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So as shocking as it sounds I only have 42 days left in Denmark. In other words, 6 weeks. In more words, 30 days of school, 1 AFS camp, a final school party, a family Christmas lunch and a few things more. It's going to go fast and there's no doubt about that.
I had to check what I finished the last blog with since I couldn't remember. I guess i'll follow up from there.
The last gym fest (fest is party in Danish for the Aussie readers). The theme had something to do with the ocean and thanks to my overwhelming enthusiuasm for dress up parties, I had an awesome costume. For those who don't know me that well, that was a very very sarcastic sentence. Of course I chose a cheat costume and went as a hula girl who I guess doesn't really have THAT much to do with the ocean. My costume sucked, I can say that honestly since I used a scarf as a hula skirt and it was only thanks to the Hawaiian necklace that anyone could guess what I was. Anyway, the only thing that matters for these kinds of parties is the initial first sighting of the costume and then no one really cares. Other than the costume struggle it was an alright party, not the best school one we've had but ok.
Efterårs ferie (autumn holidays). My host parents had a social event down in Bornholm (an island that belongs to Denmark yet is actually closer to Sweden. The people there have accents that make them sound Swedish and therefore harder to understand) and so they thought it would be a great idea to take me with them so I can see another part of Denmark. I obviously agreed that this would be a lot of fun and so the 4 of us were on our way. It is also where my host dad is from and where his family lives so it made the trip nicer getting to spend time with them. We had to drive to Sweden to catch the ferie to get to Bornholm. It wasn't bad and we ate some food and we were there before we knew it. I met Sofie's (3rd host sisters) FarMor (father's mum) and she was lovely. She was so excited we were there and it was clear it made her happy. We spent the few days taking long nature walks and and eating good food. I also got to try the traditonal Bornholmsk dish which is salted herring on rye bread with schnapps. Not the biggest fan i've got to admit and I defintiely won't be trying schnapps again. I think it's a dish you need to grow up with, like having vegemite on toast. The trip was really nice and I liked meeting some more family and seeing more of Denmark. I also got to practise understanding Bornholmsk Danish which was hard but understandable in the end. I was really happy that my family took me there.
After Bornholm my host mum had to go back to work yet my host dad had a few more days off and so he suggested we spend a few days in Guthenborg, Sweden. It's the same place I went with AFS almost a month before yet it was less rushed and a bit more fun. We drove to the city and walked around and then drove further out to see some of the nice Swedish landscape. We had hot chocolate in a cosy cafe, watched a Handball game between Sweden and Madrid and ate a very big pizza at a restaurant. Sweden was lots of fun and I liked spending time together with my family. It was a really good trip :)
We came back with a few days of holidays left. So I went into Aalborg and caught up on a few things I needed to get. I also bought my second host sisters birthday present since it was the following Tuesday. I only had a few days home because on that Monday I had mini exchange in Silkeborg. Basically living with another family for a week so you can see a Danish lifestyle from another perspective. Though we all know i've had my good share of families and so to me it was just an opportunity to meet new people.
Silkeborg is on the middle island in Denmark and I caught the bus down there on Monday afternoon. I was greeted by the family with a massive Australian flag and them all waving and smiling. It was actually the best welcome i've had in Denmark. Knowing that people who know nothing about you are smiling at you from a bus stop. I stayed with a family of 4, 2 young girls and a mum and dad. They were so lovely and I had a great time with them. I went to school with the girls and also got to see some of the nearby town with some AFS reps. We went to one of the local "højskole" which translated means high school but it isn't. It's a school you pay to go to which specialises in different things. This was a music school and you pretty much live together, eat together and spend the whole time playing music or making music. No exams or anything. It seemed like so much fun and if I had the opportunity, i'd love to go there for 6 months. Although I loved being there I hadn't been home for a while and I was craving to go back.
I came home Sunday and had a really nice lunch with my 3rd family. I think they were just as happy to see me as I was to be home. I played 500 with my host sister and it was good to be in each others company. I then went to my second host family's place for dinner because it was Liv's family birthday dinner. My friend Nina from school was also there and we played Just Dance 4. And so I was finally home and happy not to be going anywhere for a little while.
It was time to go back to school. Yeah, I really don't like it. Especially Mondays, I'm always in a bad mood on a Monday. I'm happy to go home and start year 11. It couldn't come soon enough. I know some of you will think i'm crazy but anyway. I do have some things to do lately though. I'm doing a big project called DHO which is when you pick a any subject you want and write 15 or so pages on it. Luckily for me I get to write it in english and my teacher is happy for it to be 5-6 pages. I'll see how I go with that. I was also asked by my old music teacher to play in the Silver Soul school band at the talent night. I can borrow my sisters tenor saxophone. I'm looking forward to it and practise starts tonight.
This weekend I caught up with Tom (kiwi exchange student) and we ate lunch. He was on mini exchange in Aalborg and it was the perfect opportunity to just meet up. We ate some good food and then went and bought some chococlate coated bananas. The weather was also a bit s***ty so we went and got a coffee at a local cafe. We pretty much spent the day chatting until it was time to head home. Tom had an amazing idea that we should switch jackets on the way back to the station so I had is denim jacket and scarf (a nice hobo look on me) and he had my size 16 childrens leather jacket on with my size 8 winter coat. I'd say he had the biggest challenge but it didn't stop him from posing in the middle of the street. It was honestly a great day and it was nice being with a friend.
My host family had asked me to make dinner Saturday and night and I had the perfect recipe. Unfortunately, it didn't go that great. I made the chicken a bit lemony and burnt the rice but the salad was good. My family said they enjoyed it though I knew I could make a lot better. Aske also made some fancy chocolate, coffee cake for dessert so the night was hyggeligt. Hopefully, maybe, I don't have high expectations they'll ask me to make dinner again.
The home topic. People are more frequently asking if I'm happy to go home and the answer is yes. I won't lie, i'm happy to go back. I want to have all the things i've mentioned in past blogs and be together with my family and friends now. Although I know I have a good social network around me. Then again i'm scared. Luckily I get home in time for my sisters graduation dinner yet I know I'll be sad, tired and everyone will be asking me questions. It's also the same day as Aske's birthday which is a perfect coincidence. I know my mum is going to try and keep me busy which I think is the best solution. I shouldn't be sitting there thinking about it. It'll figure itself out though, i've gone through worse over here.
Up and coming events:
With my 6 weeks left it's getting quite busy. I have my last AFS camp next weekend which i'm sure will make me feel guilty. For some reason they always do. I had some goals from the last camp which I have kinda achieved. I did join the gym which makes me happy. I head down there when I have some time and just spend time by myself while being active. I'm glad I completed that goal. I would have been disappinted in myself if I didn't.
I haven't just been speaking Danish like I promised I would but yah. If people speak to me in English I'm not going to reply in Danish. It feels like a mistake since it is my first language. I like it when people speak to me in Danish even if I don't always reply in Danish. I get Aske in trouble every now and then for it but we always end up speaking English again. *sigh*
I have gala (like a formal) and i've bought my dress. Quite exciting, i'm just waiting for it to arrive in the post. The day after is Mormor's Jule frokost. I'm also looking foward to trying all the Danish xmas food and to see how this family celebrates Christmas together. Then I have my host dad's birthday, Christmas markets, the talent night, packing and leaving. There's not much time left at all. I have to make the most of it.
Right now as I'm ending the blog I'm considering walking to the station early. I guess that's kind of like ditching but i'm sitting here doing nothing while everyone else does group work. exciting. Sorry, being negative. Anywho, let's end on a good note!
I'll be seeing you Aussies soon and the thought makes me really happy. Danes we don't have much time left and I have some weekends free for those who would like to catch up before I go.
Håber alle har det godt.
xo
- comments
Joann Rego Excellent read Alex - your head is in a good place :) xoxo
Sergio Lever I will be surprise if you don't become a writer and if you do you will be a very good one.
Emma Hayman You sound like you are having so much fun! Can't wait to see you again Alex!