Jamie Patterson

2009-10 Outbound to Norway

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida

School: Bartram Trail HS

Sponsor: Deerwood Rotary Club, District 6970, Florida

Host: Kongsgaard Rotary Club, District 2290, Norway

Bio

Jamie's Bio

Hallo! I am Jamie! I currently go to Bartram Trail High School, I am a Junior, but I hope to be graduating this year before I leave for Norway! I will be missing my Senior year, and many people think I am crazy, but I know that I have this awesome once in a life-time chance to be an exchange student!

My family consists of my parents, my brother, Brad, and my sister, Tiffany. My family is very aware of the Rotary Exchange program. My brother was an outbound to Germany. We have also hosted one exchange student.

My interests include typical Florida teenage girl stuff, such as going to the beach (which I will miss so much while in Norway), going shopping, going to the movies, of course eating (which I know I will enjoy in Norway), and also just hanging out with friends. I also love to travel!

When I found out I was going to Norway I was seriously in shock... I was smiling like crazy and I got no sleep that night. It will definitely be a change, but I am so ready for change! I am good friends with Grunde, who is here from Norway right now, and I probably text him every day asking him questions I have! He is such a good friend and I have to give a big thanks to him!

Of course, I also have to say thanks to Rotary and everyone who puts so much time into arranging everything, obviously none of this would be happening for any of the exchange students if you guys did not care so much! And also, a big thanks to my parents, for everything. I can not wait to be in Norway writing my first journal! It's so far away it seems like, but I know it will come fast!

ha det!

Jamie Patterson

August 7 Pre-departure Journal

I leave in only 3 DAYS.

It feels like a dream knowing it is finally my turn to leave, no more being jealous of reading other students' journals. It feels like yesterday all of the 09/10 exchange students just met at the outbound orientation... but then they were just strangers. Now, all of the other exchange students are my best friends... and I cannot wait to hear and read about everyone’s adventures. For the last week or so, I can honestly say that I have gone to bed with a smile on my face. I know that everyone is going to have a great time, and it is finally OUR time to be on the RYE webpage, and for the new outbounds to get assigned to read OUR journals, and at the welcome home dinner, everyone will know our names and we will be famous! (OK, well, if the future outbounds are as crazy and creepy as our year is). Although, I must say I will miss reading Veronica's and Jenny's journals.

My last two weeks in America have been very busy. Morgan, who is going to Denmark, and I had a going away party together. I went shopping to go get more jeans and "warm" clothes, because all I own are summer clothes. I have gone to the airport to say goodbye to other outbound students, and I have gone to the airport to pick up an inbound. My last day of work was very sad, but I went out to dinner with all of the Peterbrooke crew! And of course, I leave in 3 days, and I have not started to pack yet... my last night here, my 5 best friends are going to sleepover and we will have a packing party! (I know I wont be getting any sleep anyways!)

All of the Denmark outbounds are gone, as well as the Thailand and the Germany, and Finland, Sweden, Brazil, and Austria outbounds. Now I am reading everyone's Facebook status... some saying "Denmark is lovely" and some saying "eu gosto brasil muito, meis falto meu amigos" (but I really have no clue what it says) and some saying "watching Bugs Bunny in Thai. Going to Bangkok tomorrow" and I have been talking to them about how they have been and how they like being in their new countries finally, and they all talk about how amazing it is! Many admit that it is hard at first, and maybe a little awkward... but hearing that does not scare me or make me not want to leave, it actually gets me so much more excited. I want it to be my turn for everyone to ask me how I am doing in Norway. I want to meet the Jørandli and the Larsen family! I actually want to be sitting at the dinner table with my new family, with everyone speaking Norwegian, and me not understanding anything! I can not wait for someone to come up to me and ask me something in Norwegian and my face turns red and I simply reply "Jeg forstår ikke" (which will probably come in handy a lot, it means "I don't understand"). But, I am sure that in my next journal I will be complaining about how I am sick of saying Jeg forstår ikke to every question I get asked, and how I wish I understood more Norwegian.

On Monday, I will have to say goodbye to my family and all of my close friends. I am having my friends and family go to I-hop before I leave, and cry my eyes out, and then my mom and my two best friends (that have been by my side since 2nd grade) are taking me to the airport, where I will cry even more. It will be hard saying goodbye to the people I really care about and grew up with. But I know I will have an amazing time in Norway. I know it will be hard, and sad, sometimes lonely and many times cold... but I am ready. I am ready for change and I know I have the strength to get through it. I have amazing friends and family to help me stay strong when times are hard.. and I made it past two long weekend orientations to get me prepared to leave. I have given a speech in Norwegian, I have written a 12 page essay about Norway, I have written a paper about culture, I have watched "Dances with Wolves", I have read all of the journals I was told to read and I have learned 10 important phrases in Norwegian. I am glad we had to do all of those assignments, because I know that they will all come in handy while I am in Norway. We were not assigned to do them for nothing, and... because of all of the long assignments, I can truly say that I am really ready, and at 12:05 Monday afternoon I will be on my way to Norway, and FINALLY starting a great new adventure. The next time I write a journal, I will be in Kristiansand, Norway... living the life that I have been preparing for for many many months... all thanks to the AMAZING Rotary program that I love with all my heart!

Oh, and, by the way. I must say I am ready to get out of this Florida weather! I am not talking about the heat (I love hot weather) but... It rains... like POURS... every day. And it always happens when I am driving, which is the most stressful thing every). BRING ON THE SNOW! Oh, and also... the humidity is killing me. I am ready for some fresh Norwegian air, and I actually got shampoo and conditioner that was NOT made to control frizziness! I know, isn't that exciting!

Oh, and just so everyone knows... Dominic Hoak and I are having a contest to see who can write the most journals, trying to bet Jenny's record. and of course..... I WILL win.... even if I don't know as many big words as he does! :D

I really can say that so far becoming an exchange student has been the best decision that I have ever made for myself. I could not be more thankful. Thank you Al, and Daphne and Jody... and to my mom and dad... and my brother, Brad... and other "siblings", Twang and Grunde! Without their advice and encouragement I could have never done this! And thank you to everyone else who made this possible.

I really have some of the best friends ever, and memories that will last a lifetime... and I have not even begun my adventure in Norway! Bridget thinks we are vampires (from that game at orientation) and Peter made the official "antisocial" look, and and I made a new best friend, Morgan, who I just met 8 months ago because of Rotary. I was forced into looking at Mackenzie's old pictures from visiting Norway four years ago, and Grant and I learned that Helen looked like a boy when she was little. I got married on Facebook with Juan and I went to St. Augustine multiple times for our little "exchange student hang out sessions" and so many other inside jokes and fun times with everyone! I love all of the Florida outbounds, and I wish everyone the best of luck! I am off to Norway, see y'all in a year!

Tusen takk og ha det bra!

Jamie!

August 14 Journal

So, I am here. I said goodbye to my family and friends, took 4 planes, and finally ended up in Norway, met my families, got unpacked, took a bike ride, oh and witnessed my house with a bunch of smoke coming out of it, packed up, moved, unpacked, moved back, and unpacked again. All in 3 days!

My flight here could not have gone better, well I could have done with out the 5 hour airport layover. In Detroit, I ended up finding 6 other exchange students. All of them, but one, were going to Germany. And the other girl was also going to Norway. We actually got very lucky, our flight was pretty empty (from Detroit to Amsterdam). So the flight attendant went on the microphone and told the Rotary students we could all sit in row 18. Then, we talked pretty much the whole time. (I did sleep on all of the other flights, straight through.)

As I was getting off my last flight, I was not nearly as nervous as I expected. I could not wait to finally meet my family! I was not sure where they were going to be, or who was going to be there. I get off my plane and I first have to walk outside, to get in the airport. And I just kept thinking, "Wow, I am actually here. In Norway." Once I got in the airport I saw Grunde smiling through a crowd of people. I couldn't help but smile back and wave! I hugged my host mom, and my 3 brothers. Then my host club counselor. Then, my other 2 host parents walked up and I hugged them.

Once at the house, I got a tour, met my host sister and my host dad, and I unpacked. Then, we ate dinner! The weather here is SO nice (for now), so we ate outside. And I even got a lesson on how to use a knife properly to cut steak. Then, Grunde and I went on a bike ride.... I was expecting a nice smooth ride. But, if you have never meet Grunde, let me tell you, he is a joker. He loves messing around. For the first 15 minutes, I am pretty sure we just rode around in circles, because we kept ending up in the same spot. Then, he decided to take me down a short little trail. It may have been short, but it was rocky and hilly and there were many branches in the way. That was exhausting, but little did I know that it would get harder. Then, we rode around the area, he showed me my second house, and my school. Getting to the school is down hill... but that means coming back is uphill. I think he had me take the longest possible way home. I ended up walking my bike on most of the hills. I was so tired, and I could hardly breathe. It was crazy, but enough about the bike ride! I am sure you will hear many more stories about my lovely bike rides.

Now, it is my second day here. It was a normal, beautiful day... but around 7 at night, I was skyping with Peter and Grant. I hear a beeping, and I knew it was a smoke alarm, but I was not thinking that there was a fire. Then, my host mom comes running in my room and starts yelling something in Norwegian, I thought she said dinner. I was wrong. Very very wrong. She then runs to my sisters room, right next to my room, and says something longer and I could tell by her voice that something was wrong. I walk out of my room, and my sister tells me there is a fire. She runs outside, my mom is on the phone calling the fire station, I didn't know what to do. I saw smoke pouring out of the windows. I wanted to go back in the house and get my camera to take pictures, but I did not. (I love taking pictures of everything!) I never was thinking "man, I hope my room doesn't burn down, I don't want to lose all of my stuff!". I was so worried about my host dad, he was running around the house trying to get the fire out. I heard him coughing, and I looked at my sister and mom and their faces were just so terrified. My mom could also tell I was scared. During the middle of running around, she took time and just came over and gave me the biggest bear hug. I felt so welcomed and she just treated me as if I were her real daughter, and that is something that my real mom would have done for me. The fire department and police showed up about 5 minutes later, and the neighbors all gathered around. It seemed as if I was just watching a movie, but everything was in Norwegian.

I really wish I could have at least understood Norwegian at that point. I had no clue what was going on, I wasn't sure what part of the house was on fire, or how big it was. I obviously was not going to call my host sister over to tell me what was going on. Eventually, my 2nd host dad came over (he lives a few houses down) and he translated everything for me so I understood what was going on. My host father had to go to the hospital for a few hours, because he inhaled a lot of smoke. Luckily, he is okay. He actually managed to get most of the fire out before the fire fighters showed up. (If I heard correctly.) So, the fire was not big. The family lost a lot of pictures though. Fortunately, no one was injured, and the house will survive. The fire happened in the basement area, in the corner of the house. The house does smell like smoke, so for the first night we could not be in the house. I ended up packing all of my clothes back into my suitcase (which I just put up a few hours ago) and I took them to my 2nd families house. We thought we would have to wash them, but they did not smell like smoke, because they were sealed pretty good in the cabinets. Now, 2 days later I am back at the Jørandli's house, I just finished unpacking, and the windows are open. Everyone seems to be good, and today we are just relaxing and cleaning.

I really am having a great time here, and I love thinking about the next year here. I can not wait to make friends! School starts on Monday, so maybe I will make some soon! My Norwegian, is well... getting there? Maybe, maybe not. Grunde is an great teacher, he will point to items around the house and say it and make me repeat it. When I hear everyone speaking Norwegian, it makes me want to learn it faster, it is cool to know that in a few months I will actually be able to join in the conversations! For now, my family is speaking mostly English, just so we get to know each other a little bit better. But soon, it will only be Norwegian.

Other fun stuff:

• I got lost in the house my first day. The hallway door was shut, and there are 4 hallways.
• I already love both of my families.
• If I weigh more when I come back home, I will be ashamed. I ride my bike and walk way too much to gain weight.
• I think I should win the prize for wishing I spoke or at least understood Norwegian. It would have been nice to know what to do or what was happening during the fire. Talk about the scariest moment of my life!
• My first purchase here was Fanta... and it is amazing.
• My language camp got cancelled.
• I really do think I will be having a great year here!

All of my stuff, before packing it up	At the airport	My welcome sign	The long bike ride
My brothers	My first dinner

September 1 Journal

Being an exchange student so far has been the best choice I have ever made. When Jody called me and told me that I was going to Norway it seemed like a dream... but now 8 months later, here I am in Norway. It is no longer a dream, it is real. I have now been here for 3 weeks. Each day I get closer to my family, I learn new words, I discover new places and every day at school I meet new people. When I sit on the bus after school I often find myself with a smile on my face. I just love thinking that I am going to be living here for a whole year, and this is my new life. I have a new family, new friends and new surroundings that I love more and more each day.

I am not going to lie, it is hard being an exchange student. It is hard being away from your family and it is hard seeing friends together without you. But I was aware of that when I signed up to be an exchange student. I knew I was giving up my senior year when I signed up, and I knew I would have some days where I wish was enjoying my senior year with my best friends... I know it will be worth it in the end. I know I am going to have a great year here! But that is no surprise, because I also knew that when I signed up to be an exchange student I would have the time of my life, and I have so far!

I have officially survived my first 2 weeks of school. School was the one thing that I was most scared about becoming an exchange student. I wish I spent less time being so nervous about it though. Of course school is difficult, not knowing the language and all... but I have made so many friends. Everyone here is so nice. During class I can just see eyes beaming at me, and as soon as I look around the classroom I see everyone’s eyes turn around. Everyone in my classes knows that I am the exchange student. I love when people ask where I am from, I always get the same response... and here is how it goes:
The Norwegian- So, where are you from?
Me- Florida...
The Norwegian- WOW! NO WAY!!! What is it like!?!?
Me- Really hot, humid and sunny. (What else am I supposed to say back to that?)
The Norwegian- I want to go there so bad! Do you live in Miami?
Me- No, I live in Jacksonville...
The Norwegian- ohhh... I don't know where that is.
Me- Well, it is up North...
The Norwegian- So... have you ever been to Disney?!?!

And, so on and so on. Oh, and everyone also asks why I would want to come to Norway, and If I actually knew where it was, and if I have ever been skiing... and when I say no I have not been skiing, their jaws literally drop.

Learning the language is really hard. My family is very helpful with learning the language... but when I am with friends they want to speak English so they can practice. I am really trying... I learn new words and phrases every day. I have a language camp in September, and I hope I learn a lot from that! Everyday my family speaks more and more Norwegian to me, it is hard and I feel stupid most of the time trying to guess what they are saying... but I know it is the only way for me to learn, so I accept it.

My life here is starting to calm down. I am much more aware of the city and how to get around, I know my way around the school finally. I feel more a part of the family now rather than a guest. My 3 host brothers and I joke around a lot and they treat me just as any brother would treat their sister. My host mom is so loving and hugs me every night and before I go to school, and I have met all of my/her family. I have made some great friends here, and we already have so many plans to do things in the future... but I don't know if one year is enough time! Every day seems normal- no more new adventures... I am no longer a tourist. I actually live here!

Fun Stuff!

• I went swimming in the sea! IN NORWAY.
• Gym is taken much more serious here... on the first day of gym we had to run 3 miles (in the woods, with a lot of hills)
• The ice cream here is so good. I could probably live off of it.
• Also, the candy is AMAZING. I used to hate chocolate before I came here, but seriously.... Norwegian chocolate is better than any other chocolate.
• The first 3 days of me being in Norway was beautiful and perfect weather, but ever since it has been raining and cold. :(
• Everyone thinks it’s awesome that I have my own pool at home in Florida.
• I am still in shock that I am in Norway... finally!
• Language camp is back on!

My friend, Ida, and I on a camping trip with our biology class	Grunde (my host brother) and I about to go on a bike ride in	The absolutely amazing ice cream	Me on an island at my "host-grandmas" house
Me and some friends	The wonderful candy	My school

September 28 Journal

Not everyone can be an exchange student. It takes guts to sign up to be an exchange student. For everyone who is reading this and thinking about being an exchange student... DO IT. It is hard, and you will have the toughest year of your life. You will give many speeches, be given many assignments, and leave everyone and everything you know. But it is worth it. It is the best feeling to hear someone say "Wow! I could never do that- leave all of my friends and family for a whole year". Yes, a year is a long time... but now that I am actually here in Norway, I feel like a year is not nearly enough time. There is so much to do, and I feel like I am running out of time.

Two months have already passed for me. If you are thinking about being an exchange student, DO IT.. because once the time is up and you made the choice not to be an exchange student... there may be no going back... and you could regret it for the rest of your life. Really- being an exchange student is a crazy roller coaster (which you will hear plenty about at the orientations). It has its ups and downs... but it will be the best roller coaster you will ever go on.

I am having the time of my life here... and I am so so sooo proud to say that I am a Rotary Exchange Student... it is the best program out there! I have made the best friends possible... other RYE Florida students, and also other students here in Norway, and friends and school. I have such great memories that will last a life time and I have grown so much this past year already! I have only been here for 2 months... and I know it will only get better from here. Rotary prepares you better than any other program. I have many friends who were exchange students in America last year with other programs... and they said that they have never even met the other students who also went abroad... even they agree Rotary rocks!

A lot has happened these past couple of weeks. One thing I have learned if you are going to be an exchange student is NEVER SAY NO! I have done one thing here that I would have never dreamed of doing. Shooting a gun. I really hate guns, but when my host brother asked me to go shooting with him I couldn't say no! So I went, and it was hard... but I did it! And it was fun! I also went golfing for the first time... that was interesting. Of course, I was awful and shooting and golfing!

My life is normal here. I finally know how to get around town, and I know how to work the busses now, and actually know where the bus stop is and how to read the schedule. I am used to getting pushed into Grunde's dirty laundry when I walk into his room. My Norwegian is coming along, but slowly. I understand some things... and I can have a basic conversation. It is hard to learn the language here because everyone speaks such great English. I could not translate what people are saying word by word, but I normally can figure out what people are talking about. I can not speak it very well though.

I would write more, but I don't want to tell my day by day story. I am happy here. I have some hard times. I miss my family and my friends, but I love my family and friends here. I decided when I come home I will be broke, probably even before I come home. Everything here is SO expensive... but SO cute! I am officially a shopaholic. And, like I said- the candy and ice cream is just so amazing. Leading up to... remember when I said I don't think I will be gaining weight... well, scratch that. Yes, there are many hills and I walk a lot... but I think I eat way more than I walk and I will be gaining a lot of weight... Oh well, I guess it is a trend with exchange students- so I accept it!

With that said- I must give a big thanks. Words cannot explain how thankful I am to be here. Thank you Al Kalter, Jody Davis, Daphne Cameron, Bill Learn, Cynde and Barry Covington, and everyone else behind the scenes who made this possible for me and all of the other Rotary exchange students! Also, big thanks to my parents- of course this would have never happened without them. I love my life here, it may be hard... but it is amazing. And of course to my host families here... they are even better than I imagined!

Everyone in my district at Kragerø	Everyone in my district at Risør	The boat we stayed on for a district meeting	Norway has such beautiful sunsets
Some friends at language camp	More friends at language camp	It looks like I did good… but the ball is still there :(	At language camp… I promise it was a break… I did pay attention :D
Everyone at the language camp	After a long day at Kragerø

December 1 Journal

I have read many, many, many RYE-Florida journals... and I realized that the most popular way to start a journal is by saying "I don't know how to start this journal" or "I have been sitting here for 30 minutes trying to start this journal." And I used to always think "how could someone not know how to start writing a journal when so many new things happen each day?!" But, here I am... I have been in Norway for 3 and a half months... and the past month I have been trying to think of what to write about in this journal. My brain is still clueless on how to begin. It's the weirdest feeling... I know that so much has happened the past month but I guess I just don't know where to begin... and I know that I am going to forget a whole bunch of stuff.

Ok, so I am going to try to hurry up and write this... I didn't realize how much I was slacking on writing my journals! So... new stuff that has happened! I changed host families, I switches classes in school, I've seen snow, I have eaten a duck, I have missed the bus multiple times. And now some stuff that will be happening in the future: I am going to Switzerland in April to see my cousins (I hope), Morgan Milhollin is coming to Norway to go skiing!!! CHRISTMAS, and hopefully I will be going to Denmark soon to see Morgan and Agnete, and I know a lot more- but I can't list everything!

But yes, my new family is great. My new class is amazing. My last class I decided to switch out of because I did not really fit in and I was not making many friends... but now that I have switched I have made more friends the first week than I have the whole 3 months. The bus schedules are quite annoying. I love having public transportation and not having to worry about driving places or finding a ride somewhere... but the timing of the buses are just awful, and they are never on time! So, it is beginning to get quite annoying. I have to wait at the bus stop after school for about 30 or 40 minutes in the freezing cold, because the bus before it comes right when I am getting out of school. It is rather annoying... but at least I have a ride and I don't have to walk home!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I hope everyone spent time with their families and enjoyed every minute of it. I hope that the students who applied to be an exchange student for next year did not take advantage of the holiday. Thanksgiving is a special holiday and I am very upset I missed it this year, but I knew I was giving it up when I applied to be an exchange student. Unfortunately, Norway does not sell turkeys until late December.... so I could not celebrate it. However, my host families tried to make up for it... twice! About 3 weeks ago we had duck, mashed potatoes and corn. The night before Thanksgiving we had chicken, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. On Thanksgiving I went to a Rotary club with the other exchange student in my town and we said how thankful we were to be here, and then she came to my house and we had pumpkin pie (probably the best pie I have ever tasted). Thanksgiving was hard to not be home for... but I thought all day about what I am thankful for. And here is the list:

-My amazing families

*My parents. They are so supportive and because of them I have had the strength to carry on. They tell me they are proud of me and my mom sends me cards and packages and they make me so happy. I know none of this would be possible with out them.

*My brother. He knows everything I am going though. He is the best person for me to talk to because he can relate and he knows exactly what to say when I talk to him when I am having a bad day. The experience we have had with being exchange students has really brought us much closer, and I am so happy about that.

*My host parents. How could I not be thankful for them?! They welcome me into their home and they feed me and they love me and treat me as if I were one of their own children. They are so patient and loving and funny and just great people and parents. I could never thank them enough for all that they have done for me. I really do believe I have gotten the two best host families in the world...

-My friends

*At home. People say exchange is when you find out who your real friends are, and it's true. I honestly thought that I would lose contact with my friends at home within the first month of me being here, and boy was I wrong. I talk to my friends a lot, and they really help my days easier. I am no longer jealous of everything they do- because I now have stuff to do instead of creep them on Facebook. I miss them like crazy- but I know they will be there for me still when I get home.

*Here in Norway. I am so happy with my friends I have made here. I finally have a group of friends that I feel welcomed into. It doesn't feel like they are just helping me out to be nice. They help me out so much with my Norwegian and with my classwork, and I can tell they really care about me learning and having fun. They invite me to hangout with them and they are simply just amazing. Without them I would be so alone here- but now I am so happy because I have them. They are all such good friends! And I am very thankful for them!

-Rotary

*Words can not describe how much I appreciate Rotary for everything they have done for me. RYE is the best exchange program out there, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It's not just any youth exchange program... they prepare you so much and they get you to interact with other exchange students. I love Rotary Youth Exchange Program! I am doing things that I have never dreamed of doing.

-The chance to be here

*Being an exchange student is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Not a lot of people get to say that when they were in high school they lived in Norway for a year. I know I will grow a lot from this experience (I already have)... I am having so much fun here. If I had the chance to go home I wouldn't. I love it here. I love my home, my school, my family, my friends, my city... I love everything! I just love being in Norway!

This may not have been the best journal ever written, because I tried to hurry up and write it and I have been a little sick lately, I will really try to start writing more, but time really does fly by fast! I am loving every moment I am here now, and I am really looking forward to what is ahead of me. CHRISTMAS TIME! Words can not explain how excited I am! It actually feels like Christmas too, because its so cold! I am already in the Christmas spirit!

Best of luck to everyone who applied for next year!

BTW- my host dad says hello to everyone reading my journal!

A friend and I at a Halloween party	My favorite person from Wyoming	I do not ice skate too well … so this worked better :p	We went ice skating where the Olympics were once held
All of the exchange students at a troll park	Me and a troll	The last soccer game of the season	Me and the other exchange student in my city
The most southern point in Norway	Kristiansand city during Christmas time	SNOW!!!!	Some of the exchange students before a Rotary banquet
The awesome American exchange students	Me and a Canadian and an Australian	At a Rotary banquet

December 3 Journal

This morning I woke up with an unread text message from a good friend of mine. It said "Welcome to Norway, now the climate is the way it should be". I did not think much of it, I thought it was just very cold outside. Eventually I got out of bed and I looked out the window, when I opened the curtains I was in complete and utter shock. Everything was white, there was snow everywhere! Very unexpected snow, might I add. As I was looking out the window with a huge smile on my face all I could think was about how beautiful it looked, It reminded me why I wanted to be an exchange student and come to Norway. I have lived in Jacksonville, Florida my whole life. I thought I was born a beach girl and made for the hot sun. But, now I am finding me in love with the snow (well, its only been a day). It is so different from Florida and what I am used to- which is what I was hoping for when I applied to be an exchange student. Change.

Unfortunately, I have been in and out of the hospital for the last couple of days due to stomach pains. The doctors at first thought I had to get my appendix removed, but my blood test turned out perfectly normal. There is still a little chance that may be the problem, but for now they are thinking my pains will pass and its nothing dangerous. So, after they told me that I would be okay, I got to go play in the snow with my host dad, which was by far one of the best moments of my exchange. We were laughing and throwing snowballs at people who were walking by, and making snow men and snow angels... and then my stomach pain kicked in and it was over.

I am so happy with my decision I have made to become an exchange student, and I am happy my parents allowed me to do this. Everyday I wonder what my life would be like at home, and I have the same answer every time... it would be the same as it always was. Now, I am living a new life. A new incredible life, it might only last a year, but I know the memories will last forever. I am living an adventure, and everyday I see and learn new things. Today I saw snow, and I learned how to make a snow man. This is the life of an exchange student. It's my life, and I am loving every minute of it.

A light igloo thingy	Snø!	Our snow angels	My host dad and our snowman!
Me and our snowman!	Our bikes	Shoveling snow!	Isn't it just beautiful?
The lake starting to freeze	After we finished playing in the snow

January 4 Journal

Hello there present and future exchange students.

My last month or so has been a hectic, not so fun or planned experience. As I am writing this journal I am back in Florida, laying on my couch. You may be wondering why I am not in Norway, so let me explain- and pay attention because this may be handy for you some day. I woke up one night with awful pains in my stomach... non stop for about a week, causing me to miss school. I had a doctor's appointment planned already to get my knees checked out to see if I could join a soccer team, but instead we talked about my stomach pains and my doctor had me go to the emergency room, thinking I needed to get my appendix removed. My blood was normal, so I had to stay the night alone in the hospital for observation. That was not an easy night for me and I have never wanted my mom more. During this time my counselor in Norway called my mom and kept her posted. I got sent home with no diagnoses, and I did go back a few days later.. still no diagnoses. Eventually they had me get a CT scan and a few days later I was told I had an ovarian cyst. My host mom had my host counselor come over and they told me that they thought it would be best for me to go home, because Norway had a 4 month waiting list for a surgery, which we thought I needed. We called my mom at 5 in the morning her time and told her everything, and that morning when she woke up she had a lot of work to do. We wanted me to get back to Florida as soon as possible, and that would have been much easier if my mom and I let Al or Daphne know what was going on for the past 3 weeks. Basically... if you are having health problems, be sure to let Al know and things will go a heck of a lot smoother!

About a week later, after a lot of flying, and staying the night at a hotel in Amsterdam, I finally returned home on Christmas Eve at 9:15 PM. Yes, I was home for Christmas, and I did sleep all day. I am very upset I did not get to experience a Norwegian Christmas, but my host family had a little Christmas with me before I left. I got to see a lot of snow before I left, but I was quite bored the last 3 weeks because I missed so much school.

Anyways, good news is my cyst is gone, bad news is I am still in pain and my doctor thinks something new is going on in my body, so I got blood drawn a few days ago and I am still waiting for the results. I may have celiac disease, and I also got checked up for 6 other things that is in my family history. I am not sure if I will be returning back to Norway, but I know that I am not returning unless I am feeling 100% better, and if I do have celiac disease I most likely will not be returning.

Through all of this, my host family, real family and friends all around the world were great and supportive. I am so thankful for my host family and counselor for taking such great care of me and I am thankful for Al and Daphne and Jody for taking a lot of time out of their days to help me get home, I'm sure it's not what they wanted during their holiday break.

To the present exchange students: I want to thank you all for being here for me... especially Grant and Mackenzie and Morgan. Y'all are the best friends anyone could ever have and thank you for talking to me when I had my very sad days. If I don't return back to Norway I will be at the Welcome Home Dinner to see all of you and hear about your experiences. I really do hope y'all live each day like it's your last day there, because you never know if you will wake up in the middle of the night in pain and end up having to come home, like I did. Seriously, have fun! I did have a great time when I was in Norway, and I will never forget it and I am so mad that what happened to me happened when it did. I wish I had more time there.

To the future exchange students: This weekend you are truly about to start your exchange. I can't beat Grant's journal, because it was so amazing and true. Some of you may not understand some of the things he said because there were a lot of inside jokes, but you really are about to gain so many memories and inside jokes and friends. Oh, and one thing he forgot to mention is that it is not the smartest idea to bring a watermelon that you buy on the side of the street on the way there. Oh and DON'T BE LATE to any of the meetings! Good luck, be good and welcome to the wonderful life of being an exchange student.

JEG ELSKER ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM AND STUDENTS! <3