It's been a while since I've updated my blog. In the meantime, I've been settling in, the musical is finished, the second trimester has started and the temperatures have dropped to minus 24 degrees Celsius.
Right after Halloween in October the Christmas music starts and the day after Thanksgiving in November all the Christmas decorations go up. It started snowing, there is more than half a meter already and it's so cold that I can't feel my toes when I'm walking to the bus stop. We don't shovel snow here, we scoop it with the four wheeler. Everyone is in the Christmas spirit and hot chocolate is served daily at school.
On November second we went to Salt Lake City early in the morning to attend a LDS baptism. Afterwards we went to H&M where I bought a winter coat. Right on time, because next day I woke up to see my entire surroundings covered with snow. After H&M we went to pick up Luca, my date for Sady's. We were back in Mendon by six, so we had missed the day date, ice skating, and the pictures taking. We had an amazing group and made pizzas at Megan's house. At eight o'clock we went to the dance. Sadie Hawkins is an informal girls choice dance where we wear matching t-shirts. The theme was 'holding out for a hero', but I couldn't find any superhero t-shirts in the mall, so I sewed two batman t-shirts myself. The dance was a blast! Utah school dances are hilarious.
After the dance we watched the second Batman movie and I managed to make it to the end, although I can't recall certain parts.
After the dance we watched the second Batman movie and I managed to make it to the end, although I can't recall certain parts.
I think it's not quite known in the Netherlands how much Americans love their cars. We hardly ever go inside a fast-food place. We always go through the drive-through. Even Starbucks, post offices, pharmacies and banks have a drive-through! Our LDS church is a street away, but still we drive every Sunday. And Brooklyn lives in my street, no more than four houses away, but still she insisted on driving me home.
Welcome to America!
Welcome to America!
November 21st to 23rd we had four shows with my musical group. We performed Pirates of Penzance, a hilarious story about an ex-pirate falling in love with a general's daughter. I love every single person in our group and it really felt like a family. The performances were exhausting (not to mention all the tech, hair and make-up rehearsals), but it was probably the best part of my exchange year.
I was terrified that I wouldn't make the winter play, because I wouldn't know what to do with my life if I couldn't be at rehearsal everyday until five o'clock and then spending two hours in the activity bus getting home. That's why I started rehearsing my audition monologue the day after Pirates of Penzance. I was nervous for two weeks, because the cast of our town was twice as small as the one of Pirates of Penzance. But I made it! I even got one of the lead rolls!
The play is about life; two people falling in love, marrying and dying. I am Mrs Gibbs, the mother of George.
The play is about life; two people falling in love, marrying and dying. I am Mrs Gibbs, the mother of George.
November the 28th we went down to Salt Lake to celebrate Thanksgiving with our cousins. Ellie is only six years old and has a unknown type of cancer. She is energetic and so strong! She and her two little brothers were adorable as we sat down together to enjoy a delicious dinner. Afterwards we played with the little kids and watched a movie on probably the most comfortable beanbag ever.
Black Friday, the day on which Americans kill each other for bargains, right after the day on which they are thankful for everything they have. We weren't home till midnight from Salt Lake, so I didn't go to the craziest deals that start at three a.m. in the mornign, but I went shopping with Katie and Kylie during the day. I bought some useful stuff and Katie dyed my hair! It's now chocolate brown. Thanks Katie!
Black Friday, the day on which Americans kill each other for bargains, right after the day on which they are thankful for everything they have. We weren't home till midnight from Salt Lake, so I didn't go to the craziest deals that start at three a.m. in the mornign, but I went shopping with Katie and Kylie during the day. I bought some useful stuff and Katie dyed my hair! It's now chocolate brown. Thanks Katie!
I went to my first College football game, which was pretty awesome. It was the first warm and sunny day in weeks and the spirit was amazing. Utah State vs. Wyoming. We won (ofcourse).
The second trimester has began! I am going to miss my cooking class group, but I am happy I took some more difficult subjects, because I was way too bored and falling asleep during classes.
Now I've got:
1) Weights and Conditioning, which is really hard and terribly exhausting, but definitely necessary for maintaining my weight. (Yes I already gained eight pounds) I am sore every single day, but it's worth it.
Flex) Superheroes, in which we watched superhero movies and discuss their personalities and motives with the wonderful Mrs Hall, who also happens to be the musical director and my favorite teacher.
2) AP Biology, the highest difficulty level although I already had this information in the Netherlands. We're now doing genetics, which is up to now my favorite part of biology. Our teacher, Mr Lit, died right after Thanksgiving. He was hit by a train. He was a wonderful teacher and he will be missed very much.
Lunch) I got lunch with many musical people and Karin, which is a lot of fun.
3) American Government; terrible, but kind of interesting.
4) French; first year NL difficulty and they are not further than the present tense, but it's nice for not forgetting all of my French.
5) Physics; about five minutes of the class is spend on correcting an assignment, the rest is spend on Mr McQueen talking about cigars, the universe, television, fast-food and my life in the Netherlands.
Now I've got:
1) Weights and Conditioning, which is really hard and terribly exhausting, but definitely necessary for maintaining my weight. (Yes I already gained eight pounds) I am sore every single day, but it's worth it.
Flex) Superheroes, in which we watched superhero movies and discuss their personalities and motives with the wonderful Mrs Hall, who also happens to be the musical director and my favorite teacher.
2) AP Biology, the highest difficulty level although I already had this information in the Netherlands. We're now doing genetics, which is up to now my favorite part of biology. Our teacher, Mr Lit, died right after Thanksgiving. He was hit by a train. He was a wonderful teacher and he will be missed very much.
Lunch) I got lunch with many musical people and Karin, which is a lot of fun.
3) American Government; terrible, but kind of interesting.
4) French; first year NL difficulty and they are not further than the present tense, but it's nice for not forgetting all of my French.
5) Physics; about five minutes of the class is spend on correcting an assignment, the rest is spend on Mr McQueen talking about cigars, the universe, television, fast-food and my life in the Netherlands.
Even though I am on the other side of the world, Sint Nicolas hasn't forgotten about me. At the fifth of December I received my Sint Nicolas gift from home. It almost felt like home when I was sitting next to the fire, listening to Dutch Sinterklaas songs and eating pepernoten and dropjes.
So that's it for this blog. I now got some good friends, I love the snow and the Christmas spirit is wonderful.
Life is good
Love you all,
X
Life is good
Love you all,
X