September is already over soon...

Hey everybody,

So, I am still having an amazing time here in Denmark! The culture fatigue stage is hitting me now, of course. So lately I have been feeling a little down and unhappy at times and at other times I feel great. However, I know the symptoms of culture fatigue and that it will certainly pass, so I am not a bit worried. One of the biggest challenges I am facing right now is talking with my classmates and creating close friendships with them. It is so hard to speak another language and make friends at the same time! And I have realized it is not just knowing how to speak the language, but also knowing the culture inside and out so that I can relate to them. But I am sure it will get easier. They are so sweet and have invited me to their get togethers every weekend, so I have had many opportunities to get to know them better.

Now that it is September (already :O ), I have been progressing with my Danish speaking and understanding ability and have gotten familiar with my community and the people. I now know how to ride the bus efficiently! I also know the landmarks in Skive and where the best places to hang out are. I can figure out pretty much everything now! ;D I also have many exciting events coming up soon- party in Odense tomorrow night, skyping with the family on Saturday (also Teddy's first bday party!), 15 minute presentation for Rotary (in Danish) on Monday, first dance class on Tuesday, meeting my next two host families on Wednesday and cooking dinner for them, a few trips to Copenhagen and the surrounding areas, and many more events that I don't even know about yet! From October 14-22, we have an 'efterårferie,' or fall break. There is a possibility that I will either be going to Copenhagen to visit friends, or Norway to visit my host siblings' aunt! I am hoping for Norway, but I don't know because the person we are supposed to stay with has had a very serious head injury and is still sick. But we shall see... I am certainly having an amazing experience and just hope it stays amazing and that my culture fatigue quickly passes!

After efterårferie, I will be finished with Sprogskole, so I will be able to go to Gymnasium all five days a week instead of just two. I am really excited about that because I think that is one reason it has been hard for me to make friends. How are my classmates supposed to get to know me if I am only in school two days a week? :P Well, I really can't wait until Sprogskole is over! October is really going to be an exciting month!! :D

By now, I have become pretty much a true member of my host family. My favorite part is having hyggeligt time with my parents- drinking coffee and either talking or watching t.v. It is a great time to just relax and let eachother know what is going on. I absolutely love my host siblings, too. Unfortunately, I only see my brother, Jeppe, on the weekends because he is at boarding school. He is really funny and even though he only speaks Danish, I understand him sometimes and he is just sooooo hilarious! Also, my littlest sister, Line, is a brat, but it's funny to listen to her whine and complain to her mom and her sister! My other sister, Lærke, is sooo sweet and so helpful. She has spent a year in the US, so she knows really well what differences I am facing and she really helps me out! I am so lucky to have this family because of how generous they are and how helpful they are with teaching me the language. My host mother does not go easy on me, which is good, because I need to learn quickly. She speaks only Danish to me now unless I really do not understand something. I have gotten used to only speaking Danish with my family now so it makes it easier when I try to talk to friends at school. So, for these reasons, I am going to be sad to leave this wonderful family on November 21. I know it's a fairly long time away, but I still try not to think about it. However, at the same time, I am excited to have a new family and new people to talk to every day when I come home from school! Also, I am pretty sure the bus ride to and from Skive will be shorter too! ;D

So, that is pretty much all I have to write about for now. I really can't believe September is almost over already. It seems like just last week I arrived in this wonderful country... I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to come here and therefore I am going to enjoy every last minute of my year here!

I hope to write again soon, but you know... busy schedule... ;) Also, I am going to post pictures on Facebook instead of my blog since it is easier to add a lot of pictures there.

Vi ses!

Med venlig hilsen,

Sarah