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

Being Busy

Since its been awhile, I thought I should eventually update this blog. (Even though nothing interesting has happened.)

My life so far has been filled with school work. Literally. Ill take you through a day in my shoes:

1.) The alarm goes off at 5:26am.
2.) I eventually get up; and get ready and leave the house at around 6:10am.(I always run a little late!)
3.) Go to early morning seminary at 6:30
4.) Walk to school and then school starts at 7:40am
5.) Go to class until lunch.
6.) Study Finnish during lunch
7.) Go to my last few classes; school ends at 2:32
8.) Stay after school and work in a classroom until 3:00
9.) Drive to another town for ACT prep from 4-7
10.) Drive home and start homework at 7:45

So, there you have it. A boring day in my shoes. My life consists of school work. But, I guess its worth it. Its a lot of school, but im actually really happy to get the opportunity to have so much school work and opportunities to be successful. (YES- I just said that I was happy to have 9 hours of school!!!) I know that I complain sometimes to my friends...but to tell you the truth, im happy to be able to study so much.

However, being busy with school all the time honestly has its up's and down's. Its been a long time since ive had fun with...well...anyone. (BUT- I guess thats a bit of a lie because I went shopping this last Saturday.)

At least I only have 3 weeks of school left! But in that time I have a rafting trip, the (ACTUAL) ACT test, my dance showcase, 7 final tests/presentations in school and a dance competition...

I am so excited to be able to gain free time! :)

District 5100 Conference 2013

This past weekend we had the Rotary District 5100 Conference. All of us Outbounds and Inbounds arrived at the University of Portland campus, and we were all assigned to dorm rooms. My roommate was an Outbound student to Mexico, and I seriously love her to death! We had so much fun together :)

After we were assigned to rooms, we had a bit of free time; and since I brought my guitar for the talent show, my friend and I decided to practice the song we were playing together. We were both playing the guitar together for the talent show, and so we decided to practice playing it together.

After everyone arrived, we all were lined up and counted off into seven different groups for the speech contest. (We had to prepare a 5 minute speech with the theme, "Peace Through Service".) We all were assigned to different classrooms with our groups, where we were given grading sheets for our speeches, and we had to give them to the judges to evaluate our speeches. I went second; and I was so nervous that I forgot my memorized speech and had to read the whole thing...I was pretty disappointed with myself that I was too nervous to give a speech after all of the practicing I did.

The next day, all of the inbound and outbound students who were in the talent show were to report to an auditorium to audition for the talent show. My friend, Audrey (an outbound student to Peru) and I were playing "93 Million Miles" on guitar while a few other girls sang the song and a Thai exchange student played the violin. And at the last minute, Audrey and I decided to sing the Cup Song with a few other girls to audition. Which was surprising because Ive NEVER played guitar in front of anyone before, and the only time I ever sing is in the shower! BUT- I realized that if I didnt do it now, then I never would.

We practiced all day (literally), and that night Audrey and I played guitar in the dorm elevator while the girls we were playing with sang.

Playing in the elevator!

 

It was so funny to see people's faces as they got on the elevator! :D

 

 

That night was super fun, because everyone began to trade pins. Inbounds had their bags of pins, and we would just walk up to people and trade. It was like Halloween but with memories! :)

The next day, we all had to dress nice (Ties, Dresses, and blazers) for the Official talent show and Rotary Conference. It was a looonnnggg day. We ran through the talent show over and over and over again. BUT, it was great because it was our way to give back to Rotary!

Sitting around waiting to practice our acts for the talent show.

 

My outbound friends: Finland, and Peru.

 

 

 

It was a really long day; and the official show didnt start until 7pm. We practiced for a final time in the hotel's ballroom where the event was being held, and afterward we had dinner with the 300 or 400 Rotarians who came. We were all scattered all over the room, and it was kind of awkward at first, but then a Rebound sat next to me, and it was amazing how quickly the ice was broken between everyone. I hope that when Im a rebound that ill be that outgoing...

We then had our flag ceremony (Where we said where we were going and which Rotary club was either Hosting or Sponsoring us); and then after we went straight into the show. Everyone who was in the talent show sat off to the side of the room in three rows of chairs, and after every act; we all stood and cheered and clapped; it was great! It was awesome to see everyone preform! :D

The final act was the song I played on guitar, "93 Million Miles". At the end; all of the inbound and outbound exchange students joined us and we all sang it together. It was pretty embarrassing though, because Audrey and I accidentally ended a verse early and randomly starting belting out the chorus! ...At least it will be a good memory when we watch the videos of it.

It really meant a lot to me to stop playing my guitar and to look behind me at all of the kids who have become part of my International Family. Its hard for me to explain to everyone how much the Inbounds and Outbounds mean to me. And to look behind me at all of these kids, even for a short moment; it was amazing to all be together.

After the talent show, the Finnish and Russian inbounds and outbounds took a picture with our Country Officer.

One of the Austrian Exchange Students Photobombed us...

 

 

The day after the talent show, we went to a zip-lining place. (However I forgot a jacket, and it was rainy and freezing, and so I decided not to do it...) Which honestly, I regret not doing it; but it was SO COLD and WET! I took pictures though at least!

 

That day was pretty long, and there isnt much to tell...However, on Sunday we packed up all of our stuff and brought it down to the commons of the dorms while we waited for our parents. It was a long morning, and it was awkward because we were talking to everyone we could, wondering if it was the last time we were going to see each other. (Which im hoping it wont be, because I didnt say goodbye because I didnt want it to be the last time I saw everyone.)

 

 

The Outbounds parents all arived for our last orientation, and it was fun to talk to the parents of a current exchange student in Finland. It made me so much more excited for Finland! The Outbounds also got their business cards, (I got into the box before they were supposed to be handed out because I was so excited!). The next few hours of the orientation were boring, because they had a travel agent come to talk about the travel agency we have to use for our tickets and visas.

 

The conference was a total blast, and it was defiantly the funnest Rotary trip of my year as an Outbound! We were a total family: we all knew each other, and teased each other and it was just so much fun! Its going to be hard to say goodbye to the inbounds and the outbounds for all of our exchanges, but it makes me so happy that I have gotten to know each of them so well throughout this year and throughout their exchanges.

 

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” 

- Winnie The Pooh

 

Scandinavian Weekend!

Geez! I REALLY need to work on updating this...

Around two weeks ago I was able to drive up to White Salmon, Washington to spend the night at a Country officer's house in my district. The current inbound students from Finland, Denmark and Russia as well as the outbounds and a rebound (who went to Finland last year for exchange) were all able to stay the night together for a Country Dinner.

We stayed at the Country Officer for Denmark's house; and it was a BLAST! Unfortunately not all of the exchange students were able to come; but it was so much fun! We all arrived after a long two hour drive, and once we were there the Danish Exchange students made Danish Open-Faced Sandwiches; which were SO good! I wasn't too excited to try the rye bread, and the first bite was kind of weird...but after I ate a few sandwiches, it was really good! So, it is good to try new things. :)

We made a menu with the rest of the Inbounds and Outbounds to make dishes from our countries, and then we all carpooled to Hood River to go to the grocery store to pick up the ingredients. For the Finnish dishes we made Makaroonilaatikko and for dessert I made Kiisseli (which is like a thick fruit soup.). The Danish dishes were Danish meatballs and Christmas red cabbage, and then we also had a Russian salad with pineapple and corn in it. (Which was actually good!)

It felt like Thanksgiving, cooking in the kitchen together! We had MORE than enough food for everyone, and it was fun to cook everything together. After we ate dinner, we started to make desserts; which were Finnish Kiisseli and a Finnish inbound made Munkki, which were really good sugary doughnuts. (I couldn't stop eating the raw dough! They were SO good!) And the Danish inbounds made Danish pancakes (which were a lot like crepes.)

It was really fun to socialize while we were all making the desserts, because we decided to put on Danish and Finnish rap and pop songs. So, it was fun to listen to music from our host countries and hear all of the inbounds sing along.

It was really funny though, because I recognized one of the songs! The Finnish inbound, rebound and I started to randomly start singing, "Frontside Ollie" which is a Finnish song by, Robin (Who is pretty much a Finnish version of Justin Beiber.).

The Outbounds got our blazers; which is cool because we were the first to get them. We also got our first night questions in our host language for our host families. (Which is basically questions like, "What should I call you?" and all of the basic questions to break the ice on the first night in your new home.). I also got some language lessons in Finnish like how to conjugate things; which was SUPER helpful!

Later that night, we watched the previous Rotary Youth Exchange talent show from last year, and then later the boys played karaoke. (Which was hilarious).

Over all, the Scandinavian Weekend was great! I just wish that I took pictures. :(

Last Stretch of School....

Well, its the last 9 weeks of the 2013 School Year. Which means that now all of the projects in school are starting to pile up. (In fact, I have two of projects due tomorrow...).

The last 9 weeks of school are really my motivation for my exchange. Its always the last few months of school that seem to always just drag on. There aren't any days off, and classes seem longer, and the homework load seems heavier.

At this point, I really want to get my GPA and grades as high as I can before I leave for Finland. But there isn't much that happens during my weeks other than going to class, going to ACT prep classes, and then coming home and doing homework.

In the life of ANY outbound exchange student, the story is the same. At first, being an Outbound Student everything is new and exciting! You are new to the program and everything is fun. But as the weeks drag on in school and you get used to being a part of Rotary, the school work and legal forms for your exchange start piling on, and you have to take important tests a YEAR in advance at school...and before you know it, ALL you have time for is work. At this point when there are only 9 weeks of school, EVERYTHING counts.

 And this is something that other students at High School don't really understand. They don't understand how much your grades count compared to everyone else's. For everyone one else at school, they are just preparing themselves for another year of High School; while you are preparing yourself to live abroad for a year. Its very different. And most other kids at your school cant put themselves into your shoes. Well...at least I feel this way at my school.

My GPA for this year transfers over to my Junior year. (Not all High Schools are like this for their exchange students, however mine is.) So, my grades are VERY important for me during these last few weeks. This week is parent/teacher conferences; so hopefully my hard work in school is paying off.

So far my highlight of the week is State Testing. Generally, you take the State reading and math tests as a Junior. However, since I am going to be an exchange student during my Junior year, I must take them a year before the other kids in my grade. (Which for me is VERY stressful.)

It feels like my whole life consists of testing, school work and lectures in class. I cant complain though; I know that all of the other Outbounds feel the exact same way as I do. And of course all of this school work is worth it for one of the best years of my life!

Even if I knew that being an exchange student was going to take THIS much work, I would still do it in a heartbeat. Every school day and every home work assignment is worth it; and as the days count down I know that the more work I do, the more it will pay off and the more I have earned my trip to Finland.

In my eyes, all of the School work and studying I am doing is earning my exchange. To be an exchange student is hard work. You don't just become an exchange student taking the easy road for everything. A Rotarian once said to me, " As Outbound Exchange Students you are one in over a hundred. You represent ONE student in your school. You are not like other kids. You are going to be an exchange student, because you are the best your country has to offer."

Im excited for this last stretch of school to be over. At least I have the Scandinavian/Nordic weekend with Rotary to look forward to in the next few weeks!

My First Host Family and School!

Yesterday morning I got an email when I woke up that told me I was going to Oulu; Finland! With that email I got my got a picture of my guarantee forms! (Guarantee Forms are forms that allow you to get your visa for exchange. They state your school name; your host rotary club and district as well as your first host family!)

I decided to use the email on my forms to try and email my first host mom. I tried to use Finnish in my email; however I dont think that my Finnish was good enough to understand, so I switched to English. And the next day my host mom emailed me back!!!!

My host mom's name is Elise and my host dad's name is Hannu. They have three kids: my host brother, Aleksi; my host sister, Fanni and my other host sister; Milla.

Aleksi and Fanni are both older and are graduated from high school and are attending university; and Milla is my age and is going to be an exchange student in Colorado. My host dad is a police officer; and my host mom says that he loves sports (especially hockey.); and my host mom is a kindergarden.  teacher. I also have a host dog named, Roope! :D

My host mom said that my host siblings will be returning back to university in the Fall; and that Milla will be leaving for her exchange around the same time as I arrive. But; they said that I am always welcome to invite friends over after I meet some at school; and that the dog would be happy to hang out with me. :)

I am VERY happy with my host family! My host parents sound wonderful; and I am very excited to meet them and get to be a part of their family.

I am also attending school at Oulun Lyseon Lukio; and I start school August 12th!




Here is a picture of the inner court of my school


I am BEYOND excited for this exchange! I wish I could leave today! Now that I know my host family; and my school I am so ready for this experience. :)