Last days in America

I haven't written anything on my blog in the longest time, I'm not quite sure why. I guess life has just been really easy and nothing too eventful has happened that I absolutely had to talk about. No, that's not true, eventful stuff HAS happened. Maybe it's because I've talked to people from home more often now that my year is coming to a close and you are all already updated on the latest.

Just a quick summary then for those who I didn't talk to. I found a room in the Netherlands, not in Breda, but in Tilburg. I watched all the Dutch World Cup games here in America with a group of Dutch people on the island. Had a blast and loved it even more then in previous years, even though I always thought I just loved it for the party (which we didn't really have here). My host-family took me on a trip to Colorado, which was amazing! I took a math course for my school online and passed, eventually. Annerie arrived here and I'm so happy she gets to see my life here and I just enjoy having her around so much!

This weekend has been a once in a life time couple of days. Saturday my Au Pair friend Desiree got married to her boyfriend Jamie and she asked me, Daniela, Melina and Linnea to be her bridesmaid. It was such a unique experience and I had sooo much fun. Desiree looked gorgeous and all the bridesmaids managed to find one dress that we all fitted. It looked really nice on everyone, even though we have completely different body types. It was super strange walking down the isle before Desiree, it made me think that one day I'd have to walk that way myself. Well, let's hope I get to someday. Desiree was of course totally nervous, but kept it together quite well. At the reception I suddenly heard that one of the bridesmaids had to make a toast, which I totally didn't think about before, and I had about 10 seconds to come up with something. It luckily went okay though. It was actually very cool to do, and to know I was an important enough person in the wedding to make that toast was an amazing feeling. Like knowing I'm a good enough friend and person I guess. If that makes any sense ;)...

Then yesterday, Sunday, me and Daniela had our farewell party. Finally it's here.. We are now really ALMOST leaving. After a year. My and Daniela's host-parents are good friends and since we arrived and will leave on the same day AND we're really good friends, it was a great combo to do it with both of us together. I had a lot of fun and it was great to know we were giving some of the new girls the same feeling as that we had when we went to our first going-away party two weeks after we arrived. The group of Bainbridge Island Au Pairs is just amazing. Everyone takes such good care of each other and the new girls get invited and sucked in to the group right away. I'm so glad that all the new girls will have this same support system we had, which will make it so much easier and fun to get through the year. When it was time for exchanging gifts with my host-family and when they made a speech about me in front of everyone, I couldn't help but crying. I will truly miss them so much. I gave them a photo album with all my special moments with the kids that they had to miss, a sushi cookbook, a book for the kids, and two t-shirts for the kids with; "My Au Pair LOVES Me, love Annika, Au Pair '09 - '10" on it. My host-family gave me a great picture, framed, of me and the kids at Washington D.C. that I didn't have yet. Also they will pay for my and Annerie's hotel the night before I leave. My family will be on vacation and not come back until late in the evening the night before I leave. Making it impossible for me to see them if we didn't have a hotel room close to the airport. I think this is really so nice of them, and it'll give me a last chance to say goodbye. My host-dad's father, Dean, gave me the sweetest present ever. Earrings that belonged to his wife, Char, who has unfortunately passed away a couple of years ago. They are very beautiful and it means so much to me that he gave me such a personal gift.

Just today and tomorrow left, and then me and Annerie leave for vacation. I can't wait :)! It's going to be super hot in Las Vegas for sure. Even though everyone in Holland says they're sick of all the heat, I'm ready for some super warm sunshine! We'll come back on the 7th of August we'll right away get picked up to go to another goodbye party, that our friends from Seattle were kind enough to throw for me and Daniela. These guys are really sooo nice! You want a DJ? Done. You need a ride? No problem, we'll pick you up ANYWHERE, cause it's your party. Love them so much. Actually this party was supposed to be a surprise party, but I of course with my big mouth started asking if we could please please have a party on that exact same day to some one else, so now they're just mixing the plans together and we'll all have a great time.

Man.. this must be my worst written blog in a while. Can't make it quite fluent right now, but you get the point at least ;).

See you in a 2 weeks!