Højskolen Cronicles #4

These are the nights that never die.

And our adventure is coming to an end. 

It's a bit bittersweet. 

If I look back at it, I must say we had a great time. Sure, there were some things that annoyed me to no end (which you can read here, and here), but overall we had a blast! Especially at the and after the Study trip!

At the beginning, it was a bit hard to get used to living with another 41 people. Feels like an extended school trip when we were 12 - only it lasts 4 months, and you are not 12. I am not gonna lie here, these were 4 long months. 

Living in a school filled with people from all over Europe is a challenge. You know, all the different cultures and people being used to do certain things in a certain way. Although I will say, the biggest group, the majority, was the harder to get used to. Danish people are quite loud, most of them stick with each other, and constantly speak only Danish. 

But after the trip, I got the feeling that we really connected with each other. We started to hang out a lot more, and we kind of let go of people who did not make an effort to hang out with us. I was less stressed after that. Everything was finally in its place.

I really feel that this was a great experience. I've never attended a boarding school, but this was fun. I only wish it wouldn't have taken us so long to become friends with each other. Cause now we are having the time of our lives. These, really, are the nights that never die.

And, I have learnt some. My German has improved from barely there to omg I am actually good at it. I have finally started learning French, which has been a dream of mine for a while now. I have learnt some interesting things about art, about Nazi time, about current affairs happening in Europe. I also sang a lot - all about Danish culture. I was writing for the school newspaper. Singing for breakfast is not as bad as it sounds. It's fun. Philosophy, body, and mind, creative kitchen all have thought me some things. Things I will remember cause I am gonna need them in life.

At the end of the day, I do feel a little sad, because I am really gonna miss this school. I am gonna miss living here with all these people, eating together with 50 people every day, having a roomie, going at the bar 20 meters from your room, having classes all day long, the best Friday nights. I am gonna miss the friends that I've made here. These are good people. And exceptionally good at partying. Those were the nights. In Tækkers bar every Thursday. In Makke bar every Friday. And everything in between. 

Life is so good, you know?

So I would like to say to everyone that was with me on this 4-months-højskolen-adventure, thank you, and for most of you, I am happy that I've met you. 

As for you, my lovely reader, if you have a spare 4 months in the very near future (end of January begins) or just want some change, or some time out, or simply a pure desire to go to folk school - I would highly advise you to go on this course. I pretty much summarized in this last entry how the life at højskolen looks like. And please, age is only a number. :P 

It was the best money that I've ever spent for 4 months 'vacation', and that's because it wasn't really a vacation. You actually have to attend classes and learn things. The fact that there are no exams does not exclude the fact that you have to attend classes. But it's a lot of fun, great atmosphere, lots of new things to learn, and a great life experience.

Either way, I am really glad I made the decision to attend Højskolen østersøen - it is a valuable experience in life to have.

For more information about Højskolen: Facebook - Hojoster website

The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger Review

The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend
by Kody Keplinger
Published on September 7th 2010
Little Brown/Poppy, 280 pages

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face. 

But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

- Goodreads.com description

“I was the Duff. And that was a good thing. Because anyone 

who didn't feel like the Duff must not have friends. 

Every girl feels unattractive sometimes. Why had it 

taken me so long to figure that out? Why had I been 

stressing over that dumb word for so long when it 

was so simple? I should be proud to be the Duff. 

Proud to have great friends who, in their minds, 

were my Duffs.” 

This is a YA book, and I've been meaning to read it for a while now, like years. And even though I've been having some troubles with YA these days (man, I am getting old!), I am happy to say that this was not the case. 

The DUFF was an excellent read, with real life struggles, a believable main character, and with realistic dramatic events. I loved this book so much!

Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid Review

Let's Get Lost

by Adi Alsaid

Published on July 29th 2014

Harlequin Teen, 338 pages

Five strangers. Countless adventures. One epic way to get lost. 

Four teens across the country have only one thing in common: a girl named Leila. She crashes into their lives in her absurdly red car at the moment they need someone the most. 

Hudson, Bree, Elliot and Sonia find a friend in Leila. And when Leila leaves them, their lives are forever changed. But it is during Leila's own 4,268-mile journey that she discovers the most important truth—sometimes, what you need most is right where you started. And maybe the only way to find what you're looking for is to get lost along the way.

- Goodreads.com description

“Well, everyone needs at least one long road trip in their lives.” 

Wow. This book was definitely different. I mean, five characters altogether? And made up to be meaningful? Quite awesome.

She turned her can'ts into cans, and dreams into plans.

Today was the best day of my life!

Today, 26. 11. 2015, was the day of my graduation! Not only did I make it to Edinburgh University after all the struggles that I faced, kept going between work and exams and lectures and stress and life, I also finished! I did it. 

It was a beautiful day. Sunny, which does not happen often in Scotland. 

My mom and my sister came to Scotland for my graduation too. And I had my friends with me. And I was wearing this amazing royal blue dress ala Blair Waldorf style. Life is so good! Since I got the results at the beginning of the month of November, I just couldn't contain my happiness. I did it. Life is so good. I invested and worked for my education, and I came out as a winner! I did it. Sometimes I still struggled with accepting this, but there was really no struggle left after this day.

I walked up the stage, and in that moment it hit me that I might have been a bit nervous. And, then they called my name and everything was a haze. Really. I swear I didn't even feel the hit with the ancient hat! But the woman in that moment said "Congratulations Nea" and I was all of a sudden back in the moment. Grounded. Woah. And, I said "Thank you" and I meant it. I had another 6 meters to walk, and in the middle of it, I stopped. I turned around to look at my mom, and I suddenly saw all these people. The entire hall full of people. And that was the moment it actually hit me. I did it. I did it. Me. It's mine and no one will ever be able to take this away from me. And, I opened my mouth and what it came out was a loud "Mom, I did it!" I waved (aimed as Kate Middleton style, came out as an overly excited wave) and left the stage. It was exhilarating. 

The final speech was really nice. They told us that now we are equipped with knowledge, and we are going to go in the world and make great things. That, we are going to shape the future of society. Future leaders of the world. Wow, in that moment I almost cried. Cause everything I did in life led me to that moment. All the sleepless nights, all the struggling, all the alcohol, all the drama, all the tears, all the sweat, all the blood, the counseling sessions, all the time and money - was fucking worth it. I am so proud of myself. And, maybe for the first time ever, I felt I deserved it. 

Thank you so much to all my friends, and family who supported me on this long journey. And, a big thank you to my blog (for all the emotional outbursts that I had a place to express), and my followers, who followed me and cheered for me on this path. Thank you.

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson Review

I'll Give You the Sun
by Jandy Nelson
Published on September 16th 2014
Dial Books, 371 pages

A brilliant, luminous story of first love, family, loss, and betrayal for fans of John Green, David Levithan, and Rainbow Rowell.

Jude and her twin brother, Noah, are incredibly close. At thirteen, isolated Noah draws constantly and is falling in love with the charismatic boy next door, while daredevil Jude cliff-dives and wears red-red lipstick and does the talking for both of them. But three years later, Jude and Noah are barely speaking. Something has happened to wreck the twins in different and dramatic ways . . . until Jude meets a cocky, broken, beautiful boy, as well as someone else—an even more unpredictable new force in her life. The early years are Noah's story to tell. The later years are Jude's. What the twins don't realize is that they each have only half the story, and if they could just find their way back to one another, they’d have a chance to remake their world.

This radiant novel from the acclaimed, award-winning author of The Sky Is Everywhere will leave you breathless and teary and laughing—often all at once.

- Goodreads.com description

“Reality is crushing. The world is a wrong-sized shoe. 

How can anyone stand it?”

Sadly I never wrote a review about it, but let me tell you that The Sky Is Everywhere, is one of the most beautiful books ever written. Jandy Nelson builds up her books with such beautiful writing is astonishing, really. And always, always about very important and tragic things that could happen to any of us.

Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta Review

Saving Francesca 
by Melina Marchetta
Published on May 9th 2006
Knopf Books for Young Readers, 243pages

A compelling story of romance, family, and friendship with humor and heart, perfect for fans of Stephanie Perkins and Lauren Myracle.

Francesca is stuck at St. Sebastian’s, a boys' school that pretends it's coed by giving the girls their own bathroom. Her only female companions are an ultra-feminist, a rumored slut, and an impossibly dorky accordion player. The boys are no better, from Thomas, who specializes in musical burping, to Will, the perpetually frowning, smug moron that Francesca can't seem to stop thinking about.

Then there's Francesca's mother, who always thinks she knows what's best for Francesca—until she is suddenly stricken with acute depression, leaving Francesca lost, alone, and without an inkling of who she really is. Simultaneously humorous, poignant, and impossible to put down, this is the story of a girl who must summon the strength to save her family, her social life and—hardest of all—herself.

- Goodreads.com description

“It's a weird smile, but it reaches his eyes and I bottle it. 

And I put it in my ammo pack that's kept right next to my soul 

and Justine's spirit and Siobhan's hope and Tara's passions. 

Because if I'm going to wake up one morning and not be able

 to get out of bed, I'm going to need everything I've got to 

fight this disease that could be sleeping inside of me.”

Oh my god. I just finished this book and I am shattered. The FEELS. All these feels, I am overwhelmed. I read Jellicoe Road awhile ago, and I remember that I thought that Melina Marchetta was a total genius, and one of the best authors I have ever encountered. I was right then, and well, I am right again. 

This book is just wonderfully beautiful.