The Finale

So this is probably my last post on this blog. I leave very soon...Wow.

Over the last few days I've been enjoying the weather outside with friends. We've gone canoeing and got completely soaked, went to a traditional town party that happens every year, had a summer kickoff party with the neighborhood and grilled for the holiday yesterday. Today I need to finish packing and in the next couple of days I say goodbye to people and head on my way back.

My year went on for what seemed forever but at the same time it went by so quickly. The last few days have been a blur and the end is coming up fast. Everyone has asked me if I'm happy to go home. My answer is "Jain" which means yes and no. Of course I'll be happy to be in my own room, see friends and be with my family and our new dog...but I also have a life here. I have friends that I'll miss dearly and it will be tough readjusting to not seeing them every day. So yes and no, I'm happy but sad but relieved but scared. Everything has is pros and cons and even though this year has been difficult, I wouldn't exchange the experience for anything.

My parents visited. We went to Greece and it was amazing.
I went to Berlin.
I graduated from the program.
I'm going canoeing tomorrow...
I'm packing.
I leave next week.

I realized I hadn't written in a long time...

I've been busy with videos, with the end of 12th grade, with a spring break trip to Holland, with college stuff, etc.

Chaoswoche marked the end of 12th grade (and beginning of another month or so of 11th grade). Every day we dressed up to a theme, like Spirit Week and a lot of the kids partied every night. I spent the time filming all of the days and editing. Here's the video. On the last day we put together a huge show for the community, where we displayed the other videos and had the teachers (dressed up like animals) play games, as if they were on some crazy game show. We also got t-shirts with the logo "Hakuna Matabi."

Last week I went to Holland and spent the week with a friend from my childhood, who studies in Maastricht. The city is beautiful and there's so much to see. I loved every minute and hope to visit sometime. We wandered, window shopped, went to cafés, experienced some night life, hung out with friends, hiked up the "mountain" and looked at the city from up-top, and went to a small '90s theme party. Overall it was just really fun and I was sad to have to leave.

My parents come on Saturday to visit, and I'm excited to go to Greece, even though some things didn't work out totally as planned. I'm happy to get to see them again though.

College things are being worked out. Things are definitely not going to my liking so we'll have to see what happens.

It's funny how tiny mix-ups (same name) can turn into a huge deal when people talk behind your back. Thank goodness that's cleared up. Now I'm just ready to get out of this suffocatingly small town where everyone seems to know everything except the person they're talking about...if I can figure out where that host family travel consent form....and looks like I've found it.

Now I can take a breather for a little bit...well until Thursday or Doomsday as I call it (when almost all colleges are posting decisions).