... And it happens in... strange sistuations, kind of.
"Anna Maria, come over Friday and we can go camping in my closet", was not was I meant to say. I meant to say yard, that we could camp out in our yard, but yard is "trädgård" in Swedish, and closet is "garderob", so I mean, well, they could get mixed up pretty easily, right?
I've also had an "adsent cousin" (distant cousin - but "distant" in Swedish litarally means "absent", "dreamy" or "abstracted"), and payed a lot for gas (the kind that comes out of your rear end), along with a lakeful of literal translations and grammatical errors. It's interesting how you can be back home but still think (and dream) in your host counrty's language. But then again I haven't even been home a week yet.
The kids at work were adorable, talking of something else. They went into an old cellar that's not in use out in the forest yesterday without asking for permission and came back; "there's a house by number three, can you go in there? Becuase we did, and it's not dangerous at all, it's just a lot of trash and garbage in there!". I run from that place, it's scary! It's one of the old ones, half over grown, and kind of hidden under trees and stones...It's just scary. I can't believe our kids went in there, I thought the door was locked haha!
Today we discussed what parents are allowed to force their children to do, because "parents aren't allowed to force their kids to do anything, it says so in the legislation" (Hedvig, 7 years old), but some moms and dads forced their kids to put back their hair in a pony tail or to attach a little bike-flag-thingie to their bikes. I had to explain to them that putting your hair back in a pony tail and biking around with a little orange-red flag swagging from the back of your bike isn't against the law for parents to enforce on their kids, but that they can't force them to do big stuff, and that they jsut want what's best for their kids. Sometimes kids have the smartest thoughts.
I'm off work now, our little kids camp was only 4 days, so this week, and now I'm off until Sunday when I leave for a week of working at a camp 4 hours away from my place. Then, unless I get something else (keep your fingers crossed), I'm free the rest of the summer (and completely broke, too.)
It's actually really nice to be home, although it feels like you can always have more time at your other home, I miss people like crazy, and a year just wasn't quite long enough. Awesomeness hugged me yesterday and told me how much she'd missed me, and it sort of hits me every time I hang out with friends here that I have really been gone for almost a year. A year's a long time.
So even though I will always love Ohio and give a big part of my heart and thankfulness to the people I got to know, the relationships I got to make, and all the experiences I got to have there, Sweden will always be home. It doesn't mean I appreciate or miss you less, rather the other way around, but home sweet home. Home sweet home. My heart belongs in two places at once, and it's as simple as that.
Sweden 11:45 PM, Ohio 5:45 PM
torsdag 21 juni 2012
tisdag 19 juni 2012
2 of my frames broke during the flight, which gave me a bag full of glass to clean out. How fun!
I meet another friend today (or actaully, a couple of friends), and she (but not the others) is going to America next school year. As a foreign exchange student, to Indiana. I am so excited to hang out with her this summer, to tell her all about my year (because she is excited to go of course), and to get excited for her, but it's also really hard. I'm going to get so jealous of her, she still has her adventure ahead of her. Not that I wish I hadn't been away already, but I wish I could get to be there too. It's like sadness in my heart. A part of my soul will go to Indiana (neighbor to Ohio!♥) with her.
Skype'd Taylor today while a friend was over at my house. We both realized that the other one isn't dead, we are both alive there on oppoite sides of the planet. It was really nice, and I'm so glad we have Skype. It makes things so much easier!
But hey, we let our 8 and 9 year olds out in the forest by themselves (in groups), and asked them to follow the green line. Noone got lost, and everybody made it back to the goal. That's why my job's gotta be on be of the best you can have.
Nightnight now. My bran and emotions tell me to stay up and talk to people all night, while my brain and body tell me to go to bed and get some sleep. 6 hours the last couple of nights haven't really helped all that much, so, yeah, an early good night today sounds good.
Sweden 9:46 PM, Ohio 3:46 PM
Skype'd Taylor today while a friend was over at my house. We both realized that the other one isn't dead, we are both alive there on oppoite sides of the planet. It was really nice, and I'm so glad we have Skype. It makes things so much easier!
Love you Taylor. Saturday at 3:30/9:30 with Gates? Sounds like a plan! |
"This course was so much fun, it is very fun to be like real orienteerers in the forest" - Ebba, 7 years old, about today's course. Happiness. |
måndag 18 juni 2012
FIRST DAY AT WORK... FEELS LIKE IM STILL IN OHIO WHEN I WAKE UP IN THE MORNING... SAD FACE.
Camp (work) was good, we let the kids out in the forest without loosing anyone and the only incident we had was a hula hoop that got stuck in a pine tree. Life's full of surprises. Went job searching after that, my town is 12 rof my resumés richer (keep your fingers crossed that I get something. I'll need the money), and then took of for track practice. Back to "real" practice, i.o.w. Sweden track not Ohio track. It was intense. Tough. My legs'll be sore tomorrow. Nice though, got to meet some more people. (But I remembered what I don't like with living in the town; the risk of running into someon you used to know but don't anymore.) Cousin Anna was over when I got home, nice. I've missed her.
Filled this one out at the airport in Newark, New Jersey, but they were cheap and didn't offer free wire less so I didn't have access to the internet. Anyways, here we go.
Filled this one out at the airport in Newark, New Jersey, but they were cheap and didn't offer free wire less so I didn't have access to the internet. Anyways, here we go.
1) Put your iTunes
on shuffle. Give me the first 6 songs that pop up.
I don’t have iTunes on my computer. And my iPod is dead. Out of juice.
I don’t have iTunes on my computer. And my iPod is dead. Out of juice.
2) If you could
meet anyone on this earth, who would it be?
Jesus.
Jesus.
3) Grab the book
nearest to you, turn to page 23, give me line 17.
stroy it.
stroy it.
4) What do you think about most?
My friends, to go home. To leave people behind and not get to see them in a long time.
My friends, to go home. To leave people behind and not get to see them in a long time.
5) What does your latest text message from someone
else say?
Ja.
6) Ever had a poem
or song written about you?
Don’t know. Doubt it.
Don’t know. Doubt it.
7) When is the
last time you played the air guitar?
Though one, don’t know that either.
Though one, don’t know that either.
8) Do you have any
strange phobias?
I don’t do gymnastics and do not like being upside down at all, because you might fall down and break your neck and die.
I don’t do gymnastics and do not like being upside down at all, because you might fall down and break your neck and die.
9) Ever stuck a
foreign object up your nose?
I don’t know. Does tissues count? They’re pretty foreign. I don’t think God invited paper for us to stick in our nose, that sounds weird to me. And in Sweden we put helicopters on our nose, you know those green leaf-thingies from the trees. We call them noses and open them and stick them to our nose. They stay on there.
I don’t know. Does tissues count? They’re pretty foreign. I don’t think God invited paper for us to stick in our nose, that sounds weird to me. And in Sweden we put helicopters on our nose, you know those green leaf-thingies from the trees. We call them noses and open them and stick them to our nose. They stay on there.
10) What's your religion?
Jesus Christ died for us on the cross.
Jesus Christ died for us on the cross.
11) If you are
outside, what are you most likely doing?
Biking, eating ice-cream, practicing, laughing
Biking, eating ice-cream, practicing, laughing
12) Do you prefer
to be behind the camera or in front of it?
Behind.
Behind.
13) Simple but
extremely complex. Favorite band?
Don’t know. There are too many.
Don’t know. There are too many.
14) What was the
last lie you told?
I’m ok. That's the lie of the day.
I’m ok. That's the lie of the day.
15) Do you believe
in karma?
Maybe. There’s a lot of things I don’t know about, karma’s one of them.
Maybe. There’s a lot of things I don’t know about, karma’s one of them.
16) What is your
greatest weakness; your greatest strength?
I don't like these kinds of questions. It's really hard to pin point right away.
I don't like these kinds of questions. It's really hard to pin point right away.
17) Who is your
celebrity crush?
He who plays Ron (in Harry Potter.)
He who plays Ron (in Harry Potter.)
18) How do you
vent your anger?
I cry. Or just go quiet until I am somewhere alone where I can cry by myself.
I cry. Or just go quiet until I am somewhere alone where I can cry by myself.
19) Do you have a
collection of anything?
Golden dollar coins. They’re pretty cool.
Golden dollar coins. They’re pretty cool.
20) Do you prefer
talking on the phone or video chatting online?
PHONE.
PHONE.
21) Are you happy
with the person you've become?
Very very very. A year ago I was a completely different person, I was younger and much stupider. I’ve changed so much this year, and I am very glad I have.
Very very very. A year ago I was a completely different person, I was younger and much stupider. I’ve changed so much this year, and I am very glad I have.
22) What's a sound
you hate; sound you love?
Wining; cats talking to you.
Wining; cats talking to you.
23) What's your
biggest "what if"?
What if I had never met my second family.
What if I had never met my second family.
24) Do you believe
in ghosts? How about aliens?
Nope. Nope. Or, I’m an alien. At least for another couple of hours. Have been one since August 20th last year. So I suppose I believe in them. No, not really. I don’t.
Nope. Nope. Or, I’m an alien. At least for another couple of hours. Have been one since August 20th last year. So I suppose I believe in them. No, not really. I don’t.
25) Stick your
right arm out; what do you touch first? Do the same with your left arm.
My purse; my backpack.
My purse; my backpack.
26) Smell the air.
What do you smell?
Pizza. I will go buy some soon. The last pizza in America for this time. (But it's expensive pizza, like $4.75 a piece a think.)
Pizza. I will go buy some soon. The last pizza in America for this time. (But it's expensive pizza, like $4.75 a piece a think.)
27) What's the
worst place you have ever been to?
Detroit’s airport this morning. Had to say goodbye, hated it. I’m so not ready to go home. Cried the whole flight to Newark New Jersey, and then some.
Detroit’s airport this morning. Had to say goodbye, hated it. I’m so not ready to go home. Cried the whole flight to Newark New Jersey, and then some.
28) Choose East
Coast or West Coast?
East Coast… Because the Harry Potter park is there, as is Disneyworld. Going there is on my bucket list. Highly prioritized.
East Coast… Because the Harry Potter park is there, as is Disneyworld. Going there is on my bucket list. Highly prioritized.
29) Most
attractive singer of your opposite gender?
Too many singers. I don’t pay attention to what they look like anyways, I listen to their music.
Too many singers. I don’t pay attention to what they look like anyways, I listen to their music.
30) To you, what
is the meaning of life?
Love much. Laugh much. Pray much. Spread the truth much.
Love much. Laugh much. Pray much. Spread the truth much.
31) Define Art.
Something you can do to express something.
Something you can do to express something.
32) Do you believe
in luck?
Was it luck or meant to be?
Was it luck or meant to be?
33) What was the
last book you read?
Full book? Eggs.
Full book? Eggs.
34) Do you like
the smell of gasoline?
No.
No.
35) Do you have
any nicknames?
Yes I do. Loulou, Weezy, Sweden, Fes, PK, Lojsan
Yes I do. Loulou, Weezy, Sweden, Fes, PK, Lojsan
36) What was the
last movie you saw?
The Lion King. The last full one? Aquamarine.
The Lion King. The last full one? Aquamarine.
37) What's your
sexual orientation?
Straight. I fall in love with boys. Not that I have, yet, but I crush on them, and will marry one some day.
Straight. I fall in love with boys. Not that I have, yet, but I crush on them, and will marry one some day.
38) Ever had a
rumor spread about you?
Yupyup. I have. Don’t exactly remember what though, but everybody’s had them spread about themselves. Humans are gossiping machines.
Yupyup. I have. Don’t exactly remember what though, but everybody’s had them spread about themselves. Humans are gossiping machines.
39) Do you tend to
hold grudges against people who have done you wrong?
Not really, I’m pretty good at letting it go.
Not really, I’m pretty good at letting it go.
40) What's the
last thing you purchased?
Yellow lowtop converse.
Yellow lowtop converse.
41) Love or lust?
Love.
Love.
42) In a
relationship?
Lots. Friends, family, etc. Those are relationships too.
Lots. Friends, family, etc. Those are relationships too.
43) How many
relationships have you had?
Just told you. Lots.
Just told you. Lots.
44) Can you touch
your nose with your tongue?
No. Wish I could. I work on it sometimes. For real, I do.
No. Wish I could. I work on it sometimes. For real, I do.
45) Where were you
yesterday?
First home in my bed for the first time in a long time, then at Walmart and Journeys and McDonalds and the bank and the dentist office and Kroger. Then at home and then at Grandma and Grandpa’s, and then at home again. And in the car in between.
First home in my bed for the first time in a long time, then at Walmart and Journeys and McDonalds and the bank and the dentist office and Kroger. Then at home and then at Grandma and Grandpa’s, and then at home again. And in the car in between.
46) Is there
anything pink within 10 feet of you?
My hand sanitizer holder. That’s it. Not very much for a change.
My hand sanitizer holder. That’s it. Not very much for a change.
47) Are you
wearing socks right now?
Nope. I’m wearing flipflops and you don’t wear socks with those. Maybe I should this time. Just because. Nobody knows me here. My feet are cold. I won’t.
Nope. I’m wearing flipflops and you don’t wear socks with those. Maybe I should this time. Just because. Nobody knows me here. My feet are cold. I won’t.
48) What's your
favorite animal?
Cats, flamingoes and polar bears, in that order. Sorry, Kevin, you’re the exception. I love you.
Cats, flamingoes and polar bears, in that order. Sorry, Kevin, you’re the exception. I love you.
49) What is your
secret weapon to get someone to like you?
I don’t try to get people to like me, if they do, good for them. If they don’t, well, it’s their loss.
I don’t try to get people to like me, if they do, good for them. If they don’t, well, it’s their loss.
50) Where is your
best friend?
In my heart at the moment. Their physical location is Sweden and Ohio, USA.
In my heart at the moment. Their physical location is Sweden and Ohio, USA.
51) What is your heritage?
I hope to build up my heritage when I come home. I’ve started, but it can only get better. Keep your fingers crossed though, it’s going to take a lot. It’s going to be hard.
I hope to build up my heritage when I come home. I’ve started, but it can only get better. Keep your fingers crossed though, it’s going to take a lot. It’s going to be hard.
52) What were you
doing last night at 12 AM?
Licking envelopes.
Licking envelopes.
53) What do you
think is Satan's last name?
I don’t think he has one. It’d be The Sate, if he did, I’m sure of it.
I don’t think he has one. It’d be The Sate, if he did, I’m sure of it.
54) Are you the
kind of friend you would want to have as a friend?
I hope so. I very much hope so.
I hope so. I very much hope so.
55) You can only
have one of these things; trust or love.
Trust. Because there is love in trust so the question
beats itself.
56) What's a song
that always makes you happy when you hear it?
Tantsui by Vohla Satsuik
Tantsui by Vohla Satsuik
57) What are the
last four digits in your cell phone number?
I don’t know. I just gave up my American phone and don’t remember the number to my Swedish phone. And I don’t know how to figure it out. That’s a mission for tomorrow.
I don’t know. I just gave up my American phone and don’t remember the number to my Swedish phone. And I don’t know how to figure it out. That’s a mission for tomorrow.
58) In your
opinion, what makes a great relationship?
Trust, forgiveness, love, hope.
Trust, forgiveness, love, hope.
59) How can I win your heart?
Be yourself and happen to be the perfect person.
Be yourself and happen to be the perfect person.
60) Can insanity
bring on more creativity?
Probably.
Probably.
61) What is the
single best decision you have made in your life so far?
Became a Christian, became an exchange student. I can’t believe it’s over already. Feels like I just was here (at the airport.) It was ten months minus five days ago.
Became a Christian, became an exchange student. I can’t believe it’s over already. Feels like I just was here (at the airport.) It was ten months minus five days ago.
62) What size
shoes do you where?
7.5/38-39. Don’t know if that converts right, but that's what I wear.
7.5/38-39. Don’t know if that converts right, but that's what I wear.
63) What would you
want to be written on your tombstone?
I don’t want one. I want to be cremated and spread out in the forest. To be free.
I don’t want one. I want to be cremated and spread out in the forest. To be free.
64) What is your
favorite word?
Laughter.
65) Give me the
first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word; heart.
Blood and veins.
Blood and veins.
66) What's the
last song you listened to?
If I die young. Sad, I know. But it’s a nice song. It was on the radio.
If I die young. Sad, I know. But it’s a nice song. It was on the radio.
67) Basic
question; what's your favorite color/colors?
Pink.
Pink.
68) What is your
current desktop picture?
Taylor, Gates, and I in a Face-in-a-whole Aquamarine. I need salt!
Taylor, Gates, and I in a Face-in-a-whole Aquamarine. I need salt!
69) If you could
press a button and make anyone in the world instantaneously explode, who would
it be?
Oh Dear Lord, why would I want that for anyone?! Love each other. No murdering.
Oh Dear Lord, why would I want that for anyone?! Love each other. No murdering.
70) What would be
a question you'd be afraid to tell the truth on?
Do you like Pinocchio?
71) Have you ever thrown up in the car?
We managed to stop and I got out, so no.
Do you like Pinocchio?
71) Have you ever thrown up in the car?
We managed to stop and I got out, so no.
72) Ever been on a
plane?
Yes. Many times. Today, actually.
Yes. Many times. Today, actually.
73) If the whole
world were listening to you right now, what would you say?
Open your eyes, there’s a lot to see. Have faith and courage to do things, you never know what’s going to come out of it.
Open your eyes, there’s a lot to see. Have faith and courage to do things, you never know what’s going to come out of it.
Ohio 4:20 PM, Sweden 10:20 PM
söndag 17 juni 2012
IT WILL BE A CRAZY, RANDOM AND LOVELY SUMMER
...But I wish people from Ohio could be here and experience it with me.
So far, I've meet friends and family I haven't seen for nearly a year, stayed up way to long watching movies (told you that's what I do every day during the summer Jen), overslept and nearly missed church, eaten ice cream with my best friend, and been in a real movie production (they needed extra people for a few school scenes, and we were on, that's like really cool. It's going to go up in theaters... I think. A local TV station at least:) ).
It feels good to be home. 'Snow place like home, they say. But also, still, Ohio's home too. This is so hard.
Sweden 9:11 PM, Ohio 3:11 PM
So far, I've meet friends and family I haven't seen for nearly a year, stayed up way to long watching movies (told you that's what I do every day during the summer Jen), overslept and nearly missed church, eaten ice cream with my best friend, and been in a real movie production (they needed extra people for a few school scenes, and we were on, that's like really cool. It's going to go up in theaters... I think. A local TV station at least:) ).
It feels good to be home. 'Snow place like home, they say. But also, still, Ohio's home too. This is so hard.
Sweden 9:11 PM, Ohio 3:11 PM
lördag 16 juni 2012
LITTLE ME... IS IT OVER ALREADY?
Cried the whole first flight (2 h), och off and on every five minutes for the second. Got home today. It's no nice, there's just something special about showering in your own shower and (in just a few minutes), sleep in your own bed, but still very different because nothing seems to have changed. It's like I never left and that it was all just a dream... But it wasn't and my memories will remind me of that forever.
Got to meet my cousins and best friend today, liked that a lot. A BIG lot. I love these people.
Got to meet my cousins and best friend today, liked that a lot. A BIG lot. I love these people.
Someone has only slept... about 4 hours since Thursday morning 8 o'clock (Ohio's time), and is tired. But that's okay. Ill catch it up sooner or later. |
But I'm really not in America anymore. I'm in Sweden. And I know my one life's getting back to how it used to be, while the other one gets put up on a shelf for a while. It's such an odd feeling.
My eyes are falling shut now, I'd better get to bed. Nighty night! Ill eat something first. Grandma made me bread♥
Sweden 11:47 PM, Ohio 5:47 PM
fredag 15 juni 2012
There are thousands of fire flies in the woods!
Jenny: I wonder who came up with the name "s'mores"?
Me: I don't know. Who came up with any name?
Jenny: That is true!
Me: Table?
Some moments are unforgetable. You love them too much.
Ohio 1:30 AM, Sweden 7:30 AM
Me: I don't know. Who came up with any name?
Jenny: That is true!
Me: Table?
Some moments are unforgetable. You love them too much.
Ohio 1:30 AM, Sweden 7:30 AM
torsdag 14 juni 2012
TIME
"Remember, it's not goodbye, just 'see you later'"
The hardest part about this isn't to say goodbye to the people I know I probably won't ever see again. There are always those friends or that come into your life for just a short period of time before you say goodbye again, and they are everywhere. What's really hard is to say "take care, I'll see you later", to the ones I know I will see again. Those are the people that really matter, and who will be so deeply missed. I don't know how long it will be until I get to see them again, talk to them, hug them or laugh with them, and that's the toughest part. The unknown is really scary sometimes.
Ohio 9:55 AM, Sweden 3:55 PM
The hardest part about this isn't to say goodbye to the people I know I probably won't ever see again. There are always those friends or that come into your life for just a short period of time before you say goodbye again, and they are everywhere. What's really hard is to say "take care, I'll see you later", to the ones I know I will see again. Those are the people that really matter, and who will be so deeply missed. I don't know how long it will be until I get to see them again, talk to them, hug them or laugh with them, and that's the toughest part. The unknown is really scary sometimes.
Ohio 9:55 AM, Sweden 3:55 PM
tisdag 12 juni 2012
Skulle åkt till en liten ö och åkt golfbil igår men det regnade så vi åkte till ett upptäckthets hus typ som ... det stora som finns någonstans i sverige man åker med skolan till haha, i columbus och åkte till the mall också. Sen åkte vi hem och jag och Taylor sov hoss getterna ute i stallet. Vaknade efter 5.5 timmar igen och gick upp halv åtta (med tuppen klockan sju fast de inte har någon tupp. haha jag är trött och vimsig idag. the goat stall got to me i guess), åt frukost, Gates kom och vi tog ett dopp i poolen kl 9. Sen tittade vi på den lilla sjöjungfrun och nu sitter jag här och försöker hitta motivation till att få något gjort här hemma. Ska till kyrkis om en timme och sedan back to Taylors för shingding med Gates, Grace och Roxanne.
Till nästa gång.
Sverige 20.57, Ohio 14.57
Till nästa gång.
Sverige 20.57, Ohio 14.57
måndag 11 juni 2012
HEJ JAG KOMMER HEM OM 6 DAGAR IM FREAKING OUT MEN DET ÄR OKEJ.
Alltså så söt. Hon vann 10000 dollar idag på America's Funniest Homevideos.
Är hemma efter våran trip nu, kom hem i eftermiddags och nu sonmar snart. Sov på hotell last night och sover inte bra på hotell. Är trött. Måste äta något. Längtar efter svensk frukost/kvälls mat just nu. Müsli och Valios skogsbärsyoghurt plus blåbär i. Mormorsbröd. (min mormors bröd alltså), eller ciabatta. Omnomnom. En vecka till så får jag äta det.
Sa hej för den här gången till Rachel, Lindsay och Jordan idag. Kom på hur man ska göra det - bara en vanlig kram som alla andra gånger de varit här på middag, och ett "see you". Minskar tårmängden något vässentligt. Tror inte den taktiken kommer hålla så länge i alla fall.
Sverige 04.49 11 juni, Ohio 22.49 10 juni
söndag 10 juni 2012
Bet'ya didn't know that
Lämnade alltså Virginia, åkte in i West Virginia, skrev förra inlägget där, eller kanske i Maryland jag vet inte, för bara ett par minuter efter att vi stannade pga olyckan tog vi en sväng i Maryland i typ 5 minuter, och nu är vi i Pennsylvania. Får se om vi stannar och sover i Penn eller Ohio. Det återstår att se.
Ville bara skriva ett litet inlägg om det för det är så coolt att man kan lägga till plats "skrivet i...", haha, älskar den funktionen. Den är cool.
Pennsylvania 20.27 9 juni, Sverige 02.27 10 juni
NICE NICE NICE NICE
Har precis haft en sjukt bra lång helg i Virginia, vi bodde hos Jennys bästa kompis (de är Gudmödrar till varandras barn) i deras stora hus (ni vet ett sånt där stort man kan se på TV), i ett gated comnunity. Alex's skola graduated 694 elever igår - min 82 för två veckor sedan. Det var häftigt att se den stora graduationen, men eftersom skolan är så stor är de väldigt tävlingsinriktade och Sverige vill inte så ofta ha vinnare i allt för vi vill inte "single out" anybody as "better", så det hela var för stort och skrämde mig. Kul att se ändå. Glad att jag inte tar studenten från en så stor skola.
Men fy vad jag avskyr att säga hejdå. Får inte träffa Kati igen innan jag åker. Det var en person. Kommer grina hela dagen på onsdag, för då kommer katastrofen. Taylor, Grace, Roxanne, Gates, Alisha, och alla mina vänner från kyrkan. Usch det här är det värsta med att vara utbytesstudent, man har liksom två liv. Mitt hjärta är på två platser, jag har två liv, på två olika kontinenter. Om jag bara kunde ta med alla från Ohio till Sverige vore jag förevigt glad. Om jag grinar när jag kommer hem för att jag saknar Ohio så är det inte för att jag inte vill vara med er i Sverige utan för att jag saknar alla på andra sidan. Tro inte att jag inte tycker om er också.
We are on the road, by the way. On our way home to Ohio again. We are not actually stopping in West Virginia, other than at McDonalds to pee when we got stuck behind an accident which we are now past. The rest rooms were distugsting, Rachel and Jenny said. That's why I don't pee in public rest rooms. Poop in the toilet disgustes me.
Sverige 01.33 10 juni, West Virginia 19.33 9 juni
Men fy vad jag avskyr att säga hejdå. Får inte träffa Kati igen innan jag åker. Det var en person. Kommer grina hela dagen på onsdag, för då kommer katastrofen. Taylor, Grace, Roxanne, Gates, Alisha, och alla mina vänner från kyrkan. Usch det här är det värsta med att vara utbytesstudent, man har liksom två liv. Mitt hjärta är på två platser, jag har två liv, på två olika kontinenter. Om jag bara kunde ta med alla från Ohio till Sverige vore jag förevigt glad. Om jag grinar när jag kommer hem för att jag saknar Ohio så är det inte för att jag inte vill vara med er i Sverige utan för att jag saknar alla på andra sidan. Tro inte att jag inte tycker om er också.
Presidentens hus? |
Well, det ser ut som det, men inte riktigt. Ett övergivet Presidentens hus, ingen har någonsin bott i det. Skamligt. Jag kan ta det?! |
Varför lämnar man en TV antenn (parabol? vet inte skillnaden) på ett övergivet hus? |
Sverige 01.33 10 juni, West Virginia 19.33 9 juni
fredag 8 juni 2012
HEY I JUST MEET YOU, AND THIS IS CRAZY
Are you ready to get this dream started? All dreams can be reached, except the unreachable, but this isn't one of those. I can do this. I'm halfway there, more than halfway. This is the last push, the last effort. Lets do it.
Virginia 11:05 PM June 7th, Sweden 5:05 AM June 8th
Virginia 11:05 PM June 7th, Sweden 5:05 AM June 8th
torsdag 7 juni 2012
ETT VITT HUS - A WHITE HOUSE
Glad Nationaldag!
Jag firade nationaldagen i D.C. - det kommer bilder imorgon. Blev en tur förbi alla de stora monumenten och memorials, pizza till lunch och middag, påhälsning hos presidentens hus och en bild på Harrys första mantel på ett museum. Rätt bra dag där.
Sverige 05.03 7 juni, Virginia 23.03 6 juni
tisdag 5 juni 2012
Washington och D.C.
Ja ni. Det här är något jag lärt mig under min tid här som utbytesstudent i möjligheternas land: Amerikas huvudstad ligger inte i staten Washington utan i det Columbianska distriktet (som inte är en egen delstat). Trodde nämligen alltid att Vita huset, som jag visste låg i Washington, D.C., låg i Wsshington ni vet borta vid Seattle, men fick det aldrig riktigt att gå ihop med att New York låg på andra sidan landet. Jag menar, USA är stort, och skulle Presidenten flyga kors och tvärs varenda dag? Snacka om att slösa bensin.
Jag fick i alla fall veta att Washington, D.C. och Vita huset ligger i District of Columbia, bara fyra timmar från New York City. Det är lite mer logiskt tycker jag.
Från Vita huset styr Presidenten landet. Eller, inte riktigt, han styr det inte ensam utan har hjälp av Congress såklart, men han är ändå rätt så powerful, för att underdriva lite.
Logiskt sätt så borde han därför vara demokratiskt vald, vilket också är sant till viss del. Systemet de väljer sig president genom är demokratiskt till viss del, men som innestående måste jag få säga att det har sina bristande punkter (som även min government lärare tog upp upprepade gånger). Så här går det till, och det heter the Electoral College:
Amerika är indelat i 50 delstater (något annat jag lärt mig, trodde det var 52... haha). Varje delstat är i sin tur indelad i ett antal electoral districts, och antalet district en delstat har beror på dens folkmängd. Ohio har 16 electroral districts. Varje district har en electoral vote i presidentvalet.
Varje stat har dessutom 2 stycken senates, som båda har en röst i presidentvalet, alltså varsin electoral vote.
Ohio har alltså 18 electoral votes; de 16 electoral districts votes, och de två senates.
I hela landet finns det 538 electoral votes, och för att bli president måste du få 270 eller fler av dem.
Som röstare går du till din vallokal i ditt distrikt och röstar på den du vill ha som president de nästkommande fyra åren, och den kandidat i ditt distrikt som får flest röster vinner distriktet. Så långt är det lätt att hänga med, men det är nu det börjar bli förvirrande (de har försökt ändra systemet fler gånger än antalet år Amerika har varit ett eget land... det säger något om att det inte är så omtykt).
Tillbaka till Ohio. Ohio har 18 röster. Låt säga att kandidat A vinner 11 distrikt, och B 7. (The Senates röstar oftast på den kandidat som får flest röster bland the electoral districts.) Enligt något som kallas Winner-takes-all systemet de har här i USA, betyder det då att kandidat A får alla utav Ohios röster. Kandidat får 16 röster av Ohio.
Man kan därför argumenta för att de som röstade på kandidat B inte röstade alls, eller att de också röstade på kandidat A, för den fick ju alla röster i alla fall.
I den bästa av världar är distriktsgränserna dragna så det bor exakt lika många röstare i varje distrikt, men så är det såklart inte. På grund av det, kan man vinna presidentvalet utan att ha stöd av majoriteten av folket (genom att se till att vinna de delstaterna med mest electoral votes), vilket var vad som hände i valet 2000 när George Bush vann över Al Gore. Bush fick 271 electoral votes och Gore 266, men bara 47.9 % av rösterna, medans Gore fick 48.4 % av folkets röster.
Men inte bara det, det finns en sak till. När man som privatperson röstar, röstar man bara tekniskt sätt på presidentkandidaten man vill ska vinna. Egentligen så röstar man på en elector (därav namnet), som är en person som på förhand har blivit vald för att representera en viss kandidat. Normalt sätt röstar den electorn på den kandidaten den ska, men det har hänt att den bytt sida. Det gör att de som röstade på den personen i tron om att de röstade på kandidat A egentligen röstade på kandidat B, eller tvärt om, om electorn byter sida.
Det här är en lite förenklad version av det hela, det finns mer till det om man vill gå in djupare (klicka här om du är nyfiken. Fast jag varnar dig, det kan vara lite rörigt att förstå), men det är så här det fungerar i stora drag.
Sverige 17.32, Ohio 11.32
Jag fick i alla fall veta att Washington, D.C. och Vita huset ligger i District of Columbia, bara fyra timmar från New York City. Det är lite mer logiskt tycker jag.
Från Vita huset styr Presidenten landet. Eller, inte riktigt, han styr det inte ensam utan har hjälp av Congress såklart, men han är ändå rätt så powerful, för att underdriva lite.
Logiskt sätt så borde han därför vara demokratiskt vald, vilket också är sant till viss del. Systemet de väljer sig president genom är demokratiskt till viss del, men som innestående måste jag få säga att det har sina bristande punkter (som även min government lärare tog upp upprepade gånger). Så här går det till, och det heter the Electoral College:
Amerika är indelat i 50 delstater (något annat jag lärt mig, trodde det var 52... haha). Varje delstat är i sin tur indelad i ett antal electoral districts, och antalet district en delstat har beror på dens folkmängd. Ohio har 16 electroral districts. Varje district har en electoral vote i presidentvalet.
Varje stat har dessutom 2 stycken senates, som båda har en röst i presidentvalet, alltså varsin electoral vote.
Ohio har alltså 18 electoral votes; de 16 electoral districts votes, och de två senates.
I hela landet finns det 538 electoral votes, och för att bli president måste du få 270 eller fler av dem.
Som röstare går du till din vallokal i ditt distrikt och röstar på den du vill ha som president de nästkommande fyra åren, och den kandidat i ditt distrikt som får flest röster vinner distriktet. Så långt är det lätt att hänga med, men det är nu det börjar bli förvirrande (de har försökt ändra systemet fler gånger än antalet år Amerika har varit ett eget land... det säger något om att det inte är så omtykt).
Tillbaka till Ohio. Ohio har 18 röster. Låt säga att kandidat A vinner 11 distrikt, och B 7. (The Senates röstar oftast på den kandidat som får flest röster bland the electoral districts.) Enligt något som kallas Winner-takes-all systemet de har här i USA, betyder det då att kandidat A får alla utav Ohios röster. Kandidat får 16 röster av Ohio.
Man kan därför argumenta för att de som röstade på kandidat B inte röstade alls, eller att de också röstade på kandidat A, för den fick ju alla röster i alla fall.
I den bästa av världar är distriktsgränserna dragna så det bor exakt lika många röstare i varje distrikt, men så är det såklart inte. På grund av det, kan man vinna presidentvalet utan att ha stöd av majoriteten av folket (genom att se till att vinna de delstaterna med mest electoral votes), vilket var vad som hände i valet 2000 när George Bush vann över Al Gore. Bush fick 271 electoral votes och Gore 266, men bara 47.9 % av rösterna, medans Gore fick 48.4 % av folkets röster.
Men inte bara det, det finns en sak till. När man som privatperson röstar, röstar man bara tekniskt sätt på presidentkandidaten man vill ska vinna. Egentligen så röstar man på en elector (därav namnet), som är en person som på förhand har blivit vald för att representera en viss kandidat. Normalt sätt röstar den electorn på den kandidaten den ska, men det har hänt att den bytt sida. Det gör att de som röstade på den personen i tron om att de röstade på kandidat A egentligen röstade på kandidat B, eller tvärt om, om electorn byter sida.
Det här är en lite förenklad version av det hela, det finns mer till det om man vill gå in djupare (klicka här om du är nyfiken. Fast jag varnar dig, det kan vara lite rörigt att förstå), men det är så här det fungerar i stora drag.
Sverige 17.32, Ohio 11.32
måndag 4 juni 2012
Vilket liv jag har
Vad har jag gjort idag? Hm. Försökt städa mitt rum. Läs stökat till mitt rum i försöket att få någon ordning på det. Åker hem snart. Lite läskigt, allt har gått så fort. Måste alltså städa mitt rum. Okej Louise, kom igen nu.
Sverige 21.35, Ohio 15.35
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What a life I've got
What have I done today? Hm. Tried to clean my room. Read, made my room even dirtier in the hope of eventually getting it in order. Going home soon. A little scary, everything's gone so fast. Means I have to clean my room. Okay, Louise, come on now.
Ohio 3:35 pm, Sweden 9:35 pm
Sverige 21.35, Ohio 15.35
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What a life I've got
What have I done today? Hm. Tried to clean my room. Read, made my room even dirtier in the hope of eventually getting it in order. Going home soon. A little scary, everything's gone so fast. Means I have to clean my room. Okay, Louise, come on now.
Ohio 3:35 pm, Sweden 9:35 pm
söndag 3 juni 2012
lördag 2 juni 2012
OHSAA (Ohio High School Athletics Association) står det stämplat på min arm från igår
Det här har gått så fort. Times flies when you're having fun som de säger. Galet fort. 9 månader? Mina föräldrar har varit här 9 dagar nu, känns verkligare. 9 väldigt busy dagar, vi har shoppat, varit på Henry Ford village, haft graduation + party, varit på ett gammal president-hus, the zoo, amish country och the state track meet in Columbus (nej, vi tog oss inte till regionsfinalen så vi sprang inte men det gör inget, det regnade).
Hela det här året har varit så, up and on the go. Antar att allas år blir olika beroende på vilken familj man bor hos, men jag kunde inte ha fått det bättre. Jag har älskat att aldrig ha haft en lugn sekund (kanske är därför jag inte haft någon hemlängtan alls också? Har inte haft tid för det haha!), att vara i skolan i genomsnitt 10-12 timmar om dagen etc etc.
Ska bli underbart att komma hem ändå. Två veckor, inte ens det. Ser mer och mer fram emot det varje dag, ska bli så fantastiskt att få fira svensk sommar. Sommarlovet är annorlunda här, amerikanska ungdomar är på skolan typ varje dag och tränar och umgås med kompisar, och ärligt så föredrar jag den svenska sommaren. When shool's out you're OUT and you don't wanna set your foot in the building 'til you absolutely have too in the fall again. Men att åka ifrån alla härifrån? Nej tack. Kan allt och alla här följa med mig till Sverige?
Sverige 16.06, Ohio 10.06
Hela det här året har varit så, up and on the go. Antar att allas år blir olika beroende på vilken familj man bor hos, men jag kunde inte ha fått det bättre. Jag har älskat att aldrig ha haft en lugn sekund (kanske är därför jag inte haft någon hemlängtan alls också? Har inte haft tid för det haha!), att vara i skolan i genomsnitt 10-12 timmar om dagen etc etc.
Ska bli underbart att komma hem ändå. Två veckor, inte ens det. Ser mer och mer fram emot det varje dag, ska bli så fantastiskt att få fira svensk sommar. Sommarlovet är annorlunda här, amerikanska ungdomar är på skolan typ varje dag och tränar och umgås med kompisar, och ärligt så föredrar jag den svenska sommaren. When shool's out you're OUT and you don't wanna set your foot in the building 'til you absolutely have too in the fall again. Men att åka ifrån alla härifrån? Nej tack. Kan allt och alla här följa med mig till Sverige?
Sverige 16.06, Ohio 10.06
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