First Chapter of Summer

  So, a lot has happened in the past few days that I thought I should post about; and I have decided that I put off updating my blog long enough. I always have the intentions to update, but somehow it never really happens.  (And part of that is because I didn't want to write about all that has happened...sorry!)

School has been out since June 13th; and it was a little weird having my school friends hug me goodbye, and hearing my teachers wish me luck for my adventures in Finland. But at the same time, I was all smiles as I ran out of those school doors, because to me at that moment it meant I was DONE with all of the hard work I had to do to become an exchange student; and I felt like after all of those hours of studying and classes- I had earned my exchange from all of the school work I had to do to study abroad! I was SO happy, I even took one last picture of my school as I walked away. (As dorky as it sounds...)

One last look at Newberg High School! :)

 

 

 

 

Apart from my last day of school, I also had the last Inbound Party (which was a party for the Inbounds who have been the Exchange Students in Oregon for the 2012-2013 school year in District 5100). Unfortunately, I was only there for a good 20 minutes due to my last dance competition with my dance team; so I came super late and only for a short amount of time. And, unfortunately I have to say it was pretty sad. Ive gotten to know these Exchange Students throughout this year, being an Outbound; and we have become such a big family in District 5100. At all of the events you would always have someone to talk to, and someone to joke around with, and I am happy to call all of them friends. Its literally impossible to feel alone in a room filled with exchange students!

 

I brought small little gifts for the Finnish Inbounds, as little goodbye presents. They have taught me so much about Finland, and have introduced me to the language that I will be learning and speaking all of next year. They have been a HUGE help to me, and it is because of them that I know that Finland is the right country for me to go to as an exchange student. :)

 

I also brought little gifts for the Danish Inbounds and one of the Inbounds from Taiwan, who I have also gotten to know so well during this year. It was sad to give it to them and to quickly hug them goodbye, and say some last few words to them as I would move on to some of the other students I wanted to say goodbye to. It was sad that I could only be there for a few minutes.

 

I hugged some of the other students goodbye; and everyone kept on telling me to put my bag down and to go dance with them- since the DJ was still there. It was really hard for me to tell them that I was just there for a few minutes. I checked my phone, and when I saw that my time was up- I turned around one last time to look at everyone before I left as I started to walk out of the room...But unfortunately that didn't really end well, as I ran back over to hug some of the students for a second time! But, it really was time for me to go, and I ended up walking out of the room backwards because I didn't want to turn away from them. I'm sure I looked ridiculous walking backwards out of a school cafeteria; but hey- if it works, it works; right? :)

 

Its sad now seeing all of my foreign friends going back home, but at the same time I am SO happy that I had the chance to meet them; and I promised some of my good Rotary friends that I would come visit them, and that this was only a, "See You Later." (Which I hope is true.)

 

 

I guess this post turned out more of a mini-novel than I had hoped for...But I guess now you know why I didn't want to take the time to write about it. Ill try to update as interesting things arise. ;)

 

 

School and Visas!

Finals are starting, and I thought that before things got a little crazy I should update my blog by writing a few points of what has happened in the past few days:

05/31:

This week my Rotary club's meeting was held at Memorial Park. Both of my town's rotary clubs were there (Noon time and Early Birds) as well as the Kiwanis club of my town. We were all held together there for a meeting for the dedication of the park that the clubs had created together. The clubs have worked to build a new playground and provide brand new play structure equipment for children to play on. The mayor of Newberg was there, and it was cool to be able to be a part of my community and be there with the other Outbound Student from my club (going to India) and the Inbound (From Japan). We had fun playing on the playground together while everyone took different club pictures. (Even though it was rainy and freezing outside!!!).

The cutting of the ribbon

 

My amazing Sponsoring Rotary club! :)

 

06/07

So far this week has been super crazy! On Tuesday I flew down to LA for an appointment with the Finnish consult to get my visa! Unfortunately, I didnt have all of the documents I needed, because we were unaware that we were missing documents for our student visas.

BUT: It was SUPER fun to hang out with two other outbounds from Oregon going to Finland! I woke up at 3am to get ready for the 6-something flight to LA, and we all road together on the same flight to LA. (However, we pretty much just slept on each other during the flight because it was SO EARLY.) Afterward we  took a taxi after we landed with our travel agent (who met us at the airport), and then we went to the  Finnish Consulate.

The appointment was super awkward; but really cool at the same time! I went for my appointment first, and I walked into this little room, and things were kind of quiet as a girl from the Finnish consulate went through all of my documents for my visa. The appointment was pretty quiet, except for an occasional question or two. But it was cool when she would occasionally turn around and speak in Finnish. (Although it was super confusing, it was really cool! :) ) I tried to pick out a few words...but It didnt really work.

After all three of our appointments were done, we took another taxi with the agent to the Santa Monica pier. (Since we were wearing our Rotary Blazers and skirts/dresses, it was super hot!). We walked around and got lunch, and then spent the next 3 hours sitting on the beach. It was actually a REALLY nice break. We eventually got bored of just sitting in the sand, so we got up and ran into the water! (Yes, I got my skirt wet...but it dried, and it was totally worth it!)

Then we all took a taxi back to the airport, and one of the girls from another district had to catch her flight to Southern Oregon as another girl from my district and I ended up waiting a few more hours for our flight back to Portland. It was over-all an EXHAUSTING day; and unfortunately I didnt get my visa. (I still have to turn in the last few documents before I get it.)

But at least some very exciting things happened this week! :D