Just living.

I realise that its been a while since I've actually explained what being an exchange kid is like so I'll let you know about another side of exchange that perhaps isn't heard very often. Don't get me wrong, for the most part, exchange is awesome and there are a good many opportunties that open up, but every now and then, home is the only place you want to be. 
So since I got home from eurotour a while back, I ended up with a cold that since turned into a nasty case of sinusitis and made life quite miserable - I watched a large number of movies and daytime TV, read and slept, but it was been the one time when I would do anything to be lying on the green sofa in front of the wood fire, while the winter rain pattered down on the roof in Verdun, and know that Mum and Dad are around, probably making another cup of tea or coffee - I believe this quote sums up the homesickness part of exchange, mind you, sinusitis doesn't really count as an adventure

“When you're safe at home you wish you were having an adventure; when you're having an adventure you wish you were safe at home”

You know, I seem to begin these pages with quotes that relate, and now I stumble accross many that have significant meaning so by Ralph Waldo Emerson ' Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail' - I remember using this in my Year 12 Valadictory speech and now, as I look over the past 6 months, I do question how I am making my own trail - perhaps no one will follow it, and perhaps that is a good thing - the way I live my life, the trail I  create will be unique to me, my exchange is completly different to anyone elses, you can't keep the variables constant and truly, I like it that way, I like my trail - this year especially, it has not been the easiest, but I've learnt, and am in the process of growing.

The second quote was by Robert Frost, learnt also in year 12, in a brilliant English class, with one fantastic Mrs. Chesterfield 'Two roads diverged in a wood and I - I took the one less traveled by and that has made all the diffirence' and exchange I do think is the road less traveled by. At times, I have wondered ' Why on earth have I taken myself out of everything familiar, out of an amazing family, splendid friends, a solid church and everything 'normal'' but even though I'm only half way in, this year will make all the difference, be it appreciating Australia and my family, looking forward to the joy of studying again, catching the travel bug and wanting to get on a plane and just fly some where, not being so stressed over not having a plan, and learning to enjoy the 'little things' - the road less traveled, sometimes scary and frustrating, has many joyous moments, that shape what will be a very experienced year

So, what has it been like since Eurotour? being on summer holidays and just living?

Goodbyes in the back yard

Well - lets see, my brother and my soon to be sister visited at the end of their trip to Switzerland - the plan was that I would fly down and meet them and we would spend some time together at L'Abri, a christian fellowship community in the Alps and do a bit of travelling and I would get to meet Andrew's own old host families - but alas, no go on that one so they came to Denmark for a couple of days.

Heidi and I

We went into town both days and walked along by the beach, and just mooched around all the shops and cafe's. They also got to meet my swell counsellor Sven and his wife Connie, and see the Tall ships doing a little flashy sail by with cannons going off as well. Seeing someone who knew me from home, and understood the ins and outs of exchange was so great, and their visit came at a time that I was unsure of everything, especially if I had made the right decision to come on exchange.

Andrew and I

 Just knowing that they supported me, and understood what Denmark is like really helped as well as them being christian, and of of course the familiar faces were swell!

Sven, Connie and I

And then, two weeks after their trip, Sophie and Lorinda, two Aussie friends came and visited at the start of their own eurotour! And again that familiarity was welcomed with open arms! We had a trip to Legoland which far exceeded my expectations - the rides were awesome -going through mini castles where all the sets were made of lego, and lakes with life size lego boats and sharks, lego meerkats that bobbed up and down - ah! not only does someone have a somewhat boring life to make all those sculptures, but they provided much entertainment. The mini lego land was really cool!
 You could see heaps of famous places made from lego, with moving cars and bridges and boats. Suddenly places like Amelianborg palace were in perspective, as was Amsterdam, Oslo etc. We attempted to get a nice picture of us on the rides but it would seem that those amusement park camera's dislike me and the only decent photo of me, was when Sophie and Lorinda got soaked on a pirate ride... I'll never win. But no, it was a great day, minus the queuing and the long time it took to get to Billund. 

Mini Amsterdam

The Dragon that shot steam from its nose

The life size lego boat

Life size Duplo

The next day we spent in Copenhagen, looking at all the shops, and buying amazing green tea with peach from the royal tea shop ( you cannot understand how good my room smells from the tea now) and going to the little mermaid statue and Amelianborg (got there just in time to catch the changing of the guards) We also went to the Icebar, found out that the guy serving us was an Aussie (first non exchange student Aussie that I've met here), got dressed in some fashionable winter cloak thingies (while Sophie and Lorinda rocked socks and thongs...not ;p ) and drank from ice glasses, touched ice chandeliers and posed with an ice car (or at least  the very front of one) 
We also went to Tivoli and saw all the games, and amusement rides, pretty little boutiques and restaurants and some ballet performance - a swell ending to the day. Seeing them made me realise that going home isn't so far away - only 5 months till I board the plane for the wonderful place that is Australia!! The train ride back to Fredericia (2 hours away) wasn't so great-due to recent flooding, all the train schedule's were out of wack so I didn't get home till 2 am and then had to cycle home, one of the moments where you think ' What on earth am I doing here?' - mind you, when I've cycled home at 3 am in mid winter listening to Mumford and Sons, I couldn't love this anymore. 

The one photo were Sophie wasn't pulling a face
was the one the Lorinda and I did

Icebar Copenhagen

The icy drink

Sophie and the car

I also spent a week in Amsterdam at a resort with my host family chilling out, reading books, playing cards, going to the aquatic centre, shopping at an outlet store and a day in Amsterdam - we went on a canal tour for about an hour, which was pretty nifty - we saw more than what I had seen on Eurotour, and went down the grand canal. Amsterdam seems pretty small but since London and Paris, my view on capital cities is a tad tainted. 
It was strange seeing all the little drug stuff in all the stores there and going past many a 'coffeeshop' - made me giggle a little - yes, I'm still that wee bit immature. The rest of my summer holidays have been spent reading, going to the gym (when I have enough motivation - although I've enjoyed the various yoga and pilates classes - bikefit sucks though- utter horridness) catching up with friends every now and then, going for walks and yeh, thats about it.

With friends at a class party!

 I think one problem going to a country where the summer holidays are backwards to your own country is that you have this 3 month block, where you can't get a job to fill the time, you don't have assignments to do, friends go abroad for holidays or have work, and you have to find a way to fill the time - which, I must admit, can be a bit of a bum. So, yet again, I am excited for the prospect of school... how lame. 

One thing that had helped when I've felt incredibly alone, is a book by Beth Redman called 'God knows my name' and a lot of it relates so well to that homesicky feeling and she made referance to many verses, one really good one being 

'O Lord you have searched me

and you know me

You know when I sit and when I rise

You percieve my thoughts from afar

You discern my going out and my lying down

you are familiar with all my ways

Before a word is on my tongue

You know it completely O Lord'

Psalm 139:1-4

Jut knowing that the Lord fully understands all my feelings and struggles, and even when I worry about what lies ahead, if I'll get a job? Where I'll live? etc., it is an amazing encouragement and support to know I'm not alone, even in times when I may be surrounded by people but in a pretty dark place in my own head! So, yet again scripture wins the point :) thankfully. 

So chappies, in a couple of days, this kid shall be changing host families for the first time- and yes, I'm nervous, but a bit excited for a new challenge, and they have a dog!! Obviously nothing can replace one crazy labrador called Sheena, but still, I'm looking forward to having a dog round the place. The small things make me happy. 
For now cheerio, have a good day/night/month/year/life and my fellow Aussies, see you in less than 5 months! Much love, xx

One of the beautiful flowers in the garden.