Another New Year

(This post was written on January 1st, 2014)

And so it begins. A new year has started, another went by. This is the first out of the next 365 days, thereof 2014. A new storage of memories has been filled into our heads, but we still have room for more.

For me, 2013 led me through an exceptional journey. One year ago today, I was leaving for a ski trip in West Virginia with my family and friends from church, and two other exchange students. Few weeks later I finally had my reunion with one of my Danish friends, who I had not seen since I left Denmark. In February I met up with approx. 150 exchange students in Disney World, Orlando, and had an amazing time. And no more than three weeks later I went on the adventure of my life to Hawaii for a week, which was followed by a two weeks road trip and journey from New York City to Florida, with my mom, sister and brother. When my mom and siblings left, my dad and Grith arrived about a week later. When they left to go back to Denmark again, I packed for my trip to Grand Bahama Island. I was there with my district for five days and we did so many wonderful things in that short amount of time. All of these events I experienced before the end of April 2013 and my year in America wasn't even over yet.

In May 2013, I had the coolest prom experience with my one of my best friends, Christin. It was so much fun, and her friends were really cool as well. In June I said my first goodbyes at the school, and then I left for my two weeks West Coast trip. That trip was unbelievable. I don't think I have ever seen and experienced so much in just two weeks, and then with people from all over the world. It gave me so much. After this trip, I didn't have much time left in Florida. I celebrated 4th of July with Christin and her friends, and I said goodbye to my other exchange student friends. I was the last exchange student in my district to leave, and it was hard being there and knowing they had gone home. The hardest thing in 2013 was to say goodbye to my American family. Family Tobin. They had been the ones to support me for a whole year. They had been like a real family for me when I didn't have my own. And even now, they are the hardest part of having left Florida. I miss them everyday and I'm already looking so much forward to seeing them again.

When I came home from Florida, half of 2013 was over. I had been gone for almost one full year and still, I came home to a country I knew, with friends and family that were still there for me. Nothing had changed. There had only been one really unpredictable thing when I was sitting on my bed in Florida. The quote from the Notebook "The scariest thing about distance, is you don't know whether they'll miss you, or forget about you." describes the exact feeling I was sitting with. The whole year. And some of the friends I had before Florida, might have forgotten about the friendship we used to have, but I've learned to focus on the people who want to have me in their lives so those are the ones I appreciate. The most important people for me before I left, are still my best friends today. But I still must say that the quote always will be true. Even now when I'm here in Denmark, I think about my American relations, and I miss them and wonder if they miss me. I mean, I came into their lives, were there one year and then left again. Like it had never happened. It's actually a little bit of a scary thought. 

I know I've had an influence for some people with my presence, and that amazes me. I'm just a completely random girl, coming into their lives, everything is new for me but for them it's all the same, except that I was present for a short amount of time. I hope I have been part of a change for someone, and I can with guarantee tell how changed I am as a person today. Because of everyone. Americans and exchange students. It has been the craziest experience in my entire life, which now is over. I'm home again. And look! I still have my friends. I still have a family, or I've actually got two now. Gosh, so lucky. I've got friends at a new school after I once again had to start a new place. I've got a job, with nice people, treating me well. I don't miss a thing. And I know so many people who will often complain about something they're missing, but honestly most of the people I know, should just open their eyes for what they've got.

A new year has begun. A fresh start kicks in. It's time to do whatever feels right, and simply just appreciate whatever you've got. Thank you for EVERYTHING, 2013. It has been a great journey.