Chestnuts, Chestnuts and more Chestnuts.........

Stella discovered chestnuts and went crazy!!! She and my mom was walking to the library when my mom showed her some chestnuts that had fallen from a tree. Stella thought they were so neat and decided to go back and pick more. She borrow a little yellow bucket from Mormor and off she went...she picked chestnuts for days. She quickly became known around Lynge as the girl with the little yellow bucket. She got invited into people's driveway to pick as many chestnuts as she wanted to and did she ever!

Fall Fun in the Queen's Backyard

We went to Fredensborg Slot. The palace by Lake Esrum in northern Zealand is the Queens and her husbands most frequently used residence in the spring and autumn months. The beautiful rooms and halls often form the setting for major state visits and royal events. 

The first parts of the palace were built in 1720–22 and it's gardens are some of Denmark’s biggest historic gardens. One part of the garden is the Nordmandsdalen. There are 70 sculptures, representing 60 Norwegian and 10 Faroese farmers, fishermen, women - it was very unusual for the time, to make sculptures of ordinary people. 

Last time we were in Denmark, we went to the castle and got to go on a tour inside. When we got there this time, I said to my mom, "I remember this place!"

We had a great time strolling around the lovely gardens and forest, seeing the leaves, old trees, lake and the castle. It was very quiet, peaceful and colorful. My mom is funny - she always says: "Enjoy the colors - it is like magic for your eyes, and make sure to listen the silence."
 

Picasa link here...

Construction Zone

Yesterday, I felt so sad and lonely. I had so many feelings inside of me and I didn't know what was going on with me. I miss all of you in America and at the same time I love it here. I feel helpless that I have to ask for help with all of my homework - something I always just did on my own in America. I also have so many other strong feelings that is hard to explain. My mom told me that it is very normal for a girl my age to feel all these strong feelings. She said "It's like a construction zone - a big remodeling going on inside of you." I know that she wants me to keep on sharing and talking about my feelings but it can be hard when you're not quite sure how to explain yourself sometimes.

A Leisure Bareback Ride

For me there is no better way to start fall break than with a leisure bareback ride through the beautiful fall landscape, so Saturday I took Krymmel, this cute little stubborn horse, out for ride.

Picasa link here!

Motionsdag

Today we had last day of school before fall break. We had "Motionsdag" (exercise day). It was a super fun day where students from all schools competed for most kilometers. We had 2 hours and had to choose between running, biking or riding your scooter. I chose to ride my bike with my friends. I biked 30 kilometers! Stella and my mom ran 8 kilometers each. Last year our school ran/biked a total of 9144 kilometers. This year we had a total of 9315 kilometers! Woo-hoo!!!

Have a safe and happy fall break!

My mom took a few pictures of Stella and her friends.



Stella warming up

Fun Fall Day in the Forest

Fall has arrived in DK. :-)

School Update

I can't believe that we have already been in school for almost two months now! It feels like we started last week. I agree with Christina on one of her previous comments, "You'll probably be considered a curiosity at first...the new girl from California...but that will wear off and you'll be one of the crowd in no time. California is a place that a lot of people dream about.  It has a myth.  And you are from one of the most beautiful places in California." Thank you, Christina. I totally agree with what you said and appreciate that you mention it. I do feel like I am becoming one of the crowd now. It is a bit challenging but people do grow with challenges. I feel that I am fitting in more and more. I am treated like an equal and is always included.

 

The language is getting easier and I just finished reading a Danish book mostly by myself. I also just finished doing a history project in Danish. I found that project completely different form the projects that I had in the US. I also found that it was hard to write in Danish and that Google translate sucks if you are trying to write a lot... The plus side was that it was super easy and the grades weren't as strict as I'm use to with MSped. ;-) We got the highest score!!!

 

Here is our Prezi. (My teacher didn't know about Prezi so I got to do a presentation for her and the class) 

 

We got to participate in a fun and very Danish event called "Alle Børn Cykler" (All Kids Bicycle). All student from K-10 had to bicycle to school with a helmet for two weeks. It was happening all around Denmark and more than 150,000 school students participated.

I also had my class picture. I just dressed the same as everyday and left my hair out, though compared to the others I was not very fancy. The boys had loads of gel and the girls had loads of makeup. I know that they all dress like that everyday, though with less makeup and gel. One of my friends, Linea, wears a LOT of makeup everyday, so when I see her I don't think of her as a kid- 12 years old, but a teenager. I think that all the kids do it to be cool- personally I think it is pretty weird.

My mom went to a parent meeting in my class and in Stella's. She said it was kind of like Back to School Night at ISM. All the parents met with the teacher at 7pm and talk about the upcoming year and drank a lot of coffee.

Stella went to "Idrætsdag" (their version of field day, but just for all third graders from our school and the neighbor town. A small competition). Stella class ended up as number 4. Pretty good.

Unfortunately, the lady who helped me and Stella with extra Danish, Randi, left after teaching at Lynge school for 40 years. At first, I was more than worried. Now, I feel that in a way, it is a good thing that Randi isn't always there to help us. I feel that it forces us to work even harder and more on our own.

Happy Fall break everyone! After Fall break I will be going to Northern Jytlland, to the beautiful Vesthimmerland/Rønbjerg, with my class for 4 days! We will be in a water land, bungee jumping, and hanging out...