Back from my first Rotary meeting...

I'm back! I told you all I would update, and here I am, smiles all around! We left my house a little late because my dad was just getting in from a road trip, so we headed out about 5 minutes after I had planned. What would have usually been a 10-15 minute drive turned into a more 25-30 minute drive. The rain, traffic, and construction were terrible, so we were about 5 minutes late, which turned out to not be so bad, as the meeting hadn't yet started and people were still missing. My step-mom and I kind of just stood there awkwardly at first while we waited for my dad to park the car. I'd never been to the club house before and I didn't really know anyone there. But there were a few familiar faces. The rebound's mom came and talked to me because I had known her older daughter for a few years, and she was surprised to see me there. Then I met Katie, who is the inbound from Switzerland, when she came through the doors a few minutes after we had. We exchanged our chocolate. I got Swiss chocolate and I had brought her a bag of Reece's. After that, I finally met our YEO, Mrs. Michelle Schaefer. She was really sweet and really welcoming to my family and I. Once my dad came in, Katie and I talked a bit with some Rotarians, one of whom is in love with Swiss chocolate and chocolate-filled croissants. We sat down, me at a table with my parents and Mrs. Schaefer and her husband, and Katie went and sat with her host mom right behind us. The rebound Lindsay, who went to Spain last year, presented her exchange in a powerpoint and she walked around the room showing it off, as her computer wouldn't hook up to the PC setup. Before that, however, we started the meeting with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the singing of the Nation Anthem.  Lindsay presented some of her adventures from Spain, with stories of bulls, her host families, and her exchange year. I could hear my parents laughing at some of it, which made me extremely happy that they were getting into the story. After the meeting was done, us "exchange students" (the quotes being there as I'm not an actual exchange student yet) took a picture together and us with our families took another. In that moment, I really felt like I was a part of something much bigger and much more important then myself. To be standing next to someone from Switzerland, from Spain, and one who had just gotten back from the adventure of a lifetime, I really felt part of this group, and it was just an amazing feeling to see all of the Rotarians looking on and smiling, knowing that we were the future in the world. Once the couple of pictures were done, we chatted a bit with Rotarians and Katie's host family, who were super nice. All in all, it was just such a great night, and I really hope that this experience will help change my parents' mind about going on exchange!

My new RYE Florida pin!

For the first time...

A lot of things are happening for the first time tomorrow. The first time I attend a Rotary meeting. The first time I meet my YEO who I've been talking to since last October. The first time I meet one of our new inbounds, and try her Swiss chocolate. And the first time where my parents will be able to talk to someone besides me about exchange. I am beyond excited for 6:15 in the evening to come tomorrow. I've even been planning my outfit for weeks, just so it will be perfect. I want to make the best possible first impression I can make. These are the people that could honestly change my life forever and I want them to see me and think, "She would make an awesome exchange student." It's been one of my dreams that could possibly be a reality since last October and now, hopefully, this will be the beginning of a long, but beautiful journey. I will update tomorrow after the meeting to tell you guys (well, whoever actually reads my ramblings) about it. And hopefully I will come back with good news from my parents. I wont give up on this. I haven't since the idea was set in my head so many months ago.

Less than 1 day until the Rotary meeting
18 days until Rotary applications come out

Money, money, money...

So, yesterday, I got my third paycheck. It wasn't huge, but it's something. I am now just a little ways away from reaching 5% of my goal of $4500 for my exchange. It doesn't seem like a lot now, but soon that 5% will turn to 10%, and before I know it, I'll hopefully have enough to pay for my exchange by myself. Now, all I need to do is convince my parents and be accepted into Rotary. I have a meeting with Rotary in 14 days and I literally couldn't be more excited to resume this journey I started so many months ago.