More goodbyes. . . .

Well. It is finally here. Tommorrow at 11:44am, I will officially be leaving for Switzerland. It feels like I've been waiting forever for this to come but now that it's here, it feels like just another ordinary week. On Sunday, my mom (and dad) threw another party. But this one was for everyone that wasn't invivted for the limo ride:) We had lots of my teachers come, friends from church, families that I babysit for, and neighbors. Here are just a few. . .

Me with Payton and Sydeny, the girls that I have babysat the past two summers. They kept me on my toes this summer:)

Aunt Pam and I. This isn't the greatest picture beacuse our eyes were all puffy, but it'll do. She goes to our church and works at my high school. She is so amazing and I'm going to miss her so much!
Aaron and I. He goes to my church and we just got back from spending a week together in New Orleans for a youth gathering. We have a love/hate relationship:)
My French teacher Mme. Platt and I. She is the one who inspired me to go to a French speaking country. She suprised me when she walked through the door. She is defintely one of my favorite teachers.
Two more kids I babysit, Jadon and Sienna. They have grown up so fast since I started watching them almost two years ago. I probably won't even recognize them when I get back they'll be so big!

Lastly, Bob and I. He goes to my church and traveled to Africa with us last year. He is known around here as Bob the Builder:) He always knows how to make someone laugh:)

I still can't believe I leave in the morning. It's been such an awesome adventure so far and it's just beginning. I can't wait to find out what the next year has in store!

Suprise!!!

Last night, my amazing mom and my best friend threw me a suprise going away party for all of my closest friends! I had suspisions that something was going on, but had no idea it was going to be as over the top and memorable as it was!

I thouht Abby was coming over to pick me up and go out to eat, but when i ansewered the door, she and one of my other best friend were standing there, and in the background was a limo! I was completly suprised!

Then, when I got in the limo, I found the rest of my closest friends! We popped open some sparking cider, cranked some tunes, and the party started!

We headed up to the Plaza in Kansas City to a Japenese restaurant! Here's a picture of the whole group:)

The food was SOOO good. It took me a little while to master the art of eating with chopsticks and this picture shows the first shrimp I was able to pick up. The chef was tossing food into our mouths (quite amusing) and everyone was laughing and having a good time!

After dinner, we still had another hour with the limo, so we went to one of the many fountains on the Plaza and took some pictures to last as memories for the year.

When we got back to my house, we all pilled out and, of course, got a picture by the limo! Then most stayed the night. What a great memory!!! Thanks mom and Abby!!

T-Minus 11 Days!

I'm now only 11 days out from leaving for Switzerland! I found out that my visa won't be ready in time and that I will have to travel over as a tourist until my visa is finalized. This next week and a half is going to be busy, busy, busy! Getting all my things packed, fininshing up my babysitting job, and making some lasting summer memories with my family and friends:) My family in Switzerland sounds so nice in their e-mails, as well as my counselor. I can't wait to meet them all! I'll keep you all posted as I get ready to depart!

No longer an ophan...

Hey everyone! I just heard from my first host family this week! I will live on a vineyard on Lake Leman (Geneva) with views of the Swiss Alps. Sounds like a hard life:) I have two sisters, one that is my age, and one that is two years older, but will also be a foreign exchange student. My dad sounds very nice and is funny, so I think we will get along great! I have sent in my visa form, so hopefully that will clear soon and I can buy my plane ticket! It's now only a month or less away! I'm so excited! I'll keep you all updated as I recieve more information!

Less than two months.....!

So...It's now less than two months until I leave for Switzerland! Scary and exciting:) I just mailed in my visa form today so the travel company can get my visa and book a flight. I'm still waiting on that e-mail from my family, and from those of you who know how I get a little crazy and stressed on a regular basis, this is absolutley making me a manic. But, I'm sure I will hear somthing soon and when I do, you will definetly know:) I'm getting anxious now. I'm excited to go, yet I still don't want to leave everyone and everything here behind for a year. Please continue to keep me and my family in your prayers as I embark on this amazing and exciting journey!

I know where I'm going!

Hello everyone! So I know I just updated this two days ago but in that time I found out where I'm going! I am going to the Lavaux region, which is right on Lake Geneva and the Swiss Alps! Like I said it's a region, which is like our counties. Our states are like their cantons (Lavaux is in the canton Vaud) and their villages/towns are our cities. Their regions are really small though, since Switzerland is only 1/5 the size of Kansas. The Lavauz region is known for its wine vineyards, famous for its white wine called Chasseles. They are also known as the Swiss Rivera, which just sounds amazing:) Lavaux is made up of a bunch of small villages, one of which I will call home in a few months! I also put of some pictures of Lavaux, enjoy!!!

Where the Lavaux region is located, on the left side of Switzerland

The hotel where the Lavaux region Rotary meets, called the Hotel du Raisin


One of the larger towns is the region, named Cully, where my sponsoring Rotary Club meets

This is the picture that sold me. It looks absolutely gorgeous! With the vineyards, Lake Geneva, and the Swiss Alps, I think I might enjoy it there :)

The beautiful terraced vineyards, right next to Lake Geneva The terraced vineyards with the Swiss Alps in the background

A church in the Lavaux region, Saint Saphorin, which was built in 1520

Another of the vineyards, but you can also see Lake Geneva and how close the Alps are!

A small village, with a population of 314, called Epesses in the region. Future town? Maybe...

Still Waiting......

Hey everyone!!! Just thought I'd let you know whats been happening lately. I went to my last orientation two weekends ago and recieved my blazer, trading pins, cards, and lots of other goodies:) Also, all the other exchange students and I presented the flags of the countries we are going to and had a Q&A with Rotary members. I will post pics soon from the orientation. I am giving a speech this Thursday, 5/20, at the Gardner Rotary Club. I'm suppossed to have pics of my host family and town, but I have a feeling my powerpoint is going to be a bit dull since I only have facts and maps of Switzerland. I am still anxiously awaiting the e-mail from my host family, and when i do and get pictures, I will definetly post the pics and let you all know! Please continue to pray for me and my family as I embark on this amazing opportunity!