June 23 - A whole year in The States!
June 23 was a special day for me since it had been a year since I arrived in New York. Some of my friends that I met at the au pair training school and when I was living in Chicago are either going on their travel month now or extending their year, just like me. The only thing that sucks is that everyone who I haven't seen in forever will come to Northern California EXACTLY on the day when me and my sister are going to LA. We are literally going to miss each other by hours. But there will be more opportunities to see them again :) And I am craaazy excited to see my sister!!!! Since I have been here for a year I'd like to sum up what I have done so far. It took me forever to read through my whole blog but it was a fun way of looking back on everything I have been through.
1. I spent a few but intense days at the training school in Long Island, New York. It doesn't matter how far away we live from one another, the girls I met at that school will always be my friends. One day I will come back to this gorgeous city that never sleeps.
2. I taught Roy Swedish words and he eventually sang along to Swedish children's songs. And he taught me Spanish!
3. I quickly got tired of rude people in Chicago, like bus drivers who hate their lives and tries to drag you down with them in misery. But I also loved how anyone in the store or on the train can start a conversation with you. People aren't as open about that here in Cali which I miss!
4. I drove a car on Michigan Avenue!! It was crazy, spontaneous, fun and something I never thought I'd do :P
5. I celebrated the 4th of July at Navy Pier with my Swedish friend Lovisa who I became friends with at the au pair school.
6. I spent many fascinating hours at the Art institute of Chicago, admiring their collection.
7. I must have seen hundreds of talanted street performers and unfortunately even more homeless people on every corner in downtown Chicago. They're real friendly to talk to though.
8. Me and my host mom went on a two day trip to Kansas City because she had some business meetings there. While she worked I took care of 2 month old baby Jane, which gave me a great opportunity to learn how to put her down for a nap, get her to eat, put her in the carrier etc. (now I'm a freaking pro! lol) We saw President Obama's Air Force One at the airport because he had just landed there.
9. I saw Eminem and Rihanna perform at the Lollapalooza festival which was a dream come true.
10. I sang the chorus to "Wagon wheel" a billion times while putting Roy down for a nap. He always sang along <3
11. Attending the Chicago air and water a show was pretty cool!
12. To spend a magical evening on a double-decker cruise on Lake Michigan, was something I never thought I would do! Had to pinch myself in the arm that evening.
14. Being there for Roy during his first months in school was awesome :) He grew up so fast!
15. I went to a Cubs game!
16. I was the first person to push Janie in a big stroller. They never really used the baby stroller so I almost always carried her around in a baby carrier instead.
17. Me and Delila spent a day on the beach when we all of a sudden saw a boat on fire out on Lake Michigan!
18. I somehow managed to get through a few days taking care of a feverish baby who screamed at the top of her lungs. I was calm until Roy got jealous of all the attention his sister was getting. Now that's stress folks ;)
19. I spent millions of amazing evenings on Michigan Avenue with Delila :)
20. At the end of September I decided to go into rematch. Me and my host parents both agreed to do this because we noticed that things weren't working out and we wanted to end this as friends. I knew I risked having to go back to Sweden if I didn't find a new family within 2 weeks but I was at the point where I was okay with it.
21. I celebrated my 24th birthday at the Hard Rock Café with my host family and friends. It ended with a wonderful night downtown at the fire festival and the Cheesecake factory.
22. On October 16th I moved to California!!!
23. I quickly fell in love with Fisherman's warf, Pier 39, the Golden Gate, Alcatraz and Angel Island.
24. I've seen so many bands and artists perform. Some that I was already a fan of since before and some that I discovered by a coincidence. Black Veil Brides, Set it off, Drama Club, Falling in Reverse, Hardcore Superstar, Nightwish, Sabaton, Lana Del Rey and Cortuney Love...
25. It hasn't always been good times though. On my way home from a great concert in San Francisco the train I was on ran over a young teenage boy who had decided to end his own life. We ended up sitting on the train for a long time and I finally got back home at 3:30 am.
26. Honestly, I was terrified of riding my bike next to the cars on the big roads but now it's a piece of cake.
27. I met a ton of amazing people!!!
28. As independent as I am, I went on a weekend trip to LA all by myself ;)
29. I was super American and saw the Superbowl live in a restaurant/bar and kind of loved it.
30. Spanish, Yoga, Self-defense classes and a weekend tour in San Francisco. I've done it all!
31. Me and my girl Petronella spent a wonderful weekend in San Diego and Coronado.
32. And these three angels have become a huge part of my life and stolen a piece of my heart!
