One Month To Go!

Today is actually my birthday, and now I am officially and adult. I really don't feel different, but who really does on their birthday? I've been regretting this day for forever, I don't want to grow up and I don't want to labeled as an adult. But I just need to face the facts and grow up like everyone else. I'm sure I'll never fully be an adult, I'll always be looking to find some fun and adventure even when I'm 79.

Anyway, I only have a month until I embark on my adventure of a life time! No one has no idea, what so ever, of how excited I am. So many people go on trip and act like they've seen the world, but most of the time they are getting a tourists point of view. When I go to Paraguay I'll have a job as a volunteer and I'll have a host family. I'm not just going to observe like the millions of tourist around the world, I'm going to become a Paraguayan! In just one month I'll be part of whole different lifestyle and culture and that is something I have been dreaming of my entire life. I know I probably sound like I'm totally unpatriotic and hate america, but that isn't true at all. I love tons of aspects of America, but I want to get out and see the world. I want to be part of another culture, but America will always be my home. Already I'm not that american though, I mean I absolutely HATE hamburgers, country music, and steak and in no way am I obese! (I hope not anyway hahaha)

This month could feel like a life time, or it might fly by, I hope it passes fast because I want to get started on my dream and right now I've only got 4 full weeks of waiting keep me on edge.

This is actually a Norwegian Airplane, but I've flown with SAS before and they are the best planes ever!

My Past Travels

I still suck at blogging but i hope this post is a better attempt then yesterdays!

Before I actually go to Paraguay, I thought I might fill you in on some of my past travels since the blog is titled: ...My Travels.

Here are the top 5 places I've been to:
1. Norway
2. Bermuda
3. Disney World
4. Canada
5. Washington DC

I know they don't sound that exciting, but a trip depends on what you make of it. You could go to Hawaii and hate it or Antarctica and have the time of your life.

Norway is #1 because I know so many Norwegians and if you ask my friends, I'm a bit too obsessed with Norway. My family hosted an exchange student from Norway and since then, my family and I have loved the country. If you ever get the chance, go there, it is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Bermuda is just awesome, I went there on a cruse. The sand never gets hot, (it has pink coral in it!) snorkeling is so much fun, and they drive on the other side of the road! Its the best dream vacation ever!

I am a Disney fanatic! I know so much about Disney world its unbelievable, if you've never been there you have to go, its a classic. Don't be like my aunt and uncle and deprive your kids of, (jk!). When I go to college I plan to do there summer program and possibly work as Tinkerbell (I'm to short be any other princess).

I love Canada, it's really pretty too, however I've only been to Niagara Falls (4 times). There is a lot to do and you get to see another country. I love international travel so I love going to Niagara Falls!

I love DC, but I ranked it lower because I've been there like 6 times. Just don't go in the summer, the temperature is in the 100s and the humidity is terrible.

I've been to lots of other places too, these are just my top favorites!

PS I just booked my flights yesterday, Paraguay here I come!!!!

The Background of My Excursion

Right now I am in high school and around the age of being an exchange student. I know this may sound weird, but I have been volunteering and meeting exchange students since I was about 7. I became good friends with a lot of people from every corner of the world and ever since I was little I have literary dreamed of becoming an exchange student. Everyone would always ask me where I wanted to go and I always said Germany, it seemed so cool (and still does).

I volunteer with exchange students like these, one of them is even my exchange student from Norway!

About 5 years ago my family hosted an exchange student from Norway and since then I have fallen in love with everything about Norway. Over those 5 years he has come and visited us and we have even gone and visited him. Because of him, I now want to be an exchange student to Norway. Last year my family hosted an exchange student from Italy. We are exactly 360 days apart from each other and we quickly became great friends. He says he's coming to visit soon, so I am really excited!

I realized that next year (my senior year) would be my last chance to live out my dream of becoming an exchange student so since November I have been filling out applications and working my way to becoming an exchange student. My first choice was Norway, my second Germany, and my third was always changing. I started applying for two different programs. A program to go to Norway for school for a year and a full ride scholarship to go to Germany for year. The Germany program is very highly rated and they were only taking 50 students out of 12 states to go. I had to write essays, make conference calls, and have personal and group interviews in my city and anxiously wait to find out if I would make it. If I didn't get then I would still go to Norway for the year instead (I had everything planned out).

Finally I found out that I had been accepted and I was one of the 50 people! I was so happy! However about a week before that the Norway organization (which is also connected to the Germany scholarship) told me that I would not be allowed to be an exchange student to Norway do to medical reasons. This made literary made me cry (I was sobbing my eyes out). I knew that because I couldn't go to Norway I also wouldn't be able to Germany. It felt like all my hard work and stress I had put into it was worthless and all my hopes for my dream were shattered. (Sorry I apologize for making that sound extremely sappy).

After I pulled myself together my mom talked me into a summer program. She did a summer program to Mexico. I had always pushed myself away from summer programs because I felt like they weren't the same kind of experience and I wouldn't be as close with my host family. The summer program seemed to be like my only other option so I took it. I chose to go to Paraguay and work with an exchange-community service project. At first I was a little unsure of it because I had hoped on Europe and it is in South America and it's just for a month and a half so I won't get to be there as long as I wish I could be.

Now that I am going to Paraguay I am so excited! I'm even more excited then when I thought I was going to Norway or Germany. I know it's not the same as them but I don't care, I know I will have the time of my life and I CANNOT wait to hope on a plain and meet my host family! This blog is all about me and fulfilling m dream by going to Paraguay. Even though my trip hasn't officially started yet, I'll still fill you in on my life now, what I'm doing to get ready to go, and once there I'll let you know how much fun I am having!

I hope you enjoy my adventure...¡Hasta Luego!