6 Months

6 months. That's how long I've been home, that's how long it's been since I left Denmark. It's crazy to think about it like that- half a year is a long time. I figured it was an appropriate time for a post, since I clearly failed to continue writing once I returned home. I forgot how busy life gets, while I was abroad- in Copenhagen, I was just living, enjoying every day, making time to relax and just experience life. I equate life at Bucknell with being on a treadmill sometimes...constantly working and running just to keep up, just to stay in the same place.

I miss Denmark...I miss the people, I miss the commute, I miss the ease of getting around and the ability to explore somewhere new every day. I miss Skovager, and seeing the joy of Danish childhood, experienced to the full. I miss Milo; I walk a black dog here, Shadow, and he reminds me of Milo, a little. I miss my host family, the jokes, the laughter, the hygge, the crazy family, and the constant learning that took place. I miss København and Ishøj. I miss soccer with ØKF, and the awful long walk to get to the field. I miss the people I met while i was there. But life at home is good too, busy, but good. It was so great to see people again, and so scary how easily I fell back into the pace and rhythm of American life.

So much has happened since I left. 3 weeks in Nicaragua, where I feel like I finally started to begin to understand the big picture about the life and history of that part of the world. Worked all summer, babysitting for Abby and John, and lifeguarding at the beach. Went back to school, moved into my lovely single dorm room, and resumed Bucknell, fast-paced life. Classes, meetings, more meetings, work, more work, and homework/studying on the side. And having fun too- after being abroad, I definitely did factor my social life into my schedule more, although it was not quite the same as Danish hygge. I got a job- I'll be teaching elementary school in Miami through Teach For America for at least the next 2 years. It's what I wanted, but I was in shock when I got the news- wasn't ready for my real work denial to end. Not sure if I even am now, but I'm going with it.

For the bad news, I tore my ACL again...the other one, this time, playing soccer for Bucknell's club team, in our only game of the season (thanks, rain/snow). I was so mad. SO MAD. Right when I went down, I knew...I tore my right ACL in high school, so it was like horrible, awful, deja vu of that experience. At least I can drive, since it's my left knee. But it's the BIGGEST bummer; I know exactly what is in store. It was a great early birthday present; surgery will be a great early Christmas present (it should be Dec. 5). Then, many months of physical therapy, without the motivation of my high school season to get back for. No club soccer in spring, that's for sure. Oh well.

But, to end on a positive note...I AM GOING BACK TO DENMARK!!! Originally, I wanted to go to Europe for 2 weeks after graduation, spending part of it in Germany with family, and the rest in Denmark with my host family. But, since I have to be back so early for TFA training, that trip didn't work out (hopefully some other time soon!). Instead, I will be returning to cold, rainy, grey København for spring break in March, and I CANNOT wait! No soccer with ØKF, but maybe I'll trek out to Kløvermarken to see a practice or something.

So yeah, there have been many ups and downs since returning home, but the one thing that hasn't changed is how fast life moves. A few months from now, I'll be graduating. I'm ready to go back to Denmark and hit the slow-mo button on life, and enjoy things for just a little bit longer.

Vi ses!