Thursday, June 23, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Just wink those eye lashes..
How to get a lot of stuff at a baseball game:
1. Look cute & wear something descent.
2. Have really good seats, right by the dug-out is the best.
3. Learn the players names from the program, makes them think you actually know who they are.
4. Scream for the players as the walk by after a play or just happen to have a ball.
5. It also helps to pull a line like "I'm from Sweden!". In my case it's true, but if it'll get you a ball, go for it.
6. You definitely need to stand up as you do all of that, another attention getter.
7. After a while there's not enough players, because they don't wanna give you more than one ball, then it helps to sit next to a cute little girl or boy, point at her, then snap the ball.
But that last one is only for the heartless people. I actually helped a little girl to get one.. and an older boy. I felt generous.
1. Look cute & wear something descent.
2. Have really good seats, right by the dug-out is the best.
3. Learn the players names from the program, makes them think you actually know who they are.
4. Scream for the players as the walk by after a play or just happen to have a ball.
5. It also helps to pull a line like "I'm from Sweden!". In my case it's true, but if it'll get you a ball, go for it.
6. You definitely need to stand up as you do all of that, another attention getter.
7. After a while there's not enough players, because they don't wanna give you more than one ball, then it helps to sit next to a cute little girl or boy, point at her, then snap the ball.
But that last one is only for the heartless people. I actually helped a little girl to get one.. and an older boy. I felt generous.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Reality kicks in
I know its still a week and some days left, but I started packing today.. With the busy last days I'm going to have here I need to start work on it. I've done pretty good with staying organized to it shouldn't take up too much of my time. Just the fact that I'm actually packing to go home, leave here, don't see people anymore.. It's just weird, and I don't like it. I do want to go home though, so much, but man.. I'm gonna miss people around here.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Churchill Downs
One of the first days here, we went to Churchill Downs, just to see the outside of it. The other day we went all in. I went their with Connie & Steve, their son Caleb and Connies friend Lisa. I was very fortunate Lisa went, because she managed to get me a free tour of the place. I saw places that not many people can see, and probably never will see.
I didn't bet much, because I don't know squat about horse racing and wasn't planning on loosing a ton of money. In addition a strolled around, watched the horses being showed up, as well as the tiny jockeys. Saw some very famous ones, which makes it a lot more cool. It was just an awesome day at the race track.
I didn't bet much, because I don't know squat about horse racing and wasn't planning on loosing a ton of money. In addition a strolled around, watched the horses being showed up, as well as the tiny jockeys. Saw some very famous ones, which makes it a lot more cool. It was just an awesome day at the race track.
Millionairs lounge, with an inredible buffet
Hand blown glas figures of Churchill Downs
Twin Spires
Big winner of the day..
Friday, June 10, 2011
Graduation in Visby
One year from today, I would graduate back home. After this year though, I still have two more years. That doesn't bother me that much. What does bother me, is that I can't be home on this day to celebrate and see my friends and two cousins graduate. For you American folks I'll tell you how we do it back home, it's just a little bit different..
Outfit: Guys in tuxes, girls in pretty summer dresses, often white.
Schedule: The day starts with a champagne breakfast and mingle in a beautiful park by the ocean. They will also get cake in another part of the city during the day. The home room class you've taken classes with all year has each decorated a big carriage pulled by a tractor. On them they will be taken to parties at the houses of different families of the class. Then on to the ceremoni down on the concert hall balcony by the beach.
Ceremoni: Every home room class has picked a song that plays as they run out on the balcony. The song plays for a while as they're up there celebrating. The music takes a break for a speaker that says some short words, the music continues and they walk down to their familys in the crowd.
Signs: Each family make a sign of the graduate from their childhood, either an embarassing one or a cute one, depends on the family..
Continuation of schedule: After the ceremoni each class get on their decorated carriage, loaded with speaker equipment. They play crazy loud music and ride around town dancing and having a great time until the cops tell them its time to quit, we're talking AM here. Then they move on to the night clubs and continue the party.
Outfit: Guys in tuxes, girls in pretty summer dresses, often white.
Schedule: The day starts with a champagne breakfast and mingle in a beautiful park by the ocean. They will also get cake in another part of the city during the day. The home room class you've taken classes with all year has each decorated a big carriage pulled by a tractor. On them they will be taken to parties at the houses of different families of the class. Then on to the ceremoni down on the concert hall balcony by the beach.
Ceremoni: Every home room class has picked a song that plays as they run out on the balcony. The song plays for a while as they're up there celebrating. The music takes a break for a speaker that says some short words, the music continues and they walk down to their familys in the crowd.
Signs: Each family make a sign of the graduate from their childhood, either an embarassing one or a cute one, depends on the family..
Continuation of schedule: After the ceremoni each class get on their decorated carriage, loaded with speaker equipment. They play crazy loud music and ride around town dancing and having a great time until the cops tell them its time to quit, we're talking AM here. Then they move on to the night clubs and continue the party.
Sign made by Bosse, dad of my cousin Elias
My one year older cousin, miss you
My other cousin Tove, sign made by her dad, Janne
Cousin Tove to the right, friend Maja next to her
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Track Banquet
Yesterday I had my very last event at school, our banquet for track and field. It's sad to think about, but with that group of people it's always fun. There's constantly people joking, laughing and having a good time, which is one of the reasons I loved track so much. I've been around some outstanding athletes and it makes me want to get even better at what I do.
There were a lot of food as it always is at events here. Then there was a slide show with all of our accomplishments this year. Our coach reminded us that despite that we didn't have a track to practice on, we set a school record in medals at regions, and many school records, pretty good accomplishments. I was just sad I couldn't contribute with any medals at regions because of an injury. Stupid. Anyway, there were many awards handed out, MVP's, record takers, point scorers and the one I got to put my hands on, Senior Award. Every senior got one, as well as some nice words from coach, or in my case, call-outs. So yes, coach Bradley, when you pick on me, I will pick on you! But in all seriousness, you're the best track coach I've ever had, also the only one, but still. I will miss you a lot, and if you're lucky you might get a nice little post card some day, who knows.
There were a lot of food as it always is at events here. Then there was a slide show with all of our accomplishments this year. Our coach reminded us that despite that we didn't have a track to practice on, we set a school record in medals at regions, and many school records, pretty good accomplishments. I was just sad I couldn't contribute with any medals at regions because of an injury. Stupid. Anyway, there were many awards handed out, MVP's, record takers, point scorers and the one I got to put my hands on, Senior Award. Every senior got one, as well as some nice words from coach, or in my case, call-outs. So yes, coach Bradley, when you pick on me, I will pick on you! But in all seriousness, you're the best track coach I've ever had, also the only one, but still. I will miss you a lot, and if you're lucky you might get a nice little post card some day, who knows.
10 highest point scorers
Me & Coach Bradley
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Surreal
What I don't think I realize at this time, is that I'm actually going home in three weeks. It's so weird to think that I'm not gonna be here anymore. It is rally hard because I have so much emotions, torn emotions.
I'm sad because I'll be leaving my family here, I'll be leaving all of my friends, my really good friends that I will miss so much. Friends that I might not see again, ever. That is the most hartbreaking thing about leaving. Even if I see them again, it'll be for some weeks, then what? We go separate ways again..
I'm happy that I will get home after a year of being away, to see my family and friends. I'm excited to once again have my mom's cooking, my grandma's cooking, to over all have the Swedish food.
I'm so very anxious to play soccer with P18 again, I can not wait!
It's hard. I feel guilty about wanting to leave, I too feel guilty about wanting to stay. There's been tears the last couple of days, with graduation and just realizing it's all coming to an end. It wont be the last one's though, and I'm not looking forward to them..
I'm sad because I'll be leaving my family here, I'll be leaving all of my friends, my really good friends that I will miss so much. Friends that I might not see again, ever. That is the most hartbreaking thing about leaving. Even if I see them again, it'll be for some weeks, then what? We go separate ways again..
I'm happy that I will get home after a year of being away, to see my family and friends. I'm excited to once again have my mom's cooking, my grandma's cooking, to over all have the Swedish food.
I'm so very anxious to play soccer with P18 again, I can not wait!
It's hard. I feel guilty about wanting to leave, I too feel guilty about wanting to stay. There's been tears the last couple of days, with graduation and just realizing it's all coming to an end. It wont be the last one's though, and I'm not looking forward to them..
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Class of 2011
Well that's that. I have graduated from Nelson County High School with my fellow classmates, and I couldn't have asked for it to end in a better way. I've always seen movies of various graduation ceremonies where they wear the traditional cap and gown. It was some what of a surreal feeling to wear it. But there is a lot more to an American graduation ceremony than you would think. The very same morning, we go through and practice the whole thing, we're talking hours of practice here. But even so, the unexcpected should always be excpected. Especially when it comes to the Class of 11.
To explain how it works, you walk up on a stage, get your diploma, shake some important persons hand, look in the camera and smile, walk to your seat. We had one graduate who did it a little different, he walked up, shook the important persons hand, got his diploma, and fell, face first. It was planned all along, but no one else than us knew it.
Then, at the very end you might recon that the graduates threw their hats in the air. As we did that, people sprayed silly strings all over the place, which was also planned, but kept secret by all of us.
To explain how it works, you walk up on a stage, get your diploma, shake some important persons hand, look in the camera and smile, walk to your seat. We had one graduate who did it a little different, he walked up, shook the important persons hand, got his diploma, and fell, face first. It was planned all along, but no one else than us knew it.
Then, at the very end you might recon that the graduates threw their hats in the air. As we did that, people sprayed silly strings all over the place, which was also planned, but kept secret by all of us.
Walking in
Alycia & I
Choir performance on stage
Me and Madison
Monday, May 30, 2011
Camping in America
Got an invitation to go camping with my friend Paige and her family. I ended up going with them over Memorial Day Weekend, which is a long weekend with no school on monday, today that is. We had a great time and they shared their camping traditions, and I shared mine. Food wise they had a lot, and they had it often, as Americans often has when it comes to.. to all kinds of events really. We had the big traditional breakfast with eggs, sausage, bacon, toasts, gravy and so on. Dinner was made on the grill and various snacks through the day. On the night we had smore's (grilled marshmallow with chocolate in between two graham crackers). I shared our swedish grilled bananas with chocolate, very popular.
Activity wise we were out on the boat all day long. Tanning, swimming, diving, jumping and going down the slide. Yes. Down the slide from the second floor. And when we weren't on the boat we took long walks, played volleyball and at nights some card games did occur. I learned one, Golf, and shared two, translated to Turn-over-10 and one I couldn't remember the name of.. Just remember playing it with Kerstin all the time..
Also note this, when going to store's you probably shouldn't leave in just shorts and a bikini top. Apparently you might not be able to go in if you're that undressed. Learned that leasson when I had to sit in the car in 90 degree wheather as we were hunting for some floats. I really did feel like such a European..
Activity wise we were out on the boat all day long. Tanning, swimming, diving, jumping and going down the slide. Yes. Down the slide from the second floor. And when we weren't on the boat we took long walks, played volleyball and at nights some card games did occur. I learned one, Golf, and shared two, translated to Turn-over-10 and one I couldn't remember the name of.. Just remember playing it with Kerstin all the time..
Also note this, when going to store's you probably shouldn't leave in just shorts and a bikini top. Apparently you might not be able to go in if you're that undressed. Learned that leasson when I had to sit in the car in 90 degree wheather as we were hunting for some floats. I really did feel like such a European..
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