and did truly appreciate it when my mom returned home this afternoon, which really is suitable since it is Mother’s Day. And it’s of course not all because of her over humanly skills at keeping a house clean (even though I hold that in high regard too). It’s because I she’s the most loving person I know. Someone I can always trust.

And isn’t that really what motherhood is about? It’s not blood. It’s love and care. On this day we should celebrate all mothers. Any woman can make a baby, but it takes so much more to raise a child. Again, it could be the gay couple or someone who has adopted a kid. They say that blood runs thicker than water. Well, the bond you tie with your kid is unbreakable. It’s strong as bone, but it really has nothing to do with being of the same blood and flesh.

I’m sending all my best thoughts to my American moms that each “adopted” me for a period of time. It wasn’t always easy, but they all taught me a little something about life and broadened my horizon. I’m so glad to say that I maintained a good relationship to my first host mom, S, even though it wasn’t meant to be, and I can’t wait to come visit Laura this summer (It’s less than two months away now – not like I’m counting or anything ;-) ). A Happy Mother’s day to both of them!

On a totally other note, that on the other hand does have a lot to do with flesh, and a little to do with gay. Every year, all of Europeans gather for one big celebration of the year. It’s not Christmas, no it’s a celebration of diversity and a really bad taste in music. I’m of course talking about the Eurovision Song Contest, that took place last night; one long parade of glitter, a party for the homosexual society and a time for all Europeans to gather around the TV screens.  I didn’t actually watch much of it, but really I didn’t have to. Before the show even started, I predicted that Austria would win. I mean, what is more Eurovision like than a Drag Queen with a beard? And how can you not love the name (that’s where the flesh, or really meat comes in) , Conchita Wurst?

She has already started a trend of course. There is now a hashtag called #ConchitaWursted, that is used when a beard is drawn on a picture of a woman. In two weeks we’re having the election for the European Parliament, and one of the first “victims” was my own favorite candidate. I was actually out hanging posters of her yesterday before the grand finale in the song competition. Some of her posters have gotten a more, let’s say hairy look in the meantime. Some will call it vandalism, but I guess Eurovision showed what the Europeans vote for; women with beard, and as long as they put their cross beside her name, I don’t care for beard or not.

Before: Samira Nawa Amini

After: Samira Nawa Sausage - you have been #ConchitaWursted

All Gambian Smile(s)

Do you know the name of the smallest country in Africa? I do, 'cause I just got myself some tickets to go to Gambia! I think I might be the happiest girl in the world. Not too bad, because then I'll fit right in on the Smiling Coast of Africa, as the tiny country also is called.

I turn 18 in October and what better gift than exploring a new continent. My parents are the best! I'll try to remember that for the next almost 10 months (Mom, you might have to remind me now and then. Sorry). And then in February next year me and my dad will be spending two weeks in the African sun. I hope I get to pet a crocodile. How cool would that be? I'm also trying to convince my dad, that we should take a class in African dance. Let's just say he is still undecided...
Anyway I can't wait. It's going to be freaking amazing - or should I say A-fric-amazing!!

Even the crocodiles smile

Just like them party smokers

Take 46 days, start two days early and end a day before time because you’re such a well-informed Christian, well then you got 47 days, which was what my lent consisted of. No candy – at all. You better believe I was ready for my morning chocolate on Saturday (What can I say? I thought that now Jesus had suffered and all, that my suffering was over too… Guess it was almost Sunday in Asia somewhere though). At first it felt really good to just be able to eat whatever you want to – free at last. But then I realized that I was just walking right back into the prison of sugar addiction. I’ve literally felt physically ill for the last two days. I’ve done mine to make up for the cake drought that lasted 47 days that’s for sure.

Do you know how happy this made me?! It was the next 20 pieces that did the harm -.-

Today I’m back on the no candy team. At least for now. I think I might just eat candy twice a week from now on. Food really has a social side to it. Do you know how awkward it is going to a birthday party without eating any cake? How rude it seems? What are you going to answer when your friends ask if you want to go for ice cream? You get the point, but on the other hand I don’t want to be craving like I used to. I want to be like the party smokers; not addicted but being able to enjoy a treat now and then.

On the note of addictions; this Easter my family went to Sweden. Out in middle of nowhere where the big decision of the day is whether to do a puzzle, read a book or go for a walk in the woods. I decided that my challenge that week was to not be online at all. I felt a little naked actually, but it was a great relief too. It’s a little embarrassing to realize how much time you spent on social media. Suddenly I had time to read And the Mountains Echoed as I wanted to for a while. I was much more present in the moment. Also because I knew that if anyone was trying to get a hold of me, I was geographically out of reach, so it didn’t matter if I was updated on that night’s parties. Definitely something I’ll try to be more aware of in the future – maybe I’ll even try to find another book! :-O

This week’s challenge is easy. The problem is that I (and - considering the size of the beauty industry – a lot of other girls) forget to do it.

Week #5: Look in the mirror, see all your flaws and tell yourself that you’re freaking worth it none the less

Happy Easter y'all! Hope you had some great chocolate as well ;-)

Quote of the day:

Outgoing as a hobby

Do you know that feeling when there is way too much on your mind? So much that it just blocks. Instead of doing something about your problems, they just keep growing, paralyzing you. You grow blind. It might be hard to talk about it, to get it out there, but a lot of times it is what it takes to clear your mind, thus the challenge of last week; to talk about my insecurities. Being open about it really did help. To say it aloud makes you face it, and then it is suddenly not that much of an inhibition. Open is great, I’m not going to blast my problems out all over the internet (*cough*Facebook-is-not-your-diary-peeps*cough*)

Already having friends is no excuse

Everyone who knows me well can tell you, that I’m not usually one to keep my mouth shut though. Few things make me as happy as talking to new people. In the States one could argue that it was my main hobby (hours spent on that even outnumbers the one spent on the court), but it’s different in Denmark. People don’t stop you in the grocery store and asks if you play basketball and if you smile at the person sitting across from you in the train (after you’ve searched the whole god damn thing to make sure there is no empty seats where you can sit all by yourself – God forbid you sit with a stranger, you weirdo!), it will be considered flirting - and you aren’t cute, we’re back to weird. It kind of put a stop to my outgoing attitude.

None the less it is possible to talk to strangers and feeling good about yourself, also means to be the person you wants to be – or at least for it. So that’s what I’m going to do.

Week #3: Talk to a stranger once a day

My pride comes first - or does it?

Do I miss my chocolate? Hell yeah. Do I always feel like going into that stinky room with the weights seems like the funniest way to spend an afternoon? Sometimes House of Cards is calling my name. But when I look back at my week being healthy is definitely one of the things I put most pride in. It's not that I'm turning into a body builder - try to drink one of those protein shakes. Ydrk. But still I put pride in going to my fitness classes (or whatever exercise it might be), overcoming myself and seeing the progress. It feels good that you have the power to say politely but firmly no to cake.

And that’s something I’ve paid more attention to this week according to my challenge.

Week #1: For every day of this week, you have to find one thing, you have done that day, that you are proud of

I’ll spare you the saint like details, and just high light the deed of the whole week that I’m the most proud of. Wednesday we had an orientation meeting about the YFU and guess who arranged it? This girl and one of my friends. I talked about it to one of my favorite Americans and her response was: “Why are there no adults to arrange it?!”. It’s a pretty good picture of the difference between the American and European (or at least) Danish view on teens. None the less I felt quite responsible. We had managed to take contact to the school, gather all the volunteers and get a meeting together for 35 people that wanted to hear what we had to say. Right until 5 minutes before the meeting I was quite stressed and worried, but afterwards you should have seen me dancing out that school. I’m not sure my feet were touching the ground.

One of those moments where you feel that nothing can stop you. Sadly that’s not always how I feel about myself (I’d be surprised if anyone ever did), and that’s the reason that I’m doing these challenges. I think that starting out with this challenge might have been a mistake. Because what really make you insecure are exactly the mistakes you find in your behavior, looks and so on. Facing those errors is probably the place you should start out, instead of trying to build on a cricket foundation as I just tried to. But I’ll just go ahead and “face that mistake” and make it this week’s challenge. Often our errors are much bigger in our own heads and just saying it (or writing it in a blog, did anyone say therapy?) aloud helps you realize that it actually is a bit silly. Plus it makes you able to do something about it. So let me present to you challenge of this week:

Week #2: Talk to one of your loved ones about your insecurities

Haha, hadn't really thought about that one

4 months later...

We've made it to March, April is right around the corner, January a distant memory and the New Years resolutions just another parenthesis in our life. Usually - believe it or not; I still remember mine. No, I'm not a saint and haven't changed my ways completely. I admit I've totally forgotten to live by it now and then. Can't just break a bad habit like that...

So here's to the revival of my New Year's resolution:

Self respect

Our brains have to process a lot of information every day and it has to trash some of the less important (just think of how much doesn't mattering information you pick up during an episode of Sherlock Homes for instance). I don't need a super detective to explain the mystery of the forgotten New Years Resolutions.

You gotta keep it activated. Now to the strategy; every week I'm going to do a challenge to keep up with my goal to have more self-respect (it's also gonna challenge me to keep my blog updated... Which has been quite dead, I know)

I respect people for what they do; how they treat others, them selves and what they do with their lives. To have real deep respect means that you need to know what you respect them for, so here's my first challenge:

Week #1: For every day of this week, you have to find one thing, you have done that day, that you are proud of

To kick off, I'll give to you the "deed of the day"; as part of my fast I'm eating any kind of sweets. Today marks 3 weeks free of all that sugary stuff - don't think I've gone that long without chocolate EVER. Only 27 days to go...

Stay tuned for more!

Happiness as a destination

"You are always happy!" Are you kidding me? I'll take it as a compliment, cause I definitely try. I wish I could say I always succeeded as well!

Rainy weather, rude comment, bad hair day and that one guy doesn't text you back. There can be many reasons that it's just not your day. What's worth noticing is how often it's your surroundings that affect you. You can probably see where I'm going... About to give you "be happy"-speech. If you know me, you will know that it truly is my attitude, but whether or not you follow it, I don't care. I just know that to me, being mad is a waste of precious time.

I woke up, thinking it was going to be great day. The sun was shinning and it seemed like spring had finally arrived. That illusion crushed when I literally crashed into a fence on my way to school. A road worker didn't see me coming. He walked right into me with a concrete block. It torn a whole in my pants, that revealed the wound he gave me and sent me crashing into a fence. Not really the way you want to start of your day.  It didn't hurt too bad then, but I was choked and the guy didn't even say sorry.

I walk into class a little late, since... Well, I didn't expect to be part of a collision on my way to school. My teacher gives me one look and says nothing. Happy to have some friends that are a little more caring, when I start crying in the middle of class. Even though I always hate crying in front of people, but I couldn't help it.

A group presentation that wasn't exactly ready, a missed train and another one that was canceled didn't exactly make my day better.

Still what I wanna remember from this day is that it finally seems like the spring is coming to Denmark. It's 59 °F and the entire school is eating lunch in the first sunshine. My little brother keeps asking if it's summer now. And one more thing; we can finally play basketball outside again. You have one guess who made the winning shot? The only girl on the court.

Like a camera, it's a question about what moments you choose to capture. I choose the picture of the guys' surprised faces when I made those last points.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T a'la 2014

“Oh my god, I’m so fat!”

“Oh girl, you really should start working out…”

“’Scuse me bitch, you calling me fat? Look in the mirror!”

Still worth the picture

You can substitute fat with messy hair, ratchet or all the other bad things, we walk around saying about ourselves. So many girls, says bad things about themselves, expecting other people to argue with them and tell them, that they’re beautiful – I do it myself. But how comes that I get mad when other people say something bad about me, but then do it myself? I expect other to treat me well, but pick on myself. I demand respect, but don’t give it to myself.

The annual pilgrimage to the fitness centers have started. And this year’s– because 2014 will definitely be the year – New Year’s resolution to get fit and live healthy still seems like a goal within reach. Right after quit smoking, losing weight is the most common New Year’s resolution. I’ll have to admit that I’m not much better and I just got myself a fitness membership as well, but my resolution is different this year. It can be summed up in one word; self-respect. In some way being healthy is included, because it all comes down to treat yourself right. My body deserves to get exercise and enough sleep, but even though I forget to work out or get too tempted by the deliciousness of chocolate, I have to accept that I don’t look like a model, but trust that I’ll get back on track. I think a lot of people should be less hard on themselves. I’ll start this year.

Quote of the year

My German sister

Exactly 6 months. It feels like an eternity, but still I feel like I know her like the back of my hand and in no time we're back to the way we used to be. My German sister Lena - it feels so good to be reunited! It's like finding a piece of myself I had almost forgotten about. Now we got 5 days to catch up (and mock each other enough to make up for the rest of the year). Ready or not - Frankfurt here we come!

Merry Christmas!

First of all a merry Christmas to everyone. It’s a little strange knowing that all the Americans are just about to get started on the unwrapping, when our Christmas really is over. With the sugar hangovers I have from last night it’s probably for the best I didn’t have to get up early though. We celebrate Christmas the 24^th with the best (and probably richest) food of the year. Duck that melts on your tongue, heated chips, and potatoes cooked in syrup. Maybe we can’t compete with the deep fried… basically everything… you can get at State Fairs, but we can use our (greasy) imagination as well. And it’s most obvious when we make our Christmas candy. In my family we always have a little completion going on to see who can come up with the funniest thing to shape in marzipan. We kind of went with a unicorn theme this year.

 

 There was even a unicorn that moved in to the Christmas tree.

 

There’s something about traditions just putting you in that Christmas spirit. And the gifts always make it better as well.

 

The best part about this Christmas was definitely being back home with my family. It was probably the time I missed them the most last year. I’ll just let the family photo speak for itself. Nobody compares to them.

 

Oh, and then you can’t really come about the Christian thing when it happens to be Jesus’ birthday. Christmas Eve is for church, what January is for Fitness Centers, the only time of the year that Danish people actually bother going. My little sister insisted on singing an actual Birthday song for Jesus as we walked around the Christmas tree, but wasn’t sure, if it really was necessary to go to church. Here is your quote of the day.

Quote of the day:
We’re discussing whether or not we should go to church, and my little sister W was a strong advocate on skipping.

W: “I don’t wanna go. I don’t believe in God and all that – I believe in Big Ben!”

We ended up leaving the mass a little early. I mean if it’s family mass on Christmas Eve and you know everyone is preparing their duck at home, you don’t expect the mass to last 1½ hour. Do you?!

Anyways, Merry Christmas to all whether you believe in God, Big Bang- or Big Ben for that matter!

Dancetastic

The world did truly lose a great man, the day Mandela died. He did such great things and brought tremendous personal victims, so  that you can't help but admire him. Of course his death was tragic, but he was also 95 years old and it is a time to look back at his long life and great accomplishments. I went to the memorial for him in Copenhagen and it really was more of a celebration of his work than sorrow you found there. Everyone had a torch and it was so pretty. He pushed the world in the right direction and if one person can do that, what couldn’t we all accomplish together as one world? It gives me hope. The whole memorial was full of hope and there were even some African dancing. Really wish I could do that!

Me and my girls Friday night

I did dance Friday night at the school’s Christmas party though. And the best part; so did some of my teachers! You kind of get a new view on your math teacher when he’s in the middle of the crowd showing off his best old school moves.

Oh, and the dancing doesn’t stop just yet. It’s hard to come about the fact that it’s Christmas Eve tomorrow and we will of course take up the proud Danish tradition of dancing around the Christmas tree. I’ll leave the rest to your imagination.

Something's in the air

It's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas, and candles, cookies and glitter in your hair. Christmas is really a great time. It’s a season of “hygge” as we say in Denmark. It’s not a word you can translate. It’s spending time with the ones you love. Sitting in a cozy chair by the fire place. Relaxing playing a game. Just having a good time.

I’m definitely having a good time with Christmas parties, get-togethers and advent calendars. My tummy is having a good time as well. Way too good actually. But you know what? I like Christmas candy too much. I mean January is synonym to diet anyway. So I’ll just join the Danish migration to the gym in the beginning of the year. And I’ll be one of the ones sticking to my New Year’s resolution – of course(???) But until my blog turns in to a health freak’s diary, you can just sit back with and enjoy the pictures of my excessive use of chocolate in this s’mores dip me and my friend made the other day (my mouth did literally hurt for days because of that sugary stuff).  You can relax, knowing that you might sit on the couch with your computer but I just beat you bad on calorie consumption.

Oh, and no “hygge” without my YFU family. Never has glue all over been feeling as good, as it did today making Christmas packages for the Danish exchange students  in the States.

Happy Thanksgiving or "Thurday" as we like to call it in Denmark

Where to start? There’s so much to be thankful for! Living in a country with great options to take whatever education you want, a random act of kindness making me believe in the faith of the human race, my wonderful family, my best friends, sunshine. I could go on. But since Thanksgiving is an American holiday, my thoughts keep drifting over there.

If I go back one year to my first Thanksgiving, I can really tell how much I’ve changed. It’s hard for me to put in words how thankful I am for my exchange year and exactly what it has meant for me. It was a year full of challenges – and I probably shouldn’t say this, because I don’t want to scare anyone away, and I always try to encourage to go on exchange because I think in the end it’s definitely worth it – but if I had known exactly how hard it would turn out, I’m not sure I would have gone in the first place. I don’t regret going – not at all. We grow through hardship. Moving around, having no less than three host families made me doubt myself and question my actions and way of thoughts. It was probably the most natural thing to do, but none the less, it’s not a very pleasant feeling to have. I’m more independent now. I don’t care as uch for people’s opinion anymore. Don’t get me wrong, but it just doesn’t affect my choices much any longer. Being cool is just not that important. And if you don’t like my friends, singing or colorful leggings, you know what? That’ your problem - not mine. If you don’t accept me for who I am, I just don’t need your accept at all. I’ve also changed in many other ways as well, like I’m more outgoing – and as my mom would say, my music taste has gone quiet terrible, with all that nigga-gangsta-music.

Cheers to new friends

The most amazing thing about going on exchange though, is that it’s not an adventure that ends when you come home. I think of America daily and also it has brought me many amazing friendships. This weekend, I volunteered on a weekend camp for Danish students going on exchange next year. I had such a great time with the other volunteers. It’s always nice seeing the ones you already know, but what is really incredible, is how quick we all connect. You’re just instantly friends.

The weekend before, we actually did celebrate Thanksgiving. I really like being around students from around the world that is staying in Denmark. It’s funny how they can see from our society from another angle and I’m so impressed how much they work to understand the culture and learn the language – even though it sometimes come out a little funny. We’ll get back to that. So I had the Thanksgiving, now I just need a black Friday! It’s like when you’ve been thankful for all you have, you just feel the need to go buy some more stuff…

Wish y’all a happy Thanksgiving with your friends and family!

Quote of the day:

Me and one of the exchange students are playing draw something. I’ve drawn a stickperson and am halfway through a bottle, when he guesses the word.

“Drunk! It’s a happy person and it’s a Dane. He gotta be drunk.” Somebody picked up on that Danish culture quickly ;-)

All I do is win

I wish! Probably DJ Khaled does too. So much for gangster attitude!

We went to a competition last week. It was called Kortdage or “map days”. Really just a mecca for geeks.  My class had managed to have two of the three finalist team, which was pretty cool, when you take into account that it was a nationwide competition. But even in those favorable odds we lost to the last guy. Still we got a runner up price and each of our teams went home with 2500 kr equal to $450, so it wasn’t too bad. Also it was a pretty cool place to be. They showed of this car, that made me, as a person with no driving skills what so ever, very happy. It could drive in traffic with no driver, everything just monitored by sensors! Welcome to the future!

My team's poster

 

What my day consisted of

Wednesday we weren’t really in school either. It was OD-dag, which is one day of the year where high school students in Denmark donate one day of their education to give an education to people in less fortunate country. We work somewhere this day and donate the money we make, this year to Sierra Leone, home of the blood diamonds. I didn’t choose my own job and was sent to work at a night club (during the day, but still). It was kind of strange because you have to be 18 to get in there, but I was cleaning and pouring together alcohol all day. I even made some Facebook events for them and invited people to parties, I can’t even go to myself. Funny, how the normal rules doesn’t apply when it’s for a good cause. I was happy though, the guys were really nice and I didn’t have to go gardening like some other people. Hopefully it will be a win for some people in Sierra Leone as well.

To go back to my winning strike (and driving skills), I really won a lot of respect this morning. I got my winner’s kiss from the asphalt, when I fell on my bike right outside my school this morning. My knee did hurt a bit, but not half as bad as my self-esteem, as all my school mates walked by. It was right in front of a group of people handing out candidate flyers for the upcoming election. Those people are on every street corner at the moment! They were so busy helping me out, they forgot to give me a flyer – I guess that’s kind of a win ;-)

Dilemma!

Your life is probably pretty good if you don’t have bigger problems, but I’ve put a lot of thought into what concert to choose; Drake or Jason Derulo?

I’ve been telling my mother that if Drake ever came to Denmark, I would give up my heart to organ donation, if that could pay my ticket. But at that point I didn’t know he was going to come the same day as Jason Derulo! What is the chance that those two guys, that not exactly are frequent visitors in Denmark would come to play the same day?! And I already bought the ticket to Jason! I really wanted to go with my friend, but I would regret it for the rest of my life (or teenage life at least) if I didn’t go see Drake.

Now one of my other friends is going to take my ticket for Jason, and see what ticket I bought today!!! I don’t know exactly who I’m going with. But as long as I’m there and Drake is there, who cares about the rest?!

OMG I can’t wait! Drake, here I come!

My little sister's big day

 

This post is dedicated to my little sister on her big day. Congratulations to Cordelia with her confirmation. Of course it’s a day to celebrate; to spent with friends and family. But it’s also a day of reflection. I wrote a toast and it made me realize how much I appreciate my sister. Sometimes it might drown in stupid arguments (she might look like an angel in that white dress, but I’m telling you she can be a little devil too. Especially when she steals my clothes!), but it’s great always having someone around; to talk and laugh with. I hope she never reads this post, because if she finds out I wrote that I love her, it might be used against me later, but I’ll take the chance. Deep down I do love her, and I’m really thankful how much closer we have gotten since I came home.

I wish her the best in life!

Sisters always

Just a Lidl busy

”Ehh, how do I do this?”, “Just a minute”, “Let me ask my colleague”. All sentences I’ve asked a lot lately. I’ve started a new job. When you live the glamorous high school life, you need a just as glamorous job like mine in Lidl (or you could just have a sugar daddy).  And I feel pretty glamorous in my work clothes as well.

But then I can save up money and go buy a lot of clothes in the US hopefully. Forever 21, how I miss you! I hope I can come back over summer. It might seem like a little far out in the future, but the truth is that time goes by sooo fast. I keep myself busy. This week is worse than usual. The bare thought of it makes me look forward to this time next week. Not because it’s not good things I’m up too, there’s just so much to get done.

Today I’m in school until 4.45 pm, before I’ll have to hurry home because I’m hosting a Halloween party for some exchange students.

Wednesday I have an appointment with an acupuncturist. If I survive my fear of needles I’ll have to go to work from 4-9.30 pm afterwards.

I can’t wait until Thursday. We’re going to the Bruno Mars concert! Can you spell supertastic-crazy-awesome-great?

On Friday I’m going to an YFU-weekend training course for volunteers.

The course doesn’t actually end until Sunday, but I have to leave Saturday, before the party, because I’m going home to another party. One of my good friends is turning 18.

The biggest reason I have to leave before time, is because my it’s my little sister’s big day on Sunday. It’s her confirmation and the whole family is coming over (and I’m going to church for the first time since I came home this summer). If someone would write my speech I wouldn’t mind it, and while you were at it, maybe do my homework and help my mother clean the house? I would be forever thankful!

I don’t understand how my mother and other grown-ups ever have time to sleep! I feel busy, and I don’t have to manage a full time job, paying bills, picking up kids, cooking, cleaning and whatever else those over humans manage to do in a 24 hour period. I think I’ll just stick to my job in a grocery shop for now.

 See you in Lidl!

Nature is meditation

And I’m back to the civilized world! Internet my dear friend! I’ve been on internet rehab aka family vacation to Sweden. I might have a bit of an addiction… I love my Internet, but here is what makes me the happiest. A top four (I couldn’t limit myself to 3 – chocolate is kinda in its own category) in random order.

·         Chocolate

·         Meeting new people

·         Travel

·         Looove

So based on these criterions how good was my fall break?

Sweden has sooo much candy! It’s crazy! Godis (Candy you mix yourself) is everywhere. So tempting! Definitely, can check of my chocolate need.

Meeting new people? Well, there are not a lot of people out in the middle of the woods. I think I scared the ones that might have been, when we used the sauna by jumping around in bikini in puddles. Oh well, you know what they say; no church in the wild and no other fun then what you create yourself. I managed to talk to some German fishers though, but they only talked German. Do I have to mention it was a short conversation? I sure did meet and talk to some people I never would have otherwise.

Sweden might not be further from Denmark, than Kentucky to Tennessee, but it’s still another country, so I guess it counts as a travel.

I’ll have to admit I didn’t meet the love of my life, but you can’t have it all. A lot of love to my family though.

And then probably what filled the most; peace. I’m usually not very good to just sit back and relax at home, but in the middle of the Swedish nature, you can’t really fight it. Walks in the woods, sailing on the lake, sauna, puzzles and books completed my fall break. No make up and rubber boots all day!

A very happy birthday

17! I feel totally different now! Or not at all… 17 is really just an in between year. Another step on the way to turning 18 and being able to vote, drive and go clubbing… Just another year!

It was not going to stop me from having a good day though! I had a great time starting out with my family waking me up by singing, all my friends’ birthday wishes in school and Rikke coming to visit afterwards. My diet was not on, and I ate enough chocolate, cake and candy to cover my needs for the rest of the year. All in all just a cantastic time, even though I was on crutches after jamming my foot the day before. I was a little too determined to win that Ultimate game. There’s just something about my birthday; somebody has to get hurt. Last year S broke her arms, this year it was my turn. Maybe it’s just a way to overcome the misfortune of the year at once….

I feel pretty lucky at the moment anyways… I got rid of the crutches, fall break just started and I’m heading for Sweden and a whole week of relaxing!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes and have a great week – I’m planning on it J