Pau
Ma ville
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Skype Has Found A Place In My Heart
Hey everyone,
First, I'd like to start out by telling you that I've been talking to my host family a lot. They are very very very cool and nice. I'll talk about them in further detail in a moment. Also, I skyped with these lovely people a few days ago with my mom. Speaking of my mom, I'll mention how she completely fulfilled the American stereotype. The Kerloc'h's speak amazing English and are fluent with a miniscule accent. I tried to speak French with them, but I had to keep translating for my mom, so they ended up speaking English. I really hope we can skype again though, because I want to try talking only in French without my loud mom next to me. Anyways, yes, back to my mom fulfilling stereotypes. Here is an example of her conversation:
"THE - FOOD - AT - OUR - SCHOOL..... BLEHHHHH! *"Insert my mom's face with her tongue sticking out and her finger pointing at her mouth*
I'll include how they understood our English perfectly, so there was no need for... well... that^.
Here is a description of them. :)
Elodie Bordere- Elodie is the soon-to-be stepmother of Solen and Diane. Her and Carl will be getting married in August, so she said I will be able to help with the wedding preparations, which I am absolutely thrilled to help with!!! She emails about the family's weekends and updates me on what life in France is like. I love it! She is very nice and very informative! Oh, and she is a doctor.
Carl Kerloc'h- Soon-to-be married to Elodie. He has two daughters, Solen and Diane. He is also a doctor and he runs! (If you're reading this Beef, rest assured that I am placed with a family who enjoys to run! Hopefully I'll be in shape for the cross country season!) He is also a doctor and he seemed like a funny man when I skyped with him!
Solen Kerloc'h- Solen is 17 and she'll be living in New Zealand while I'm in France. I think she leaves 2 days before I arrive at her home. She is participating with AFS and will be gone for 6 months, as well. I'll be staying in her room. I've also been emailing her! We each write part of our emails in French and the other in English. This way we both practice reading and writing our second languages.
Diane Kerloc'h- Diane is 14 and really awesome. She will be my host sister while I'm in France. I'm very excited to meet her and live in the same household as her, because I've never had a sister. We have also emailed and I made a swell introduction as I asked five very odd and random questions as an ice breaker. :) She is studying English, too. She'll be visiting New York during a two-week trip to the U.S. with her school in May.
Clemence: Of course, Clemence! She is 5 years old and so cute! She lives with her mother but I will see her on vacations!
They are such a wonderful family and I am so happy to have been placed with them! Less than a month before I leave! Bitter-sweet moments ahead of me!
Update on the AFS things going on:
* I had my 'Webinar' yesterday night. Me and other AFSers going to France got to talk to returnees.
* I have orientation on January 15
* I must be in New York for Pre-departure Orientation on January 25
* I leave the United States of America on January 26
* I arrive in Paris for a three-day orientation after that.
Woah, here comes the adventure.
First, I'd like to start out by telling you that I've been talking to my host family a lot. They are very very very cool and nice. I'll talk about them in further detail in a moment. Also, I skyped with these lovely people a few days ago with my mom. Speaking of my mom, I'll mention how she completely fulfilled the American stereotype. The Kerloc'h's speak amazing English and are fluent with a miniscule accent. I tried to speak French with them, but I had to keep translating for my mom, so they ended up speaking English. I really hope we can skype again though, because I want to try talking only in French without my loud mom next to me. Anyways, yes, back to my mom fulfilling stereotypes. Here is an example of her conversation:
"THE - FOOD - AT - OUR - SCHOOL..... BLEHHHHH! *"Insert my mom's face with her tongue sticking out and her finger pointing at her mouth*
I'll include how they understood our English perfectly, so there was no need for... well... that^.
Here is a description of them. :)
Elodie Bordere- Elodie is the soon-to-be stepmother of Solen and Diane. Her and Carl will be getting married in August, so she said I will be able to help with the wedding preparations, which I am absolutely thrilled to help with!!! She emails about the family's weekends and updates me on what life in France is like. I love it! She is very nice and very informative! Oh, and she is a doctor.
Carl Kerloc'h- Soon-to-be married to Elodie. He has two daughters, Solen and Diane. He is also a doctor and he runs! (If you're reading this Beef, rest assured that I am placed with a family who enjoys to run! Hopefully I'll be in shape for the cross country season!) He is also a doctor and he seemed like a funny man when I skyped with him!
Solen Kerloc'h- Solen is 17 and she'll be living in New Zealand while I'm in France. I think she leaves 2 days before I arrive at her home. She is participating with AFS and will be gone for 6 months, as well. I'll be staying in her room. I've also been emailing her! We each write part of our emails in French and the other in English. This way we both practice reading and writing our second languages.
Diane Kerloc'h- Diane is 14 and really awesome. She will be my host sister while I'm in France. I'm very excited to meet her and live in the same household as her, because I've never had a sister. We have also emailed and I made a swell introduction as I asked five very odd and random questions as an ice breaker. :) She is studying English, too. She'll be visiting New York during a two-week trip to the U.S. with her school in May.
Clemence: Of course, Clemence! She is 5 years old and so cute! She lives with her mother but I will see her on vacations!
They are such a wonderful family and I am so happy to have been placed with them! Less than a month before I leave! Bitter-sweet moments ahead of me!
Update on the AFS things going on:
* I had my 'Webinar' yesterday night. Me and other AFSers going to France got to talk to returnees.
* I have orientation on January 15
* I must be in New York for Pre-departure Orientation on January 25
* I leave the United States of America on January 26
* I arrive in Paris for a three-day orientation after that.
Woah, here comes the adventure.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Counting My Memories(3)
 |
| XC: Apparently this is the only picture blogspot will let me upload, so I guess we'll have to deal. <3 |
Monday, December 26, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
You fascinate me more than the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.
First, the title of this blog is a math pick-up line. My math class was thinking of pick-up lines, and I found this beauty on the internet. Such winners. Anyways, I needed a title for this blog and this cracked me up, so voila!
(I am also procrastinating. But if you're reading my blog, you must be, too. Alors, it doesn't matter!)
Alright, I received an email from my host family! They sound very nice, and I am friends with them on Facebook now! My 17 year old host sister will be in New Zealand while I am there, but I also have a 14 year old sister who will go to the middle school in my town. In addition, I found out I have a 5 year old host sister, and although she lives with her mom, I will probably see her on vacations. Both of my host parents are doctors and they live an hour away from the beach and the mountains. They have a vacation house in both of these areas and like to ski, shop, garden, et plus. Oh, they have a pool, too! Pretty crazy, pretty awesome! I don't think I have school on Saturdays either, and I have only a half-day on Wednesdays. I ride a school bus in the morning with my two neighbors who I will meet quickly upon my arrival. They go to my school! I have about a two hour lunch break, as well. I also think they run, because I saw picture of them in races on Facebook! (Insert a 'yay' for Cross Country team). Um, well... right! They also have a cute kitten! Basically, I am very excited to meet them and I only have around 52 days until I depart for France. It will be a bitter-sweet day, but I'll focus on that at a later time! Thanks for reading!! Bon soir!
(Must I do AP US History?(This is a form of sentence we are learning in French.I applied school into my post three times! Impressive.))
(I am also procrastinating. But if you're reading my blog, you must be, too. Alors, it doesn't matter!)
Alright, I received an email from my host family! They sound very nice, and I am friends with them on Facebook now! My 17 year old host sister will be in New Zealand while I am there, but I also have a 14 year old sister who will go to the middle school in my town. In addition, I found out I have a 5 year old host sister, and although she lives with her mom, I will probably see her on vacations. Both of my host parents are doctors and they live an hour away from the beach and the mountains. They have a vacation house in both of these areas and like to ski, shop, garden, et plus. Oh, they have a pool, too! Pretty crazy, pretty awesome! I don't think I have school on Saturdays either, and I have only a half-day on Wednesdays. I ride a school bus in the morning with my two neighbors who I will meet quickly upon my arrival. They go to my school! I have about a two hour lunch break, as well. I also think they run, because I saw picture of them in races on Facebook! (Insert a 'yay' for Cross Country team). Um, well... right! They also have a cute kitten! Basically, I am very excited to meet them and I only have around 52 days until I depart for France. It will be a bitter-sweet day, but I'll focus on that at a later time! Thanks for reading!! Bon soir!
(Must I do AP US History?(This is a form of sentence we are learning in French.I applied school into my post three times! Impressive.))
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Host Family :)
I found my host family! I don't know much about them yet, but I have two sisters, a host dad, and a host stepmother. I don't even know their ages! I do know that their occupation is in the medicine field, they live in Billere, France, and I think they have a newly constructed house(because of the 'under construction' sign on Google Earth). Their city is about an hour and a half from Spain and the beach, and their climate is pretty similar to ours(a bit warmer). I'm disappointed to have no brothers, because I'm used to living with guys and I'm pretty sure guys are more fun than girls(at home). I don't mind living with a guy 24/7, but I don't think my host sisters will share my passion for card games and soda chugging contests(Actually, most guys probably don't either, but my brothers do!). Maybe they'll enjoy hearing my stories though, whereas my brothers tend to zone off. ;) Haha, I don't know, maybe I'll end up liking it more!
So, I'm excited to hear from them soon, because I'm emailing them tonight. Feel free to give me a confidence boost in school, because I can hardly sleep with all this France stuff on my mind. Hooray for a little under three hours of sleep last night! I hope you all had great Thanksgivings!
So, I'm excited to hear from them soon, because I'm emailing them tonight. Feel free to give me a confidence boost in school, because I can hardly sleep with all this France stuff on my mind. Hooray for a little under three hours of sleep last night! I hope you all had great Thanksgivings!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
France Likes Me
Hey everyone! I definitely was accepted by AFS-France. Just so you know! We're now selling decorative birdhouses. They are pretty sweet! Each birdhouse is a bit different in color and beautiful- so you should definitely order one! They are $14.95 and a very decent size! Buy one for your mom for Christmas, buy one for your house, and/or buy one to decorate! Photos will be posted on Facebook soon!
Oh! And for any of my school chums, I'm bringing my camera to school to get videos of some of my classes. I wanted to have them in case I need to give presentations in France! So, if you want to be in it and say something, just tell me! You'll have a bunch of French people watching you, which is pretty cool! The two best videos so far are Heather Brotzman and everyone at that one lunch table. They crack me up. Okay, I'm rambling a lot. Hopefully I'll hear about my host family soon!
P.S.- If I must send you through a guilt trip to get you to give me money, I will. So, you could a)Buy a lovely birdhouse. b)Donate in Person!
:)
I am by no means saying that I am not grateful for your previous donations and help, because I am! But! I need to make a lot more money! That should be enough details.
Oh! And for any of my school chums, I'm bringing my camera to school to get videos of some of my classes. I wanted to have them in case I need to give presentations in France! So, if you want to be in it and say something, just tell me! You'll have a bunch of French people watching you, which is pretty cool! The two best videos so far are Heather Brotzman and everyone at that one lunch table. They crack me up. Okay, I'm rambling a lot. Hopefully I'll hear about my host family soon!
P.S.- If I must send you through a guilt trip to get you to give me money, I will. So, you could a)Buy a lovely birdhouse. b)Donate in Person!
:)
I am by no means saying that I am not grateful for your previous donations and help, because I am! But! I need to make a lot more money! That should be enough details.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Accepted!
I forgot to add this in the previous post, but I have definitely been accepted by AFS-USA! I Think(emphasis on the word 'think') that I have been accepted by AFS-France, but I am a little unsure because....(story time)
They sent me an email saying I was accepted, but then I received a phone call saying to disregard that email. Later, probably the next week, I got the email again, but it could be legit. So... we'll see about that. I'm not too nervous about being accepted though, because I think the only reason they don't accept people is if you're a terrorist or something. Oh well, only time will tell.
Also, I can't wait until I actually can start writing things on here that people are interested in! A.K.A. My adventures abroad. Such as new foods, my bound-to-happen difficulties, trouble with speaking, funny situations, hot guys(for almost everyone of my friends that has insisted I find a hot guy(s) and another one for them. I feel it's sad that I had to add an 's' on guys-in regard to my lunch table's expectations that won't be fulfilled.), and a billion other things that would probably be more interesting than the ones I mentioned already. Okay, well, have a good night!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
All Is Done. Oh Wait, Payments...
First of all, I have been reading blogs by other AFSers that are actually in France right now. They make me very excited for my departure, but there are still a million things to worry about, so I have a few interesting weeks ahead of me. I had my AFS interview, but it isn't that big of a deal. Yet! There is a funny story I wanted to tell about that, but not on here. :) Curious? I thought so. Anyways, I received my payment letter thing in the mail today. It is one of the lasts things I want to worry about, but it is probably the most important. I have gotten as much money as I can, but I can't do anymore fundraisers for the moment. (My mom doesn't want me to fundraise for odd reasons.) So, this post is basically meant to update all of you who actually care about what is going on. For everyone interested in studying abroad in the future, be sure to know that this isn't all fun and games! Haha, there is SO much work, stress, anxiety, preparations, learning, and studying! But also keep in mind that it is a once in a lifetime sort of thing, so it will all be worth it in the end! I have read and talked to a bunch of people who have studied in France, or are in France right now, and they are having so much fun as they grow in their language knowledge(language knowledge? Yes, I'm tired)! Obviously, I am very tired right now, because although my vocabulary and grammar is usually bad(mostly my vocabulary), it is horrible tonight. So I hope you enjoy critiquing! Have fun!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Application
I will finally be completely done with my application tomorrow! It took much longer than expected, due to the lengthy medical forms I had to find and fill out, as well as the shots I had to panic through. Last week, I had my blood drawn, and in case any of you were interested, I'm A+. :) Let us pretend this reflects my grades! That was the last thing I needed to do for my form, so I'll send in my application tomorrow(with a due date of Friday). This whole process has been tiring and tedious, but I am so happy to know that it will no longer be on my mind and I can stop constantly worrying to the point of insanity. Next thing on my list is to finish that intense scholarship essay as soon as humanly possible. Let's hope AP US History doesn't get in my way. Wish me luck!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Last Day for Lottery Tickets
I think my blog for France has turned into my blog for fundraising. Oh well, be assured that I will be posting ALL about France when I'm there. For now, I'll stick to talking about fundraising. It is the last day to buy a lottery ticket. They are $10 each and go by the PA daily evening number. Thanks to everyone who has bought a ticket, and I hope those who haven't will buy one! You're all helping me out so much!! I can't thank you enough! Good luck with your numbers!
In addition, I would like to say how thrilled I am to be getting a French foreign exchange for 10 days in July. It is going to be so much fun! Even better, my France-disliking brother, Dan, asked me to teach him some French! This way, he can communicate better with our exchange student. What a lovely day! I'm been dreaming of him to ask me this for years!
Very happy,
Grace Mahoney
In addition, I would like to say how thrilled I am to be getting a French foreign exchange for 10 days in July. It is going to be so much fun! Even better, my France-disliking brother, Dan, asked me to teach him some French! This way, he can communicate better with our exchange student. What a lovely day! I'm been dreaming of him to ask me this for years!
Very happy,
Grace Mahoney
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
A Few Thanks
Although I haven't reached my goals yet, I want to say thanks to all the people who have bought tickets, lollipops, donated money, and just helped along the way!
Thanks to,
My family(Duh!)
Grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousin, etc. (Especially Aunt Marla- Helping me sell tickets. And Maddie M- Helping me sell lollipops!)
Jamie B! She has helped through everything! Literally! From getting my parents to allow me to go, sharing a million foreign exchange sites, just being a friend, buying tickets and lollipops, and a bunch more! If I could raise all my money this summer, I would devote my Autumn to helping you raise money for your exchange! I wish I could help you out somehow.
Michele! Thank you very much for taking 40 tickets to sell! You're amazing!!!
And everyone who has bought things from me!!
Thanks to,
My family(Duh!)
Grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousin, etc. (Especially Aunt Marla- Helping me sell tickets. And Maddie M- Helping me sell lollipops!)
Jamie B! She has helped through everything! Literally! From getting my parents to allow me to go, sharing a million foreign exchange sites, just being a friend, buying tickets and lollipops, and a bunch more! If I could raise all my money this summer, I would devote my Autumn to helping you raise money for your exchange! I wish I could help you out somehow.
Michele! Thank you very much for taking 40 tickets to sell! You're amazing!!!
And everyone who has bought things from me!!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Fundraising
Well, for the past few weeks, maybe even a couple months, I've been working on fundraising. I gathered ideas from the AFS site, other AFSers, as well as family and friends. My goal seems impossible, yet I have no other choice but to reach it. I need $12,000 just to cover my tuition alone! Not including my spending money(Which I'm famous for needing). I'm sure you understand why I find this difficult.
So, for my very first fundraiser, I'm selling, get ready-Raffle Tickets! Rahh! I can tell you are all reaching for the phone to place an order for my raffle tickets at this very moment, so dial quick! I'm selling 600! Each Raffle Ticket is $10 and every person has the chance to win anywhere from $15 to $250! I'll post a calendar for those who are interested.
Now, I'm also going to be starting other fundraisers soon. I'm selling cupcakes(Yum), French Bracelets in the fall(hopefully), I will be holding various garage sales, I want to find a job, my family and a few friends will work at places for money on certain days during the summer(as well as myself), I'm using this very helpful blog site, and many other fundraisers.
So, until I announce my next fundraiser, enjoy my raffle tickets!
Open your hearts, because I need $12,000!
Winnings-July:
Date, Amount of Money:
1st, $20
2nd, $25
3rd, $50
4th, $25
5th, $25
6th, $15
7th, $20
8th, $15
9th, $30
10th, $25
11th, $20
12th, $100
13th, $ 15
14th(Bastille Day!), $250
15th, $25
16th, $25
17th, $15
18th, $25
19th, $20
20th, $100
21st, $25
22nd, $15
23rd, $50
24th, $20
25th, $25
26th, $75
27th, $25
28th, $20
29th, $50
30th, $25
31st, $25
So, for my very first fundraiser, I'm selling, get ready-Raffle Tickets! Rahh! I can tell you are all reaching for the phone to place an order for my raffle tickets at this very moment, so dial quick! I'm selling 600! Each Raffle Ticket is $10 and every person has the chance to win anywhere from $15 to $250! I'll post a calendar for those who are interested.
Now, I'm also going to be starting other fundraisers soon. I'm selling cupcakes(Yum), French Bracelets in the fall(hopefully), I will be holding various garage sales, I want to find a job, my family and a few friends will work at places for money on certain days during the summer(as well as myself), I'm using this very helpful blog site, and many other fundraisers.
So, until I announce my next fundraiser, enjoy my raffle tickets!
Open your hearts, because I need $12,000!
Winnings-July:
Date, Amount of Money:
1st, $20
2nd, $25
3rd, $50
4th, $25
5th, $25
6th, $15
7th, $20
8th, $15
9th, $30
10th, $25
11th, $20
12th, $100
13th, $ 15
14th(Bastille Day!), $250
15th, $25
16th, $25
17th, $15
18th, $25
19th, $20
20th, $100
21st, $25
22nd, $15
23rd, $50
24th, $20
25th, $25
26th, $75
27th, $25
28th, $20
29th, $50
30th, $25
31st, $25
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Sponsor Me!
Bonjour! My name is Grace Mahoney.
I'll start off by introducing myself. Currently, I am 15 years old and a sophomore in high school. I am involved in various clubs and sports with my school, including Track, Cross Country, Indoor Track, Y.E.A., advanced classes, and a number of other activities. Also, I have great grades, which consist of mostly A's, but a B thrown onto my report cards every now and then. As typical as it may sound, I love everything French. The language, the people, the architecture, the music, and the customs. Therefore, in the spring of 2012, I hope to be overseas in France beginning my adventure abroad.
I'll start off by introducing myself. Currently, I am 15 years old and a sophomore in high school. I am involved in various clubs and sports with my school, including Track, Cross Country, Indoor Track, Y.E.A., advanced classes, and a number of other activities. Also, I have great grades, which consist of mostly A's, but a B thrown onto my report cards every now and then. As typical as it may sound, I love everything French. The language, the people, the architecture, the music, and the customs. Therefore, in the spring of 2012, I hope to be overseas in France beginning my adventure abroad.
Going to France has been my most passionate dream ever since I was little. The fashion statements from Paris, the gorgeous beaches in Nice, and the language of France itself- French. How could one dream of traveling elsewhere, when France beholds all the luxury, beauty, and elegance they could imagine?
So, for a whole semester, I will be testing my French knowledge while challenging myself beyond anything I've experienced before. Yet, it will all pay off as I gain fluency and learn the culture and customs of France. Upon my return, I plan to go to college and major in French. After, I will find a job using this incredible language. And, as we all know, foreign exchange isn't cheap. So, if you would like to help me achieve my dream to live and study abroad in France, please donate any amount of money to my site! All donations will be used solely for my trip to France!
To sponsor my AFS program now, please click the ChipIn button.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)