I'm trying here, I really am.

I'm seriously trying to find something interesting that happened to me this week that you don't already know. Um, let's see. I had school? No, that's normal. I was sick on Tuesday? Yeah, you know that too... (check my last post if you didn't know that.)

OH I KNOW, I went to a thrift shop yesterday! Seeing as I have school for a half day every Saturday (which wamps), I made the best of my Saturday afternoon by hitting the thrift shop. Might I say it was quite the success. Not only did I get a new profile picture for Twitter (wherein I look like a younger version of Macklemore), but I bought a HUGE comfy sweater made of 100% wool. So that'll keep me nice and warm.

I'm also preparing for our Ski trip that we're going on during the Christmas break. TWO WEEKS IN THE FRENCH ALPS HALLELUJAH. I'm so excited I can't wait. But it also kind of sucks because I'm not with my friends here for the holidays. Like, sometimes you just wanna go to a party with friends on New Years right? Oh well, I'll be with my host family, so it'll still be fun.

After that I'm SUPPOSED to change host families, which is really stressing me out because I have so much stuff already, I have no idea how I'm ever going to fit it into my suitcases to take it to my next house.

St. Nicolas and Christmas!

So today, I'm sick; and because I'm sick, I stayed home, and because I stayed home I figured this would be a good time to share what's been going on with my life for the past little while.

My last post was 9 days ago, and I forgot to mention the little get together in Thionville (otherwise known as T-Town) that we exchange students had. That was fun. Shout-out to Kate and Finley for being the most tired and to Aino for going to that kebab place four times.

Since then things have been very Christmas-y, if I can use that as a word. My host family has started putting candles on the table for dinner time instead of leaving the lights on, it was the festival of St. Nicolas the other day (My saint namesake thing therefore my party woot), and there are so many cookies and chocolates and good spirits going around! It's so fun, I love the Christmas season. Things are kinda hectic too, because I'm trying to figure out what I should get people as gifts, because I'm horrible with gifts. But yeah, that'll be fun.

IN CONTINUATION with the Christmas/St. Nicolas theme, this weekend was the student gathering in Nancy, for the Fete de St. Nicolas, which was interesting. I mean, it was fun and all but museums can get annoying if you don't have the time to properly go through them and then (sorry guys) but going with a group is reaaaaaallllllllyyyyyyyyyyy annoying. BUT OTHER THAN MUSEUMS here was our schedule (briefly): DAY 1: arrival, museum, free time, food, fireworks, bus, St. Nicolas de Port, candlelight procession, "home".
DAY 2: wake up, food, museum, free time, food, parade, train, home.

The fireworks show was really fun, there were screens in the middle of this huge square, and video projections on the two buildings opposite the square that showed the story of St. Nicolas. At specific parts that coincided with the story there would be fireworks going off or flames shooting out from the top of the screens. It was super cool.

I'm just gonna completely change topics now and head over to Reason Why Exchange is Difficult number 7 (completely made that number up): the southern hemisphere people leaving so soon after you meet them. I'm honestly quite sad to have already said goodbye to the people that are leaving, because I won't get the chance to see them again before they go home.
To everyone who's leaving: I'm so honoured to have met you, and I hope that you will never forget your time in France, and all the wonderful memories (I hope) you've made here.

Speaking of wonderful memories, I had my "Conseille de classe" (which is this big scary event at the end of the trimester when all your teachers get together and say the good and the horrible things about you, and then talk smack) the other day, and I got "Encouragements" which basically is really good for an exchange student. The only thing I'm lacking in is class participation, so if I can stick my hand up more, I'll be all set.

So there you go, hope you enjoy it, feel free to post comments or whatever, I'll just be sitting here. All day... Drinking my tea... Trying to get better...

AAAAAAAAALRIGHTY THEN HAVE A NICE DAY.

It is officially the start of the European Christmas season.

Hey guys!

So it's been nigh on two weeks that I haven't given you guys updates, but I've been busy with school and every day life as it were. Which is weird when I think about it, because before I came here I had this whole vision of Rotary exchange by other students that all said things like "Yeah I didn't do any school work and just fooled around in class and yada yada yada.." you get the picture. So it came as a surprise when I actually found out that I was actually going to do the work. (Most of the time.) Of course, it was my decision whether or not to do the work but I figured since I'm spending a ridiculous amount of time in the classroom anyway, why not?

In my last update I asked you for some stereotypes of Canada for my presentation, so thanks to those of you who pulled through and gave me some ideas! The presentation went really well, even though there were some hilarious questions that were asked. You can message me if you want to know, but it was fun. I'm really just at ease with myself in that class, probably because there's only myself and Pierre (who happens to have a beard.) that are the only guys in the class. I don't know why but I just find it easier to be at ease with females rather than males. Weird. ANYWHO, the presentation was really fun and I'm really happy to have done it with that specific class. Euro Anglais represent!

Has anyone heard of the book Fahrenheit 451? Apparently it's a classic in English literature but I've never heard of it. We're reading it in one of my classes, so I just figured I'd put the question out there.

Another thing that's super adorable and cute and I couldn't resist putting it in here: The Marchés de Noel!
I literally cannot describe how amazing they are. If you ever get the chance to go to a real European Marché de Noel, do it. (For all you Canadians who don't want to/can't go to Europe there are several in Quebec that are probably the same type of thing.) So far I've only been to two (Treves or Triers in Germany, and Metz) but I'm kinda planning on going to Strasbourg to see that one, and then next weekend is another student gathering in Nancy, so there's probably going to be something there as well. BUT I'M SO HAPPY TO BE SEEING THESE THINGS they're literally so precious. Okay, they're not much in the way of little boutiques and things, but you just grab a hot drink and wander around the little shops and things and mingle and be happy and WHY DON'T WE HAVE THIS IN CANADA?!? (Aside from Quebec, well understood.)

So there you go, a little update on all things Niklas exchange, feel free to leave comments or questions or anything you feel like leaving.

Gros bisous, Muah!

P.S Just a little side note because this could be a potential catastrophe, my computer's memory has like 3 gigs of free space. I'm freaking out just a tad.

UPDATES ON MY LIFE. if you want them. You're not obligated to read.

SO HELLO EVERYONE, it's been a while, no? I feel like it hasn't been, but perhaps y'all feel differently. My last post was about vacation, and what happened then. Nothing really major has happened in my life since then, other than last weekend which was another Rotary weekend with all the students from the Lorraine region!

Let's just say exchange students are always having fun. I skipped school (with permission of course!) to go to the rotary weekend, and hangout with the other kids. The day started out with me getting lost. WHAT A GREAT WAY TO START THE DAY RIGHT?! But no it was actually fun. Yet I still got to the Centre Pompidou Metz a little bit early actually (read: half an hour, during which I went to a cafe for a coffee) and we all saw an exposition of some painter. Couldn't tell you his name for the life of me, it was that exciting (read: horribly boring). After that we ate, which is always the best part of a rotary get together. Because who doesn't like to eat? And then we had two games of laser tag. Which, let's be honest, is super fun. So yeah, that happened. Then we ate some more, even though it was desert kinda (mcdonalds mcflurries).

Then my councillor drove me back to his house because my host family was in Lille for the weekend for a birthday party. So I stayed at my councillors house the whole weekend and that was fun.

Voila! There's some updates on my life. Hope everyone's doing well at home!

Bisous!
NIKLAS PIZZOLITTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO


P.S: I'm working on a powerpoint about Canada, and stereotypes so if you have any you wanna share, put them in the comments below! Much obliged!

Vacation!

First of all, sorry for not posting, it's been a heck of a two weeks.

So for the past two weeks I've been on vacation, even though it doesn't really feel like it. Vacation started two weeks ago today, and my host family and I kicked them off with a five hour car ride down to a district called "La Loire" which has a lot of castles, and I mean a lot, like it's famous for its castles. SO that happened. We then spent the next few days exploring castles and parading by car from castle to castle. (It's much more amusing than you'd think.) AND CASTLES CASTLES CASTLES. Then that evening we stayed in a really rustic hotel with a tiny room and exposed wood beams and french windows and it was really cozy and nice. Although I just HAD to be stuck next to the window whose blinds didn't close properly. (I didn't sleep much) But what are you gonna do right? Suck it up and bear it. Of course, the unofficial motto of the Rotary Youth Exchange Program; suck it up and bear it. So that's what I did.

The next day was spent driving to another district that's called "Le Gers", in which my host family has bought a new home and will be moving there at the end of the school year. We pulled into this tiny garage, which was super impressive to see in a van cause there was literally less than three inches in between the side mirror and the garage door. Then out pops this man, named Bernard (a family friend) and he immediately starts poking fun at Benji and everyone else. He's the kind of guy that you're never bored around, but I don't find that out till a little bit later. So after everyone gets settled in we sit down for lunch I believe, and just talk for a while. It's nice seeing old friends catching up like that, you know? I think it's really cool.

The next two weeks were spent either at Bernard's house or La Charmoise, which is my host family's new house. There were a couple things that were unexpected, like having the moving truck be too large for the alleyway of trees, and therefore having to trim all the trees that made up the alleyway of about 300-500 meters long. All I can say is it's a good thing that the movers came a day early because that took a while. The next day I felt like the stereotype of Canada, because I had on my new hiking type boots, rolled up pants and a plaid shirt, and was working the whole day lugging that lumber up the alley to the enormous bonfire we had going. (Stereotype here being lumberjack, in case you didn't get the reference. It's no big deal if you didn't, I'll admit that the description was kinda vague.) But that was one thing that happened, and it was kinda funny and unexpected and such. So yes. What else.

OH I went to the largest sand dune in Europe. The "Dune de Pyla" I believe. That was fun, I ran halfway up it and then I collapsed in the sand because it was a really huge workout. But it was much more fun than anything else. It was really quite amusing running back down once you reach the top. But more amusing and beautiful than that was when you reach the top and look to your left, it's sincerely the most breathtaking thing I've ever seen as of yet. But I'll let you discover that for yourself, because it needs to be seen first hand.

Yes, I do believe that's all from my two week vacation. There was a lot of time spent in a nearly empty house, and a lot of bonding time with my host brother, and yeah it was a good time. Relaxing too, because I needed to relax and that was good.

UNTIL NEXT TIME MY FRIENDS.

ITS THANKSGIVING OH MY GOOSHH

Happy Turkey day Canadians!

Plays and Philosophy Papers (Part 2)

I hope you guys found that amusing, because I sure did. 

Other news in my life: 

Last update I gave you guys was my whole birthday bonanzaaaaaaaaaaaaaa so I don't need to go into detail about that, however I didn't go into detail about the Nuit Blanche, so I'll do that now.

I'm gonna set the scene first, bear with me. Nuit Blanche: rain, flying Japanese trapeze artists, feathers, rain, sea of umbrellas, rain.

There you have it folks, a first hand account of the Nuit Blanche Metz. It was fun and everything, but there was so much freaking rain it was ridiculous, and the show that was put on wasn't very interesting, in fact it was really weird and they dumped feathers on the crowd, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand feathers and rain don't mix. Let's just say people looked like ducks. Not pleased, very french ducks.

MOVING ON FROM FRENCH DUCKS, the few days after that were kinda hard, just cause of some personal stuff I'd not like to discuss. THEN IT WAS MY HOST SISTERS BIRTHDAY AND FUN TIMES YAY. 

This week the Danish girl named Sine is leaving, so we're throwing her a going away cafe trip. Also possibly getting her a gift. Woot, that should be fun. I don't think i even talked about Sine, so HERE GOES. 

Sine is the Danish correspondent that's at our school for three weeks, and she doesn't speak much French, but happens to speak very good English, so it's hilarious watching my classmates try and communicate with her. But she's super nice and everything and yeah, she's a sweetheart. 

Boom, there's my life update, hope y'all enjoyed it happy thanksgiving i think. 

Plays and Philosophy Papers

YESTERDAY I WENT TO SEE A PLAY IN FRENCH... Today I have to write a philosophic paper.






That's all thanks for coming, toodles.

Mumford & Sons - Below My Feet

This song perfectly describes my feelings for today, because the lyrics honestly just perfectly encompass what every exchange student goes through at the beginning of their exchange, then the chorus reminds us to not get too stuck up, and to remain humble throughout the amazing experiences that they encounter throughout their year.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FUoeIYoCJg

Birthday Bonanza

So, today's my birthday. It's hard to put my feelings into words, but seriously this has been one of the most impactful birthdays of my life so far. The generosity of strangers, even if we've been together for a month is still overwhelming. When I woke up this morning I skyped with my family back home, because my twin happens to share my birthday. WHAT A COINCIDENCE. But, that was nice, and then I had school. Which wasn't so nice, but there's a tradition at my school; when it's your birthday you buy "des petits chou" for your entire class, so I did that this morning grace a l'aide de Marie, so thanks Marie :3 After school my whole class (I believe) went for a quick coffee, during which they presented me with a gift. A T-shirt that was signed by everyone in the class, INCLUDING MY PHILOSOPHY TEACHER WHO'S A BIG, MEAN LOOKING, EX MILITARY MAN WITH HUGE MUSCLES AND TERRIFIES ME, so that was super nice. I literally teared up when i saw the shirt though, because it's such a simple yet touching gesture, and I really enjoy personal gestures like that. After the coffee date with 23 other people I went to have lunch with my host family and some extended relatives. My host family also gave me some gifts, including a soccer jersey with my name on the back (too cool) and a picture frame with lots of pictures with me and my host family since I got here. I was really touched by it cause it's just really too cool :3 Then my host grandmother gave me a decorative plate from Metz, which includes a painting of the cathedral which is a landmark of the city. It has the most stained glass windows in all of Europe, so take that Europe. Tonight I'm going to the Nuit Blanche, which is basically a city-wide all nighter, and also having dinner with a few close friends. Should be a good night! (here's hoping anyways)

Peeeeectures

Hey y'all, i'm gonna put some pictures on here, hopefully starting from the beginning

. Packing 

Plane ride

Host family house

Bus pass :) 

Paris weekend

Some hot air balloons

First rotary weekend

Bike ride up a mountain side

American war monument

Canadians being canadian :D

Castle on the way home

School books :(

Nightly ritual

Breakfast! 

After the first day of school. 

The sign to where i live!

My view from the bus stop, gorgeous isn't it?

Writing letters like it's my job. 

Pictures!

I promised pictures, so here y'all are. 

Secret stash of chocolate

Castleeeee

Panorama castle

Lovely couple who took me places

Deutschland. Germany

Luxembourg

Schengen (E.U accords signed here)

ROTARY CLUB OF METZ WHUDDUP

Strasbourg cathedral

Organ inside strasbourg cathedral

German architecture in france

Me in front of german architecure in france

Cafe in strasbourg

A really good picture of me laughing at someone probably.  

I should really post more often.

HELLO NEW FOLLOWERS.

I didn't realize that my blog had so much importance/so many followers, I recently hit 1070 page views, in just over a month, so I guess that means people are interested in my happenings, so for the sake of all you who enjoy reading my blog, I'll try to make it a more regular affair!

One Month, and birthday in a week!

(I apologize in advance for the rambling nature of this post.)

Wow, it's hard to believe that it's really been a month here. Literally time has gone by so quickly that it's difficult to remember what I've done from day to day, let alone from three and a half weeks ago. LUCKILY I'VE KEPT A JOURNAL. So, here goes nothing... Since my last post, I've watched a few movies with my host family, in french with french subtitles (which suck because the titles are direct translations of the english and the french is completely re-written). I've been really lazy and lounged around doing absolutely nothing. I've had school 6 days a week starting at 8 AM which means a 6 AM alarm every day. I've had a cold and felt really poopy and wrapped myself in a blanket with tea and wanted to cuddle with someone who patted my head and told me everything was going to be okay. AND ALSO, I've done some travelling. SO HERE GOES FOLKS, ALL MY TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE STORIES FROM THE PAST THREE WEEKS.

ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15th, I went to the three borders surrounding the corner of France that I live in; Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. It was really pretty cool because not only was I in four countries in one day, but I also visited the place where the E.U. Accord was signed, and stood in two places at once. Which is pretty sweet, not gonna lie at all. The couple that brought me around apparently does the trip every year, so they knew their way around. Also on this day I visited a castle and a place where they make beautiful pottery in a town called Longwy I believe. Not too sure about that. The couple also has had numerous exchange students and said that for the time that I'd been there, I spoke the best french out of all of them, so Boo-Yeah. They had also been to Stoney Point in the states and had passed through Windsor to get there! HOW COOL IS THAT SOMEONE ACTUALLY KNOWS WHERE WINDSOR IS OMG WOW. Pictures will follow in case any of you happened to see them when they were here like 15 years ago.

The next day, Monday the 16th was when I was formally introduced to my host Rotary club. It was quite a luxurious affair. Held in a hotel dining room that was built in the 1500's it was really quite fancy. There were a lot of old Rotarians there, and the governor of our district attended. I was asked to play the Canadian national anthem on the trumpet, and there was the trading of club banners, which was really awkward because no one told me what to say so I just kinda handed the president my banner and was like "Here, you can have this, i don't know what to do with it anymore." (Okay, not literally but you understand my dilemma.)

The journal that I write in every night was given to me as a gift by Shayla, and I just needed to say something about that because she put these little quotes in it on random pages, and there's one that says: "You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price for the richness of loving and knowing people in more that one place." and I really feel like that's hitting me right now, because I've gained a circle of friends and I feel like I literally have a second home here now, and I can already tell that it's going to be hard to leave. It's been a month and these people have changed my life so much, it's incredible. Take the 18th for example. A wednesday, also a half day of school. Generally I would go home and watch tv or a movie or something with my host brother, but instead I was invited to go participate in a flash mob, so I did. Turned out to be the highlight of my week, because it was so much fun! It's amazing how little things can change your mood.

Funny little anecdote here, I was told by one of my friends that she's "glad you're are crazy as us, we thought you were too serious" Glad to know that I'm weird, but it's a good weird.

The 23rd marked one month here, and it's crazy because it doesn't seem like that long. I can tell this year is going to pass by quickly, too quickly for my liking. But that's the RYE for you, it's amazing and it changes your life but then it's over before you know it. HEHE THE 23RD ALSO MARKED THE FIRST DAY SOMEONE THOUGHT I WAS A LOCAL, so I was pretty proud of that. A month in France and I'm already acting so French even the french themselves can't decipher who's foreign. LOVE IT.

Mumford & Sons announced an "indefinite hiatus" on the 24th of September, and I got really sad because Mumford. (only a few of you will understand my pain.)

I've decided I'm going to start acting again. At school. Doing a play written by students of Fabert. It's apparently all about social interactions and teenage relationships so this'll be fun. Also on the note of acting and the arts, every year the high schools of Metz get together and perform a "concert des Lycees", of which this year there will be a Canadian trumpet player playing 2nd trumpet. The theme this year is the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of WW1, so there's elements of "La Veuve Joyeuse", originally a german operetta that was translated into french and will be used for this year's concert. Pretty cool stuff if you ask me.

This brings us to this weekend, where yesterday I visited Strasbourg with my host family, right after school yesterday. It was amazing, Strasbourg is so quaint, and being right on the border of Germany, has really stereotypical German architecture, as well as a gorgeous cathedral. Which seems to be a staple of all important French towns. The cathedral. They're all downright gorgeous though, especially the one in Metz. It has the most stained glass windows of all cathedrals in France. HOLLAH CITY PRIDE.

Anyways, I'm gonna go play Ping Pong with my host brother.

GROS BISOUS, PEACE AND LOVE

Sorry!

Sorry everyone, i know you're all anxious for another update, and i just wanted to let y'all know one's coming very soon! 

School.

There's really no other way to put this. School sucks, universally.

I find it's really difficult in France because the rhythm changes so frequently, and so quickly it's really hard to keep up. All my courses are quite difficult as well, but that'll come with time. FRENCH SCHOOL IS SO LONG. THE HOURS ARE RIDICULOUS. I have classes that start at 8AM every day, which means I wake up at 6 AM to shower and get ready and things, and my classes finish at either 5 or 6 PM most days, with the exception of Wednesday, Monday, and Saturday; yes I have to go to school on Saturdays. I really don't like that, but I don't have the right to complain, I'm a Rotary Youth Exchange Student, I accept what's given to me with a good attitude no matter what. Or else.

All my classmates are really helpful though, and it's been really interesting integrating myself into this group of kids that's known each other for years now. I think watching people interact socially is really quite interesting, so that part is fun. Lycée Fabert itself is a really nice school, as in the building itself, but the only downside (here's my North American side kicking in) is that they don't have AC. And it gets HOT in those classrooms. It's really not the best learning environment, because you're not concentrated on what the teacher is saying, you're only concentrated on how hot the damn classroom is. How hot the damn classroom is. How hot the damn classroom is. How hot the freaking classroom is. How much I'd kill for a glass of water right now. How hot is this damn classroom. Oh my goodness, I'm sweating. I can't deal with this heat. What did the teacher say? Oh he was talking to me. QUICK PRETEND YOU DIDN'T UNDERSTAND.

The above is a quick snapshot into my thoughts during class, especially philosophy... of which I have eight hours a week... as apart of my 32 hour school week... I might not return to Canada guys, fair warning.
All French Lycée students are dying a slow painful death.

SIGNING OFF,
NIKLAS PIZZOLITTO.

or Nicolas or Kneeklas as I'm known here.

It's wednesday.

It's wednesday everyone. I'm sitting in my room, after just getting back from seeing the start of a hot air balloon race in the city park. I spent the day doing nothing really, cause my host parents were both at work, therefore I was left with my little host brother, which was cool. We went for a walk and played board games and I learned a little more French, and I think we both had fun. I'm leaving for my orientation weekend tomorrow, and there I'll meet all the other exchange students from my district, which will be kinda fun, I hope. In the next two hours I hope to post the airport and plane ride blog post thing, but right now I'm working on gathering clothes for this weekend. It's a lot harder than one would assume. 

À bientôt!

Paris... Again.

So hey guys. I'm in Paris again, and it's early, and i'm tired. But it's so worth it. Today one of my host sisters, Julie, leaves for her exchange in Binghamton, New York. For those of you interested, today is my third day in country, and it's already a really great experience. My host family is nothing but nice, and understanding. My thoughts are so jumbled  though because we woke up at 6AM this morning and it's hard getting used to a six hour time difference, mais j'en doute que je serais plus contente de maintenant, car je peut comprendre toute que mon famille hôte dis à moi. Donc. I'll follow up with more later, but as of right now that's what I'm up to. I'll get to an airport post later, unless I've already done so... i honestly don't remember.

France: i am in you.

I've done it. I made it safely to Paris. Now onto Luxembourg.

38 thousand feet

Flying through the air in a metal tube at 38 thousand feet seems really thrilling, no? Yeah, it's really not. Besides the fact that you're basically stuck in a chair for eight  hours with only what you brought and a few movies on the screen in front of you, there's really not much to do. But I've ate the candy I was given, (thanks zia and shay, and i shared, i hope that's okay) and I read the letter that I was instructed to leave until the plane ride over and it was perfect. (Thanks shay) I also made some quick acquaintances with some other rotary exchange students, as well as the group of French students going back to Paris. 

Bisous,

Niklas

Final day

So today, after months of paperwork and interviews and orientations and visa applications and weekend trips to the states, today is the day I board a plane to my final destination for the year. France. I just wanted to take this time to thanks everyone who's supported me on my journey, especially my friends who've given me the strength to do this, it truly wouldn't have been possible without you. And now, I take my leave because I still have stuff to do. (hooray for leaving it to the last minute!) 

I can count the number of days on one hand.

So today, I was sitting in the car on my way to London to visit family for the last time before I leave, listening to Taylor Swift's White Horse, and it hit me that this is real and there are four days left and some of the people I've said goodbye to already I won't see for a whole year and I almost started crying because oh my gosh this is happening all too fast and i don't know how to handle it and my goodness this is going to be so much fun but it's going to be so tough and just I really don't know how to deal with my emotions right now... They're literally all over the place. There are so many people I know I'm going to miss but I know they're happy for me but still it's a crazy feeling. So this is my life; welcome. Side note: Taylor Swift's album Fearless is kinda describing my situation perfectly at the moment, so take a good listen. 

Parties and Little Time

Hey guys,

So yesterday I had my going away party, coupled with my sister's grad party and it was a lot of fun! I really want to thank everyone that showed up, with special shout outs to those who came from out of town and all my friends that showed up to say goodbye. It's really tough having to say goodbye to all my family members and people that I really care about, but I know they wish me well and I'm really grateful of everyone supporting me on this.

IN OTHER NEWS, I'm still waiting on my visa to come back, so I can get plane tickets, and set a return date and other things like that. It's really stressful right now, and I honestly can't even tell you how scared/excited/nervous/anxious/fdsoahgiojrieosahfiodjsaiofesa I am right now. There's less than three weeks before I leave and honestly it feels like I have so much to do. It's insane, and it sucks because I'm freaking out but there's nothing I can do but wait.

Cheers,
Niklas

Central States Summer Conference!

Myself, Lexi, and Casey. The Three kids going to France from D6400. Love you guys <3

So this past weekend was the CSYE annual Summer Conference at Calvin College in the states. It was a whole bunch of fun. Even though the whole two days were filled with boring seminars the free time and dancing was fun. There were three dances during the entire weekend, but seeing as I got there on the Friday instead of Thursday night, I only experienced two of them. The dances were really interesting seeing as there were students from all over the place, and everyone dances differently. The Brazilians danced the best though, I think. ANYWAYS, I met so many people from all over the world, but I became much closer friends with the people from my district. Shout out to Mary, Grace, Kristen, and Alex whom I stayed up all night with on Saturday just for shits and giggles, that was fun! All in all it was a great experience and I can't wait to go back next year and see all the Outbounds being scared and nervous and excited like I was this year.

This is Mary, Kristen, Grace, Alex and myself just being weird, this is what happens when you don't sleep...

This is Casey and Zoe, two girls from my district. Casey is also going to France with me! YAY SOMEONE I KNOW.

These are all the Inbounds, Outbounds, and Rebounds from district 6400!

I'm still kind of in shock at the fact that I'll be gone for a whole year next year. Like, my mom started crying at my final orchestra concert of the year cause I was recognized as "graduating" from the orchestra, meaning I'm not coming back, and I just thought, damn. I'm leaving...

Host Family :)

I'm so excited right now, you all have no idea. I got an email last night from who I'm assuming is my first host family! I've been emailing Julie (my "host sister"... i'll explain later) back and forth since 2AM yesterday, and there are SO many questions that I have and so many answers that she's given me. SO I'LL START WITH WHAT ALL OF YOU ARE DYING TO KNOW! I'm going to Rotary district 1790, which is in the North East corner of France, to a city just outside of Metz (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metz), called Jussy. The family is really similar to my family, except the roles are reversed, they've got a young boy named Benjamin, Julie; who's the "me" of their family as she's going on an exchange as well, Elise who's gonna be my older sister, and the mom and dad, Marie-Christine, and Jean-Dominique.

I'm so excited.

http://www.lycee-fabert.com/<-- this is the school I'm going to. It's gorgeous.

So the webmaster posted the new outbound students from district 6400 today, and that just makes everything so real for me. Like this is actually happening. Anyways, y'all can check out all of the people and where we're going at the link below! Just copy and paste it into your browser.
http://www.rotary6400.org/YouthExchange/outbound.htm

France

So, since it's already official I thought I'd start a blog to let all my friends and family in Canada know how I'm doing when I take my journey to France! Once I leave I'm gonna try and post something every day, but we all know that's probably not going to happen, so I'll keep it as regularly updated as I can.