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! :)