Life Update or So I Think

Hey guys,

Just an update on life for me so far. Unfortunately, I haven’t gotten my host family yet, but I feel as though it could be any day now, which in truth it is. I have been in contact about AFS about France wanting more information about my placement, which is good. That means I haven’t been forgotten…yet. I have been asked about hockey which if you know me than you know that is very important and about my braces, which I am very happy to say, they have been off for almost a week now. I am now officially brace free. I refuse to post a selfie because I can never manage to get them look good so just no.

As for hockey, by the way AFS was asking the questions regarding it, it seems as if they are looking for a family and region that I will be able to play hockey. They wanted to know about my level, competitiveness, and want to play. I responded trying to make it seem like I want to play while in France, which in honesty I do but it is not a deal breaker if I am unable to. I just think it would be a great experience that would be unique. I know Europe is known for their soccer and rugby, NOT their ice hockey, but hey, I could get lucky.

Once again, I am going to completely change the subject of everything. Get used to it.

With school ending, I was of course extremely excited and happy that I did not need to worry about grades or tests or homework or teachers, after all I am a student. But at the same time, I was dreading the day for a multitude of reasons. First, it would be my last true day of structure and order for quite some time. Summer has some order to it, but not much and once I am in France, I can kiss order goodbye as it flies out the window along with my comprehension which I really have been taking advantage of. I also did not want to say goodbye to my friends, some of which it would be the very last time I would see them. I have a lot of friends that are juniors going into their senior year, meaning I will miss their last year at Dallastown. Not only that, but I will not be back for their graduation or a last chance to say goodbye. I will also miss a lot of my friends, a few in particular.

This does not mean that I am going to be home sick and want to come home early. ABSOLUTELY NOT! Under no circumstances am I going to come early! That is a declaration to myself and only I can hold myself to that standard, which I fully intend to do. I am doing this not to show that I can’t do things on my own or am not mature enough to go off on my own. No way Jose! I am doing this to show myself that I can do anything I put my mind to and succeed. I am doing this because I know I can and will. Also because my mom won’t let me see sunlight for a year if I do come home early, and she won’t let me either.

On a few lighter notes, I have a few friends who are also going abroad next year, specifically, Mallory and Natalie, as shown below.

Mallory I have known for a few years, maybe since sixth or seventh grade. She is awesome. That is all I need to say about her personality because anyone who knows her knows exactly what I mean. If you don’t know her, sucks to be you…    She is going to Denmark next year and is extremely excited about it. She is going where her roots are and going with Rotary, who she hosted two students with; one from Chile and one from the Czech Republic. She knows a lot about the ups and downs of being an exchange student and I think she will do nothing but succeed in Denmark.

Natalie I have known for a much shorter duration, but am hoping to get to know her very well. She is my comrade as being the only person from our AFS chapter accompanying me to France next year. She has already received her placement in a town outside of Lille (hope I spelled that right). She is a bubbly and corky person who is the very definition of a teachers pet, or her French teachers pet. Sorry, don’t mean it in a bad way ;), but I could go on and on and on and on about how many stories I have heard about this French teacher of hers. Natalie is confident in her French abilities and I have no doubt that she is going to have a great year. Now I expect a better explanation of me as she said Aidan isn't very fond of the way I describe him, as the message on Facebook reading, "Why didn't you describe my awesome personality or great sense of humor or charming good looks???" would suggest. He has yet to offer a better description of himself. Although this is perfect, just look at the paragraph above?

I have only 74 days left in the USA and that time seems as though it is nothing. I remember as if it was only yesterday I was walking in late to the AFS area potluck and meeting a plethora of crazy exchange students. I’m glad I did otherwise I might not have gotten to meet Ant (from Thailand), Fran (from Chile), and Cosi (from Germany) that night. Three people who I contact on a fairly regular basis sometimes not intentionally… But tonight is their last night with their host families and I wanted to say that I hope that each of you  (now extended to all the others from the Susquehanna Valley) have great adventures and endeavors in your future. I certainly hope to meet some of you again and know that you will always have a home here.

And with that, I’ve exhausted all of my writing fluids and such. I am going to keep everyone posted on what life in, well, my life is like. I am going to try to keep it exchangeishly related but it might stray from time to time.

Everyone have a great life and “Have a great day” –Sam M.

-Aidan