Conclusions

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". 

That was the mindset I kept at the very beginning of this blog. I had no clue what those thousand miles would bring but only that I must keep on walking and enjoy every second of it. 


I began writing this blog while I had time to spare in Copenhagen. 

Here I am in Kastrup airport waiting outside terminal C28 for my flight that leaves in an hour. Call me crazy but I’m actually enjoying sitting and waiting here on this comfy black futon. I’m faced looking out so I can observe all the activities of the air field. Actually the reason why I mention what I’m looking at on the somewhat boring scene is that I saw a guy on a bicycle riding as fast as he could down the runway … if I didn’t know any better I would think that he was trying to fly his bike! Other than the lunatic on the bike, everything seems to be kind of normal. Guys in bright green vests preparing stuff before my plane arrives, little baggage trains zipping by, the sky is also a little average, pretty cloudy but with a little glimmer of blue barely showing through the coverage.

The last few days have been filled with reminiscing thoughts for me. I took a walk with fox down the first trail that I went on in Maria Park just before I left. I remember getting out in the country and the fields and just taking a huge breath of relief. I felt so comforted by just that feeling of space, and as I walked fox I thought about how much I have adapted to the crowded suburban life… and I actually kind of like it! Don’t get me wrong, I’ll always be a farm girl but it has been really nice living in the city.

My plane has arrived. It’s blue and has a big Canadian leaf on it. Pretty soon I guess that they’ll open my gate so I can walk in and wait some more. That’s the thing about travelling. Even though you’re going so far and doing so many things there is so much waiting involved… but I love it.

During the drive down to the train station this morning I really took the time to look out the window and by doing this I recalled the first time I saw those beautiful streets. I was so amazed with the architecture and the small streets and now of course I am still appreciative but the town of Helsingborg has really grown on me… it truly feels like a second home now.

It really is amazing how by just living in a new place for a year so many new things come into your life. I never thought I would have made as many good friends as I did, I never would have fathomed the thought of actually studying in Sweden, having romances, becoming so close with my au pair family, going to Paris and Tenerife, traveling all over at least the southern part of Sweden, (too bad I didn’t make it to Stockholm BUT I will be back so that city won’t escape the wandering eyes of Cori Bowman!) and really everything that took up my time for this whole year! It has been a year and I have spent that time learning more about myself and what I can do than I ever could have doing anything else. I am so happy that I proved to myself that living abroad is something that I enjoy doing, this was a vital experiment for my future so now let the doors of opportunity fly open!

Speaking of flying, my plane is getting a ton of food delivered onto it… yummmmmy! Alright, before my battery goes out I’m going to stop this rambling and get ready to go out on my next adventure. NEXT STOP, TORONTO.

Unfortunately in Toronto my computer died so I was unable to keep up the live-stream blogging technique. I can’t even describe how great it feels to be home. I’ve been busier than a bee but I’m also as happy as can be. I’m so happy to be surrounded by friends and loved ones, I just can’t get enough. I’ve already got my country-girl back on; I’m going to my second country music concert tonight at the Sangamon County Fair, so fun!

I guess things that I am noticing the most about home right now is how laid back and easy life feels. Maybe it’s just because it’s how I grew up but everything seems so simple and dreamy here. Of course I am keeping busy but it’s just the feeling that goes through this area- take it easy. Who wants to be stressed out and hectic on warm lazy summer days like these anyway?

Well my friends, this is my final entry for this blog. It has been a hell of a year, and I thank you very much for joining me in my adventures and supporting my blog. I am undecided if I will continue writing next fall, but for now I'm going to keep enjoying my summer days at home. 

Thanks to all! 

The Last Weekend

Well, here it is. The few days which have been looming at the end of my calendar for almost a year now. I started a countdown 100 days ago, and here I am on the final digits of my journey!

This weekend being the last is also of course one of the most special weekends here in Helsingborg. This weekend was the mark of the end and a new beginning for many Swedish “seniors” as they graduated from their gymnasiums (high schools). Swedish graduation is MUCH different than the American high school graduation that I experienced.

Around two o’clock I met up with Alicia downtown so we could watch the graduates do their famous runs out of .. not necessarily a school but out of a nice building when they are announced. It was completely pouring down rain but this didn’t put a damper on the newly graduated student’s good moods at all. They had their cute sailor’s hats on and they came running out to meet up with their friends and families who were holding up signs with their names and baby pictures on them, and ready to give gifts of flower necklaces and champagne. Graduation is certainly not a sober thing for Swedes! Next the students are put on decorated trailers pulled by tractors and huge trucks and parade around downtown blowing whistles, dancing to music; it was great to experience a Swedish graduation… even in the pouring rain!

The next blog I write will be from my room back in good ol’ Illinios. I’ll take these next few days to think about all of the highlights from my year abroad and hopefully try to wrap up all of the emotions that are running through me at the end of this journey.

I leave from Copenhagen around 12pm and fly to Toronto, where I catch the next flight to Chicago and then from Chicago I fly into Springfield! It will indeed be a long day of travelling but I know when I arrive in the airport in Springfield I’ll be greeted by the most marvelous people on earth, and also greeted by the comforting feeling of home! 

"Nothing is so awesomely unfamiliar as the familiar that discloses itself at the end of a journey"

-Cynthia Ozick

10 Days

The wind and rain slapped me across the face as I stepped off the bus in Helsingborg and began walking around downtown waiting for my companions to arrive. I looked out at the water and saw huge ferocious waves billowing by and crashing against the harbors and the ferries teetering their ways to and from Denmark. I met up with Caylie in a party-store to put our birthday surprise for Erik in motion. We stocked up with a bunch of festive things, including a piñata and then ran out of the store to try and meet up with Caylie’s Mom to stash our party supplies in her car before Erik could find us and see what we had.

After a successful rendezvous we met up with Erik at the train station and then the three of us went up the stairs to the ferry entrance and bought our tickets to Denmark. Even on a cloudy day like that, it’s fun to do a little adventuring. We decided to go outside onto the front deck during our passage, where the wind was in full-force and the waves were spraying up and splashing everything left uncovered. Between the wind and the boat rocking it was pretty difficult to stand in one place. It’s amazing how alive the whole ordeal made me feel. We were cackling every time the boat rocked or the wind picked up and blew us around and even when we saw the crash of the waves spray up and the water come flinging towards us. I can begin to understand how so many sailors fell in love with the sea. I can only imagine the rush of being on a ship in the middle of the ocean during a huge storm.

That night Caylie and I showed up at Eriks with only some supplies for dinner in our hands, and everything else hidden in the car. We made him go and meet our other friend Magnus at the bus stop and as soon as he left Caylie and I started giggling like little kids and sprinted down to the car and grabbed our goodies, then rushed back up to Erik’s apartment to put Plan-Party in motion.  We got out the party hats, noise makers, balloons, hung the piñata, and got the cake out. When Erik came in he was greeted to quite a sight! 

I can officially start my 10 day countdown! I’ve already started packing and organizing some things for my trip home. The thoughts are unreal when I think about this whole year that has gone by and the fact that I’m going home so soon now. Everything that has happened… and now there are only 10 days left! Crazy!