Starting out small

Wow, that's probably a word I've used a little too much today. Almost all the time because of things that are unnecessarily big. My work placement I started out small, though, which was perfect for a day spent still a little bit tired from the time difference.

For starters, I woke up with a message from my mum, asking me if it was okay if she'd call. Knowing that calling would cost 2 euros a minute, I suggested that we'd skype instead. It was lovely seeing her, and speaking with her for a moment. Shortly after that I went on a little research as to how to work the shower, which didn't appear to be so difficult after all. For breakfast I had a bagel with cream-cheese and some sort of Danish dessert. It wasn't anything I'd be allowed to eat for breakfast in the Netherlands, I'll have you know. ;) I was also so relieved to discover that the milk tastes the same here. It is such a pet-peeve of mine to be in a country where the milk just tastes like it came from anything but a cow.

After breakfast I joined DeWitt to his office, and I helped him out with his contacts-administration until it was time for lunch. This was my first trip to what they call a 'small' grocery store here. It's not small, at all. In fact, I think it may be bigger than our regular supermarket in the Netherlands... Or at least equal in size! However, the aisles or stuffed in a way that I've yet to experience in Holland. Every squared centimetre is put to use here. I wish I'd taken a photo! Back at home for lunch I met miss Flynn (I hope I spelled her name correctly), she's a lady who's been taking care of the children in the house ever since they were little. So when their parents were out, she was always there to pick them up from friends or to take them to sports-practice and other things like that. We chatted shortly about how glad we both were that summer clothes were getting back in stores, and she made me my first, real-American, grilled cheese. Boy, was it delicious. I'm actually really glad she did that for me, because when DeWitt told me I could have anything for lunch I didn't really know what to do. I mean, I had my sandwiches, but not a thing in the fridge seemed to be a thing fit for putting on them. At least not with my vision. So now that I know how to make myself a grilled cheese, I suppose I will be binging on those for lunch the next couple of weeks.

Recharged by my warm sandwich we went back to the office where I finished my task and waited until we could go back to the grocery store (which is called Crosby's, by the way) for dinner. I took a little longer strolling around this time, and noticed the humongous variety of beer and wine they offered. Like, I thought we had a great deal of brands in Dutch stores... But this was just aisle after aisle after aisle. For dinner we had casseroles, which is kind of like risotto. It's rice in a thick batter, with chicken and peas, with salad and garlic bread on the side. Over dinner I was kind of told what the plan was for the rest of the week, and I'm really excited! :) Tomorrow I will join CeCe to Pingree, which is a private school. This does mean that I'll need to be ready to leave at 07:10 to make it to the (yellow!!!) schoolbus. On thursday I will join Amy to the company she works for and I'll help out there. Then on Friday I will be at Pingree again. Saturday is going to be a very special day, as I will be joining CeCe and Amy as they go check out a College. After that we're gonna go shopping, because I'm allowed to join CeCe to a school dance that night! They call it a semi-formal, and I'm really excited. :)

I kind of wanted to type more, but I'm really tired and I still need to look some things up about World War One so that I can more easily join the history class tomorrow. The little (big) things that I wanted to mention here as well I'll leave for another day.

Goodnight!
xxx

I made it!!

My first blogpost from the United States! Let's see how I'll maintain these ;) Wow! What a day! I underestimated how long an 8 hour flight would feel. I actually just accidentally typed 8 flour height, so that about sums it up!

Let's start from the beginning. At about 11:30 I took off for the airport with my mum, brother and sister. At this point I was already very nervous. The first things at the airport, such as finding the right departure area, I could luckily still do together. After that, however, it all came down to me. I will admit that I had a bit of a panic attack when I only had to leave for a couple of minutes to get my suitcase checked in. That first moment alone was somehow the scariest! I still got to walk back to say my last goodbyes and luckily that wasn't too loaded. We waved until we could no longer see each other, and then I was really on my own. That was a very strange feeling! Leaving your family behind like that. I was nervous more than I was sad, although I'm sure that I will start missing them after a while!

Anyhow, the customs service people in the Netherlands were very friendly. Strict, but friendly. They made sure to keep the atmosphere kind of light so that you wouldn't be too nervous. Which was very nice! The guy who helped me genuinely was interested in what I told him about why I was going to America. Not just in a sceptical way. Safety check and hand-baggage check was okay as well, nothing that bothered me about it! After that I didn't need to wait long to board the airplane. However, the waiting for the plane to take off did seem to take so long! We stood still for a very long time, and even when we started moving we had several kilometres to drive to get to the right lane. Finally, eventually, we went up into the air. And from that point on I can sum the flight up in three things: Getting stuffed with food and drinks, watching movies and calculating when it's the right time to go to the bathroom. If there's one thing I've learned from this trip by myself, it's that a window-seat is not worth it when you're travelling by yourself. It's so annoying when you have to ask your sleeping neighbour to move out of the aisle because you've been holding it out for a little too long trying not to wake him up. Like, if those were my friends or family I wouldn't mind. But of these people I didn't even know what language they spoke! Another thing I've learned for next time: Ask a flight attendant how to turn off the air-conditioning. That thing is so cold, so loud, and made my face itch so much during the flight. It was really getting on my nerves. Funny thing is, I couldn't really hear what the flight-attendants were saying because of this. So every time they were approaching with food and there was a choice I tried to listen from the rows before me what they could pick between. However, one time I understood: Strawberry or vegetarian? And I couldn't see what we'd get as it was in a little box, so I chanted 'strawberry!' Only to get a ham-sandwich afterwards, with chocolate mousse. So I guess I must have kind of confused her there.. ;) I watched two movies on the flight, Into The Woods and Interstellar. Both of which I found really good! And for the rest I watched Once Upon a Time. Sleep was non-negotiable in my seating placement, so I'm glad that I'll be in a different seat when I return home at night in two weeks.

As we descended into Boston Logan Airport, the first thing I saw when we reached beneath the clouds was power-plants. Followed by houses in all kinds of different colours, typically Boston, I hear. When I got off the plane the biggest difference was the way I was treated at customs. At first I had to go to a little self-service point, where you had to confirm your ESTA information. This service point then also took the freedom of taking a beautiful photo of my 8-hour-flight-face. One eye bigger than the other and my face red with spots because of the stupid air-conditioning. It actually allowed me to take another one but I just laughed and went ahead. It printed a little customs-pass for me which I then had to take to a customs-desk. The already-bitter-looking man asked how I was doing, but obviously didn't care as I was immediately told to put my fingers on the screen so that he could check my prints. It was such a big difference with the customs in the Netherlands! He basically asked the same questions, but did it without a single glimpse of friendliness. That must be such a tough and awful job to have! Out of customs I went to look for my suitcase, which, of course, had to come as one of the last so I spent the entire time nervous and thinking it wouldn't have made it. But there it was, and so was I, so I could make it to the exit. Over there I met with DeWitt and CeCe, who greeted me with open arms and took me home with them.

In Georgetown I was welcomed with a nice pink banner made by Carson, and Chloe, the dog, immediately came up to lick me. It's incredible how welcome this family makes me feel! For dinner we had steak, which was lovely but a little heavy on my tummy as in my head it was supposed to be past midnight. I'm currently ready to sleep in a big double bed in my own bedroom in the basement. I even got a welcome gift, with shampoo, conditioner, soap, a notebook and a novel! So sweet :) I was also really glad that they loved the gift I got them <3

Well, I'm about to go find out just exactly how many layers of blankets and pillows there are on this bed and get ready to sleep. It is currently 21:50 here in Massachusetts and so almost 4 A.M real feel.

Goodnight!
xxx Eva

9 More Days!

Although I'm still having a hard time believing it myself, I'm going to have to get 'round to realising that there are only 9 more days left before my plane takes off to the States!

It's amazing how quickly time flies, and it kind of makes it all that bit more scary. I will be travelling to Boston all on my own on the 20th of April, making it my first ever solo-trip. How exciting!! I'm really hoping to share my experience with you all while I'm there, which will be until the 4th of May. This also means that I will be sharing my birthday, on the 2nd of May, without a single family member! Still, I'm optimistic and sure that I will have a terrific time with my host family and that they will take great care of me. It's going to be amazing!

Wait a minute... Did I even tell you all about what I'm going to do there and why? I think not! Well, here it goes:

I've been following a bilingual programme at my school in the Netherlands since I was 12 years old. This programme requires all of the students to go on an international work placement for at least one week. It's really awesome, because over the next couple of weeks my classmates and friends will be all over the world! Some are going to America, some to England, others to Africa and the Himalayas or Australia and New Zealand! It's insane! For my work placement I will be joining the girl I will be staying with in America to her private High School in South-Hamilton. How cool is that? A real American high school! Let me tell you, my expectations are super high! ;) Then for the rest of the week I will probably join her mother to her work to help the company she works for with a great move. The next week is completely up for fun, exploring and meeting other people. So basically, these promise to be some very special weeks for me! :)

Strangely enough, it's the travelling by plane itself that makes me the most nervous. I've only ever flown on a plane once, and that was with about 30 of my closest friends for a class exchange. However, this time I will be flying absolutely solo. It's not exactly the flying itself that I'm nervous about, rather the things that I need to do at the airport in order to get on the right plane! :') Finding gates, going through security and whatnot. I genuinely believe that I will become a whole different person after this experience. So much more independent and world-wise than before.

Fingers crossed for a safe trip and that I won't forget to pack anything important!

Lots of love, and I will keep you updated!

Eva