Denmark v America: what we do all day.

Before I share just how I'm feeling, I want to give the following statement: I know it's only been one week that I've been here. I know the weather is the coldest it's been in 14 years, and I know once school starts I'll have loads more to do. I know.

But it is hard to find your place. Everyone in my hall has been very nice. No one has blown me off for hanging out, and generally people talk to me when we're in the kitchen. But this morning I was thinking about how much I missed waking up in the morning, reaching for my cell phone and texting Colleen or Tasha about something that happened the night before. I miss reaching over and checking to see who wanted to grab lunch. I miss picking up a conversation right where it ended yesterday.

Don't get me wrong, I am making friends, and making plans and exploring the area. I'm trying to buy new foods and drinks. I'm getting really good at dividing by five. (Five Danish Crowns is one American Dollar.) But I miss starting a conversation with "Oh OK, you HAVE to hear this..." or "OK, so you remember..."

A friend told me my stay was way too long to be looking forward to the end already. I'm not. I'm looking forward to having something to do. I was speaking with another exchange student from Holland, and he was remarking how hard Americans work. He said he goes to school a few hours a day, and that's it. He watches a lot of movies. I go to school a few hours and then have two jobs plus outside journalism work. I love taking 15 hours of class and working 30 hours a week on top of that. I am never bored. I feel like I'm wasting a lot of time here. I suppose that's something I'll need to get used to.

I don't want to sound as though I'm unhappy. I'm just looking forward to tomorrow, the first day of school.