The Turning Point

Is it just me or does time in America go way faster here than in Europe? Really, it does not feel like half a year ago when Olga, who was almost at the end of her year when I arrived, told me that time was going to go by super fast. I was just trying to get through my first month back then and the end of my year still seemed ages away. But now suddenly I'm finding myself counting backwards. Instead of so many months since I arrived in America, it suddenly feels more like only so many more months in America left. Okay, so I'm only half way there, but from now on the time 'till I'm going home is going to feel much, much closer.

The last two weeks I've unfortunately been pretty sick. After going to the doctor we figured out I have a bladder infection that went up to my kidney, and it's been making me feel really lousy and tired. Luckily it's all treatable by antibiotics, but it's taking a little while to get completely better. I guess I can't really complain though, because the first half of my year I didn't get sick at all - not even once! Which (my previous internship and work will agree) is pretty miraculous, I usually get every tiny cold going around. So my actual 6 months in America celebration date wasn't as wonderful as I had hoped it to be, spending it all day in bed, but I'm on my way to getting all better and the next two months are going to more than make up for it!

Just to sum it up for you;
Upcoming weekend Saturday 13th of February:
Writing class + free introduction class painting with Daniela + seeing Avatar in 3D! And I'm off work that whole weekend.
That next weekend 20th and 21st of February:

We might go skiing or langlaufen if there's enough good snow!
February 24th:
My birthday! Turning 20! :)
February 28th - March 19th:
My mom and grandmother coming to America! Kids have some free days of school during that time so we can do fun stuff in Seattle. And I'll probably go bowling with my family (host and real :p) and friends as a birthday celebration.
March 26th - April 2nd:
Flying all the way to the East Coast to visit my host-mom's brother and his family in Washington, D.C.. I will have to work and also take care of her brother's kids, but they're really sweet and I'm happy to be going to D.C.. We're going to try to get a tour of the White House while we're there :)!
April 9th - April 11th:

Last but not least; with my friends to San Fransisco, CA for the weekend!

So the next two months are going to be awesome and probably fly by even faster than normal, and then.. when I'm back from San Fransisco.. only 3 months left until Annerie arrives! And then.. only 1 more month until I go home. :(

I have been thinking about extending my year, because I really do enjoy it a lot here. However, how much I like my host-family and Seattle now, I definitely will not extend with this family here. I like moving around and change, and I think it will be hard to see all my friends leave back to their own countries while I stay. I might go work in Washington DC with my host-mom's brother's family. If I get that opportunity I will certainly consider it. Living in Washington DC would definitely be really cool! But school is going to be fun too.. Aaah! It's soo hard! :)