Well it's official, I'm leaving Livejournal. Now I'm not going to delete my user account, at least probably not for a little while, but in time I will. I have started a new blog. A blog that doesn't remind me or how unhappy I was when I returned from Denmark. I'm not depressed anymore, I'm happy. I have a great life, an amazing boyfriend and so very blessed.

So I've decided to leave this sad, depressing chapter of my behind, I'm leaving it here on lj and no longer going to pay attention to it. If you wish to see my happenings I have a new blog that I'm going to try and stay up to date with at http://ambassadoroftheworld.blogspot.com/

Take Care and Goodbye
Nicole

My trip this summer is falling into place. I'm going to Paris, France Budapest, Hungary Berlin, Germany and Copenhagen, Denmark. Only 108 days left until I leave. I can't wait. I'm excited. At the moment i'm just really happy that I get to see my family and my friends. This summer it would have been 3 years since I saw them. I still can't believe that I'm going. The plane ticket it bought, hotel booked (in Paris at least). And Stephanie and I are working on coming up with a tentative schedule of places to see. This summer I am traveling... literally i'm traveling the entire summer. school gets out the beginning of May and I'll be working from the beginning until the 27th. On the 27th my mom and brother arrive in Chicago where we'll spend a few days. Then we'll come back to Berrien where we'll spend the night and I'll give them a tour of Andrews. Saturday morning we'll go to church then go to head to NYC. We are spending 5 or so days there. My brother will then fly back to California and my mom and I will drive back to Berrien and spend a few days there. My mom flys out of Chicago on the 10th of June and my dad flys in that same day. He'll be here for a week or so then on the 19th dad and I will fly to the bahamas while Justin and Alisha (they broke up yaay! but she's still living with my dad) fly to bahamas. We'll be in the bahamas for a week. My dad, Justin and Alisha fly back to California on the 27th of june while I fly back to Michigan. I then have a week or so and then I fly to EUROPE! Stephanie's husband is taking us to the airport. I'm so excited!!

A couple weeks back I called my family and told them when I was arriving in Denmark (July 23rd) and when i'll be arriving in Odense (july 27th). For once i'll be able to attend Sofie's birthday. My families house sold in Tommerup and they will be in Assens at that point. When I called they had just received the keys to the house which is exciting. I'm a bit sad that I won't be able to see my house one more time but this new house is amazing. I don't even know what it looks like but i'm so excited for it. It's water front property. YES it's right now on the sea. so excited. Far (dad) told me that I can stay there when ever I want. So maybe Karen and I will go and stay the night (or a couple). After all we both love the sea. Last time I was in denmark we would wake up and go to the sea.

This summer there is a possibility that I might help out at the YFU orientation for the new exchange students for a day. I think it would really help them to be able to see and talk to someone who has already been there and done it.

Well I better get back to cleaning my room.. :) Hope you are all doing well (for whoever reads this) Love you all to pieces!!

knus, kram og kys
Nicole

yes that's right! I get to go home to Denmark for 3 weeks this summer :) I'm so excited! I am starting out in France then to Germany then to the Netherlands then finally to Denmark with a friend from Andrews. My friend is then going on to Britain and I am staying in Denmark. I leave the 8th of July and come back to Michigan the 18th of August. I am really looking forward to this trip. I get to see all of my danish family, Karen, Julie, Inge, Signe and I get help out with YFU (youth for Understanding) during the orientation. Plus see my family. I'm so excited. It's still a bit surreal to me. See this summer Karen was suppose to visit me not the other way around. But back in october/november when Stephanie asked me I asked Karen if she was still visiting me and she just didn't think it would happen. I then jumped at the chance. I mean afterall the government is paying me to go to school plus extra money. Why not use some of that money and go to Europe for the summer. I'm really excited. I can't believe I am actually going to be in Denmark all summer. I will be traveling all summer. Starting out in New York City with my mom and brother for the end of May beginning of June. Then going for a week or so in June with my dad, brother and Alisha(brothers girlfriend who also lives with my dad) to possibly Aruba. Then beginning of July I leave for EUROPE!!! I'll be spending my birthday yet again away from my family but this time i'll be in BERLIN!!! It's going to be great!

Well I have to go. I have a quiz on Matthew chapters 1-3. pray I do well. I only read chapters 1 and 2

So this is my avatar from the running site nike+ I am addicted to that site. Since I injured my shoulder (which I have no idea how or what I did- still getting tests done to figure it out) I cannot rock climb. My doctors told me I can swim but it caused too much pain on monday so I haven't been swimming since then. I have been running though. It's great to get back into a regular schedule of running like I use to be. I am after all first a runner. I am a sports nut. I started writing these stories about being an exercise nut so I'll post the first two today.

3 November 2008
The alarm starts plaings ramt i natten by Lizzy, a danish artist at 6:15 am. I roll over grab my phone, turn the alarm off. I go into the menu of my phone to the text message and send a message to my swimming buddy, and overall exercise buddy, letting her know that I am awake. I roll back over and lay under the warm covers for ten more minutes. At 6:25 I climb out of bed, change from my pajamas into a pair of exercise pants that are gray and pink and a t-shirt tat is red. I then slip on my addidas flip flops and the closest sweatshirt which hppens to be my blue sweatshirt from my high school Union Mine. I grab my keys and make sure that my Andrews University Id is there then I go outside. I start my car and pull out of the small driveway and drive the two minutes to the pool. I turn the car off, get out and lock the car. I walk briskly to the building while sending a message to my exercise buddy, Hrefna, that I am there. Once inside I go to the stairs, I run up them. I check in. Run back down the stairs. Open the door to the girls locker room and proceed to the back where my locker is located. I unlock the lock. Take my swim suit out and change. Once Hrefna is there we go to the shower rinse off then go and swim laps for an hour all while waking up. But in the end we feel refreshed.

5 November 2008
I wake up at 7:15 am. I roll over open my blinds to let the sun in my room. Normally on a wednesday morning I would be swimming at this time but due to this shoulder injury I have decided to take the week off and let my shoulder rest. I had plans to go running at 6:30am but I missed my alarm so I was short on time. I get up and begin to get ready for the day I go to my math, linguistics, and professional writing classes then work for a couple hours. As I sit in my classes I think about how I feel empty and that something is missing from my day. Finally after classes and work I am able to go home grab a bite to eat, do a little homework then go out on a 6 miles run.
I open the fourth drawer to my dresser. I look and see my aqua, black and blue shorts. I take the black shorts. I then open the secon drawer and take out the gray jamba juice t-shirt that is on top then from the top drawer I take a white sports bra. I close my blinds so my neighbors cannot see me changing. Once changed I get my running shoes and put them on. I go outside and get my ipod nano out of my car. Back inside the house I create a running playlist, I plug my nike+ device in and select 10k. I grab my house key, lock the doors and begin running. I run down a sidewalk in my neighborhood toward the grocery store. I then come to the grocery store, go left and go down another road back towards my house. I pass my house. I keep going. I run down one of the main streets in my town toward my small university. Once at my small university I run around the campus a couple time then head back to my house. There is about 1km left and I wanted to skip a song but some how I ended the workout. Frustrated I stop running for a few feet. I then go into the menu and manually select 1 mile. I walk a few more feet. I then start running fast, just like it's a 1 miles race. I run to the est of my ability. I imagine that it's the last mile of a cross country race. The wind whips through my hair. I relax my face and I can feel my cheeks bounce up and down and move with my movements and speed. 1/2 miles left. I try to increase my speed. My legs are tired. My lungs are tired. I move my arms harder and faster. I'm sprinting. 200 meters left. I can see the end. 100 meters. Sprint faster, almost done. It's the final leg. 50, 40, 30, 20, 10 done. I end the workout. Collapse on the grass full of leaves. I look at the time, six minutes thirty seconds. I think my myself in how it's been about three years since I last ran that fast. I was happy. I was proud of myself.

So it's been awhile. I went home to California for 3 weeks and that was awesome! I had a great time. Saw my friend Sean who I had not seen in a couple years. We are dating. I am so happy! He is coming here in August. School is going great. In a religion class with a friend so we are being bored together. I am graduating next August so I am looking forward to that. Well I am off to vespers/small group. Have a wonderful weekend

So i am back home in California for a couple weeks. I arrived on wednesday and everything seems to be okay. Yesterday I went to my cousins birthday party which went well. After hanging out and talking for awhile I left, driving my moms car home, with my brother. A lot happened yesterday with him. His phone was stolen while he was at work because he left it in the bathroom by mistake. He found the guy who took it with the video but because there were two people who went into the bathroom during that time the police won't do anything. It's crap. The phone was on all day yesterday and the person wasn't making any phone calls on it. We are looking on craigslist and ebay to see if he posts it to sell. The phone is worth $300. What it comes down to it, basically the police won't do anything to get the phone, even though the police told my brother that they could pretty much get it back because they could track where the phone is, but because no one is in danger that won't. Thats pretty messed up if you ask me. The person left the phone on all day and wasn't making any calls or using the internet or anything. But this morning when we called it, it was off. We're not sure he'll ever get it back. We're hoping something happens. On top of all this. I found out the real issue with my brother and Alisha( girl living in my house). I no longer consider her my sister because of what she is doing. Well apparently my brother and her were pretty serious. They had been dating for 6 months. But when my dad saw them that one night Alisha lied to my dad saying my brother had no feelings for her, which is completely not true. Basically they have been sneaking around for a long time because Alisha wouldn't let my brother tell our parents about them. Now Alisha told me brother lets take a break. But see Alisha is seeing this guy who she told my parents is 19 when he is 21 and basically just having sex with him. To top is all off... Alisha has been telling my parents she is going to parties the past couple of days when what is she doing. Going to this guys house and having sex with him. So today she's going to meet his parents. I know this is sad and my parents will be sad but I hope she just leaves so we can go back to being a family without this person who isn't truthful at all. I use to care for her but after hearing how she is treating my brother and how all she does is lie to my parents I really just want her to leave and disappear out of our lives.

So today I was at work and my dad called me, I couldn't exactly talk because I was with kids and they were sleeping. So I sms him and told him I would call him after work or he could just sms me what he wanted to talk about. He said that what he needed to tell me needed to be said on the phone. After one of the other teachers came back I told her I needed to make a phone call. I went and called dad. He told me that he found my brother and unofficially adopted sister under her covers together. Now previously they have said that they did not like each other only in a brotherly sisterly love. This has all proven to be wrong now. I guess my dad sat and talked with them for 4 hours yesterday. Keep in mind Alisha, sister, is only 17 and my brother is 19. They say they have never had sex before but I am not sure whether I should believe this or not. My dad believes them but I am not sure. My dad and mom are going to talk today when my mom gets home from work and that will determine what happens from here. My dad set a rule that they cannot be in each others bedroom anymore. When I talked with dad he was crying. Now I dont have an emotional bond like my family because I do not live there anymore. I know my dad doesn't want Alisha to leave but sadly she might because of the situation. The problem with that is, her parents don't want anything to do with her which is why she is living with my family. Please pray that someone good comes of this. Not sure how my dad would handle it if he had to tell her she had to leave, same with my mom. But it might come to that. Just pray something comes of this and that no one will get hurt.

**EDIT** Things will be okay. found out that my brother doesn't really love her so things are over between them. At least that is what I am told.

Well I woke up this morning and was going to go for a 5 mile run but some how, not sure how, I turned my alarm off and went back to class. I woke up at 9 and realized that there wasn't enough time to go for the 5 mile run or any other run for that matter since I started work at 10:25am. So instead I just relaxed a little. Once my roommate got out of the shower I took my shower and got ready. I was going to ride my bike to school but I couldn't decide whether or not it was going to rain or not. It looked like it but on weather.com it said it was going to just be cloudy, now one thing to be said about weather.com, they are almost always wrong about the forecast. So I drove to school instead. That meant that I didn't have to rush to get ready. I worked from 10:25 to 1:00 and then I am working again from 2:00 to 3:30 or so. Why can't they just have me working right now, I hate having a break that's only an hour long. What do I do. I could work on my book, or start the reading for the religion class I will be taking in June. Those would be good things to do but instead I am on here. Decided to bring my computer to school for this break to work on my book but of course I am on here. I really need to push forward with my book. The book can't stop at chapter 4. It has to go on. After all I am only at the point where I went 'home' with my host family. I hope to work on my book a lot this summer, that is when I am not doing homework for summer classes and online classes.
Last night I was woken up at about 2am by my dad sending me a text message (sms) and it wasn't even important. It was something about what place he came in overall for the half marathon he did over the weekend. Could that not wait until morning? I guess not. I set my phone back down and not even 30 minutes later my cat comes and jumps on my face to get to the window. I was not pleased. She scratched my eye brow and a little bit on my eye. It hurt. I kicked her out of my room for the rest of the night. Not sure why she decided she had to jump on my face to get up to the window when during the day she just jump up there from the floor. crazy cat. My eye still hurt a little this morning especially when taking my shower.
Well I guess I'll try and write some of my book. farvel

So I haven't been on here in a long time. A friend from Andrews University gave me her user name so I thought I would log in and check her page out. It's been a long time since I made a post. Last time I wrote was the day my grandfather past away. That was a hard process. It was determined that he died due to another stroke. Getting past the death which was hard but we, my family, are doing much better. Just before finals last year my parents came out here for a couple weeks to look at houses. They bought a house :) It's in Berrien Springs about 1 mile from campus. It's wonderful I love living in a house instead of the evil dorm or an apartment.I finally got accepted to Andrews University. I finally won my battle with Folsom Lake College and Andrews University. I was on probation for grades but I got in. Of course I am an A and B student but since Folsom Lake College can't figure out how to send the correct transcripts at a reasonable time I had to deal with being on probation for the first semester. My friend Michelle and I have determined that Folsom Lake college just doesn't care. It takes about 3 days in state but out of state is another story. I think they put the transcripts on horseback when sending transcripts out of state. Both myself and Michelle have had problems multiple times. It takes 6-8 months or in Michelles case 10-12 months to get transcripts at the universities we want to attend. I now attend Andrews University and love it for the most part. I have met some really awesome people. As for Michelle her transcripts just arrived at her university in South Carolina; so hopefully, God willing, she will start there this August. Starting in january I began attending a friday night vespers, small group, at my friend Charles. I enjoy it there. It's nice to have friends that live here so you know they will always be here and not constantly going home. After christmas break I went to the animal shelter and got a cat. Her name is Jade. My old cat, Raskle died,I'm not sure why but I think it was due to seizures. I love jade but I miss raskle. This year I took more classes than I ever have in one year. I took a total of 24 units plus as of right now I am taking 4 units over summer break but hopefully I will be able to take more. I was busy this year but it was good. I figured out that I have 4 semesters left until I graduate. I am going to be taking classes over the summer to try and speed the process up and hopefully I can graduate this time next year. That would be exciting. This year has been good and bad. I have done so much and gone completely out of my comfort zone, which was good. I have done that I can not write it all at one time otherwise I'd be at the computer for who knows how long. All I can say is God is good and is really there for us when we need Him most.

Hello!

Last night i received some of the worst news of my life and i am still trying to deal with it. Last night i received word that my grandfather on my dads side took a turn for the worse and is not doing good. My dad thinks that he knows that family is there but he is not sure. My grandfather is dying. Its worse than we have ever seen in recent years as he was gotten worse. The doctors said that he will be gone by the weekend, and unfortunately because of school and the weather we are having right now i cannot fly home til friday after school. Please pray for my grandfather and that he will stay with us until i can get there. And please pray for my family that we can accept this and move on with our lives.

Hello!

So i still have not made a post about my summer and i probably won't ever make a post about it. It has been awhile since i returned but i miss it. I am now living in Michigan. it is great and slowly i am meeting new friends. I met a norsk(norweigian?!?) family. They are really nice and its great to speak danish with them. Right now my danish father is in St. Louis, Missouri where my sister Katrine is for the year. Dad has a lot of build-a-bear stuff to do. I wish i could be down there visiting but instead i am here in southwest Michigan. I finally posted the important pictures from my europe trip this past summer. Feel free to go to them and look around. I hope to go back next Christmas but i do not know. Right now education is the main thing on my mind. I need to get my MA in english/ english as a second language. I hope to go back to Danmark to teach english.. or possibly german but i really like germany. I am obsessed with german music right now! My fave song at the moment is by Tobias Regner and its called I still burn. I listened to it during the summer with karen... it has a special place in my heart. geez. i miss Karen alot. so anyways here is the link.. enjoy the pictures and let me know what you think:
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y221/track_ambassado/summer%202006/

ha' det godt

Nicole

Schools out for the summer... yaay!

only 28 days left til i fly to Germany!!! yaay!

 so these past few weeks have been crazy and the next few weeks will also be crazy. Not only am i getting ready for holiday to Europe but im also trying to ensure ill get into Andrews. Sometimes i wonder if that is really where God wants me. I have wanted to go there for so long, I did not get in last semester what makes me believe i will get in this semester. The other day i was looking at Odense University in Denmark and I saw they have international communications which is exactly what i want. I have been praying about it. No answer yet, Do i go to AU or do i go to Odense Universitiet?? Your input is welcomed. . .

So here is what my calender looks like so far from now til june 14th

may 6th- church in 30 minutes, potluck then work 6-11
may 7th- study for german final, read europe chapter in world music book, start rough draft essay
may 8th- work 8-4,30 come home study more
may 9th- class starting at 11 finished with school at 6,30pm - drive home, study, sleep
may 10th- off study for german final and finish rough draft
may 11th- class starting at 11, essay rough draft essay due, german final at 5
may 12th- work 7-3,30
May 13th- church, relax
May 14th- study, study, study
may 15th- work
may 16th- world music final, english essay due by 4pm
may 17th- work
may 18th-work
may 19th-work
may 20th- yfu IS orientation
may 21st- yfu AO orientation
may 22nd- work
may 23rd-work
may 24th-work
may 25th-work
may 26th-work
may 27th- church, relax
may 28th- relax and possibly work
may 29th- show nina how to feed animals and such after working 8 hours
may 30th-work
may 31st-work
june 1st-work
june 2nd-work
june 3rd- yosemite with family
june 4th- yosemite with family
june 5th- dentist and run errans(aka buy stuff for Europe and buy stuff for Karen and Inge)
june 6th-work
june 7th-work
june 8th- work
june 9th-work
june 10th- church, start packing
june 11th- packing (possible work)
june 12th-work, packing
june 13th- work(off by 4) go home shower and leave for SF
june 14th- 2pm fly from SFO to frankfurt Germany


 so as you all can see i am busy. I will get on check emails maybe chat a bit, but done expect much of me

so last night and all today i have been stressing about moving to Berrien Springs, MI this september. . . I want to stay in an apartment off campus but my mom wants me to stay in a dorm so iv made a list for both. Let me know what you think


Staying in a dorm:

pros
on campus
get to know more people
walking distance
just need to take clothing and bedding
internet on campus for free

cons:
required meals of $2,350 a year
Less privacy
more noice = less study time
dorm cost $3,110 a year
strict curfew
community showers


staying in an apartment

pros:
buy my own meals
more space
more privacy
able to cook
quiet = more study time

cons:
off campus
cost 300-500 a month
have to dirve
have to take all my stuff(bed, desk, dresser,ect)
have to pay for internet

please let me know asap what you think i should do... im really stressed about this.

hey everyone. I made a website this morning.... i am home sick again. i got my brothers nasty cold pneumonia and i dont want anyone else to get it so im staying home in the privacy of my room. If you want go check out my website. I have only posted a few things. but now everyone can view my journals i wrote while in Dk. i added that to my site. so go and enjoy it. here is the site. http://www.freewebs.com/run4theworld/

nicole

im gone to my cousins for tonight and tomorrow. if you need me call my cell. talk to you all on sunday evening after i am done working at cal-expo making $10 for handing out flyers

nicole