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.

Michelle's Birthday Party

My friend Michelle had a birthday party for her 5 best friends, me included. We had to come in workout clothes, because the plan was for us to go into the forest to play around. When we came back, we had some dinner and cake, where we all laughed a lot.
Later, we saw a movie and had a bunch of fun with seeing a scary movie where I got freaked out....Michelle thought that it was "oh so hilarious" (which it sort of was) and we all started cracking up. In the morning, we had breakfast and played outside. It was super fun!

Tivoli with Sole and Julle

Solveig invited Julie and I to come to Tivoli to be together and have a goodbye-Danny-thing. Her parents drove us in to Copenhagen and we all went into Tivoli together. Shortly after, we three girls went around Tivoli on our own. We hung out and walked around, went on a bunch of rides and just enjoying each others company. Later, we met up with her family and got ice cream, dinner, and cotton candy. It was a bunch of fun and a really nice thing that they did for me!

Dear Danya

Dearest Danya,

What a year we've had. It's been an absolutely amazing experience!

This year I have seen you blossom into an exquisite young woman. You have grown so much in so many ways. Physically, you are now almost as tall as I am, but mentally and emotionally you are bigger than us all. Educationally, you continue to grow and learn and you always seem to enjoy gaining new knowledge. Just within the first month of school your Danish improved immensely and you are now fluent. I feel so proud watching you read all types of Danish books on your own. I find myself having amazing conversations with you and I am always learning something new from you.
 

You have made some great new friends this year, and I know that you are very sad to leave them. They are very supportive of you and accepted you into their lives straight away. As a mother it is touching to have your friends come to me, with tears in their eyes, expressing how sad they are to see you leave. Your friends really care about you.
Leaving friends isn't easy, but taking the time to nurture a friendship is worth every ounce of effort. Don't let your location determine the strength of your bond. If your friendship is meaningful then it will keep growing even if you are an ocean apart. I know you have made a goal to stay in touch with your friends by Instagram, Snapchat and Skype. If keeping up with your friends become a routine, your friendship will continue to thrive.

As your mom I will always be there for you. You are so precious to me. Nothing compares to the joy and happiness that you spread in my life. I know you feel sad that your year here in Denmark is coming to an end, but don't worry, the best is yet to come! And I know that no matter where life’s path takes you, you will succeed. Every day I am proud of the person you are becoming and I know you will make a difference in this world.
Think of yourself as timeless, precious and priceless. Every day when you walk out into a new day remember that you are treasured beyond anything you could possibly imagine. There isn’t anything that you could ever do that would sacrifice the love that I have for you.

Danya, don't be afraid to continue to spread your wings and fly. Follow your passion as nothing will give you more pleasure and satisfaction in life than doing something that gives you happiness. Have the courage to live your dream. I think that this year has shown you that the unknown of following your dream may spark a little fear, but it is okay. Even if you do not succeed at first, you will be happy knowing the fact that at least you tried and that you gave it your best shot. When you get back home make sure to take a break from your busy life, look back and relive the many moments, here in Denmark, that gave you so much happiness.

This is a time in your life to look both inside yourself and forward to what may be. In whatever you choose I know you will do your best and will continue to grow along the way.

You are, and will continue to be, a person who will make things better and brighter and you make me very proud.

I love you!
Mor

Feelings about everything

We just have eleven more days left before our year in Denmark is all over. It’s hard to believe how 11 months have flown by so quickly and yet at the same time, it really does feel like a whole lot has happened. Our life here has become a daily routine, and I think that it will be very difficult going back to our "old life". I feel conflicted. I really cannot wait to see my family and all of my friends, but at the same time, I don't want to leave my family and friends here. It is all very difficult to take in, and I have a hard time realizing that there will be a HUGE change in our lives in less than two weeks.

I'm so glad for my year here in Denmark. At one point, I felt a bit regretful because I didn't learn quite as much in school as I had thought I would, but thinking about it, I've learned so much more than what you can learn in school. I've learned about the people here, their culture and who I am and I have had so many amazing experiences here that I wouldn't have if we hadn't taken the chance to move here. Living away from home, on the other side of the world, has impacted me in ways that will stick with me for life. Since being in Denmark I have come out of my shell, so to say, I'm much less shy! I've become more independent, and confident in myself and the choices I make, and I've learned to take in everything as it comes. Being put outside of your comfort zone is a scary thing, but I've realized now that really it is just an opportunity to try new things.

Mormor is selling her house. It will be very hard for all of us, especially Mom, to say goodbye and know that when we come back it will be to somewhere else, not the childhood home we were all use to. Who knows what will happen to it or who will move in, but the best thing to do is to put a smile on you face, your mind in positive thinking and your heart full of the great memories that have taken place while we lived in it. It has really been great that we got the chance to live here and were able to go to Lynge Skole.

Right now, everything seems like it is flying by. A week feels like a day, a day feels like an hour. We try to make the best out of our last time here, but it seems harder when you think about all of the negatives like, moving away from your family, friends and home. I know how hard it felt to move from America, but this is different because I knew the whole time that I would be moving back. Now that we will be leaving Denmark, I don't know when we will come back, and when we do, if we will be coming back to the same friends and family. I have made such good friends here, and now I am just going to leave them on short notice. All my friends here have the same reaction about me leaving, that they wouldn't let me go. They don't want it and won't allow it. I feel that when I am around my friends here, I am peaceful with myself and the world, and I am able to express myself, not through bragging or doing homework.

The tempo here is different. People are on time, and do not want to come late, but in the long run, they use their time more wisely and calmly. After school, you don't have to drive at 75 mph to get to a sport or activity, here you walk over to a club or go home to your friends and hang out, talk, and relax. At dinner, it is not about being the first done, it is about hygge and being together. I have really enjoyed that tempo, and now that I know that that tempo of life exists, I will have a hard time going back to a compacted and hectic lifestyle.

I have been very lucky to come in the class that I came in. Everyone is very grateful for each other and there are very, very rarely arguments. All of the girls are close, some closer to others. In the US, I struggled (especially in the lower classes) for finding a best friend. I knew that there were best friends in movies and books so why not one for me. I always tried so hard to be a person that everyone liked, but not the person that I am 100%. I always thought that a best friend was one that you told secrets to and who didn't judge you and that would always be your friend forever. In some ways, I was right and some ways wrong. I didn't just find my best friend, but my best friends. They are always there for me and they couldn't care less about the clothes I wear, or how good I am at sport or school. They just care that I am who I am and I am very grateful for that. I am always excited to come to school and hangout with them. I feel that leaving them will leave a huge hole in my heart, because I finally found friends who I always have fun around and who appreciate me for who I am.

All in all, I have found my brown feeling again. Yellow for the queasy feeling in your stomach when you are excited, blue for the despair of leaving the people I love.
I never want to forget this year, and I never will.

9th Graders' Last School Day

The 9th graders had their last school day today. They started the day off with spraying everyone with shaving cream in front of the school. Later they walked through the school handing/throwing out caramels and pasta in to the classrooms. At the end of the day they did a revue. In the revue, they preformed small skits, most reflecting on their teachers and everyday life, with a twist on it. They danced and joked around, at the end, saying goodbye to their teachers and the school. It was very funny.

More pictures here.

First Swim of the Year

We went to Buresø to go for our first swim of the year. It's our favorite place to swim! It was a chilly swim, but probably our last swim here in Denmark..... this time around. It was a really nice and beautiful day.

More pictures here.

Fun with Cousins

We went to my mom's cousin's house for dinner. We made up skits and laughed a lot! I really like hanging out with my cousins!

Friends!

These past weeks, I have really been together with my friends a lot! I went to the movies with Solveig, where we saw "The Other Woman". I went shopping in Lyngby with Julie, Solveig and Ellen, and to a concert at Lynge Bytorv where we saw Lucy Mardou from the Danish X Factor. After that, I went and ate dinner at Solveig's house. I feel that in Denmark, there is more freedom to go places with your friends on a daily basis, and just planning it an hour in advance. My friends and I have gotten very close, especially with the help of Klubben where we can be together for hours. I have really enjoyed it and I really enjoy and appreciate my friends!

More BFF pictures here.

Stella's Last Two Field Trips

Stella has been on so many fun field trips with her class this year. Here are the latest two trips. One to the library and one to Copenhagen where they went sailing on the canals.

More pictures from the library here.

More pictures from Copenhagen here.

Spring Party at Klubben

Mom, Stella and I went to a spring celebration over in Klubben. It was a beautiful summer evening. The sun was out and there was a nice breeze. There were tables set up out in the garden as well as a bounce house. There was a fire at the fire pit where you could make Danish pancakes and inside there was a table sat up for all the cakes in the cake competition. Everyone talked, played and just hung out and enjoyed each others company and the fact that summer has arrived. We were the first to arrive and the last to leave. We waked home at 9:30pm and the sun was still high in the sky.

Social Media

I just got Instagram and Snapchat, so that I can keep in touch with my friends, here in Denmark. Unfortunately, now I feel that I am on the computer all the time. I got to figure it out soon! I am very excited that my plan of staying in touch is all ready in action...

Jutland and Legoland

We took another trip over to Jutland. We took the bus from Copenhagen after school on Thursday, because we were off from school Friday. We had gotten some free tickets to go to Legoland, and were planning to use them when visiting Moms friend Mette. When we got to Vejle, Mette picked us up and drove us to her house. Mom was very happy to see her friend, and she was also very grateful that she got to visit her one more time before going back to America. Who knows when we will come back to Denmark!?
When we got to Mette's house, we ate varme hveder. It is a tradition in Denmark to buy and eat these white rolls the evening before Store Bededag. We hung out a bit and then went to sleep.

The next day, we toured around the area and went walking with Bob Marley and his friend. I was also showed how to make a very easy recipe for rolls.

We woke up early Saturday, Stella first because she was too excited to sleep, and ate breakfast. We were going to LEGOLAND!!!! Once everyone was up and dressed, we went and picked up Emilie, Mette's niece, so that she could come to Legoland with us. When we got to Legoland, we waited in line for getting in. Once we were in, we went straight over to the cars so that we could get a drivers license. While we were waiting for the group before us to be done, we walked around and admired the well made Legoland. We walked back over to the cars and had our turn. This was the last year for me to be able to drive the cars. You can only drive the cars until you're 13 and I'm simply getting too big. After, we went wild going throughout the whole amusement park. Emilie and I went on the big roller coasters and I went with Mom and Stella on the water ones. There were penguins in the new polar section as well as new rides. At the point when our tank needed to be filled, we ate at a buffet where our friend works. After that, we went on some more rides. It was a beautiful warm summer day and we had so much fun!!!

More picture from Legoland here.

The next day, we hung out until we had to go. Mom had a very hard time saying goodbye. It was very nice to be there and visit as well as being in Legoland.