3rd Host Family

I've had an email from my third host family. Their daughter, Helene, is in Armidale on exchange and I have already met her. Helene has an older sister Maria. Errol and Anne-Kari (my host parents) seem like really nice people. They live across the street from my first host family (Wolds). I'm looking forward to meeting them when I go to Norway.

For now my second host family will be a surprise! I can't believe how close when I leave is, but I'm super excited!:)

Last Day of School

Today was a bit of a sad day in a way. It was my last day at Quirindi High until 2014. It was fun though. We watched a movie, made a slip and slide and went to the pool. It was kind of weird though, saying goodbye to everyone and it being the last time I'll be at the school until I'm in year 11.

Suitcase

I have my suitcase for Norway! Mum and Dad bought me a super light suitcase which is actually pretty big. Now I'm just putting stuff in it and I'm going to organise it later. It will kinda save me from freaking out that I haven't  started packing, which is going to be quite daunting

1 month

I've only got one month left in Aussie. Its come so quickly. Its going to be kind of daunting to start packing. Next Saturday is my last shift at work until 2014, school finishes on Wednesday, Christmas, then its time for Norway!:)

Rotary Christmas Party

On Sunday night we had the Rotary Christmas Party. It was a pretty great night. We had dinner and sat around talking and singing carols. I got presented my blazer officially and I got given some club banners and a few bibs and bobs about the district. 

Sydney Excursion Crew:)

The Outbounders

Me getting my Aussie flag at Port Macquarie

36 days and counting!:)

Aussie Souveneirs

When I was in Sydney this week for my school excursion we went to Paddys markets. I found these great Aussie souveneirs to take to Norway with me. I got these cute little koalas and some tea towels.

39 days until Norway!!:)

Exciting Emails

I got an exciting email! It was about some of the Rotary camps and thing that are on next year in Norway. I found out that I've got language camp, then winter camp. I'm now registered for winter camp and it sounds awesome!:) It's a whole week of skiing! We also have a bbq in the snow (which I wasn't exactly sure how that works). I can't wait for it though, sounds like fun. I've never been to the snow before so its going to be interesting as to how my skiing goes. On the second last day we go on this 12km cross country ski.

Theres also a few weekend Rotary camps that I've been told about. And then theres EUROTOUR!! Its in May and is a bus trip around Europe. Its going to be so much fun!:)

Counting down on my calendar:)

45 days to go!:)

Briefing Weekend

This weekend I went to Port Macquarie for our second briefing weekend. It was really great to see all the outbounders again and meet the inbounders. We may have kinda done a fair few maccas runs, not gone to bed until after 12 each night and one night gone for a late night swim but it was so much fun.

It was basically like Christmas for all the outbounders. We got given Australian flags and a few books on Australia. We got our blazers. We also got our TICKETS!! It makes it seem so real and final when we got our tickets, but I was like yes tickets!:)

Some of my presents:)

Did I mention 49 days!!!!!!!

Councillor

I've just been emailed by my councillor for next year. I'm going to be staying with them for the first week. So excited!:)

Not Long Left

Yesterday we moved beds around because Alma (from Sweden) is coming to stay with us next Saturday through to some time in February.

Last night Grandad rang and said about taking us out for lunch before I leave. We're having a farewell lunch on the 8th December, but before, we might be going to their place in Tamworth for lunch one day.

Today I was sitting on my bed and Mum came into my room and we were talking about different things. I have about 10 different scarves and she was picked the coat hanger they're all on and said about the one I'll want to take to Norway. Then she said about organising what I'm going to do with my friends before I leave. I'm hoping to have the girls round for a movie night and have a bbq and go swimming the next day. I'll have to see what they're up to.

2 months and 5 days, the time is flying!

Rotary Presentation

Last night I had my first Rotary meeting. I had to do a presentation. It was a 6 minute practice speech for what I'm going to have to do in Norway. I wrote about myself, my family and a fair bit about Australia; the states, wildlife, food etc. I was quite nervous, but I think it went pretty well. I'll probably have one more Rotary meeting before I go, so I can be presented my blazer by my host club.

I've got my second briefing weekend in Port Macquarie on the 23rd, 24th and 25th. We get presented our blazers then and get official photos, but they say to take your blazer to your host club to get it presented officially. There's only 71 days until Norway!!:) Super excited!

The Ostfold Region, the part of Norway I'm heading to

Skyping with Mina

At 8am on Saturday (10pm in Norway) I skyped with Mina. It was great to actually talk to eachother and her parents rather than just typing, even if the internet kept dropping out! I now know where I'm going to school. It's Kirkeparken Videraende Skole and it's in Moss (about 15 minutes from Rade I think). It's the same school that Mina and Helene go to. I've been googling it and it looks really nice ( I think I've got the right place). 

Kirkeparken 

77 days

There's only 77 days until I leave. The times going to fly though. I've got so many things happening between now and then. I've only got 5 games of touch football left. I miss 2 games because of things before Christmas, then a 3 week break and my last game is on the 8th. There is a game on the 15th (my last night in the country), but I don't really want to play at 7:15 then possibly have to get up at 4am to go to Tamworth to catch the plane. Plus last night, I want to spend it with my family. I've got 4 things going into my suitcase so far; my stuffed dog, vegemite, a photo album and thermals.

School wise I'm preparing for my year abroad. I put in the 'tender' for my year 11 subjects yesterday. We're meeting with the principal again soon to talk about how its going to work. Other than that there's not that much left to work out for school.

But getting SUPER EXCITED!!!:)

Rotary Presentation

So on Monday I have my first Rotary presentation. I have to present a speech about myself, my family and where I come from. It' practice for what I'll be doing over in Norway. My speech is getting there, although I haven't reached the 6 minutes minimum! I've decided to say my Rotary introduction in Norwegian at the start, but I'm going to sound terrible!

I have to write another speech for Rotary as well. I have to do one on Norway for the 2nd briefing weekend. I'm saying my Rotary introduction in Norwegian there too. It's going to sound dreadful and Helene (the Norwegian exchange student in Armidale) will be there too. It will be kind of shameful in front of her because I'll be saying it all wrong!

Norwegian Chocolate

I've been told how great Norwegian chocolate is. Everyone I've talked to says its either the best or some of the best chocolate around. Keen to try it!:)

Kvikk Lunsj (apparently its like kit kats but so much better)

Norwegian chocolate!:)

Skiing

I've been talking to Mina (my first host sister) about Norway and different things. When I said about it will be the first time I go to the snow, she said she hopes I like the snow because they're going to take me skiing!!:)
So excited about this, can't wait, even if I'm going to be terrible!

We were also talking about food. she said they have tacos every Friday! We were saying about what we know about each others countries and that. She asked her Dad about his thoughts on Australia, and he first thought of the Crocodile Dundee movies!

First Host Family

More excitement!:) I've been contacted by my host sister. I'm staying with Mina Svendsen Wold, her parents and their pet dog in Rade. They sound great!:)

Even more excited!

3 months

As of today I have 3 months left in the country!:) The time leading up to it has gone so quickly. I can't believe I've only got 3 months left!

I found out how to say my Rotary introduction in Norwegian! I can kind of say it. It is: Hallo, mitt navn er Lexie Bernard . Jeg arrangert av Rotary klubb av Quirindi distritet ni seks fem null. Jeg skal til Norge neste, ar, og mine foreldre er og Ann and David. I can kind of say it.

Next year is going to be amazing!:)

Learning Norwegian

My Norwegian is kind of coming along. I'm working on it! I can count now and say basic sayings. My approach now is sticking labels to things. Soon the kitchen shall be filled with sticky notes!

the sticky notes!:)

So hopefully this will help me, or at least get me used to the language!:)

Råde

I've been looking at where I'm going in Norway. It looks truly amazing! Really beautiful place. The population is around 5,000. It's close to Fredrikstad, a city, which looks like an amazing city. I can't wait to see the place in person. It looks truly great!:)

Official Departure Date!

I got emailed the OFFICIAL DEPARTURE DATE!!! Originally we were meant to be leaving on the 23rd, but its been put forward to the 16th!! Its made me even more excited to be going. My Norwegians slowly coming along..... It's getting there:) 3 months and 26 days to go!:)