Exchange students are like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.

Every once in a while it is best to just take it easy. I might have a math test tomorrow. It might not go so well. But that is okay! One test isn't going to ruin everything. It isn't the end of the world. Sometimes I think too much thought is put into the little things. The temporary things. The big picture is important too. The people and the relationships. Not the new shoes or new hair style. I need people in my life. I miss the ocean, the trees, the mountains...Bellingham is beautiful. No doubt about it. But it's the people I miss most. Not a kind of miss that makes we want to go home. It's the kind of missing that makes me appreciate them more. I know they'll all be there when I go back. I knew that leaving for a year would make me appreciate life more, but I didn't really know how..now I'm beginning to. It is all so strange. I love my family here. I feel at home with them, and in this house. Not even four months ago I got off a train looking like a junky with a ton of luggage, got in a car with four strangers, went out to the middle of nowhere with them, and looked at the house that is now home to me. I can tell by just looking at the state of my room that I feel way more comfortable here than in the beginning. I should clean it. Maybe tomorrow. Although I do say that a lot. I have learned so much by living with another family. It's something you can't understand until you've done it. So many new insights and perspectives. I also find it interesting to think about what it must be like for my family. They picked me with only a picture and a letter to decide. And then they picked me up from the train station with nooo idea what they were bringing home with them. That is brave I must say. Considering they are offering their home and so much more to me. What if we hated each other? That would suck for all of us. Luuuckily I think we like each other..or else they are the masters of deception. And now I bet they are reading this and laughing at me...and laughing that I failed my math test. Ha. Yeah I should go to bed. I have thought of some more Swedish America comparisons, but who knows what they were. And I willll put some pictures up some day. But today was a more thoughtful day. Or maybe a "I don't want to study anymore" kind of day. Or both. Or maybe that is always the case. Anyways, goodnight everyone. I hope your Christmas season is off to a lovely start! :)