Eric Bornestav

So lets see what I remember since my last journal, I think it just had been Christmas, so lets start with New Years eve.

New Years Eve:  at new years eve all the exchange students from 6970 had a party in Jacksonville, we had alot of fun and at the same time we got the chance to volunteer at a homeless shelter. They all where very happy for us helping and i think i´m speaking for everybody when I´m saying we fel really well doing something for somebody, especially this time of the year.

My Birthday: my birthday (January 7) we spent very easy and good nothing special but I had alot of fun,  we went to the dogtrack and Spent some money! Well we did not spend that much money just a couple of dollars on some of the dogs and because no one of us where any expert on dogs so we played after the name of the dog, I lost more than I earned. So the reason why we went to the dog track is because you have to be 18 to do it, and when you turn 18 in Sweden that is something very special.

Change of Host family: since my last journal I also changed family, it was very sad the day when I really moved, but then the day after I got in to my new family really quick, and they made me feel very welcome, so i´m very happy where i´m right now, And I still have good contact with my last host family and we meet, now and then.

Key West: in February we went for the last thing together all the exchange students. It was time for seacamp and key west, it was an perfect  ending of all the trips we have had together, we had an great time snorkeling and learning about the sealife. It was sad when it all was over, because during this year you not only get to meet Americans and their culture, but alos a bunch of people from other countries, and you get close to each other. But seacamp is absolutely an great experience.

Daytona: also in February I went with Matteus and his 3rd host family to Daytona to see Daytona 250! It was really awesome and i´m so happy that I got the chance to see a race in Daytona that is something very very special!

Hawaii: Hawaii lovely Hawaii! I think when I´m saying that Hawaii absolutely where one of the best week of this entire year, and don´t get my wrong I have had alot of fun with alot here and both my host families, but Hawaii where something very very special, we got to see so much such as the top of Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, we surfed where on the beach and just relaxed, and I just have to say that it truly is paradise there, and I think that people how have never been there really have to go and see it! It is so beautiful and people are really friendly. I really hope that I will get the chance to go back someday.

So that was the major things that have happened during this year so far and there is still around 3 and a half months left and there is so much more to see. Otherwise, life is pretty much like Sweden now or the regular days you go to school go home or hang out with some friends, or workout after school, that is how a regular day in life is now. And during the weekends you go to place with you host family or friends and see other things it is incredible how fast time goes, and how you get in to everyday life here pretty easy.

And because of this you learn how to handle the language and how to have normal conversation without thinking. I think that since I came here to the United States I have not only learned a language, I also had the chance to get to know my self better, how to handle situation without the security you got back home and i´m already feeling more grown-up and in these last 3 and a half months I think will really help my for the rest of my life and how I see things and how I react in different situations,

I´m very happy for this experience and if i could turn time back i would  re-do this year, because it is not only the all the fun things you get to see it is also, how much you grew up and how you learn how to handle situations, and as one of my older journals from my first months in Gainesville, you might think I would change that but no I would not do that. I would re-do it because those months really helped me alot and I will always see the world different after this year.

(website:Inbound 2010-2011)