Jossan

Hehe, just kidding. I love my parents so much. Like any other kid would say "My parents are the best ones", I can just agree. My parents are the best ones, without hesitation! I don't know if any parents can compare themselves to my ones, that just doesn't work.

My parents got divorced eleven years ago, so I don't really remember them living together under one roof, but that hasn't bothered me one second. I haven't lived in a "happy family with mum, dad and two kids" like other people has done. But I like it that way (what else can I do ;)) and it has made me stronger and maybe more spolied for that matter too. But hey, I need som proceeds too, don't I?

Anyways, my parents has always done everything I asked for, helped me, been there for me and loved me. I have been on amazing trips with both of them (not together though) around the world and through Sweden. They are the ones who knows me the best and I can always count on them, in all situations, everytime. They are the ones who can make me feel like the best girl in the whole world, and they can make me laugh about stupid stuff like no one else could do. But of course, they can also make me cry when we have our fights, because I don't like to see them disappointed and unhappy because of things I have done. But I guess all good and bad stuff we have gone through have made us even more closer than we were before and that's a good thing, I think?

"love is in the air" - dad and mum when they were in my age... kind of!

Dad, granduating!

Mum in her youth age

Dad now...

.. and mum now!

There's nothing to say really, this break has been kind of boring since Christmas was over. But I have one more thing to look forward to before school stars again. New Years eve!

Lana and me are going to Léa, a french girl who lives in Princton, for a New Year party together with some exchangestudents and some other friends. It's going to be so much fun!

For now, Lasse is here and he, Lana and I are watching Eclipse!

See ya <3

Anyways, he lives in the same village as me, has always done, and to be honest, I think he will stay there.... like me ;)

We had a lot of fun, even though we weren't old enough to understand what "dating" was. But we had our own view of dating and we hanged out together all the time. We were in the same class for five years and every break between the classes, we were together and we even made our math-homework together. We were "the smart ones" as our other classmates said. Haha! When there was a school dance or something, we always danced, and when it was hiking in the woods, we always went together. When there was a game against the other classmates in "king" (a game with a basketball), we were always in the same team. When we had shop class, he made a heart and burned in: Anton + Jossan = True!

Haha, can't do anything else than laugh when I'm thinking about it, so cute but in the same time so dumb.

Here he is ;)

In 10:09 a.m, the 13th of August 1993, were my brother Pontus and I born in Gothenburg, Sweden. That's concrete facts. But now? It's so hard to really tell who I am, because there are so many other things that have a finger in the pie and plays big parts of my life.

I'm very sloppy and disorganized. I'm always putting things up until the last minute and have never had a clean and nice room. My mum calls me a mess. But that's how I like it, and when I'll move away from home, I'll rather pay a cleaner than to put some dishgloves on my hands and waste time on that kind of stuff. If people can't stand it, fine, it's up to them, I do not waste time of idiots, which I also hate. I can't stand people that is stupid or plays stupid, that's maybe even worse. I hate to get up early in the morning and I hate to spend hours in front of homework.

The worst thing you can do when you'r with me is not to "letting your hair down" (bjuda på sig själv) and stingy people isn't very loved by me either.

If I don't disbelieve, you have got a kind of negative picture of me now, but that's also wrong. I hate when people has preconceptions about others and thinks they know people when they in real life have no clue (of course, I judge people as well, but at least I'm trying).

Then I think you'r wondering what kind of things I do like, and I'll tell you now!

I love coke. I love people that are themselves and dare to stand for it. I love people who is mastering things I don't and knows their own thing. I love to spend time with my family and to go shopping. Travelling is also a big passion in my life and to do it with the nearest and dearest is even better and invincible. And a movienight with a lot of candy and sweet stuff isn't wrong either.

That was a small part of me.

Peace out!

Had early pracice today, 8 a.m. Went home a bit after ten and fell asleep until noon when Jay came home and woke me up. Had some lunch with him and later, Lexi and I will go snowmobiling! I'm so excited. It was so cool last time and I want to do it every day. It's awesome!

I guess there's nothing more to tell you guys! Life's goes on here and I like it!

My new sweat pants and sweat shirt from Basketball! Swanville Bulldogs is the shit, you know ;)

Carter and me are having a "Lord of the ring" marathon. I'm in my new snuggie, a blanket with arms!

Good night!

Puh, We have been snowmobiling the whole day today. We went ten o'clock and came home four. It was so nice =)

First, I sat behind Jay when he drove, but later, when I got more warm in my clothes, i change seat with him and I drove. It was so awesome!

Jay and me tipped over! HAHA

Lana and me

Oh, it has been a great 24th of December, "dan före doppardan" as we say in Swedish. Tomorrow is the real Christmas eve here, where we open up all christmas presents.

Today, 4:30 p.m. we went to church for one and a half hour and then the whole family came over to our place where we ate and had a great, funny time. We were like 25 persons here and it felt so amazing to be among such a wonderful people. Can't wait to "continue" the celebration tomorrow!

So, more about everything tomorrow!

Love

Here are some fast pics from Heidi's phone. Better photos will come tomorrow!

Carter, Lana, Lexi and me! Christmas at Loven's!

Then, all the grandkids came. An awesome gang! I love you guys <3

Lana, Host dad Jay and me

Lexi and Nikki

Even though I'm not in Sweden or with my family, I know this will be a great holiday. I have been dejected for the last couple of days, more than I though I would be.

But after I had skyped with my dad, aunt, grandma and brother for almost an hour earlier today, it turned. I knew this would be hard, But I still went and now I'm here. There is nothing I can do about it, besides enjoy it over here. It's not the same as it used to be, but that doesn't mean it's something bad.

I have an amazing hostfamily, as I really do like, and don't want my homesick destroy the absolutely best day of the year. I'm going to enjoy every second from now on and have a really fun holiday!

Merry X-mas, sweethearts!

Our X-mas tree! Isn't it so beautiful?

I hope you have a wonderful day, with your family, fantastic food, the Santa and all the Christmaspresents!

I'll try to do the best of the day, knowing that my family is celebrating without me.

I'm going to skype with dad, my brother, my grandma Ella ad aunt Ingela in half an hour. I even got a call from my cousin Karolina and her parents Gun-Inger and Jeff. It was so nice to finally hear some swedish, relatives and talk to them. I miss you all so much!!

Have an awesome day, and I love u all, so bad!

Christmas is a holiday where the nearest and dearest gets together and have a wonderful time. It makes me cry to know that I'm here, in America, a whole sea between them and they're having an amazing, cozy day together, without me, with both Julmust and Christmas ham (which are my two favorites on the Christmas smorgasbord)!

But I think, when Christmas is over and the new years eve has passed, it will be easier. I have a lot of things to look forward to, Florida with Lana in February, Prom, Dad is coming in the end of May, the last day in school (1st of June), two weeks with dad here in America (Visiting LA, Miami, a national park, an island in the west indies and New York), back in sweden, go back to work, celebrate my 18th b-day, start school!

As I said some days before, next year will be awesome, which makes me think a little bit less about being without my family right now. I knew it would be hard to be away from them in ten months, but I had no clue it would be as hard as it is. When I left, I was kind of naive, thinking this would be as easy as hell, but I was so wrong, everyday is a game between my heart and my head, where my heart tells me to go back and my head tells me to stay and bear because this is a dream I have had since I was ten. My God, this is hard!

But I'm a strong girl, I'll skype with both mum, dad, grandpa Olle and his Wife M, my aunt Ingela and my Grandma Ella! That makes it easier.

Today, I woke up by hearing my phone vibrate like a psyko, it was my grandma in Sweden who called. It was nice talking to her, even though I was really tired. When we had hanged up, I was to awake for going back to sleep, so I decided to have a skypedate with mum for half an hour before Lana woke up. Lana and me made Frensh Toast with butter, syrup and cinnamon. That was an awesome breakfast!

The rest of the day, the two hours, we have been cleaning, dusting, vacuuming, sweeping and straighten up the whole house for Christmas!

Now, we're both dead, laying on the couch with our laptops and listening to music. I'll take a shower in a few minutes and then we'll go and have some lunch at Shooters. I want a big cheeseburger with fries!

Peace out!

HELL YEAH!

Of course I will remeber this year, maybe more than other ones, it was this year I made my amazing trip to America, where I am right now and having a great time. This year will never be forget! 

This time has flown away with a speed I didn't know existed. It has been an amazing time and I don't want the time to go so fast, because then my year over here will be over very soon... = SAD!

Anyways, tonight is another game and I'm excited, as usually! Before I started baksetball, I didn't care about it at all, but since I have been practising it and been into it for hours everyday, it has become more fun, and now I even enjoy watching it, not playing games though, but to be at the bench and watch our team play is fantastic. Maybe one day, before the basketball season is over, I'll play a whole game, can't promise, but I'll try. My goal is to score once in a game, that's enough for now, for sure ;)

Look what I got from Ken, the Chinese exchangestudent, he's so cute!

He's a fantastic guy and I like him very much!

Nu har min duktiga, söta, lillasyster Petronella äntligen gjort sin sista dag på den kommunala skolan och kommit in på kommunens friskola! Nu blir det en nystart för henne, och det kommer gå fantastiskt bra, det vet jag!

Good luck, my sweetheart!

I don't know if it is because we are pooping to much, uses to much toiletpaper or if it's something wrong with our toilet, but everytime we have done something, peed or pooped, it's plugged, we can't flush, and when we do it, it's overflowing. Haha! Today, I had to laugh my butt off when Lana and med tried to solve it with the blue plumber.  

Lasse, Lana, Lexi, Carter and me spend almost two hours outside, doing snowmans, rode slides and had an amazing time! I love it and I really hope it keeps snowing so we can get a school delay or closing tomorrow! haha!

Kiss

Lexi!

Of course were the two dogs outside, playing with us. The big one is Morgan and the small one is Marly

Me and Lana!

This weekend was one of the best ones, I had a great time together with Lina and it felt so nice to finally speak some swedish to a real swedish girl. I didn't know i could enjoy speaking swedish so much as I did. Unforgettable!

When I went to bed, almost half an hour ago, I realized I have been here more than one third of the whole year. I have been here 98 days. That's a lot! I haven't thought about that until it hit me in the car on my way back home from Lina. I was thinking of everything I have done so far, everything I have learned about myself and the culture over here, and of course, all english, since I came here. It has been a trip where I have learned more than from every day I have spent in school during my whole life, about everything. It's a special lesson, as teachers can't teach, you have to experienced it yourself to realize how much you don't know and how much you learn by doing this. It's insane! When I'm thinking about how many wonderful persons I have met here, it makes me teary-eyed. If I hadn't gone, I would never meet this amazing friends and people I have met, and I am so thankful I made the decision to go, and to take the jump, straight out over completely unfamiliar water, and went all by myself to America.

I couldn't believe what an adventure that was waiting here! Unbelievable!

End of the preaching and sweet dreams!

See you tomorrow!

Här kommer bilder från fredagskvällen!

Enjoy!

Lana satt i tomtens knä

Lasse och frågade om jag ville dansa! Hehe

God morgon!

Känner för att skiva på svenska idag, eftersom hela helgen har bestått av svenska. Haha!

Igår spenderades kvällen med filmer, god mat och hot tub. Det var fantastiskt mysigt att äntligen få umgås med en svensk tjej för en gångs skull. Det finns så mycket man inte kan dela med amerikanska ungdomar för att de inte kan sätta sig in i vissa situationer som Lina kan. Jag menar, med henne kan jag prata med om precis allt som händer, för hennes syn på det hela är som min, vi delar många grejer som man inte kan dela med andra! Det var i all fall väldigt skönt att ha en riktigt härlig kväll med svenska och allt. Dock var det lite konstigt att prata svenska, man tänkte på engelska och sedan fick man översätta det... det blev en hel del fel! Haha!

Vi gick upp vid elva, för en halvtimma sedan och nu ska vi strax äta fruskot innan jag ska åka hem!

När jag kommer hem sedan, väntar bilder från Highschool festen jag var på i fredags!

PUSS

I just came inside after a great, chilly though, ice-skating with Lina!

Heidi drove me to Little Falls where Lina and her hostmum Leslie picked me up and we drove to Walmart and bought ingredients for "Lussebullar", but unfortunately they didn't sell saffron, so that plan crashed. so we changed our plans till Ice-skating, baking and watching movies. I'll spend the night here!

The weekends plans are booked. On saturday morning, Heidi is taking me to Little Falls (a town half an hour away) where Lina and her hostmum will meet me. I'm going to spend the weekend together with the most sweetest girl in the world. Her name is Lina, she's from Sweden and lives about one hour from me, in Onamia! She has Richard as her local cordinator as well, so I met her three months ago at her place where Richard had his "welcome to America" meeting the first weekend after I arrived here. Anyway, it's going to be so awesome to finally talk to a swedish girl and have som really nice time together with her. Right now our plans is to go shopping! Hehe, I have been shopping almost every weekend since I came here, it's an expensive hobby I have, but funny though!

Now: A really cold ride in the schoolbus to the basketball game! Wish me good luck, even though I'm not going to play. Hehe!

I'm on my way to school, just wanted to say hello and wish you all a great tuesday! We have a game tonight, so there is probably no update tonight! Otherwise I'll write more tomorrow!

Take care <3

Woke up at noon today, I was so tired after Lana's and mine GossipGirl marathon yesterday night. I think we turned the TV off a bit after three a.m.

I'm addicted to Gossip Girl, it's like a drug to me, once I have started watching it, I can't stop! So I had to take a sleep-in today and have a realx day with homework and cleaning our room,which looked like a mess and just take it easy. Can't believe the weekend's passing to fast, it's already monday tomorrow and a whole, long week till next weekend. One good thing about that, we are getting closer and closer to the christmas break as I have been waiting for since Summer break was over. Hehe!

Now: lasagne with the family and after that homework again. MAAAN, this drives me nuts!

Over and out

˜Lana

I have been shopping all day together with Lana, Lexi, Derin (Lexi's b-friend), Lasse (another exchange student from Germany who is my hostcousin here) and Heidi.

The morning started with I woke up 10 am, had some pancakes with syrup and fruit. About noon we jumped into the car and headed of with spending $$$$ in our head. We spent the whole day shopping, for our selfs and christmas presents. Lana and me ended up with had spent $1000, which was a little bit more than we thought from the very first begining. Anyways, we had a great day and now we are watching our favourite show ever, GossipGirl. We have been waiting for months to finally see the third season, so today we bought it and I think we will spend at least 3 hours more, watching it!

Good night!

We had to take a paus during all shopping

We had lunch!

Lasse

Lana was hungry

Our cart is kind of full, we had two of them...

and of course, no shopping without DQ ice-cream!

Anyway, I just arrived home from another Basketball game, we lost both JV (for juniors) and Varsity (the best level for high school students) but we kept fighting until the bell rang and the game was over. There were no hanging heads at all, we all did very well and I'm proud of all girls in the team who were out there playing. But sometimes we just have to realize that some teams are better than us and we can't win them all. Infact, have lost every single one of them but we're still enjoying it and having fun.

Actually, today was the first game, Lana, Marina, Clara and me were out on the court and played. The girls I'm talking about is the group which has its own coach and laughing all the time during practice, the foreign group! Haha!

Now, I'm siting here, in the livingroom , texting with a guy named Austin and watching "Svenska Hollywood fruar"!

Good night <3

Have been searching for him on Facebook, and I finally found him *Happiness*

Let's see what this mean ;)

He's a basketball star! He is the dark skinned guy on the pic! Isn't he so sweet?

While I was thinking of going to bed, I remembered I have to tell you about tonight!

Tonight was an awesome night. A friend to me here, Abbie, had her sweet 16 b-day today. So we decided to go to "Wings" tonight and celebrate her. After practice (as actually was pretty fun today) at 7 pm, Holly picked Lana, Lasse and me up and meet the other ones at the restaurant. We had some really nice chicken wings with different flavors and sauces. It was freaking amazing. After the main meal, we all orded some really nice dessert with ice cream, cookies, chocolate sause, whipped cream and fruit. Yummi!

Abbie and Lasse

How it looked after everyone was done. It looked like ten pigs had been there, eating. But we all ate as we had never seen food before. It was so good. I orded wings with garlic and parmesan cheese on. They were fantastic!

And of course, as on the tv shows, she got a really cute car from her parents!

I guess most of you guys are awake and on your way to school now, as I was suppsoted to be during this time some months ago. Right now, I'm sitting in the livingroom downstairs, trying to find something to do. I can't sleep, so I have been talking to mum for an hour on Skype and got a bit homesick.

I talked to my mum four days ago, and that felt like years. I don't know, but since I came here, I have been talking to her everyday or at least every other day. But it's just in situations like in this moment, when I'm sitting here, all by my self, a thursday night I get homesick. During the days, when I'm in school, having classes, hanging out with friends and so on makes me thinking of other stuff than Sweden and you guys.

The reason of why I'm writing in english is simple. While I was rolling around in my bed earlier tonight, I thought about my english development here. When I haven't used swedish for a couple of days (as this week without skype with mum every night) my english is better and vice-versa when when I'm using swedish every night. So from now on, I'm going to write this blog in english until I'm home in Sweden again. It makes it easier for me to stay focus on my english-learning process and it makes more sense to my American readers who can't speak swedish.

Ska alldeles strax byta om och åka på basketträning. Ser inte fram emot den. Jag var där igår, och fy sjutton vad våran coach "Mr G" skällde på alla. Efter tre timmars träning och utskällning stört-gråter alla tjejer i omklädningsrummet. Vet faktiskt inte vad jag ska säga. Tycker att våran coach är alldeles för sträng och grinig. Så fort spelet inte går som han vill eller om någon gör en fel passning eller tappar bollen eller liknande så blåser han i visselpipan och skäller ut en inför hela laget. Så pinsamt och omoget av honom på något sätt. Dessutom tvingar han alla i laget att lida om någon gör fel, inte bara genom att skälla, utan också genom att springa ett visst antal längder upp och ner för planen i det tempot han säger. Jag vet inte hur många km extra springning det blev igår för att det blev fel, men många var det. Detta är utöver den "vanliga" träningen. Så good bye till läxorna, hej löpning! Kan ju bara glädja mig åt hur skönt det är att den kulturen inte finns i Sverige på samma sätt. Vansinnigt!

Kisses

Har inte haft något att uppdatera om, därav den usla uppdateringen. Har haft en riktigt tråkig helg, men skön. Har inte gjort ett piss, bara tittat på film, pluggat, skype:at med alla vänner och familjen, grattat farmor på födelsedagen idag, lagat hemmagjord pizza med Heidi, köpt julgran och jul pyntat hela huset. Nu lyser alla små belysningar och julsånger spelas på radion. Julen är nog en utav de mysigaste stunderna på året, trots att man inte sitter hemma i Göteborg, omgiven med sin familj, utan sitter i sängen, tillsammans med Lana, skrattar, äter julgodis och pluggar ihop, i en fantastisk värdfamilj, i Swanville, Minnesota, på andra sidan atlanten. Livet är allt bra ibland.

För att vara helt ärlig så trodde jag att jag skulle sakna er där hemma mer än vad jag gör. Jag menar, visst, jag saknar er alla där hemma sjukt mycket, men om jag fick välja att komma hem eller att alla ni där hemma kom hit så hade jag lätt valt det sistnämnda. Vill att alla ni ska få uppleva det som jag gör just nu, hur bra jag har det här borta. Saknar er sjukt, men jag har fortfarande 200 dagar kvar här borta, och de tänker jag njuta av till max den sista tiden (haha, låter som om det snart är över fast det knappt har börjat) och göra det bästa av allt.

Nu är plugget för ikväll klart och sängen kallar!

God natt <3

Bjuder på två random pics!

Jag idag

Ken och jag i torsdags på bild lektionen!

Här kommer en bild på Lana och mig från matchen idag. Vi var bara med på uppvärmningen.... vann första matchen och förlorade andra!