Holy Cannoli!

So a bunch of new exciting things have been happening in the past few weeks!

• I got Skype! I've been video chatting with Jaclyn (another inbound, from Missouri) and my Hannah (who's back in Wisconsin) so I've pretty much figured out how Skype works. If you're interested in Skyping, add me!
  
• My visa arrived yesterday! It's so pretty, sitting there in my passport. I panicked for a second today, because it says that it's only valid until October 15th, but then I remembered that it's supposed to be valid for that long. :) I have to go to the town hall in my city within 8 days of my arrival in Belgium to verify my visa and get it extended for the rest of the year.
• My laptop arrived today! I think he's going to be named Voldemort. I'm actually posting this from him. He's taking some getting used to, but overall I like him a lot.
• I discovered that the host counselor I was given on my Rotary paperwork is, in fact, not my host counselor. The man who is actually my host counselor is named Philippe, and he and I have corresponded a little. He will be there with my first host family to welcome me at the airport.
• I received my itinerary for my flights! I fly out of DIA on Friday, August 13th (just 15 days from now!) and arrive at Washington Dulles that afternoon. After a three hour layover, I board a flight for Bruxelles, Belgique! I arrive early in the morning (Belgian time) on August 14th. I can't believe it's so soon!
• I met a gentleman named Raphael, who exchanged to my hometown about two years ago. As it turns out, he knows my host families! In a country of 10 million people, who would've thought that it's such a small world?

Au revoir,

Mikayla

Update...

I sent in my visa paperwork (finally), and the travel agent tells me it takes about 5 weeks to get a visa, while the consulate's website says one week. I'm hoping it goes through quickly and without any glitches. I can't buy my plane ticket until my visa arrives, and if it takes all of 5 weeks, I'll have a week and a half left before I'm supposed to arrive. Pas bien. So keep your fingers crossed for a quick visa and open seats on the plane!

I heard back from Host Family Number Two, the Cuyckens. They sent me pictures of their family, which is awesome! All three of my families keep telling me how excited they are for me to come, which gives me warm fuzzies inside (yes, I'm serious). My first host mom, Mme. Cartuyvels, told me that she's starting to work on my room, and she hopes I like it. I wiggle with happiness whenever I think of it!

I've been talking to my host sister, Camille, who is in Mexico with Rotary right now. She returns en Belgique on the 16th of July, so we'll get to hang out when I'm there, which is exciting! She's so sweet, and offered to help me with my French (I'll need it) as long as I help her get a better accent with English (she speaks 3 languages: French, English, and Spanish. Her English is better than mine!). I can already tell we're going to be friends. :)

I can't wait to meet all of the other kids going to Belgium. I've gotten to know a few of them already via Facebook (what would we do without it?!) and I love them. I can't wait to see what kind of shenanigans we get into en Belgique!

Bisous,

Mikayla

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

Belgique!

Well mes amis, I finally know my host club (Hannut-Waremme) and my school (Sainte-Croix et Notre-Dame). At the outbound orientation next weekend, I'll meet with the travel agent to discuss plane tickets and departure dates and what not. I'm still waiting to hear from my host family/ies, and hopefully I'll start emailing and getting to know them soon.

Through Facebook, I've already had the chance to talk to some other people that are either going to or already in Belgium, which has been a great experience. It's good to know that other people are having the same concerns and thoughts that I am. Talking to these people has helped me relax and really start to look forward to going to Belgium.

Au revoir, mes amis!