So May started out a little rough, I will say. It was hard loosing my friend, and even harder to accept. There was turmoil all over the states, where exchange students were in shock, even the one's who didn't know Diren. Many were revolt, because of the fact, that exchange is about making the world a better place. It's about making friendships all over the world. It's about making peace. It definitely set a perspective on a lot of things, and it showed me, how exchange students are different. We stand together as a whole no matter what. We understand each other, and I will say, exchange wouldn't be the same without my exchangies! I have a lot of local friend, whom I love! And for me that was one of the promises I made to myself before I left Denmark, I would have a lot of local friends, not just exchange friends. Exchange is also about learning another culture, and that's what you get through locals. Before I write a whole book about this, I will continue with May:
So I started May with getting a make up trial for
prom
Afterwards I went to church with my first host
family, Jan and Tim
And as always, church was like a concert!
This time was a little different though. After service they
have a prayer team where you can pray with one of them,
I chose to go up and pray for Diren. It was hard but I am so
happy, that I did it!
Taylor and I "doing work in class"
Yes, Americans actually do this for votes...
I talked to Fabian from Germany.. It was
good talking to him again. He's a friend I always
can rely on. Never thought I would say that about a
German.. That's what happen on exchange. Your perspective
change so much!
So this part of my exchange, only a few people know
about. On May 5th my grandmother passed away. I was still
mourning from the loss of my friend, so it was a very tough situation.
At that point I had to make a very difficult choice. I had the opportunity
to go home for the funeral.. The thing about that is, that you never know how
you're gonna react to being home again, and you might end up making everything
worse for yourself. A few days went by, and I talked to my parents about it, and had
actually decided to stay in Florida, but 3 days before the funeral I could feel, that I didn't feel
good about it. I wanted to be able to get a closure and say goodbye, let it go, cause else this would
"ruin" the rest of my exchange year. So I talked to my mom Wednesday morning, and Wednesday afternoon
I was on the way home. With this choice came more decisions, should I tell my Danish friends? Many of my friends in Denmark chose to go on these fun "boarding schools" that we have in Denmark, which means, that many weren't home, when I was there. Therefore I decided not to tell anyone, since it would probably upset many, that they couldn't see me, when I was so close suddenly. I hope that all my Danish friends can understand the choice I made! We will see each other VERY soon!
So I got my ticket. Gosh I was so nervous at this point!
I was so afraid I made the wrong choice.
My wonderful Sis was there waiting for me in
the airport, where I came without suitcase :(
They hadn't gotten my suitcase on the plane, so
I had to wait till the next day to get it...
I was in heaven!!!! We stopped by a gas station
and I got my favorite soda, Faxe Kondi, and a "franner"
as me and my friends calls it!
The Danish weather when I arived!
The rapeseed fields made it easy to see from the plane
when I was flying over Denmark, but even prettier close up!
So my mom made my 2 favorite danish meals
for dinner! Tarteletter and Frikadeller.. SO GOOD
The funeral was beautiful and I got to say goodbye
After the funeral we all met up as my grandmom would've wished
and ate "smørebrød" and got schnapps
Good Danish Lunch!
Just a picture of the best butter that exist.
So... I bought a couple of things to take back to America...
Just a few things ;)
Unfortunately I missed Relay, but I got some great greetings
from my friends, LOL!
So this is what happens when you leave your phone
at the table with your rotary president... a lot of selfies!
So payback for that Eric, welcome to my blog :D
- great picture by the way!
Won the Brave Heart Award!
And Eric won 10000000 awards lol
Selfie time with my awesome fellow exchangies,
Arnaud and Eric!
2 days in high heels... no problem!
PROM 2K14!
Picture time with Melissa!
My little Prom Princess ;)
You never go wrong with Starbucks!
Typical white girls
My starbucks friend
My Icee friend LOL
My Dubai girl from 7th period!
Went to the Dali museum, quite interesting actually!
I loved that they had an audio tour, that always makes it
more interesting
St. Pete!
Yasmeen and I!
Foreigners have so much in common...
Senior Citizen Day!
Disney!
- for my Danes... This is something seniors do
on the last week of school!
A last picture with Jorge! My awesome bro
from 7th period... #family
Last school day = last pic with Chris my Asian Bae
LOL! And again, from 7th period!
I think we have like 2 people in that class, who's actually
from the States!
Asian, European, Middle eastern, Mexican, Hispanic in general,
Half black, Canadian, and I probably forgot someone else!
I got gifts for all of my teachers and wrote them
a letter. I had great teachers, and both my Psychology teacher,
Mr. Howard, and my US History teacher, Mr. Q taught me a lot
and where just in general awesome teachers! I'm gonna miss those
hours spend with them. I love psychology as many might have guessed,
so of course that was never boring. But US history is another story! I found
that class super difficult, but after switching teachers about 5 times, I got Mr. Q
which really made it easier and more interesting. And I just had the best classmates in there!
They finally graduated!
The Thompson family was gathered to watch Matthew graduate!
from the right: My host dad, John, the grandparents, Tim and Karen,
John's brother, and last but not least! ME!
I went to Tampa's aquarium with my host family
Pretty cool!!
Yep. Cool is the word!
Sharks scares me so bad.. I'm glad there's glass
between us!
Tea. Good tea!!!
Went to the beach with my girls!
#noSunscreen
SELFIE
Thai Temple with my host family, isn't it beautiful?!
We ate food there... Spicy but good!
And the sweet tea is amazing!
There were so many big fish just swimming around there
It was so random!
Lunch at the temple with the family!
Dinner at Sam's by the Water!
Thought I looked pretty country with Soo's hat and everything!
Goodbye poolparty at Geraldo's
JUMP
Nice selfie Maitê!
I always enjoy spending time with these people, they're
amazing. they are the one's who are gonna change the world.
Stay Happy!
Last group picture with Bam and Geraldo :(
I miss you guys!
So yea.. A lot has been going on! I will say, I do not regret going home! It was the right thing for me to do in this unique situation. I had told myself when I left, that I weren't gonna go home if someone older passed away, but I had never expected something like this. I'm happy about my decision, especially because the whole time I was there, I couldn't wait to go back and continue my exchange. I missed it so much. Wonder how it will be when I actually go back for good... I don't even wanna think about that!! What can I say? Exchange is awesome!
