Lots to do!!

Well I am officially ready to start thinking about France now! I have 24 days left in the United States and I hope to make the most of them. My mother is helping me pack, and she is just as nervous as I am!



On the 5th, I have been invited to speak at my local Rotary Club and I can't wait! I will be the main speaker and I will be presenting what I know about my host city and family. Also, I have been asked what my future plans will be and what I will do to positively represent the Rotary organization. I laughed when I heard that, because I just want to make it through my exchange year, much less talk about the rotary club all the time!



I got my tickets as well! They are E-Tickets and I'll be flying with Northwest Airlines ^_^. I'll leave the St. Paul airport on the 25th at about 3:00 pm and arrive in Amsterdam at about 8:00 the next morning! I'll finally arrive in Luxembourg at about 10:00 am and from there it is 25 km to my host family's home!! I have already been in contact with my host father and he said that I will be the first "long term" exchange student they have had. Before, they have had a few students from Germany and Belgium for a week or so, but I'll be with them for several months!! I'm actually excited to be the guinea pig!! LOL!!



Just remember, if you're reading this, I will miss you and I love you a lot. Even if I dont know you. I love you still!



Peace
This is my friend Kristýna Langerová from Czech Republic. I miss you, darlin'! Hope to see you overseas!!~~

Visa? Check!

So yesterday (and today, because we got back today) my parents and I went to Chicago and the French embassy. It was on the 37th floor and, of course, we got there three hours early, so there was a lot of waiting. It will, however, be mailed in two weeks, so I will get it waaay before I leave! I only have about 45 days left in the U.S., so I am even more nervous than ever! ->

That's me on the 37th floor: the French embassy! I look pretty cool in my rotary jacket, but I think I was asking my mom why she was taking the picture :D! I LOVE YOU MOM!

Well, the musical I'm in is Anything Goes, and the first performance is next Wednesday. I have no idea if we are ready. Probably not. We'll see.

My host mother contacted me, too! Last night I got an email from her and she said she was sorry that she was so late in answering her email, because I emailed her almost a month ago now! It's okay, though, because I bet she was really busy. I know I was! Well that's all for now, once I have my visa, I'll get my plane ticket and be all set. Except for that power point. Havent really worked on that at all. Probably should. Good idea.

Love & Peace

...or have yet to do

Okay, so my mom is going crazy because I'm talking about going to France. I have two months left before the best year of my LIFE! She wants me to stop talking about it because it is "so far away", but I am too excited (and nervous) to do any such thing! Not that I dont get annoyed by it too...I do. I feel like I might leave something behind, or have to come home early, and hundreds of other worries.


In this picture, it was -15 degrees or so, but I was really excited, because this is where I signed up to be an exchange student! My mom took the picture :P


I have, however, been well informed by the local Rotary Club, and I feel that even though I am worried and nervous, I really dont need to be. YAY! I am really excited for this trip! I leave on the 26th of August, really late, right? I have to start high school there on the 2nd of September! I will be there for a full school year, and the city I will be in is quite a bit bigger than that of my home city.



Thionville is the name of the city, and my first host family will be M. et Mme. JACKY. Their two children are going abroad as well next year, and so, although I technically WILL have host siblings, I might not ever meet them. But, on ne sais jamais (one never knows) it could happen!



Peace out