Preparations

Hey Everybody :D

So here we are...I've set up a blog and I'm not exactly sure how to start it. I suppose I'll just make this one informational, so everybody knows what's going on, where I happen to be, and what I still need to do in order to make sure I can leave. Maybe I'll add some other random tidbits of information that people might be interested in. Chances are, I'll be the only one reading this, but I'll write it anyway :)

Recently, I received an email from my first host family, which happens to be EXTREMELY exciting. I'll be living on this beach (<----) in one of those huge buildings on the left. I'm literally on the beach (not near it, not a few blocks away, but on it!!). My host mother's name is Maria Helena (she goes by Lena), my dad is Jorge, and my 15 year old brother is named Henrique. They are my first host family of three, and I'm the first student they have had thus far. Their apartment is directly on the beach, and according to Lena, I can swim whenever I want to!!

I will be going to a public school from 7:30 to 12:30 every day starting some time in February (when their school starts). The only downfall is that they don't have a music or art program, and I'll be at a different school than my host brother. Regardless, I'm extremely excited and that just means more leisure time to write music and do art on my own. I'll probably come back a samba expert, doing my Brazilian dance (if you've seen it, feel privileged :D)

Furthermore, I applied for my passport a few weeks ago, but haven't yet received it in the mail. I hope it comes soon, because I'm still working on obtaining a visa and buying a plane ticket. Speaking of, the most common question asked so far has been "when do you leave?". The only answer I have to that is: sometime between late January and early February. I'll post it on here when I know the official date, but as for now I'm not exactly sure.

Anyway, I'd just like to express a genuine thank you to Rotary for making this possible and giving me such an unimaginable opportunity. I know it will be an experience of a life time, and while I'm just beginning to become a little nervous, I'm prepared for the challenges and I am eager to succeed in being an excellent ambassador of this country.

For Christmas, my Mom and Grandparents on my dad's side gave me luggage, a passport holder, and a messenger type bag. Now I just need something to put in all of them :p ha. Well, acually, I only technically know about the passport/valuables satchel and the messenger bag so far...but I'm pretty sure there is luggage, too. Considering more than three people accidentally told me, ha.

Also, I'd like to thank my Uncle John for giving me money to do a random act of kindness in Brazil for our families Christmas charity fund. It was a great idea and I'll be sure to spend it on a person (or multiple people) in need.

I'm headed to my moms now, so I'll say goodbye and type more later.

Maddie