Friday, August 17, 2012

just eighteen days

I have just a little over two weeks left in Lancaster, with all of my friends and family. This distant dream didn't seem possible until now; everything is starting to sink in and feel surreal. I am leaving this wonderful place I call home in just eighteen days.
I have been making the very most out of my last few weeks here, and this is what I've been up to!

AFS family- most of the Speedwell Scholarship winners   






































 A few weekends ago, I attended a Speedwell Scholarship luncheon. All 30 scholarship winners were invited to a picnic at a local park in downtown Lititz. It was so nice to see all of my good friends again, because some of them depart for their year abroad in the upcoming days! And I wish them all the very best of luck!

A million thanks to Mike & Jenny Messner
At the Speedwell Scholarship luncheon, I also got the opportunity to meet the couple who made my dreams become a reality, by giving me a full scholarship to study abroad. Words cannot properly express how thankful and appreciative I am to have received this once in a life time opportunity. All I can say is thank you for the generous scholarship you have given me to study abroad, because without it, I wouldn't be able to fulfill my dream. Thank you, yet again.

Party Time

 The weekend following the Speedwell Scholarship Luncheon, I had my going away party. Many of my family and friends stopped by to say the cliche goodbye and best of luck next year.


A big thank you to my family for not only making my dream possible, but for supporting me through this whole process. You are here for me now more than ever, and this is the time that I need you the most! Thank you for making my going away party possible, it couldn't have been more perfect!

I am so fortunate to know many of the people studying abroad with me. Because AFS Susquehanna Valley is a large chapter, I know at least 6 other students going to Spain with me. It's the best feeling in the entire world knowing I don't have to say goodbye to two of my best friends- Alli and Cameron. I will see you in New York City, in just eighteen days!


Another special thank you to my grandma! Thank you so much for being so supportive of both me and my decision to study abroad, especially throughout the last couple of weeks. I appreciate the multiple times we went shopping for luggage, host family gifts, last minute essentials and even the few times we "practice packed". You have been such a great help, and I really don't know what I would do without you!

   
Thank You Grandma, for all that you have done; I love my poster!  

Today, I received three luggage tags in the mail! Anytime I get a new update from AFS, whether it be by mail, Facebook, or even email, I get excited! Receiving luggage tags is yet another reminder that my departure date is near. Last week, I got my passport back to me by mail, with my visa affixed in it! The months of hard work finally paid off, and I can finally stop stressing about all the necessary paperwork and documents.
While I have a little more than two weeks here, time is truly flying by. I have been busy working five to six days per week, saving up as much money as I can for Spain. Also, next Friday, August 24, is my 17th birthday! Although I do somewhat wish that I could spend and celebrate my birthday over seas for a change. School starts here at Lampeter-Strasburg on Monday, August 27th.  I think I am going into school the first week for just a day to say a final goodbye to all of my favorite teachers and friends, which I am really excited about! I am even more excited that I don't start school at IES Pinar de la Rubia, in Spain, until September 10th. More big news is that I decided to take up dancing lessons in Spain, which I am going to sign up for when I arrive!
In just eighteen days, I will be on my way to overnight orientation in NYC, nineteen days until my flight to Switzerland, twenty days until I arrive in Madrid, and only twenty one days until I met my host family!

"sin prisas, pero sin pausa" 
"not hurrying, but not pausing"
Spain, I will be there soon enough, just eighteen days.


4 comments:

  1. Girl, you will have a really unforgettable time in Spain. I promise, I'll follow your steps from this step. Can't wait to see your post; that really talks about how nice your time in Spain :))
    Best of luck for you, Paige!! :**

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  2. thank you so much! i'm glad that you are going to continue reading my blog; it means a lot!
    in eleven days, i'll be in Spain..so there will be better posts soon enough!
    :)

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  3. Arrrgh, sorry I was unable to find your reply if I don't try to find your blog. Well, it was few days ago that you said in eleven days you'll be in Spain. So today, will be closer. Right? If I see with an Indonesian time, it will be, 1 days 23 hours again for you to fly to Spain. So good luck, and see me, I'm still here and waiting for your next wonderful story.

    Kisses

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  4. Hello dear,
    Long time no talk. How's life in Spain? Hope you're doing great. I miss reading your post about your journey to Spain :)


    Kisses,
    Fefiana--

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