Flight information

" Things end but memories stay forever "

I started packing already and thought it was maybe good to tell you all my flight information so you can follow my flights next week.

Halifax 30 jun 13:35 -> Ottawa 30 june 14:17 AC 8635 Air Canada

Ottawa 30 jun 16:55 ->Frankfurt 1 jul 06:15 AC 838 Air Canada

Frankfurt 1 jul 09:15 -> Amsterdam 1 jul 10:25 LH 988 Lufthansa

All the times are local times from the city I will be.

It will be a long day but I can't wait to eat dutch pancakes, bitterballen, kroketten en stampot.

See you next week The Netherlands!

Last story written in Canada

" Beginnings are usually scare and endings are usually sad, but everything in between that makes it all worth it.

It has been a while since my last story. I have been busy with learning a bit for exams and of course mom and dad came.

So where did I ended, I need to start writing down what I am doing every day. So June 5th I went to Acadia with Track. It was the weekend of provincials and I didn't make it but I got to go to support Sanne of course. How am I going to survive without her? So we woke up early to be at the school at 7:30 am. We had a great day at Acadia and to make it even better, Sanne got second with discuss so she can say she is second of Nova Scotia Senior girls. I'm a proud friend:). I stayed the night Friday on Saturday so we could bake apple-pie on Saturday for the bqq on Sunday. We started the morning with some Dutch pancakes that is almost getting a tradition. Two Canadian friends came over for breakfast too. Their first time eating Dutch pancakes and they put everything on it at once, white chocolate spread, icing sugar, chocolate sprinkles and don’t forget the syrup. After a good day I went home because the next morning mom and dad were coming to Brooklyn. I was awake early and around 10 they came. It was so weird to see them again after more then 9 months. In the afternoon we went to a bbq from nssip at a lake. I went swimming but it was really cold. Monday I went to school for the first two hours and after that I went home to bake apple pie with mom and dad for the family supper in the evening. We also drove around Liverpool and White point a bit. In the evening we had a family supper with the family and mom and dad. The rest of the week I had to go to school since exams where almost. Friday I left school after the second hour to go to Chester to visit one of my friends. We went to her nanny and went shopping in Halifax and also the next morning Dutch pancakes for breakfast. On Saturday mom and dad picked me up and we went to Halifax till Tuesday. In the evening we walked around downtown Halifax a bit and went out for sushiJ. Sunday we went for a walk by the waterfront and went to pier 21. This is the place where my uncles came in Canada for the first time. It was weird but also beautiful to see, read and hear about they came here and what they had to do before they could travel to Ontario. Monday we went shopping a bit and went to a little town at the other side of Halifax. Tuesday we went to Lunenburg and Mahone bay. I knew Sanne was in Lunenburg with her parents too so when I saw her I started running. We talked a bit and than we went home. Wednesday I went back to school since the exams started on Thursday. Thursday I wrote my first exam Physical active living. It went not bad. Friday I had calculus and after I went to Sanne. In the evening we went to White Point Beach Resort with Mieke, Mitch and someone else from nsisp. Mieke is one of the people from our organisation, travel active, and Mitch wanted to take us all out for supper. Saturday I went to the beach with some friends and baked pancakes with Sanne again. In the evening we went to Egeman and Rafael for a little party with some friends. Sanne and I took the pannekoeken with white chocolate spread, chocolate sprinkles, milka and stroopwafels. They all love it here. I stayed overnight at Sanne again and in the morning, I think you can guess, yes pancakes again. In the afternoon I went home to study some for my last exam on Monday. Sunday evening we went out for supper at the Chinese restaurant with the family for father’s day. Today I had my last exam chemistry. After the exams I went out for lunch with Sanne and Vivi. We went to lanes for nachos.

So next Tuesday I will be flying home. It looks far away but it will be Wednesday before I know. I will be eating Dutch pancakes in the Netherlands. I can’t wait for the broodjes kroket and bitterballen. But before I come home I will fly home I will have prom first and graduation and safe grad. Prom is Thursday and Monday is graduation with Monday on Tuesday night safegrad. I won’t be graduation but I will be going to safegrad. Safe grad is a little bit like our kolderdag but than its overnight and we are going to Halifax to a sport centre where we can go swimming, watch movies and play different sports.

The time has gone fast and it has been an amazing year. It has had its ups and downs like it used to have. I made so many amazing friends and I can’t wait to visit them all. Brazil, Japan, Spain, Germany Turkey and of course Canada. It will be weird to be back soon and not having them all around anymore.

Don’t worry I will write another blog when I am home back in the Netherlands about prom, graduation and of course my flight home and how the Dutch food tasted again. Pictures will come too but they will be earlier on facebook so look on my facebook Friday for sure.

I want to thank all the people who sent me cards, e-mails and presents. They are all going home with me.

Love,

Sanne

Track, Softball, Peggy's Cove and Halifax

“ When something bad happens. You have three choices. You can either let it define you. Let it destroy you or you can let it strengthen you. “

I will start my story today with something different than normal. For the people who know me, they know I have had a knee injury for a really long time. The pain in my knees got worse so I went to see a doctor. I got papers to go to the physiotherapist. Fun fact he is Dutch and still my English is really good right now explain pain is hard in another language. So I went to the physiotherapist and after a few quick tests he saw it isn’t my knee who is weak but it are my right hip muscles who are weak. So I have a bunch of exercises now to get this stronger. My coach wanted a paper from the physiotherapist that it was okay if I did running and jumping events during track. I was planning on a 100m, 200, 4x100m, long jump, 80m hurdles and maybe triple jump or 400m. When I ask for this the answer was something else than I expected. No running and jumping for me till my muscles are stronger. People who know me a little know I can be really cocky so I was going for the 100m. I wanted to go both days so I started practising for shot put and discus. I asked if softball was okay and I can do that if I’m careful. I have noticed that my hip is weak so for sure I will. I wanted to explain this short because I am totally not a person who throws in track. The sport adventures have ended for me so you won’t read a lot about it anymore. For me a big different because I went a lot for runs in the weekends and at school I was always busy with sports. But now I will use my time for the exercises.

Now I will start with what happened the last two weeks. Thursday may 14^th we had our first softball game. I was nervous because I didn’t know how to play softball actually. I knew some of the rules and have watched some baseball games but that was it. I didn’t know how to hit the ball so that didn’t go well. The rest of the game went good. We lost but we had to play against a team that wins provincials so we didn’t expect to win. The weekend was a long weekend because we had no school on Monday. Friday I went with some friends to Bridgewater to go out for supper and some shopping, I bought shoes because I don’t have enough shoes here yet, only around 12/13 pairs. Saturday the weather was beautiful so I lay outside in the sun and didn’t do a lot more. Sunday I made some homework and we went out for supper in the evening with the family. Monday I didn’t do a lot, in the evening I went to Tim Horton’s with Vivi. Tuesday back to school. After school we had another softball game. This game went a lot better than the first game. I even hit the ball a few times. Wednesday was the first day of Track Districts. My events for the day were discus and the 100m. The discus was first. I didn’t expect a lot from it but we had a lot of fun. I came last but all the girls practise probably a lot more than I do. Later the day I had my 100m. I was in the second heat and came 3th in my heat with a time of 15.16. I came 8^th from the 14 girls. The first 7 got to run the finals and from there the first 4 are going to regionals. Also there I didn’t do bad for the first time. Thursday was the second day of district. I only had shot put. After the first throws I was 8^th. We had to throw a couple more times. I ended 7^th which is not bad for also my first time. Friday may 22th was our first day of Softball districts. We played a really good first game but lust at the end of the game. Because of all the rain our second game got cancelled and moved to Saturday. Saturday we played three games back to back to back. We started our first game late because of the bad weather. We played a really good game and lost at the end of the game again. The other games we lost also but we played really good and improved a lot since the first game we ever played together. The other teams have played for a long time together and most of the players play softball for a long time. On our team we have a lot of players who played softball for their first year. We improved a lot and had a great time together. We maybe have some more practise games but the real season is over for us. I learned a lot, know all the rules, can hit the ball a lot better and catch the ball a lot more than I did before. I even got the question a few times if I played ball before because that is thought. I guess that’s a good compliment. Sunday we had a NSISP trip to Halifax, Peggy’s Cove and we went whale watching. We first went to Peggy’s Cove. It was really cold but it was nice to see the lighthouse and it was beautiful. After Peggy’s Cove we went somewhere to have a pick nick. We had some really good sandwiches, nachos and fruit. After lunch it was time to go to Halifax and go whale watching, or at least that is what we thought we were going to do. On the boat we found out we didn’t even go to the ocean. It was a nice trip but I wouldn’t do it again. After the boat trip we got some shopping time.

In less than two weeks I will show mama and papa everything around here. It’s weird that the end is really coming close. 37 days and I will be home.

Love,

Sanne

Beach, Track, Softball and spring has started.

" Life is like a camera, Focus on what is important, Capture the good times, Develop from the negatives, And if things don't work out, Take another shot. "

My last story was at april 22, a little while ago so time for a little update. Thursday was my first softball practise. A sport I actually never played before but I like it. Friday we had a day off from school. I stayed home and watched some netflix. Monday april 27 was Kingday and of course we couldn;t forget about that. Sanne and I went both in orange chothes to school and made a picture with the flag. Friday May first I went after school to the beach with some friends. Pictures are on my blog In the evening I stayed overnight at Sanne with Vivi. Saturday we went to Subway for a brunch and after that we went to a cliff. Next time i will make pictures because you have a beautiful view over Liverpool. Saterday night I stayed anohter night at Sanne and Sunday we helped her family in the backyard. After school last ThursdayI went with a few friends out for lunch. For supper I went to the pizzeria with Vivi and Sanne. In the evening Vivi and I went to the dance. The dances are so different from the school dances we had but they are still fun. Everyday after school I got sport practises on Monday and Wednesday I have track and field practise and on Tuesday and Thursday I have Softball practises. On Tuesday and Thursday are also Rugby practises, we have no competions for rugby so softball goes before rugby. On weekend I like to go for morning runs and after my run I sit at at the rocks close to house here. in the evening when i have time i go for walks and also those end up at the rocks at the water. It's beautiful.

When I am wiriting this right now im siting outside in the sun in my summer dress. Yes the spring has started and I can't wait to go to the beach more often. I wish I could spent this summer here. I will be back soon to stay all summer here. 52 days left and than i will be in the Netherlands again. The time went fast but it also looks really long ago that i left home.

Love,

Sanne

Easter, Maple syrup farms and sports.

" Sometimes you win, Sometimes you learn."

It's already two and half week ago the last time i wrote.

Sundag April 5th was Easter. We had a good dinner at Nans with the whole family, and of course the easter bunny came with some chocolate. Monday was second easter day, we just stayed home and I did some homework. Saturdat April 11th we went to a Maple Syrup farm. First we got a pancake brunch we ate pancakes we pieces Milka Oreo. After that we went to the farm. It was fun to see how they make the maple syrop. We also got the make some candy of the maple syrup. Last weekend saturday april 18th we went to Halifax from some promdress shopping. I found my dress really quick but pictures have to wait till after prom.

At school Track and Field, Rugby and Softball season started. The field is not good enough to go outside yet but we practise inside. I am going to try to do all three sports. I will be busy till June.

The snow is finally melting and almost everywhere away. We got some really good sunny days but now it is raining again. I am happy the snow is away and it gets warmer.Yes a short blog. I don't have a lot more to tell. Everything is going good at school. The marks aren't that high as my last semester but I wouldn't expect that with the courses I got now. They are a lot harder than the courses of last semester. And no worries, Yes I am at school right now but I am on my free so I am not doing this during class.

Love,

Sanne

Three months left

" Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect! "

The last time I just came back from Toronto. We are back at school for two weeks. I start realizing the end is coming close. Three more months before I will be back home. It looks long but for me not long enough. I am already making plans for this summer and next school year and I can't wait to start college. But not spending all day with the people I met here is weird to think about. I want summer and finally all the snow away but I know when summer comes I will go back soon. On the facebook of Travelactive I see all the post of girls and boys who got accepted and got a hostfamilie the dates when they will leave. I remember the day I heard still really good. Dad told me the phone was for me and I was siting on the stairs. When I got the phone and heard there was a family I was the most happiest girl on earth. I jumped around the house and drove to my moms work to tell it her. It was in the middle of the the las test week and I got more motivation to learn than ever before. And now a year later, still so happy that I am here.

Wednesday March 25 was another ski trip. After some problems with the bus we finally got at martock. When I went on skiweek with KWC we had always one day that we got dresses crazy from the hills. Sanne and I wanted to do this this year also. So I was wearing my Pink Angel ( from Stitch) and Sanne her Orange onesie. People were all thinking we are crazy. When I skied down the hill I heard all the time from the Ski Lift people talking about me and little kids waving to me. The pictures are on my blog. It was a great day.

Last wednesday there was a cheerleader compitition at the junior high school here in town. WIth Mom and Aunt Traci we went to watch. I enjoyed watching the routines, it makes me miss gymnastics even more.

The rest of the last two weeks weren't very special. Tims, gym, school, homework and watching movies.

I always like to write on my blog but it is hard to make long stories when not a lot of special things happen. For me everything is so normal here and don't feel like important to write about. I don't know if I will update the rest of the three months but for sure I will post pictures.

Love,

Sanne

Waterloo, Toronto

" Don't give up just because of what someone said. Use that as motivation to push harder."

At the moment I'm at the airport. Waiting for my flight back to Halifax. What an amazing week. Something I was waiting for for more than 5 years finally happened. Saturday Ditte Jody en the twins, Sophia and Olivia, picked me up at the airport. From the airport it was around an hour drive back to Waterloo. Before we went home we went to Sobeys to get something to eat for supper. They showed me the international section and they have a lot of Dutch food stroopwafels, pepermunt and specualaasjes. Our sobey can learn something from their. After supper I went to bed early. The next we had to leave early for a two-hour drive to Aunt Jenny and Jane. Jane got a lot of food for lunch. I talked some with aunt jenny and give her some of the Dutch cookies I brought with me. The next day I went Geocaching with Jody and the twins. We found four, one we couldn’t find because it is probably under a snow bank. The twins loved it. After the geocaches we went shopping in one of the malls. In the evening I went with Jody to another mall for more shopping. Jonah thought I was already going home because he thought the mall was the airport. Tuesday we baked olliebollen. In the evening we went to some fronds of Jody and Joel for a birthday party with a lot of kids. 7 kids and 2 babies. Wednesday I went to Toronto with Jody for some shopping. With a car full of bags we went back home. Thursday morning we went to a market. They got some really good food and a lot of cheese. They even have the Canadian version of Gouda cheese. I didn’t try it so I don’t know if it taste the same. After that we skyped with Opa and Papa and Mama. Also I did some yoga with Sophia. This morning I had to try to get everything in my suitcase. After a lot of stress I got everything in my suitcase and it was not too heavy. My flight goes in an hour back to Halifax. It will be weird not three little kids around and back in the snow. It was an amazing time and I will be back soon for sure.

Almost flying

" Life. It is all about taking chances, about doing something everyone said you couldn't do, it's about acting goofy, it's about not caring what other people think, it's about learning to love what you have. "

I wanted to start this story with thanking everyone who makes this happen. The people who told me this was a great plan and support me in everything to let it happen. And even the people who said that it was't a smart plan because they made me only want to make it real more. The people who support me and helped me learning and studing for my final exams last year. I can say this was already one of the best decisionsI made in my whole life. If someone ask me if they should go to high school in an other country I would say yes. If you ever get the change, go, Yes sometimes it is hard, you will get homesick and you not always understand everything the teachers are explaning but the good times you get back for it are most more worth.

Saturday I will fly to Toronto, something I am waiting for since we came back more than 5 years ago. The moment I realized I wanted to come to Canada. The last three weeks my head is only thinking about my trip. Flying for the first time alone. What do I take with me? Haven't seen them in more than 5 years. And now it finally is going to happen. I will meet them again. Another big dream what become true.

The last three weeks weren't really special. Saturday Februari 28 we had our last basketball tournament. Pictures of that day are in my albums. After basketball I went to bridgewater for a NSISP event. We went bowling an had pizza.

After school all the sports are over for me. We have badminton season at the moment but that is not a sport for me. Somewhere in spring we will have track and field and softball. After March break I will go to the gym and yoga. We spent a lot of time in Tim Hortons and I will miss Tims a lot back home in the Netherlands, we will ask them to open one in the Netherlands, Eindhoven so I can go after and before school.

We still have snow here and I have no idea when it will be gone. There is so much laying everwhere. I won't be surprised if we still have snow in April/May. I hope we are getting sun a lot soon. Warm weather so we can go outside. At the other side I want some more snow because I will go skiing in Toronto and after March break also.

111 days left before I will be back in the Netherlands. I am already making plans for what I want to eat. But also making plans for when I want to be back here.

Love,

Sanne