Becoming Acclimated

The past 10 days or so I have been so very sick. It was the worst time of my life, that I remember. But hopefully this means that I will not get this sick again. I know it had to happen, because my body just couldn't handle all the new bacteria and climate changes. Lazy bum. =) But it was seriously so horrible. There was a ton of pressure in my head and behind my eyes. It hurt to have my eyes open and shut. Sleeping was an issue because the pressure was also in my teeth and that hurt quite a bit. I went through over a 100 tissues and who knows how many toilet paper squares. It was dreadful. I feel so bad for people who go through this every year. I don't think I could handle it. Luckily, I was able to get some antibiotics and I feel loads better right now. I'm not completely better, my nose is still runny, but believe me I can handle a runny nose.

First Full Week

I survived my first week! Just barely though, I'm sick right now. =( But I will get better, it's just a cold.

I love it here. Everything is so fairy-tale-esque. The houses are on the smaller side and built a long time ago. Everything is cute and cozy. There are so many trees and green fields. It's just what I wanted.

Emma and Victoria are so cute. They speak Danish with a random English word thrown in every now and again but luckily I can usually understand them. Not all the time though, those times I just smile and nod. =) They have both wanted me to put them to bed in the past week and it went very well. With Emma I attempted to read Cinderella in Danish. That was tricky, but I don't think Emma noticed. She was too busy trying to cover up the words with her foot. Victoria always wants to watch makeup tutorials on youtube. It's so funny. She is amazed by the makeup. One night though, she wanted to watch 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star' so we watched it four times in a row and then she said that it was time to sleep. They are adorable. In the morning, before I get up, I can hear Victoria asking when I am coming out because she wants to play with me.

Klaus and Nicoleta are so sweet. They have made me lasagna, because I told them it was my favorite food, and many other delicious foods. We made hot dogs for the Egeskov trip and it was so interesting the way they made them. They buy pizza dough, which comes in a rectangle, and they cut it, put ketchup on it and wrap a piece around a hot dog. Then they bake it. It is delicious, and so easy to make. Every night after the children go to bed we watch tv or stay up talking until we're tired. It's quite fun.

I went to church on Sunday and it was good. I was a little nervous that I might sit alone or not understand anything, but that was just silly. Right when I walked in, a ton of people introduced themselves to me and told me to sit near them and they were all just really sweet. I ended up sitting next to the sister missionaries and the one translated for a bit, but I could understand some of it. Then in Sunday school they did the lesson in English for me. Relief Society was where I first spoke Danish and I got a lot of compliments on my Danish, even though I think it's gotten rusty. Everyone was so nice and a couple of people said they could give me rides to and from church and I got invited to go to the center on Tuesdays, which is institute.

Institute was a lot of fun. It was nice to meet more people my age and they were all really nice. During class though, this one boy said he would translate for me, and he spoke so loudly! It was so embarrassing. I felt like everyone was looking at me and the worst part was that he made it hard for others to hear the teacher. So when I got an opportunity, I told him that I think I could figure it out and I wanted to try to understand and thanked him for helping. Which is what I should have said in the beginning because that's what I wanted but I didn't want to tell him no when he was being so nice. After class, we all ate dinner together and then had FHE. After FHE we played this game called Crud on the pool table. It was so much fun! I hope I can become really good friends with everyone there.

Egeskov

On Saturday we went to Egeskov slot which is a castle! It was so gorgeous and it was my first castle that I've ever been to. 

I love that it has a moat around it! It is exactly like I pictured it to be. The grounds were so beautiful. There were mazes and many relaxing gardens. I can just picture the ladies of the castle spending their days walking throughout the grounds. Especially this garden. I love this one most, and it smelled amazing! It had a ton of roses. It was heavenly.

The rooms were so cool and it was so interesting to read about the history of the rooms they showed us. People still live in this castle now. I'm not certain about when it was built but the first known owner was in 1405. That is quite an old castle. There are over 66 rooms, we were only allowed to see about 15. The rest must not be in the historic way anymore, and of course there's the fact that people are living there.

The whole time that I was walking around I was just trying to picture what people would do long, long ago. Like in the gate house to the left, my right, I could just see someone riding up their horse and getting off there. It was magical to say the least.

 On the grounds they also have this really awesome thing where you could walk through the tree-tops. It was so high and a little scary on the bridges when people were shaking them a bunch but it was so fun. Emma and I did it together and it was both of our first times! She was so brave because I could tell she was scared but she kept going and didn't cry about it.

They also have this game where you walk around on these wooden stilts. It is hard! I could barely take a couple of steps. Luckily, without moving, we were able to get a photo of me standing up straight.

They also had this really cool car museum with a ton of old cars. It was awesome. And in it they had license plates, the two I'm pointing to are from California =) The car below that is so cute. It reminds me of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

The castle and grounds were so fun to explore. It was such an amazing day there. I cannot wait to see what else Denmark and Europe has to offer.

The Travel

The flight from LA to Dusseldorf was sooooooooo long, about ten hours. And the seats are not as comfortable as one might think they would be. I suppose that's just my spoiled Americanness talking though. I did however get to watch four movies, three of which I had never seen. So that was cool. I tried to sleep but couldn't whatsoever. The clouds though, looked so cool. I love seeing the clouds from that high up. Beautiful. I sat next to a nice guy, named Eric. He was very excited for me. We talked on and off throughout the trip so that was nice.

The airport in Germany was confusing. I didn't know my gate number, all I knew was the letter, so I kept checking the screens but they had so many flights that I didn't find out my number until 5:05. I had to board at 6. I may have been freaking out a little bit. Then as I was sitting where I was supposed to be time kept ticking by and it got to be 6:15 and no one was at our desk and they hadn't announced anything in English about a change in gate number, I have no idea if they did in German. I was really freaking out at this point. Luckily I saw some people sitting around me go ask someone and walk over to the next gate. So I went to look at the screen over there and sure enough that was where we were. And even though we boarded late we left on time.

That flight was much shorter. Only an hour and fifteen minutes. Once I could start seeing Denmark I started getting so excited. I was smiling so much. It is beautiful. We had already begun our descent so I was able to see a lot of it. There was a lot of greenery. Everything I hoped it would be. Although, a funny thing happened. As we landed, I caught myself singing "God Bless America" in my head. I guess my head didn't want me to forget my true loyalties =)

The airport in Copenhagen is so cool! I liked it a lot. There was much more English and Danish that I understood, so I didn't feel overwhelmed like I did in Germany. The only complaint I have is that Denmark did not stamp my passport. Klaus said that since Germany did and they have an agreement I didn't need anything in Denmark. =( I want a Danish one. Oh well though, maybe I can ask for one at some point.

Klaus was there waiting for me after I picked up my baggage. Unlike America, the waiting area for non fliers is after the baggage claim. I was a little afraid that I wouldn't recognize him or something had happened and I would have no way to get a hold of anyone but he was there. Unfortunately it was dark as we drove through Denmark but I loved all the trees by the freeway =) Klaus told me that there are about 40 castles just on the island where they live that we can go visit! I am so excited! He was surprised that I had never seen one before.

When we got off the freeway I could see some of the houses and they are so cute! I love them! They're the old fashioned style and it's exactly like I pictured it. I can't wait to go exploring. Then at last we got home. Such a cute house. Nicoleta was there waiting and she was so excited to see me. She said the girls wanted us to wake them up when we got in, but we just peeked in to say hi so they could sleep. We all talked for a bit and then we went to bed. I think I'm going to like this place. =)

Beginnings

In two days I will get on a plane and travel to Denmark.

This is so crazy exciting! I am traveling out of the country by myself for the first time. Not only am I doing this alone, but I am staying for a year. I will be an aupair for the lovely Mehlsen family. Klaus and Nicoleta are kind enough to welcome me into their home to look after their two darling girls, Emma and Victoria. I could not be more excited.

I will let you all know about my exciting adventures on this blog. And if none of you read this then I'll have a good record of the things I was able to enjoy. =) I cannot wait!