Love, life and liberty.

I'm not quite sure how to write this post... I just want to express how grateful I am for my life, and to those who have made it so amazing for me.

One of the reasons I came to Denmark is because I wanted to get out of Cleveland for a while (to say the least). I had my ups and downs like any teenage in high school, and primary school was absolute hell!!!!!!!!! I felt like I needed more; I didn't like where I was going emotionally - I felt unstable.

Denmark has totally changed that, I have been here for seven months (out of the twelve) and I have already achieved what I wanted; I've grown up. Don't get me wrong - I don't want to get older, I wish I could stay 18 forever. But what I mean by 'growing up' is my newfound complacency with everything. I'm struggling to find the words of how I feel - steady, stable, calm, happy, grateful... I know exactly where I am in life; even though my feet are far from being 'on the ground'.

My embarrassing emotional moment that I am suffering right now is because I was stupid enough to browse through old photos that held some of my favourite memories. It made me realise that I was living with so much unnecessary greed - I was adamant on having the most amazing best friend, with something to do every minute of the weekend. I couldn't understand why other people would have plans on a certain Saturday night, and I wouldn't. I digress from the initial point of my blog... but to this I would just like to add - who cares? Who cares if you only have five friends? I can guarantee from experience, that those five friends are better than thirty or forty. You can't be friends with everyone, and you can't make real time for thirty people every weekend.

Back to the point! I wanted to focus on the important people that have made each year of my life better than the last. As I said, I was looking at photos and it brought me to reminisce about how many fun times I had... It did make me sad at first, because I used to dwell (to a ridiculous point) on why things had to end. How could I be inseparable with someone for months, then it come to such an abrupt and strange end? But if I have learnt anything being an exchange student - it's that everything changes, but nothing ends. I might not be best friends with those people anymore, but I have the memories, and we have the history. We will all make new friends who will again come and go, and again we'll make more memories that will go down in our own history. What's important is to do what we enjoy. Yesterday one of my friends said to me - "I will never do anything that I don't enjoy; never again". What I loved most about what she said, was the passion, I just loved that she meant it.

I am just so thankful for life; I am so grateful for my family and friends, I love to reminisce about how great life has been - but I no longer dwell on what is gone. "Be not spiteful for what you don't have, but grateful for what you do".

I was going to name those who have given me some of the greatest memories, but then I realised that I would have to name almost everyone I have met. Be it an entire year, or just a day - everyone I have shared love, life or joy with - I owe thanks to.

It seems that I sound like a hippy, tree hugger, I am aware. But to those who are sceptical, I have to ask if you realise what you have? Life, love and liberty. Do what makes you happy!

The reason I am writing this on my blog, is because I am so fully aware of how amazing life is, and how lucky I am. But does everyone else? It's easy to say "Yes Riley, but you're off spending a year in Denmark while I study uni/work/die of boredom". But what I do in Denmark is little different to what I did in Australia. I am with friends on the weekend, family during the week, I go to school and spend far to much time on facebook at all hours of the day. I do almost exactly what you are doing. I may be having an experience, but I am also 16 000 km from my mum (my absolute other half), I live on a tight budget and obey strict rules of exchange. I am constantly put in severely awkward situations where I know no one, and don't even speak the same language. I am making new friends, but I am going to have to say goodbye in five months.

I admit I am lucky because I was able to come on exchange, and it truly does change your life; it changes the way you think when you are taken out of routine. Even more, I believe that it has to be a realisation of how much you have. As much as I can write to you, and tell you to be thankful and grateful - it has to come from within. I have no doubt that everyone knows they are lucky... that they don't live in a war or flood zone. But with my realisation of "life", I have also found an intolerance to people who are ungrateful. More than anything I idol people who are strong in truly tough situations. I will always be a friend if someone needs me, but I won't surround myself with people who pity themselves for tedious 'problems'.

I write to inspire, not because I am inspirational (haha, not in the least!). But if I can believe my friends and family to be as happy as I, or if they can take joy from mine (be it just my mum) - then that's just another piece of me fulfilled. Even if I get this all wrong, even if what I am saying makes you think i'm an idiot - it's just a blog, and these are just a few thoughts from reminiscing over the past five years.

Thoughts to Share

I know, i'm spoiling you; yet another blog!

I just was thinking about what I miss and also the differences between Denmark and Australia and thought it would be nice to share them....

- I miss my mum! Do I need to explain this? I'll just mention that it's impossible not to appreciate your mother more, especially in my case as my year in Denmark is a gift from her, an incredibly generous one at that.

- I miss my family and friends. Distance really does make the heart grow fonder. Of course you are going to make amazing friends during a year abroad, but... an Aussie is an Aussie, and what kind of Aussie doesn't need their mates?!

- School. Okay, well my observations can only be fairly made by the one class I understand; English. Number one rule: put your hand up to speak, or suffer the death penalty. Seriously... Also, they don't have GBS or school teams for soccer, basketball, netball etc. Every now and again, classes form a team to have an in school competition for volleyball or something (though I don't think it is taken entirely seriously). We have sport twice a week (we are currently playing basketball), but no one seems to know the rules, I mean - have you ever heard of back court, or travelling? And our teacher doesn't correct anyone, it's driving me mad I tell you.

Everyone brings a laptop to school too! In fact, it would be exceedingly strange if a student didn't have one.

- Take away coffee from any one of the numerous coffee shops in the morning. Danish people don't do take away coffee so much - well, at least not where I live. Maybe more in Copenhagen though? But man, a good latte would go a long way right now! Especially considering the weather is often so cold and rainy, which is when it was most likely for mum and I to stop into Banjos on the way to school back in C-Town... we were so sneaky...

- The food. Oh God, good Aussie food........ pies; pasties; frozen cokes from maccas, natural confectionary lollies, dip (Danes don't do dip - who doesn't do dip?! And I lived off dip too...). And the huge variety of global cuisines... Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Turkish, American - what ever you want, anywhere you like. It's really expensive to eat out in Denmark too, dammit! However, the pizza in Denmark is healthy, kid you not. It's thin and not covered in cheese and yet tastes so good (though not the same). You also don't die from saturated fat after eating it which is always a plus!

- Denmark epitomises safety. I don't know how to elaborate much more on that, but you can all be assured that I am safer in Denmark (be it 16 000 km from home, with very little knowledge on the language) than I have ever been in Australia.

- Riding bikes. It's like Bike World... everyone rides a bike almost everywhere! Compared to Aussies who really only use bikes for cycling in lycra (yuck) or bmxing. It's so refreshing... (i'm aware I sound like a geeb!)

- 24 hour time. This may not seem like much but it had been pretty damn confusing for the first few months when people were telling me to meet at 1900!!!!

- Public transport.... is so much cheaper in Australia. For example, it cost less than $5 to catch a train to the city back home - it now costs me at least $20 to do the same in Denmark. On the other hand, the possibility of being stabbed on the train in DK is like... 0.0002% and the chairs aren't covered in filth!

- Summer Houses. Okay, it might just be me, but has anyone else noticed that almost every family owns a summer house in Denmark? (Be it just an hour from their own home). But seriously, everyone!

I can't think of any more for now - but I will edit this post if I do.

I think a 'final thoughts' would be appropriate for this....... But I guess all I can say is, before you ask, neither is better, I consider both Australia and Denmark my home and love them for different reasons.

The Blue Van

I know i'm uploading two entirely different posts today, but I need to make up for the last two or three months. I am going to try and update every Monday and Friday - wish me luck!

So, this is basically just to say, I freaking met The Blue Van!!! I can't express this moment in my life, it has almost entirely made my year; I am speechless! But every time I tell a somebody about this phenomenal experience I had; they ask me who they are! Okay, fair enough, not every band is as famous as The Beatles... But I am willing to put a ridiculous amount of money on the fact that in maybe ten or twenty years time, they will be known world wide. On stage they have a sort of Sex Pistols image, but with more modern rock. I think that they're one of those bands that just become better as they get older (unlike Blink for instance, who die with age).

Although I want them to have their deserved fame (more so because I think they deserve the pay), to be honest I really hope that they're not played continuously on the radio. Maybe something like Oasis - everyone knows the songs, but your ears aren't bashed by them on the radio... You know what, scratch that - I want them to stay exactly the way they are so they can keep playing the same brilliant music, and continue to be the genuinely cool guys that we met!! Their words being "we didn't know we had fans in Australia".

In September they are playing another gig in Ålborg, I am so excited. I intend to lose my voice (again) - because I just can't help but sing (rather shout) along.

I also just wanted to mention that it was thanks to Gabbie's host dad that we got to meet them, so thank you so much Jens Ole, you've made my year!

One more thing (as this photo was from the same day), Rachael and Katie have been the most amazing friends while here in Denmark. Being 16 000 km from home isn't easy (and I am an emotional person to say the least), and these girls keep me smiling when I miss my mum too much!

Europa Tur

Fiinnaalllyyyyyy

So, Euro Tour; I have been avoiding this blog as I simply don't know what to write or how to express how fantastic it was.

There were about 50 students on the bus that took us around Europe, and we came from the countries of Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Brazil, Portugal and Argentina. We went to so many cities and saw so many different things. It's strange how Europe is such a small place, yet so full of such different cities and cultures and people!

This was our itinerary...

Day 1: Denmark to Berlin

Day 2: Berlin

Day 3: Berlin to Prague, Czech Republic

Day 4: Prague, Czech Republic

Day 5: Czech Republic to Vienna, Austria

Day 6: Vienna, Austria

Day 7: Vienna to Lido di Jesolo, Italy.

Day 8: Lido di Jesolo, Italy

Day 9: Venice, Italy (day trip)

Day 10: Lido di Jesolo to Verona to Riviera of Italy

Day 11: Riviera of Italy to Monaco to Avignon

Day 12: Southern France

Day 13, 14, 15: Paris

Day 16: Paris to Brussels

Day 17: Brussels to Holland, Amsterdam. Stay in Arnhem.

Day 18: Arnhem to Denmark via Hamburg.

My favourite city was Paris, which was surprising considering I had such high expectations; I am amazed that they were met! The city is truly beautiful and the people are not obnoxious as far as I can tell! There are so many attractions to see and it is very easy to travel around. The food was very good and the atmosphere was just amazing. I can't express my love for it and I cannot wait to go back!

My second favourite city was Prague. Upon arriving in the city I was not impressed at all as it seemed very 'grungy' and dirty, every wall was covered in graffiti and it did not like a pleasantly safe place at all! To add to this, the politics in the Czech Republic are known to be extremely corrupt! However, we then travelled to the other side of the city where I had my breath taken away. It was so beautiful and old style with such charm!

My least favourite city was Berlin, but this is almost entirely due to the fact that my wallet got stolen! Bah, how awful. But what can you do? And also… Venice is over rated! Too damn expensive with too many people.

I also turned 18 in Prague (some time near the beginning of the trip). I had such a fantastic birthday which I honestly didn't expect to have without my Australian family and old friends. Everyone had such a good night and I felt very, very special!!! We just went to an Irish Bar where there was a real life Irish singer playing his guitar! Perfect. During the day of my birthday we also found the MOST PERFECT RESTAURANT EVER! I can't express how good the food was. I never knew salads could taste so amazing. But i'm rambling about food now…..

The routine with most of the cities was just for us to be dropped off in the morning, being free to roam and explore for the day, and then to meet with the bus again later that day. This was great because we also had the opportunity to follow our guide to certain places, but what we found was best, was for Henrik (the guide) to point out the best places on a map, so we were able to go at our own pace with desired friends.

I'll upload a separate blog with all the photos so I can describe them individually…

My Oldie, Matt Meza

I know I need to do an update about Euro Tour and what not... but while I have the time; this is more important.

Matt just left this morning to go back to the USA. I'm devastated on so many levels, but so glad that I not only got to meet him, but that he was MY oldie. We know that us exchangers in Frederikshavn have it better than any other exchange student in the world.

I just wanted to say thank you to Matt for always being there, for teaching me, for laughing with me, for putting up with me, and just being freaking amazing. He's so kind, open minded, ready for fun and has one of the biggest hearts i've ever known. Jeg elsker dig, Matt.

Det er ikke farvel, det er kun vi ses.

Long weekend

It's the final weeks of the school year here in Denmark and the days spent in class are slimming down. The last time I was at school was last Tuesday (due to a religious holiday on Thursday and Friday and my inability to wake up before mid-day on Wednesday). And this week, from Monday to Wednesday, my class is having årsprøve (exams) which I will not be participating in. Oh, it's a hard life!

I have FINALLY begun to receive Danish lessons however my teacher has decided that it is going to be fast tracked - thus I should accomplish what should be done in a few months, in a matter of three weeks. No complaints here, the more I learn the better - I want to understand/speak as much Danish possible ASAP!

This week I hope to make a boring one because I really do not want to spend even one krona as I am saving every penny for Euro Tour which I begin on Sunday! Ohhh myyyy Rowling!

Last Wednesday (after my friends had finished school and I my Danish lesson) Jannika, Kristine and I basically had a perfect sleep over. I love these girls so much. They are always doing things to make me happy, they truly define the word 'friend'. On Wednesday they gave me an early birthday present - a really beautiful sterling silver heart necklace. We had en meget hugelilig aften!

On Thursday I went with Nitzcsh, Kristina and Anders to an Eagle sanctuary (which I maintain was a prison!). I have never been so scared of a bird before - they were huge! They sometimes hunt deer - which are about twice their size! I didn't get very good photos as I was partly tissing at the fact that the birds were being subject for human entertainment, and also I truly didn't want to make too much movement - I really was the scared! They were of course "perfectly harmless" though.

eagle sanctuary man and eagle

After the Eagle show we decided to keep heading further north of Jylland. The church below is a major tourist attraction here in DK as it is said to have been buried by sand. Although Kristina and Nitzsch think other wise - Anders and I choose to believe this is a hoax and that there really is no other part to the building that is now under ground. Buuuttttt it's a silly debate that really isn't worth pro-longing my blog.

It was about a ten minute walk to the church, I used this time to sit on Anders shoulders and impersonate Kanye West/pretend to be a monster. Time well spent I think!

My favourite part of the day was going to the peninsula of Jylland, Denmark where the two seas (the North Sea and the Baltic Sea) meet. It is an incredible experience to literally see the seas crashing against each other. The best time to go is when it is stormy as the ocean is obviously rougher with more waves and thus more dramatic impact. Unfortunately my picture doesn't grasp how amazing it really is!

Kristina and I where the two seas meet!

On Friday I went with Amalie to the Sindal Markets and saw all the cutest little animals. Puppies, rabbits and horses were everywhere! It was adorable and made me miss my pets back home so much! They don't have markets every Sunday like we do back in sunny Queesland so it was sort of a special treat. It was a really pleasant day and I suppressed all urges to buy anything so I could save all my spending money for Europe!

cute little puppies!

Just a picture of how beautiful and green denmark is in Spring!

I made a special effort to keep ya'll up to date - I hope you appreciate it!

I'm missing everyone lots!

KNUS!

April

So it's been an entire month since my last substantial update… woops!

I will relay the events of the past few weeks in the shortest yet most interesting form possible - if you have any problems with my writing skills; give Ms Dennis (my previous english teacher) a call… Kidding! It's a lost cause, so I will apologise in advance for what you are about to read...

So I would like to begin with how the chicken pox (skoldkopper) ruined me for longer than the week it was supposed to. There are still blemishes on my face that just won't go away dammit! Nevertheless, I finally found the courage to take my first steps out of the house and into the sunshine of beautiful Denmark.

On Friday (16th April), my Gymnasium had a Friday's Cafe. For all the Aussies that don't know about this splendid idea - it's basically a "let's get drunk at school" party. From about 3 to 6pm the students all chill out in the kantine or outside on benches while having a beer or two (or three, four, etc etc). It was such a nice day, believe it or not the sun was shinning here in DK, and we just had a whole lot of hugelilig with our classmates. The song "Hey Shorty" by Kato was constantly playing in the background, and my classmates thought it was incredibly funny to literally force me to sing along to the Danish lyrics. Oh Rowling, the humiliation was painful (yet fun all the same). Later that night I went to a party with a few of my classmates however came home at about 1.30am - upon arriving home my host parents were quite alarmed and asked "what's wrong, why aren't you still at the party"?. Uggghhhh, let's just say I was confused and also amused. If I came home at 1.30am in Australia, my dearest mum would be asleep in bed and expecting me to do the same! Not suggesting to me to keep on partying to the break of dawn! (I didn't take any photos sorry!)

The next day (the 17th April), I caught a five hour train ride to the south of Denmark to a town called Vojens to see Anya for her 18th birthday. Bridget and a few other exchange students were there too and it was so nice to catch up and share stories about all our crazy experiences! We went out to town that night and I learnt something new… I was under the impression that Denmark was quite literally the most peaceful country in the world… Apparently that's just Frederikshavn. I kid you not when I say I am currently living in a little bubble - the birds really are always singing, everyone is always smiling - you get the idea. I was surprised to see a fight when going out to town in the south of Denmark. I am very accustomed to violence in Australia, I just didn't expect it here in Denmark. Then again, with that said, I think it is still a little worse in Australia than here in Denmark. It was ssuuuccchhh a good night with my favourite Aussie/Danish friends. On another note of my Vojens weekend - because the planes were not flying here in Europe (due to the volcanic ash from Iceland) the trains were full with people traveling through Denmark (from Norway or Sweden) to Germany and the rest of Europe. On Saturday I made good friends with (a cute!) French guy, and on the way home on Sunday I made another Norwegian friend. I just found it so incredibly cool that you can meet so many different nationalities so easily. I mean, what are the chances of meeting a French or Norwegian guy on the Cleveland line in Australia?!

(Anya, Bridget, me, Laura, Lidice and Gabi at a bar in Vojens)

The next weekend (23rd to 25th) I went with my host family to Læsø Island to check out the said very popular tourist destination. Because it's not quite summer yet - we basically had the island to ourselves. It was really peaceful and happily pleasant. Læsø is "famous" for it's salt - which is apparently stronger. However I am not the salt conisieur so I have to admit I couldn't taste the difference. It was surprisingly interesting to see how the salt is made too… We also spent our time there walking around the beaches and I found my first pieces of Amber!!! (Amber is made over thousands of years from the sap of trees rolling around in the ocean mixing with the sand - it's often used in jewellery like opals and what not).

(My host sister Amalie and I in front of a house with a sea weed roof!)

On Thursday 29th, we had an examination which I actually had to do! It was a presentation on the Holocaust and just mumbo jumbo talking for 10 minutes. Because we had Friday off, and we had all just completed an assessment - we had a class party at Amalie's that night. It was meget hugelilig! (really nice). I really love my class… The difference between high school in Australia and the Gymnasium is that I have one class for all my subjects. So I am with the same people everyday in class. It is quite literally a family… I don't know how to explain it in any other way. If someone has a party it will be for the class… We all sit together at lunch as opposed to with other friends in the school. There's a bit of conflict between a few people, but deep down everyone loves each other because, like I said, your class is your family. It's sweet.

That weekend (1st and 2nd) I went to Nibe/Ålborg to see my Australian friends again (I know i'm bad catching up with other exchange students!) and it was also really nice. There's not much to say except that I had so much fun with Rachael and Katie and am so happy that I have become friends with them!

(Rach and Katie)

That finally brings us up to date with this weekend… Fright night was the Galla fest. Which is like formal where you wear nice gowns except no where near as important… Ginne, Jannika and Kristine came over to my place in the afternoon to get ready together which was just sooooooo nice. I loved it. We then went to Christians for our class's pre party. We stayed there for about two hours before heading to the Galla at about 8.30. The time spent with my class before the actual Galla was definitely my favourite part of the night. I can't express how amazingly fun they are - just really kind people. Then on Saturday night I chilled at Jacobs place before heading into Ålborg with Jacob, Amalie and Nitzsch to see Rene's band play in the final of a battle of the bands. His band didn't win which was rubbish! But I won't say anymore on that injustice. After we saw Farklip play, we then went to the party street and had a really great night. I saw basically all of the Ålborg exchange students - it was crazy to know so many people in the clubs!

(My class 2z before Galla fest)

Annnddd at last we have reached today! I was supposed to talk with my dearest mother on Skype, it being Mothers day and all. But that plan failed! In stead, I went with Matt and his first host mum to basically the top of Denmark (on the west coast) to the mountain sand dunes. It was incredible and just really nice/interesting to see.

(me taking a photo of all the amazing dunes!)

I feel as though I have used all energy left in me to write this. I hope it wasn't too boring - a catch up of the events doesn't really portray my emotions, but I guess it will do!

Love to all my friends and family in both Australia and Denmark. I wish I could forever have the best of both countries, but I can't. So while I am here in Denmark - i'm living it to the fullest yet still missing all those I care about in Australia.

Stay safe, well, happy and healthy!

Knus!