Just got back from Dubrovnik. And I definitely have a few things to say, of course.

Once again, I will go in order.

The past few weeks I've been sleeping at Lauras house because my host parents were in the U.S. visiting their daughter in Florida (lucky butt) and they were having the shower redone so I needed to stay somewhere where I could properly stay clean. So I've been with her nonstop and we have not had any groundbreaking fights....so I think we are pretty.

Anyways, I was invited to go to Zadar with Dani and my old host family. And I went. And I loved it!
Being with them that weekend made me realize how much I for sure miss them. I mean I lived with them for like 4-5 months. They were there when I was the awkward weird new exchange student who was clueless and lost. They were there through that and they were apart of my everyday routines. It's weird to think about how much of a difference people can make on you.
There's also some drama going on with my last family that is making everything a little more stressful and chaotic, so when I first got in the car with them, I could feel the tension pretty darn well. And so I did my happy loud oblivious Emma-act I seem to pull off pretty well. The tension definitely lightened up a little. It was nice to laugh and talk to them.

Also this was around the time my sister, Sara, was being induced for labor. Basically, she gets diabetic during pregnancy which maybe had something to do with if the baby didn't come on it's right then, it'd be too big later to give birth too.
So I'm off in Zadar on Saturday eating ice cream and hanging out in the sun and then I'm like, whoa, my sister had her baby. Well I assumed she did, so I found an internet cafe and messaged my parents but they told me she was still in the hospital not giving birth yet and her facebook status proved that she had yet to go into labor seeing as how she was complaining about being stuck with IV's. By the way, whatever nurses can survive being there while Sara is going through labor...more power to ya. That has got to be some skill. I'm surprised none have sent her their payments for therapy. Sara is scary when she's mad. That's all I'll say.
But anyways I found out she hadn't started pushing yet so I was like ohh ok I'll continue on my day and whatever. But I get back from Zadar and find out Sunday that she had the baby in the A.M. I believe. It's one thing to hear about it and another to see it.
I mean it's a pretty big deal, right? But I couldn't really be all like whoa yaa whoa and jump around and all because it's just difficult to imagine that there is this life going on without me in my family. I mean it's hard to juggle what is going on in my time and then deal with what is going on with everyone elses time. But as soon as I saw facebook pictures of my 2nd niece Sofia, I started crying. It's soo amazing how that happens. I'm not a crier. I hate it because it's messy and inconvienent and attracts extremely unwanted attention. I usually just say suck it up. But there are times where I break down. I'm a girl, I don't really have much of a choice with these stupid hormones running through my body. But I cried when I first held Ava. And I cried when I saw Sofia and realized it'll be a few months before we can properly meet.
But the pictures are enough, so Sara, if you are reading this you better be uploading a new picture right at this moment. I WANT PICTURES!

Also, I've gotten back into the swing of my bands. I haven't really had time or the oppertunities to really download or youtube new and upcoming bands like I used to. I haven't really been to any concerts either which is driving me insane. But now I'm getting back into it and I miss it. Just sitting here listening to The Drums makes me want to be home and laying in bed in my basement doing nothing but listening to music and making my room a little more messy than it already is of course.

Anyways, as soon as I got back from Zadar, I went on over to the apartment and took my clothes for Dubrovnik. And goodness those construction workers made a real mess of the apartment!
There was dust covering every single thing I could see. My door had been closed but there was dust in my room. How in the world did that happen!?!
And it smelled like wood and sweaty men and uncleaned dishes so I opened the windows and hopefully that helped my host parents out a bit. The kitchen had been raided. I wanted a snack while I was there but there was nothing to eat at all and all the dishes were dirty in the sink, on the floor, on the table, everywhere. I was afraid to use the toilet because the idea of a group of men using the same toilet without being very clean kind of disgusted me a bit. But the new bathroom looks cool. It's very different though, but I'll deal for the next month I have to live with my family :(

I packed everything up and the next day we were on a flight to Dubrovnik. The flight took only about 20-25 minutes and is usually like a 8 hour drive maybe. So it was nice that it was so fast. The first day was warm with half sun and half clouds. We walked the town, ate lunch, ran to get our swim suits, and swam in the worlds coldest water ever. Dear lord, side note, but I may have been ready for the beach, but my body sure wasnt ready for the swimsuit that typically comes with the beach.  Goodness gracious.

Anyways, the first day in Dubrovnik was sunny and warm. We swam, and isuse boze! That water was freezing! But it was so clear. We swam until we couldn't feel anything anymore than got out and went back to the 1 star hostel (gee thanks for splurging rotary) and changed into something to walk around in. We got some dinner and went back to our beach, which happened to be very private and uninhabited and hung out until our hostel curfew of 12 :(! Next day was not so sunny. It rained. But we got up early anyways and walked the old city walls. Which was like super dooper long but it was super dooper pretty. We finished the walk then got some lunch, did some souvenir shopping, hung out at the hostel for a bit, then went out later at night to explore the old city. Which it was beautiful. It's surronded by these century old walls with old stone buildings and smooth stoned roads. It was pretty with the rain covering the roads and then the lights reflecting off of it. It was so nice. But I realized that flip flops+ smooth stone= slippery situation. So while everyone was running around taking pictures, I was doing some funny walk, balancing for the life of me. It was exhausting for me but then I made it through and I was okay. Wednesday was a little sunnier. It didn't rain, but there were a few clouds. We got up and all ready and some went to an art gallery and the rest of us walked to the old city again. It was something you could just walk around everyday and still be amazed by how pretty it all was. We did some more shopping too, had lunch (on rotary : D!) Then some of us put on swim suits and headed to our little beach. There was a huge tide that day and there was one place by our beach where the waves would hit the rocks and come splashing up to the shore. It was cool looking. So a few of us stood right there and got hit by freeezing nippy noodles water. Then we changed later in the evening, found some food and went to another beach to just hangout and watch the tide. The day we left, Thursday, it was beautiful and warm! I couldn't believe it, it sucked. Especially because our flight was actually suppose to leave at like 9 in the evening but then Rotary decided we would take an earlier flight at 1 because 9 is obviously too late and past our bedtimes (sarcasm). But overall the entire trip was nice. Dubrovnik was pretty. Not too expensive either, I mean compared with other touristic cities. But I think Dubrovnik is just as pretty as Zadar. People sort of overlook Zadar, though. But it's probably cheaper to go there and just as pretty. Maybe there's more to Dubrovnik, I'm not sure, but there's not that big of a difference.

But I came back, passed out at Laura's for one more night, then came back home the next day to my host parents freshly back from the U.S.

Our maid cleaned up the entire mess the construction workers made, apparently it took her two working days to do it. And my host mom was still cleaning a little more of it on her own. I asked my host dad if that was ok for them to do, and he said it was pretty typical. Whoa. I'd be pissed if that happened to my house. But I came home and my host mom brought me back some lemon head candy (one of my favs) and a t-shirt from Bubba Gumps (apparently she loved that restaurant).
She told me that before she went to the U.S. she was a little skeptical. Apparently she didn't think it was really that great and that the people were a little weird and the crime was bad or something. She said she would only go so she could see Tina (her daughter). But after she went and came back, she said she loved it. She said she didn't want to leave and now she was depressed.
It was nice to hear that people are still willing to change their minds every now and then. So I appreicated it.

On the bus from Zadar to Zagreb with Dani, we talked about our shitty college situations. Apparently she didn't get any of her scholarships either and she wants to go to Boulder and it's expensive so she doesn't know what she is going to do either. And we talked about changing over the year. Let me tell you a little about Dani. When I first met her, I thought she was a little intimidating. She was all serious and sophisticated and mature. I was this loud mouthed, hyper, unaware girl. It was a weird mesh. But she has cooled off and loosened up this year. And she said this one thing to me while we talked about our future plans and college and what to do next.
She said that she has learned this year that when it comes to your future "There's not one right answers"

Bingo

I've been pissed about my effed up college situation. I still am. But it's ok. Because as long as I'm happy. As long as I have people that love me. And as long as I'm okay with my life, everything will be fine. I don't have one answer, I've known that. But sometimes I forget. It's nice to be reminded.

Also, side note, another interesting thing I heard. I was telling some exchange girls who stay in another town called Varazdin about my newly born niece. And that led to me telling them about my other niece and my sisters age. You know, I guess it's not so typical and people generally judge, whatevers. But when I said how old my sister was when she had her kids, people usually ask about the dad or the job. But one girl, Emily, asked "Is she happy?"
I sure hope so, was my answer. But it was refreshing, and interesting. She actually cared about my sisters feelings instead of the typical judgmental view where people are more concerned with the financial situation or something, which I can sometimes fall into( I won't be hypocritical or lie)

Anyways there's nothing really new.
Laura's got herself a croatian boyfriend. I'm queen of the single life. And everyone is happy and good.

Croatia is going well. I've learned, I've experianced, I've seen.
I'd say it's a successful exchange at this point

Later, the brand new shower is chanting my name. And there is green smoke floating from my dirty clothes I'm currently in.

I have a few things to talk about in this blog. I´ll go by time order.

First off, my host family left Wednesday morning to the States. They´re daughter is a lucky butt and gets to be an exchange student in Florida, somewhere near Miami. So they left Wednesday and spent a few days in New York, then head on over to Florida.
So they are going to be gone for two weeks basically, leaving the apartment to me. One problem though, they are having the bathroom with the shower renovated. So that means, no showering for me. So I´m spending these two weeks at Lauras (Mexican) house with her host parents. I go to school with Laura so I see her like everyday and we hangout a lot, so I really hope that having to spend two weeks with her doesn´t totally ruin our friendship. So far, so good.
But before they left, they gave me my present. They gave me a cute little card and some money.
I love them. They are cute and sweet and funny.
I´ve been really fortunate with my host families I´ve gotten. I liked both of them very much.

Off subject, but as I write this blog, Laura is taking a shower. And at some point in the middle of the night the water heater stopped working. So she needs to shower still and the water is freezing. So right now, she is crying out loud and yelling because of the cold water. I find it extremely funny.

On friday, April 15th, Jacob was sent home. He was an exchange student staying in Osijek, which is in the most eastern part of Croatia. He was from the U.S. but apparently he was having trouble getting along with his family, his rotary club, his classmates, his teachers, and just about everyone. So after this long of problems, they finally sent him home. I know it sounds terrible that I don´t feel that bad. But he has on a few occassions told us that he doesn´t like us and he didn´t remember any of our names. Kind of hurtful, ya know? He´s been homeschooled his entire life, so his social skills are obviously not the best. And he was young. I don´t know if he was really ready or equiped enough to survive a year abroad.

But now that´s two exchange students sent home.

Anyways, next up on my list would be MY BIRTHDAY!!! I turned 19 on April 16th! I feel old. I know that people older than me are probably like ¨No way, Emma. You are still  young. You´re like a baby still¨
But I feel old. I´m barely a teenager now. I still feel like I´m 14. I like to be able to use the excuse of being a teen so I can act immaturely with my friends. Soon enough I´ll have to act all serious all the time and stuff. Ew. Boring. Whatever though. I won´t complain about getting old. But my ideal life would be forever being 17 or 18.
Anyways, for my birthday I invited all my exchange friends and a few croatians and told the exchangers that they could bring their croatian friends. But it ended up just being us exchangers, which was fine with me. They are my closest friends here, like my family. So I was just happy being with them on my birthday.

Laura is now swearing in Spanish.

Back to my birthday. I woke up in the morning and Laura´s host mom made me a cake. So I ate some and Dorothy and Theresa came over and had some cake too and we all hung out. I got ready at Laura´s. Then I met up with the rest of the kids and we all got ready some more and hungout for a while and played some games until it was later. Then we went to this club called Aquarious. Which was doing some light show thing where everything glowed and they had people in the club that would draw on your face with glow in the dark stuff. It was fun. The music was good. We all got crazy. The club could not handle me, that´s all I´m saying. We stayed out really late and got back and went to sleep around 6 in the morning. It was a very special occassion so I stayed out late. I know, bad Emma. But it was my birthday.

But seriously, I know I mention it a lot, but these exchangers here are my best of friends. I love them all. Earlier in the evening I asked someone a truth or dare question and they chose truth. And I could NOT think of anything to ask because at this point, we all know each other well enough that there´s nothing else we could want to know that we don´t already know about each other. Like honestly, I love them to death. These are the people I spend my exchange with. The people that understand me and know me. Just about every laugh was shared with them. Every funny story involves them. Every happy memory is with them. Without them, this would not be the year it has been. They make everything special for me and I love them.

Next up on my calender is Dubrovnik! We go to Dubrovnik next Monday. Dubrovnik is like one of the tourist capitals of Europe. It´s one of the bigget tourist destinations and used to be one of the cheapest tourist destinations. It´s this huge old resort-like town on the most southern tip of Croatia. I´m so incredibly excited to go!

Then next up is EUROPE TOUR!!! I can´t wait at all.
When Laura and I first started hanging out all we could at first talk about was the Euro-tour because that´s what we were so excited for. But then we started to have fun and make friends and make memories. It felt like we were excited for Euro-tour but we had time. Now we don´t really have time and Euro-tour coming so soon sort of marks the end of our exchange. So I´m excited for it, but I´m dreading it too.
We´ve all talked about it and we´re sure that we will be spending many nights crying on Euro-tour because we will all miss each other and we all know that we have to go home soon.
It will be sad.
But till then, we will party!


Oh, also, the other night I was skyping with my sister. And Laura was in the room and we were talking about something I didn´t want Leah to hear about, so we were talking about it in Croatian.
We weren´t exactly fast or completely correct on everything we said. But we did it. And I hope I impressed Leah.
I can speak more Croatian then most of the people in the United States can, and that´s all I need I guess.


Also I´m still waiting to find Britney´s new CD in Croatia. So far, I have no luck.

Laura is now hiding under the blankets because she´s freezing. Her words after getting out of the shower were,
¨I feel like the shower just rape me¨
yes her grammar is a little funny, but that´s laura for ya.

Now I must get ready for school and all. And eat some of Laura´s food.
Later gator

This is has nothing really to do with Croatia or much less me being abroad
just a little off subject i suppose, but I've been watching far too many documentaries about religion.

Religion


It can be bittersweet.
It's good to have faith when it feels like all hope is lost. When someone has nothing, it's good to have something or someone to pray to or talk to or confess to.
When people have these morals from religions to give to the poor and the help the helpless, it's beautiful that they have some motivation to help the world, whether religion is or is not involved.
But when someone of religion has it all. Money, cars, house(s), children, wife/husband, good job...they believe they have achieved all of this because of their faith. Honestly, I don't care how they believe they got to that point. The bitter part takes over when they believe it is their right to make everyone the same religion as them. And people go to all extremes to do so.


Like I've mentioned, I'm not religious. I have no plan to change it and I'm fine the way my life is.
People who are religious, that's great. I'm happy that you're happy with the way your religion helps you, saves you, or whatever else there is.
I show respect, even though I can't say I agree. I understand differences in lifestyles and life choices and I understand that everyone cannot and should not be the same. I do not tell people of faith to abandon it and join me in an army of hate and murder. I don't tell people of religion they are dumb and that they should follow me because I'm smarter and my life is better.
No, I do not.
But I see people of religions doing it everyday. Okay, not the army of hate and murder, but they do accuse people such as myself of being that. I'm no devil or demon or angel. All that I know is that I'm Emma. A blonde, blue eyed, tall girl from a little town in Wisconsin. That's all there is.
When choosing a religion became something I need to do, I was torn. My mother had raised me to believe there was a God and there were angels and that I could ask for help and if I was good I would receive it. I was baptized in a Catholic church. I went to some weekly youth church meetings. I watched Touched by an Angel and Seventh Heaven. I took the advice I was given and I did what I could with it.
But things weren't as easy as everyone said. I was a good kid. I behaved when I could, even though I've apparently always had a mind of my own. But I was no bully and I took care of my little sister, I ate my peas (sometimes), I went to school...I like to think I was a good kid.
But life at home grew unstable. My older sister wasn't exactly a role model. This is something I don't tell very often, so it's a big deal I'm adding this to my blog. But all I'll say is that she really tested us as a family. She did some things that I hope she regrets and my home life was held together by a very thin string. I did my prayers though. I prayed and I prayed. I gave things up. I made deals with God. I was nicer to my little sister. I did as my parents said. I behaved. But things never got better. I asked for everything to get better. I asked for the yelling to stop. I asked for my older sister back. I wanted my family back. If there is a God and he did hear me, it took him about four-five years to get my messages.
But the thing is, whether there was a God or not, it wasn't his problem to fix. I hated God at this time because he would not help me. But I know, now, that all I needed was for my sister to wake up and realize she loved us. I just wanted her to know we were all she had and I wanted her to show that she loved me back. What I needed was only something she could give. God can't make someone else do something. He can't control the way people think. And if he did, I would not be happy. I would want me sister to get better because she wanted to, not because God made her want to.
I guess it all gets a little sloppy and confusing at moments like this because some people would be like but God is everyone and everything and he is you. Some people are like God is up in the sky watching you from below. Wherever He is or whatever He is, doesn't matter.
If there is a God, then those who believe him would be right. That would be their price, the glory of knowing they are right.
But whether there is one or not should not be an everyday issue going on. That's what I realized. When people ask me," what religion are you?" I simply say none. Then they ask "so atheist?" and I say "no". I don't need a label and I shouldn't have to have one.
What religion someone is should not need to be common knowledge.
I chose to be of no religion what so ever because I don't know what to believe and I don't care.
I just want to spend my life living happy, making others happy, and dieing happy. Where I go from there is a mystery. But I'll worry about it when I get there. Until then, I'll do what I want.


The only problem to choosing to be of no specific religion is that while I choose to keep thoughts of God to myself, the rest of the world is making it world news. I can't seem to live life without having to choose a side. Somewhere sometime someone drew a line. And now everyone feels a need to choose. I don't want to. But when people make the issue of God and Jesus and the Bible and everything like that a topic on everyone's mind, I feel the pressure. I won't choose because I don't want to. I don't need to. And especially because the world is trying to make me.

Also, if you work you're butt off, or someone does something nice for you, or just things go right, why is that God gets the credit. I know that if there is one, He'd be thrilled that you're life is going good. But when you work hard or someone does something good, why don't they get the credit? We all have freewill, right? Then why don't those nice people out there get credited for doing kind acts? Why is it when you study hard, work hard, or just try hard, the credit is given to God. YOU did it! Be proud and take that pride, rejoice in it. You deserve it. I believe that people should be credited for the good they do. God can't make anyone do anything. Only we can. Accept it and work it. It was you. Be happy about it.

If there's a God, he will accept me whether I spent time worshiping him or not because I'm a good person.
I never hurt people intentionally. I spend too much time taking care of other people. I live life to the fullest. And I am a very accepting person and I don't hate others because they are different.

Another thing to add is the whole bringing religion into politics.  Our founding fathers were in fact not religious. People always say we had Christian founding fathers, but they were far from that.
If your beliefs say that doing an action that is legal for others to do is wrong, then don't do it. It's better to test those of your religion by giving them the options anyways. If you think it's wrong that leave it be and don't do it.
But why in the world do religious people think it is their right to make these decisions for other people. It's not their place and it's not their life. If someone wants to sin and go to hell, then let them. It leaves more room in heaven. Don't think it's God's way to legalize everything against the bible. Might as well throw away the constitution and use the bible instead.
I'm sorry to sound so pissed off, but really. Everyone has their own choice in life to do what they want with it. Let them live it.


Okay I realize in the blog I sound like I'm generalizing all religious people into one group of crazy religious people. I know there are people of faith who are good. I have friends and family who are religious and I know they are the purest hearts ever. But when there is good there is bad. And the bad is what drives me insane.




Sorry again for this totally nothing to do with Croatia kind of blog. But watching too many religion based documentaries is obviously not good for you.. And so I had a lot of feelings I needed to let out. Thanks for letting me waste your time.

Okay, soo first off...that last blog...ohhh..yeah...ok maybe a little rough.
I was obviously very upset and felt like blogging. It's kind of crazy and angry and weird, I know. So...just kind of ignore it, if you can.

Anyways
I LOVE BRITNEY!

As is that's news. But her new album came out this last week. But Croatia likes to be behind on a lot of things, such as getting Femme Fatale. So I'll have to wait until Croatia gets it. But goodness gracious. Do not tell me her songs suck. They are good. Every album is a little different than the last. Some people might not like it, but it shows that she's progressing and moving with the times instead of trying to hangout to the past. If people want to dance to songs about dancing till the world ends, she'll have it for you. She's fabulous!

This last weekend, I was in Osijek, Vinkovci, and Vukovar. These are some towns in like the Eastern area of Croatia. I liked Osijek because it's this smaller, but kind of big town. It's smaller than Zagreb, like Madison maybe...or a little smaller. But I liked it because I feel like things would feel so much different going to school as an exchange student in a little city like that compared to a freaking capital with one million people in it. My croatian would probably have progressed a whole lot more and my weekend plans would be so much different and I would be friends with more Croatians, especially because it would be doubtful that another exchange student would be in Osijek with me. I'd be even more independent and I don't know...the differences in lifestyles would be soo different for me. And Vinkovci was this really tiny town. I guess there wasn't anything to special about it, but it was this cute little town. Like Waunakee. Hah! It was fun though because we went out clubbing with some cool croatians from there. They were all so nice and friendly and it was fun to go out clubbing somewhere new and make new friends. I think it was really surprising for people there to meet an American. Which is so interesting because I mean I expected from the beginning people would be excited to meet a foriegner, but in Zagreb, they have plenty of tourist that it's a little interesting to them but not mind blowing. I was making friends with some random people in Vinkovci because they heard me speaking English, and they did NOT believe that I was American. They thought I was pretending or something. They were drunk as well, but still! I had to show my drivers license to prove it, but they would not believe it because what the hell would any tourist be doing in a small tiny little town. It was fun. Then we walked around Vukovar and got a nice little tour and some learned about the history and stuff. Vukovar, though, is a very sad place. It's right by the border to Serbia. And it was a huge battlefield during the war. This town is basically known for the destruction and bloodbath it faced during the war. There are so many buildings that are half gone, burned up, falling apart, and covered in bullet holes. There are warning signs around to not walk where people don't normally walk in case of mines since there are still mines around. I mean Serbia destroyed this town. So we got a history of the murders and battles and everything. It was depressing. But I love history and I like to learn this stuff. It's just sad to think about. Then we took a train home and here I am.

I didn't spend much time sleeping, which is a pointless hobby to take up. I like to stay up late. So this weekend I got about 7-8 hours of sleep.

I came home and instead of passing out like any normal human being, I went on skype and talked with my family. It's always something I look forward to of course. I talked with moj tata (my dad) and moja mama (my mom) and moja mlada sestra (little sister). I started talking about packing stuff up, I don't know why. And there is no way in hell that I will be able to pack it all up and take it all back. So I'll have to give up some of my old stuff and send some of it and hopefully pack it all up with no problems. But I'm a pack rack. I suck at throwing stuff away. So we shall see how that one goes.
My mom told me about Ava (my niece). I love seeing Ava on skype. I miss her to death and she's so adorable I can't help myself. But seeing her on skype only makes me miss her so much more that it hurts. And so it's a bittersweet kind of thing.
My mom then started talking to me about how she can't wait for me to come home. And if you know me well enough, you know I'm not very emotional. I don't cry much and if I do, then it sure as hell means something. But I don't know what came over me, my mom started talking about it and saying how she can't wait to hug me and all and it made me cry. Goodness gracious I miss home. I'm not homesick. I mean I guess that looks like it doesn't make sense. But to me, there's a difference between missing home and being homesick. Of course I miss it, it's my home and it's where I've been. But homesickness to me is something more like it's killing you how much  you miss home and you don't really feel up for anything other than going home. I mean I miss my family and my friends. But I'm past being homesick.
 I will be excited to go home. But I will be soo sad to leave this all. I created a life here. I've created this girl who can survive in a foreign country. I've been drinking coffee as a recreational sport everyday since being here. I've had big ass lunches and barely there dinners. I've figured out how to get somewhere in Zagreb and which tram or bus to take (for the most part at least). I know how to order things in Croatian and how to deal with rude people on the street (ignore them). There is a life here. Not a touristic adventure. A life. My life. And I'll be leaving it in a few months.

But let's not focus on that.
Imma go to them clubs and imma dance and imma take advantage of all the goods i got me here.

I also realized I'm the worst out of all of us kids in Croatia at Croatian. I suck. Suckity suck suck. A few months ago I might have been upset. But like I said, I only have a few months, and no matter how hard I try to push myself, it's always in my mind that I'll be leaving soon, and I'll have no more use of this language. So whatevers.

My grandpa sent me this lovely email and it just made me smile. He sent his usual love and encouragement and sweetness and all. And then at the end he said something that hit me.

"You will always cherish the good and the not so good of Youth Exchange"


I mean duh. There have been some pretty good parts to this exchange that I cherish and will hold onto for the rest of my life, or as long as my memory works (let's be honest, my memory hasn't exactly been the strongest either). But he also said not so good. The not so goods! I will cherish those. They were and are and will be apart of my exchange. And I cherish every moment I have here because it's something that should be and deserves to be cherished.
 I love you Opa. You're crazy, but I love you, nonetheless.


I feel like there's never anything too exciting going on with me. But I felt the need to of course apologize for my last blog and to update everyone on my weekend.


Also my weekend was super awesome because Rotary paid for it all. It's about time! It was nice for them to let us go on this expense free weekend and shower us with gifts and hospitality. 
I have pictures to upload, college applications to start, notifications to look at, and a bed to sleep in. Busy night for me.