Last night, the student my district is hosting from Hungary arrived in California! His name is Peter and we've been talking since about March or April. He's living in Visalia, which is about an hour from where I live. Anyway, I went with his host family (my friend Karlie's family) to the airport and then to dinner and spent the night with him. We made homemade chocolate chip cookies together and Karlie and I made him a sign. Overall it was a good first night for him, I'd say! This weekend Karlie, Peter, Karlie's mom, and I are going to Disneyland!! I'm so excited and it's Peter's first time, so it should be super fun.
I bought my suitcases last Friday and have gone shopping for small things on and off throughout this week. I just got most of my toiletry items and we bought A LOT. It's hard though because it's all stuff I need! I've been throwing everything into my big suitcase, and I'm probably going to sort through it and start seriously packing next weekend.
I think that's all that's been going on here. I'll probably update after my going away party, which is next Thursday! Peter and Karlie are coming, and I'm so excited to have an actual Hungarian there (...I'm such a nerd).
16 days until I'm on a plane, 17 days until I'm in Hungary!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Itinerary!!
I just received my flight itinerary!!
19 AUG 11 - FRIDAY
LV FRESNO 6:33A 01HR 35MIN
AR SALT LAKE CITY 9:08A
LV SALT LAKE CITY 11:00A 04HR 52MIN
AR NEW YORK JFK 5:52P
LV NEW YORK JFK 7:40P 09HR 10MIN
20 AUG 11 - SATURDAY
AR BUDAPEST 10:50A
I'm so excited... I know of four other students on my flight, and I'm sitting by one of them! The only thing I'm not excited for is arriving at the airport here at 4:30 in the morning. I'm kind of glad for it though, because I won't be able to spend the whole day sitting around the house crying (which I will then just do on the 18th).
I've also talked to my new first family a bit more, and I love them. They have the cutest pets and they seem so nice. I've gotten really lucky with two of the families I know, and I hope the other(s) are just as great!
So, I'm exactly four weeks from departure and I have no idea how to feel about that. I'm more excited now than I have been, so I hope these four weeks go by quickly!
19 AUG 11 - FRIDAY
LV FRESNO 6:33A 01HR 35MIN
AR SALT LAKE CITY 9:08A
LV SALT LAKE CITY 11:00A 04HR 52MIN
AR NEW YORK JFK 5:52P
LV NEW YORK JFK 7:40P 09HR 10MIN
20 AUG 11 - SATURDAY
AR BUDAPEST 10:50A
I'm so excited... I know of four other students on my flight, and I'm sitting by one of them! The only thing I'm not excited for is arriving at the airport here at 4:30 in the morning. I'm kind of glad for it though, because I won't be able to spend the whole day sitting around the house crying (which I will then just do on the 18th).
I've also talked to my new first family a bit more, and I love them. They have the cutest pets and they seem so nice. I've gotten really lucky with two of the families I know, and I hope the other(s) are just as great!
So, I'm exactly four weeks from departure and I have no idea how to feel about that. I'm more excited now than I have been, so I hope these four weeks go by quickly!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
I'm actually leaving.
I just had my first really big realization that I'm actually leaving.
I won't be starting school with my classmates. I won't be driving. I won't wake up in my bed. I won't see my mom. I won't text Alissa all day. I won't go to forensic's tournaments. I won't have journalism. I won't drive down Shaw to go to work. I won't even have "work" to go to. I won't cheer at football games. I won't get food with my friends before cheer practice. I won't have my cats. Everything I have now and do now will never be exactly the way it is again.
I don't want to say goodbye to anyone. I'm absolutely terrified about the day that I'll wake up and have to go to the airport and say goodbye. I'm not ready to leave my friends and my family. It scares me to death and I'm just not ready. I still have a little under a month and two weeks, yet it feels like I don't have enough time.
Even though I'm scared and not ready, I know I have to go. I'm certain that I want to do this and have the experience that I'll have. And if any exchange student ever says they're not scared, I can guarantee they're lying. This is so silly, because at the exact same time I'm thinking these things, I'm also thinking about how excited I am and how I can't wait to go. It's such a dramatic range of emotions and I couldn't possibly start to explain how I'm feeling.
For now, I'm just finishing up summer school, listening to Hungarian radio stations, and talking with other exchange students going to Hungary. I still haven't talked to my new first family, but I imagine I'll post once I actually have something to say about them.
39 days until my earliest departure. :) / :(
I won't be starting school with my classmates. I won't be driving. I won't wake up in my bed. I won't see my mom. I won't text Alissa all day. I won't go to forensic's tournaments. I won't have journalism. I won't drive down Shaw to go to work. I won't even have "work" to go to. I won't cheer at football games. I won't get food with my friends before cheer practice. I won't have my cats. Everything I have now and do now will never be exactly the way it is again.
I don't want to say goodbye to anyone. I'm absolutely terrified about the day that I'll wake up and have to go to the airport and say goodbye. I'm not ready to leave my friends and my family. It scares me to death and I'm just not ready. I still have a little under a month and two weeks, yet it feels like I don't have enough time.
Even though I'm scared and not ready, I know I have to go. I'm certain that I want to do this and have the experience that I'll have. And if any exchange student ever says they're not scared, I can guarantee they're lying. This is so silly, because at the exact same time I'm thinking these things, I'm also thinking about how excited I am and how I can't wait to go. It's such a dramatic range of emotions and I couldn't possibly start to explain how I'm feeling.
For now, I'm just finishing up summer school, listening to Hungarian radio stations, and talking with other exchange students going to Hungary. I still haven't talked to my new first family, but I imagine I'll post once I actually have something to say about them.
39 days until my earliest departure. :) / :(
Saturday, July 2, 2011
It's my birthday!
Yay! I'm 17! Alissa and I were supposed to go to Great America, but I got really sick out of no where and we had to reschedule. I'm really upset over the whole thing, but I guess I'll get over it. Alissa's coming over now, so at least I'll have some company. We may go see a rated R movie later if I'm feeling better, so I have that to look forward to!
Other than that, next weekend is my last orientation! I have to memorize all these facts about Hungary and speak for a while in Hungarian (as always) and I'm very nervous about that. I think I'll be okay though.
I finished one of my summer school classes, and my next one starts on Tuesday. I hope I can get through it as fast as the last one, because I really don't want to be in a classroom for that long.
That's all for now! 50 days until my earliest departure!
Other than that, next weekend is my last orientation! I have to memorize all these facts about Hungary and speak for a while in Hungarian (as always) and I'm very nervous about that. I think I'll be okay though.
I finished one of my summer school classes, and my next one starts on Tuesday. I hope I can get through it as fast as the last one, because I really don't want to be in a classroom for that long.
That's all for now! 50 days until my earliest departure!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
I got my information!!!
Last night I received an email with a scanned copy of my guarantee forms!
I will be living in Újszentiván outside of Szeged! I am actually closer to the Serbian border than to Szeged, which I think is really cool. Plus, when I switch families, there is the possibility that I'll be actually IN Szeged. I'm so happy about my placement and that I may have the opportunity to experience a small city (under 2,000 people) and a large city (Hungary's third largest).
I don't know anything about my host family yet, besides the names of my parents. I looked them up on facebook, and found who I assume will be my host father. I also think I found my sister and two brothers, but I'm not for sure. I'll edit this post and write more about them when I find out!
My school is SZTE Ságvári Endre Gyakorló Gimnázium in Szeged. I can't find any pictures of it, but it sounds pretty cool! I read that it's one of the top 15 schools in the country, which is really exciting because I love learning. Even though it will be hard to actually learn anything for the first few months, I'm still glad it's a good school. School starts on September 1st, so I hope I'll get there as early as possible.
Anyway, I'll update with more information when I get it!
Countdowns:
My birthday - 23 days
Outbound orientation - 30 days
Potential departure - 73-83 days!
UPDATE!!
I've been emailing with my host sister, who I already love! She will be on exchange in Canada and leaves before I get there, so we probably won't meet. I'm really sad about that, but I think I'll get the chance to in the future. Anyway, my host dad is a lawyer and my host mom works for the government. I will have two brothers, 19 (turning 20) and 15. I will stay in my host sister's room while she's in Canada. I will also have a dog! They seem like such a great family, and I can't wait to meet them!
I also sent off my visa information and the travel company has received it, so I should be getting flight information in the next month or so.
I will be living in Újszentiván outside of Szeged! I am actually closer to the Serbian border than to Szeged, which I think is really cool. Plus, when I switch families, there is the possibility that I'll be actually IN Szeged. I'm so happy about my placement and that I may have the opportunity to experience a small city (under 2,000 people) and a large city (Hungary's third largest).
I don't know anything about my host family yet, besides the names of my parents. I looked them up on facebook, and found who I assume will be my host father. I also think I found my sister and two brothers, but I'm not for sure. I'll edit this post and write more about them when I find out!
My school is SZTE Ságvári Endre Gyakorló Gimnázium in Szeged. I can't find any pictures of it, but it sounds pretty cool! I read that it's one of the top 15 schools in the country, which is really exciting because I love learning. Even though it will be hard to actually learn anything for the first few months, I'm still glad it's a good school. School starts on September 1st, so I hope I'll get there as early as possible.
Anyway, I'll update with more information when I get it!
Countdowns:
My birthday - 23 days
Outbound orientation - 30 days
Potential departure - 73-83 days!
UPDATE!!
I've been emailing with my host sister, who I already love! She will be on exchange in Canada and leaves before I get there, so we probably won't meet. I'm really sad about that, but I think I'll get the chance to in the future. Anyway, my host dad is a lawyer and my host mom works for the government. I will have two brothers, 19 (turning 20) and 15. I will stay in my host sister's room while she's in Canada. I will also have a dog! They seem like such a great family, and I can't wait to meet them!
I also sent off my visa information and the travel company has received it, so I should be getting flight information in the next month or so.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Still nothing.
Well, besides finally getting my visa information! It's not due until July 1st, but I already have it all filled out and ready to go. It really wasn't that much work, but then again, a lot of it is blank since...
I still don't have a city/host family/school/anything. I am really trying to not get too discouraged, but it's very frustrating. Oh well. It will come when I least expect it, and when it does, it will be all the more amazing!
Tomorrow is my last day of school. I do have summer school, but it is my last day at my school. I have so many mixed emotions at this point. I'm excited to move on with this part of my life, but at the same time, I'm so scared. I don't want to grow up! It's just weird to think that I may not see any of these people again for a long time, if ever.
More countdowns!
Grad Night: 2 days
Graduation: 6 days
Birthday: 32 days
Outbound orientation: 39 days
I still can't believe that's all I really have left between now and Hungary.
As always, I will update if I get any news.
I still don't have a city/host family/school/anything. I am really trying to not get too discouraged, but it's very frustrating. Oh well. It will come when I least expect it, and when it does, it will be all the more amazing!
Tomorrow is my last day of school. I do have summer school, but it is my last day at my school. I have so many mixed emotions at this point. I'm excited to move on with this part of my life, but at the same time, I'm so scared. I don't want to grow up! It's just weird to think that I may not see any of these people again for a long time, if ever.
More countdowns!
Grad Night: 2 days
Graduation: 6 days
Birthday: 32 days
Outbound orientation: 39 days
I still can't believe that's all I really have left between now and Hungary.
As always, I will update if I get any news.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
District Conference!
So, District Conference was this weekend, and it was amazing. I'm not going to write novels like usual, but let me just say I will never forget it. Some highlights:
The homeless people on the beach, spelling "EXCHANGE" with all of us, chilling in the lobby, 5k walk with a view of the ocean, getting our blazers, the "end polio now" song, watching $24,000 get raised in ten minutes, bike riding with a view of the ocean, falling off my bike, taking pictures with random quinceanera parties, getting ice cream, johnny riding into the pole, dinner in the basement, doing better in Hungarian, holding our breath in the tunnel, watching creepy ghost shows, doing our flag presentation, and so much more.
Overall, I had a great time. I love everyone in the district and all of the inbounds and outbounds. For anyone going through Rotary in the future: cherish the time you have with your inbounds and outbounds, because after your last time, there will never be a time when you're all together again.
Anyway, more countdowns!
Powderpuff: 5 days
Grad Night: 18 days
Graduation: 22 days
Birthday: 48 days
Outbound Orientation: 55 days
Oh, and I may be hearing where I'm going soon. Fingers crossed. And I emailed the travel company, so hopefully I'll hear something from them too. Maybe there will be another post soon. Who knows!
As all of my countdowns get smaller and smaller, I can't help but get happier and happier. I'm so ready for this.
The homeless people on the beach, spelling "EXCHANGE" with all of us, chilling in the lobby, 5k walk with a view of the ocean, getting our blazers, the "end polio now" song, watching $24,000 get raised in ten minutes, bike riding with a view of the ocean, falling off my bike, taking pictures with random quinceanera parties, getting ice cream, johnny riding into the pole, dinner in the basement, doing better in Hungarian, holding our breath in the tunnel, watching creepy ghost shows, doing our flag presentation, and so much more.
Overall, I had a great time. I love everyone in the district and all of the inbounds and outbounds. For anyone going through Rotary in the future: cherish the time you have with your inbounds and outbounds, because after your last time, there will never be a time when you're all together again.
Anyway, more countdowns!
Powderpuff: 5 days
Grad Night: 18 days
Graduation: 22 days
Birthday: 48 days
Outbound Orientation: 55 days
Oh, and I may be hearing where I'm going soon. Fingers crossed. And I emailed the travel company, so hopefully I'll hear something from them too. Maybe there will be another post soon. Who knows!
As all of my countdowns get smaller and smaller, I can't help but get happier and happier. I'm so ready for this.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
