When I opened blogger to start writing this post, my countdown clock read: one day, four hours, and fifty-three minutes. It now reads one day, four hours, and twenty minutes, and I still don't know what to say.
Am I enervated? Alarmed? Panicing?
Sad? Confused? Overjoyed?
The truth is, dear readers, that I really don't know. My mental state is analogous to a moving pendulum, swinging from one side of my emotional-spectrum to the other, until, inevitably, the pendulum loses energy, and is reduced to a stand still - only to be set in motion again by any slight word or action.
This morning I was jittery, prone to skipping around the house and singing. This afternoon, I was stressed, noticing, for the first time, that I have shown no apparent inclination towards packing up my room, a year of my life, into 44 pounds. Tonight, I was a mess, on the verge of tears, thinking of the people that I will be leaving for ten months in roughly twenty-four hours time.
One day, four hours, twelve minutes.
But alas, time moves at a constant rate, and, despite my ever-changing mood, whether excited, stressed-out, or sad, my long-awaited dream looms ever closer. I have a host family waiting for me, a language ready to be learned, and relationships ready to be made. Soon, I will be in a room with hundreds of AFS-ers, reaching out to people from all over the world.
One day, four hours, eight minutes.
When the countdown reaches zero, I will be in the air, bleary-eyed, fatigued, and, most likely, emotionally drained.
At negative five hours, I will be landing in New York, ready to be whisked off to the hotel in which the New York orientation will take place.
Negative twenty four hours, I will be on my way to Paris, France. And from there? Who knows. All I know is that I want whatever's waiting for me - whatever that may be.
One day, four hours, and three minutes.
I was ecstatic this morning, stressed this afternoon, and dismal this evening. But right now? I'm tired. Though my bed wont be my bed for much longer, it is mine now, and I wish to sleep in it. So, I bid you farewell, whoever you are. I will write again when I'm safe and sound in my host-family's house, teeming with stories and information. Au revoir.
One day, three hours, fifty-nine minutes.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Host Family and Explicit Joy
That's right, ladies and gents, boys and girls, AFS has given me a host family. Oh, the satisfaction! Oh, the bliss!
I was first alerted that I did, indeed, have a family while in Spain. We were in a wonderful beach house that overlooked the clear Medetterianian Sea and white sandy beaches. The house, however, had one flaw (besides a rather horrible ant infestation): it lacked Internet connection. Some say that it is a sad thing, that my generation and the majority of the adult world has become so dependent on the Internet and technology. And you know what? I agree... most of the time. Not, however, when you have been given information that would form the foundation of the next eleven months of your life, and the Internet is the only means by which to access this valuable information.
(For any of you are wondering how I found out that I had a family though I didn't have Internet, it was because my mum was able to receive emails occasionally on her phone, but didn't often because the data plan was too expensive in a different country so.. yeah).
I know you may be asking "oh Niamh, how possibly could you have survived for the next hour without this prized information?" Well, concerned reader, I shall tell you.
My mother's voice drifted upstairs to where I was reading a fantastic book about the psychology behind love and affection (it's called Love at Goon Park - it's quite entertaining, I suggest you all check it out). My mother was obviously in a very conflicted position. To tell me that I had a host family would simply put me into a state of panic and definite yearning. My father was out, and we would have to hunt for at least twenty minutes to find an Internet cafe. But, being the wonderful person she is, mum told me all the same.
I was immediately thrown into a crazed state of utter hysteria. I paced the floor, lay on the ground and then jumped back up again, bashed pillows against my head. To pass the time until my dad got home, my mother and I took turns guessing at how many siblings I had, where I would be located... etc.
At last my dad arrived, knowing nothing of the madness that had taken place in his absence. Upon hearing him walk through the door, I grabbed my computer, took hold of my mothers hand, and charged with the force and determination of a girl on a mission.
we found an Internet cafe, in the end. There was a kerfuffle over the wifi password and a short pause in which I ordered a lamb-burger, but I was finally able to see where and who my family was!
Okay, I'm done wasting your time.
I will be living in the small (<900 person) town of Bellignies. I will have 2 parents named Edith and Pascal, two host brothers named Simon and Remy (who are both in their twenties, so I probably wont see them too often), and I will have a host sister named Lucie, and she's only a year younger than me! I'm ecstatic. My town is way WAY up north (hello, winter?) and it's right on the boarder between France and Belgium.
This is Bellignies on a map! It's such a small town that I could only find one or two maps on the Internet... but you can see that it's quite close to Belgium. It also happens to be about 2 hours away from Paris driving, which would be much faster on the TGV, I hope? It's also quite close to a big city called Reims, which, apparently, has a nice music festival. Needless to say, I'm excited to a point of near-combustion.
That night, when I got back to the Internet-less apartment, I watched fireworks from my window, as the Spanish celebrated summer solstice. It felt though, at that moment, like the next year of my life was finally opening up, like I was finally gaining insight into the voyage that I would soon undertake. The Spanish were simply sending me off with those fireworks, painting the sky with warm colors that concretely contrasted with the deep, foreboding darkness of the night, wishing me good luck.
I'm ready.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Updates and Such
Soooo.... it has been about four weeks since I've updated this blog. And oh, so much has happened. Well, not that much. But something all the same.
If you please think back to two weeks ago, on a Saturday. It was a nice Saturday in my part of the Bay Area: the inklings of summer already starting to ebb through the warm haze of late Spring. San Francisco, on the other hand, had other plans for the weather. The wind whipped viciously, and the fog was thick and all-encompassing. Yet even this typical San Francisco weather couldn't deter the sheer excitement that was bubbling in my stomach. Yes, ladies and gentlemen (or whoever reads my blog), last Saturday was my pre-departure orientation. Woohoo!
The orientation was everything that I expected. We played some games, talked about some stuff, met some people. We didn't really talk about anything that I hadn't heard before (except for a really detailed tutorial on how to use a bidet), but it just rocked to be there, to feel like I was actually getting closer to the colossal question mark that is my year in France. I met so many ridiculously awesome people - the entire experience made me so grateful and happy to be part of such a great program.
One particular exorcise that I found most jarring was one to simulate the frustration that we'll encounter while struggling with a different language. We were given pen and paper, and then told to write our names with our non-dominant hand (my right, if anyone was wondering). Then, a bit faster, we were told to write the word psychiatrist. Without any time to write this, we were instructed to write the sentence "I am writing this sentence with my non-dominant hand" and then promptly draw a tree. As one might expect, our papers were full of incomprehensible scribbles. Though I knew that communicating through a near-tangible language barrier will be frustrating and difficult, this exorcise gave me a taste of just how trying it will be. But that's all good, it's all part of the experience, right?
A week later, school ended! This was a bittersweet experience. I don't feel sad about leaving my school - I mean, as long as my high school doesn't spontaneously decide to relocate or completely reconstruct itself, I don't think it will change while I'm gone. But it was strange seeing my brother and one of my very best friends (who's going to Thailand for a gap year, click here for her blog) graduate. I love both of them to death, and it's strange thinking that, when I get back, life with them won't be the same as it is now. But hey, everybody's constantly moving and changing, gravitating towards independence and "the bigger picture" of life. More than I am sad to see them leave, I'm excited to see the truly fantastic things that they'll achieve at Tufts University, in my brothers case, or in Thailand, in Carly's case.
I'm pretty busy for the remainder of the summer. Tomorrow, I'm leaving for a family trip to Europe, which will be fun. We're going to stay in Spain, France (haha...), and England. Throughout all of this, however, I am forced to take online classes to make up for the credits that won't transfer for next year. Honestly, there is literally nothing in this world that I despise more than online classes. Algebra 2B and English 10A might literally be the death of me.
Will Niamh make it to France, or will online classes crush her in a fiery pit of cyber-education? Stay tuned to find out.
If you please think back to two weeks ago, on a Saturday. It was a nice Saturday in my part of the Bay Area: the inklings of summer already starting to ebb through the warm haze of late Spring. San Francisco, on the other hand, had other plans for the weather. The wind whipped viciously, and the fog was thick and all-encompassing. Yet even this typical San Francisco weather couldn't deter the sheer excitement that was bubbling in my stomach. Yes, ladies and gentlemen (or whoever reads my blog), last Saturday was my pre-departure orientation. Woohoo!
The orientation was everything that I expected. We played some games, talked about some stuff, met some people. We didn't really talk about anything that I hadn't heard before (except for a really detailed tutorial on how to use a bidet), but it just rocked to be there, to feel like I was actually getting closer to the colossal question mark that is my year in France. I met so many ridiculously awesome people - the entire experience made me so grateful and happy to be part of such a great program.
One particular exorcise that I found most jarring was one to simulate the frustration that we'll encounter while struggling with a different language. We were given pen and paper, and then told to write our names with our non-dominant hand (my right, if anyone was wondering). Then, a bit faster, we were told to write the word psychiatrist. Without any time to write this, we were instructed to write the sentence "I am writing this sentence with my non-dominant hand" and then promptly draw a tree. As one might expect, our papers were full of incomprehensible scribbles. Though I knew that communicating through a near-tangible language barrier will be frustrating and difficult, this exorcise gave me a taste of just how trying it will be. But that's all good, it's all part of the experience, right?
A week later, school ended! This was a bittersweet experience. I don't feel sad about leaving my school - I mean, as long as my high school doesn't spontaneously decide to relocate or completely reconstruct itself, I don't think it will change while I'm gone. But it was strange seeing my brother and one of my very best friends (who's going to Thailand for a gap year, click here for her blog) graduate. I love both of them to death, and it's strange thinking that, when I get back, life with them won't be the same as it is now. But hey, everybody's constantly moving and changing, gravitating towards independence and "the bigger picture" of life. More than I am sad to see them leave, I'm excited to see the truly fantastic things that they'll achieve at Tufts University, in my brothers case, or in Thailand, in Carly's case.
I'm pretty busy for the remainder of the summer. Tomorrow, I'm leaving for a family trip to Europe, which will be fun. We're going to stay in Spain, France (haha...), and England. Throughout all of this, however, I am forced to take online classes to make up for the credits that won't transfer for next year. Honestly, there is literally nothing in this world that I despise more than online classes. Algebra 2B and English 10A might literally be the death of me.
Will Niamh make it to France, or will online classes crush her in a fiery pit of cyber-education? Stay tuned to find out.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The Coolness of People
As one may expect, I've spent the majority of my time at home lurking the AFS France facebook page, lamenting over the long wait until something interesting happens. Getting a host family, leaving, even getting a travel bulletin, or an email from AFS telling me I need to add an element to my application - these would all be deemed as an occasion to celebrate. But no, all I have is my imagination, my anticipation, and the Internet during the late hours of the night.
But during these hours spent on the aforementioned facebook page, I came to a sudden, thrilling realization:
exchangers are, hands down, the coolest people in the world.
People from Iceland, Bolivia, Brazil, other states of America - I've been overwhelmed with different languages, people, and stories. Overall, I'm just shocked by the downright coolness of exchangers.
These people understand this irrefutable, intensive agony that is ripping at my mind. Though we're all completely different people from different places all over the world, I have something in common with every single one of them, and that is foreign exchange.
Reading their comments, video's, blogs, and skyping with them just amps me up even more. I want to be at orientation, meeting all these people face to face. Each of these people are so insanely unique and interesting, I can tell meeting them is going to be about as great as witnessing the resurrection of Jesus Christ- or something along those lines.
And with that, I bid you farewell.
à bientôt.
But during these hours spent on the aforementioned facebook page, I came to a sudden, thrilling realization:
exchangers are, hands down, the coolest people in the world.
People from Iceland, Bolivia, Brazil, other states of America - I've been overwhelmed with different languages, people, and stories. Overall, I'm just shocked by the downright coolness of exchangers.
These people understand this irrefutable, intensive agony that is ripping at my mind. Though we're all completely different people from different places all over the world, I have something in common with every single one of them, and that is foreign exchange.
Reading their comments, video's, blogs, and skyping with them just amps me up even more. I want to be at orientation, meeting all these people face to face. Each of these people are so insanely unique and interesting, I can tell meeting them is going to be about as great as witnessing the resurrection of Jesus Christ- or something along those lines.
And with that, I bid you farewell.
à bientôt.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Passports and Other Miscellaneous Subjects
Another week or so has gone by. I still plunder ruthlessly forth, family-less, tired, and jealous of the twenty or so AFS France-ers who have already gotten their host families. I have not been bored, however. I spent the last week in Florida, hanging out by the beach and, best of all, exploring Harry Potter World in Universal Studios. But now I'm back to California, reveling in the last day of spring break, and, yet again, I lay in wait for the day my host family will chose me.
Besides the fact that most people don't get host families this early, I have found another reason to not have a family. You see, as a citizen of the UK and the US, I don't need a visa - for I can use my British passport. This is all fine and good - but in order to use this British passport, I first must renew it. I'm getting emails from AFS all the time asking where my passport is, but it just wont come! I check the mail every day, and it is fairly stressful. Who knew renewing a passport would take months? What if this is preventing me from getting a host family?
In other news, I only have seven more weeks of school left. Though I'm ecstatic for summer, I am unfortunately aware of the sluggish pace time seems to travel at when one is anticipating a year long trip to France. Seven weeks is minute period of time compared to the nine or so months that the school year consists of. But when I'm this close, so painfully near, minutes take hours, hours take days, and my trip to France taunts me from it's comfortable perch in my seemingly distant future.
Maybe I'll make a countdown chart. Anyway, I must go do my online classes. One of the biggest downfalls to preparing for this trip is, without a doubt, is the online classes I must take. Algebra 2 and Health have consumed by every waking minute that is not spent at school or extra-curriculars, taking me well into the early hours of the morning almost every day.
I'm tired of being a freshman.
Au revoir tout le monde.
Besides the fact that most people don't get host families this early, I have found another reason to not have a family. You see, as a citizen of the UK and the US, I don't need a visa - for I can use my British passport. This is all fine and good - but in order to use this British passport, I first must renew it. I'm getting emails from AFS all the time asking where my passport is, but it just wont come! I check the mail every day, and it is fairly stressful. Who knew renewing a passport would take months? What if this is preventing me from getting a host family?
In other news, I only have seven more weeks of school left. Though I'm ecstatic for summer, I am unfortunately aware of the sluggish pace time seems to travel at when one is anticipating a year long trip to France. Seven weeks is minute period of time compared to the nine or so months that the school year consists of. But when I'm this close, so painfully near, minutes take hours, hours take days, and my trip to France taunts me from it's comfortable perch in my seemingly distant future.
Maybe I'll make a countdown chart. Anyway, I must go do my online classes. One of the biggest downfalls to preparing for this trip is, without a doubt, is the online classes I must take. Algebra 2 and Health have consumed by every waking minute that is not spent at school or extra-curriculars, taking me well into the early hours of the morning almost every day.
I'm tired of being a freshman.
Au revoir tout le monde.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
A Lot About Nothing
Nothing at all has changed since I last posted. This in itself disappoints me, though I guess it's good that I haven't died in a horrendous car accident, or worse yet, been kicked out of AFS France for whatever reason. As I sit here, listening to music and laughing to myself about the mounds of homework I must inevitably overcome, I am at ease knowing that yes, I am 100% definitely going to France next year. As you might guess, I can barely contain myself. But it also brings about a sort of melancholy feeling...
In my English class yesterday, we discussed the final exam, and exciting end-of-year deadlines that will be coming up in the next couple months. I looked around the room, at some of my best friends, and some people that I had only met this year, and was truly blown away by the importance of my exchange. What am I going to do without my best friends, field hockey, my family, neighbors, even my school? All the things and people I rely on every day without thinking about it. What will I do without the comfort and stability that I possess? Living in this town for almost my entire life, I've never been in the position where I had to make new friends when I'm out of my comfort zone. Next year will be so... new. As AFS says "not good, not bad, just different."
Even this cannot phase my excitement, though. Part of the reason that I am so ecstatic is how completely new this experience will be. I'm excited to gain a new sense of independence, to learn a new language, to experience something entirely on my own. I can't wait for this completely unique aspect of life, this experience that no typical high-schooler can relate to. I can't wait to see how making new friends, learning a new language, and being away from all that I know will change me as a person.
Anyways, enough rambling. I need to go find other ways to not do my homework.
In my English class yesterday, we discussed the final exam, and exciting end-of-year deadlines that will be coming up in the next couple months. I looked around the room, at some of my best friends, and some people that I had only met this year, and was truly blown away by the importance of my exchange. What am I going to do without my best friends, field hockey, my family, neighbors, even my school? All the things and people I rely on every day without thinking about it. What will I do without the comfort and stability that I possess? Living in this town for almost my entire life, I've never been in the position where I had to make new friends when I'm out of my comfort zone. Next year will be so... new. As AFS says "not good, not bad, just different."
Even this cannot phase my excitement, though. Part of the reason that I am so ecstatic is how completely new this experience will be. I'm excited to gain a new sense of independence, to learn a new language, to experience something entirely on my own. I can't wait for this completely unique aspect of life, this experience that no typical high-schooler can relate to. I can't wait to see how making new friends, learning a new language, and being away from all that I know will change me as a person.
Anyways, enough rambling. I need to go find other ways to not do my homework.
Monday, March 19, 2012
The First of Many Updates to Come
I got accepted into AFS France today! *whoot whoot*.
Over the past weeks, I haven't been able to get France out of my mind. I want so many things right now, for school to end, to get my host family, for it to be summer vacation. I'm tired of going to bed late and getting up early, and I'm tired of all of this waiting! I haven't gone an hour without being consumed in thought about France and everything that leads up to it. I've heard about how big a part waiting plays in the production that is foreign exchange... but I honestly didn't think it would be this agonizing. Waiting is a pure and imponderable mutiny, I tell you! A ruthless act against humanity itself, robbing me of my once so abundant motivation to carry out the mundane task that is the normal life of a teenager. Patience is for the feeble-minded. Not really.
When will it end?
Over the past weeks, I haven't been able to get France out of my mind. I want so many things right now, for school to end, to get my host family, for it to be summer vacation. I'm tired of going to bed late and getting up early, and I'm tired of all of this waiting! I haven't gone an hour without being consumed in thought about France and everything that leads up to it. I've heard about how big a part waiting plays in the production that is foreign exchange... but I honestly didn't think it would be this agonizing. Waiting is a pure and imponderable mutiny, I tell you! A ruthless act against humanity itself, robbing me of my once so abundant motivation to carry out the mundane task that is the normal life of a teenager. Patience is for the feeble-minded. Not really.
When will it end?
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