1. Having to pack your life away for a year. And having to repack when you move.
2. Having to leave your family for a new one. And once you get used to the family, you must move again.
I must say that the packing is the hardest for me, personally. I didn't bring too much or too little to Sweden. But when I pack, I try different ways of packing things to try to find the best way so that I can make the most out of what I have. I mean this more towards space than anything. When I came to Sweden, I had packed my smallest suitcase with shower items, some clothes, host family gifts, and used my sweatshirt to make so nothing opened. Then my largest suitcase contained SpaceBags that had all of my clothes. Also in there, I had one pair of shoes (I should have packed a different pair. That pair gave me six blisters almost as soon as I stepped out the door), make-up bags full of random items, and candy. I packed my small suitcase into my larger suitcase. It saved space and I didn't have to pay for a second bag. In my duffle bag, I had my laptop, dress clothes, shorts, t-shirts, and my Rotary blazer. I could put it on whenever I landed and was at an airport. In my backpack, I had my documents for my flight, insurance, doctors notes about shots, school papers, information on becoming a Swedish citizen, and a paper that had the numbers of important people in the States and Sweden. I have to say, it wasn't that organized, but I still managed to pack everything and not miss anything. I was pretty proud of myself. My stow away weighted 51lbs and I was pretty damn proud of myself.
I was told I was moving to my next host family on Saturday November 2nd. I was nervous and pretty excited. I had felt the same way when I went to the first host family. But I was ready to try it. If I wasn't ready to try new things and have different experiences, I wouldn't have decided to be an exchange student. I washed, ironed, and packed my clothes away in a day and a half. Packing the other things I had only took an hour or so. But when Saturday came around, I was ready. I had already met my second and third host families at a Fika (Coffee and desserts). I knew that I was going to love my next host families.
As I got out of the car of my first host family, I walked to the door of the second. I noticed that there was a sign that say "Välkommen Silver" (Welcome Silver). I couldn't help, but smile. I loved it. I opened the door to be meet by two welcoming small children and my new host parents. I had gotten a gift from my host brother. It was a necklace with little colorful butterflies I smiled at him and said "Tack så mycket, Martin!" (Thank you so much, Martin) He blushed and tried to hide behind his mother.
I brought my bags upstairs and began the unpacking progress again. I liked unpacking. It let me look at what memories I had with the items. There is some items that I didn't pack that I wished I had. And some items that I packed that I wish I didn't. But I can't change what I did. It makes me feel good to look at the items. It makes me smile and think of home. I would love to be home and experience my junior year with friends. But from what my father has told me over Skype, I'm not really missing much, besides snow and very cold weather. And I am thankful that Sweden has turned like that just yet. It is cold though. I do have to admit. My host mom, the kids, and I play a game in the car every morning where we guess how cold it is. I have won every time that we have played.
After I finished packing, my host parents had an amazing dinner waiting downstairs. As well as an amazing dessert. I enjoyed being at the table talking with the whole family. It felt like I was home and I loved every second of it. When dinner was finished, my oldest host brother, his cousin, and I went to the movies. They had a few good movies that were playing that night. I would have loved to seen "You're Next", but we saw a movie called "Prisioners" which was just as amazing. The movie was really good. It had its scary moments, but also had its great moments.
I fell in love with this host family almost as soon as I entered it. The family is always on the go. And that's what I am used to. The kids are always energetic and so am I. We get along pretty well. Even though they are young and can't understand English, I can understand them in Swedish. Which makes myself pretty proud and excited that I can understand them. I am thankful that this family opened their home and lives to me.
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