2012 was nothing less than a roller coaster, but it was definitely loads of fun. I went from taking six classes at school, one class online, and playing a sport to one of the most stressful summers of my life with visiting everyone and trying to do everything before I left for Norway in August. I can still remember sending in my finished application at the February. And I will surely never forget when I found out that I was chosen by a host family at the end of March. I was at softball practice when I got the email, I was jumping up and down and running in circles. I think that was the happiest I have ever been at a practice :-).
Then, on June 26th, my birthday, Jenny left us to return to Norway with her family. That was extremely sad, Jenny had become a member of the family and she was like a sister to me, and still is.
Then, in the summer I had to visit all my family before I left because everyone wanted to see me at least once. I also had to fill out final forms for AFS, go to many doctors appointments to make sure I had all the vaccines and was a-okay to depart on my adventure. Then was the ordeal of packing. After I got my travel itinerary from AFS and the luggage tags in August, I had to begin putting the things I wanted to bring with me in the big, purple suitcase. That took a lot of time and effort. Also, never living in a cold climate before, I had no idea what I was in for. So, when I packed my rainbow flip flops and my short, I actually expected to use them. Haha! And my mom also convinced me that I shouldn't bring my Uggs or my Hunter rain boots (she ended up sending me those in a package over).
Then I had to go out for my last dinner in California with my best friend and my sister at the Cheese Cake Factory.
Then the next day I left for New York with my mom. Then after two days in New York I went to the AFS orientation.
After one day there, the other four Americans and I flew to Norway. Then arriving in Norway was a incredible.
Then the day after I met my family I had my first day of school. From August to December, school was not easy. I had a rough start with not knowing anything anyone said, but, gradually it got easier and I managed to make some friends. Now, looking back and looking ahead, I am proud of what I have accomplished and I am only looking forward to the next six months and the things I will encounter.
To celebrate New Year's, I went to a party with a friend. It was a very cozy dinner party where I met a lot of new people. At midnight we walked down to the city to see the fireworks they were setting off. Then I went over to my friend's house and we watched a movie and ate pizza. It was a very nice evening!
