First Week

I guess I have to keep writing on this thing...
Cholet is amazing. It's like the best vacation and I get it for a year! Its so sunny and beautiful most of the time. I havnt done anything with rotary yet (aside from a day out with some of the other exchange students) so we'll see how that goes. So far my schedule has been weird. Very slow and perfect but with enough to keep me well entertained. The problem is I'm finding myself on skype when I have free time so its turning my chill schedule into a hectic one. Im not too worried about skype though. I'm still very active with my host family and i'm picking up French quickly. I can understand people 90% of the time now, but replying can be difficult. Skype is actually helping me to improve my english because I find myself not knowing how to say things without saying them in French.
So far, all is well. I'll start school on the 5th, we'll see how that goes.

In cholet!

I am currently in my bedroom in Cholet. Everything is so beautiful!
My trip was a little over 30 hours in total and I was soo ridiculously glad to be here so I could sleep.
It was a 2.5 hour plane ride, 2.5 hour layover, 8 hour plane ride, 6 hours in a hotel lobby and then 6-7 on a bus to everyones respective cities. My host family is absolutely lovely, but I'm entirely lost without Orane here to help me translate.
I love the whole condition of this place. My bedroom is cozy and the only one upstairs, after a small set of hardwood spiraling stairs. It looks like an attic with new floors and purple walls! <3 (see pictures at the bottom)
The kitchen smells of baked parmesan and fresh bread.
I found out I will have three host families. My second, with Nina, will be in the next town over so I will have to ride a bus to school. I can walk from here, as I defiantly prefer that to taking a bus. I know almost nothing about my school aside from how beautiful it is. Its old and on a hill, and looks like one of the many old cathedrals. Its apparently quite old and looks small.
Here are the pictures ive gathered so far:

One day left

and I'm starting to get scared. I think im managing one suitcase but I'm not done packing yet.
My last day will be spent with my family at one of my favorite places, the aquarium.
(Ill post pictures later. I'm going to take many. I love fish.)
I was reading Aja's blog (http://ajacorliss.blogspot.com/) and she made me realize this is the last time i'll sleep in my bed for a year. This is the last time I'll get to hold my puppy or go shopping or go to the seattle aquarium.
I imagine people that move a lot can handle it because they take everything that is dear to them. They get to bring comforts. I definatly didnt think this would be easy but its harder than I thought. The feeling of change is just starting to set in.

(SO excited though!)

Visa and Packing!

I got my visa in the mail a couple days ago! I still need to get a passport picture taken for my isic card, but heres my fancy visa:

Im also having some packing troubles. Clothes and stuff are fine but makeup is concerning because its a whole year, I need options. I got a train case and filled it as much as I need to but its about 15 pounds, so I might have to bring another suitcase for it and space for things I buy. Heres what I'm thinking so far, as far as getting everything there.

Only two days left, hopefully it passes quickly before I get too anxious!

Got in my first car accident today...

Fun times. Of course, its right before I leave, when I'm super dependent on my car. I need to be able to go see people! D:

Surprise Going Away Party!

Well, today was a surprise!
My mother and best friend threw me a going away party! They sent me off to the mall to get my sister some food and when I came back, the house was covered in decorations and all of my closest friends/family members were there. I got some money from my aunt and uncle (always needed when trying to blend into a new culture) and a brand-spanking-new camera, which I really needed. Two days ago I didnt even have a working camera on my phone, let alone something nice. (Also just got a new phone, so yay, music/camera/internet!)
The party itself was pretty fun, it was mostly just us watching movies or eating. Here are some pics from it:
1. Conner and some of the decor

2. Marissa and I making duck faces with Francis in the background being silly

3.More of the decor, me, Marissa, Francis and Amber

4. Conner, Nolan and Frank

Then after I got to go see my friend Peter, so all in all, it was a pretty excellent day. It feels strange to be leaving it all behind in just 8 short days. I havnt gotten my visa yet, I dont know if thats bad. I got an e-mail saying it should have been here on the 12th but that was an estimate on the first day of shipping so it surely could have been incorrect. Oh well, we'll see. For now, its bedtime. Goodnight world.

Got my itinerary today,

I'll be heading straight from Seattle to Minnesota to meet up with the other rotary students. Then, we will embark on our treacherous 16 hour journey to France. Does anyone know what the deal with baggage is? I know about the carry ons but I heard we can take two checked bags? That would be magcal. AND my grandma is coming up for the last week i'm here! I'm pretty excited, I miss her(:

Me, my sister Sydney and Nana last winter break(:
I just tried to text "kk." and typed "KKK" accidentally.
I'm waiting for a humorous response.

Well, only thirteen days left

and I'm sick):
Hopefully i'll feel better soon so I can get stuff done. There's so much to do and now even less time to do it in!

Also follow my tumblr,

I'm making one specifically for my trip to Cholet. It will be for pictures and shorter comments.
Good Morning, Cholet! (tumblr)

Only 14 days left!

Hi! I'm Alyssa. I'm 16 and I'm from Renton, Washington. On August 23rd I will be heading off to Cholet, France, to live for the next year. I will be attending a private school that I know almost nothing about and I'm entirely not ready. I suppose I'm as ready as I'll ever be, but it doesn't seem like thats enough. The best I can do for now is find time to do laundry, make sure I have everything I need and watch a lot of French movies. Hopefully diving into this head first won't be too difficult.