No Longer 9 Time Zones Away

I have had the hardest time sitting down to write this, because as of the 6th of June, we are no longer 9 time zones away and I know that I have to end this blog. This will be my last blog post, because, I do not have the rights to write on a blog that is called 9 time zones away, when I am now back in the states. I have been very grateful to all of you that have read my blog, and I hope that you have felt as if you have been on my journey together with me.

This past year went by so amazingly fast, even though we, at first, didn't think that it would. It seems as when you have fun and are experiencing a lot, time pass by faster. These 12 months was packed with experiences and new impressions. It's a strange feeling now, after returning home, thinking about the life that I have just left and the people I have said goodbye to. I have found out that you do not learn a new culture the first day you step into it. I had an expectation of how things would be, and that of course was not always the case. I was so nervous, and excited, when I sat on the airplane, on the way to Denmark a year ago, but thanks to a bunch of great people, I calmed down and despite being so far away from home and being so far away from everything I knew as my world, I could still feel at home. I have learned that even though you are far away from home, you can easily get a new routine to work under the conditions you happen to have.

We all got a culture shock coming back and right now, everything seems very hard. Mormor is selling her house, we are not there to help. We won't see our school and classroom for a long time. We had to say goodbye to so many great people, Fussie and Bente, Sophie from riding, Stella's gymnastics teachers, our friends and family, and the whole of Denmark. I really miss my friends. They have made me realize that I am who I am and that I need to believe in myself, and I am and will always be grateful to them for that.

There will be many changes and bumps (some bigger than other) in life and we just have to be happy that we are able to experience it. I think that the one thing that I should have changed in the beginning of the year would have be, being more open and take in everything what was happening around me. Now that I think about it, that really wasn't me before this year, how could I have known better. I know now, that taking chances are a huge thing. You never know what will come out of them, but all you can do is, enjoy the ride and live it up to the very highest.

I just want to say a quick thanks to everyone for reading my blog, and helping me with feeling that my writing is open and readable, helping me express myself. Thank you to MSped for writing to me and helping me stay connected to my American friends. I know that many of those who we got to know in Denmark, do not read this blog, but I would still like to say thank you for the warm hospitality we got. Tak til min klasse for at velkomme mig ind så hurtigt, med åben arme og stort smil. Tak til min Mormor for alt hun har gjort for os, med mad og et hus, et hjem hvor vi følte os sikker og glad, hvor vi bare kunne komme og gå som vi ville og at du altid var der for os. Thanks to Mor and Stella for being at my side the whole way, and staying so strong with me, as a team.

I am very nervous about school, because honestly I can't remember any Spanish, and I don't think that I have come so far with school in general, being that I have put most of my energy into learning the culture, the language, both reading and writing.

Even though it feels like we left for Denmark yesterday, when I look back at my blog, I will see all of the great things that we have experienced and all of the things that we have achieved.

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened!" With those words, I would like to say thank you to those who have been following my blog.

Flying Away From Denmark

We went to the airport, where some of my friends were awaiting. We had to leave our house 63 in Lynge for the last time. We said goodbye to Moster Lone and waved goodbye. It was very hard to leave the house, with it always being there. It was there when Mom grew up, it was there when my parents were married, and it was always there for Stella and I when we came visiting in the summers. My Morfar planted and took care of the garden, and we have had all of our family get togethers there. It was especially hard for Mom to go because she has so many memories there. It has gotten too big for Mormor, being that Morfar died, and she has the right to sell it and move. It was very lucky that we had the chance to live there this year, and it has been the best year of my life.

At the airport, we checked in like normal, but with our friends there to say goodbye. They brought a couple gifts and got to say goodbye. I thought that it was very thoughtful and kind of them. Everyone has been so supportive of us and it has really been nice. I am going to miss everyone so much. My family, Bente and her horses, my school, my teachers and especially all of my friends. The friends that I have made here are very special to me. I feel that they, from day one, have excepted me for who I am. I can truly be myself  100% around them. I am so afraid to loose my friends now that I am leaving and will be so far way from them.

When we got to the US after a very emotional flight, it really didn't feel like home, and I don't think that it will feel like that after our year in Denmark. I hope that everything will go smoothly, like in Denmark...

Goodbye to Our Family

We had a family get-together before we left, so that we could have one last time together in Mormor's house. Once everyone came, we chatted and hyggede us. We had a delicious dinner and just a great time together. It was then time to say a very difficult goodbye, but it is always good to remember that, just because it is over, at the same time it isn't. 'Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.'

More pictures here.

Ellen's Birthday

Almost all of the girls would be coming to Ellen's birthday and I was one of them. Ellen has always been the person that has showed me around and introduced me for all of the things in Denmark that I haven't been sure about. She is the one that has expressed her feelings the most about me moving. I have been in many groups with Ellen in school; History, Hjemkundskab, N/T... I had to come to the party, no doubt, but I just hoped that the party wouldn't be with a sad feeling. The day after we leave, is Ellen's birthday, and that is the first day back in school for my friends. I hope that her day won't be ruined because the attention will be about me no longer being there. I hope that she has a good birthday.
Ellen is a very organized person and she likes to have things under control. She had a very fun party, with a buffet dinner, ice cream cones, which you could serve yourself, and roasted marshmallows. We also played with her bunny, and played badminton. At 12:00 AM about, we turned on a movie but almost half of all of the girls were already asleep.
In the morning, we 'hyggede os' and ate a delicious breakfast. We played outside and suddenly, Ellen calls all of the girls in to brush teeth, but I wasn't allowed to come. They all came out a while later, with a bunch of gifts for me. I thought that it was very nice of them! They really care about me, as I care for them. Ellen walked me home later after a great time, and we said goodbye.

Sidste Ride Time

Today was my last riding hour and I was really worried that something would go wrong. I was also happy to ride, like always, but very, very sad at the same time about not coming again and ever seeing Fussie again. Fussie has meant so much for me and to pet her for the last time was one of the hardest things that I have ever done. She has always been there for me and it was just a very emotional moment to let her go for the last time. I love her so much!

The day started, with Sophie calling me and asking if I was coming. She said that there wasn't anyone there yet and wasn't sure if there was going to be a lesson. When we got there, the lot was filled up and there was a horse outside, and Bente was running around.

There was a competition next door, and the horse that was standing outside was in the competition. There was something with the back shoe, that had hit the front one and made it bleed. There was a bunch of people trying to help and it seemed a bit stressful. Bente said to me and Sophie that the horse was going to be okay and that we would have the riding lesson and we we should just saddle up.

Sigrid, Emilie, and a new little boy also came. We did dressage, jumped, galloped and did pony training. It was really fun! Afterwards, we went on a walk in the beautiful summer weather and when we came back, we rode without a saddle. It was one of the best riding hours I have had!

After awhile, Fussie began getting tired, and I just walked her around. I put her in the stable and let her eat, while I handed out some cake that I had baked myself in the moning. Stella and her friend, Sophie, enjoyed the cake, and enjoyed playing together upstairs, on the loft, with the kittens. We also gave Bente a bottle of whiskey (she loves whiskey!) and a card, thanking her for all of the things that she had taught me.

After our mini party, I went into Fussie and brushed her until she shined. I took my time, and petted her as well. At last, it was time to say a very, very hard goodbye. I walked her down to the field and let her go. I was then bombarded with a bunch of hugs, but not being able to stand it, I went into the pasture and went over to pet her. The other horses came over to help comfort me and it was very nice. I saw Fussie walk off for the last time, feeling proud, confident, happy, and older from everything that I have accomplished with her, but sad that I had to leave her and possibly never see her again.

Last pictures with Fussie here.

Hillerød with Julie

I went, the very last time (for a while), to Hillerød with Julie. We were in Klubben together after the last day of school and got to say goodbye when suddenly, Julie said, "weren't we supposed to go to Hillerød today?" I thought about it and suddenly remembered that I asked her earlier in the week, if we should go to Hillerød, and she had agreed. I texted to Mom, and a half an hour later, we were on the bus on our way to Hillerød. We bought a few things, but mostly, just had fun hanging out. I'm going to miss these spontaneous moments with my friends and the freedom to be able to go places and hang out with my friends without it having to be planned and having to be taken by a parent. I'm going to miss my friends and I'm going to miss Denmark so much!

Sidste Skoledag

And to think that it was already the last day of school, I can not even believe it. We have been through so much with our classes and we have been given so many great friends. It wasn't the easiest in the beginning, but now I wonder why we even worried. Maybe it is a part of the whole package. Mom, Stella and I walked to school hand in hand, talking about the very first day of school and reflecting all of our feelings and all of the things we have done this year.

In school, it was the normal schedule, but with a couple changes. In math, we did a math test, that I tried to get done with. In Natur/Teknik, we worked on planning a field day for 1A, and in the second N/T hour, we celebrated me and my departure. I got a few gifts, and I gave two beautiful candle holders to Bitten and Louise, as well as a crisp, new one dollar bill for all of the students. I handed out cake and melon to my class, and everyone got to enjoy themselves and cry if needed. I got to say goodbye to my teachers, and get a shirt signed in the classroom and at the office.

And to think that it was already the last day of school, I can not even believe it. We have been through so much with our classes and we have been given so many great friends. It wasn't the easiest in the beginning, but now I wonder why we even worried. Maybe it is a part of the whole package. Mom, Stella and I walked to school hand in hand, talking about the very first day of school and reflecting all of our feelings and all of the things we have done this year.

In school, it was the normal schedule, but with a couple changes. In math, we did a math test, that I tried to get done with. In Natur/Teknik, we worked on planning a field day for 1A, and in the second N/T hour, we celebrated me and my departure. I got a few gifts, and I gave two beautiful candle holders to Bitten and Louise, as well as a crisp, new one dollar bill for all of the students. I handed out cake and melon to my class, and everyone got to enjoy themselves and cry if needed. I got to say goodbye to my teachers, and get a shirt signed in the classroom and at the office.

After we ate some lunch, we had a Grundlovsdag party where Thomas Kirkegaard, the head of the school, said a few words, and then we ate some more cake. It was very 'hyggeligt'!

The very last hour, I had English funny enough...

Throughout the day, we said goodbye to our friends and teachers, and it was a nice day, but at the same time, very, very hard. Once everyone was gone, I said goodbye to my classroom and thanks for a great year, then I went over to Klubben.

More pictures our last school day here.

Last Aftenklub

Klubben has been a really positive place for me. It has helped me get out of my shell and help me with getting friends. I have been going to aftenklub lately with Julie and Solveig, and just hanging out. Today was my last aftenklub which is hard to understand. I have had so much fun.
When we got there, there was koldskål on the table and I went ahead and took 3 bowls full. We all were together, Solveig didn't come because she was at a Miley Cyrus concert, and had a bunch of fun. I got to say goodbye to Morten and Döndü. It was a really fun evening, but also very emotional for me! I have really come to enjoy this place and all the people that works here.