2 Going-Away Parties - 1 Weekend

I had both of my going-away parties this weekend - one for my friends and one for my family. I had a really great time at both and now I’m ready to relax for a day or so and get all my things packed up.

My friend party was down in Lake Oswego at Jordan’s house so that everyone wouldn’t have to make the long drive from Portland to Longview. I’m grateful that his parents offered to host my party! My parents came along as well and we brought a massive Scandinavian dinner - meatballs (veggie ones for Holly), gravy, red mashed potatoes, princess cakes, almond tarte, and Daim torte (all from IKEA except for the potatoes). It was so good! Plus Jordan’s parents provided drinks, cheese, and fruit. After dinner, my friends and I played Taboo (possibly the best board game) and of course, my powerteam with Holly and Dylan won (Holly and I gotta stick together in this game - we always win)! The parents came to watch us play and my parents thought it was the most hilarious game in the world. I think I know what my sister and I should buy them for their birthdays…From here, we all enjoyed the desserts, plus tea and coffee, as I opened my gifts and cards. That part was unexpected and everyone was so sweet to me! Oh! When I was opening them, someone said something about Swedish fish and I begin my “Well you know…Swedish fish aren’t actually Swedish” thing that I say all the time and suddenly Holly and Amy high fived. They were betting 50 bucks on me actually saying that haha! We rocked out to Rock Band for a bit after this (even getting my parents in on it) but then my parents wanted to leave so I had to say bye to everyone. I’m going to miss everyone so much and I tried not to think of it as not seeing for people for a year, but I would just be so busy with school and work I wouldn’t have time to see them or something. This helped me not get so teary-eyed, thankfully. It’s too bad not everyone could make it to the party, but it was great nonetheless.

My family party on Sunday wasn’t quite as exciting but still nice. We had a giant smögåsbord with open-faced sandwiches (complete with various meats, cheeses, and rye bread), meatballs, gravy, Swedish potato salad, cookies, rice pudding, apple cake, and more! It was ridiculous how much food we had and I was seriously full after eating just one piece of bread and a couple meatballs. I spent a good portion of the party outside on the deck with my sister and cousins Kaity and Katelyn. It was too nice to stay inside! Again, saying bye to everyone was sad but before I know it I’ll be back home again. I’m going to see my aunt, cousins, and nana again tomorrow for lunch so I didn’t have to say goodbye right away.

I did some serious packing last night and all that’s left is sorting out what shoes to take, washing one more load of clothes, all my last-minute things and I’m good to go!