500 days in the States

I was about to say ”I can’t believe I’ve been in the States for one year and 4 months already!”, but tbh, it feels like I’ve been here for way longer by now. Haha. My first year thought me so much about myself; who I am, who I want to be and who I don’t want to be. The start of 2018 spent in Los Angeles thought me how to stand up for myself in a way I had never done before (proud moment) and how to make the best out of being stuck in traffic without loosing your mind (not a joke). And over the past two months here in South Bay Area, I’ve learnt how to be family member. I bet that sounds a bit silly, like I didn’t already know what it’s like to be a family member. But to be honest, I don’t think I did until now. The family I’m with now, my family, are a close family with relatives spread out all over the States. But the ”inner circle”, as in my host parents and their kids, they’re my definition of of the word ”family”. A mom and a dad, both very hard working. Three kids - very independent all of them, but still they’re very close. They’re each others best friends and they always have each and everyones back in any situation. The parents are loving and interested in their kids, and that’s pretty rare I’d say. The parents, Allyson and Jesse, makes me feel important and included in everything. They love me as family and they always makes sure I’m having a smile on my face. I can’t tell you how much I love them an how much they mean to me. Over these past 500 days, I’ve been seeing more places in America than some American people (pretty much all of them since they aren’t the best at traveling to new places lol) do over a lifetime. My favorite destinations are Los Angeles, Chicago, NYC, Florida, Hawaii and North + South Carolina. Boston is very nice too. But the one’s listed are places I could totally see myself visiting for a longer time, or even moving to. Oh and speaking of which - I’ve lived in three amazing places; northern Virginia, SoCal and NorCal. How cool is that?? And let’s raise a glass for all the funny, crazy, stupid, rude, amazing and loving people I’ve met. Some of all these people is friends I’ll have for life. That I’m 100% sure of. I could tell you everything you’d like to know about the special features of American people, what it’s like to go on a date, manors and so much more. But that would take me another 500 days, cos there’s just so much to say. Over all, I absolutely love Americans and their good manors, the small talk in grocery stores with random people and the absolute lack of knowledge of anything that’s going on outside of their continent. I also love that America has such a big variety of climate/seasons - there’s something for everyone. The desert in Arizona, the snowstorms in Alaska, the insane humidity on the east coast, the burning heat on the west coast and everything in between the middle of the country (you know like the states nobody really know of, like Iowa, Kentucky and Wyoming). I’ve been through heaven and hell these past 500 days, and I’d still would do it all over again. Some part differently and some the exact same way. Nobody’s perfect, but after have taken care of 8 kids in total, I’m pretty damn close. Ha! Jokes aside, it really has been a rollercoaster I haven’t been enjoying a lot of times. But it has also been the best frickin rollercoaster I’ve ever been on. And I’ll bring all the things and skills I’ve picked up along the way, for the rest of my life. And the biggest gift of them all, is that I have found two amazing families I’ll stay in touch with for as long as I can.  I have about 170 days (give or take) left here, and I’ll do anything to make them the best ones yet. Thank you for keep checking in here and for always having my back on this journey. It’s been a blast having weekly chats with you and I cant wait to share my summer with you. To my friends and family at home; I miss you guys, so much. Not enough for me to come home though LOL! No but really though, I do miss you and I think of you all the time. I can’t wait ’til we’ll be reunited again, and of all the kvarg, cheese and candy you're gonna have to eat with me. Lol. Kisses and hugs and thank you again for all the support you send me. xx