A life in one year? (Part II)

Now we're continuing with my adventure in the USA.

I am going to tell you the most special days for me in this post!

Three weeks after my first school day, the 13th of September came which is my Birthday. I was thinking all the time how I was gonna do it. I made some friends until this day, but I wasn't sure if anyone would come. I heard always that anyone in school is planning a party at his/her house. I think everyone there loves it to go or arrange a party. But that's good for me, because I'm a Party-girl too! Since my host mom organised parties and weddings - as her job - it wasn't even a need to ask her for allowance. Since I was gonna have just one time a birthday party in America, I spent a lot of time on it planning and decorating everywhere with a special theme! My host mom and I decided to do a Flamingo - themed party. The whole house was looking pretty cool, because literally everything was in pink or had a flamingo on it. That was one of those moments where I realised that everything is taken seriously there. Which is nice, because you put so much effort in something which is important to you. And I just love how everyone there in the US has always a reason to celebrate something. That's just brilliant because it shows how much they want to spend time together. I loved that character trait. Of course there was also a minority who doesn't love to join parties or celebrations. But that's totally ok too, I mean they are at least trying to get something out of it. If you don't spread negativity during an event, there is no reason that you as a party-hater should be sitting at home while your friends are dancing off the stage, right?

So, anyways...I invited some people in hoping that they would come. And guess what happened? The number of people who I invited increased to the double! I mean I didn't know so many people at that time, but I don't know how so many people came there! While I was opening the doors till like 11pm, I was getting more and more shocked. Of course it's definitely not bad or annoying that random people come - I do appreciate it - but how the hell...?

So it came out, that some friends of mine invited other people to make a big party out of it! Which was great, because I got to make more friends - I do not regret it at all! During the night we ate, sang, danced, swam in the pool, talked and played a lot!!! I was afraid at the beginning that no one would come to my party, but it went out perfect!! I'm so glad and happy that they made my birthday to one of the greatest! I will cherish and remember it forever! This is the only neutral picture, where my friends aren't shown. I wasn't sure if they want to be here on my blog, so that's why I got this one for you. You can see more pics and videos on my instagram (ilayda.borucu)!

I think it shouldn't sound new to you if I say that 2 weeks after my birthday, there was homecoming? But I guess I can give you a brief explanation: Homecoming is an annual tradition at some universities, high schools, and colleges in the United States. On this festive occasion, a banquet, a football, basketball or ice hockey game or something similar is usually held in late September or early October - in my case, in the last week of September - in honour of former schoolchildren or university members. Often a parade is held through the city streets or a ball is held, culminating in a homecoming queen, and often also a homecoming king, due to popularity, beauty or merit for the school or university. As some of you know me, I did not know any of those "traditions", so I guess my host family assumed that I would know about this. But I'm there to learn and try everything right?

So the week of homecoming came, and our school has been decorated and on Friday of that week, the theme (Homecoming) & the decorations, parade, costumes etc. were orange & white (my school colour was orange & white). It's kinda complicated describing the atmosphere and how everything looked there, but I surely know, that this Homecoming week, we all were wearing either orange or white stuff. It was pretty cool, that they let us paint in our own faces. That was one of my first weeks, where I realised and actually felt the "School Spirit". It is true - like in the movies. I was quite envious, because I wish every school or even every country had that "School Spirit". It's crazy how important sports are there! My school had a big variety of sports. I couldn't decide, since I wanted to do everything or at least try as much as I can!

Let's go back to homecoming, I'll pick this topic later on ;)

My host mom prepared a homecoming-mum (the "thing" which is shown below in the picture on myself) - I don't know why it's called homecoming-mum.

Maybe because almost every mom is preparing one of those (in school colours), and the students wear it to school. It was a tradition thing. But it was great to see everyone with those beautiful things on them!

In the evening of Friday, there was the Homecoming-Football Game, and I went there too. It was my first time going to an American Football Game! It was on my To-Do List, so I watched it, and it was breathtaking!

The football games are every Friday, but the home game is every second week. In the morning of a Home-Game, there are celebrations where the cheerleaders, Hi-Steppers etc. motivate the football players. And every home-game there is another theme. We had Homecoming, Pink Out, Black Friday, and many more!

So....Luckily I wasn't alone at the game, some friends were there too! I still don't know how the rules are for this sport, but I know something - it's definitely worth it to watch, at least one time in your life! I mean there were people playing on that team, who became my friends later on, but I was there to support my school, you know? It was a great night - there was definitely a need for repetition!

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/197796_1a6374476c5342c5a31e6e413fed9aa6/360p/mp4/file.mp4

On Saturday evening of that week, there was our "Homecoming celebration" in the school. It was almost like Prom because everyone was wearing dresses - pretty fancy. On that day, I was at the point where I asked myself, if I even should go or shouldn't? Because of the reason that I knew that everyone was going to go with someone else together, I questioned myself to attend or not to be part of it. But my host parents helped me realising that it was my first and actually last homecoming. So I actually HAD to go. I asked my best friend Rikardo (greetings to him if he's reading this <3), if he would come with me. I was shocked with his answer - I didn't expect him to accept my request! That was the second where I got excited to be part of that great night. And I was also thinking that it would be nice for me to see people there and get to know everybody. Since I own the character trait of being a party-girl, I just had to be there!

Anyways.. that's how I went to school - to the celebration. (You can find more pictures with my friends on instagram!)

I was blown by the decorations in the school and the whole atmosphere there! There weren't that many people, like I imagined, but it was still nice, because I became acquainted with new friends through Rikardo. I'm blessed that I got the chance of getting to know all those wonderful persons<3

The night started with music and dances. We just danced and jumped all around. There were students who made a big show with their own way of dancing, which I enjoyed to the fullest! I guess, it wasn't hard for others to tell that my friends and I had a lot of fun! I felt like I was knowing them for years, which is great, because this fact shows how - truly - perfect they are! It was a long night, but definitely worth it!

The familiarisation phase started with the beginning of October. I don't know if the Homecoming night, was one of the reasons, why I got used to my "new life" or was it because almost 3 months went over from my arrival? I felt like I was a real Texan - I felt like it was my second home - I felt integrated there...

October was also the month where my first swim competition took place! In the United States - alongside the importance of sports, the School/Team Spirit or the feeling of being a part of that team, is significant too! At the beginning, I had the opinion that everyone was exaggerating with making a big deal out of a "game/competition". But then, whenever I was a member of my great swim-team, I actually felt the responsibility which I took during our swim season in every race where I represented my school. The whole preparation and the big support of everyone is so meaningful. It's not just a motivation for you, it also helps you to believe in yourself. Believing in yourself is the half of succeeding. You feel this Spirit whenever you're in a team.

I mean, we didn't have that many swimmers (only 5) - towards the end, many students left the team because of private reasons - but this fact didn't stop us, to join the competitions and do the best what we can.

So, the morning of my first swim competition, I realised that I was going alone - just with my team members - to the swim meet (=competition). Everyone was talking about, when their parents were going to arrive there, to watch and support them. I was the only one, who didn't say anything about it. I tried to stay strong, because in every event or race, my parents would watch and support me to the fullest. But I was competing for myself, the first time in my life... It was very hard for me to stay strong, because I tried to make my parents glad in everything what I do. But this time, they wouldn't even be able to see me succeeding - or even failing. I was thinking the whole time, how I was gonna do it by myself, or who is going to yell and motivate me loudly whenever I'm in the water, competing against the time. With all those worries, we arrived there in Belton - the city where the swim meet took place.

I don't know how but my swim coach felt the worries wich I had, and I guess she wanted to talk with me so I can compete more motivated. I told her everything, and I'm honest - it was so good to talk with her and knowing that I'm actually not alone at all! She said, she was going to be my biggest supporter...she did everything to motivate me, and it really helped.

I went to the starting blocks, where all other swimmers from different schools, took their starting point. My heart was beating faster with every second. And the signal came, where our 50m and 100m freestyle (girls) started. From the first second till the last second, I just heard the voices of my swim coach and my team members. It motivated me so much... knowing that people support you, even though they don't know anything of you - especially in my case, a random person from the other side of the world, came to the team and swam right there.

After our swim meet, halloween was right at the corner. My host parents proposed to do a Halloween party at home. And the first time, I was down to that, because I had a lot of people to invite. I was looking forward to see all my friends in their costumes. I was dressed like a witch. I loved my costume which was made by my host mom.

The long night arrived, and my friends came to the party place with many more friends - which I've never seen in my life. We did pretty much the same things like at my birthday party. But this time, the party went longer, so it was crazier this time - it was still enjoyable though!

The month of November was full of tests and swim-competitions, nothing very special. But December was great - because of Christmas!

Texas is one of the only states, where it almost never snows. So that's why the weather is always good - if we compare it with Germany :)

In the last week of school, everyone was wearing their Christmas hats and socks + sandals (that's the trend in Texas) so that's what I did too! School was even funnier with all those candies and Christmas songs in every class. That's what I love about School in America. It's almost always amusing. I mean, the students should go to school because they want to, not because they're forced to? That doesn't mean that the teachers should stop teaching, the students should still learn something, but they should enjoy the class. Like I did during the year! I wish I could take those habits with me to Germany :(

During my exchange year, I had dance as a subject too. And on Christmas, we had a winter show/dance show. It was very sweet! (sorry for posting the picture guys!)

I miss dance so much! It was a great time, because dance was one of the few classes which I was looking forward to lots of! :(

Anyways...of course the idea of doing a Christmas party was coming up, but I decided to spend Christmas with my host family,

...so that's why I just made a New Year's Eve Party - I invited only my German exchange student friends, to make a pretty chill night out of it. My host brothers and their friend Charles joined us too. It was actually pretty nice, because we played games and sat around the campfire and made marshmallows. We talked and laughed a lot. It was very delightful.

That New Year's Eve wasn't very different than in Germany. All celebrations with the firework etc. were quite similar. I can remember exactly, that on this night, I dreamt the first time in English, which is a sign for being integrated or deepened in the language! That was my turning point, where I realised that I can speak fluently in that language!

With the New Year's Eve we entered January - the half of my exchange year - but also one of the hardest months for me, not only because I missed my family during Christmas, but a big change came unexpectedly into my exchange adventure.

In the middle of January I got the notice from my host parents that I needed to change my host family. The reason(s) behind this decision, were personal/private issues. It wasn't something what I wanted. Who would expect me to change my host family after 6 months...

The problem was, that I had to find a new family as soon as possible, but this wasn't very easy. Because I didn't want to change neither my city nor my school. That would be horrible, to start everything new in another state or in a new school.

It took us almost 2 weeks to find a new family, and I can't describe how solicitous I was during this time. Without knowing what to do, and where to go, I had to move on. I had to be open to every family, who was willing to take me for the next 5 months till I go. I tried to hide my fear to leave the US just because of that. That was the situation - overall during my exchange year - where I felt so weak.

But luckily, we found a very nice and sweet family in this area. It was great because I didn't have to change my school, just my family...I never wanted to say goodbye to my host family in that way, but that was the intersection where I had to cross. Another new life "place/home" was awaiting me. I was looking forward to my new family - I had the same feelings like I came to my first host family. But I was scared too. But the moment came where I entered my new house for the next months...

Already on my first day whenever I arrived at my second host family, I felt like I was the missing part of them. Maybe because my host sister - I had one younger host brother, one host mom and one host grand-mom - was doing her exchange year in Germany, while I was in her family! I don't know if we can call it coincidence, but I guess my host mom wanted a daughter while she's missing her daughter, who was going through her own adventure.

From the first second on, I felt so welcomed and arguably. They're such sweet people <3 The good thing was, that my second host family was pretty close to my school and also the majority of my friends were living close to us, so it was easier and it was feasible to spend more time with everyone than ever.

I have to add that I will be thankful to my first host family forever, even though I had to change in the middle of my exchange year - they opened their house for 5-6 months, which is very precious for me. I spent a great time with them, too!

So anyways...the month of love - February - came. Our school was - as usually - decorated for Valentines Day, and you were able to send roses/flowers all around the classes, like in Germany. It was sweet, to see everyone with a rose. But February was also the month of the end of swim season - at least for us, because we didn't make it to the Regionals Competition. But I want to thank everyone for letting me to be part of this small, but strong team. Thanks to every little & big support. Y'all let me make memories which I carry on forever.

And that was our team (with members who were there to support us, not just 5 swimmers)

But in this month our exchange organisation arranged a meeting where almost all exchange students near Austin came. My host family came with me too - because the meeting was at an Ice Hockey Game!!! I have to admit, that this wasn't on my bucket list, but I still wanted to experience it! I've never seen an Ice-Hockey Game before :)

That's how we went there - and as always - it was outstanding! I loved the ambiance there!!! And all exchange students got the opportunity to wish all players good luck before they entered the game area.

The month of the most theme-weeks - March - began. I mean, almost every school in the US, has every month theme-weeks - our school too - but as I noticed, March was one of the most remarkable ones. We had one day "out of the world"-theme, where everyone came with their craziest outfits. I think I was wearing a shirt with the galaxy on it, which was the typical outfit nearly everyone's. I don't have a picture of it, since mobile phones are forbidden in school. If we're already talking about clothing, I have to add that my school was one of the strictest about dress code. I think everyone knows what dress code is. But the rules of my school were very severe and austere. I was dress coded several times too, because of really small details. I am definitely not arguing against it, that's just the way how my school worked. I think they have a reason behind it, if they set those rules.

I don't remember every situation where I got dress-coded, but one time I got dress-coded, because of my white shirt. It was a pretty normal white shirt, but the argument of that teacher - who was standing in front of the entrance - said, that it would be inappropriate if I would enter the school the way I was, just because you can see A LITTLE BIT through it. I was just laughing about it, because I've never heard a substantiation like that before. After a long discussion, I got the permission to go to my class, because I argued against it like "I'm an exchange student from Germany, and no one told me the rules before". And his facial expression, allowed me to go.

The month of prom - April - started for which I was looking forward to for a long time! I think it's everyone's dream to go there. Like mine. I mean all students are excited to go there every year!

I was planning the Prom night in advance. Two of my best friends accepted my request and we went together to Prom.

I went with my dearest friends Josh and Megan <3 I was so glad that they were more than happy to accompany me. A small insert - the difference between Homecoming and Prom is, that Homecoming takes place (mostly in the school not like Prom) and also takes place in the end of September or the beginning of October. But Prom is in the beginning of April or in the end of that month. Homecoming is casual and semi-formal, but Prom is formal. Prom is the biggest dance where everyone goes all out and you are supposed to "remember it for the rest of your life". At Prom, it's pretty usual, that you go with a boy/girl - as a couple, mostly. And the boy buys a corsage (the flower on the pic, which is around my wrist) for the girl, while the girl buys a flower for the boy to put it into his jacket. It is a tradition type of thing, again. But very sweet :)

And of course I am going to remember this incredible night forever. It was just unforgettable, to spend one of my last "special" nights with my friends...we danced, talked and laughed so much. We didn't have any limits. We could dance off the whole night. But the part where they chose Prom King & Queen was funny too. But I guess all of this information isn't new to you.

2 weeks after Prom, there was something called Military ball. The ball of all students who are part of ROTC (don't ask me for further information, I don't know it that well) But I just heard that something is going on there. A few days before that night, my lovely friend Josh asked me if I would want to go with him there, to put this experience into my memories book. And of course I accepted his request. I never heard that Military Ball before, so why shouldn't I go? It was pretty much like Prom, but the students from ROTC had a ceremony etc. It was a pleasure to be part of that celebration. I was happy that I could experience that too!

My last month - May - came..with every new day, I couldn't imagine how a year passed by, so fast. I think every exchange student has the same feeling. Just imagine, you're building your new life in a different country with new people around yourself and you have to leave everything one day... exactly at the moment where you can say that you got used to everything. And of course - my last month was the best month. My host family did so many things so I can remember and cherish everything in the future...and of course my friends wanted to spend as much time as possible with me.

For example, my host family and I went to the Texas A&M University, so I can get the possibility to see an American University. That was great too, because it was a spontaneous plan, so I'm glad and very happy about it to be able to discover that too!

Our exchange organisation organised a meeting with all exchange students in Texas, to let us have a dance night in a typical Texas/Western - Coupland Hall.

I'm sorry if y'all didn't want to be shown on my blog, but I had to add this <3

My host family also went to a baseball game with me, that was pretty great too - because I always wanted to see a baseball game!

My friend Ashley invited me to her senior graduation, so I can see that too, because as you know all celebrations are taking place to a great extent. I am sooo proud and lofty that I made such great friends, who invited me to literally every party or event!

I got the opportunity to wear Ashley's cap, miss her <3

A pic from one of those last parties which I attended:

And since I got good results in my Algebra (Maths class) tests, during my exchange year - yes I love maths - I made it into the top 5% from our school! That was pretty exciting too, because I didn't expect it or better said I didn't know that there was a ceremony for that.

I also wanted to add a picture with one of my favourite classes (Spanish class) - it was taken on one of my last days:

My host family and I went also to San Antonio (in the week before my last week) to see Sea World! That was a great day. A day to remember <3 I am thankful for everything what they did for me. They will always be my second family, no matter where I will be. They're always in my heart!

Last but not least, I got to see Austin - the city which has to stay weird always - to the fullest. That was a one day trip, but a great one!!!

You can look on my instagram for more groovy pictures!

And a pic from my last day, the 5th of June - departure day, whenever my friends came with me to the airport. I thank them endlessly for coming with me, to see me one last time...

That was one of the hardest moments for me. But I was glad to have known people who made me saying goodbye so hard...

And my last words for everyone out there, in my beautiful second home country...:

I don't want anyone to read my words as a cliche, because now I'm writing everything together from the deepest side of my heart down...I spent wonderful 10 months with so special people. Yes, I also had ups and downs, but that's normal. I think every exchange student had a year with many holes but also many mountains. I mean, I didn't expect a perfect year. As we know, the sun will always shine behind the mountain.

I think I didn't have any moment, which I ever forget. All those incredible people who I got to meet and know during my adventure, made every moment memorable and special. I don't regret anything what I did during my exchange year, because even bad things belong to an adventure. I'm trying new things because I don't want to regret it afterwards by thinking "why didn't I do it?". Before my exchange year, I would have never thought that it would be so hard to say goodbye to everyone one day, with whom you spent the best time of your life. Even the moments where I cried with someone were precious. I never lived a moment in America, by thinking "but one day I will go..." But I asked myself always - I think I'm still doing that: "May this little world bring us together somewhere?" All my friends, my teachers, my host families and all supporters became my family, and no matter where I'll go, they will stay in my heart. I want everyone there to know, that I did many things, so they can remember me as a good person. I don't want to be loved necessarily from anyone there, I just want to be remembered as a good person who tried to spread positivity, even on the other side of the world. I want to know them, that I cried because of every single person there... it was hard for me to leave the country without knowing when I will ever be able to come back. I hope everyone knows that... <3

Hopefully this little world will bring me together with them somewhere...thanks for everything, for being a part of my exchange, my dearest second home!

If you have any more questions about my exchange year, you can text me any time!

"You build a life for 16 years, and leave it for 10 months.

You build a life for 10 months, and leave it forever."

Which one is harder?

#exchangeyear#UnitedStatesofAmerica#texas#classof19#prom#homecoming#hostfamilies #newlife#parttwo#newexperiences#adventure#foreverinmyheart#secondhome