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!

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.

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!

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!

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!

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

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!!