Everything general about my American experience

* Basically, in school there are groups of people. Football guys, cheerleaders, indianettes, nerds, regular people, loners, etc.
* Everybody wears basically same clothes and same shoes.
* When the teacher meets the class first time, he/she gives a short overview about his/her life and introduces him/herself for about half an hour.
* They'd rather drive around the parking lot for half an hour than park far from the door and walk to the store.

- Fun Facts:

1) I had a screensaver: no text to Estonia!

2) I chilled in bathroom during lunch once, because I was homesick and didn’t wanna find new friends. 

3) At the end of the day I always thought how super good my American life is 

4) You are gonna miss everything, especially when all your friends start telling you how they are going to cry when you leave.

5) Liz: ''Lisa and stay in this area cause u know you like to wander'' aka our KOHL's trips with Liz!

- Tips to next exchange students:

1. If you wanna write a blog post about something, do it ASAP. If you don't have time to open your computer, write a draft on your phone memories. Because if you don't do it right away, you'll end up with 4 different posts that need to be posted and you just start stressing about it, like me lol.

2.Don’t follow the plan; don’t try to be the ‘’perfect’’ exchange student. Be you and have fun!!!

3.Speak up if you are homesick.

4.Don’t compare your life in America to your life back home!

5. Don't leave buying gifts for people back home on the last minute because you can never be sure if your host family or your friends are willing to drive you around for getting presents. (Except if you have Liz, who drives you from KOHL's to Walmart to CVS and then again to Walmart, then you should be fine)

6. USE PINTEREST FOR PACKING TIPS!

7. Use pinterest for everything...

7. Instead of telling your stories, ask about their's. Make them feel like they have that magical dream life you came here to see.

How it feels to be back?

Finally I have the courage to write this final post about my exchange year. 
Took me 3 months. 

Honestly, I haven't had much time to get all deep in my emotions and miss America a whole lot, but there are things I wanna talk about. 

I remember my first thoughts when I got back:

'I am lil' bit confused now, was that year in America a dream, or is being back home a dream?' 

I remember last night in America. Me and Adriana were up all night on June 26th, watching Camp Rock and dancing to these songs, absolutely okay. At about 2am I started getting ready to leave: took a shower, gathered all my things and closed my carry-on luggage. We woke my host mom up at 4am and it was my last half an hour. Before we left I took a last look at my room, hugged the dogs, put the gift on the table and that was it: we were in the car on our way to the airport. We did stop at whataburger tho and got some reaaaaly early breakfast + coffee. Ever since we got to the airport, everything happened so fast: the security, first flight, second flight and suddenly I was about to step off the plane in Tallinn. Until the very last moment I was so sure I am not gonna cry when I leave, but when the plane took off from Dallas, I just burst into tears telling myself I wanna go back home to Keller. In Chicago I saw all the other exchange students who flew back to Europe that day. There were Danish and Estonian people + Ben from Hungary who I met at the last orientation, it was great to see him again. Also it was weird to see Hanna, Carmen and all the other Estonians again, we didn't speak even a word in Estonian until we walked out of the gates in Estonia. Hanna's host brother came to Estonia with us so he kept our mood up. 
Without lying, walking out of the gates in Estonia was one of the scariest moments in my life. Whenever we got our luggage and knew that everybody is waiting behind these wooden doors, it didn't seem real. There was a lot of hugging and laughing when I saw my parents, boyfriend, Rita and Britta&her boyfriend who had all come to welcome me. Fun fact: my mom seriously didn't recognize me haha. 
After hugging my mom&dad, my boyfriend was behind me and as soon as I got to hug him again, I knew I was home. 

It took me long time to understand I am actually back and living here now. Summer went by faster than I would have ever imagined and we did a lot. School is fine, although there really was a little shocking moment when I realised I am going to be here another 2 years before I graduate and I have new classmates. I think at times I don't even understand myself how much I talk about or compare my American life to my life here. My English teacher is from the U.S so his class is the one where I feel reaaaally comfortable. But school here is completely different and as the time goes by I see how differently people do things here. 

Couple of days ago I texted my host mom FIRST time since I've been back. I was scared I will get homesick after texting her, which I did...But it was so good to hear from them. 
I guess how it feels to be back is weird. I am not the same person in Estonia as I was in America. Adapting to the culture when you get back home takes time. Actually I didn't even understand that I have to adapt or anything because I mean, it's home and I know how things work here, right? But still, every day I see how different everything is. I still think in English most of the time, and just yesterday I had a dream how I was about to fly back to the U.S haha. 

And another fun fact: every time I call Liz, we talk about 1,5 hours and after ending the call it still feels like we didn't have enough time to talk haha. 

I miss America, but I am really glad to be back! :) 

Welcome home <3 

Last 4 days in the U.S.

After getting home from Missouri, I had only 5 days left. All of them were completely crazy and super busy! Thursday and Friday I spent with Liz. On both days Liz picked me up and we kind a just drove around and went to all kinds of places. We took a trip to Hobby Lobby, CVS, Walmart and KOHLs. Fun fact is that me and Liz went to KOHLs more times during these 5 days than I had ever been there during the entire year. She took me to Jason's Deli for lunch. Was so good, plus there was free ice cream so count me in if you'd plan on going there! Lol. On Friday we also got our nails done, Adriana was with us, after what we all got cupcakes from the shop and went to Central Market. Later we chilled at Liz's house and just hung out. Also Friday was the day when I finally started packing. My hostmom told me to bring all my stuff out to the Living Room. The hardest part was tot ake all the pictures and letters off the wall. I took of my mum and painting, walked to the door. Looked at the wall, it was empty so I just walked back and put these back. So that was it with the packing that night.
Saturday was fun. In fact, I have one sentence written here what I wrote when I got home: ''I JUST GOT HOME AND I M STILL SO HYPED.''
DC n' Beth picked me up at about 10am. Which meant I had to wake up 8am to finish some of my packing. On our way to their(or somebody's) house we drove through Starbucks and got some coffee. There were Ryan, Jonathan and Sierra cooking breakfast. Me and DC helped with cooking bacon and reducing(!!!) berries as all the others did something different. At some point of time we were live streaming on instagram and having a nice dance party haha. Breakfast was de-li-ci-ous! We had pancakes, bacon, jam and all kinds of other stuff. While making breakfast I told them how I think squirrels are terrifying and scary, everybody started teasing me with that...but they are scary!!! Once we were done with eating we drove to DC's and to Tom Thumb, got all the things we needed, picked up Noah and the next destination was Six Flags. In the car we had a nice old school hiphop jam, it was fun. We rode all kinds of different rollercoasters and things. Lines were pretty short so we didn't have to wait more that maybe 15 minutes. The coolest was 'Freeze', it was the fastest and went super high. We skipped one very scary thingy, cause whenever we were in line, people who were supposed to come off of that couldn't. These safety things that are supposed to hold you in your seat didn't open. So they did like 3 test runs and stuff. I was already so scared and told everybody I am not going on that but DC made me stay in line and told me I am not gonna die haha. Luckily they closed it right before we were supposed to go on that. Oh and haha, DC passed out on Batman. He thought there was something wrong with his seats safety and was already scared at the beginning. I saw that his head fell down at one point, but I didn't know that something actually happened. Whenever we walked off and saw the recording, he was completely passed out the whole ride. Since he was actually okay, we laughed at that. It was still scary tho. For lunch we had sandwiches what we took from home. We all sat at the picnic table a little bit out of the park and just chilled there. I don't know what I said but after that it was cute when Beth said that ''Lisa, please stay here and be my friend.'' Lol sweet! Also we started discussing that I should marry DC so I could stay in America haha. We laughed sooooo hard during the lunch, it was crazy. I am still smiling when I think about that. (L)
One of the last rides I went to with DC and Noah, was really high and kind a relaxing, we could see the whole city and everything. Since it was night time, I really had tears in my eyes when DC kept telling me that it's basically my goodbye. :(
After the high one we realized that we have 10 minutes until the rides close but we wanted to make it to the Giant one more time. So we literally ran through the whole park, we MADE IT! The last ride was obviously amazing and before leaving DC bought us matching hats from the gift shop :) :) On our way home we were jamming in the car even harder than before and it was cool!
On Sunday I finished packing all my stuff completely. Lisa picked me up at 1pm and we drove to Bastien's house for a quick goodbye. He was leaving. Later, I had lunch at Lisa's a spent time at their house. On our way home I got my last sonic and said my goodbye to Lisa. We also had our Class Play Festival cast party that night at Bailey's. Right after Lisa dropped me off, Bailey and Nathan picked me up again and we went to Bailey's. We were there until like 11pm - ate, played cards, talked and swam. Oh and we looked through old yearbooks, that was fun haha.

DC made a video of our Six Flags Trip: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyzQca289y8&feature=youtu.be

Cast Party
Emily - Sarah - Nathan(Hugable) - Bailey - Danny - Garret

Lunch w Liz vol 1 @PaneraBread

I love Liz's dog too much!!! 

Lunch w Liz vol 2 @JasonsDeli

Going to get some Frozen Yogurt

Told Liz's little brothers to act nice after what Liz said: ''Well, look at Lisa being a momma.'' Lol haha 

De-Li-Ci-Ous

And so that's what happened.

Breakfast crew
Jonathan - Sierra - Ryan

Mission impossible: DC getting out of car

So close yet so far

Aplause

My favorite picture of all time 

<3

LMAO

Look at the bunnnnnnny

Lisa's family
Stan -Sofia - Lisa's husband - Lisa

Lunch at Lisa's

One last time hearing ice cream man coming down the street ^^

Me - Nathan - Bailey

Sarah - Bailey - Danny - Garret

Garret - Nathan - Me - Sarah

Sasssssy

Try to tell me my American best friend is not the coolest 

Being a YFU exchange student

Being a YFU exchange student is being part of something special. It is being part of a family that will always stick together and support each other, because we understand. YFU has given me people from all kinds of different countries, people who are part of me. We don't have the same blood running through our veins, yet they all are my brothers and sisters. We have something bigger in common, something that many of y'all don't have - we have that one year full of so many struggles, laughter, tears, sadness, happiness, horrible moments, moments of our life. This year is what makes us who we are, this is what created US! We are the kind of people who will always be there for each other, no matter what the distance between us is! I love my YFU family, especially my craziest, funniest, the most stupid, caring, loving North Tx group! There wasn't even a question if I am gonna get a long with them, from the moment I saw these people it was already clear we're all gonna be best friends! I didn't see them every day. I saw them maybe once in every 2 months, but that meant I always had something to wait for. I know that I'll see them again, 'cause we ain't the kind of people who will forget each other, we will find a way to meet!

What's it like being an exchange student?

• Phrases ''Sorry, I didn't know, I am an exchange student.'' and ''Omg that is exactly how I feel!'' are your favorite.
• You don't really worry too much before doing something questionable, because hey, you are here only for a year and you want to try everything.
• You have a friend or somebody you know in half of the countries in the world.
• You don't feel quilty for eating too much because you are a YFU exchange student, eating is your job.
• You start to love your home country SO much more!(I am a huge patriot now, lol)
• You invent your own words which are made out of sometimes even three languages.(One time I told my mom a word in English, but changed it in Estonian so the result was - openesin(meant to say I opened...))
• You get asked to say something in your language and you forget every single word you have been speaking past 16 years.
• You try to take notes in school during the first week, but the teacher said a sentence so fast that you end up with random words lined up in your notebook. 
• There are so many tests in school, where you(no joking) know ONLY your name. Literally, there was a test where I didn't even know the date...
• Going to the grocery store first few times is more like going sightseeing. 
• You feel like a new pet in the family when you get introduced by ''..and this is OUR exchange student''
• You feel like you are in a different world, because suddenly everything in your life is connected  with your exchange year(or that kind of opportunity) + there's a time when YFU people are the main people in your life.
• There are days when you wake up already being sad and you can't do anything about it because you are homesick, so your only option is to eat Ice Cream and watch movies.
• You don't dream and think in your native language anymore.
• You get asked the most stupid questions like ''Do you have famous people in your country?'' ''Do you have cars or internet?'' ''Do y'all have penguins walking around in your country?''
• The smallest things being said to you can hurt so easily when you are homesick, but also the smallest things being said can make you incredibly happy and feel appreciated.
• Everyday you veel like you should do something and every second you just lie in bed watching movies you feel like you are wasting your exchange year and you can't do that.(Although it is totally normal lol)
• The feeling of ''I wanna go home so bad, but I don't want to leave this place.'' is VERY familiar to you.
• At least once a week you look around and wonder if it's actually your real life you are living. 
• You feel like you have two separate lives.
• You don't take school work too seriously...(oops)
• You have so much time to think so you create so many new ideas what you wanna do once you go back.
• Being around other exchange students is the BEST feeling in the world and makes you feel comfortable and like you are in the right place.
• Exchange year is basically an opportunity given to you to create a life you have dreamed of.
• Even on the days when you complain sooo much and think it is the worst day ever, if somebody would offer you a plane ticket back home, you wouldn't accept it. 

• You realize that dreams really come true and basically you can do whatever you want in your life.

Here's three of my favorite quotes from pinterest: 

Last 8 hours in America

First I'd like to say that I actually am gonna write a post about what I was doing these last days, but since these have been CRAZY and currently it is 4am, then I think this post is most likely to be uploaded whenever I am already back in Estonia.

So...I still can't believe that it is so close to be over. 

--> It's not possibly possible that it's possible. <--

I am going to say what we all say: They have to say goodbye to me. I have to say goodbye to my home, family, friends, places, culture, habits, everything! This year has been amazing even though there were many times when I was pretty sure I had made a mistake and should've never gone on an exchange. But that's how all of us feel. Now, looking back to my year I ask myself all the time 'was it a dream?' it seems so unreal. I am telling you guys, I couldn't ask for a better year! 

So what did this year teach me? 

To me it is stupid to say I learned who I am during my exchange. I feel like most of us just say that because they’ve heard other students say it and it seems like a right and smart thing to say. Which I did too, before coming on an exchange I always wrote in every single application that during my exchange year I wanna figure out who I am, etc. Now my opinion is that it is actually impossible. How could you learn who you are at the age of what, 16? 17? We are kids, how are we supposed to figure out who we are with only 10 months abroad? That's just a big no. 
Anyway, what I learned was who I don’t wanna be and what I have to do to be the person I wanna become. During my exchange I saw thousands of different people. Different attitudes, different looks, different ways of living. And through that I realized what I want from life and who I am gonna be maybe someday, but right now I am just another kid trying to do right things and be the best I can. 
You know, before coming here I had described myself and my life in many letters. But when I got here it was like a complete blank sheet and a new life. I could be anything I possibly wanna be. So if I am honest maybe only for five minutes was I exactly the same person described in these letters, because I wanted to try to be the person I thought I want to be. TBH I was a different person every week but it didn’t work out. What I learned about myself was that I never wanna be anyone else but the person I am. The person who was described in these letters. I know my host family picked me based on my profile and the letter I wrote but the truth is that girl never completely arrived. That teenager is still in Estonia, waiting for me to go back. And I kind a miss this kid. 
I know people say this person never returns, but I know that I am gonna be this person again. Because this is who I am. I think during my year I did’t learn that much of who I am but I learnt who I am not. So in a day when I arrive back to Estonia, I am gonna be that same girl, except with a lot more knowledge, super experiences and epic memories for life!

I couldn't thank everybody enough who made that year possible for me. I am truly blessed! :) 

Love you America, see you soon Buddy! 
Xoxo, I'll be back. <3

DC made it and I think it's AWESOME!

TRIP: Missouri

Our trip to Ranch started on Friday, June 16th. This time it was just me, Adriana and my host mom. We left home around 9:30am and were ready for our 8-hour drive. We stopped at Central Market to grab some snacks. Like in November, we drove through Oklahoma and Arkansas. Driving through Arkansas is really pretty, 'cause you can see mountains on both side of the road so the view is truly amazing! Whenever we arrived me and Adriana made our bed and Papa made tempura. It was so good to see Gweny and Cocoa(the dogs) again! Dinner was delicious and we ate so much haha. The rest of the night we just talked and watched movies.
Saturday was pretty busy. In the morning I skyped with my mom for about half an hour and the rest of the day was basically just a lot of baking and cooking.We made homemade ice cream and brownies!!! We had lunch at Cookies, which is a restaurant in Theodosia. We wanted go there in November, but it was closed at that time, so now was our chance. I had a catfish lunch which was so good and a chocolate peanut butter pie for a desert. After getting back home we had a nice Cars marathon. Watched Cars 1 and Cars 2. I fell asleep...but oh well.
On Sunday it was raining in the morning so we were inside playing cards. Papa made blueperry muffins for breakfast, they were sooooo good. And so big. When it stopped raining we gave Gweny a bath, which she definitely didn't like, lol. For lunch we had my favorite - bacon avocado sandwich! and for dinner grilled shrimp and pork. And ofcourse after that we played cards. So if you haven't figured out by now - we basically slept, played cards and ate in Ranch.
On our last day, so on Tuesday we went fishing right after we woke up. There was a little tiny lake near the Ranch so we drove there. It was realllly hot outside, I got sunburned, lol. Adriana caught our dinner - 3 big catfishes. I got two but both times my lines broke and fell into the water, great haha. It was fun tho. For example, my host mom caught a turtle...We weren't out there for very long since the sun was burning, so after 1,5 hours we drove back. After cleaning the fish we went to the treasure shop up in Theodosia to look for cool stuff. Adriana found bunch of clothes, I just bought a card for papa and a chocolate. For dinner we had grilled catfish and it was one of the most delicious dinners I've ever had! Especially since I love fish. To end the day I took a walk. Actually I just wanted to walk to the little church thingy to draw that but it was too creepy out there so I walked back and just chilled around the house. At some point papa came out to get me because it was getting too dark, so we drove back to the house together. Before going to bed me and Adriana were just playing w snapchat as she was sending literally so many videos to different Estonians haha.
Wednesday was the day to leave so we woke up earlier, packed up and cleaned the room. Also had a nice toast with strawberries for breakfast and after that said our goodbyes to papa and the dogs.
It turned out to be an interesting night tho. While we were driving back to Texas Adriana asked if I wanna go to the Rangers game(Baseball) later. Justin had already bought all the tickets and was waiting in front of our house. So Adriana started doing her make up in the car and we both changed our clothes quickly to be ready whenever we get home. The game was in Arlington. It was cool, it was also my first baseball game I went to. There were Justin, Adriana, me and one of Justin's friends.
Before finding our seats Justin bought drinks and food and we were good to go. The game was pretty cool and I loved that it was a big game! Something new again.

I love waking up with this view!

Making ice cream

Ice cream ready!!!

Catfish lunch

Chocolate peanut butter pie

A quick walk w Daisy

Adriana - Papa - Hostmom

Picture from my hostmom's facebook. Our grilled dinner

As you can see, it's a pretty serious game haha

Cocoa!

Pictures of Ranch house from my hostmom's facebook

Fishy fishy

She got the first one!

And the second one

Delicious level very high

Driving back home

To the game 

Cowboys football stadium

Jump Cam

Walking all the way down there.