Uh oh...

I just found out today from my Deutsch tutor that she has to make an unexpected trip to Minnesota for at least zwei Wochen on Montag (2 weeks on Monday). This means that my last EVER German lesson will be this Freitag (Friday)! So on Friday we are having a crash course over city terms, grammar, pronouns, and a review covering everything we've done in the past two months. Ms. Laumer has been absolutely amazing and has taught me more than I had even hoped to learn during this short period of time. I know without a doubt that my exchange will be more enjoyable during the first few months because of her time and effort.

I leave in two weeks by the way!!!

15 more days :)

In 15 days, 5 hours, and 45 minutes I will have boarded the plane for Wien and will be looking out the window towards DC for my last time in 11 months. I cannot begin to explain the feelings that I have felt these past few weeks. There have been days of giddy excitement, nervous anticipation, and nearly everyday I have wondered what challenges and incredible opportunities will be awaiting my arrival in Österreich.
As of yesterday I officially have all the paperwork that I need to obtain my VISA once I reach Wien. The final document was a background check that is required for all students over the age of 17. So many people look forward to their 18th birthdays, but how many of these people get the chance to travel halfway across the world to emmerse themselves into a culture without any ties to their family or friends? I am trully blessed and incredibly lucky to have been presented with Rotary Youth Exchange and to have been selected as an exchange student on top of that. I am thrilled to be a student ambassador for the United States, but even closer to home, Texas.

Final Preparations...

So far there isn't much to report. Just that I am a little more than slightly nervous about the coming year. I have been in contact with my first host father multiple times; he and his wife seem very nice and extremely willing to help get me situated into their culture. however I also feel that they will be somewhat strict with my language usage (which is probably going to be beneficial in the long run). In case any of yall don't know the plan, I leave on the 12th of August from San Antonio. I'll fly to Washington DC and then straight to Vienna from there. The town I will be living in, Melk, is about an hour and a half west of Vienna, or Wien, and located right along the Danube River. I will go to the local gymnasium (college prep school - our high school equivalent) called Stiftsgymnasium. My first family has two sons, Lukas and Simon, however neither of them will be at home while I am there so I will be an only child for the first time in my life and they will have a daughter for the first time in their lives.

I can't think of anything else at the moment. If yall have any questions, please just ask. I plan on uploading pictures and I will try my best to keep this up to date. Unfortunately I am not the most diligent at keeping any sort of journal...