A Year In Denmark

Back in the land of sheep.

2011-01-21T09:48:00.010+01:00

Now having been back in Aotearoa for about 2 weeks, I have still come to the conclusion that I would not love anything better but to go home to Denmark again.

I can't put into words how I feel. It's so strange, it's like something is missing and it actually physically hurts.

I must have cried a dozen times. I just randomly start crying, when I'm in the middle of doing something normal and laborious. Like tonight we went out for dinner and I had just had a really amazing main course, then my heart just dropped and I teared up. It really is the most awful feeling. Just unstable and unhappy.

The day that I left Denmark was a day which I had never wanted to come, but it did, oh it did. It was about 4am at Billund Airport and my amazing friends came to say goodbye to me as well as my family and it was the most surreal feeling I have ever had. It was all over. The most amazing year of my life finished, the fastest year I swear. But as they say all good things must come to an end, and Ill always have those memories from Denmark which makes me so happy as I have so many amazing memories I can and will hold onto.

Now is the hard part. Getting back into reality. But I actually feel like Denmark is reality and New Zealand is just a holiday, that in a week or two Ill hop onto a plane and travel for days back home. I know thats not the way it really is, although I really wish it was.

Seeing people again is also just bizarre. Its like time hasn't passed at all but then so much has happened and I've done so much yet it still feels the same. It trips you out thats for sure. Its really nice seeing my friends too, like of course I missed them but mainly missed out on sharing the experience that I had in DK with them, as now its like our lives have already started moving down different paths. My life has been DK, their lives have been Marsden and NZ, and it's just hard sometimes as we sort of lack common experience as we have been half a world away from each other. So hard to explain argh, but love all my NZ kids, I'm sorry if I seem out of it most of the time I'm with you, my mind is in one crazy place right now <3.

I'm off to university soon, in a few weeks I move to Christchurch in the South Island which I am SO looking forward to. I've seen enough of Wellington, getting a bit bored of it now so am SO ready for another big change. I look forward to being somewhat independent again.

Now am just trying to fill the days until I go, trying not to be so lost in my thoughts and memories as it just doesn't help.

Danmark altid i mit hjerte <3

Leave you with a few pics from my last time in DK and some of an NZ summer :)

Miss all of you in DK so much, come see me now pleeease.

x

My farewell afternoon tea with all my family and friends etc, Danish flag yay! And my Danish Graduation hat, for all of that hard work I did at school paha

Last day at Fredericia Gymnasium! Obviously no work was done, as usual.

Last Danish meal of Frikadeller, yummmmmm. And last of all my class during English, so much attention being paid no??

Flying home, over the USA. And this is what a New Zealander thinks a Danish is.....I apologise pahhahaha

NZ summer, Taupo kids camp 2011. Hello 28 degrees!

Not just yet

2011-01-03T01:44:00.003+01:00

There isn't even time for me to sleep, I want to slow time so why sleep? All I'll do is close my eyes and relive this year through memories, then I'll wake up and realise I have to leave it all.

Friday. This year, this week.

But with all of the sad feelings, it has been an amazing past month especially. Today I had a day of farewell celebrations with friends and all of my amazing host families. Pics coming soon.

It's said that an exchange student meets on average 1000 people on their year away. I agree, I mean I have met so many amazing people from all over the world, all walks of life and with every person I know there is a different story of how we met. It's truly mind boggling to be honest. How did I live without some of these people? They are all so amazing, you all take my breath away and I'll miss you like you couldn't ever imagine.

So here I go, packing up my life, for the last time.

Breathe.

Water Works

2010-12-26T01:28:00.002+01:00

So its late at night, and Im looking through some of my many thousands of memories of this year.

Big mistake, let the water works begin.

I dont want to face reality.

Im not going, sorry!

Jul i København

2010-12-24T00:02:00.008+01:00

So i was in København again during the weekend, which was just so amazing. Its really one of the most amazing and most beautiful cities I have ever been to. Denmark does Christmas so well, and it all just fits. There is fresh snow on the ground, and lights in the trees. It just works. I am in love.

So in København I went to the Copenhagen Jazz House one night, which was just amazing. Jazz just fills your body, you actually feel it in your bones. Its upbeat yet relaxing, it has an amazing power over the mind I think.

We were also (of course) doing some last minute shopping for Jul, which on Strøget is really fun, yet super expensive, but hey you only live once so tusind tak til min mors kreditkort hehe.

We walked up to see the Little Mermaid who was home after having a few months holiday in China. We waited outside Amalienborg Palace, to see if we could see Princess Mary and family in the window. We ended up seeing their Christmas tree being delivered, so now can officially say I have seen the Royal Christmas Tree!

We café hopped along Nyhavn, sat in the Marble Church warming our feet and found the most amazing Vintage clothing store as well as the Dansk Arkitektur Center in Christianshavn.

The last night in KBH was spent at the opera, Madame Butterfly, at the absolutely breathtaking new Opera House. There is just something about the building which just draws you in, makes you think, makes you ask how. How someone thought of such a design, how they actually took a drawing and brought it to life. I loved it so much, and the opera itself wasn't too bad either!

A great trip all in all, ended with a 12.30am train home, getting to Fred at 3am nd waiting in minus 10 degree weather for 3 hours for a taxi, then sleeping for 2 hours then school. Life of an exchange student hey? Wouldn't change it for anything.

Now its officially Christmas in Denmark so GLÆDELIG JUL!!!

ill just go and enjoy my chocolate box like surroundings and have some gløgg, YUM

Lucy xx

This is it.

2010-12-17T00:47:00.007+01:00

The days are vanishing, where did time go? Less than a month to go in Denmark. Puha...

So at the moment I am trying to fit in every last thing i can before I go home, I have made a calendar and everyday is full with plans of seeing people, traveling, packing, family time etc its INSANE.

Here are a few pics of what I've been up to lately. I'll try fill you in more when I am sitting down for more than 10 minutes :)

Top to Bottom:
My family 'Julefrokost', traditional Danish Christmas meal.
Let it snow!
Andreas and I in Odense, at HC Andersens Hus
Bremen, Germany Christmas decorations
Bremen, Germany Unhelig concert
Jacob Jensen Showroom Tour close to Skive, Northern Denmark
Copenhagen at Christmastime!
Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen.

Argh am so behind on this blog thing now....am so so busy.

But a few more feet of snow have fallen, just in time for a white Christmas tomorrow.

God Jul!

Lucy x

Kærlighed

2010-12-11T21:22:00.002+01:00

I love the way you make me laugh, make me smile, make me feel alive even when the common cold is getting me down.

Love is a powerful thing, it hurts, it fills you with a sense of euphoria. This year has been the test.

The day I step on the plane home, it doesn't stop.

Keep the love going, thought of my day today <3

I just can't go

2010-12-07T21:08:00.002+01:00

Tonight I had my Rotary Presentation, all in Danish. I spoke about this year, which is really hard to be honest. Trying to fit a year into a 25min speech? Was a challenge to say the least. But I did it, and it went really well. I was so happy as I was so nervous I would all of a sudden lose the ability to speak any word of Danish. But I could remember what I needed and I felt so good being able to do something like that, speaking in a foreign language that i have only been exposed to for 10 months or so, being in front of 50 people, all at least 20 years older than me. But I did it, it's done. Now to continue with my organised chaotic life.

So after my speech tonight, my host mum Ulla, gave everyone a piece of paper. She had written a song for me, like a goodbye song that was from all of my host families, like a little story of my exchange put into a tune. It was the sweetest thing, when everyone began to sing it I burst into tears. I can't leave this place, it will hurt too much.

Tonight was one of the first times I cried at the realisation I'm going home. Lots more where that came from.

Here is the song, in Danish. Google translate NZ people.

Til vores låne datter og søster Lucy.

Den lille Lucy rejste
Med kufferten så rød og fuld
Hun var jo spændt på folket og
på den danske muld

Først kom hun ned til Skærbæk
Og kiggede på det klare vand
Hun smilte for nu havde hun
Mødt den største mand! (far Ib)

Det næste stop var Fyns land
Hos Kirsten og Andreas bror
De går i samme klasse
og sammenholdet gror

Det sidste hjem er Taulov
Og mange ting er kommet til
Mentalt og ganske fysisk
En flyver fylde vil

Til slut vi alle takker
For den du er og så fordi
Vi har dig lært at kende
Vi takker alle ti (Niels og Nanna er også med)

Kærlige hilsner og knus fra

Nanna, Lærke, Gitte, Ib, Kirsten, Andreas, Søren, Niels, Ulla og Jens

Heartbroken from Half a World Away

2010-11-24T20:50:00.004+01:00

Pikes Peak Mine, 29 miners trapped and now presumed dead after two huge explosions.

The little nation of New Zealand in mourning, our biggest national disaster since Erebus. I am just absolutely heartbroken about this tragedy. And although I am here, far away from home, I still feel so part of it and so so sad for all those involved, and even those who are in NZ. When something happens to NZ, everyone groups together to pull through. I suppose it comes with having such a small population, and the strong bond that most kiwis possess.

Although I am here, half a world away from this, it has still touched my heart and I pray for all those who have been affected by this.

Denmark has an important place in my heart, but New Zealand is still my home.

See you soon Aotearoa

x

Oh the Places You Will Go

2010-11-24T00:41:00.003+01:00

This poem has brought tears to my eyes, it speaks with such truth about this year, exchange and all the complexities and amazing highs you experience. I'll read it before I leave this far away home from home, and will keep up the tradition of crying happy tears. Thanks Mads for giving it to me, love you so much sis <3

Congratulations!

Today is your day.

You’re off to Great Places!

You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself any direction you choose.

You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

You’ll look up and down streets. Look’em over with care. About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.” With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you’re too smart to go down a not-so-good street.

And you may not find any you’ll want to go down. In that case, of course, you’ll head straight out of town. It’s opener there in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen and frequently do to people as brainy and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen, don’t worry. Don’t stew. Just go right along. You’ll start happening too.

Oh! The Places You’ll Go!

You’ll be on your way up!

You’ll be seeing great sights!

You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights.

You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed. You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead. Wherever you fly, you’ll be best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don’t.

Because, sometimes, you won’t.

I’m sorry to say so but, sadly, it’s true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you.

You can get all hung up in a prickle-ly perch. And your gang will fly on. You’ll be left in a Lurch.

You’ll come down from the Lurch with an unpleasant bump. And the chances are, then, that you’ll be in a Slump.

And when you’re in a Slump, you’re not in for much fun. Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked. Some windows are lighted. But mostly they’re darked. A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin! Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in? How much can you lose? How much can you win?

And if you go in, should you turn left or right…or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite? Or go around back and sneak in from behind? Simple it’s not, I’m afraid you will find, for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.

You can get so confused that you’ll start in to race down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space, headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.

The Waiting Place…for people just waiting.

Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or No or waiting for their hair to grow. Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite or waiting around for Friday night or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil, or a Better Break or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or Another Chance. Everyone is just waiting.

No! That’s not for you!

Somehow you’ll escape all that waiting and staying. You’ll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing. With banner flip-flapping, once more you’ll ride high! Ready for anything under the sky. Ready because you’re that kind of a guy!

Oh, the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won. And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all. Fame! You’ll be famous as famous can be, with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.

Except when they don’t. Because, sometimes, they won’t.

I’m afraid that some times you’ll play lonely games too. Games you can’t win ‘cause you’ll play against you.

All Alone!

Whether you like it or not, Alone will be something you’ll be quite a lot.

And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants. There are some, down the road between hither and yon, that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.

But on you will go though the weather be foul. On you will go though your enemies prowl. On you will go though the Hakken-Kraks howl. Onward up many a frightening creek, though your arms may get sore and your sneakers may leak. On and on you will hike. And I know you’ll hike far and face up to your problems whatever they are.

You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?

Yes! You will, indeed!

(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)

Kid, you’ll move mountains!

So…be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ale Van Allen O’Shea, you’re off to Great Places!

Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting.

So…get on your way!

Hey time...bye time....

2010-11-19T21:55:00.007+01:00

So its been a while since I have written anything, mainly because I am never sitting down for more than 10 minutes before I have to go again. People ask me what I am doing, and I never know what to say. It's just . . stuff. Like seeing people, catching a bus and or train or even biking somewhere, going to school, doing some schoolwork if school is lucky, doing chores like going to the bank etc. It just piles up and therefore am nearly never home. It's like I have never stopped running since I got off the plane at Billund 10 months ago.

Time just won't hold up, I want time to just stop so I can be a Dane for a little bit more.

Amongst the chaos, some exciting things have happened. We had our school gala the other week which is similar to a leavers ball in NZ, not quite the parade that Marsden puts on but it was really awesome to be part of it.

We danced lancier which in my opinion is the most hilarious dance ever created. Catherine was my man, and a good looking one at that. We began by all parading into the gymnasium at the gymnasium (as in school) as i felt like we were part of some sort of Deb Ball, Catherine and I were the only ones laughing and talking as we did this I am pretty sure. Which made it even more hilarious.

My awesome as host dad, Jens has the most beautiful so he put it to good use to create memories of the hilarity of Catherine and I dancing together.

I was also really lucky as (nearly) all members of all of my host families were at the Gala too! So here are some pics of all of us. Ellie, one of my best friends EVER, also came as my guest as she had to be part of my special night too :). Sorry I cant put captions under the pics....just blogger being not so user friendly.

But in the fam pic we have Jens, current host dad, Andreas, my last host brother, me, my host mum Ulla, and Lærke, Gitte and Ib from my first family. Love you all so much!

It was such a fun night spent with the best people ever. Tak for en rigtig dejligt aften alle sammen :).

Have been up to see Ellie in Brande a few times recently too, its about an hour by train from here and in Central Jylland so its good to get around DK a bit more before I go.

The weather has been changing SO much too as of late. First Autumn was like BAM, leaves everywhere and the heavens were permanently open, now winter has hit and I just wish snow would fall already, as if it snows, at least the cold is pretty and not just grey and wet. Let it snow let it snow let it snow :)

The other day Catherine and I went to Andreas house and made some Danish candy things called flødeboller, cream balls translated hehe. They are so so yum and we made them pink so they were even better!

Wednesday did not only mark the birthday of my ever aging mother, BUT it also marked the premiere of the the 7th of the Harry Potter films! I was so so excited, its like the climax of my childhood was coming to fruition. I went with Catherine and Andreas at 23.58 in Middelfart and it was so amazing. I was whispering the lines I swear, and was noticing all the parts they missed out or did differently. Cute Harry nerd. But of course now we must wait 6 months for the second part to come out!

Then on Thursday, Andreas and I decided to go to Odense just randomly. So we took the train and bus and ended up at the Rosengårdcenter which is DKs biggest mall. And just by CHANCE IKEA is right next door...so naturally we went there and had the best time ever. Had the good old Swedish meatballs for dinner, at 4.30 as it seemed like dinner time as it was so dark. They also had all of their Christmas stick which was so awesome. I feel like you can really get into Christmas here, Scandinavia is the place to be. It better snow...just fingers crossed.

Must be off to bed as am tired from school, all of 2 classes and had Andreas and Catherine over for dinner and an epic Pushing Daisies Marathon.

European Handball Champs Game tomorrow with my mum, looking forward to it! We plan to watch the men rather than the game. Im totally fine with that!

Knus from a far away freezing land

Lx

Bored

2010-11-11T13:03:00.001+01:00

Bored at school.

Writing Life Plan

Hug your dreams.

2010-11-10T18:42:00.004+01:00

Have you hugged your dreams today? If not I would advise to do so as they are the things that drive us, make us work harder, keep us going. You may even achieve them one day :)

Oh and thanks Catherine for the title of this blog! I am so tired even naming this thing is hard.

So Im sitting here in my room, so tired I could fall asleep on my laptop, the TV still on with Danmarks næste top model booming. Its not that good to be truly honest but it makes me feel like I am achieving something as it is in Danish, my life is awesome.

I sit inside, nice and warm while outside is just chilln, quite literally its about minus 2 right now. Oh hey winter. I just wished it snowed already so it would at least be pretty and cold.

Just a random as update on nothing.

Our school gala is on Friday, similar to a leavers ball but not quite the taahdaah that Marsden does where mothers hold meetings about ribbon and girls pay their inheritance to look good for just one night. Well this is a bit more casual in my opinion, but we have to dance lancier. A ridiculous, made up mess which resembles drunk Swedish people trying to be German. Hilarious. Have lessons all week at school which is AWESOME when you half understand the instructor! Makes it super easy.

Anywho, signing off for bed. Small thing called school tomorrow argghhh

Lx

Londontown

2010-11-05T09:48:00.005+01:00

Okay so here is the long promised blog about London. It has now been a few weeks since my class and I got back from this amazing feels-like-home city. I miss it, I miss the controlled chaos of a big city, I miss the unbelievable mix of cultures, starbucks, the curry house we ate at every night, the tube (I can still rattle off the different stops and lines, sort of epic) and being with my friends 24/7.

It was amazing being in a huge city such as London with the people you love so much, wish I could go back! But back to reality again, back to school and the long days of not doing much but having to attend otherwise your absence rate will shoot through the roof. Just a little over school at the moment, as many other exchange students are at this time. Just not doing much gets to you after 9 months. I crave a challenge like an assignment or essay. I need those short term goals again. I am used to having huge and sometimes crazy goals such a learn Danish, make new friends, build a life. A bit daunting, thus the thought of small goals seems very tempting and exciting. Sounds sick to most I know.

Anyway, LONDON! We began at 3am at Fredericia train station, ikke så frisk! We took the train to Copenhagen which takes about 3 hours then we waited waited waited to get our flight to LONDON! I got a stamp in my passport as I left KBH which was more exciting than you would think...

After a flight sitting next to an uber feral 14 year old boy who thought he was top lort, we arrived in London. And for all of you kids living in Denmark, you will know Jesper from X Factor. Well his class was on a studietur too and was on the same flight there and back as us! Yay Danish celebrity who isnt too hard on the eyes. NOM.

So after staring at Jesper for some time, we all trudged onto the Gatwick Express to Victoria Station and then onto West Brompton. Just sayin, but taking your suitcases when there are about 30 students on the tube is no easy feat. We deserve a medal for all of that, so stressful agh! But we got to the hotel and dumped our stuff and we let free for the afternoon so a group of us went to Piccadilly Circus to find some food and take in out first sight of the big smoke.

So now Im tired and so will just post pics and maybe small explanations, sorry kids, writing s super hard at this very moment.

So that was London in a nutshell. It was the most amazing week, the most tiring week but I wish I could do it all again.

Thanks 3.k for being awesome, going to miss you all and your crazy antics.

So onto the rest of my life at the moment. Well, Im at a strange place at the moment. I think its a mix of the emotion of my looming departure from DK, having to say goodbye to so many amazing people, having to think beyond this year, having to build a life again, moving to a new city, starting university and other small things like this. It will be so hard to go back home, as I have changed so much and I feel like my life in NZ stood still. Like my room will be the same as I left it a year ago. The same CD in the CD player, the same numerous pieces of useless paper on my desk, the same notes I madly scribbled on my wall in vivid for NCEA level 1 and 2. Thats all the same, but Im not.I wont fit into my old life. And to be honest I am scared.

The joys of life changing things hey? Have to be prepared for the truck load of emotion that comes with it.

So last weekend we had our second of only two Rotary Get togethers. And for all of those poor people not in the Rotary loop. this is where all exchange students in DK meet for a weekend, usually staying in a school, not sleeping, catching up with your international friends and eating. Oh and of course partying, but abiding by the 4 D rules, thus not so much fun JK, its still awesome.

So this time it was the oldies last get together before we all go home. It was in Holbæk on Sjælland so another 3hr train journey with the good old DSB trains that I have learnt so well this year.

We had like a halloween dress up party on the Saturday night which was really cool, just chill and bogan as. Elles and I went as hippie, bum, bogans from Christiania which worked out super well for last min costumes. We were pretty epic I have to admit.

We got bored whilst sitting at our table, so naturally we began a bonfire with the candles on our table. The Rotarians were freaking out silently and took them away from us when we were getting puds hahahaha shot Rotarians!

But it was such a fun weekend in all, slept in a hallway and corridor so was pretty epic.

Will miss some oldies, others I will not give a second thought for the rest of my life. Whoops did I just say that? Tehe

Oh so the other day Catherine and I had a date and we made the cutest and yummiest meal EVER. We have talent at both cooking and dating, suggestive?

Oh and we had Muesli for pudding . .yums!

And one last pic....its getting cold here and dark. Hate it, just a little jealous of NZ as it heats up and DK cools down. But I love how you can see the sudden change in seasons here. Its definitely autumn now.

Oh and a pic of my house! Super cute no?

Lucy signing off

x

Shut eye

2010-10-27T23:15:00.005+02:00

Im making a conscious effort to go to sleep earlier as I have discovered that my sleeping pattern is whackity whacked up.

And yet I am here, when I should be asleep

Good learning of lessons me.

I want a cupcake right now argggh nom a nom

Lucy not sleeping when she should be

x

Torn in Two

2010-10-24T23:04:00.001+02:00

I have been feeling like I am being torn in two lately. Im happy but there is this constant thought in my head of going home.

Am I looking forward to it? I am not sure, in a way I am just as I feel ready to take the next step but then I cant imagine leaving my life and all the people I love in Denmark.

Heart torn, mind displaced.

I love this song, care of Ellie. Love you so much girlie.

London update soon as.

Lx

Time to Fly

2010-10-09T12:18:00.002+02:00

The time has come to fly up and away. In less than 3 hours I will be on a train to Copenhagen to fly to London. A little excited? I suppose you could say that. I started packing days ago...yet I still feel like I am missing something important.

Typical.

But it will be so much fun, 5 days in London with my class. It will be insane!

I am looking forward too:

- Starbucks (we only have like 2 in Denmark!)
- English accents
- Seeing red double deckers and pubs.
- Taxis
- Being in a city which is ACTUALLY a city, rather than like Fredericia which is more like a wanabe city.
- People driving on the correct side of the road
- Telephone boxes
- Fish and Chips
- Being able to practice my amazing British accent and feeling like a fool
- Using pounds
- Shopping EVERYWHERE
- Going to Notting Hill and expecting to find the blue front door and Hugh Grant.
- Discovering the Order of the Phoenix Headquarters.
- The possible terror attack on London. Great Timing.
- Getting lost in the side streets
- People watching
- Jack the Ripper tour.....slightly terrified
- Curry and other general cheap pub grub
- Catching the tube and probably getting lost
- Seeing policemen on horses.
- Being somewhere that is not where I normally am.

These plus many more things I look forward to.

Ill post when I get back, might even have some nice pics to browse through. If only I had a nice camera...oh well my little blue canon will have to do.

Peace out kids

Later Denmark!

Luce trying to stay awake for the 3am train to Copenhagen

Adulthood, tough world.

2010-09-29T19:17:00.011+02:00

So here I am. A more mature Lucy, being 18 and all. YEAH RIGHT. I may now be an adult under the eyes of the law but cmon, its me...will I ever really grow up?

Last Sunday was the big day and it was the best birthday ever. I have the most amazing friends and family both at home in Denmark and New Zealand. What a lucky kid.

So one of my best ever friends Devika just happened to rock on over half the universe to come see me for my birthday weekend. Ok so after not seeing someone for 8 months straight, your imagination wanders in the hours prior to seeing them in the flesh. Have they changed? If so how so? Will they see me differently?

A million questions and curiosities go through an already troubled teenaged mind.

But after a chaotic mess up with the ridiculous public transport and going to Kolding for no reason, I met up with Devika in Vejle and ran up and hugged her for about 10 minutes. Not being able to believe it was her, here, in Denmark.

So on Friday we just caught up on 8 months of life. Quite an epic task I have to say but it was like we never left each other, what best friends are like right? It was so nice to see her though, hearing stories about NZ and Marsden just made me laugh. I feel so weird that life has continued there while I am here doing something completely different.

The next day we went and had a little look around my lovely town of Fred.

We met up with Ellie and Catherine too, and so naturally we had a feast on the side of the road. Hygge times!

Then twas time for a family birthday celebration at my last host familys house in Middelfart, Kirsten and Andreas also had had birthdays that week so family came from all over Denmark to celebrate! SO nice to have the family all around, I have gotten to know them all so it was like a good old Olsen-McLeod Birthday shindig back home. We ate lots which was nom a nom then went blackberry and mushroom picking, så sjovt og solen skinnede.

Birthday celebrations continued. I was surrounded with the coolest people all weekend, so lucky. Elsker jer så maaal!

Sunday, the big day! I finally turned the big 1-8....a strange feeling but then I could have felt the same as a 17 year old.

Thanks so much to everyone who sent me messages and gifts, my awesome Danish homemade thank you notes are coming your way...once i can afford stamps.

Okay so my last host brother and best friend Andreas is awesome, and loves to fill in his days at school with writing six word stories so here are some examples.

Limitless passion. Limited compromise. No regrets.

Scared as hell. Did it anyway.

Riptide of depression pulling me deeper

Eat nothing. Look thin. Feel fat.

She's his love; he's her wallet.

Personality found in bottle of Scotch.

Rejected by peers. Accepted by cat.

Under the covers, over the monsters

Talent? Maybe...or just a hint of a not-too-far-away mental breakdown. Love ya bro!

Okay so too tired to write anymore after this Lord of The Rings Battle sized post....so here are some random as pics to entertain.

Ok so these pics are a mix....Our funny class photo was like a nude fest. Of course it was just a joke but it was pretty effective no? I love that I am just a sheep named Lucy. Tak klasse!

Oh and my jandal cookie, thanks Caroline! Was yums.

Thanks for the YumYum noodles Maksim! They were spicy as, slightly painful. Men tak russian one.

Oh and my noticeboards in my room are epic...see if you can spot something from you, if not fix it and hit me up.

Enough from me.

LONDON on Sunday at 3am. Well keen.

Lucy in her pjs

x

Things are a changin'

2010-09-22T13:17:00.003+02:00

I sit here staring at the page, a history test about Vikings. Oh the happiness I feel. And yet it strikes me that for once in my life, I notice that school in New Zealand isn’t as easy as I had previously thought.

There are 4 questions, all about 4-5 lines long; there is 50 minutes to do it in. In NZ we would have 50 minutes to write an entire 3 or so page essay. Is NCEA in fact what some may deem a challenge? No it can’t be. I have always thought of NCEA as rather ridiculous to be honest, for one your first year exams count for nothing, secondly they do not have any international standing whatsoever and of course there is the fact that you can pass the year without sitting all your end of year exams. Got to love the New Zealand way of doing things.

I write this sitting in the basement classroom, surrounded by busy scribbling people, all while I sit on my computer and write this. Notes about our London trip on the board, the teachers’ droning baritone circling the room. I have tried with the test, of course. But all I got to was translating the questions which itself was a bit of a challenge so I just stopped it there. The successes of being an exchange student, I am king.

So anyway, as I sit here, the thoughts of me moving host families sits in the back of my mind. The last move, next time I move it will be all the way back to little old NZ. A sad thought which I try to ignore as much as humanly possible. I move tonight after Rotary, moving back to mainland Europe y’all.

The concept of moving families is so bizarre I have realized. I have to pick my life up, stuff it in 2 suitcases plus a hoard of other bags and boxes, get in a car and all of a sudden shift lives. Change the way I live day to day. Of course it’s a good thing, a positive thing as I get to experience so many different Denmarks I suppose you could say. But it is still so hard getting used to different things, even small things like where the plates are kept, when people come home from school/work, what the rules are and of course peoples expectations of you. People outside of the exchange ‘circle’ may find it hard to fully understand the ins and outs, ups and downs of exchange, which is totally understandable, but I want to help them try and understand what it is like. So hard to explain, like seriously I can’t put into words what the experience of exchange is like. Unbelievable just doesn’t do it justice.

So today I leave the Leed household. I just want to say tusind tak/mage tak til min mor Kirsten og verdens bedste bror Andreas. Although short, we have done so much together and I felt like such a part of the family. I have learned so much, plus my Danish has become so much better (thanks to Kirstens fine teaching skills ☺). I have been shown so much of Denmark with this family, day trips here and there were so nice, Denmark really is one cool country (the weather is another thing). We have been mushroom picking, to the beach, on walks, picnics, explored other cities and seen what our own town of Middelfart has to offer. So thanks again for all you have done, I can only try to put into words how much I appreciate everything. Og vi siger ikke farvel men vi ses ☺

Exciting week ahead well with moving, one of my best friends from New Zealand coming to see me AND Lucy will finally be 18 on Sunday. It will be so strange to not have the usual McLeod/Olsen/Delany afternoon tea with cake, tea/coffee and of course the family staple food – nacho chips. But I look forward to a Danish birthday, med dejlig chokolade og kage til.

Report back soon.

Floederboller recipe coming soon, stay tuned. They are worth the wait.

Pics coming soon too :)

Oh and I have since moved into my next family and love it :). We have a kitten do do do!

The Friendly Stranger

2010-09-13T21:30:00.002+02:00

There are always those people who you seem to see on the train, on the way to school or in the street more regularly than deemed normal or coincidence. It's a really strange feeling, as you seem to know these people in a way, seeing them nearly everyday on your way to school or around town. And yet you never utter a word to them, not one conversation not one word is shared. Just a random thought, but quite a strange phenomenon I think.

London Calling, just under a month until I am there with my class. Looking forward to copious amounts of Starbucks, fish and chips and Topshop. And maybe things will even seem cheap compared to this insane country!

Elisabeth and I achieving great things in history as usual.

Peace out kids

Lucy

Sink your teeth in

2010-09-04T19:02:00.002+02:00

I feel like I'm floating on the surface. I want to explore more, dig deeper - really experience this place. I won't be here again as a 'carefree' 17 (but very nearly 18) year old. I have to make the most of what little time is left here. I just can't get my head around going back. I live here now, Denmark is home, my mum and my brother are here, my school and friends too. I feel that going back to New Zealand is like taking a step back. I have grown so much here in the 7 months I have been away, I don't want to have to fit back into my old life, the old me.

I haven't been taking photos lately as I have begun to hate my camera. I want oh so badly an amazing professional camera which takes stunning photos. But with quality comes a price tag which a poor little exchange student can't afford sadly, but I will get my dream one day soon!

So I have a lack of photos from my recent life, which is a pity as I have been enjoying myself at school and with friends etc.

The other week my cutie friend Ann Katrine (AK) from my class came over to my house and we made macaroni and cheese which is something we both LOVE and miss! It used to be favourite dish, I would have it as my birthday dinner which to me sounds really sad now but at the time it was heaven.

Then on Thursday my other friend Elisabeth (dubbed cold meat, long story...) came over and we were just in the 'I'm fat and lazy mood' so we ordered pizza and had a small feast. We then were SO tired after having 4 classes at school that day that we just collapsed in front of the TV and watched a movie <3. It was so nice to just chill, elsker dig kold koed hehe

We had a class party on Friday which was so much fun, I love just hanging out with my class outside of school as it's easier to just be normal and not distracted or stressed.

Here is a pic I thought was super duper (phrase picked up from Andreas, Danish god of a host bro) cute.

I heard about the awful earthquake in Christchurch, NZ. My heart fell. My sister is there I thought, I just felt like crying at what could be. She sent me a message saying she is all okay, but shaken (mind the pun). I hope all of you there are pulling through this, I can't imagine what it would be like to witness a city fall as Christchurch did.

Thinking of you.

Lucy x

Turn Around

2010-09-01T10:14:00.000+02:00

Crash and burn.

. How can something be so good then fall so fast?

Jeg er så glad....

2010-08-30T20:51:00.004+02:00

Today I was in Fredericia after school, my one class of the day, and I was all of a sudden overcome with a feeling of being really happy and content with my life. I just wanted to smile. I even felt like crying. Strange. But it just shows you the extreme ups and downs of exchange.

I would give anything to feel like this everyday.

Raindrops keep on fallin...

2010-08-24T20:57:00.007+02:00

So I am being drowned here, in the Land of Den. It hasn't stopped raining in about 2 weeks and I am so sick of it. Coming home on your bike, whilst it is pouring, unable to hold an umbrella and it being so wet the rain penetrates the best of rain jackets - is not the funnest. But character building right? That's what I tell myself anyway.

Updating of my life is sort of overdue so her it is, photos style.

Danish Flags line the streets in Odense. Feels like home :)

My bedroom window, I have my own fairy lights and garden outside. Love it.

New shoes, how you make me happy as now the rain can't take my feet hostage.

Don't you love just looking up and taking in the view? It's unimaginable what is out there, scary and exciting.

C + L in Odense

Us and HC Andersen 'himself'

Fairytales <3

Matchstick girl, concentration on her face is priceless.

Flower festival, amazingly pretty!

~Sweet~

Or maybe they meant lollipop?

Asian kids.

Too big?

That is all for today, I am so exhausted I must sleep a little before waking up and doing it all over again. I like it though, enjoying life right now. Content.

Don't ever take moments like this for granted as they might vanish before your happy eyes :)

Lucy x

Tanker

2010-08-16T19:01:00.007+02:00

So the heavens have opened on both Middelfart and Fredericia, great timing too as Andreas and I walk the dog. Now I am soaked for the second time in one day, farvel summer, it was nice knowing you.

So the thing is, I am still stuck in the mud about everything, what I want to do next week, next year, the rest of my life. How can I choose? I have always been indecisive but this is just ridiculous. Anyone wants to help carve my future, feel free as I have given up on deciding.

See where the wind takes me....

It may take me to this amazing place, a place where many would never dream of stepping foot in, but I would love to see this place, Petra, hidden away from the world.

Random thoughts of mine...

I wish I had a bubble blower, like what every child possessed in the 90's...

Time's ticking....

On my bucket list....hot air balloon ride.

What I want to yell at people who are down about nothing. Get a life already.

Zippora Seven, a carefree, beautiful New Zealand model who I adore

I am in a random, do-what-I-want mood so therefore this blog is a little upside down, much like life, so like life, deal with it please :)

I was talking with Catherine today over a cup of tea after school was over and we sort of had an epiphany about the fact that we have had to build our own lives here. Create something beautiful and enjoyable out of nothing.....Hard to imagine when you have never had to do it, but it's so indescribably difficult. Grow roots, feel at home, make friends, find your way from A to B....Hard to say the least. I think that in 6 months I have built myself a great life. I have a great family now and had another fantastic family whom I love so much also, have settled into school, made friends, made several million cakes for my class and learnt a language deemed one of the worlds most difficult. No too bad.

That is all for tonight, I must go off and read Homers Odyssey IN DANISH. So easy.....mmm

Knus

Lucy

Andreas, Danish God

2010-08-13T21:18:00.004+02:00

So I have been a subject to bullying by my host brother Andreas. So kind I know. He said I must write a blog about him saying how cool he is....mmm stuck for words?

Just joking bro, you are awesome and you are a Danish God. I liked out little stroll to the post box at 1am on a school night and our endless feasting on cake.

I hope I can eat all of the fudge we are making tonight.

Here is a pic, not quite of Andreas but there is a striking resemblance between the two...

There Andreas, lovely host brother - go make me some fudge :)