Long overdue update

Hi little creepy stalkers out there on the internet :)

As always, bunches has happened since my last post, but I'll start from the beginning and work my way to now!

Christmas:

My Danish Christmas was, unquestionably, the best Christmas I have ever had in my life. Nothing could have made it better.... okay if there was snow that day it would have been perfect.... but I can overlook that fact!

My host parents had all the family come over for Christmas and so we celebrated with a large group and we followed all the Danish traditions. We watched the adorable Christmas Disney special on the 24th (the day they celebrate), ate a huge meal, opened gifts, and danced around the Christmas tree while singing carols and it was light with real candles! Don't believe that they are crazy enough to put real candles on their tree? Proof:

The only way I can describe my Christmas was absolutely perfect. I was afraid that I would be homesick or feel disconnected, but I have never felt more in place here in Denmark than that night. My host family made such a good job of making sure I felt like a part of the family and I was so busy that I couldn't miss my family back home.

New Years Eve:

One holiday celebrated here probably more so than in America is New Years. New Years eve is a huge deal in Denmark. The queen gave her large speech about the previous and upcoming years on television, we had a huge meal, and watched an old film that everyone watches every year in Denmark. Then, once it was midnight, we watched the clock tower on the Rådhus in Copenhagen ring in the new year. We celebrated with fireworks at home (not the crappy small ones, but the fun ones that are probably illegal in the USA) and champagne! 

My Oldies going Away:

One thing that I love about exchange with Rotary is the concept of oldies and newbies. There are exchange students (mostly from Australia) who come January-January. The 2011 group are my "oldies" and the 2012 group that just arrived are my "newbies". Anyways..... My amazing oldie went home in January so I must give a tribute to her. I went to her going away party. Amy got me through plenty of tough times and I love her bunches so I just thought I should mention that(she's the one in the middle):

Host family switch:

Last weekend, I switched host families. I am now living with my 3rd host family. I won't lie- moving from my 2nd family was hard. I cried. A lot. But, I'm happy with my new family, and I know that it was time for me to get to know another family. As hard as it was leaving my awesome family there, I honestly think the worst part about that weekend was packing. I realized that I probably have a slight addiction to Danish clothing. And shoes. I honestly have no idea how I will get my stuff home in July (REASON TO STAY IN DENMARK? I think yes!!!!!). I mean seriously, how the heck did I get all THIS:

IN MY DEFENCE: one bag is full of all of my Danish books that won't be coming home, one bag is full of gifts for people in Denmark that won't be coming home, and my backpack is full of my school books..... as for the rest- I sware little Danish "nisse" (elves) must be secretly adding to my collection of clothes/shoes/random crap.

School:

I love school here! After New Years the class groups switched up a little. I loved my new class, but it was a little hard. Due to my schedule, I only spent about half the classes with them, which made forming relationships VERY hard. I worked it out so I switched to a different class. My new class is mostly people from my class before New Years and a few new people. This class is PERFECT! I not only get to have a normal schedule, but I honestly love my classmates. They are all super sweet :)

Danish:

I AM FINALLY DONE WITH MY LANGUAGE CLASSES!!!!!!! I took a test on Tuesday and passed so I am now officially finished with attending Danish classes on Tuesday and Thursday classes. 

My overall Danish is alright. Given that I've only been here under 6 months, most Danes are amazed by how good it is. I am proud of how much I know, but I still wish I knew more. As much as I complain about it at times, I want to learn this language as much as I can.

Sne!:

(google translate the title and you'll understand how happy I am right now). Lately, we have had actual snow! It is basically beautiful and I still haven't found anything against the snow. It is basically amazing. The Danes haven't been able to find a way to make me hate the snow yet.... and believe me, they've tried. I've been hit with snow, picked up and rolled in the snow, and had it thrown at me in every way possible.... I still love the snow :)

^ This would be my reaction to sitting in a HUGE pile of snow

^ And this would be the view from my bedroom window. No big deal, right?

Life:

Overall, I honestly LOVE IT HERE! I don't think I've ever been so happy in my life. I have everything I have ever dreamed of, and I recently realized I am living out some people's dream! I am pretty sure I have had a constant smile on my face for at least the past 3-4 months. I still can't bring myself to think that I'll actually have to go back to Florida in just a few months. One thing I have decided for sure, is that one year in this country isn't enough for me, and I will come back. I don't know when or for how long, but it will happen. I have fallen in love with this amazing country and it's people and it's language. Before I came here, I felt absolutely 100% American and never doubted anything about that. Now, I know I am American, but I also feel Danish. I honestly feel a stronger bond to Denmark and it's culture. I will always be American at heart and that can never be changed or taken away from me, but I also feel Danish and will always be affected by the Danish culture.

So there you go little creepers :) Until next time,

McKenzie