Back in the States

As of the 9th of June, I've been back in Seattle. It's nice to be home and see the family again and it actually feels like I have never been gone! I admit there are some things these Americans do that annoy me, but that just means that I am more aware of the people as a culture and can see the characteristics that make them American, versus what makes the Danes Danish.

The past week has been a busy one and when there is someone to miss back in Denmark, it helps make the time pass a little easier. On the Sunday after I arrived, I spent the afternoon with my Uncle Ron, Aunt Maren, cousin Bryn and her boyfriend Brian...and my mom was there, too. We were up at their beach cabin in Tulalip, which is on the Indian Reservation. It's like entering a whole new culture when you drive on to the reservation. What welcomes you first is the new casinos and then the run down houses and the many old, rusty cars parked in the front lot with grass growing beyond the roofs. It's charming... But the beach house is great! We arrived at low tide so we could look for agates and I took some pictures of an old tree trunk and some rocks. Then, we had a hot dog lunch on the deck and enjoyed the warm sun and the view out towards Camano and Whidbey Island. The main purpose of our trip to the beach was to assist in the process of putting together my sister's wedding invitations. They are great cards designed by Maren, and they use a picture that I took last summer on Fanø! It's quite an honor! So, we worked on those and then headed home in the late afternoon.

Monday morning I was up early, as I hadn't quite recovered from jet lag. I was able to make a latte for my mom a couple days in a row, but once my jet lag wore off, I couldn't wake up that early. I have found time to workout on the Nordic Trek a few times in the morning during the week. Good for me! I went to one of my favorite stores: The Paper Zone and then got some coffee at wonderful Starbucks (hadn't gotten a coffee there since I was in Basel, Switzerland!). I have played 18 holes of golf with my aunt (I pared 2 holes) and I have also housesat at her house for a day and visited some friends in South Newcastle! :) Today I was up early to drop off some Danes at the train station downtown and got 2 rounds around Green Lake in on my rollerblades before heading back home to Mukilteo! It feels good to be busy, but now I have to work on getting a Viking outfit made for Danish Camp next week and 50+ aebleskiver to make for camp as well! This is going to be a busy week as well, but I don't mind! Just as long as I eventually find time to write my thesis and get it done by August 14th...oh...my....goodness.