La Belle France

On Monday, I jumped on a plane, flew for two hours and guess where I landed? Swtizerland! I did not stay in Swtizerland, however, I drove thirty minutes over the border by bus to meet my big sister Ali who lives in Sciez, France and works as an au pair. The reason for my visit was her 20th birthday, congratulations Ali! But I also wanted to see how she lived and catch up on the last five months. I've almost been away for five months! Wow!

I arrived on Monday evening and had a huge hug the second I got off the bus. I don't know why but I cried when I saw her too. I wasn't sad, I just cried. Classic me. Anyway, we got pizza to take away and ate it sitting down at one of many ports upon Lake Geneva, admiring the glistening water and sparkling sunshine with a snowy mountainous back drop. After spending so long in a country where the biggest hill I climb is the stairs up to the train station it came as a bit of a shock to be reminded what mountains are again. They are big. They are steep. Nothing like the piddly slopes of Denmark. Being said, I love having no hills. On the other hand, my legs are no longer accustomed to climbing them so walking the cobbled streets of Rhone Alps France region was rather a challenge.

Ali's birthday began with dropping the twin girls off to school. It may have been her birthday but life doesn't just stop, apparently. We then got chocolate almond croissants from the bakery and ate them on the beach. Oh lord, our week of food came from culinary heaven. I feel as if I have put on a million kilos in the last seven days. I know I haven't, but I feel like it. The day after Ali's birthday, we had reservations for a restaurant close to her place which received a Michigan star a couple of years ago. Four course dinner. Yes please. Let's go. That Wednesday night was the culinary highlight of the week. I could honestly go on about food forever, but I'm not going to because other people don't care about food as much as I do. I will summarize: I ate lots of good food. Calories are a stupid human invention and I don't care about them, because it tasted SO GOOD. This sums up my approach to life:






Saw a modern art museum in Geneva. It was free because only one floor was open. It was very hip, very modern :)
- Saw a watch museum in Geneva. Now this was fun, even though it sounds boring it was hilarious. On the third floor, in the back room, there were pocket watches with portraits on them. I don't think I have ever laughed so hard. Some of the faces looked like caricatures and some of them were just plain ugly. I literally couldn't stop giggling!
I also met the grandparents of the two girls Ali looks after - they had us over for dinner on her birthday. They were lovely people! I also met an Australian woman who lives close by. Ali babysits her kids in return for a gym membership. She was dog sitting their dog for the weekend because they went away. That dog is not a dog. It is a devil. I have scratch marks on my leg from it jumping up and clawing at me. Who would have though such a tiny little ball of fluff could do so much damage? Sigh...
Also, please excuse the lack of photos. My camera died on the first day there, and I forgot to charge it all week. So smart.

I am back in DK now, obviously, and I am basking in the GLORIOUS SUNSHINE. It rained all week in France so it is a welcome change! I had an English exam on Monday which was a bit of a joke. It was five hours long, and when I finished at 12 and had to find something to do for the next two hours I realised how ridiculously long five hours is for an exam. I had two hours to kill before I could leave. I have the Romeo and Juliet film on my itunes and I contemplated watching it but decided against it- could look suspicious. And yes, we were allowed our laptops and internet access. And food, but I left my lunch at home so all I had was a carrot. Wooooo!

I had such a great week in France. I was awesome to see my sister again, and I was really sad to leave her ;( We both got pretty emotional at the airport. But, the good thing is that she is only 2 hours away! A week away was also particularly significant in that I came home again. Not just back to Denmark but home. It really feels like home. I was so excited to see our dog Molly :) I missed her! And of course I missed my host family too, but scratchy little fluff ball made me appreciate how docile and sweet Molly is. Awwwww. 

Also, please excuse the lack of photos. My camera died on the first day there, and I forgot to charge it all week. So smart.

Exams vs. Party Time!

Because school is ending soon, school has been getting really intense but at the same time everyone is sort of converting into holiday mode even though exams haven't even started yet.
The first set of exams were announced on Wednesday, written Danish (no thanks) and written English. Funny enough, I actually find the practise exams we have done really hard... They are very grammatically based,you have to find a mistake in the sentence, correct it, and explain the rule it correlates to. In spite of my strong linguistic grounding, I am completely dumbfounded when it comes to English grammar. There ARE no rules, because every rule has an exception...

The weather is possibly to blame. On Friday, we had four modules, which is like, a full on day. However, one of those was pe, and in Social Studies we went outside and played a Danish ball game, and then our teacher bought us ice cream. Then in Geography, we sat outside and "did a quiz" which no one really paid attention to, and ate brownies. Everyone gives you cake here. It's not good, but it is so good.

On Friday, we have a school tradition called Lunen, where everyone goes to a field 2 minutes away from the school with a massive boom box and even massiver boxes of beer and cider. Everyone lies in the sun, plays drinking games, etc. I haven't been yet, but I am hoping to go this Friday if the weather is nice :) Just one of those things you gotta do!

Because I have turned 18, I am now legally old enough to go to da clubs. So on Friday, I did!

Excuse the selfie. But it was really fun! No ankle rolling this time. We went to a club called Night Fever. It was hilarious, there were multicoloured light squares on the dance floor and a disco ball and all that classic 70's stuff. Definitely the right place to go if you wanna dance! There were, of course, some very strange people there, however that is always to be expected. There was one young man who joined in everyone's little dance circles and didn't seem so actually know anyone....Some people! I caught he train/biked home and was in bed by 3:30.... Helloooooo sleep in!

The following day, yesterday now was GLORIOUS. It was 25 degrees earlier on. We ate every single meal outside! Caroline and I went to the mall to return something she'd bought but regretted buying, and we were tempted to go shopping, but then decided it was pointless to be inside on a day like that, so we bought an ice cream and sat in the sun, then went home again. I went for a long walk in the late evening sunshine, and then came....

THE EUROVISION SONG CONTEST

DENMARK WON

YAY

And oh my lord Romania what were you thinking........

Ok I know they were thinking they wanted to lose because they don't want to host it next year but seriously? I don't think I have ever laughed so hard in my life.

The Eurovision song contest was started over 50 years ago to help patch things up in Europe after the war, and its still going! It was hosted in Sweden this year, in Malmo which is only 30-40 minutes away from here. I didn't go, by the way, I just watched it on TV. Next year, it will be hosted in Denmark! It sucks I wont be here for it, but I can be a part of it from the other side of the world anyway.

This week, I am going to the ballet! The tickets were from my host grandmother (Farmor), so on Tuesday, Caroline and I are off to the Royal Theatre with her. I am SO excited!! Asides from that, it is the last week of school before my three month summer holiday... I am also ff to France to visit my lovely sister because she is turning twenty the week after next!!! So exciting!!

It feels so good to have caught up. Wow.

Next up, the rest of that weekend was spent with more friends and family. It was a super long weekend, we had the Thursday Friday Saturdy AND Sunday off school, hurrah! So Friday night I took a massive bag of leftovers to a friends place, and four or five of us from school all ate dinner together. Afterwards, I headed off to another friends place to work on an English assignment to hand in the next day (got top marks, hollah!). We were up until 12 writing it, and then decided it would be a super good idea to watch a film called The Changeling. Such a good film.

If you get a chance, watch it. Due to our late night, we slept until midday, got up, made pancakes...

I know they look disgusting, but they tasted good, and were healthy believe it or not!

 ...and went to the fitness centre together. It was the first time I had done any exercise since my ankle, and it was good to get moving again. My ankle is much better, I can walk on it easily now but no running for the moment. It's still quite swollen too which is funny because it doesn't hurt so much. I really hope it goes away soon, injuries are so annoying!

My friends grandfather has Alzheimers' and decided to run away from her grandmother at the supermarket  He was missing for several hours, but luckily was found just when I got home! Phew. She lives with her grandparents, who don't speak any English. They were really impressed with my Danish! Woo!

On Sunday, it was Farmor's 60th birthday brunch. We went into a restaurant in the national museum of Copehagen. There were about 60 people there I think! She is a loyal member of a super good choir so there was much singing, and the normal speeches and toasts etc. These people love to celebrate!

On Monday, it was her actual birthday, and we had a birthday dinner at the golf club she is also loyal to. Caroline and I found a room downstairs with hair dryers and curling irons and Marilyn Monroe type movie star mirrors. Anemona, my 5 year old host cousin, came down and we decided to have some fun and do her hair. She is also going through a one direction obsession and taught us a dance she made up to 'What Makes you Beautiful'. So cute!

So that was the long weekend!

This morning I have been to the gym with my host mum and sister, and am now sitting in front of my computer at my desk having eaten a big breakfast and cleaned my sweaty self in the shower. FINALLY. It is time to catch up. I am going to do this in a few separate posts just to block it out a bit. So, to begin with, Caroline's confirmation! 

Add caption

Haha great photo. But seriously we had just woken up, give us a break. 

Helping the lady of the hour apply her false eyelashes. This is now my speciality! I helped Stine put some on a few weeks ago for a cocktail party too. Maybe I should be a make up artist... Not. 

Next on the agenda, the oh so crucial hair. Luckily, Morfar is a hairdresser so that came free of charge, and Caroline got exactly the style she wanted!

Next up, a photographer came and took photos of Caroline and her best friend Frida outside by this beautiful tree. There is a huge block of open land out the back of our house which is now (I must add) TOTALLY GREEN. Spring is really and truly here! 

And into the church we go. She felt a little bit faint walking in, the pressure was on as she and her friend Laura were front of the line... They were the leaders... Dundundun! But no worries, they were exemplary leaders, and the prettiest girls in the room :)

The actual confirmation was all done in a matter of seconds....It was all the singing and sermons in between that made the service an hour and a half long....

And outside again for more photos. Check out the priests outfit. Hahahaha I had to restrain myself from laughing the whole service. He looked like a wannabe Queen Elizabeth 1.

Mormor and Morfar's have a friend with a Rolls Royce. So, of course, Caroline and Frida were driven away from the service in this beauty of a vehicle. What a treat!

Now for the important part, the reception!

We had been there for several hours the day before setting all the tables and decorations up. We held the reception in the staff room of my school. I must say it was a little weird to have a party in the STAFF ROOM, it's another step up from the school parties...

There was so much food. I cannot even begin to describe how much food. 

There were many speeches, songs and toasts! ....

Generally a great feeling of family, celebration and happiness.....

And of course a ridiculous amount of gifts. And money. In short, Caroline was given the same amount I have left for this entire year.... WOW! 

Many photos were taken. With Caroline's BRAND NEW FANCY CAMERA!

We were there until the early hours of the morning, and were all thoroughly exhausted. Simon was probably the most tired, judging by these photos.

And of course, the next morning we were back again to clean up. School on Monday! Afterwards, I think we all had that feeling after something really big happens. that sort of "it's over" feeling. A bit like the feeling after closing night of a musical, where you wish it could keep going but you  know it had to end. Sigh. What a great day, and a new cultural experience! 

Tilykke Caroline, den sødeste lille soster i verden :) 

I am so sorry

I am really bad at keeping up with this blog. Really, really bad. But I will post on Saturday, that is a promise!

I AM SO SORRY

A Series of Unfortunate Events

On Monday, I was scrolling through Facebook when I saw one of those stupid:
"IF YOU DON'T SHARE THIS YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK FOR THE NEXT 15 YEARS"
On the way to language school in the train, I got a killer as headache. I ended up getting there just to turn around and come home again, where I slept for an hour. I was fine after, but that was just the beginning....

Tuesday, I only had one class which was Spanish. We watched a movie. Tuesday was a good day actually. The demons of bad luck were giving me a break to trick me into  thinking they didn't exist. I'm onto you demons.....

Wednesday, again, I only had one class. I thought I had two, so I woke up at 6:15 to get ready for the normal 8:00 start. I arrived at school to find the classroom locked, and none of my classmates around. Hmm... Yes, class had been cancelled. Great. Two hours to kill. That afternoon, our whole class went to Fælledparken in Copenhagen. There was music and stalls and it was kind of like Christmas in the Park minus the Christmas. They were celebrating social democracy, but it was more of an excuse to have the afternoon off to go and drink in the park and soak up some sun. A small group of us stayed in the city for dinner too. I was really tired and wanted to be home before ten (we had school the next day) and, of course, the second I get down to the train station, I see my train speeding off into the distance. Twenty minute wait for the next one. Awesome.

Thursday, I had a maths assignment due. Maths is bad luck in general.

And then, we have Friday. Oh Friday.... Firstly, I forgot my hypercard which gives me free use of the public transport, so I had to pay 25 kroner to get home. Ridiculous. We had a school party, the last one of the year, so it was a big rave type thing with a 90's theme. We had a pre-party which was really fun, but within fifteen minutes of arriving at school, I rolled my ankle on the dance floor. I wasn't even wearing heels. I was wearing sneakers. So, I went home. I am now sitting on my bed with my leg elevated and an ankle the size of Africa.  

I also bought new running shoes yesterday, which I was really looking forward to trying. But, of course, this happened.

In saying this, there have also been lots of good things this week. The weather has been GLORIOUS, there was lots of cake, and I didn't have that much school. I guess all the bad stuff just came to mind as I was writing this because I am in pain, and pain brings negativity.

Dearest ankle, please get better by Thursday. It's Caroline's confirmation - an event which seriously calls for some high heeled shoes. My ankle, in its current state, would not even fit inside the shoe. This is a serious glass slipper situation. I am currently an ugly step sister with a fat ankle, and I must become Cinderella by Thursday. Wishes come true, right? 

Celebration Time

Hi all :) I know it has only been a matter of days since my last post, but there have been many important events over the past few days and I thought I might share my celebrations with you!

The 25th of April is ANZAC day in New Zealand, as we all know. They don't have ANZAC day in Denmark (obviously), but funnily enough they have their own public holiday the day after, Bededag, which means praying day. It's a religious holiday, but no one's really very religious so no one actually prays. They do eat though, these sweet white puffy bread rolls. We didn't eat any however, because I had baked ANZAC biscuits AND an ANZAC cake, so three "sometimes" foods all in one day would have been a bit much.

Thomas, Simon, Stine, Caroline and Frida (Caroline's best friend) with tea, cake and biscuits on ANZAC day

It is also my birthday tomorrow, and since we had the day off on Friday, I thought it would be nice to hold a birthday dinner for my friends last night. That way we had the whole weekend to clean up! It was a really really fun night :) I didn't get to bed until 1AM which is like, ridiculously late for me. I spent all day getting the food ready. Last year for my birthday, my mum cooked what is known in our household as "the Japanese Feast". When we lived in Japan, there were certain foods that we LOVED, and every single one of them is in this 'feast'. I must admit, I have cooked Japanese food before but never ALL of it, all by myself. Funny thing is, the only thing that went wrong was the simplest thing: rice. I got the wrong kind from the supermarket and it wasn't sticky. But that was ok, no one noticed and I don't think they would have cared either way, after all, rice is rice.

Itadakimasu :)

A feast for Kings :)

I also concocted a little event for after dinner, before the cake. I made a whole lot of games and competitions and split everyone into two teams. We made origami balloons and had a competition to see who could keep theirs off the floor for the longest - a little like what we do for volleyball in PE. We also did a chopsticks speed challenge, Kendama speed challenge (that Japanese toy with the red ball on a string connected to a wooden handle), and a hilarious adaptation of karaoke where only the one singing can hear the song, and the rest of their team had to guess which song it was. Finally, for bonus points, I added a little New Zealand flair and said anyone who ate a spoonful of Vegemite would get ten bonus points. HAHAHA. I wish I had filmed their reactions - honestly the funniest faces I have ever seen a human being pull. They were shocked that I actually eat it. I think there is a difference between eating it off a spoon and eating it on toast, though!

Super speedy origami hands!

Puzzled over origami instructions

Sofie playing Kendama!

I made a second ANZAC cake for these guys as a birthday cake, and sure enough it was all gone. I used the cookies as a prize for the winning team of the competition :) I was also sung the Danish Birthday song by these guys too, and given some really sweet presents - a gorgeous top from a shop called Message, a brunch voucher, and a cinema date with a friend. I am excited to redeem everything!

I really enjoyed myself last night. It's normal in Denmark that when you turn 18 you have a huge rowdy party and drink 18 shots and then throw up everywhere. I was glad I chose to do something else, something I would remember, and something that my guests would have fun doing. It's really nice to feel like I have friends now - I must admit it is hard at times. I have known my friends at home for YEARS and we know each other so well, whereas here the maximum time I have known anyone is like, three and a bit months. I was contemplating not even celebrating my birthday with friends because I was worried it would be awkward! But, I did. And I'm so glad I did because I feel so much better for it. I am also so grateful for my hos family - that they both encouraged and allowed me to have a birthday party, and that they helped so much with setting up and preparing, and most importantly cleaning up afterwards. And also just generally, I am grateful to have such an amazing host family and friends.

As you can tell I'm in a good mood. Let's hope the sun comes out tomorrow for my REAL birthday - in Denmark they say that if you have good weather, you've been good throughout the year :) We are having brunch with the extended host family tomorrow, and I'm really looking forward to celebrating with them too. Last day as a child (sort of)!!!

Over and out :)