Over (t)here in Denmark

OK, so I lied, that wasn't my last post. But I finally remembered Euro 2004, even though the last game was on the first of July. Greece won--Denmark didn't even make the semi-finals.

I've talked with my school counselor, and good news! I get to graduate with my class of 2005, despite my Year of Slacking! Most seniors get to enjoy a couple free periods, while I still have to take on a full schedule. I don't mind--I'm looking forward to Am. Law and Am. Government. I brought a lot of references back home from Denmark, including letters from my English, P.E., and Drama professors. I also had a certificate stating that I had accumulated 72 hours of Danish language school, plus a letter from my headmaster proving that I attended normal Danish school. My counselor was very impressed with all of these, and he said that they helped tremendously. Yay!

My parents suggested that I might also get some credit for this here blog, if I printed it out and submitted it. That might be cool ...

I really, really miss Denmark. I've kept in contact with my first host sister, Katrine, and her family, but other than that, there's no one I can practice my Danish with (besides Ang and Jill). I visited my Rotary Club (it was heavenly having it in English), and I met a man who also spent a year in Denmark during high school. I asked if he remembered any of his Danish, and he screwed up his face, trying to remember. "Bager kager," he said after a moment. I stared at him, then replied "bake cakes?" He looked pretty proud of himself for remembering that much, so I didn't press him any further. But I sure hope my Danish stays with me longer than his did.

Ang, Jill and I all call each other frequently, at least one a week. We all miss each other a lot. Once I get a job and earn some money, I'm so on a plane to Chicago or Oregon. It's great to speak some Danish with them, too. Chia Ling and I email, and I recently received a birthday package from her. She sent me some Taiwanese silk ballet flats, which I love. She had some beige ones in Denmark, and she knew I really liked them, and it was sweet of her to remember!

One of my close friends, Micah, is leaving on foreign exchange to Norway next week. He seems really excited. I remember when there was only a week left until my own departure ... I can't believe that was a year ago.

Well, everyone, I finally returned. But this shall be my last blog, methinks. Seriously, while life over there in Denmark was exciting and eventful and interesting to read, my life over here ... well, isn't. Have fun, guys.

Happy Birthday to ME! Yay! Sweet seventeen! And oh, how sweet it is!

It's nice to be home. To be home and to have no plans or deadlines or planes to catch. The only thing on my immediate to-do list is to call people and invite them to my barbeque. I'm having a good ol' Fourth of July (+ birthday) BBQ tomorrow in the early evening. Everyone welcome! Bring a side dish and/or salad!

I talked to Ang on the phone in Orlando, when our flight was two hours delayed. While it's really awesome to be home, it totally sucks to not be able to see her whenever I want. Her and Jill and Chia Ling.

Disney World and the beach were a ton of fun, but it was really, really hot. We were only in Disneyland for ten minutes and my sisters were asking how long we were staying! Still, I highly recommend the Tower of Terror in MGM Studios, Mission Space at Epcot, the Kilimanjaro's Safari ride in Animal Kingdom, and, of course, the Jungle Cruise and Splash Mountain in Magic Kingdom. Minnie Mouse says hello! We also visited a water park in the area called Blizzard Beach, which was a great way to beat the heat! My sister was in two events (single freestyle and pairs freestyle), and although she didn't place, she did a great job and had fun at it. After spending a week at the resort, we drove to Clearwater on the Gulf of Mexico, where we had rented a beach house for two days. I was attacked by sea gulls at the beach when I tried to eat my ham sandwich. Evil birds. But other than that, it was so great!

Sniffle! My mom checked our answering machine at home for messages, and handed me the phone! Ang and Jill, I GOT YOUR MESSAGES! All three of them! I started to cry when I heard their voices, and once I heard Ang say "I know you're crying, Maggie." She knows me too well.

Dude, distance sucks. But Epcot does not. Epcot is very, very cool.

Shall blog more at home, when internet is free.

I'm getting so sick of airports! From Europe to Alaska, from Alaska to Florida, in less than three days. Not cool. But Florida has been hot and sunny! We did the Magic Kingdom today, and my sister has her competition early tomorrow.

In Denmark, I was used to tuning out all Danish, and would tune into anyone speaking English, even if they were across the room. Now, I tune into everyone, because they all speak English!

It's great to be back where you can use your hands to eat, and where my parents pay for everything.

I guess I'll have to change my title to Over There in Denmark now. It's so great to be home! Just amazing. My flight to Juneau arrived about twenty minutes early, so I walked through to the lounge, expecting at least a few people there to be waiting for me. But there was no one! Then I recognized Brittany sitting there reading. Just Brittany. I started to cry. I couldn't believe I was looking at her. She was there! In person! Not just words on a computer, or a voice through a telephone. There! I said "Hi." (I couldn't think of anything else to say.) She looked up and jumped about a foot in the air! My family arrived about ten minutes later, and my sisters are so tall. Jenny, 14, is now as tall as I am, and Stephanie, 11, isn't far behind! After the airport, we went straight to Safeway to stock up on root beer, Honey Bunches of Oats, and other American luxuries I had missed for so long.

When we finally got to our house, I was ecstatic. My family and friends followed me through the house, as I slowly went through each room, seeing what was the same and noticing differences. We live in a duplex, and about a year before I left, I lived in the apartment below. Once I learned I was leaving, my parents decided to start renting it out again, so I was roomless for some time, but my mom and best friends transformed our attic into a room for me, and I love it!

My mom thought it was pretty funny when I answered our phone in Danish. It's so wonderful to have everything in English again!

For now, I've got to get back to unpacking and packing again. My family and I leave for Florida tonight. Ugh. More airplanes. NOOOO.

But I'm not sure I'll continue bloggin' ... My life here in Alaska just isn't as eventful as my life was in Denmark. We'll see how it goes. Hope you've enjoyed reading! I've had fun writing ... and if ever you get the chance, be sure to visit Denmark or Alaska, ok?

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go ...

Next time I blog, it'll be 7000 miles from here!