Minneapolis (Pinappolis), Minnesota

Congratulations Dad!

Bakken Soceity inductee 2016

Battle of the geniuses!

Inception hallway after champagne...

Visiting Miranda and Rowan! <3

"Don't wanna be an american idiot!"

When I first came home, my mind was filled with the American stereotype that had been writhing inside of me from the beginning of my exchange. I saw the giant trucks, the waste, even the way people sat and ate, and I wished I could fly away. One of the biggest mistakes I made over my exchange year was to be ashamed about my origin. When people guessed that I was British, it made me feel good inside, like maybe I was not such an "ugly American" after all.

In time I realized that my being an American in the world should have been more about breaking generalities and judgment, than trying to avoid them. Beyond that, I should have not seen my own country in the way that I did. While overseas I was learning not to generalize and judge people, while I did that exact thing for my own people. When I heard American accents I began cringing and expecting the worst. It was terrible! I emailed my brother and said that I was afraid to come home. He told me something I will never forget. He said that sure, there were lots of crazy people in our country, but after all, it is a big country, and those that shock and derange are also the only ones that are seen on a larger scale. The good people don't make the "freak-show-America" news. My family and my friends, the most wonderful people, are American after all.

Not even the brown Colorado that I saw coming home on the plane is all of the state. We have the most beautiful wilderness mountains, ranging from aspen forests to brooks babbling through evergreens and red rocks that could belong to another world! Each state differs internally to such an incredibly degree, whether it be the people or the landscape. It is true that there are things generally wrong with America, but the redeeming factor is that many of us are aware of it and fighting against it. People eat right, exercise, take quick showers, function emphatically and with social grace, read reputable news, have the most brilliant table discussions, and all of it with more liberty and room for originality than anywhere else in the world (that I am aware of.) Thinking of the people I know, there is a spectrum so large that I do not see how any generality would be helpful in assessing any population. One of the most important things I learned living overseas was about my own home.

All I know is that people in different countries can be more alike than people in the same country. How can I be so bold as to wish another fate for myself?



Dear Trump: America is already great.

Back in School

Giving that I skipped over my junior year entirely, my work load for my senior year in high school is pretty significant. That does not mean that I am not delighted to be back into it! My classes are fascinating and get me thinking deeply or making connections to important concepts that teach me how to reason in ways that will be important for the role I wish to take in the world. My courses include: philosophy, AP psychology, environmental systems, AP statistics, French, and AP English language and composition. Every day is an exciting new dive into understanding, and I love it! I just wish the other students around me were as enthusiastic. We could get so much more done and go so much deeper into the wonderful clockwork of the world if only more people cared to know about it. But I know why the are like this...

There is something poisonous about high school, no matter how interesting the classes or comparatively kind the students. That hunched-shoulder, secretly self-conscious, stressed-out-and-over-pressured atmosphere that had gotten to me over my years spent in school left while in Switzerland. Although the difference does not show in my ID pictures, I came back from overseas feeling like I was five years more mature than even the seniors in my class, which are actually mostly older than me. At the same time, I had a lighter heart and felt more like a child. I could skip through the halls, smile at people I knew, and discussed world perspectives in class in a way even my teachers had trouble following. But even as my second week rolled around I was sleeping horribly with night-sweats and over-active thinking. I stopped eating like I would before and started worrying more about everything, including (and with reason) my health. I am friendly with everyone, but might do better to hide in my shell again because I am picking up on too much of what is happening in other lives. Even when taking a test I know that I can ace, I start getting stressed and worried to the point where I can't think strait because that is the atmosphere I am in.

What would I do without Universal High School?!? Love these guys!

I can hardly wait for university where the people I find around me will be passionate about learning in the way that I am. No, I can't wait! I am already doing tons of research into universities that interest me on an international level, and have visited several locally. I am even considering a gap year in the "Up With People" program. Any thoughts?

"There's no place like home!"

Au revoir Lac Leman!

Welcome to Colorado... Look! There's Mordor!

I guess Lord Sauron moved in while I was gone.

Thank you to Uncle Dave for the heartwarming welcome at DIA! :D

Thank you to Monika for collecting all these Swiss monument figurines for me, and thank you to the whole family for my fabulous, adorable, and hysterical Switzerland poster, and my care package complete with quinoa! I miss you guys so much! <3

Families Together

Train Tour of Switzerland