One month from today, one year ago today . . .

Hi again! I know it's only been two days since my last post, however, today marks a special day. On September 15th, exactly one month from today, will be my first day of school in Spain. This of course is assuming that I will be in Spain by then. With the latest visa news (see last post), I just don't know what to expect anymore. Here, school starts in nine days, and I don't plan on attending the little bit of school that may go on between the first day and my departure. Maybe a lunch or two with my friends, but class? Mm, not so much! Don't worry though, I will be receiving plenty of education to make up for the next few weeks. Sure, school doesn't start until mid-September in Spain, but the last day isn't until June 30th!

One year ago today, I was savoring summer. School started August 25, one day after is does this year. I was excited to become a sophomore, but sad because that summer that had truly been amazing and unforgettable was all of a sudden ending. Cross country was on my mind, even homecoming was already on my mind. But you know what wasn't on my mind? Youth exchange. I hadn't even heard of Rotary Youth Exchange one year ago. Yet here I am.

On the first day of sophomore year, I was excited for a fresh start. So many changes in my life had happened during summer, during the past year really, and I was ready to begin again. I was determined to make the most of the year. One of the many things I had learned during summer was that the world is bigger than you and me, that there is so much more beyond the walls of school, beyond Newton. As school went on, I became very frustrated. I couldn't understand how some people (in high school) could be so caught up in their own little world, when there's so much more than us. It was comforting to know that there is so much more to life then what went on in school, in Newton, but frustrating because I felt like there was such a shallow outlook surrounding me. I don't share this to lecture anyone, I share it so you will understand how cool the next part of my little story is.

This is the post where you find out how I got into all this exchange business. Let's go back three years . . . In eighth grade, I had a teacher whose son went on exchange with Rotary to Brazil either the previous year or a few years back. She would talk about his experiences all the time, and I remember thinking, "Wow. That would be amazing; that would be so cool! I should seriously look into that . . . Nah, I would miss everyone too much. I would miss a year of high school that I could never get back . . ." And that was the end of that. Time passed and I forgot about it.

We now return to last year, the beginning of my sophomore year. It's November, so school has been in session for about three months and I'm sitting in of my favorite classes of the day: Newspaper. I took Journalism as the prerequisite for Newspaper freshman year, then joined the Newspaper staff sophomore year. It's an actual class where you earn grades, and you do what it sounds like: make newspapers. Cardinal Chronicle, the school newspaper that our Newspaper Staff publishes, comes out monthly. Little did I know that November's issue would start a chain of events that brings us to today.

November's issue had good articles about the start of the swim season, chorus concerts, the annual food drive. . . but the article that caught my eye wasn't about any of those things - it was about the three foreign exchange students that Newton was hosting. If you'd like to read the article, go ahead and click here (it's on page five). So it begins. After I read that article, I imagined myself as a foreign exchange student. What an experience I thought to myself, especially since I want to be a missionary - being immersed in a new culture, living just as they do. . . I thought of my teacher in eighth grade. I did a lot of thinking, and even some talking at home. I joked around with my sister and brother saying I was going to be an exchange student. It could never really happen though I told myself. Still, after a few days, I began researching foreign exchange. It was one of those things that one doubts could ever happen, but is intrigued by nonetheless. However, my searches weren't very successful. There were many results, yes, but how could I know which ones were reliable? I needed to talk to some people who actually had a clue. First though, I needed to talk to my parents. I told them that I was interested in becoming a foreign exchange student, but I had no idea what it would all entail because I couldn't find much useful information. So, when they told me that if it was something that I really wanted to pursue to go ahead and talk to my counselor at school, I was shocked. My mom told me that this might be the perfect opportunity with what I was going through - I had told her about how frustrated I was at school. This would be my opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself, than the walls of my school. So, no objections? Alright! A few days later. I told my guidance counselor at school I was interested in being a foreign exchange student and I asked her if she had any information about it. Sadly though, the guidance office had no resources for me!

I was back at square one. My guidance counselor did however recommend that I talk to the Activities Director in the main office, since his son went on exchange a few years back. A few days after going to the guidance office I talked to the Activities Director, explaining my dilemma. He said that two students from the high school were on exchange right now and they were going through the same program his son did. But what was the program called? He just couldn't remember. So what does he do next? He calls his wife - surely she would remember! And who would this wife be? None other than the eighth grade teacher who sparked that first bit of interest in me two years before. Rotary she tells him. She also tells him the name of Newton Rotary Club's Youth Exchange Counselor. Awesomesauce.

I called the counselor and she didn't answer, but hey, I'd gotten further than I was the day before, which was success in my eyes! That night I researched Rotary and was eager to talk to the exchange counselor. The next time I called the counselor, she answered and I explained: I'm interested in foreign exchange and I could use some more information. She told me that she was pretty sure the deadline to submit an application had passed (it had - October 31 I'm pretty sure), however it had only been a few weeks and they would probably accept it if I got in quickly. First, she told me talk to my school counselor and make sure that I had a graduation plan because most exchange students plan their exchange for years. She then told me to research Rotary a little bit (check!) and to fill out the application at this website. She warned that the application was very extensive, but to call if I had any questions. When I finished the application, I could call her and we'd go from there.

So . . . when she said that the application was extensive, she wasn't joking. It took a few weeks to fill out that application, but it felt so good when I was finished - it was December 13th. I am now convinced that any application I am ever going to fill out again will be a breeze compared to Rotary's! I also made sure to talk to my counselor at school. After looking over my credits, it looked like I would still be able to graduate with my class, even with a year abroad. I would receive elective credit for any classes took abroad. I was disappointed to find out that I'd only receive elective credit, but excited because that is when I first thought - "This might just be possible." I called the youth exchange counselor, and she set up an interview at my house with me and my parents to kind of see if I was right for exchange and exchange was right for me. There I would give her my application. The interview went well, and I gave her my application. She told me I should be getting a call or email from the District Youth Exchange Officer soon about an upcoming event in January for the "outbounds." I then learned that an outbound is a to-be exchange student, living in their home country. During your exchange you are an inbound, living in your host country. Only a few days later - December 23rd! - I received an email from the district outbound coordinator about the annual outbound winter retreat. It sounded like such a fun time, but . . . I couldn't go! It was scheduled for January 15th and 16th, only a few days after I was scheduled to have surgery (that's another story). It was a mandatory event ; they were going to have the second of two interviews there, and I was going to miss it! Surely this couldn't be the end of my journey. I talked with the outbound coordinator and explained that I couldn't go. He said that it was fine but to send a parent to the retreat one day so we could get some information and that we'd need to have an interview as soon as possible afterwards. My surgery went fine and my dad ended up going to the retreat. He got some good info and things were rolling.

A few days after the retreat, the outbound coordinator called me for my top country choices. I told him 1. Spain, 2. Italy, 3.Brazil, 4. Greece. He said that a lot of people wanted Spain, so I probably wouldn't get it . . . On February 12th, I would have my interview with two other students who also couldn't be interviewed at the winter retreat.

Ah, so there it is, folks! My very first blog post was on February 13th, the day after my interview. From there, one thing led to another, and on June 15, I received my guarantee form basically saying, this is it - it's final and you're going to Spain, my friend! For a while, I wasn't sure if I would be able to go financially, but everything came through. During the first few months that I got into everything (November - February-ish), I didn't tell many people that I was looking into foreign exchange. Sure I told some of my close friends, my family knew, but I didn't want to get my or other people's hopes up. What if it doesn't work out? Everything could fall through like 'that.' When I found out that Spain had accepted my application in February, I started to tell people about it. Most of them had no idea I was even looking into youth exchange, but they still thought it was awesome! God opened doors since the day I read that newspaper article. Even though I got in the game late, I couldn't make the mandatory retreat, and I shouldn't be able to afford youth exchange, I'm still here. If that's not a go ahead, I don't know what is.

Over the past few months, I've noticed I've been forgetting some details about how it all began. It feels good to have it all sorted out, written out. I'm kind of glad I've forgotten some things though, because now I realize how important recording what's going on is, whether in this blog or a journal. The past year has been exciting, yet I'm forgetting what  hasn't been wrote down. So, my goal for this upcoming year in Spain is to blog or journal at least once a week.Yes, my mom already requested that I blog once a week to be assured I'm alive, but that is somewhat beside the point.

Was there a knock at the door?

Summer seems to be winding down but my emotions continue to grow. People always ask me, "Are you excited for Spain?" and I usually reply a bit too excitedly that Yes, I am. Then the same follow-up question is raised every time: "Are you scared/nervous?" Again, of course I am! However, as I know my departure is coming sooner and sooner everyday, I am becoming much more nervous. I feel mentally exhausted all the time. I am afraid of becoming homesick, of speaking an unfamiliar language, and of meeting so many new people. I imagine hectic airports, confusing buses, and my laptop exploding because I have the wrong electricity adapter. I imagine Reality as some kind of daunting figure, knocking on my door and then walking in saying, "Just thought I'd let you know I've arrived! Sorry if I scared away the rainbows and butterflies!" All these things and more bombard my mind, and at the end of the day I either 1. cannot fall asleep because my mind is racing about what is to come in Spain, or 2. sleep like a rock because I am so tired of thinking about it all.

Please bear with with me here, because as to every other story, there is a bright side to this one. Even as I become more nervous, I remain incredibly, if not more, excited for the upcoming year. I think of speaking Spanish with new friends, of walking along the Mediterranean, and of hey, who knows, maybe even playing a game of soccer (fútbol, if you will) or two. I want to be surrounded with people of passion, see the architecture and history of Spain, and of course, have some good food along the way!

At this point, I just want to get there already. I have three friends who have already been in their host countries for a few days (two to Germany, one to Poland) and I am very jealous. I am so tired of thinking about Spain; just put me on a plane so I can live it, please? Okay, that sounded a bit whiny, but it's how I feel at the moment.

Today I received an email from my travel agent. Disappointing news. I have been hoping for my itinerary to come, but here is what I received . . .

[We (the travel agency) were] advised by the Spanish Government that as of the end July 2011, if you are under the age of 18 (or a minor), in order to begin the process of applying for your visa here in the US, you must first have an approval from the Spanish Government in Spain that allows you to apply for a visa. The documentation that explains this was sent to Rotary in Spain so that they are aware of this. As of today 11-August-2011, we are still awaiting this approval before your paperwork can even begin the process here in the US.

Your paperwork is already 100% complete and all we need is this approval/authorization.

My visa hasn't even been applied for? For those of you who have filled out a visa application under a time constraint, please, feel free to feel my pain. I thought I was doing good - I sent in my visa application and the many documents that were required with it about a month ago. It wasn't easy putting together all the paperwork for my visa so quickly, but we managed to do it. Now I find out, a month later, that we need permission to even apply for the visa that already takes 4-8 weeks to be processed. I'm not sure if "bureaucracy" is the proper term here (it sounds so negative - I'm not trying to rag on anyone's government; I just need to figure out how to get a visa!), but what I'm going through sure does remind me of talks about that catchy vocab from Mr. Scott's history class. Or was it Mr. Hill's? I don't know.

I do know that I will get to Spain. I will have the year of a lifetime, and will probably make friends for life. "No matter what, I will still go." Surely most to-be outbounders have thought that. It's like this: I know I'm going. Even through all this paperwork, or this agonizing wait or [insert youth exchange problem here], I am going to [insert country here]. Chill out, don't freak out - it'll work out. Hey, I kind of like that. Maybe I should write it on a note card to take around Spain. I make myself laugh; you really should imagine me typing this write now. I'm sure I look hysterical.

Anyways, today I went back-to-school shopping. Not personally, but more as moral support for my sister and brother. It was so weird not buying my school supplies and a first-day outfit. I did enjoy myself though. While the kiddies looked for backpacks and shoes, I relaxed in Barnes and Noble. I love sitting in there. I'm not sure if it's the smell of Starbucks or just enjoying watching people look at different books and feeling like you already know them by what books they read. But I like being that store. The last time I sat in B&N I skimmed over some books about Spain and Andalusia, but today I was in need of a good novel. I've made a list of books to bring to Spain, assuming that I will be reading a lot over there. I was looking for The Adoration of Jenna Fox, a  book near the top of my list, and in the process I found Thirteen Reasons Why, another book on my list. So, I thought, "Why not?" and started reading it. After 50 pages or so, I decided to buy it because shopping was over, time to go!,  and I could not put it down. In fact, I'm finishing this blog post (I actually started writing this post yesterday) because I needed a break from the book to process everything going on in it!

One of my friends who just arrived in Germany recently said in a blog post that reading helps keep her mind off homesickness, so I'm definitely planning on coming through with my reading list. For now though, I think I will get back to my book because I really do need to find out what happens next; it's pretty intense. Plus, reading helps to keep my mind off of Spain. Ah, there I go laughing at myself again.

Criss, cross, flashin' apple sauce

Hello fellow readers. Here's an update on my preparations for Spain . . .

Has it been a while? It sure seems like it! Summer has been going by so SLOWLY, yet so fast! Does that make sense? I cannot wait for Spain! There isn't a day, possibly an hour, that I don't ponder about what my days in Spain will bring. I would tell you how many days there are before my departure, but I still don't know the date :( Some friends from my district (D6000) are actually leaving pretty soon though (like first/second week of August). I'm somewhat jealous of them because they get to go so soon, but somewhat relieved because I have a little more time to get my visa and do other various preparations like packing and putting together host family gifts. I should know the date of my departure soon though. I have submitted all  SEVENTEEN of my Visa documents to ITWT (It's Your World Travel) too. They will get them to the Spanish Consulate in Chicago, then when my visa is ready I'll have to go to Chicago to pick it up. That shall be fun! So right now is basically a time of lots of waiting - but then again, isn't most of the time before exchange one big waiting period made of little waiting periods? hahh :)

The last Rotary event for the outbounds in D6000 was last weekend. We had a picnic with some rebounds and Rotex and it was just great to see everyone one last time before our exchanges. It was so weird saying bye to people for one year! How does one do that?? Well I said "bye" to everyone except for Matthew, the other outbound to Spain in our district. We knew that we were going to be in the same district, but we just realized that we're going to be attending the same school! How cool is that?? Also, about a month or so ago, Paola (first host-mom) emailed me their address so I could send a document to them, and it turns out that my address is actually is Estepona! From my house, the center of Marbella is roughly 20 kilometers (about 12 miles) east. Matthew will live in Estepona also, so I know that there will be at least one other American in my city!

Two weekends ago I had my last garage sale fundraiser. I was able to raise nearly $1,000 for my exchange ($998 dollars to be exact)! Thank you so much to everyone who made this possible! Everyone's support means so much to me - you guys are awesome. I should be able to buy my plane tickets and go on exchange just fine.

Remember how I was telling you guys about the orthodontist? Welll, I just went the other day, and I should be done on time just fine! Everything is coming together. (<---Haha)

Now to the title of this post. Yes, it does have a little bit of significance, but not too much ;)
Significant word one: Cross*.
I am going to miss cross* country so much! I've been going to practices this summer for the fun of it and to stay active, but it's so weird to think that I won't be running with my teammates this fall. However, my coach said I might be here still when we have our first meet and if I want, I can run! I still don't know if I will though if I am still here.

Significant word two: flashin*
I cannot tell you how many times I've heard "Learn the language now!" So, I have been brushing up on my Spanish lately by trying to read, write, or speak at least a few words every day. I have had two years of Spanish already at high school, and over these two years I have attained maaany flash cards - a whole shoe box full, in fact! See?!

But sadly, some of the flash cards are lackin' the flashin'*. I'm working on it though. When I'm bored I just grab a handful of flashcards and start practicing! I feel like by the time I arrive in Spain, I'll have a really good base to work off of.

As for the "apple sauce" part of the title, I don't really know . . . IIII hope there is apple sauce in Spain? Yeah, we can just go with that.

Congratulations if you've made it this far. This post turned out to be pretty random! Hopefully my next post is more interesting; I'll try to keep you guys updated!

Until later,
Josie

Guaranteed!

After much anticipation, my guarantee form finally came in the mail last Wednesday, the 15th! It basically means what it sounds like - my exchange to Spain has been guaranteed; I have one host family so far, an address, a school, a sponsoring Rotary Club . . . It feels good. It's so strange to think that I didn't realize the significance of the form that I filled out months ago in November, applying at the district level. Now that form has been around the world, signed, and back! Right now I am working on attaining a visa, which I have found out, is much work between background checks, notarizing a seemingly endless number of documents, and going through applications, among other things. At the moment I am a bit jealous of my friends going to Germany, as Germany doesn't require a visa, or at least to live there as an exchange student. The next time all of us District 6000 Outbounders will see each other will be in about three weeks at a picnic for our final training - ahh SCARY! Soon we will all be boarding planes to places all over the world. People keep on asking me when I leave, but up until a week or so ago, it was basically a guessing game. "Late August/early September....?" I'd reply. Now I know I will most likely be leaving between August 27 and September 3rd. My guarantee form said I need to be in Spain by September 4th, and that there's an orientation for all the Spain exchange students in the outskirts of Madrid from the 9th to the 11th, so I know that I'll be in Spain by the 9th. One of my friends going to Germany already knows the day she's leaving - August 9th or something like that . . . stinking Germany kids!

As of now though, I am preparing for my third and final garage sale in an effort to raise funds for my exchange. It's in about two weeks and I have much to do! On a completely different random note, braces are something I hadn't really considered as something to hinder my exchange, way back in November. However, they are hindering very well right now. Around March or so I told my orthodontist I may be leaving anywhere from July to September and he said it's going to be close . . . I just want the braces off before I leave, so right now I am "wearing the heck out of my rubber bands" as my orthodontist instructed*.(*I am not trying to ramble; this is just so that those of you considering embarking on youth exchange know to get on top of your orthodontia better than I have, if you haven't already!) On a another random note, I bought my Spain luggage last week! I got a supa big suitcase, a large suit case, and a medium sized carry-on . . . I really hope it all will be big enough to carry all my stuff, but not too  big that I'll exceed weight limits at airports - it's so difficult finding a happy medium! A few days ago my mom was searching the web and she found some good packing lists online. Generally, Rotary says to put everything you want to take abroad on your bed . . . then pack half of it. I have awhile to pack, but these links are helpful nevertheless. I would recommend checking them out. Click here for a list we found from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business, geared towards students planning on studying abroad. Click here to see a a random list we found as a google document (it was originally a doc for Microsoft Word), created specifically for Rotary Exchange Students.

Lastly, I finally got a job X- ) I've been working at Hy-Vee for about two months now and it's going well. It stinks that I'm going to have to leave so soon, but I'm hoping that I'll be able to continue working when I get back. Speaking of getting back, people are are starting to come/go home from exchange. It's such a weird mixture of feelings - sad to see friends leaving back to their home countries but happy that they get to really be home again, happy to see people back home from their exchanges abroad... I'm sure all the feelings will be 10X more intense in Spain, but many parts of me don't know to expect. I've been reading many "To Sum it Up" blog posts lately, and it's sad to see so many things ending, but then I think, "With every ending is another beginning", and my beginning is coming soon. It's hard to believe that in about two months, it'll be me leaving . . . and my sister taking my bedroom for the year! I really am going to miss her and my other family and friends. I must make the most of the time I have left here.

¿Mi momento de fama?

"If you stick around long enough, they'll take your picture!" said my mom, laughing, as we looked at the newspaper yesterday . . .

Hehe, I don't know about other clubs, but from what I've gathered at my local Rotary club, we usually have two or three "Rotary Students of the Month" who are selected from the high school as high achieving students. They are recogninzed at our Rotary Club, attend meetings for the month, and give a small speech at the last meeting of the month. In addition, they get to have their picture in the Newton Daily News.

Well, I was not a Rotary Student of the Month. "Then why are you explaining all this?" you may ask. Actually, I just happened to come to the weekly Rotary meeting the week that March's students of the month were photographed for the NDN.  So when I was asked to join in the photo, I agreed hapilly!




From left to right: Min Hua (she's an exchange student from Taiwan!),  Newton Rotary President Tom Mott, Dylan, Jenna, and me, "the Rotary exchange student to Spain."


If you would like to read the complete article "Rotary Students of the Month"click here! I find it a little funny actually; the three students of the month . . . then me :) Nevertheless, I enjoyed this small but sure moment of "fama."

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!

W a i t i n g . . .

Hello readers! A few noteworthy things have happened in the past week and a half since my last post. Last week, my family and I created "J.E.T.S.", Josie's Exchange To Spain. Throughout the next few months before my departure, J.E.T.S. will have various fundraisers to hopefully raise $4,000 for my plane ticket, among other costs. The first fundraiser is a HUGE yard sale in my church parking March 24-26. If you would like to help out, donations would be greatly appreciated :) More information about the yard sale can be found at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=166576346728700#!/event.php?eid=166576346728700. Also, if you want more information about "J.E.T.S.", a link to its Facebook page can be found near the bottom of the right column of this blog.

Last weekend was my first Rotary Meeting!! Woohoo! (Inbound and outbound students hang out together for a weekend doing various activities. Most of the times there are informational meetings, but this one was just for fun.) This Rotary Weekend happened to be optional, but I wanted to go, especially since I couldn't go to the January one due to my surgery. I met a ton of  people - inbounds, outbounds, and Rotex "rebounds" (people who have gone on exchange in years prior). We went swimming, saw the Mississippi on a bridge to nowhere, and ice skating. Although I couldn't go ice skating, I had a great time! Below is a group photo of the inbounds/outbounds that came :)



"Chinese smiles" by the Mississippi River



This week, I should receive my guarantee form by email!! It should have the city I'll be staying in, Rotary District, host families, and possibly school etc... I've been checking my email constantly for it!! Ahh, I can't wait to find out! This wait is killing me!