The Ultimate American Experience

On April 14, the family went to San Diego to welcome home Lee, who has been in Iraq since September of last year. Tuesday after school we all drove down to the valley (Phoenix) where we spent the night at Adam and Janna's. The next morning we started our 5-hour-trip to San Diego. We arrived at 4, and went straight to David's Bridal, to find Starfox a prom dress. After everybody's help with finding me the perfect dress, we ate a delicious meal at Panda Express (America's greatest invention). Later on we met Christia, who goes to The University of San Diego. She showed us around on campus and after spending some time at the University, we headed out to Camp Pendleton, where Lee is stationed. Lee came home later on that night.

I can honestly say that being there when the soldiers returned to their families from Iraq that night, is by far the best thing I have experienced here in America. There were mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, daughters, sons, grandparents, friends waiting to see their loved ones again. The were all waiting for the feeling that their loved ones was home and safe. I will never forget when Debby hugged Lee for the first time in 7 months. I may only be Starfox, the foreign exchange student from little Norway, but even I felt proud that day.

Day two, we all went to Six Flags, which was a lot of fun. We took rides all day and spent time with Lee as well as the whole family. I had such a great time, I love amusement parks!

''You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them''.

On August 2, 2008, I landed in Show Low, Arizona. This was the day that I met my family, the family that I have learned to admire, cherish, appreciate and most importantly love with all of my heart. When I came out of that ridiculously tiny air plane that saturday in August I had no idea that the family I was gonna meet for the first time, was the family that I would keep in my heart for ever. This family that I was about to meet had no idea that the silly Norwegian girl (later on given the name Starfox) would occupy their American home for 10 months. Eat all their food, steal half of Becca's bed, use their phone for long-distance calls back to Norway, showing off her driving skills in Debby's brand new Jaguar, having Curtis throw grapes at her and most importantly that she would be mean to Ferosh (bat-dog) when the family wasn't around.

I can remember as it was yesterday when the lady from EF that interviewed me said to me: ''You will leave your hostcountry with a family that you will always love''. But in my case, I loved my family the day I met them, and I will leave loving them even more.

Thank you all (you know who you are) for giving me the best year of my life and most importantly your love.

Mexico 2009

Viva México

For Spring Break we all backed our bags and left for Rocky Point, Mexico. We stayed from saturday to thursday. Mexico was amazing, we stayed at a beautiful resort that was located on the beach. We spent our days mostly on the beach and in the pool-area. I was lucky enough to try my first fish taco and going to the ''dirt mall''.

The Mexico-lovers were:

Debby, Joe, Starfox, Jacob, Becca, Michael, Adam, Janna, Brookelyn and Grandma Josie.

Good Times

Anna and Becca!

Joe and Jacob.

I am cutting the german's hair.

Sisters.

Volleyball ended up on the roof, so Curtis volunteered to go get it.

Our trip to San Diego.

Homecoming dinner with my two favorite girls, Becca and Rachel!

Curtis and Jacob are nuts.

Becca and I are decorating for Thanksgiving.

Starfox and her best friend The Turkey.

I love you Becca.

Just playing some baseball at Target.

Doesn't look like I know what I'm doing. Watch out.