One Week

I left home a week ago today. I have been so busy with paperwork and settling in to my new home that time flies. My brother and sister started school today so I was off running errands with mi madre. I start school on Monday and I’m excited yet nervous to go. I went to Santa Irene (my new school) to enroll and the campus is beautiful. I met the director and he will be one of my teachers. I am also trying out different dance academies throughout the city and they are all amazing.

Madrid and Meeting the Family

After the 8 hours of lack of sleep and airplane food we were all a little crazy. We finally arrived in Madrid and took a bus to a hostel and spent the night there. The volunteers had us play different games such as Bulldog, Samurai, and "the kissing game" - all very interesting. No one got much sleep knowing that we will be in the hands of our host families soon.

The next day there were nine of us who hopped on a train to Galicia. After five hours of watching movies, talking, and contemplating our exact location, the train stopped in Pontevedra and there was a mob of host families waiting for us. Carmen, Mateo, and Sofia took me out to dinner in the city then we drove home where I got a much needed sleep.

Yesterday we drove around town and I got a glance at my school - it's beautiful. My mama took us to the docks where we looked at monuments, fish, and ate mango ice cream. We then drove up a hill to some ruins and there was an amazing view of the Atlantic and the coast. Sofia then went off with a friend and Carmen, Mateo, and I walked on the beach for a while. When we arrived home my mama made us all some alphabet soup.

New York

In New York and waiting for the flight out of here! There are kids everywhere on computers in the lobby of the Hilton by JFK. We are all so anxious!!!

 

kids just chilling...

 

 

Amy, Erin, and me :)

 

Florida

It will be less than 24 hours before I’m leaving for Switzerland. The thought of leaving hasn’t quite hit me yet but tomorrow in the airport I’m sure I will be knocked over with emotion. As for my last day in the Florida I will be off enjoying the sun and water with my dad and then have a nice family dinner.

See you in New York!

Going to start the 10 day countdown soon!

36 more days!!!!! so excited :)

New City, New World

It has been a while since I have had the chance to write but I have exciting news! I was at my dance studio on Tuesday when my mom came in and told me the news. We were jumping around when I found I have a host family! An AMAZING host family. I can't wait to meet with them in person but I have communicated with my new mom and she seems delightful! I have an 8 year old sister, 10 year old brother, and 23 year old sister! I now will live in Vigo, Spain for the next nine months; it is a little town right on the water which is perfect for me because I love the beach! The major change for me will be the city life. In Florida I live in the acreage where land is spread out. Moving to a city will be such an experience that I can’t wait to try out. My school is in walking distance and there is a dance studio nearby that hopefully my sister and I can join. I am also excited to be eating Mediterranean cuisine every day compared to the fast food restaurants in America.

It was an excruciating wait but so worth it. For all those who are still waiting keep your hopes up because it will happen soon enough!



Vigo is in NW Spain, right above Portugal



A port city with a beautiful view of the Atlantic