Cut in Two

Okay so I'm officially really really sad today.

I have a week left and I have most of my stuff packed up. I'm not sure if I'll need another bag or not. I'm a good packer and things are fitting quite nicely. I know what I'm going to wear to fly in already. In fact, I knew when I got the clothes for Christmas that I was going to wear them to fly in because they are sooooooooooooo comfortable.

I cried when I had a dream about waking up in my own bed in my own room in Michigan. It kinda scared me to think about it like that, just suddenly being there with no good byes, no I'll miss you so much. I don't know how I'm going to handle that when the time comes. In a way it's worse than coming here because I'm attached to both ends and stuck in the middle.

Okay so enough with the dramatic sad stuff.

I spent the night at a friends house this past Saturday (the 26th and 27th). We were soooo crazy. It was a ton of fun. We stayed up until like 4 in the morning watching movies and being silly and talking. It was a ton of fun.

The family and I went to La Serena yesterday (monday 28) and hung out on the beach after a lunch in the mall. I couldn't help but think that that was probably the last time I will go there.

For new year I'm getting together with friends. We're thinking about going dancing but no one is for sure yet because it's more expensive to get in and it's going to be packed every where.

Maybe we'll go the day after... just for the fun of it.

I'll try to get at least one more post in before leaving Chile. After New Year I think.

Merry Chistmas!!

Merry Merry Chirstmas! I hope you got everything you asked for.

I made out like a bandit. El Viejito Pascuero brought me a pair of Converse to go with the clothes that Cristian Janet and Cristians parents bought me.

Christmas is a little different here as you may have guessed. There is obviously no snow but besides laying by the pool and getting a tan on Christmas Eve...
We started with a family dinner with Christmas music. Pizza and tons of deserts... I made smores as a contribution.
After that we opened and exchanged gifts.
CARMEN YOU ARE THE BEST!!!
Then we went to Cristian's parents for more gifts and after that there was a surprise at the house. Santa had come! So we opened gifts from Santa and went to Janet's parents after.

We got home at about one in the morning and everyone but Janet and I went to sleep. Janet and I were up until four just talking and being silly like we've been best friends forever and days. We were dancing in the living room to MTV just for the fun of it and eating leftover desert stuffs from the dinner. It was great.

Today I woke up at about eleven and just after I ate something Mom called and I got to talk to my family in the states as they set up the Wii. Zeke nearly made me cry but it's only because he told me that the only thing he didn't get that was on his list for Santa was me. That little mush ball.

I got gifts from my Grandparents Welly, Heather and Ed that I saved and opened yesterday as well. Grandma made me cry with her note. The gifts were great.
Heather- way to make me have to explain my way out of the whole garlic salt thing... kidding.
Ed- perfect for the plane ride home

I hope all my friends liked the little something I sent their way for Christmas...I couldn't do much but I wanted you all to know that I was thinking about you.
Hattie the purse you sent me is amazing! I'm going to use it from now on.

I can't think of anything else.
No plans for New Years yet. I have to call a friend of mine who invited me to go out with her that night and figure out if she still wants to do it.

Hope you all are having or had a great Christmas and a happy new year!

School's Out For Summer!

It’s been a while I know. The end of school meant exams which meant studying and then finally the party with all my friends. We had a ton of fun.

I’ve been in the pool almost every day though. It’s so perfect because it’s just cold enough to get you cooled down from the heat but not too warm like bathwater to make you sleepy.

I’m really not feeling the Christmas season. I mean sure there are decorations and buying presents and all that jazz but there’s no snow, there’s no hot chocolate after playing outside, there’s no smell of pine and there’s no “Becca water the tree before you go to school!”

I miss those things and yet I’m loving the sun. It feels like it should be July and we’re getting ready for fireworks or something. I don’t know what I’m going to do when I get back. I set foot in the States at about 5 in the morning via the Miami airport. That’s crazy time but I should live and hopefully sleep on the plane.

I’m working on a presentation for you guys…I’ll see what I can do about putting it online for those of you who want to see it and won’t be able to attend. It’s going to be very strange seeing the pictures that I have taken and trying to explain the crazy that is my life. (Not that I would change it for anything.)

So only a few weeks left. I see things from home and they make me cry again. Then again I see things that I won’t see again that are here and I cry for them too. I am torn in two pieces and those pieces are both an emotional thin ice. I don’t know what I’m going to do with these feelings. I hope my family can keep me busy when I get back. I’m sure Zeke alone will be able to keep me busy.

Oh! That makes me think of something else. I was e-mailing with mom the other day and I told her I was (because of my tan) a toasted marshmallow done by daddy and therefore perfect. I thought that had to be the best analogy I’ve come up with in a long time.

If the box I’m waiting for, ever gets here I’m going to teach the kids what smores are. If not I’m going to be eating marshmallows on the airplane. Ha Ha Ha!

I hope the stuff I sent with Scott made it to everybody okay. If not it’s his fault so you can yell at him. (Just kidding)
I hope Tony and Deb enjoy the wine. I was told it’s one of the better ones in Chile. Not from my region but the region just to the south of where I am now. The wine I sent Scot is, however, from this region and it was double the cost of the two that I got for Tony and Deb just to demonstrate how good of a wine it is. Therefore, he only got the one.


Hope everyone is having a great Christmas season. I can’t wait to come and see you all when I get back.

UNCLE SCOT!!!!

Uncle Scot was here today!
It wasn't very long but the guy is on a tight schedule so I forgive him.
I was so happy to see him. I mean REALLY happy to see him.

We ate lunch at the hotel Turismo which is the best place in all of Ovalle to eat and plus we had everything specially done because the chef is a friend of the family. It was delicious... minus the crawdad. I didn't like that. The ribs however were to die for and for desert a blueberry moose with cherry and papya. DELICIOUS!

Tony and Deb sent an amazing basket of goodies for the family for Christmas. Complete with wine sardines pineapple, chocolates... etc.
He also sent me a SD card full of music! I'm listening to it right now. I REALLY love it!!!!

What esle?

This weekend is a long one. Tomorrow I'm going to the mall with friends and we'll see New Moon because I waited so paciently for it to come here.

On Sunday I will go with my class to the coast and camp out on the beach over night. It will be soo much fun. It's like an end of the year tradition as I understand and thankfully we come back on Monday which we don't have school for. That leaves me Tuesday with nothing to do but prepare for exams which start on Wednesday when we go back to school.

Today marks 32 days left of Chile.
I can't tell you if I'm sad or really happy.
I'm kind of being ripped in two by the thought of it and my family constantly tells me how much they are going to miss having me around. I will figure something out though. I want to see my family in the states pretty bad.

I have three dual enrollment classes scheduled for when I get back.
English 111
Spanish 102 (I think that's the right number)
International Relations
I there fore have three high school classes to finish out my year but don't worry I can juggle pretty well.

Excited and nervous for graduation and it's only December.... What am I going to do when May rolls around?

I think that about rounds out my day.
Better get some sleep before tomorrow...

Burnt!

So yesterday I spent the day at the Campo for my grandpa's birthday. (Cristian's Dad) they had everything pretty much catered and amazing. There was a dj and the kids swam in the pool.
I got a pretty good sun burn though.
So now I look like a lovster and it's okay.

I was going to go with my friends to La Serena today but my friends decided to bail on me and now I'm stuck in the house. Maybe I'll go to the central today but everything is closed so maybe I won't .

Maybe I'll just go get burnt a little more and lay in the pool. (kidding)
I hope you all had a happy Turkey day. Mine was wrought with bad luck then I got to finally talk to my family (a least some of them) for skype.
I was pretty happy to hear from them.

Scott will be here next Friday and I have to finish gathering the stuff I'm going to send with him. Christmas gifts and yes Uncle Tony your wine.
Can't wait to see him though. I miss my family and I miss my friends too.

Hope all is well. Lot's of love.
Besos!

Good News!!!

I don't know who is reading this but I figured I would post a quick little note to announce that the first of my college applications has come back

I WAS ACCEPTED TO BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY!!!!

I got the e-mail from my mother today and I am really excited. I just hope Berea comes out the same happy way. (my fingers are crossed)

It's been a normal week of school otherwise. I have three weeks left of school before summer vacation (sorry to all of you with snow).
I guess the other part of that is that I have 46 days left until January sixth. That part is both sad and happy at the same time. I'm going to miss my friends and family here a ton.

Uncle Scott and I are going to have fun. It should be pretty interesting. My friend's birthday is the day after Scott arrives. Whether he stays or not I don't know yet but we are going to have fun for my friend's seventeenth. (yes I'm old I get it)

I'm really excited about the boxes coming my way. From what Cassi spilled to me I'm in for a ton of sugar and my favorites!!!!! I'm so very excited!

I am signing up for college classes to dual enroll when I get back in January. I am hopping to take (if the schedual and qualifications fit) French, Science Fiction Writing, and International Relations. I hope I am able to take them they sound like fun (and a lot of work).

I can't believe how fast this year is flying by! What am I going to do?

After the Interview

So just a quick little note to let everyone know that the interview went really well. We had some technical problems with Skype but it got done after a while of trial and error.

The interviewer was really nice and understanding. We only talked for about a half hour before it was done.
He asked some questions and I answered. That was about it.
He asked about Chile but only once and then the rest was like "why Berea?" "how would you add to Berea´s atmosphere?" general stuff like that.

I had a chat with Aunt Heather before the interview via skype and it was working. Anyway, I found out that the poor girl is SIX hours behind me. I find that funny and I am looking forward to reading her next blog since she doesn't allow comments.

That's about it.
HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!

Week of Normality

Okay so I really don't have anything to say.

I am actually quite bored tonight.
I am almost finished painting and I'll be sure to post pictures when I finish.

Tomorrow I have an interview via Skype with Berea College. I am really excited about it and about ten times more nervous about it. That's at six my time and then I'm hoping to catch a bit of the European Music Awards before heading to bed for the night.

If anyone can figure out how to get me the New Moon Soundtrack via e-mail or whatever so I can put it on my zune I would appreciate it. The movie here doesn't come out until the 26th so I will be most likely going with my friends to see it like the 28th ish.

Can you believe how close Christmas is??? We put up the fake Christmas tree last night and I wanted to cry because
1. It means time is almost up for Chile
2. It looks so empty compared to the one at "home"
3. There's no SNOW!

I am sending things with Uncle Scot (hopefully) so that they will get to you guys before christmas. I'm just crossing my fingers on that one.

The official date that I leave Chile is January 6th at 10:20 Santiago time which should be about 8:20 for those of you in the East and the same for Aunt Heather (I think)

Classes end December 16 and then SUMMER VACATION for a couple weeks before I hit jet lag and snow.

So that's about all I have.
I'll post more when I have more to share.
Besos!

I Wish I Were There

Okay so my Best Friend In The World if you read this I am sooooooooooo feeling guilty for not being there. I want to be there so bad and I think of you at like every turn. I went to the central yesterday to try to calm my mind and everything was you. The pair of purple converse... the clarinet in the store window that no one plays because there is no one to teach them....I miss you you a ton. In January I want to have a party and just basically hang out with all my buds but you mostly. GOT IT CHICA??!!!

Aunt Heather what's with the lack of comentability on your blog? I wanted to say some stuff but I couldn't and now I've forgotten. But thank you for listening to me while I was having my tiny mental crisis.

So tonight I'm going to do some community service with my school (no it's not mandatory). It's a dinner for those with less resources to be polite. Like a food bank thing. I thought about bringing my camera but then thought that it might seem rude so I won't.

Can you believe that I only have two months left???
I wrote an e-mail today to YFU to find out the date of my flight so that things can be planned around it.
Uncle Scot is coming the end of this month! I can't wait to show him around and everything!

I have an interview via Skype with Berea on the 12th!!!
I'm really excited to take the next step with all of this. Berea would be a great place for me to learn and all that jazz.

Man how time flies.
I really don't feel like a Senior. I don't want to think about what I am going to do when May gets closer....

RUBES WE ARE GOING TO MAKE YOUR SENIOR YEAR BETTER ¡I PROMISE!

Spiritual Retreat

Yesterday I went with my class to a spiritual retreat.
It was a great thing and I got to know all of my classmates really well. I even cried.
My spanish is doing well. I have to think for a long time to put words together in English but that's both good and bad.

November is coming...Okay so November is here even though tomorrow is Halloween.
I'll be sure to put up pictures of the kids in their costumes. I'm not dressing up but the kids are going to be so very cute.

I played volleyball wednesday night and we lost but it was fun to play just for the fun of it.

So I'm still out of Twizzlers. I don't know if ya'll are holding out for Christmas or what but I'm going to ask anyway.
PLEASE SEND ME TWIZZLERS!
I guess that wasn't a question but a demand. Don't take it that way. I just miss them a ton.

Thanksgiving doesn't exist here. I actually have a test schedualed for that day but nothing to worry about because it's English.
I can't believe that I have only 2 months left! I'm not sure if I want to go or not. I'm so torn.

Okay so test time.
I've been thinking about this for awhile.
If you're reading this send your answers (be honest) to my e-mail purplandgreen99@yahoo.com

1. What is your opinion of me being in Chile?

2. What do you see me doing in the future?

3. Do you think I will be really different when I come back? Or just a little?

4. Do you think I will still be loyal to my friends in Chile after I leave or forget them?

5. What's your guess on how many goals I've reached by coming to Chile and living here?

6. Who's inviting me to visit them before going off to college?
just kidding you really don't have to answer that but I think that I would like to go out to WA, GA and FL... you know who you are.
I doubt I'll have the money though.

I await your replies.

more as soon as I find time.

Besos!

Clase de Ingles

So I decided to do something productive with my time in English class today. I have to keep this short but I figured that I would tell you all that I am good and all that jazz.

This past weekend I was out with friends and had a great time. Friday was like a movie night where my friends and I rented a movie and then watched it at my house. Saturday I went to a double birthday party.

I had a ton of fun.

My English class is terribly boring for me. I tend to sit and write my stories but today we are in the computer lab so I thought I would do something new. I think it is funny that the teacher has a bad British accent and is constantly asking me what words mean. Isn't he the teacher?

Anyway... this weekend coming up Janet said something about going to an island for the weekend. I don't know if we actually will because I think that Cristian has classes but then again I never know what a weekend is going to bring.

Okay breaking news!
I just got an assignment to come up with a show for the end of the year English show case thing.
I have two weeks to come up with something or at least two weeks to make it work. I have two days to come up with an idea.
This should be good (as in good funny)
I'll be sure to let you know how it goes when it's over.

and there's my moment to get out of the class.
I love you all and I hope that you are all well.

In School

So I'm bored in school.
This is my boredom leaking out my ears.
I have good friends here but the curiculum is all a repeat of my junior year.
I am supposed to be researching for a government projecty thing but I can't exactly figure out what is going on with the computer's google so I gave up and decided to update this dealyo

To Aunt Heather:
I'm happy to hear that you are moved in and comfortable. It makes me feel good to know that you are being taken care of. I wish you the best of luck with everything else.

To My best Friend Rubes:
I love you like you are my own flesh and blood. If I could come back to be with you I would in an instant but the only way I could is if your mom were literally my mom. That's how I think of her though and your dad my dad. You haven't had them to yourself since you met me chica... lol.

To my family in Ohio:
Grandma was a great person. She will be in my heart forever. I miss you all a ton.

To Uncle Tony:
I think I will have to send the wine with Scot. Merry Christmas...

To my dad:
What exactly possesed you to cut your finger? I hope you didn't cry when you got your tetnis shot. I would kiss it for you but I don´t think that's a good idea. (your finger that is)

Overall I´m doing okay.
I'm having a slight bit of depression being so far from everyone right now but I will make it through. January is like two months away and things keep flying by.
I hope all of you are well.
Lots of love and hugs to everyone.
Snerberts to Grandpa Doug!

Besos.

Back from the beach!

The end of another great weekend!
We went to the peninsula of Tongoy this weekend. It was beautiful but the house had no water so we only stayed for a night but it was fun all the same.
The stars were spectacular and the moon so bright that I think it out shone the stars even in their imaculate quantities.

Weeks are passing impressively fast. I almost wish that I were staying for a year because it seems too short. My time is waining my friends and I will be back in the states before you know it.

I'm not sure if that's good or bad at this point.

Not that I don't miss you all!
because I do.

October is here and so are more Chilean holidays... Saturday was El Dia De Abuelitos... Grandparents day.
There was a presentation at school on friday for it.

School is going well... I've figured out that I've taken everything already except Chemistry and Physics in the states.... Therefore I am really just kind of bored. It's good for hanging out with friends though and Volleyball!
It's beach volleyball rules but still fun. I am having a TON of fun with that.

I'm out of Twizzlers if anyone cares...
I had a good two months worth of those... it was funny because no one likes them. They think they taste like plastic. I just told them that while they don't like my candy I don't really like their manjar, which is like carmel but really really sweet... too sweet for me.

I hope all of you are well!
I'm writing letters but I have to figure out how to send them to ya'll.
I'll let you know when they're on the way!
Besos!

Chef Beca Holette

So I cooked for my family tonight...
Hamburger-been-rice-stuff
my mom's invention... Zac's favorite
I think it turned out a little bland but I really can't say because I didn't want to make it too salty...
Also today I went on a "feildtrip" to the local court for a lecture and then to watch a live trial..... it was crazy boring.....
Spring is officially here as of the 21st and that day also marks my two months in Chile.
I don't really know whether to be sad or happy....
three months left

I'm reading Twilight in Spanish... very interesting... My friends say that we are going to see the new movie in November for sure....

My mom here is great if I haven't mentioned that before!
she took me out dancing the past weekend... it was crazy and fun at the same time....

My sisters birthday is the 30th and I have to figure out what to get her for a present.... any ideas welcome for the 7 year old.....
she likes dolls and purple....
her room is purple....it's really cute.

sorry no pics for this time.... though I went to the beach last weekend and had a blast. There are pictures from that but I'm being bogged with homework so I really don't have time for it....
I don't have time for this on normal days but somehow i got away without homework today... must have been the half day feildtrip and the lack of teachers after that.... they don't seem to have substitute teachers here....

The 18th was Independence day for Chile...
lots of empanadas, huesillo, ice-cream, alcohol, and barbeques....
I participated in a traditional dance show at the school and there are no pictures of that.... I will not be showing them to anyone anyway... in fact I think I will erase them....
There was no school on Friday and only a half day on Thursday...
Fun fun fun....

yeah I think that is about all I have....
Oh!
I just want to say that if any of my friends start doing the things that I've been dreaming (in Spanish) about I will either die laughing or hit them over the head with a frying pan.... depends on who it is....
just please don't ask...

now I really don't have anything left...
hope Homecoming went well for all you Farwell kids/teachers/parents...etc.
besos!

So I heard

So I heard that there is a poster about me in the backhall of Farwell High School. I'm glad that someone cares enough to put it out there. So Thanks to whoever you were.

My birthday was way fun. There was a party and my whole class came plus a few from other classes. Alas, private school life means that my class is only about 20 people but still.

There was a grill manned by my abuelo and cake made by the nana at my grandparents' house. There was even a dj who was the best friend of my uncle Toco.

and not to mention the chocolate fountain!!!!!!

I'll just say that it was a blast and leave it at that.

The week before was crazy. I went to Santiago with the choir and played the flute that I brought with me. We ended up winning the competition, making the choir one of the top choirs in Chile. I miss band class though because no one reads music here and it makes things extra hard and frustrating for me.

The weekend before that was like Homecoming weekend and I went to the dance with my uncle Toco who is really a good guy. The dance was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo boring. There was almost no one there and the music was crappy. The good part was the masks and glow bracelets that nearly made it worth getting dressed up for. I dyed my hair and the nana of my grandparents did my hair.

Before that was like homecoming week. Classes were let out at 1 and then it was optional to come back for the events held later that day or night. I was up past midnight on that wednesday helping with what they call the Velada which is like mock rock with points that go toward your level...

we lost.

So far Chile has been nothing but awesome and I hope that the exchange students in Farwell are having just as much fun as I am. So if you are in Farwell and reading this go talk to one of the exchange students, take them out to do something and overall be their friend because being in a new place with nothing to do is the worst. Trust me.

More later this week.

Besos!

Update...

Hey all!

Hope you guys are enjoying the end of your summer because I am getting bits of spring here. The little birds are learning to fly and it is getting a little warmer.

School is going better. Math is still really hard and so is physics and chemistry... but I guess they would be hard in English too. The class I really love is music but I can't leave out my language class because I am reading Othello in Spanish.


I can barely believe that a month has gone by already and my birthday is in two weeks! When Janet asked me last night about the party I had to stop and count backwards before answering her. She wants to have a huge party and I would just love to go to the beach and relax but big parties are really fun here. It will be out at the vineard/farm that is owned by Cristian's parents and my uncles' band is going to play for us....


I am really having a ton of fun here. I miss home sometimes but then Emillia comes running into my room to ask me to do something with her and everything is better somehow. Who would have thought that little sisters could be used for medicine?


I am waiting to find out how band camp went for all my fellow band geeks and the head girl (you know who you are). I want pictures and details. Was the weather crappy?


Everything!


Oh Cheers by the way.
There was a sort of party to celebrate the birthday of the man who founded the city of Ovalle and I toasted all you people.
Nothing more to say from that....


I love you mom
for sending me the essay topic for the Berea application.
I hope it wasn't over powering on the personality and I know you said you liked it but sometimes I just can't trust my own thoughts about that.
Steps in the right dirrection I guess.

This by the way is NOT the right direction....
behind my friends and I is a cop car. They came to tell us to turn down the music at our street party which was right infront of my house.... really the tree in the background on the left is the front yard.

This is my friends and I in the disco... a dance club sort of thing. It was a ton of fun and I can't wait to go back.... Maybe next weekend....

That's about it. I've been busy and next week is like homecoming week for the school I go to so it will be crazy. Now I should probably get off the computer though. In case my friends show up early....

Besos!

Bored

yawn.
I can´t wait to get out of school....
bored...

Here are some pictures.... I don't have time to go into much detail but the first is part of my school uniform... I wear it on Thursdays for gym class.

The second is a port near La Serena

The third is my sister and I on the beach in La Serena

Fourth is me with my uncles (Janet's brothers) who love rock music...
Lastly, is my grandpa... (Janet's dad)

I am having a ton of fun... I am soooooo busy though...

I will try to get more photos and more info posted later this week

lots of love!

miss ya'll lots

Sorry for the delay...

Hey you can not blame me for being a little busy...
School started and now all my friends want me to do this and that and whatever they think is fun...

School is going well... Everything is so different and I have to wear a uniform but it isnt terrible except the pink work coat... that is angry making...
The school is tiny compared to Farwell with my class (as in graduating class) holding about 30 people altogether.... Classes are going well too. I have history, language, biology, chemistry, psycology, philosophy, math, gym, English and music (choir... but I play the flute that I brought.)

Outside of school...
there is a thing called pasiando, where you go out with friend to basically just walk around the central part of town... which is all shops and a square with huge palm trees and fountains...
This past Sunday I went to a barbeque at Janets parents house... her brothers that live in town came too and.... sorry I am laughing as I type.... Janets brothers are fans of 80s rock.... the stuff I grew up with... They were amazed that I knew those bands and could sing their favorites... though not very well.
Saturday... I went out with friends and ended up at a concert or showcase of local bands where one of my classmates happened to be playing with his band. (yes Sara he is cute and he lives around the corner. He also went to Illinois as an exchange student and speaks very good English)
This week was pretty much just school...
Next week is the anniversary of the school and we are having a big celebration ending in a party next Saturday...
I was told about a school Vollyball team as well and I hope to get envolved in that.
I got my Chilean ID card too. I will show you when I get batteries for my camera.... along with pictures of Ovalle and my family....
Sorry to be brief...
I have to do my homework and get stuff around for tomorrow...
Hallejuah Friday!

Chile!!!!

Sorry for the delay in posting but i had to wait to get internet

I will just sum it up for you and if you have questions then just ask

Traveling was a pain in the butt.

i am the only american that went on this exchange and i was pretty much alone for the whole day. Then i arrived and orientation began with a two hour bus ride to the city of Olmue and it seemed to take forever.

The next day was more orientation and it was very interesting to meet everyone. There were 22 germans on this exchange.

The next day was Friday and sort of a fun day. We went around the town and rode horses and had a party or dance kind of. it was really fun

on saturday we returned to Santiago to get busses to the places we would be in or meet our family. in my case i had a five hour bus ride but there were two other girls on the bus with me

in total there are four girls in Ovalle three who are going to the same school but not the same year.

I graduate here. En Quarto Medio. Senior Year.

So I graduate twice.

that should be interesting.

Yesterday was my first official day with my family and we went to the beach town of La Serena. The ocean is so beautiful. You look one way and see ocean the other and see mountains.

Today i bought a cell phone and my school uniform.

Tomorrow I start school.

I am soooooooo nervous.

Oh I almost forgot

pisco mango is very good

my mom made one for me when i arrived on saturday night.

Thats about all of it though.

besides the cold.

its about 54 right now.

leave me a comment or send me an email.

i would love to hear from you.

Last day in America (sort-of)

So the kids (and the teachers) at SPARKS threw me a party...
They had some good food
Taco Joe Dip
Watermellon Jello
Extreme hot sauce
Toffee Moca Creme Tort.
I don't think I'll have much room left for lunch.
Last minute packing to do tonight but otherwise that is done.
I'll probably post from Chicago when I get there and possibly Miami too. I have layovers in both places.
I'm going to get some coloring pages for the flights despite the other stuff I packed.
I'll be at Detroit Metro early tomorrow morning and then the real adventure begins...
chao for now...

In Chicago

I'm in Chicago...
well... okay we were in chicago.
yesterday....
that was scary. I'm really scared about Santiago now because it's at least twice the size of Chicago.
Uncle Scot found out some more information about my Family in Chile!!!
I'm so excited to meet them.
The dad was an exchange student to America and now owns the hotel and a farm in Ovalle. The family has three houses!
One in Ovalle, one on a beach...
and an appartment in Santiago.
If that's not exciting news I don't know what is.
More later...

Viva Ovalle!

I found out my host family information finally!!!
I will be staying in Ovalle, Chile (see above map) it's northwest of Santiago.
with a mom dad and two younger siblings.
Packing will be so much easier now that I know what kind of weather to pack for. you have no idea what a pain it was to not know and try to pack.
Anyway...
I'm so excited!
Seven days left.

After the Party...

So my party wasn't that great.

I had my friends come and I'm glad but I wish that I could have seen more people here. I'm really depressed today because I won't see my friends for a long time.
I had fun last night.
Don't get that twisted because it was fun.
I'm just really going to miss all of you so much that I can't think of anything else at the moment.

Mom, dad, Zac and Zeke bought me a necklace.
It has a skeleton key pendant on it... the key to the world...
I cried.

The boys went to camp today...
just me mom and dad now.
usually this would be a cause for celebration but right now I don't have enough time left to celebrate.
I started packing already!!!
I don't know what I'm going to do.

Chicago on Thursday...
Zeke's birthday on Friday...
Then home to finish packing...
work on Monday the 20th and then leaving on the 21st.
That's the basic schedual I'm on right now.

I enjoyed talking to Grandpa Doug last night. Even though it was short I was still glad to hear from you.
Thanks to all my friends who came to see me one last time before I go.
I'm going to miss ya'll so much!!!!!

Kind- of better news...

Hey all!
Hope everything is going well for you as things have started to (finally) come together.
We now know that we will be in Chicago for Zeke's birthday and that there are three people (including me) from America going to Chile.

I went to a Clare Rotary Club meeting today to try to get funding as things are starting to come closer and closer together. I have to say a big THANK YOU to Aunt Nat for sending more money even though we weren't expecting it. Trust me... it helps emensly.

The funny thing about this is that right before I went to the meeting I had to be in a SPARKS eating contest. I had to eat various objects with my hands behind my back to get points for the team(s) I represented.

On Tuesday (yesterday) I won tickets to a play on accident...
I called in to request a song and they said that I had won tickets so now I will be attending Liberating Harriet a play written and directed by the professor of English at CMU, on Friday.
I'm taking my friend Cassi as mom could not go and I haven't seen her in like FOREVER.

On Saturday, I'm having my going away party. I'm hoping to have many people coming but you never know how your party is going to turn out until the day of. Esspecially when you didn't really send invitations and just had your friends spread the word. It should be interesting to see who comes and I'm hoping that my cousins will come.

Alex, if you're reading this...
tell Carmen to kidnap Anne
and shove your brother in a car and get your butts up here...
just kidding.
but I would still love it if you could make it.

Any of you people who are reading this are welcome too.

Saturday @ 4
my place.

Failure

*sigh*
I'm not doing so hot on this chemistry stuff.
I just failed 3 out of the seven tests I need to retake and I don't think I want to do any more today.
*sigh*
I just figured that I would post something while I was online...
sitting in my car outside the library with my french vanilla cappacino (however you spell it)

Grandma mom and I are heading to a movie later so I'm going to head home in a minute but I wanted to say that it's a beautiful day out.
cold and cloudy...
sarcasm.
I wish the sun would come out.

Fireworks tomorrow!
I can't wait to read Byron Sheally and Keats in the back of our truck while waiting for the fireworks show.
There was a really good show last year so I hope they didn't scrimp on this year's show.

For those of you who may have been reading my Time Lords story....
That was accidentally deleted from my flash drive to I have to start from scratch as far as typing it. Luckily it was on paper first.
Please bare with me for a little bit. I'm really busy at the moment.

That's all I have time for maybe I'll post again next week...
if I have time.

Happy 4th of July!

Hey all!
I just wanted to leave this little note to say Happy 4th!
I know we wanted to come down to Ohio for the weekend but Grandma and Grandpa ended up surprising me and coming here instead.
We'll see the fireworks on Saturday night and I'm sure it will be fun. Even if daddy can't be there with us.
Can you say triple time?
Yeah he'll have overtime and holiday pay. We're very proud of him.
Just don't tell him that.
Just kidding.

Love you lots Daddy.

Love you guys too. Family esspecially.
Hope your weekend is amazing!

Unfortunate News

I found out yesterday that the Chilean branch of YFU still has not aquired the placement information.
The news to this is that because I can't leave without my Travel Visa and my travel visa can't be proccessed without the placement information my trip may be postponed.
I don't know for sure yet of anything but that is the latest with my trip so I figured that it should be posted.

Random Stolen Questions

Okay so I asked to use these questions but the person who I got them from stole them from someone else.
They are as random as they come and pretty commical so just read and enjoy.
1. What color is your toothbrush?
white with green accents
2, Name one person who made you smile today:
My brother who was trying (unsuccessfully) to bowl
3, What were you doing at 8 am this morning:
I wish I were sleeping but I was eating breakfast and getting ready for work... bleh
4, What were you doing 45 minutes ago?
writing
5, What is your favorite candy bar?
Hershey's cookies and cream
6, Have you ever been to a strip club?
nope
7, What is the last thing you said aloud?
"No way, are you serious?" to the announcement of Michael Jackson's death
8. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
carmel caribu
9, What was the last thing you had to drink?
kool ade
10, Do you like your wallet?
it's a little big for the lack of things in it.
11, What was the last thing you ate?
do I have to answer this?
*sigh*
let me think...
umm...
I had a bowl of maccaroni and cheese with little bits of ham mixed in.
12, Have you bought any new clothing items this week?
not this week but two weeks ago I went to goodwill with my mom and bought some jeans that I consider new
13, The last sporting event you watched?
Softball after I had to quit the team.... grr...
14, What is your favorite flavor of popcorn?
carmel!!!!!
15, Who is the last person you sent a text message too?
My friend Amanda
16, Ever go camping?
All the time. My family is like camping nuts or something.
17, Do you take vitamins daily?
nope but I did when I was little.
unless you don't count the flinstones vitamins
18, Do you go to church every Sunday?
again used to but not as much since I moved to Michigan
19, Do you have a tan?
Is pink/red tan?
No?
Well darn I'd have it if that counted.
20,Do you prefer Chinese food over pizza?
I LOVE pizza!!!
21, Do you drink your soda with a straw?
sometimes... (beard tug (lol))
22, What did your last text message say?
Sounds good I'll call you later....
or something like that
23, What are you doing tomorrow?
trying to finish my chemistry stuff.
It's soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
boring
25, Look to your left, what do you see?
the kitchen...
leftovers on the table...
open garage door...
26, What color is your watch?
me + watch = never happened.... lol
27, What do you think of when you hear Australia?
"The dingo ate my baby!" Aboriginals and wombats, kangaroos, and kawolas!
28, What is your birthstone?
saphire- september
29, Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru?
depends on the way I feel like driving... crazy fast or take the senic tour so that mom doesn't find out that I went to eat...
30, What is your favorite number?
9
never understood why
31, Who's the last person you talked to on the phone?
My friend Amanda who wanted me to go to the movies with her but i can't because I have to work and the movie was at midnight
32, Any plans today?
The day's over with.
I think I'll eat...
write...
and probably fall asleep at some random hour of the night.
hopefully before i have to get up to get ready for work
33, How many states have you lived in?
2 but sort of 3 because we were on the border of ohio and indiana
34, Biggest annoyance right now?
my brother who thinks he needs everything he wants
35, Last song listened to?
Daylight, Mat and Kim
36,Can you say the alphabet backwards?
you wish.
37, Do you have a maid service clean your house?
I wish... I really do...
maid service = mom yelling "GO CLEAN YOUR ROOM!"
38, Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time?
skully shoes... flats with little skulls on them that I wore to a school formal dance lol
39, Are you jealous of anyone?
not really jealous of anyone cuz I like the way things are
40, Is anyone jealous of you?
could be but I don't know....
Going To Chile!!!!!!
I know I made you jealous just admit it.
41, Do you love anyone?
ummmm.......
That part is unmentionable.....
42, Do any of your friends have children?
nope and I hope they have the sense not to do that until later in life
43, What do you usually do during the day?
depends on the day
work
write
babysit
go to the library
44, Do you hate anyone that you know right now?
I hate stupid people... they make me want to commit murder...
45, Do you use the word 'hello' daily?
maybe...
daddy's from the south so I say alot of non-michigan things and strange things that make no sense at all.
wamma hamma llama duck!
there I go again
46, What color is your car?
white with a blue pinstripe and blue interior
and at the moment no rearview mirror because the heat melted away the adheisive stuff
47, Do you like cats?
only black ones
48. Are you thinking about someone right now?
Aunt H. who will probably read this and laugh at me.
49, Have you ever been to Six Flags?
nope
50, How did you get your worst scar?
sliding into second base during a softball game I skinned a good six inches or so of my knee/leg and couldn't walk real well for a couple weeks.
I thought it was funny.

New Story!

I'm so excited to announce the posting of my favorite story!
Thanks to Uncle Tony for fixing my computer up with word because I wouldn't have typed it otherwise.
I've titled it Time Lords but I don't know if that will stay or not.
Go to
www.fictionpress.com/~rhaylynhaurora
and look for Time Lords.
You might like it.
I know I do.

Anyway...
I worked today and the rest of this past week at the summer school program. I've probably mentioned that before but I'll mention it again for my own sanity- or lack there of...
Today, becuase Thursdays are special and the last day of the program for the week, we (the staff) created a carnival for the kids. It had blow up things and games, with prizes and snowcones which as soon as the kids were gone became snowballs that the staff threw at eachother.
All I have to say after that is...
ice is cold!!
I'm working on a chemistry credit with an online credit recovery thing but I'm taking it just incase my credits from Chile don't transfer.
I think I've writen that before.
It's been a long day.
*yawn*

Hello to All Newbies

Hi there!
If you're new to this I welcome you!

Today is the day of rest traditionally but my family decided that we were going to chop up a tree that had fallen in our back yard. It was an all day wood hauling event that only dad was excited to keep doing becuase he got to play with his chainsaw.
Silly guy.

Anyway 36 days left in the U.S.
I'm so nervous that my stomach is twisting into knots ever so slowly. I'll live though. I just wish that I had more information. I still don't know where I'll be in Chile except that I'll be in Santiago for the first 4 days of the adventure.

I start work tomorrow at the summer school program at the school. I'm looking forward to that because I love hanging out with the kids and they seem to enjoy me being around too.

*sigh*
I don't think I can think of anything else to put up here.
I had a ton of fun with my family last weekend and I was happy to come home and just crash for a week before I start work.
I should probably get offline now.
*sigh*

Short and Sweet

When I said that Abi is my niece I don't know what I was thinking. She's my cousin.
sorry about that.
I went to a family wedding this weekend and it was a lot of fun.
I'll head back to Michigan today but I'm in no hurry.
I'm just using the free wi-fi while I can.
I hope that anyone new to this blog is laughing at me because I'm a little weird. maybe I had better take out that little part.
Mom's birthday is on Tuesday so I better get something around for her on my way home. I actually took some flowers from the weddding that I plan to give to her so that should cover me at least a little bit.
I don't really have anything else to say....

Oh!!!
I almost forgot.
I was in a local paper to announce my trip.
Mom bought 7 copies.
when I asked her why she said that that was all the store had.
That would be my mother...

Hayley Left Me

So Hayley Left me.
I'm hanging out with my little niece Abi and we're watching television because the weather is crappy.
Hayley was sick and went home with my parents but I'm staying until next Sunday so that I can see all my family that I haven't seen in a while before I leave for Chile.
To tell you the truth I'm not sure that everyone I see this week will be alive when I get back and that's really going to get me.
I'll live though, I'll just miss them a ton.
I'll mis everyone.

Anyway...
I've been working on a story and I'm posting it on
www.fictionpress.com/~rhaylynhaurora
I'll name it Nine so be sure to look for it.

I've run out of things to say...
This blog is rather short but I'll post another sometime soon.

I Like Boxes

Hey, this is Hayley again, Becca and I are breaking in her new, teeny, tiny netbook. It's pretty rad, but whenever I try to hit backspace I accidentally hit the equal button.
I suggested using this thing as a boomerang. Just to give you an idea of how teeny this thing is...
My hand is six inches long, and it can almost stretch to the entire height.
IT'S SO CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And stuff...
Becca keeps asking me to write her blogs for her, cause apparently I'm "funny."
I don't see it, but it's cool.
Umm...
WE MADE A FRIEND AT THE STORE!!!
Her name was Hayley too, but I'm not sure if she spelled it the same way as me. She was like, four years old, and was wearing a ballerina outfit, She called me the other Hayley.

The Road to Ohio

Heyyyy, is Becca's friend Hayley writing a blog on Becca's dealio.
We're on our way to Ohio, and Becca is driving and I'm a nerd and have my laptop with me(Toshiba Satellite, ahhh yeahhhh). I have my ipod plugged into her radio and we've been listening to a random assortment of music.
The Lonely Island, Led Zeppelin, Linkin Park, Tenacious D, Radiohead, Incubus, Muse(ahhh yeahhh) and other such random bands...
Erm, what else can I write for her...
OUR LAST DAY OF SCHOOL WAS THURSDAY!!! WOO!!!!!!
Next year, we'll be Seniors!!!
I have a habit of putting way to many letters on words and exclamation points after things I type. BUT THAT'S HOW I TAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hayley: Hey Becca, anything you looking forward to?
Becca: Nahhhh....
Hayley: You sure? You're not goingto be flying somewhere? Maybe a country in South America? You're not going to be speaking Spanish for the next half a school year?
Becca: I don't think so...
Hayley: THEN WHY DID YOU TELL ME YOU'RE GOING TO CHILE YOU CRAZY COW LOSER FACE!!!!!!!
Becca: OMG CHILE!!! I ALMOST FORGOT! 53 days! TEARS!!!!

Anyway, SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have enjoyed yelling at you.
This has been Hayley.

The Begining of Summer

I’ve never written a blog before. Let alone a diary.
(I grew up with too much to do and too little time to do it in)
But due to recent events I’ve decided to give it a try.
I *crosses fingers* am going to be a foreign exchange student.
The country I'm going to is Chile.
I’m going through a company called Youth For Understanding (YFU).
My uncle went to Sweden through this company and they are really nice people.
My only thing against them is the time it takes to actually get information from them.
You see, now that I'm actually going I leave on July 21 or 22.
So raising money in that amount of time is crazy hard but we're getting there.
Just a little frustrating.
Anyway…
I’m starting this rant so that when I go, I’ll have a place to document all that happens/tell my friends and family/vent if needed.
So beware those of you that are about to subscribe to this. I’m not normal (lol) and some things I might end up posting might make no sense at all.
That’s just how I do.

Today is the last day of school for Farwell and the last day that I'll see alot of my friends.
I'm really sad.
but it's a step that I need to take or I'll never make it.
So after a trip to Ohio on Friday to make it to a family wedding and a graduation party and not to mention I get to spend time babysitting my little cousin.

I hope this helps me out. I'm keeping a journal as well so this may or may not be updated very often. I'm just going to take things as they come and keep moving forward.