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*DISCLAIMER*
MY ENGLISH HAS TAKEN THE BIGGEST TURN YET AND I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SPELLING AND/OR GRAMMAR MISTAKES YOU ARE ABOUT TO READ

Language Update:Slower and slower I am forgetting to do posts, but, that's all just a day in the life. I feel like I may get a little deep in this post, so, sorry in advance if I do! Lately it's been harder for me to speak English, everything from my tones, grammar, and how it's said. Nothing makes you realize how weird your language is until you have to do another. People (Americans and Canadians) may not realize this, but our English is very hard in the throat, so, at points, it literally hurts to speak English...it upsets me greatly but at the same time it is a good thing to have happen. I also can barely hold an english conversation without either slipping in to French, a little bit/little lot of an accent, forgetting simple words, or word vommiting French in. I guess the time has finally come for my big language change and I'm ready for it. Fluency, come to me!

School Update:So, as you who are on Facebook with me know that I have just let people get to me (as I always have) but I am DONE with it. I'm tired of being treated like I'm not one of them (accepted in to social stuff here) and I'm SICK of being treated like i'm an IDIOT just because I'm not fluent and at times I get lost in courses still. What makes it even better, is my teachers are saying this about me. It works both ways, what you tell your colleagues, they tell me ;) SO, in response to this, I've kept all my exchange friends, but on the French social front, I'm done. Those who treat me like I'm not just some inconvenience may be my friend. I know if may sound really rude, but honestly, my whole life I've done nothing but let things like this bother me, and if I'm really going to let myself just sit here with the best year of  fly by and let this little easily changeable aspect of my life go unchanged, I'm stupid. I have no more time for people to get in my way, and frankly, since I've began pulling back, I've understood a bit more, and am honestly in a better mood. I know everything is going to get better, and I can already see horizons lighting up!

Life Update:
Lately I haven't been doing too much, just a lot of stressful school, but, this weekend I went to Switzerland! :) I got to go see an American Embassy!! It was so interesting to see my country from the other side (one of my favorite parts  of this year)! It was also really interesting to see how menacing it looked...It kind of looked like a prison and had SO much security, and apparently, when in times of destress, the metal fences are covered in barbed wire...we don't mess around haha! In all actuality it was really nice to see a familiar flag and be in a little part of home...I also went to the UN and passed by the Russian Embassy as well :) I can't wait to come back during Euro Tour when we will have more time :) Oh, and yes, I did buy swiss chocolate ;) That's literally it for here...

Random Bit;
Have you ever wondered how exactly your life was chosen? Why were we born in the place we were, with the people we were? Why did we get THIS language (our native) and what would life be like if we were born in a different country? These are questions that go through my head everyday, and that's only skimming the top. I think so much nowadays. Why did I REALLY do this? Who am I REALLY? Why do I do the things I do? How can I change things? I know I'm not the only one either as I've talked to some people who are also doing the same. I ran off to a foreign country not even a legal adult, and jumped in to some random culture which is 100% different than mine. I'm freaking crazy for doing this but love myself for it. I look at all these people I've met and it honestly makes me happy. If I had not done this, I'd never have bestfriends from literally all corners of the globe, and OH COME ON YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME I LITERALLY CANT EXPLAIN WHAT I WWANT TO SAY BECAUSE MERE PAAS BALTI HAI I FORGOT ENGLISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but yeah, to sum it up, I've found unconditional love not just from my parents. It gives me chills and brings tears to my eyes just to know that I have a family of new people who understand everything, and are there for me 100% all the time. Guys, I know I say this a lot, but if you're reading this, I really do appreciate how much you do for me and what you do for me so much and I love you all :)

So that's it for this post. I don't think my grammar was all that bad because I tried really hard to fix it as I went along (I've been working on this for a while...). Hopefully with any luck I may remember to start actually posting on a regular basis, but normally I just do after a bit event :) Speaking of which, the Light Festival is coming up soon and I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited!!! Look that up and be jealous!

Au Revoir
Andrew

Vacances!! Woohoo!

FR: Bonsoir tout le monde! Pour ce poste, je vais essayer d'écrire en français avec une traduction au-dessous. En avance, je suis désolé pour toutes mes erreurs dans les deux langues...
EN: Hello everyone! For this blog post I am going to try and write in French with a translation below. Sorry in advance for the mistakes in the two languages...

DONC, JE VAIS COMMEENNNCCCCEERRRRRRRR!!!
SO, I'LL STTAARRRTTTTT!!!

Français/French:

Donc, finalement, je suis en vacances après une première partie LONGUE de l'école! La bonne chose est les vanaces sont normalement deux semaines à l'exception du week-end occasionnel. Malheureusement, même si elle est vancances, école ne s'arrête pas tant que j'ai des devoirs dans 7 classes et dans un j'ai besoin de lire une livre et faire une affiche sur l'auteur...merde. Vacances a bien commencé avec  une journée pleine de choses amusantes et des gens formidables! Honnêtement, ma famille des étudiants en échange est mon rocher, sans vous, je ne sais pas ce que je ferais! C'est merveilleux d'apprendre tant de cultures différentes et apprendre les mots et phrases! Amis sont importants dans un échange, et mes amis ici sont littéralement le meilleur dans le monde (amis d'échange ET amis à école!) (oui, j'ai changé, je m'en fiche mdr)! Pour vancances ma famille et moi allons à Les Châteaux de la Loire!! :D Nous restons là-bas pendant 5 ou 6 jours et j'ai hâte! Les plans pour les vacances d'hiver ont été....erhm....libérés...(Je devinais bien...), mais, pour maintenant, il restera une surprise ;) Bon bah, c'est tout parceque je fais pas beaucoup de choses importantes XD Je n'ai pas dit les noms parceque il y a BEAUCOUP et moi, je suis trop paresseux pour écrire tous, mais vous savez qui vous êtes, et merci :)

Au Revoir,
Andrew

Aussi, c'est juste pour français, Véronique, si tu lis ça, merci merci meric BEAUCOUP pour tout ce que tu fais pour moi! Cela signifie beaucoup pour moi :) Tu es la meilleure! :D

English/Anglais:

So, I'm finally on vacation after a LONG first part of school. The good thing here is, vacations are usually two weeks with the exception of the occasional weekend. Sadly, though it is the break, school doesn't take a break as I have homework in 7 classes, one of which involves reading and making a thing on the author and classifying things....crap. The break started really well with a day full of a lot of fun things and great people! Honestly, my family of exchange students is my rock, without you all, I don't know what I'd do. It's wonderful to learn about so many different languages and cultures and even learn the occasional phrases and words in that language! Friends are key in an exchange, and not only have these students and I become friends quickly, but I can honestly say that they are some of best friends in literally, the whole world. For the break my family and I are going to Les Châteaux de la Loire! :D We'll be up there for about 5/6 days and I can't wait to go! Winter break plans also got....um...released (heh...i guess really well...) and I can't wait!!! I'll leave it as a surprise for everyone until then ;) Well, that's really kind of it as so far it's really just been me sitting around, and going places with my awesome friends :) Guys, I don't mention names because good gosh, y'all know I'm not taking all that time to write all those names out, but, you know exactly who you are :)

Au Revoir,
Andrew

P.S.
FR: Voici une carte de la vallée de la Loire. Je ne sais pas quels sont ceux je vais aller
EN: Here is a map of the Loire Valley, not exactly sure what ones I am going to

It's crêpe to meet you (oh good gosh)

Helloooooo World! It's been a long time since I've posted on here as I've been rather preoccupied with you know, school and the whole I live in France thing haha. So let's get started!

(This will probably be how I set the rest of my posts up)

School:
Soooo, as you all know, I had some problems with school. I'm not going to go in to great detail about it, so if you know the whole situation, you understand. Here's the jist of it:
-I was in première S from the beginning of school until Thursday
-At the beginning things were ok, but I didn't feel like I belonged
-Things happened
-I went to Marseille where I met some of the greatest people ever who made me feel like I belonged
-Two weeks later I changed to L (with the help of my host mother and principle teacher) where I am now with my new friends and teachers

I honestly do not regret changing (sorry people from S). I finally understand what all is going on and now even take notes in class because I just, understand. The people in L are more accepting and the teachers understand why I'm here and help me when help is needed.

Life:

Life is going pretty well. I've started travelling places and was even invited to England with school! There's also an invitation from The Netherlands to come present at one or two Rotary clubs and I REALLY would love to go to serve as an ambassador to the US teaching our culture and whatnot in more than just one country! :D My mother has been such a big help over the last few weeks and I honestly don't know what I would do without her. Véronique, si tu lis ceci, merci beaucoup pour tout! She does so much for me and just, I can't even begin to describe how thankful I am for her. I have made a lot of new friends and they've (as i've said) make me feel like I belong. They help me out with school and fix my mistakes in French when I make them (which is a lot haha), so, guys, if you all are reading this, thank you for everything as well! Life in France is everything I could have dreamed of. I'm STILL discovering new places in the city (like I did today at Le Vogue and all over the Croix-Rousse) and having new doors open all the time creating new opportunities for me to travel, or to grow as a person.

I think that's about it because I realized that none of this is probably making sense, like I said, the whole english thing is going. This may look like I have my stuff together but my computer says 'that isn't right, are you sure you actually know this language?'. Oh well, I REGRET NOTHING!

Au Revoir
Andrew

Welcome Back!

Hi everyone! It's been a while since I've posted! So let's get started!

School:

School here is really crazy, but I like it (other than the whole, it's school, thing). I've finally begun to get the hang of all the classes and where to go everyday. This coming week we start these classes that I have no idea what they are, but SB weeks are FULL of them. SA weeks are mostly classes and SB is more of these classes. I'm hoping they're not difficult. I'm starting to FINALLY understand teachers! I have to pay really close attention (which, for me, is really hard, but I can do it) and translate in my head as I go along, and if I do it right, the weirdest thing happens. I hear the teacher in English! It's so freaky...but hey, whatever works, right? There's one class I don't think I'll ever understand. Math. Barely understood it in America, but here everything seems to be backwards and my math teacher sounds like he's always doing a bad impression of Rocky Balboa *random mumbles*. The kids in my class are nice too. They help me out with things when I don't understand, but sometimes I feel like I may be a burden to them since I sometimes can't understand what they're saying. I think I'm finally starting to improve so hopefully by December, as everyone is saying, I'll be able to hold conversations and understand class. Thanks for being patient with me you all (if you're reading this, also, it's practice for english class, right?).

Life:

I'm pretty sure I am almost adjusted to everything here. I've been off and on sick lately and I figure it's me finally getting in to the swing of things and also with the very different and demanding schedules (i.e. being at school sometimes until 6 pm). I had my orientation two weeks ago and it was WONDERFUL meeting all the other exchangers! I made a lot of new friends that are really cool and a LOT of fun! It's awesome to meet so many other people from all around the world who are doing the same thing I am! It rained the weekend of orientation so we couldn't go zip-lining and playing in the trees at a course at the top of one of the hills here :/ Last week-end I went with my host-father and host-brother to a Hydro-electric facility at the edge of town and it was really cool to see how everything worked! My host family is really awesome (as I've said a lot haha). They do so much for me and surprise me with things all the time! The other day a scarf, one day a traditional Lyonnaise meal, and today, oh boy, Dr.Pepper! :') Thank goodness for random American/British sections in supermarkets and stores! My homesickness has gone away and I honestly don't think I could ever leave this place. It's home now. It's everything I've ever dreamed of and there is SO much to do! I can already feel myself changing in just short amount of time being here. Honestly, with exchange, not changing is NOT an option. You are now responsible for YOU. YOU have to make sure everything is in line. YOU have to make sure you understand everything. YOU have to do the work. YOU have to adapt. Monday will be ONE. MONTH! ONE MONTH! Where'd the time go!? It's gone by so slow, but honestly, I'm fine with that. Everyday there is always something new to see, someone new to meet, and something new to try.

Ending:

I think that's about all I have for this post. It's almost time for the first break of school and I can't wait to see what we're going to do (and also to have a nice break from school)! Well...I was going to say something but I forgot...woops...so....uhh...

Au Revoir!

Doozies

So everything lately has just seemed weird, like, language wise. I hear the French, it comes in, but sometimes it hits, and sometimes it doesn't. The more aware I am the better off I am and when I'm tired GOOD LUCK. It's weird too, the first language I hear from someone or think in is the language I will be glued to that day. Today, it was english, which made for a bad French day.

I realize I haven't updated this since I started school, but I've been giving updates on Facebook instead of putting them up on my blog. Whoops. Sorry not sorry. I started school 3 days ago and I honestly wasn't prepared for this. There's so many kids and the school is rather large. It's weird having different classes everyday, having random points in the day where there is nothing to do so you're confused whether you go home or chill somewhere and the school, and also really kind of being alone. I think I've made friends but I just can't tell. I think I have. I just kind of follow and stay quiet. It's honestly better for me to just listen rather than talk. I really only talk if I'm spoken to anyway. The teachers here also, I swear, have some secret language they write in and that it is also their sole purpose in life to speak as fast as they can. I've kind of given up on trying to take notes in class but the nerd in me is like 'Pay attention and stop staring at random things and you could get it' and then there's the ADHD part saying 'I don't think you looked at that before...or that....or that..or there...'. I'm pretty sure I'm just going crazy.

I was told that the teacher to student relationship is also very different. I like in America how the teachers and students can be friends and talk about problems in life, school, and really just anything before, during, or after school. Here, the teacher to student relationship is solely professional. You're a thing in my class, you sit there, shut-up, listen to me, and go. Sometimes though, there are teachers who are more comforting though. Like my english and physics teachers. Today, my english teacher would talk to me in english and ask about things and was really interested in learning about where I come from and what I've done, and my physics teacher asked me if I understood everything, made sure that I had everything I needed, and was just an all around awesome lady. That was also basically the only class I have understood so far (hurray colors...).

Just to kind of put this out there, I've actually had some moments where I've almost thought about shooting off e-mails to begin a return. This is a lot more than I thought it was going to be, and for some reason, just at night, I get super homesick. Like, bad. I guess having something to do just keeps me preoccupied during the day and afternoon, but, I'm pretty sure the only reason I'm homesick is the little spoils of America that I took for granted but now never will haha. It takes a strong person to do an exchange, and for me to even think about wanting to go home after all the hard work I did and all the things I gave up to come here is even stupid. So, when I get homesick, that's exactly what I think about, and sit there and go 'Oh, well, I'm an idiot. I'm about to throw away 2 years worth of planning, 15 months of working, and a whole bunch of other crap, just because I miss this. Yeah. Go ahead" and then I'm all better. I think it just comes down to friends. I just miss all mine and wish I could find some just like them, but, I'm beginning to :) Claire, if you're reading this, thank you.

With almost 2 weeks under my belt, a packing about to be on it's way from home, a rotary weekend this weekend, and new clothes shopping planned for next week. I think I'm finally starting to settle in to France. Now, if I can just figure out how to beat the heat. Commee oonnnnnnn Fall!

Au Revoir!

A Little Bread Doesn't Go A Long Way Because I Love Bread

*NOTICE*
I have already begun to lose a little bit of my english (hurray!), so, if I make mistakes, oh well, things happen, life goes on :)

 SO, I have an addiction. Bread. and it's really bad, but who cares?! :D (People who count carbs, but not I exclaimed the walrus.) The bread here is just, holy crap. If you've been to France and had French bread, then you understand my issue here. It's wonderful to have a Boulangerie on almost every block when you're hungry and in a pickle, or, in a France (haaa), but bad for the wallet when you're a semi-poor exchange student, OR WHEN THE ATM DOESN'T TAKE YOUR CARD. THERE IS MONEY IN MY BANK ACCOUNT PLEASE STOP NOT WORKING. Thanks :)

Life here is wonderful and honestly, if I could stay here for a good, oh, I dunno, forever, I'd be fine with that (of course with my dog here and the people I miss back home). We do so much everyday and there's SO MUCH to do! Everywhere I go there is something new I didn't see before or something new and delicious to try. Yesterday night I tried Salmon :) I liked it :) I've eaten so many different things I never thought I would like and I LOVE it. It's so much fun to just jump out and try new things. It's fun to wake up in the morning and have a mission: Communicate and get by. It's fun to have something new to do each day. It's fun to meet new people. It's fun to just be a new person and find who you really are. This exchange is wonderful and has just begun! With only a week under my belt I can already feel, see, and hear changes. I'm very thankful for the life God has given me and the opportunities that were and are placed in my life. The people, the gifts, and every day. I love waking up in the morning, opening the window, and hearing sounds of the city. A little change up in life is always good.

With just (in about 29 minutes since writing this sentence) 1 day left before the whole family returns, my excitement is starting to peak again, but at the same time I am sad because when they return, it means that it's the week of....

                                                           Le rentrée
*insert screams of terror* I DIDN'T SIGN UP FOR THIS. Kidding, I did :) Any-cindy loowho(loohoo? I'm quite more than two and don't know) le rentrée (or, re-rentry) is when tout le monde (everyone) returns to school (aka tuesday (blah)). I'm excited and nervous and sad and blah blah blah. A whole bunch of feelings mixed in to one. Tomorrow morning I go to see if my list of classes is up as the school was fermé ce soir(closed tonight) during our walk in the park (that's right, I went on a walk in the park ^-^).

Thank you google for the stock photo (mine has yet to be uploaded from my phone). Wow. I'm really talkative tonight. Whatever :) Where was I? The park, but no, in the middle of a thought...uuh...SCHOOL! YES! My school is GIANT! There's 3 courtyard, 3 floors, and a LARGE amount of rooms. I hope I can get this down quickly. For those of you who don't know, a French high school schedule is different than an American one. I have a different schedule everyday, a different change up of classes everyday and also A and B weeks. Shew. I think I can do it :)

OH OH OH! I learned that on my birthday weekend, my district has a ski weekend! SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME ON FRIDAY (in January) AND SATURDAY AND SUNDAY I GO SKI! WOOHOO! I also have my orientation next weekend and then a thing in October like a thing I did in October in America (but only one day and in a high school, not a weekend at a 4-H camp).

I think that's all. If I missed something oh well. Questions, comments, or whuteva, leave them below :)

Au Revoir!

P.s. Sorry for the random French tiddlybits, sometimes I forget the phrases and can only spurt them out in French at the moment

C'est la vie

Bonjour!

France est...MANIFIQUE! J'adore Lyon! Ma mére et moi avons fait BEAUCOUP de choses!

Samedi le 24:

Véronique est moi sommes fait un promenade de la ville. La ville est très belle et il y a beaucoup de vieux architecture, églises, et restos :)   J'ai mangé un rouleau avec pralines (délicieux!!!). Véronique m'a donné un défi. Je dois mange VINGT fromage différent! Maintenant, j'ai mangé: 3

Dimanche le 25:

Véronique et moi sommes allé au marché en plein air! Il été beaucoup beaucoup beaucoup de chose intéressant! En France, il y a un beaucoup de légumes et fruits différent. 3 différent peches, beaucoup de melons différent, 3 différent prunes, et BEAAAUUCCOOUUPPP de légumes!! Aprés le marché, nous sommes reçu Manon (ma soeur aînée et super cool!) et allé à Vienne :) Vienne été SUPER COOL!!!

Lundi le 26:

Nous sommes allé à un SAFARI!!!!!! C'était beaaauuccoouupp de plaisir! j'appris beaucoup de noms animaux! et finalement, j'ai parlé avec mon conseiller de Rotary!

C'est tout et au revoir! :)

My New Life

After years of work and hundreds of trees killed from paper work, I am finally here. After a hard goodbye, a quick break-down in the plane, some good Chinese food, what seemed like the longest flight of my life from excitement, saying goodbye to an exchanger from our group in Paris, and horrid exhaustion, I. Am. Here. and EVERY minute was worth it! Every shift at work, and every dollar spent. When I got to Lyon, they had these doors that opened up as you stepped up to them, and all the exchange kids on the flight walked through them together, and what was on the other side? Our families. I saw my eldest host sister camera posed, and my host mother holding my Bienvenu sign, THAT'S when it hit me. The french came rolling and my mind started working. I even did Bisous with no hesitation, yeah, that's right, Frenched myself up right good (grammar on purpose). She led me up to our Lounge where all the kids were greeted by the Rotary people. There, we gave them our Paris trip money, said goodbye to our friends, and began our new life. As we drove in to the city, i couldn't help but just look out the car window at everything that passed by. France is so beautiful. We drove past my school on the way to the apartment and holy. crap. It's BIG and it's really cool looking! We got in the apartment and I began to get settled in. As I opened up my suitcase ready to just put everything away, I was greeted by a little surprise. Guess who's shampoo EXPLODED ALL OVER HIS SUITCASE!?
                                                                           Mine.

So, after a DELICIOUS lunch involving the best cantaloupe I have ever eaten, we started to clean all of it up. At this point, I'm barely holding on to consciousness. After some last minute things me, my host mother, and host sister went on a walk in the park! It's beautiful! and guess what, it has not one, but FIVE giraffes and one is a baby! Yup. Whole day made there. From there we went home because I was (and still am) barely hanging on. I got to say hello to my host brother and host father on the phone and I can't wait to meet them both!

What's really weird, is even after just a few hours, I'm already beginning to have a little struggle with english (though it may not seem like it). Typing this just feels forced. I have a LONG way to go before I can fully talk to my host family, but, I can tell I'm going to learn a lot everyday now.

And with that, I'M FINALLY GOING TO SLEEP!

Au Revoir from Lyon

Andrew

Homestretch

Well, today marks the homestretch of my exchange. FOUR DAYS LEFT! AAHHH!! People have been asking me how I feel and I FINALLY figured out how to describe it, kind of like this:

akjf;sdlkja;lsdkgja;lkfhohqwoirhwiohweoh;rehtoeihrg;hdgf :) ): :D D:


Thhaatttt looks about right! :)

Yesterday I went home and said goodbye to all my extended family and my eldest sister. It was really hard to say goodbye to them, but I will see them when I come back :) One of my aunts gave me one of two things she has held on to in case she decides to up and go on a trip and also as a good luck piece. Most people would just see it as a piece of currency, but it means so much more than that. Today, I said goodbye to my church. A lot of people told me goodbye and good luck, and if you guys are reading this and I just gave you that awkward smile and laugh thing, I'm just a jumbled mess and have never had to do anything like this before, but thank you :)

I still have SO MUCH to do with such a small amount of time left. I still have to make pins, do my laundry for packing, make sure all my flights are in order, purchase gifts for my host family, and say some final goodbyes to friends. I have some little things planned, but, I just kind of wish school would close on the 20th or 21st so I could hang out with them all before I climb in a metal can and roll off to my new life.

My host mother has talked to me about some of the things we will be doing my week of arrival, and some of the things we may do for vacations. Let me just say, I'm stoked. I won't say 'I can't wait for them!' because that means time will go fast, so, I can wait on them. I want this year to go by very slowly so I can take in EVERYTHING! I want to do everything I can and try and go as many places as I can!

Ok, well, that about wraps up this post. The next time I post will probably be from an airport before I become a sardine XP I come up with the dumbest things to say, but, it's my blog, so, I do as I want :)

Au Revoir!

Andrew

Time to Fly

Today was another big day, but really, this week has been a BIG week for my little exchange! :) It started off on Tuesday with the presentation of my jacket and me getting my ambassadorial certificate at a local Rotary club meeting. It feels really nice to finally call the jacket mine, as well as having a nice home for my collected pins! :D Now to fill the WHOLE thing up! (This part isn't exchange related, but is at the same time) After the meeting I went on a campus tour of my #1 choice university. It was a WONDERFUL tour and my guide was even an international student! Talk about lucky! I've decided that that university is perfect and is clearly the one for me.

~SIDE NOTE!
While on exchange, I get the wonderful opportunity to work on college applications and scholarships while in France. Weeee, stress. With any luck I can get most of the applications done BEFORE I go on to France, if not, oh well. I'll get over it.
SIDE NOTE OVER~

THEN, that night I got my itinerary for my flight! That made me incredibly happy as that means it's almost here (two weeks from today actually!!!) This plane ticket was a little cheaper than expected, but still quite a shock! After a quick trip to the bank today and getting the limit on my debit card extended, I bought that sucker, confirmed my flight tonight, and chose my seat for my flight to Atlanta. It's such a wonderful feeling to know Act 1 is coming to an end. My new life will soon begin and my dream of living in France will soon be coming true!

After all this, hopefully, this weekend I will be skyping with my host mother! I'm excited to finally get to, in a way, meet her! She's been so helpful and is VERY nice! She puts up with me and helps me out, so, I see this exchange going quite well :) Si vous lisez ceci, merci pour tout!

The last thing on this fun little Rotary and Exchange filled week will be my first going away party. Lordy, it feels weird having to do this. Sometimes I wonder if I really should be doing this and think I should back out and keep going with life here after seeing all these opportunities that area available, and then I think, am I an idiot? This is a once in a lifetime chance (well, for the most part). I get to go have fun, learn a new language, and become part of a different culture! Why stay in this little town when there is a whole world to see! GO! GET! SHOO! Anyway, yes, my first going away get together. It may be hard depending on who will be there. Some of my friends are leaving for college and I won't get to see them for a very long time, so when it comes to them, it'll be hard...I'll miss them a lot. A week from Saturday is my second going away gathering for my extended family. That one I know will be the hardest. My eldest sister moved back where we used to live, so that could be the last time I see her, which will be sad (and if you're reading this, you suck :p).

Well, I'm pretty sure half of this made NO sense, but hey, it's my blog, I do what I want! Ha :p

Au Revoir

Andrew

Life in Lyon!!

Well readers, I DID IT! :D After a week, I checked the tracker and BOOM! My visa was scheduled for delivery the next day! I woke up and pretty much paced like a nervous dog, and when the mail truck came, I ran out and waited at the box with a huge smile! I brought the package inside, opened it up, and inside was my Visa (this was saturday by the way)!! I looked at it for a good 10 minutes, did the whole Facebook post thing, and then looked at it some more. It's wonderful to know that all this work has finally paid off. The waiting, and the stressing can now cease for a while while I wait for my itinerary. :)

Today is also a really special day. Today marks the ONE MONTH mark until my exchange! Honestly, the only way to describe how I feel right now is this:

:D: :):

Bipolar.

Also, since today is the one month mark, I am now posting on Facebook the link to my blog. So, welcome Facebook friends! This is going to be a big way of staying updated and hopefully some of the previous posts will answer any questions. If you have any along the way or now, feel free to comment and ask!

Au Revoir

Andrew

Waking-Up

So readers, this weekend I had my outbound orientation for my district! :D When I first got here I wasn't too sure if I was going to click with any new people, BUT, I did and they are AMAZING! I made a lot of new friends and wish we could have had more time together than just one weekend :/ This weekend we learned all about our country, what we need to do when we get there, a little beforehand, had a "talent show" in which we were taught we were going to have to get used to being center stage and being out there is important, and about a thing called a Blackout which is a one-three month period of very limited communication with your home country and family as well as Facebook, Twitter, and all other types of social media, including blogging, so, once I am in France I will be gone for a little while and with any luck (if I remember) will be back up and on here in no time, but for now, here I am. We also learned a LOT about different cultures and how to kind of watch what they do and how to integrate successfully with the native people. I also met a Rebound from France who is AWESOME! She stayed in my district and told me a lot about what goes on there. Honestly, this weekend was a non-stop wake-up call and I honestly, am for the first time nervous about what's going to happen. I'm a little nervous about school, how fast I will pick up the language, and making friends that will last. Our speaker the first night told us that just like a movie has 3 acts, so does our exchange, and I am only in Act 1 (which ends once we board the first plane) and I have NO intentions of backing out. It's weird to finally realize I'll be away, speaking a different yet familiar language everyday, starting over. A new page in my life book. So, I will keep writing my acts and WILL complete all 3! Anyone people, that's enough for this one.

Au Revoir

Andrew

Could it Be Life in Lyon?

Well my wonderful readers, today, I went to the Consulate! After a long train ride in to the city, a good Starbucks drink, and finally meeting my friends from Ohio, we went in. I was honestly kind of surprised at the amount of kids that were there. I thought there would've been more for some reason. Eh, oh well. I also was the only guy from my entire district, but, I don't care (woo!). I also got to meet my travel agent! She's a WONDERFUL lady and works VERY hard! She is making this exchange go very smoothly and is always calm, BUT, now we all wait for about a week and a half or less to get what I named "the Easter Egg". When we open the package it will either be a regular passport, or, a glorious visaed passport. Let's hope for the second one/the Easter Egg contains good stuffing. Coommee oonnnn legal status!

Au Revoir

P.S. While we were on the street my dad found a lady who only spoke French. He looked at the three of us and went 'she only speaks French'. Needless to say.....it was a train wreck...goodness...yeah, I'm in trouble...EEK

Almost there

Oh, hello blog world, I didn't see you there :) SO, update! I am OFFICIALLY enrolled in my French lycée (look! I figured out my french keyboard!) and am going to be in première s  (gulp). I've heard it's the hardest one to do, but, if I'm going to be a Cardiologist, I'm going to need to suck it up, fast, besides, sciences have always been my stronger areas :) My WONDERFUL host mother has been so awesome this whole time and has gotten everything down to make my year go well :) With any luck I'll be taking Italian also (one of my wanted minors in college!) :D My travel agent has also been so AWESOME! Those RYE people who get Emily Voorn as a travel agent, be prepared for promptness and always make sure you have your stuff on time. She has a LOT to do, but does it all so well :)

I go for my visa in NINE days! NINE! Where has the time gone!? I started working on my whole exchange progress in late December of 2011 and now I'm here. Nine days from my visa appointment, and 51 days from leaving for France. Just, wow. World, I had my first breakdown on Saturday. I had to say goodbye to my extended family until my going away party, and even though it wasn't my last time seeing them (hopefully), it just kind of put in to perspective, it's almost time to go. YEEK!

Honestly, I don't know what I would do without all my friends, family, and of course God. They have all helped me out so much along the way so far and I know they will continue to support me when I am all frenchified. I think I'll share some of my goals of my exchange:

1.) Gain an accent. My eldest sister and I have this weird gift where we can pick up accents easily, so, I'm hoping to get a French one
2.) Struggle with English upon return
3.) Take stereotypical tourist photos
4.) Eat lots of bread!
5.) Try and not gain the exchange student weight
6.) Become fluent
7.) Learn to be self sufficient
8.) Mature even more within myself and Christ

This exchange is my child. I created it, and I've worked on it watching it grow from a dream, to reality. Every email, friend request, payment, or trip slaps me and says 'I'M REAL WAKE-UP!' but it still hasn't hit. I was told that it will when on the plane, and I'm sure it will. $100 says I wake up on my first day and flip out because I won't know where I am and why the heck can't I understand everyone. Shew, I'm nervous but so very excited.

Well, that's it for now! Stick around because the real stuff is about to happen! Look for the name change too  here around the end of August :)

Au Revoir!

Andrew

Oh, and host family, if you're reading this. Thanks for taking me in. It means a lot :)

Hurray!

Today, today was a great day. TODAY, I got in contact with my host family!!! I have only talked to my (if she wasn't going on exchange) "host sister" and to my host mother a little, but they are wonderful people! I am INCREDIBLY excited to let the exchange begin! Tonight I will purchase my French insurance tonight so my guarantee form can hop on the mail airplane and send its flat self on over here! My host sister told me a lot about the town and a lot about school and apparently I will be in Premiere S....science...eek! :I It's a lot of math, but, I'm sure it'll be ok...right?...right. Yeah. ANYWAY, 84 days until I leave, and a little over a month until my orientation AND I turn my Visa in. Stress stress stress....

Au Revoir

Andrew

Let's Just Say...

I'm completely stressed. Everything exchange in my life has pretty much EXPLODED! So many deadlines are approaching, so many companies want money, a LOT of my language is switching to French, and I have to deal with traveling and working at the same time. Tonight we spent about 3 hours working on my exchange. All that was DISSECTING the Visa packet and getting papers in order for my conference. We barely made a scratch in that Visa. During the dissection we learned a lot of papers have to come from France and really, there hasn't been a lot of communication between Me and the Host country (which isn't too great in my book). I've spent a lot of time praying over this exchange and God has really helped me out through balancing all that comes up, helping me financially, and keeping my emotions even as well as helping me with my personal life (which needs a lot more work). Sometimes I think that if a prospective exchange student can get through all the paper work and not die instantaneously, let 'em go no questions asked haha! I think my biggest problem is the fact I've always had time to work things out (i.e. my application that I spent 6+ months on) and now I have to do them in like, 2 while balancing a very busy life. My parents help out a lot as well as current exchange children (all of whom (parents included) I love very dearly). I know this exchange is a lot of work but sometimes I wonder if it's worth it, and then I come to and realize that was a stupid thought haha! Things have changed within the realm of insurance (which is a real let down) and has added a little bit more stress in to my little life, but I know God will help me out. I understand where I am going, and what I need to do to get there, and it won't happen without Him. In the mean time, I have to work on all the paperwork as well as gathering the extra things I need for the Visa and a lot of things from France. Oh guarantee fooorrmmm, where arrreee yooouuuuu????

Au Revoir
Andrew

100

It's the 100 day countdown! It may not seem that big, but I started my countdown a good several months ago :) A lot has to happen now and in a very small time! My visa papers are due in a couple weeks, my consulate visit is approaching quickly, and my Outbound Orientation is right after! My exchange is approaching quickly and I am actually starting to feel a little sad. I'll miss all my friends and everything here, but I know this will be the best time of my life and it'll be worth all the wait! :)

Oops!

I forgot to post the picture of the district! Here you all go :)

Finally!

Bonjour/Salut/Bonsoir tout le monde!

Yesterday! Yesterday was an AMAZING DAY! I was at home sitting down and my parents came home. I went to help with whatever groceries they had when my mother asks if I received the same e-mail she got. I was confused. My guess was it was some school thing, but she had a REALLY big smile. I said 'no...' and my sister yelled 'YOUR DAD'S NAME IS (FRENCH NAME)!' I was like "what?..." turns out, my host mother had sent my parents an e-mail!!!! I RAN for my computer and began looking for it (found it in their e-mail). When I found it I read it so quickly I missed a lot of information and had to read it 2 more times! So everyone, I will be going to Lyon, France D1710 (for those of you in Rotary (That should be all of you, if not, we have districts and blah blah)) for my exchange!!! I will also have a little brother!!!!!! I've always wanted one, and now, I get to (for either a couple months, or the whole year. I don't know yet...) I'm awaiting actual contact from the family and will not disclose names, ages, or anything else for safety reasons (the internet is a sketchy place y'all...). ANYWAY, I'm incredibly excited to begin this exchange now and CAN NOT WAIT until I come in actual contact with my host family!! By the e-mail, i'm sure they'll be awesome! :)

Au Revoir!

Andrew

P.S. Now that I have this family, it all seems so weird. I didn't expect to get this far, and now...it's actually happening, showing that, rien n'est impossible :) (I'm sure you can guess what that means ;) )

Another Update

I sent off an exploratory e-mail today to my Inbound Chairman asking about an orientation and got several things back. So, I thought I would share them:

1.) Apparently, I will have three orientations, one of which, will consist of me giving my club presentation (which I am VERY excited for!). One orientation will be with my club, another will be at my house with my family (since there are 2 going from my state), and the last will be my BIG Orientation in July, well, last until I am in France.

2.) I get my country information via snail-mail from my country contact who lives in another state. She gets the information, and then sends it to me. Apparently it could be between Now, and JULY. Eek! Hopefully the visa doesn't take too long if I learn in July! BUT, there are 1-2 kids on the Rotary France page who learn every day, so it looks like France is cranking the papers out!

3.) I get my blazer soon! Finally, my pins will have a home!

4.) My exchange bill is in. I won't get it until they know exactly how to break it up, but the fact that I will see all I have to pay is going to stress me out.

That's it! :) 135 days until I am in France!

Au Revoir!

One more!

Just a heads up, I hope to eventually turn this in to a mostly French blog! SO, enjoy all this English while it lasts :) (It'll be a long time before the solid French happens, don't worry)

Encore, Au revoir et merci!

Andrew

Last Post Today

OK! Last post today. I'm going to make this kind of a Q&A/Request blog as well as a regular blog. We'll begin with requests since I am not there yet, OR, if you are a person looking to study abroad through Rotary and have questions, they can be put in comments placed on any of my posts and I will respond. SO! Tell me what you would like to see posted on this blog below in the comments and I'll do just that! :)

Spam

Wow. So, I really like to spam my own blog. Awkaarrdd...BUT! For those of you going TO France, I found the school calendar for next year :D Anyone from France viewing this, if this is wrong, correct PLEASE! I think I can live with this :)

French Districts

So these are the 19 Rotary districts in France, the ones with the little red lines are the ones I want to go to :) When I learn where I will go, I'll post an updated picture :)

Let's Start This!

Well, here we are. You, staring at the screen, and me, well, I'm going to France in about 5 months :) The biggest questions I've gotten so far are:
"Why did you decide to do this and what program?"
"Why are you doing this?"
"Won't you miss everyone?"
"Do you speak French?"
"Random attack of questions about culture and family things bllllllaaaah blah blah"
SO! Let's answer these suckers!

1.) Why did I decide to study and what program

I decided to study abroad because I wanted to try something new, and I was called to do it. I had two friends who studied abroad, and I thought it was the coolest thing ever! I had always wanted to do something like this, and now that I was learning French (back in 9th grade) I wanted to be able to go, use it, and become immersed in the culture and "become French". I would have to say that the biggest factor though  was my call from God. I was waiting for a sign and have been asking him what he wanted me to do, and this was placed in front of my face. I looked at programs and thought about it for a while (even though I knew I was going to anyway) and then went. I researched programs for about 3-4 months and when all hope was given up (from the financial stand point since big name exchange programs cost literally, an arm, a leg, and a kidney), Rotary Youth Exchange emerged out of the dust. Not only was it affordable, but their message was AMAZING and I fell in love with the program immediately, and here I am :) I worked on my application for SIX MONTHS talking to Rotarians and families of rebounders. I turned my application in in September, and in October I went to a special conference and there I did my interview and was accepted. I waited forever and had a couple problems along the way, but I FINALLY got the news I was going to France and I almost peed my pants. Y'all don't even know (well, Outbounders will). Also, I'm one of TWO people from Kentucky going. TWO! The other Outbounder is going to Switzerland :)

2.) Why are you doing this?

Woops, answered that above (see that big 'ol mess ^)

3.) Won't you miss everyone?

Yeah, I guess I will. I know it'll be hard, but eventually we'll get older and be on our own, and this trip will help me ease my way in to that. This trip will also help me make NEW friends and be connected globally :)

4.) Do you speak French?

Oui. Je parle un peu de français, mais, je ne parle pas bien (ou écrire lol.) J'ai étudié fraçais pendant trois ans et je suis heureux d'en savoir plus (tort.)

5.) Random questions about culture and blah blah blah

Well, I know VERY little about their culture other than some traditional holiday stuff and they like wine and bread *insert cheesy french laugh* but, soon, I will be able to answer all these questions :)

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeell, that's about it for my first blog post and I'll keep you all updated about everything (such as, WHERE I'LL BE GOING! (still don't know ://))

Bye Y'all!