Where am I going to live?! (Clue: It's muy bella.)

Hello all! I have many a things to tell you! First of all, I officially have my passport! It came in the mail on March 14, and although I am all swollen in my picture (from surgery), I am very happy to finally have it. Secondly, I had Pella Outbound Training last weekend. It was a very long day of speakers, but I learned useful skills and had training that made it worth while (in addition, it was mandatory for all outbounds :)).


District 6000 Rotary Youth Exchange Class of 2011-2012

 Also, I had my J.E.T.S. yard sale fundraiser during spring break last week, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. It was a HUGE success; over $900 was raised!! THANK YOU so much to everyone who helped make this possible. I couldn't have done it without you. So now I am that much closer to Spain, and my plane ticket there. :)

Speaking of Spain . . . MY HOST MOM CALLED YESTERDAY!! Her name is Maria, but everyone calls her Paola. I will be living in Marbella, Spain! It's a city in Andalusia, Spain, by the Mediterranean Sea, situated in the province of Málaga, beneath the La Concha mountain (Thank you, Wikipedia). It has a population of about 124,332. Here's a map: (look in South Spain, I'm super close to Africa!)

I am so excited! Paola sent me an email today; here's some info from it :)

Marbella is on the Mediterranean sea but only a few miles to the Atlantic. Paola's husband is David, and their daughter is Carol. Carol has an older brother, David. Paola's house is 50 meters from the beach!!!!! I am already planning to run there every day :D Paola has a dog; it's a small Yorkshire Terrier and very friendly. They also have a cat. "His character is very much like a dog. Most of the time he follows us on our walks on the beach."

Talking to Paola made the experience of living in Spain next year seem so much more real! However, now I am trying to take in all that she said! 

Now if only departure time would come. It seems like most Spain kids leave in early September. I don't know the exact date I'll be boarding my plane, but I know I can't wait for it!