one week.
So yeah, I'm going to Norway. Most people ask "Why Norway?", usually followed up by, "You better bring warm clothes."! haha, its hilarious. Anyways to answer the question, "Why Norway?".. Well, Norway is one of the most beautiful countries in the world & I'm really interested in learning the culture and language there because I am scandinavian. :)
What do people think about me going? Theres a pretty wide range of opinions about me going on this exchange. Some think I'm absolutely insane but most think its awesome. The people that really know me know that this is the PERFECT experience for me. I've been interested in travelling, world culture, & world language for a long time & when it comes to new experiences, I always take it by storm. I am really excited to be a part of it. For those who think I'm insane...You might be right; I might be insane for skipping out on the most important year of high school, but I know that I'm going to learn and experience things that will go beyond what I would have learned here at my small Virginia high school. I know that back in January when I told my friends that I "might" go abroad, they thought I would NEVER do it. but now I'm one week away from leaving this country about to dive in head first to a sea of the "unknown", if you will.
I'm really happy with where I will be going. I'll be living in the most beautiful area in Norway, the Sogn og Fjordane area, in a small city of about 11,650 inhabitants, Førde. My host family seems SO lovely. & I feel like I was really lucky to be placed with them. I have Two host sisters, Sanne (who is 16, & SO nice) & Sabrina (who is older & llives in OSLO!), a dog (whose name I cannot remember), and a cute house. :)
I'm really excited to go, but I'm not excited to leave. I have so many things that I'm leaving behind, & i know that I shouldn't be scared to leave them, but I am. They're going to be here when I get back & its not like my friends are going to forget about me... (right?)... This week has been pretty emotional & insanely busy & I'm starting to realize the time that I have here.
TIME TIME TIME. such an evil thing. There is never enough of it & sometimes there is way too much of it. It can never satisfy. ten months from now I'll be asking my self where the time went. As opposed to right now as I ask myself how much time I have. Its a thursday & the day after tomorrow I'm leaving VA for the beach, & then the 19th I leave from the beach to New York & then the 2oth I head off to Norway.
!??!! WHERE DID THE TIME GO?
As I said this week has been busyy.. It started off me getting back from camp on saturday the 8th. On the 9th I went shoppping (Sorry Dods, I wanted to come see your show. luhh you) for last minute things that I might need, or want, for Norway. Monday I chilled at home and actually took out my HUUUUUGE suitcase that I didnt even know we owned & started to sort out clothes that I want to take. Packing for an entire year is SO hard. I want to bring my entire life with me, buttt I doubt that will fit in the small weight restrictions that I SHOULD follow. bahhh. I think I'll figure it out.. Tuesday was my going away party which was SO sad. A bunch of y friends came over and we had a barbeque and just chillled, it was pretty fun but I cried.. NOT OKAY. My best friends all bought me this really cute necklace that symbolizes luck & a hilariouusss card (that i'm bringing with me, of course) & then my soccer team bought me a Longchamp handbag (navy) & its perfect. I love it. Anyways, besides the gifts I really enjoyed seeing all of my best friends. We made a surprise run to Carousel (the local ice cream place) at like 10. After the party ALL of the girls stayed over & we watched anchorman. BEST MOVIE EVER. Last night (Wednesday) was my last night away from home & i spent it at my Best friend Caitlin's house. Two of my other best friends were theree, Abby and Molly, & it was a really fun time. :) we stayed up pretttty late just talking and taking pictures. i'm going to miss that. Then today, thursday, Abby and I went with Caitlin to her interview where I had to say my final goodbye to my Best friend Emily :(.. I still don't feel like I'm not going to see her for a year & i don't know if it will ever soak in. After, we just hung out in town until like 3. THEN finally, I played ONE LAST TIME (for a year of course) with my soccer team in a scrimmage. I wasn't playing my normal position, keeper, because the new keeper (:/) was trying to get settled in that position. Ah, this has been the hardest day so far. The hardest thing I've had to do. I really love my team & i've been with them for 7 years. I know that there is always a spot for me, but its still hard to think that they'll be here, winning games, bonding together without me. I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH & I'LL MISS YOU INSANELY. Saying goodbye is so miserable. & I defff cried.
Saying goodbye to Caitlin & Molly (best friends) was reallly not okay. & honestly, it STILL hasnt hit me that I'm not going ot see them for 10 months. its weird. & I don't know what I'm going to do without them. but I think I'll get by ;).
Then if I wasn't sad enough, Rachel (ANOTHER BEST FRIEND) came by to say bye and to get some books for school that I'm lending her. hdkfjhsflj AH. I HATE BYES.
When it comes to my family: lets not think about that now. I'll miss them terribly.
As for my time left in VA. Tomorrow is my last day here & then on Saturday I leave for the beach for a get-away with my entire family before I jet to New York for pre-departure orientation on the 19th. I'll miss this.
As a closing note: I'm really excited and extremely lucky to be a part of AFS. I know that this will be the best year of my life. I will keep everyone updated all the time & DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE COMMENTS :)
love you.
