Less than 3 months!

I can't believe that in fewer than 90 days I'll be jumping on a plane headed halfway around the world. I'm excited, but apprehensive at the same time. I know I come off as shy, so I need to work on opening up to people. Hopefully this exchange can help me do that. Here's a list of what has transpired lately:

• I got my passport! Yahoo!
• We had the Outbound Orientation in Douglas, Wyoming. A long, long weekend full of powerpoints, speeches, and hotel beds.
• I got my blazer!
• I have to start filling out my Bokoff Kaplan plane ticket and visa information. And get all of it notarized. Yay.

It doesn't seem like much, but it really is. OH! I also have to start getting my pins put together. Can't wait for that. I already have 3 -- one from Esteban (he gave it to me before he went back to Argentina, while we were at the District Interviews), one that came with my Rotary blazer (100% polyester, made in Costa Rica), and one from Emily's mom. My blazer looks a little naked right now, but I'm sure it'll fill up fast!

I've started talking to two of my host families, too. I emailed all three, but I'm still waiting to hear back from one of them. My first family, the Cartuyvels' have chickens and a fish, and 4 kids! The third family, the Golard's, have 4 kids as well (if I remember correctly) and a Brittany spaniel. Both families are already so gracious and welcoming. I can feel that I'll be at home in Belgium, and I'm not even there yet!

One of the things I'm most excited for is meeting all of the other kids going on exchange to my district. I've already talked to a few, and I can tell that we're going to be close friends.

À bientôt!

Mikayla