I'm writing this about 6 months after the departure of my trip to Italy, the Vatican, Monaco, France, and Spain. I expected to come home a totally changed person, but that wasn't quite it. I changed, but not right away. After I again became accustom to my American life, I began the change. In relationships with others, in my writing, in my actions, and in my thoughts. Europe was the most eye opening, jaw dropping, thought provoking experience of my life. I met people who changed my life, who gave me memories to reminisce, and jokes to laugh at. I saw things that changed my point of view, led me to appreciate the smaller things, and widen my horizons. I've had people ask me if it was worth all the work. I answer truthfully, even if it were 10x more expensive, I'd work for that same experience. Its hard to describe it, as I've tried plenty of times. I look at my photos at least once a day. I still talk to my friends I traveled with and those I met while in Europe. Its amazing how many relationships I formed. Yes, I met a handsome Italian boy with bright blue eyes, but he knew little English, and I have yet to contact him since I've been in America. I hope to some day have the courage to. I miss the trip. I miss the people. I miss the food, the bread, the mineral water, the bus, the views. I've never really appreciated anything more. When in Rome... we were at the Trevi fountain during a scavenger hunt. At the time, the Trevi Fountain was under construction so there were these ginormous plastic/glass walls about 8 foot tall blocking people from entering the fountain. The saying is if you through a euro into the fountain, you're guaranteed to come back to Rome. Who wouldn't want to go back to Rome? So we faced our backs to the fountain and threw our euros over our heads. CLANK. The euros we had thrown hit the plastic/glass wall and shot back into the crowd on the street. We were SO embarrassed. All I remember is booking it with the rest of the small group I was with until we were far enough away. It was amazing. The hotels: only once did we come across an absolute disturbing hotel in Italy. It was filthy. When we pottied or showered, our bathroom flooded. We ended up using our friends' bathroom everytime after that. The homestay was amazing. I gained another family in Italy. They are beautiful and kind people. I miss them dearly. Maybe I miss them the most. France was gorgeous, but not what I expected. Only the last day in France was what really made me feel as if I were in France. One time, in Cannes, we got lost and I got to ask in French to a Frenchman how to get back to our meeting place. But the last day in Tautavel was absolutely amazing. We got to enjoy the French view and swim in fresh French waters, it was breathtaking. Spain went by too quickly. As we only really got to spend 3 days there. I wish we got more time, but oh well. I enjoyed every minute I was able to receive. On the last night, in Madrid, the goodbyes were very difficult. Saying goodbye to 45 people you spent 19 days with was very hard. We met as strangers and departed as family. We saw each other at our worse and best times, when we smelled and were filthy, while being emotional from something we experienced, when we were the happiest person alive. I got annoyed plenty of times, as I'm sure they also got annoyed with me, but I wouldn't have wanted to travel and see the world with anyone other than them. We had amazing leaders, Evie, James, April, Sara, and Brian (Becky and Pedro too). They taught so much and gave us their all. So I thank People to People Ambassadors for giving the experience of a lifetime. I hope my experience will inspire others, as they have further inspired and motivated myself. Feel free to message me if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you to all who made my trip possible to me, I dearly appreciate it each and every day. Ciao, au revoir, adios.
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Salut!
How time flies.. in 15 days I will be flying to Rome, Italy. That seems like nothing compared to 260 days when I first started to countdown! On Saturday, June 13th, our delegation had a "Bon Voyage" party. It was really fun! We all got to know each other better and made a lot of connections. I am so fortunate to be traveling with such an amazing group of people. We also got our People to People shirts, luggage tags, name tag/lanyard, and a cute little bag! It made it oh so more real. There was also some great food! Although I've talked to many people in our delegation and got to know them better, there are a few who I've been able to create some pretty awesome friendships with! After our Bon Voyage party, I went with my friend Gezelle to her house. Let me start out by saying how beautiful she is, along with her whole entire family, and their house. I am so glad I met them. They are really cultural, intelligent, creative, generous, nice, and very good in the kitchen. During that time with Gezelle, I could tell she will always be someone I would be able to call a friend. Its amazing how grateful their family is. She also has two snakes... and I loved them! They were really beautiful and kind. I am very grateful I got the opportunity to go to Gezelle's! Another person I have become to know quite well is Gabby. Gabby is from New York City, and her delegation group will also be traveling with ours. We talk over the phone all the time. We talk about everthing; our trip, how excited we are, our packing lists, our make-up, our dreams, what we are to expect, our families, our host families, etc. She is really amazing. Every morning either I greet her or she greets me with a "Goodmorning, only __ more days left!" message. Its amazing how just the anticipation and excitement can bond a friendship. I can't wait to meet her at the airport! Next week, I am hopefully going to spend time with Caroline and Megan (also part of our delegation) to get to know them better! That is something I am excited for as well. I never thought how many great memories this trip would create even before we left! I am very anxious to get to know everyone even better when we get to Europe. This past weekend I watched dogs for a woman who went out of town for the weekend. She had two golden retrievers, Goldie and Bennie, and a dog with a beautiful copper red fur, named Cooper. Cooper looked like a fox. The money I raised from that, I am buying my host family gifts! As the trip is nearing, I am getting more and more excited. Its finally coming true. I know I keep saying that, but its so very true! I will be in Europe, and every day makes it more... real! I am nervous for the plane ride, but other than that, the butterflies are good! I can't wait to share photos and tell everyone all about the trip. As many should know, I won't have wifi a lot (which I am ok with), but if I can't post every day like I'd like to, just know I will post as soon as I can! The next blog post I will post will most likely be at the end/middle of next week! And then again the night before, or maybe as I am driving to the airport! I can't wait to share my feelings with everyone. In 15 days, I will be on a trip of a lifetime with people I know will never forget. I am so very grateful for being able to have this opportunity! Thank you for your time, have a "très bonne" day :) There's 5 days left of school. 37 days left until I'm boarding an airplane and on my way to Europe with 39 other amazing people. It's to a point where I really am needing this vacation. The anticipation is fun as well! I love counting down the days, talking with fellow delegates, picking out outfits, buying things I need every now and then, and preparing myself for this trip. Its amazing how much you can connect with people by talking about dreams and being excited together - its so great! Exams are this week, but I'm very excited for them to be done and for summer to start.
This weekend my family and I had a garage sale, and I made $425! I'm so happy about that. That's going to go torwards the few things I need before my trip and the rest will be for spending money in Europe. I've been truly blessed. Thank you to everyone whose helped me! 37 days to go, but that seems like such a short period of time left. I really am trying to enjoy the present, but its so hard when you know what awaits in your near future. Life is so short, and I just want to try to enjoy it all. My family, God, school, friends - all of those things are right now, and I am very thankful. I am going to have to start veing more patient! Have a nice week! Enjoy the beginning of June. I will be back soon with another update! For any questions, email me at [email protected] Hello! I have some amazing news to share with everyone. I have FANTASTIC news actually. Today I have raised the final $250 I needed to raise to go to Europe with People To People Student Ambassadors. It was donated anonymously. I am so greatful, I am shedding tears. I have finally made it. As many know, traveling is my dream. Especially to France. Thanks to everyone who has supported me throughout this journey, my dreams are about to come true. All the proceeds from the garage sale I will be having will go torwards spending money in Europe. I'd like to thank my Nana and Papa for doing so much for me financially and with their emotional support. Thank you to my parents, who have listened to me talk about this trip non-stop since I was invited. Thank you to my amazing Uncle Scott and Aunt Kelly, and Aunt Naq and Uncle Justina. Thank you to everyone whose donated to me, to those who've sent me their best wishes, to those who've took a few minutes of their day to give me tips. In 50 days, I will be In Europe, thanks to all of you. Working really hard with your whole mind and heart pays off. This feeling of accomplishment is irreplaceable. Thank you everyone! Now I will focus on how to pack 3 weeks worth of items into one suitcase.
Thank you everyone, I cannot say it enough. Ciao, salut, hola! I am in such a positive mood. Summer is almost here, and I will be on a plane in 50 days - making my dreams come true! Yesterday was our LAST P2P meeting before we leave (we will be having a Bon Voyage picnic in June). And I am very close to have 100% of my trip raised.
At our meeting, we talked about the right choices we should make and the consequences we could face if we don't make the right choice. Especially being a Student Ambassador for America, we are expected to be on our best behaviors and being respectful, and personally I think that's amazing! I want the whole world to see that the United States does have respectful and good-minded people. We also did a simulation for understanding other culture's rules/beliefs/customs. Americans are different compared to Europeans, and we are going over there to make connections between the cultures! We can't expect them to change their ways for us, and they can't expect us to change for them - but we can always find ways to make it work and understand. Our delegation connected a lot today between the bag presentations, the jokes and laughs, the simulation, and being together. I am so happy to be able to have them as fellow delegates and travelling buddies. Another exciting thing was that we got our hotel information (thanks to my awesome friend, Gabby!) Fundraising! I am THRILLED to announce that I only have $250 to raise! That means I have raised about 96% of my trip's funds! I am confident I will be able to raise the 4% in the next 50 days☺. TO everyone whose donated to me and helped me: THANK YOU SO MUCH - I would not have gotten this close without you! A special thanks to the Corrells whom donated a generous amount to me for the second time! That made me speechless and very thankful. With being it being said that I still need $250, I am having a garage sale Friday, May 29th and Saturday, May 30th! There will be a lot of things (of mine and things donated), please stop by! Contact me for my address. I hope everyone has gotten some time to spend time outside, as it is gorgeous. Thanks to everyone for their time! I really appreciate it. In 5 days, I will have a complete Itinerary, and I am so excited for that, as well. Time does fly by, and as impatient I am for this trip, I am really trying to just be patient and enjoy the now, because the "now" is beautiful and irreplaceable. Have a great week! I will be back for another update soon! :) to contact me, email me at : [email protected] or fill out a contact form. Thank you! Hello!! How is everyone? Spring is finally here! The trees are blossoming and the flowers are starting to peak their way through the dirt. The weather is spectacular.
Just a quick update on my funds... On May 1st, we made my last P2P payment! Since I still have a little less than $950 left to raise, I am paying my parents directly back. I am very thankful they're letting me do this. I am just so proud of myself, because I have raised 88% of this trip so far, and I am still working to get the 12% yet to raise! Working so hard to accomplish this much and raise this much money will pay off the moment I walk onto the first plane. The best feeling I have experienced is working really hard for something that you've always dreamed of doing - this is a huge moment for me in life. If I could give someone with a dream advice, I would tell them to just keep working and trying your best - in the end, it will all pay off. I am so thankful for all the people, friends, family, businesses, churches, and online sources who helped me get this far. I would not have been able to do this without all of you! Our most recent meeting in April was amazing. Our leader gave us scenarios of what could happen and how we should deal with certain situations, and it all just became so clear... I am going to Europe in 65 days! I will be facing some tough situations and I will need to be prepared for them. It all just became so real. I think that for our whole delegation, we became closer. I can't wait for our last meeting in the middle of this month! And then we have our Bon Voyage picnic in June, which will be our last time seeing each other until departure day on July 7th! I remember when it was 165 days until our departure, and now its only 65 days! How time flies by... Don't forget, I am still doing a can drive - so if you have any cans that have a return deposit and that you wouldn't mind donating, let me know! I can pick them up anytime until July 7th (4th of July, bonfires, get-togethers, Memorial Day weekend, or any cans)! Just let me know ☺ Also, the weekend of May 30th I will be doing a garage sale at my house! I will have better time details in about a week. There will be a lot of clothes, books, toys, shoes, decorations, etc.! I am also taking any donations of items that I can sell! (yard tools, clothes, books, CDs/DVDs, electronics, toys, furniture, shoes, accessories, etc.) Thank you all so much! I hope to see you there. Thank you all again for your time! I appreciate it very much. Enjoy your beautiful Sunday afternoon! Any questions, comments, concerns, or donation info, please email me at : [email protected] Bonjour everyone! This warm weather is bringing my thoughts to summer... In the past week, so much has happened. Every moment is one step closer to Europe, and I am absolutely thrilled!
Last Wednesday we received our flying information! Our departure date is still July 7th and we fly out of Grand Rapids and have a connecting flight which will bring us to Rome! This news was very exciting, and I enjoy sharing it with everyone. Thanks to Just Between Friends Boutique in Kalkaska, I got 25% of their purchase income this past Saturday! Once I receive their generous contribution, it will help me take another step financially! I appreciate their generosity very much. Speaking of funds, I am very happy to say I have raised 82% of my trip funds! A big thanks to my neighbors, family, friends, local businesses, and the grant from Thrivent, I only have $1,281 to raise. May 1st is right around the corner, but I think I will be able to raise at least $281 by then. After May 1st, my parents letting me continue to raise money, and just pay them back directly before July 7th ☺ I am quite confident I will be able to raise the rest of my funds by my departure date, and most likely before! Thank you to everyone who have donated, helped with fundraising, and sponsored me! To raise the rest of the $1,281, I have a few more current and upcoming fund raisers! A local business in Traverse City, Michigan, called Afrnt (All for Reaching New Talents) has donated me hats to sell for $20 each! I get all of the profit from these hats. For each hat sold, another hat from Afrnt will be personally delivered and donated to someone in need. Afrnt is an inspiring business, they help so many people achieve their dreams, including me! Make sure to check them out. I will include photos of the hats with this blog post. If you'd like to buy one from me, contact me. I can either deliver the hat, if you're near by, or I could possibly ship it! The hats are 100% made in the USA, and labeled and shipped from Michigan ☺ Contact me for more information / details. Another fundraiser I am doing is a garage sale! The garage sale will be Fri. May 29th, Sat. May 30th, and Sun. May 31st! I will include more details closer to the sale date. Any donations to my garage sale would be much appreciated! Any clothing, books, DVDs, music, furniture, games, cloth, dishes, kitchen supplies, tools, lawn tools, etc. will be greatly appreciated! I can even pick items up! If you have anything to donate, please let me know ☺ Thank you very much. Also, i am currently collecting cans until July for their return deposit. Thank you very much for your time! I really do appreciate it. My dream trip is nearing everyday, and I am learning a lot to use in my daily life.. thank you all for helping me be able to accomplish this much! To contact me, you can fill out a contact form, comment on this blog, or email me at [email protected] Thanks! Good morning everyone!
This Saturday, April 11th, make sure you stop by Just Between Friends Boutique! They are donating 25% of purchases to my funds for Europe! Just Between Friends Boutique carries brands like Miss Me and Silver Jeans Co., but there are also cute fashionable items for less cost! They have stylish clothing, shoes, jewelry, and accessories! Make sure you stop by... because Spring is here and Summer is right around the corner! Start your spring/summer closet now to get a good start, and to make sure you get the cutest styles. Just Between Friends Boutique has two locations, one in Bellaire and the other in Kalkaska! I will personally be at the Kalkaska location for the day. Both locations have the cutest and most fashionable items! That being said... make sure this Saturday, April 11th, you're at Just Between Friends Boutique and help me reach my funds so that I can go to Europe. 25% of your purchase will be donated to me. Thank you! If you'd like to stop by on Saturday, April 11th and have 25% of your purchase to be donated to my trip, Just Between Friends' location will be below! 330 S. Cedar St., Kalkaska, MI - 10AM-6PM 105 Bridge St., Bellaire, MI - 11AM-9PM https://www.facebook.com/JBFKalkaska Remember, Spring is here and Summer is right around the corner! Stop in to treat yourself or someone you care about! Thank you! Hello! I hope everyone's Easter went well! Mine was filled with family, fun, and food. The rise of Jesus is always a powerful day. My Papa created a very exciting egg hunt!
A quick update on how I am doing with my funds! With the $750 that Thrivent Financial is granting me, I have earned $5,284! I am very thankful for everyone who've help me reach this amount. Which means I have $2,129 more to raise! I am came so far.. I started at $0, and now I've raised 71% of my total trip cost! I couldn't have done this without everyone's time, patience, and kindness! Thank you. This coming Saturday (April 11th), don't forget to stop into Just Between Friends Boutique! They have two locations - Bellaire, MI and Kalkaska, MI. They are donation me 25% of all sales on Saturday, April 11th! They have the cutest items - from clothes, to shoes, and even accessories! Spring is here & Summer is a few short weeks away - start shopping now! Please stop in to these fashionable store, and 25% of your purchase will go toward my trip to Europe through People to People Ambassador Program! Thank you. Locations : 330 S. Cedar St., Kalkaska, MI - For hours, call 231-384-7638 105 Bridge St., Bellaire, MI - For hours, call 231-350-7156 https://www.facebook.com/JBFKalkaska Any donations made out to People to People directly should be sent in the mail by April 23rd, or paid online no later than April 30th! As People to People is restricting all donations and payments after May 1st! Thank you very much. All donations made in my name or my dad's name have the deadline of July 6th. Thank you all very much! I will be having a garage sale mid-May! Details are coming shortly. If you have anything to donate, please contact me. Thank you all for spending this time to read my blog! It means a lot to me. On Thursday I will be posting an entry with 100% details of Just Between Friends Boutique and their upcoming generous contribution, and next Saturday or Sunday I will post an entry filled with info on how Saturday went and flight details! Have an amazing week and enjoy the crisp Spring weather.. as the saying goes, "April showers bring May flowers." Thank you all! Any questions / comments / concerns : [email protected] Good afternoon on this sunny Spring day!
I have some fantastic news to share! On April 11, make sure you stop by Just Between Friends in Kalkaska, MI. On this Saturday, 25% of the money they bring in from purchases will be going torwards my trip! Just Between Friends is a local boutique in Kalkaska, MI, with fashionable & stylish clothing and accessories. Where's a better place to start your spring and summer closet? Or what about birthday gifts? Stop by Just Between Friends on April 11th to help support my trip to Europe through People to People Ambassador Program! I am so thankful that Just Between Friends Boutique is giving me this amazing opportunity. I will be there for part of the day! Its not every day that a local business is this generous and kind - Thank you Just Between Friends Boutique! Visit Just Between Friends Boutique on their Facebook page and their website! https://m.facebook.com/JBFKalkaska http://justbetweenfriendsmi.weebly.com/ If you'd like to stop by on Saturday, April 11th and have 25% of your purchase to be donated to my trip, Just Between Friends' location and hours will be below! 330 S. Cedar St, Kalkaska, MI Hours Saturdays : 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Remember, Spring is here and Summer is right around the corner! Stop in to treat yourself or someone you care about! Thank you! I've posted quite a few blog entries in the past week! With my departure date being less than 100 days away (99 days to be exact), I've been very busy! Today I'd like to tell you about the grant that Thrivent Financial for Christians is giving to me, a reminder about my upcoming garage sale, the can drive, and a few details about my trip ☻
Yesterday, I gave a presentation at the 8:00 AM service and the 10:15 AM service at Lebanon Lutheran church. The presentation was sponsored by Thrivent Financial. I told the congregation a little about my trip through People to People and what I will be doing. I gave brief details of whom was going and what my delegation group & I are doing as preparation. I also told them what Thrivent is doing for me! Thrivent Financial is a insurance agency for all Christians. My grandparents are clients of Thrivent. I met with the two agents in our local Thrivent office about a month or two ago, and that's when they offered me a grant of $750! Thrivent has sponsored my trip and my dreams, and I am very appreciative of this. In addition to the $750 I should be receiving from Thrivent Financial, $171 was donated to me from the families and people of Lebanon Lutheran's congregation. I'd like to give a huge thanks to Thrivent for giving me this opportunity and to do so with faith, to the people from Lebanon Lutheran who helped me raise $171, Eric Nelson who helped me with this presentation, my family, Pastor Ogden, and as well as my grandparents☻. I'd like to share a few things that I will get to experience while in Europe.. and to be specific, my home stay. Our home stay is expected to be in Spain. One to two delegates will be with each family (home stay). During our home stay, which will be 3 days and 3 nights, we get to spend time with a local Spanish family, eat and cook their traditional food, and spend time with them! I will bring a few little gifts for my home stay family, for I hope they always remember me. Its amazing that People to People give us this opportunity to spend time with citizens of the countries we will be visiting - there's no better way to understand people than by living their every day lifestyle! Just a quick reminder... I will be having a garage sale in mid-May, and if you have anything to donate, please contact me! I'm also currently having a can drive, where I can pick up your plastic/glass/aluminum cans to return for their deposit return! ☻ May 1st is right around the corner, and I'd like to raise as much of my funds for my trip as possible! Although, I will be paying my parents back of what I don't earn before May 1st! Once I receive the grant money from Thrivent, I will have $5,000 out of the $7,500 needed! Thank you to everyone who have helped me get this far! I am very thankful. I'll be on soon to update everyone! Have a wonderful Easter and enjoy the spring break! Let's hope that the weather might warm up soon! Talk to you all soon ☻ Thank you! Good afternoon everyone! On this sunny, yet chilly Saturday, I have my mind set on preparing for my upcoming trip this summer! This blog entry will be detailed for my upcoming fundraising activities... a garage sale & a can drive!
Keeping in mind that all money is due by May 1st for the trip. I need about $3,500 more - and I am worried I won't get that before May 1st.. so my parents & I came up with an agreement that I have to raise at least $1000 more by May 1st and they'll pay for the rest of my tuition so I can still go on the trip.. but I will pay them back from the money I make past May 1st! Can-drive : For this can-drive, I am asking for local people to donate their plastic and glass cans/bottles for me to return the store. Once I've returned them, I would keep the 10 cent deposit return! Each cent counts! I will start this can-drive now and it go up until the date of my departure (July 7th). If you have cans/bottles, but have no time to return them, I am more than willing to pick them up, or you could drop them off at my house! Merci beaucoup! (thank you very much) Garage sale : With April's chilly temperatures, we are planning to have our garage sale a weekend or two in May. Since my parents are letting me pay them directly back, I can still do fundraisers after May 1st! I don't have an exact date yet, but I will let everyone know the details as soon as I know! I'm asking family and friends to donate items they don't want anymore.. such as : tools, movies, sporting goods, CDs/DVDs, office equipment, computer stuff, electronics, cords/chargers/etc., yard supplies, toys, magazines, beauty/health products, jewelry, books, furniture, lawn care, games etc.! I will also sell baked goods, lemonade, sodas, and water bottles Bonjour :) How is everyone today? The weather is getting cooler again, but my spirits are high that it will warm up soon! A lot has happened in the past few weeks and I'm very excited to share with you all! In the bottom of this entry, I will include some reminders (about donating, fundraising, etc.)!
These past few weeks have been packed with activity... between soccer, People to People, schools, and friends and family, I am always on my feet! I love how busy I've been. Although, it is nice to relax once I'm in bed and read a book and/or think of how in a few months, my dreams will become reality! I have so many to thank for my dreams coming true, and I couldn't be any more appreciative and happy! I have a few REMINDERS :
Thank you all for your time! Our next meeting is April 19th, but I hope to be on in the next week! Have a great day and look forward to the warm weather. I'll be back soon! Thank you. Email : [email protected] Hello! How is everyone? Today it reached 37 degrees! It felt very warm after being in the negatives for over a month. I enjoyed our winter, but I'm not complaining that Spring is just around the corner.
To start my update, I want to begin by letting you know that our trip has been pushed back by 2 days. We are now leaving July 7th and coming home on July 25th. A two day difference to me isn't bad whatsoever ☺. This whole weekend I've been writing letters to local businesses about my trip - it took me a while, but I did most of them! Businesses should be getting them in the mail in the next few days. I'm excited for Spring to start so that I can begin to do more outdoor fundraising activities. Thanks to my neighbors, I just returned $116.30 worth of bottles for my trip, wahoo!! I am so thankful for everyone who has kept me in their thoughts and who've been helping me. Soccer tryouts starts tomorrow, and our next P2P meeting is on March 22nd (about two weeks). I have all my necessary forms and documents filled out, so I am very excited! Everyone have a great week! I should be updating again after my next meeting ☺ Thank you for taking your time to read this and keep up to date with my site. it means a lot!! Hello Hello! Oh, it has been a long time and I apologize. I forgot my password to my Weebly account and couldn't log in. (no excuses though).
Its belated, but I hope all your holidays were merry and joyful. I've been quite busy with school, exams, soccer, and with People to People. No complaints whatsoever! I really enjoy keeping busy. I know in the long-run, it will all be worth it. Whats been happening since I last updated my page :
All of these activities have been fulfilling and very exciting for me! Each and every day goes by and I realize how close I am getting to my dream! I have so many to thank for helping me come closer to my dream. I am very happy to share that I now have had just shy of $4,000 raised and donated for my trip! I am so thankful for my Mom and Dad, my other family member, my friends, and all who have helped me achieve this much. Our next meeting is March 22nd and I'm absolutely thrilled! I have been working on all that I need to do to get my high school credit, as well. Thank you all very much! And again, I apologize for the LONG wait. I have changed the password, so now its safe and remembered. PS, I will most another update withing the next two or three weeks :) stay well and warm everyone. Bonjour! Wow, it has been so busy these past few weeks! With our 18 week assessments and the Holiday, I've been very busy. Thanksgiving was very lovely. I spent it with my Dad and his girlfriend. To me, Thanksgiving is just a day to remind us to be thankful. I think we all know that us Americans like to hurry hurry hurry. Sometimes we are going so fast that we forget to give thanks and express our appreciation. It reminded me that although I need to keep busy with all my fundraising, that I need to take time to spend time with my friends and family personally. Last week my Gramie helped me sell chocolate and candles to people around her house. I was very thankful that I got to spend the day with her, as well as fund-raise. I am so greatful and thankful for all of those who are reading my blog and supporting my dream of traveling and becoming a Student Ambassador. Your donations, kind words, and advice have been so nice. Every sort of support is amazing. Thank you all very much!!
I have good news to share as well! Last week I was depositing donations, chocolate and candle funds, and babysitting money into my account, and I have just gone over $2,000! I am so thankful for this as well! I have a little over 2/7 of the funds that I need for my trip! I thank everyone who has contributed to that. I also thank those who could not send a donation, but who sent their good lucks and nice letters. With Christmas and the New Year's coming up, I send out my warm wishes to everyone. I will post another update in the next week or two! Thank you all for your time, and have a good day. PS, Our first official People to People meeting got pushed to December 20th. I can't wait o share of my experience! This week has been very good! I would just like to begin by saying thank you to all Marines and Veterans out there. Without you, we wouldn't be here today. November 10th was the USMC's birthday, and November 11th was Veteran's Day. I would also like to say that those two days are just reminders to be thankful. I am thankful each and every day for our Veterans. God blesses us Americans with our strong military. THANK YOU VETS!
Secondly, I am here to update you of how my trip is progressing! Everything seems to be going well and on track. I had my last racking job last week, and yesterday I woke up to a ton of snow. I have received a few generous, and everyday I'm becoming more and more excited! Right now, I have $1,673 towards my trip. I am so thankful for everyone who is contributing to me, and all who let me rake/babysit/etc in exchange for a donation. It means so very much to me! (Visit the "Special Thanks" page to read more). We recently received an update with how much our international air surcharge is going to be. Now my total due for the trip is going to be $7,120. I have no worry though, I know I will be able to work and raise the cost! This is the trip of my dreams. Just one more thanks to all Veterans who have or recently serve this amazing country! My thoughts and prayers are with you. And also thank you to everyone who has contributed a donation, their time, and their kind support. It means a lot! P.S. Our next People to People meeting is December 13th! I'm very excited. Hello!! To help raise money for my People to People student ambassador trip in Europe this upcoming summer, I'm selling candles as a fundraiser! Each candle is $5. They are homemade by KU Kandles in North Muskegon. The candles sents are: Macintosh Apple, Very Vanilla, Hot Apple Pie, Spiced Cranberry, Sugar Cookie, Apple Cinnamon, Cranberry & Pine, and Pumpkin Pie! These are great gifts for the holidays, which are right around the corner! Please let me know if you're interested. Thank you.
Also, if you're going Black Friday Shopping, I am available to babysit! I am a certified baby sitter. Message me for more details! Thank you. Salut! How is everyone today? I'm actually thoroughly enjoying this fall season.
Just an update about my progressing trip and my fundraising :) I'm really enjoying fundraising. Being outside and raking for families has been really good for me. Thank you, to the families who've let me clean up their yard! :) I always feel relieved after a raking job. Everyone has been so kind and nice to me. Not only have I been raking yards, but I've also been selling chocolate bars. My family has purchased a few. Also, a lot of students at my school come to me between classes, before school, and after school to buy chocolate or candy. Just from selling chocolate, I've already raised $200 in one week! :) I want to say thank you to all my peers at schools, my teachers, my family, my neighbors, and my friends who have donated to my fundraising. I'm very appreciative. Everything helps, even a dollar. I want to give a HUGE thanks to my Nana and Papa who donated $1,000! Their generous donation has helped me very much. They gave me a nice platform to build my fundraising upon. THANK YOU Nana & Papa, you gave me a gift that I'd never have imagined, so thank you thank you thank you. I also want to thank a few more specifics, like the Nelson family for buying a whole box of chocolate, my Aunt for donation $30 and giving me creative ideas, to my parents for being patient with me and helping me, to Eric Nelson and Emily Ward for volunteering their time to help me fund raise. To everyone who has donated, and/or those who have listened to my story and goal. Everything helps, and I'm very very appreciative!! Thank you to EVERYONE! P.S. If you need a babysitter, I've taken the Red Cross Babysitting Course, and I am certified. Thank you again for everything!! HAPPY HALLOWEEN - All candy/chocolate is $1 for the day! :) Until this school year is over, I will be selling chocolate! (and other candies). All funds will be going towards my People to People trip! I got the boxes of fundraiser candy at Gordon Food Services.
I will be selling the candy bars for $2 each, or $5 for 3! ☺ Stop by my locker or my house if you'd like some. Or contact me if you'd like to buy them. Thank you! To fund-raise for our People to People trip, Lilli and I are doing a fall-clean up. All funds will be going towards our People to People trip in the summer of 2015.
~Raking both your front and back yard ranges from $25-$35! If you're in the Whitehall area, and you would like to set up a clean-up date, please feel free to email me at [email protected]. Thank you!! :) As of today, I have been officially accepted into the People to People Ambassador family! Last night I went to my interview, and I would have to say it went really well. I was really intrigued by our Delegation Leader's past experiences (all good stories of course). I am even more excited now that the beginning of this our journey has finally begun. I also wish my best friend Lilli congratulations on also making People to People. Having her by my side for the next few months will be great, I know we can count on each other. This coming summer will be one to remember forever. It's a once in a lifetime experience that I will always look back on and cherish.
Now... it's time to start the fundraising! Lilli and I are planning on starting our fundraising this coming weekend. For the kick-off fundraiser, we are doing a fall clean up! Which will include raking, cutting the grass, pulling out weeds, and cutting down plants. For prices and more details, email me at [email protected]. Thank you :) Well, today has been a really great Monday. I hope everyone has enjoyed theirs as well. Goodnight. Hello, my name is Kaytlyn! I would like to include a few things about me, a little bit of my People to People experience so far.
If you've read my other pages on my site, you've hopefully realized how serious I am about People to People. This summer I'm hoping and praying to be able to go to Europe with my best friend, Lilli. We will be visiting five countries: Italy, Monaco, the Vatican City, France, and Spain. Throughout this journey, we will be learning about the history of each of these places, and creating memories and histories of our own, not to mention, we will be becoming more responsible and mature. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I'm more than willing to work and earn my way to Europe for the summer of 2015! Ever since I was young, I've had a desire to travel. Europe has always been my number one choice, but only since fifth grade I've had the fascination of France. I started to learn the language in seventh grade, and I fell in love with it. The way the r's sounded, and how the h's were silent. Every day I'd love it even more. Ever since seventh grade I've continued my studies in French, ( I also have taken a year of Spanish). Knowing that my dream to visit France is more than likely going to come true, it makes me so happy. Not just being able to visit France makes me happy, but just being able to experience other cultures and seeing diversity right in front of my eyes. In school, I'm also part of a few after school activities. The Chem Club, which is a club that you can learn more about Chemistry. BPA, which stands for Business Professionals of America. My events for BPA are the Global Marketing Team, as well as Human Resource Management. This school year, I have also created my own club, its an environmental club. Our first goal is to make recycling become one of our everyday tasks. I play one sport, which is soccer. I currently take French online during my sixth hour, because our school doesn't offer it as an actual class. To have my dream come true, I will need to raise $6,499. I'm not expecting all the money to be given to me, but I do want to earn the money. I'm coming up with different and exciting fundraising ideas in my head as I type this. It won't be easy, I know, but having my dream finally come true will be worth it. For one of my next few blog entries, I will include my different fundraising activities. Thank you so much for your time! Here is a photo of me (on the left) and my best friend Lilli (on the right) right before our very first People to People meeting a while ago! |
Kaytlyn H.Here I'll be sharing my experiences and thoughts of traveling with the People to People organization. I'll be updating this as much as I can, so everyone can stay updated! Archives
June 2015
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