Saying Goodbye..

It is crazy that I am already saying goodbye to people. This morning I said goodbye to Harper, my best friend. We both cried so hard as we hugged and exchanged our final words. Just kidding, that's not what happened at all. We awkwardly hugged and said "later." I know, I know. Not a very touching goodbye story, but that's how it went down. I would have expected myself to be a little more emotional... but I guess I'm not. But she isn't either so it was all good. Our goodbye was short and painless. It is really weird though that that might have been the last time I'll see her(there is a chance I'm moving after exchange). Farewell Harp-a-Karp. I will miss you.

Last Best Friend Date at my favorite restaurant

Thank you Target worker

Last sleepover(notice Ben&Jerry's)

Last Best Friend Selfie

Last Few Days..

As of right now, 4:03 PM on August 30th, I have 4 days, 14 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds left in Alaska. We are now frantically getting everything ready. For example, today we went to AT&T to get my phone unlocked so I can take it to Germany. I'm not really sure if I'll actually be able to use it as a phone, but if I can't it will work as an iPod/camera. My suitcase is mostly packed and I have taken down everything on the walls of my room in preparation for my little brother to have it. Yesterday I hung out with Lukas again. For those of you who read this and are considering exchange, don't be dumb and make new friends right before you leave like I did. Tonight I am having my last date night with my best friend Harper! Harper and I have been friends since 5th grade. So 6 years. That's crazy! This is the second of my moves that we've gone through together, so we're pretty good at this whole "goodbye" thing. I will post pictures from tonight later. I'm very excited to leave but also scared to death. Once I'm on that plane there's no going back. Well actually there's already no going back because I already told a bunch of people I'm going to be an exchange student.. Prayers for a safe flight would be greatly appreciated! Thank y'all so much for taking the time to read this. Bye! Tchuss!

Lucy doesn't want me to go

1 Week 4 Days

I leave so soon! I have even begun my first phase of packing! You know, the one where you grab everything you could possibly want before you go back and think realistically. I have 13 pairs of shoes that I want to bring.. I know what you're thinking, "Madde, do you really need 13 pairs of shoes?" Well here is the answer: YES. Just kidding(kind of), I will TRY to get to under 10 pairs, but no promises. Also, being from Alaska, I have a jacket for just about ever weather type. That means I have about a million jackets. I don't know which ones to choose because I like them all! I mean what if its snowing but not quite cold enough for it to stick? I need a rain jacket, but one that's warmer than my rain jacket for the summer! So obviously I need to take a whole other jacket just in case that happens. On an entirely different note, 2 days ago was the Rotary softball game. Lukas and I practiced batting and I was really surprised and slightly jealous that he was actually not terrible. Maybe it's because he's a guy, or maybe I was just so awful that he looked great in comparison. It could go either way! Anyways, I ended up taking him to the State Fair with me and 2 best friends yesterday. I think he had fun. I mean I'm pretty sure he did, but again, it could go either way. We had donut burgers. They are burgers on a donut bun. It was kind of good but kind of weird. Make that REALLY weird. Lukas keeps trying to teach me German and I don't think my mouth was made to make those sounds! I sound like I'm choking/throwing up! Crazy to think that it's the language of my ancestors. I mean if they had never decided to come across to America I would probably be living in Germany! So today my little brother Riley looked at me and said, "I'm going to miss you Madde." That's the first time that he's said that. My Dad told me today, "When you leave I'm selling all of your clothes." Thanks Dad... Alright that is all I have to say! As always, thank you so much to Rotary for the best opportunity of my life and for being the greatest program out there!

Lukas, Harper, and I at the State Fair(Ayasha isn't pictured)

My little brothers on their 1st day of school

Me on their 1st day of school (note the pajamas)

Meeting the Inbound

Last week I was able to go to the airport and meet the Austrian inbound for my club as he got off the plane. The look on his face was a mix of happiness and immense confusion! It was interesting to see what it was like for him to step off a plane in a foreign country where no one speaks his language. I can only imagine what it will be like for me. His arrival only heightened my anxiety for when I leave. To be honest, I was fairly put out that his exchange had already started and here I was, still stuck in my home country. I know it is not the most mature way to look at it, but I can't help it! I'm just so excited and ready to set off on my own adventure. As excited as I am, the reality of what I'm about to do is starting to set in. Last night I dreamed that it was my last night in Alaska. I was terrified. In my dream I couldn't stop crying and I questioned actually going. When I woke up I had to remind myself that I still have 21 days until I leave. Even after the occasional self doubt, I am still 99.99% sure that this is something that I want and need to do. This might just be me but, I feel like there is an invisible boundary separating me from my friends who have already left for exchange. Just because they have already experienced what I'm waiting for. I don't feel like I can call myself an exchange student yet. That bothers me. It's like they're in a "club" that I can't join. I don't know, it's silly. It's something that a child in elementary school would think. Oh well, I will try to enjoy my last 22 days and attend as many Rotary functions as possible. Lukas, the Austrian inbound, and I made a pact that we would attempt to play in the Rotary softball game; neither of us know how to play. Wish us luck!